Advil Cold & Sinus I Love Thee

I feel like ass tonight. I went to the walk-in clinic tonight as my right ear still hurts. I though my swimmers ear hadn’t cleared up. Turns out it has. My ear hurting is due to my sinus/head cold allergies. The doctor asked me what I was taking. I told him:

-Aeruis
-Advil Cold & Sinus

He said I should steam.

I told him I already do, and that I irrigate with salt water.

He offered me a corticoid nasal spray.

I told him I have Nasonex.

He suggested that I see a specialist.

I told him that I’ve seen an allergist, was told that I do not have seasonal allergies and was diagnosed with chronic sinutis/rhinitis.

I also told him I’ve seen an ENT and inquired about surgery on my sinuses, to which I was told the surgery would only last a few months to two years at the most. The ENT (Ear, nose and throat specialist) pretty much declined me.

I saw a naturopath. I was told I had a dairy allergy which causes my sinus issues. I think I stumped the walk-in clinic doctor.

I did go home and steam and irrigate. And took some Nasonex. I didn’t do much> I need my Advil Cold & Sinus, but being so late in the evening and it being a non-drowsy drug, I have to suffer. At least I am not hacking up phlegm anymore.

My sinuses can be so bad that they render me useless. Ah it sucks to be me.

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I took Aaron with me to drop the forms off at the fertility clinic. The nurse/receptionist was enamored with him. I said she could tell the IP’s how cute he is, as I won’t be giving them one of his baby pics, (of this I am almost certain) only some of mine.

2 days till I get probed. And have my consult. I get to see what kind of reserve I have (egg wise). I feel like a dam.

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I applied for a job that I really want. It’s a corporate sales job with my former employer. I’ve got the inside goods, my resume and cover letter were stellar. I hope they call me for an interview. Wish me luck.

FAIL

In the last 24 hours I have screwed up; twice.

We just got a new Wal-Mart Super Center here in Victoria. Finally! I am tired of all the construction that has been taking place for nearly three years. All the hassle I have to go through to make a quick trip to Wally World.

The Grand opening was on Wednesday and Aaron and I christened it last night.

Along with the new Wal-Mart is a HUGE parking garage. It was so busy last night that there were security personnel directing traffic. I was funneled into said parking garage parked my car when I found the first available spot, grabbed a cart loaded Aaron up and proceeded to entrance expecting to have the big O on the spot.

Three years! That is how long I have been and anticipating this Wal-Mart Super Center. Three years is a long time.

But I didn’t. I am not sure why It’s nice and all, but not what I expected. Hell, they even have escalators for shopping carts! You’d think I’d be more impressed.

I let Aaron explore while I chased after him and got to the store lay-out.

After 40 minutes or so of Aaron exploring I corralled him into a cart, got our needed items and proceeded to the check out, paid, and headed to the parking garage in an industrial sized elevator. (Which reminded me of Ikea. Except there have two. Wal-Mart Canada you FAIL))

And then, I didn’t know where I parked. I had an idea so I went there.

And here.

And there.

And here.

40 minutes later I still hadn’t found the car. I ended up having to get an employee to help me find the car.

Wal-Mart FAIL!

I pushed Aaron around this parking garage for 40 minutes people! He was good the entire time. Thank god for strawberries and fruit snacks.

I had an epiphany today. I have turned into what I feared most; an Island Girl.

I was city girl, but alas she is gone. The city girl I used to be would ALWAYS check her level and parking area number. I had to growing up shopping at Metrotown. Even when I am shopping in Seattle, Portland or LA I always check my parking area number.

I have succumbed to the laid back Island life. God help me. I prided myself on my street sense ways, always remembering to lock my car even in the safest of neighbourhoods. This is instilled in anyone who grew up in Metro Vancouver which includes Surrey the the car theft capital of North America (On a side note, I don't think Suri Cruise will be happy when she learns what a Surrey Girl is despite the different spelling, this might scar her for life.)

Well she is gone. I must now mourn.

My other failure was leaving Eric in charge of some roasting vegetables while I took Aaron out. I found a new recipe that I wanted to try.

I came back to pan of charred eggplants and tomatoes.

Cooking FAIL!

In no way do I blame Eric for this. I never told him to check on the vegetables at a certain time. I even came home 3 minutes before the timer was to go off.

Let this be a lesson. If your cooking something new don't leave to house or someone else charge.

Egg Donor Disclosure

I picked up my forms from the fertility clinic yesterday and have to complete them and drop them off before my initial appointment next week.

These are some of the questions I have to answer.

1. Are you comfortable with the intended parents (IPs) having access to your medical history ?

-Yes.

2. Are you comfortable with the IPs knowing your name(s)

-No

3. Would you like to know the names of the Intended parents

-No

4. Would you like to know the outcome of this cycle ( i.e. if successful pregnancy occurred )

-Yes

5. Would you be agreeable to any children resulting from this cycle, once they reach age 18 years, being given access to your identity ?

-Undecided.

Would you be agreeable to being contacted by the IPs in the case of a medical emergency. e.g. if the child required a bone marrow transplant !

-In a heart beat!!


Question 5 really has me wavering. My initial response was to say no. I do not want any children resulting in this cycle knowing my name. What if said child(ren) wants to forge a relationship with me or shows up at my door out of the blue? This isn't something I want to deal with in the future. But then again I believe everyone has a right to know about their history.

Another thing I wonder about is if I want to know the IP's names or not. I may say no now, but then part of me might wonder and it might eat at me every time I see a pregnant woman or a new mom and baby. Victoria is too damn small for my liking. I wish I could donate in a bigger city or part of the country so the likelihood of running into any future offspring is almost impossible.

***TMI warning for men.***

I have my appointment next week. For the first time ever I will be probed down there. I will be getting a vagisound. And I do most things with a bang the first time, as I will be on my period next week it will be a blast for sure. I told the clinic this and they said it wasn't an issue. The whole probing thing doesn't bug me I just find ironic for what time of the month my initial appointment was set for.

What I Managed To Avoid My Entire Pregnancy...

***I don't know what's up with blogger, but it won't accept spaces between my paragraphs at the bottom of my post and I've tried to edit it 3X amd I am tired. *** I picked some up today.

I managed to avoid having to use this product my ENTIRE pregnancy. I can proudly say, that I do not even know what a hemorrhoid looks like. And it isn't something I intend to google.

I was told that Preparation H is a good ointment to apply to my tattoos as per the after care instructions.

What I've found is that every artist, every studio seems to have a different opinion on tattoo aftercare. It's maddening.

I have been talking to a few different artists and studios and I've been searching Dr. Google.

I was told by my artist to wash it after a few hours with a mild soap then start using Lubiderm, Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizer (free of scents or dyes) or Preparation H and to not get it wet until it's completely healed. I was checking out the ingredients on the Prep H and low an behold it has fragrance listed on the ingredients. Seriously WTF? Why is fragrance needed in a cream that is meant to shrink appendages on your ass? If you have said appendages you certainly shouldn't be down there and neither should anybody else for that matter.

Some artists or it seems to be the case here, encourage you to wash your tattoo 2 - 3 times per day with a mild soap and to not break out the Lubiderm until day 3.

I've been told "Water will fuck it up." "Showers are good for it." "It's okay to get it a little wet." "Water is evil to a tattoo."

One thing that is a general consensus is that submerging the tattoo in water be it by swimming, bathing or lounging in a hot tub is a no no.

So I don't know if I should be showering, not showering, washing it with a mild soap 2-3 times a a day and avoiding moisturizer until day 3 (Is that the third day of having my tattoo which would be today? Or 72 hours after getting it which would put me into tomorrow?)

GAH!

So far I've been washing 2-3 times per day with a mild soap (Pears for those of you that might be interested), patting them dry with a clean towel and I avoided moisturizers until last night when it got itchy and dry and I used one of Aaron's Aveeno scent free ones. The today I broke down and bought the Preparation H as per this site your to put an anti bacterial ointment (which I realize it is not, but was a compromise on what I was told and what I have researched) on it for 2-3 days then break out the Lubiderm on Day 3. So maybe I've fucked up my healing process I hope not.

My first two tattoos I remember washing it off and moisturizing then with Vaseline Intensive Care. I was all gung ho to do to do that in 2005 when I got my third tattoo on a whim with a friend when we were on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. That we washed 2X a day with a mild soap and used Vitamin E cream. (She used Vitamin oil and hers healed poorly. Probably due to the lack of her skin being able to breath because of the oil) I'll keep up with the Prep H Ointment until tomorrow, and bust out the Lubiderm until they heal.

Obviously there is more than one right way to do something just as there is usually more than one way to get from point A to B.

Another thing that is maddening about this tattoo thing is that I can't work out. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! As the sweat will irritate it. I was planning on starting up at te gym again as I find exercise helps me stabilize my moods and I went off of my antidepressants for the egg donation. I've settled for light excerises that don't induce sweating. Like long walks on the beach.

***As a disclaimer I am not giving any tattoo aftercare advice, I am just writing about my experience this time around***

P.S. This is my 100th post on this blog. Happy 100th Post Birthday to me!

Tattoos

Here is a craptastic picure of my new tattoos. It was the best I could get with a cell phone cam as our batteries are dead for our other camera and I broke my point and shoot.

Yummy

A friend and I went to see Eclipse tonight. She had already seen it, but wasn't opposed to seeing Taylor Lautner without his shirt on. Neither was I to tell the truth.

You know who I'd really like to see without a shirt? Kellan Lutz. Mmm. Now that would be nice. Maybe some big wig producer will read this and they'll show him shirtless in Breaking Dawn.

A Word

I am very serious about egg donation. The clinic called me yesterday as they couldn't remember if I was interested in egg donation or surrogacy. (I don't think I would able to be a surrogate, I hated being pregnant and going through birth and surrendering that little baby would be too hard. This would be very different if it were for a family member or a close friend. )

I stated my intentions and am waiting to her back from the nurse coordinator with info on ED and someone to book my initial appointment. (I've emailed them and spoken to them on the phone. So I think two separate people might be in contact with me since I've heard from the head doctor)

Egg donors are not compensated in Canada. This law came into effect in 2004. As a result, one fertility clinic in Montreal had a drop of 70% in egg donors.

I don't how I feel about this. Honestly, I have looked into ED in the U.S. but as I do not have legal rights to work in the U.S. therefore I can't donate there.

I think some women might donate for seemingly easy money, but it is a grueling process involved. You inject yourself with drugs that make your hormonal and nauseous. Your pretty much making your body think it's pregnant. So I imagine it to be like I am pregnant but 100X worse. I see why women are compensated in the U.S. which isn't the case in Canada.

If I am found to be a suitable donor, I will go through with it. Most likely, the couple will be from The Island, even Victoria. I want to go anonymous. I don't even know if that is possible in Victoria. I don't know how I would feel if I ran into a mom and her baby that could be mine biologically. And in Victoria, the possibility is there. I am have dominate genes. Aaron's eyes are handed down from my French Canadian grandma. Who knows how many of her ancestors we resemble. I look like my dad, who looks like my grandma and Aaron looks like me. I wish I could donate elsewhere as to eliminate the possibility of seeing my potential biological child(ren) in public.

Do I wish I could be paid for my eggs?Yes. Is it deciding factor? No. I will need to find a ride to the clinic on the day of potential retrieval and have someone stay with me the 24 hours surrounding it. If Eric is at sea I'll have to rely on friends.

My point is , I am not sure how I feel about ED's being compensated but I think it would make is easier for infertile Canadians to become parents. I'll be doing a comparison on Canadian IVF rates vs. American to see if it's a big financial difference.