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Grace's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 8/9/00 -------------------- 8/2/00 7/26/00 7/19/00 7/10/00 7/7/00 7/5/00 6/27/00 6/21/00 6/14/00 6/6/00 5/30/00 5/22/00 -------------------- Grace's Introduction

May 22, 2000

So where are we now?

Let me start by saying that I am a New Yorker through and through. That being said, this journey includes some eastern medical practices. I live in Northern California after all! I am going to an acupuncturist once a week. My treatments are basic now, as we are in a rebuilding phase. I have about 12 or so needles placed in strategic positions on my body. I remain on the table with the needles in place for about 20 minutes or so, the goal being to restore balance and optimize the functions of my key organs.

In Chinese medicine, the liver and kidney function are essential to healthy fertility. Many times herbs are prescribed in conjunction with the needles. The herbs are meant to do a variety of things and are prescribed based on patient need. As a candidate for IVF, with the hormone regimen, no herbs are given to me.

A friend recently asked why I bother going to an acupuncturist at all. I guess I like going to my appointments. Can I say that I feel a drastic difference or a change at all? No. I do like devoting a set time to my week for doing nothing. In my hectic life, 20 minutes when I can’t move over to answer my cell phone is welcome. Again, I don’t know that it is working, but I don’t know that it is not. My RE doesn’t have a problem with it, so I choose to go.

I hope to start my IVF medications soon. My RE (Dr. S) had been keeping track of a fibroid that I have on the outside of my uterus. It has grown since last fall and we had considered having it removed. It would not interfere with conception and fertilization but could become an irritant later in pregnancy. I met with my high-risk specialist (Dr. M) last week and he said not to bother with the operation. In my case, he felt that there are no real advantages to having the procedure done. With no surgery to schedule, and recover from, I don’t know what would stop me from moving right along.

I could go on and on but I don’t want my first entry to be an entire book.

Be well!
Grace