Infertility Courtesy

Dear Blogging world,

If you know of someone who's struggling with infertility, even if  (or perhaps especially if) they're trying to move on.

And you are at all close to them (Family member, friend, neighbor, etc.).

Please tell them when you're expecting.  Preferrably via email or note so they can keep their emotions under control.

Don't let them guess when you start to show, or have them hear it through the grapevine.  (Repeatedly) 

Infertiles have feelings too you know.

Thanks in advance,

~ S

P.S. And once the "cat is out of the bag"  PLEASE don't complain to us how difficult your pregnancy is because you have to take thyroid medicine.

Thanks!

Dreaded Diagnosis

My palomino mare didn't shed out like she usually does this spring.  She's always had a thick coat in the winter, but she just didn't seem normal this year.

I tried not to worry about it, but deep in my heart I knew she wasn't her usual self. 

Today I got the call that confirmed my fears.  She has Cushings Disease, a  tumor of the pituitary gland.  (A small gland at the base of the brain which regulates the rest of the horse’s endocrine {glands & hormones} systems.)


Per Equisearch, "As the tumor grows, it puts pressure on the nearby hypothalamus, which is what regulates the body temperature. This is believed to be the primary cause of the distinctive coarse, wavy hair coat."


As cells in the pituitary gland become overactive, they excess quantities of a peptide called pro-opiolipomelanocortin (POLMC, for short) causing the entire endocrine system to go out of balance."


I am waiting for a call back from my vet to find out what we do next. It looks like there are treatments available if things haven't progressed too far.  (She seems fine at the moment, except for the hair growth.)  Hopefully the medications can bring her back into good health for a few more years. In fact although it's common in older horses, some get Cushings when they're as young as 7! (My mare just turned 27 this April.)


But according to Equisearch, eventually the tumor will compromise my horse’s life and when she starts having seizures, euthanasia becomes the kindest option.  I'm really hoping this will be a LONG way down the road, and it breaks my heart that she truly has it.

The Horse Channel site had some more promising information on the disease and what I can do to make her life better. I am hoping that with medicine she will remain happy and healthy a bit longer, as although I can treat the symptoms, the medicines will not reduce the growth of the tumor, and this breaks my heart as I spoke for Jewel when she was a day old, and she has stuck by my side through thick and thin, and ALWAYS gives me a kiss when I see her.

I know nothing lasts forever, but all I want to do right now is rush to her side, hug her gorgeous gold neck, and bury my face in her mane and cry.

Is there anybody out there?

Searching for a job has been much harder than I ever imagined this time around. I send in my resume only to never hear anything!

Even my recruiters don't respond, I only hear from them when they need someone. It's quite frustrating, as you begin to wonder who's side they are on. But I'm sure they are just busy...

I did get a call from a great company yesterday, and I was in the top 20 of over 100 resumes.  Unfortunately the salary they offered was 1/2 of what I need to make.  Everyone is looking for a "Great deal", but unfortunately I can't afford to work for great deal prices!

I wonder if I could add the following bullet points to my resume or cover letter:

• Can't have children
• No drama
• Can work long hours

That way I could let them know that I will never have the "distractions" parents have.  Or the drama of a sick kid or teacher's conferences, or the punch out at 5 for daycare excuse.  Since I can't have kids, this won't change like the younger workforce

My last company told me that if I wanted to come into work later I needed to have kids or a valid reason like a dental appointment.  Asking to come in at the same time as the rest of the "team" wasn't justified.  I was really hurt when they said this, (Especially since they knew I had tried everything I could to have children.) but maybe I can turn it around and make it work in my favor. 

There has to be a plus side to infertility right?

June in California?

June started off with rain and dreary weather, and it seemed more like Iowa than California.  My garden is LOVING it!  Which is a good thing. 

Finding peonies in the store also made it seem more like Iowa than California. 

I couldn't resist and bought three. 

 

I may be getting more as they last a long time...
 

and opened up so BEAUTIFULLY!!!

 

I also bought a bottle of wine just because I liked the packaging... it had CUPCAKES on it!
And was called "Red Velvet". (Obviously a blend.)
But it turned out to be a lovely table wine for summer.

On second thought, I think I'll have to get more of both. :-)