Action Plan

PCOS. 

It's a term that I heard all throughout health class in high school, but I never paid much attention to it.  It was also a term that my gynocologists always gave as a reason why I couldn't conceive naturally.  My doctors always ended up prescribing Metformin, which is NOT something I want to take.  I will get my baby by myself, thank you, with no help from fertility drugs.

PCOS stands for polycistic ovarian syndrome.  It's a health condition that affects a woman's hormone levels, which in turn screws up her ovulation and menstrual cycles.  It actually affects the whole endocrine system and that in turn affects the rest of the body.  Women who have PCOS often have irregular periods; yep, that's me.  They also suffer from acne (that's me, too).  They have more body hair than normal (sad but true in my case) And they often have problems losing weight (*raises hand* ).


I have PCOS, the type where I'm insulin-resistant.  I bought this one excellent book on Amazon (ok, more like 5 excellent books on Amazon) and I've been streamlining my diet, MrDubDeez's too, since he's got high cholesterol.  I bought books for that as well.   So we're both eating a low-cholesterol, low-carb diet with LOTS of exercise.  =P  My PCOS book says insulin-resistant women carry their weight around their middles, which is one of my symptoms.  If I could whittle my waist and flatten my abs, I'd be totally skinny.  =P  The book says  you'll know it's working if your waistline shrinks, and mine has shrunken by 1/2 an inch.   Then again, I started my new routine just 2 weeks ago.  Not too shabby, I guess.   The theory is I'll be back on ovulation track once my insulin levels are stabilized.  *sigh*  Here's hoping.

But just in case diet and exercise doesn't work, I'm going to start acupuncture treatments to help regulate my cycles, and I've got a plan for how to get there.  I got the idea from Charlotte of SATC; I figured if everytime that show is on TBS and it's THAT one particular episode, it must be a sign, yes?  I looked up acupuncturists in my area and found one, Dr. Z.  I had my mom go to him first to treat her migraine headaches.  He was able to help her in 3 sessions, but she had to change her lifestyle as well, and she wasn't willing to.  So her headaches are back, but that's not really Dr. Z's fault.  

Anyway, I digress... 


My plan:  Sell, sell, sell, and sell some more!  Almost everything that I haven't worn in forever or I don't like anymore will be tossed up onto the chopping block.  This goes for jewelry and handbags.  I guess as I unpack I can see what I've got stashed away.  The hubs and I recently bought a house and we're still in the unpacking process. 

My goal:  I want to raise at least $1500 to start.  That would get me about 6 months of weekly treatments plus the cost of the herbs.

My goodies:  My extra rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, earrings and handbags; basically anything that I don't have a deep attachment to or doesn't have sentimental value to me.  I have them listed on a jewelry board's jewelry classified section.  Think Craigslist, but for jewelry nuts.  Hopefully I'll be able to sell a lot really fast.  You never can tell in this economy what will go quickly and what won't.  And of course, I want to find good homes for all my stuff.  I want them to be loved and happy.  :)

It all started with an epiphany...

I have a love for jewelry and handbags. I'm a member of a jewelry board and a member and lurker on a diamond board. I'm also a member of a handbag forum, but I mostly lurk there. One day at work during my lunch hour, I was on the Purse Forum looking around and quite by accident I stumbled onto this thread, titled "The Curbing-Consummerism-Club-Come-On-In."

I clicked it and started reading. It was a thread started by a member of the Purse Forum about getting out of debt. As I was reading, it got me thinking about why I felt compelled to buy so much jewelry.  And when it hit me why I kept doing what I've been doing, it was as if a lightbulb went off inside my head. Right there at my desk, I broke down and started crying. 

My difficulties in trying to get pregnant was frustrating the hell out of me. I felt like a failure. And I felt such a huge sense of helplessness at not being able to control my body and my ovaries. So I bought jewelry to make myself feel better and to take my mind off my irregular cycles.  Sure, what woman doesn't like jewelry, but is it really necessary to have seven engagement rings? Yes, you read it right: seven (I've only got one husband, by the way). I have one for every single day of the week. Some are real diamonds, others are extremely well-cut simulants. As soon as I get a piece of jewelry, I'm off looking for another one or planning another jewelry project. Necklaces, pendants, earrings, more rings...it's a never-ending cycle.

But the cycle stops today!  I've decided that I will go through all my handbags and jewelry and sell what I don't wear or love.  And with the money I get, I'm going to see an accupuncturist to see if I can get help regulating my cycles (think Charlotte in SATC !).

So...stay tuned! :)