EPC progress

I guess I haven't posted much on my own progress with pregnancy and the EPC plan. So, I thought I would write a bit here for you.

I have had much success. I am not losing weight because I am pregnant, but that is the last issue I really have is that I want to lose weight. I have no more hair to pluck (what I do have is very very blonde again like it used to be YEARS ago!!)My skin is really nice, my moods and depression are much better, my migraines are gone, I am off of medications including glucophage, migraine medication, and mood medication. I conceived without any medication to induce ovulation (and I had never ovulated without clomid or glucophage in the past). I have had a really nice pregnancy with no gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and hopefully no preemature baby... (all of which I have had problems in the past). I also have had miscarriages. I wake up much more energized... I sleep better at night... there are really tons of things that are really great compared to before I started following the EPC program.

One thing that I am REALLY happy about is when my last baby was born and I had remained on glucophage the entire pregnancy, he had low blood sugar. The next morning he totally stopped eating and ended up in NICU for 4 days. They never figured out why but I have always wondered if it could have been the glucophage.

That's a quick note about it in a nutshell.... LOL... I will write more later.

Cancer Update

I have been asked for an update so here goes. I am so glad that you all care so much.

First of all, my sister was discharged from the hospital on Monday. She has a lot of pain and quite a bit of recovering to do at home yet but she really wanted out of there so she could get to her own home and her babies (her dogs). They did, after a day or two, tell her that pathology came back and did actually find that some cancer was removed from her lungs (after they thought they had found none). This kind of cancer also has a "bad habit" of returning after a while and they said when it returns it often goes to the bones or the brain. She will have to go through more chemo and then radiation on her brain and the hopefully this is over!!!!!

Now on to my mom. She had a nuclear test last Friday. I thought it was going to be a CT Scan but they said it wasn't. They injected dye and some other thing and looked at her liver very closely. It all made her nauseated and achy so that wasn't fun. She got the results on Tuesday and.... Spot on liver: NOT cancer. They figure it is veins or something like that. Yaaaaay! So, today was not only her first chemo but also her birthday!! What a day! She was very tired and they gave her meds for nausea. We won't know if the chemo makes her ill at all for a day or two I guess. Tomorrow we're going to visit as long as she feels well. If not then I will go alone and Matt and the kids will stay home. She is anxious to see my kids though so I hope she feels well.

GREAT NEWS!

I have GOOD news!! Great news, in fact. My sister Candice had a scope type surgery Wednesday to see if they could do a lung surgery to remove the last of the cancer. The scope was to get a lymph node and do a biopsy. If they found cancer in the lymph nodes then she would not be a candidate for the lung surgery. We sat in the waiting room for hours and hours and prayed that they would not find cancer in the lymph nodes so she could have the lung surgery - which we thought would remove the remainder of the cancer. After sitting for 4-1/2 hours we were told that the lymph nodes had no cancer and they would be immediately prepping her for the lung surgery. About 2-1/2 hours later the surgeon called us in for a conference. He said that they removed almost the entire inner lobe of her lungs but *found NO cancer*. He said that what they seen on the scans must have been something like a dried up tumor or scarred tissue (don't quote me on that, all I know is that it was NOT cancer). He said that it was the best news we could have received. We rejoiced!!

She is in the hospital now, recovering from major surgery (just as "major" as it would have been if they had removed cancer) but she is really happy and doing well. She even requested that I bring my 5 rugrats up to visit her yesterday! She will be in the hospital for probably a full week for sure. Then it's home to recover some more and then she will still have to have radiation on her brain.

My niece (sister's daughter) and I are now working on getting my sister a hearing aid. The chemo and radiation have damaged her hearing. She has been pretty miserable trying to hear people lately. Her insurance will not pay for a hearing aid, or even a visit to the audiologist. So we are applying for help with "Hear Now" - a program with sotheworldcanhear.org And also looking into the Lions Foundation for Hearing. Wish us luck! (I can't believe that insurance won't pay for hearing aids!!!!!)

My mom had a nuclear test - I guess much more in debth than a CT Scan or MRI - to look at her liver closely. She will receive the results of that on Tuesday and then hopefully all will be fine and they will finally move on to chemo.

All of this has been really exhausting - the ups and downs - and we are so thrilled that my sister is doing so well... FINALLY some great news for our family. I think we've all been sleeping better the last few days. Now we have to keep praying for the good news to keep on coming.

Blog Highlights From Beginning Through August

MUST SEE! If you haven't checked this out yet please be sure to do so!

http://www.pcosliving.com/epctest/epctest.html

You will need real player to check out the film clips. This shows immune activation and various other states. It explains how and why the theories of chronic inflammation work. It shows why the EPC blood test works.

From my first blog entry: take a guess as to how much money was reimbursed to us? $900-- some odd dollars. Just under $1000 dollars. For TWO months of meds. And, aside from me, NO ONE here takes a thing. It's all me. All my stuff. It is really embarrassing that by June my medications are fully paid for because I have met the maximum on my insurance plan. I feel like I should be an elderly person with a hundred medical issues....

From my second blog entry:
my private hell (with what was PCOS) was killing me and I slowed down in doing everything I loved.
Though weight has so much to do with feeling "womanly" and "feminine" and beautiful.... What I want more than anything else is to become healthy and know that I am going to be around when my kids are growing up and that I am not going to Kiel over from a heart attack and leave my husband alone to raise 5 little ones on his own.

June 23rd blog entry: a lesson I need to take to heart in MANY aspects of my life I think! There just isn't enough time for this bologny. I WANT TO LIVE. I want to have ZEST again. And... I want to share it with my loved ones. And those who don't love me? Pooey on them... I give up on trying to please those who will never be pleased, those who SUCK the energy right out of you, chew you up and spit you out and leave you in a mush. It is time that I give THE BEST OF ME to those who love me. And stop bothering with all of those who don't. My loved ones do not deserve the scraps I have been throwing them. Time for them to get the WHOLE ME. The HEALED ME.

July 11th: I am still struggling with how horrible people can be. I read somewhere that spiritual people are especially hurt because they are more free than others to risk vulnerability. Caring and loving for them is not an option but a necessity, a vocation. I definitely think that reaching out to others has always been a vocation for me. And there are those who would say "toughen up". But you know, to hurt is human. Jesus hurt very deeply. To put on a tough front, to me, is to act arrogant. That isn't me.

July 12 Moving On Up - A good entry: OK - that is enough moping around about how rotten other people can be. Time to move on out and get on with life.
If you can picture a car pulling over to the side of the road... the door opens... out flies some luggage and bags... out flies a couple purses.... then out plops a couple of people who look like hell and have horns on their head. The car rips away, blowing dust all over them. The happy passengers yell out the window "Hasta la Vista" while the ex-passengers stick up their thumbs and look for the next vehicle of people to weigh down and torture with their ill will and bad manners.

From July 19th Blog entry: Answered Prayers
By Tarra Hartl (announcing pregnancy)

July 23 Blog Entry: How are you feeling? How's your cholesterol? Are you going to be around for your children's future or are you going to keil over from a heart attack before they get to adulthood? Are you morbidly obese? The words "morbid obesity" kill me. It means we are so overweight that we could DIE from health concerns having to do with that. Have you lost babies to miscarriage, preeclampsia, or other complications? I have lost two and nearly lost my own life as well. Are you on medications to treat all kinds of symptoms but not the problem? (A headache is NOT an aspirin deficiency...).

August 1st - Don't sweat the small stuff:

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in

a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

August 18 Driven: All I know is, in my opinion, it should be their DUTY, in accordance with their mission statement, to provide the information (NOT endorse it mind you - just make it available) to their members and website visitors - so that the info is there and people can make their own choices. Perhaps one or two or 20 or 100 or 1000 women or men wouldn't have to *EDITED BY AUTHOR* while their children watch. Can you imagine thinking... "Oh Gosh, I guess perhaps my loved one wouldn't have had to have suffered, or died, if only we would have known about this and been able to try this 5 or 10 years ago...." WOW, what a horrible thought. And, that thought is reality. It happens everyday.

Statement

In response to the Figure Magazine article listing me as the President of the PCOSA, I wanted to formally state that I am no longer associated with the PCOSA and have not been associated with that organization in any way since my resignation in October of 2005. The article was actually written before my resignation. I had not made any kind of public statement until now because I did not want to cause any harm, but I realize now that it's time to be open.

I volunteered for the PCOSA for over 5 years. I gave my all for the community to the point that I nearly bankrupt myself financially and emotionally. I came to realize slowly over time that I could not meet the mission alone and until all were unified, it would not happen. As with many organizations there is always red tape, politics and personal agendas. My heart was truly in my volunteer work (I was never, ever a paid employee) but there comes a time when you have to put your own well-being and that of your family first. I chose to not be a part of it any longer but I will remain an advocate for women with PCOS.

I will always do whatever I can do to help further the cause and reach out to those who need help. I will do this, with integrity, through my volunteer (ALL volunteer, just FYI) work with PCOSLiving and EPC.

FIGURE Magazine & updates

Happy Wednesday!!

The article in FIGURE Magazine is out tomorrow. Tulin is the main feature and Meredith and I are featured as well. Pretty COOL!!! A BIG BIG thanks to Figure Magazine for talking about PCOS. Your article will help MANY women to find the help they need to find health and happiness in their lives again!

CONGRATULATIONS to Branden and Kaylea who are *finally* expecting their first child in September. It's early so send your good thoughts and prayers their direction!

I wanted to ask you all to pray for Tara. She is pregnant with a desperately wanted child and is on the edge of her seat until the first trimester is over. Let's shower her in our good thoughts and prayers and help her glide right on through this scary time.

I also wanted to give quick updates about my family. First of all, my sister is going to have the remaining cancer in her lungs removed via surgery! Thank God!! My mom has to undergo another CT Scan to see what a spot on her liver is. They hope it is just veins. Let's pray for that! Her chest and lungs have turned out to be just fine. After this CT Scan she will likely start chemo. Finally, my BIL is doing well. He went home a week ago today and seems to be on the road to a full recovery. Now, I am hoping that our streak of bad luck has turned to GOOD luck here... knock on wood!!

I had an OB appt today. It went well and as usual I really adore my doctor. He said that he uses me as his "perfect example" with his other patients who have PCOS, as someone who followed a plan/regimine and has overcome infertility (with flying colors!!) and even ovulated without stimulation this time. The pregnancy is going well. My BP is normal. I have gained 8 pounds, totallying 19 pounds, which I don't like but, it is completely normal and healthy. Baby is breach and may have to be "externally rotated" at my next appt or the one after... doesn't sound like fun so I hoping she turns around soon. My first breach baby!!

Well, I hope you will all RUN out to Lane Bryant and purchase the latest FIGURE magazine. Show them how much we appreciate their helping educate women about PCOS!!!!

Much love,
Tarra

Quick Updates

I just got off the phone with mom. She said that she didn't start chemo yesterday because they have to do more tests now. They found something on her lungs and something in her chest. They call it "suspicious cells". They're not saying it's cancer but they are going to find out for sure what it is before they proceed. She also had an allergic reaction to the tape that holds in the port on her chest. So, she didn't get really great news and she didn't get to get the ball rolling with the chemo. But she is holding up okay and all the support from family sure does help! She has appts. tomorrow and next week and will find out what is going on with those cells and then perhaps start chemo next week Thursday.

My BIL had an angiogram yesterday and they found a 95-100% blockage in an artery so they put in a stint. He is having some issues with his stomach and throwing up a lot so that isn't fun but looks like the heart attack did not cause damage so we thank God for that.

My sister had an appt with her oncologist yesterday to talk about possibilities for surgery or what to do about the cancer left in her lungs. Sounds like she didn't found out much except that they don't know what to do because she has had all the chemo and radiation she can have for now. So, she has to wait and see what they come up with and go from there. I hope and pray that they do something. I can't imagine them just saying that can't do anything now. Do they do that???

Our family has been really lucky for so long and now all of the sudden all these things are happening. I am so glad that we have extended family and friends who are praying because I know there is power in prayer and this will all start to get better soon!!

Thank you ALL and bless you for caring about us.

When it rains it pours

If you all didn't think enough "rain had poured"... my BIL had a heart attack today. This is my sister who has cancer's husband. He is stablized now... I don't know much else. I seriously had thought the pouring was over... I can't believe this!! A blessing that could come out of this: He could decide to take better care of himself and get healthy!! He needs to!!

My nephew had a bomb blow up under his vehicle last night. He is fine, thank God he is in the Buffalo which is built for things like that. He was shaken up but not injured. Here are some photos of him. One is of him helping to care for an Iraqi man who was shot. He said the man was shot twice in the back but he thinks he will be okay.















The Buffalo is the most advanced mine resistant vehicle in the world. It can be configured for multiple missions and is specifically designed to be repaired in the field. Cutting-edge technology combined with the best American automotive components give this vehicle the maximum visibility, load carrying capacity, interior space and parts availability of any vehicle in its class.

Click here to go to a blog that has a video of the
Buffalo at work, including an exploding IED.

Click here to read a recent article about the Buffalo.































This is Erik bandaging an injured Iraqi man.

The Good & The Bad

Well, the last few days have been a bit difficult. Full of reflection and... well, some bad news. I will save the bad news for last.

Reflection: I have been thinking a lot about what kind of wife, mother, and person I want to be. I hope to make a lot of changes in the new year. I want to be better at everything, and I want to be happier with myself. I look at my kids and see how precious they are and how much they deserve me to be PERFECT... well I know that is not possible but, I can try and they deserve nothing less. My husband - the same goes for him. He deserves more from me. He deserves more love and nurturing from me. It seems like he is always taking care of me. I need to take care of him. He is such a good man, a sweet, loving, kind man. I am so lucky to have him. We have been doing lots of talking and just spending time together the last few days. We used to talk all the time but with 5 kids it gets hard. So, we are making a vow to talk more and make more time for each other in the next year.

My own health must be taken care of... I have slipped away from some of the great habits I had going with my EPC plan, and it is really showing. I have become more moody, tired, weepy. I thought perhaps it was some of the season with stress and blues, but Matt says that it's like night and day - me being faithful to the EPC plan or not. He says he can see it clear as a bell. I need to be on it. I need to follow it and take care of myself. I learned my lesson! No such thing as a little bite of this and drink of that doing no harm!!!!

News: My mom starts chemo on the 3rd. I hope and pray it goes well for her.

The bad thing is my sister got some more test results. I am not sure how it all worked out but, she spent Christmas believing she was in remission and on her way to a full recovery. A couple days ago her doctor called and said that the CT Scan showed that there is still cancer in her lungs. She is not in remission. However it was overlooked, her doctor apologized profusely for the error. Part of me thinks that it was a blessing, so that she could really enjoy Christmas and not have that weight on her shoulders. She really did enjoy Christmas. She was SO happy, upbeat, and bubbly the whole time. Now she is sad, let down, I suppose a lot like a nasty kick in the gut. She isn't talking to any of us because she doesn't want to discuss it or cry about it. She just needs her time I know.

SO... that was hard to hear after we all felt so good about the cancer being gone.

Happy New Year to you all!
Tarra