Month: October 2014

7.5 lb bag of groceries

Ok future womb-mate, it’s just about go time!  I want you to know that, much as I will enjoy our time together, I will have zero problems handing you over to your parents.  You see, I’ve done this before!  Ok, not EXACTLY this, but similar.  When I was 20 I had an unplanned pregnancy.  In the first (and perhaps only) completely unselfish act of my life, I decided that I was in NO way prepared to be a mother, much less a single one, so I had a beautiful baby boy and gave him up to a wonderful couple.  Here’s the big, fat, looming, makes-ALL-the-difference, exception in this situation: from day one, minute one, even before you’re you, you do not belong to me.  In any way.  You’re a 7.5 lb bag of groceries that took a long time to get to its destination.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m going to love you and cherish you and hug you and call you George…wait, not George! But the rest. And when the day is over, I’m going to go home to my boys that look like me and act like me and belong to me.  I’ll miss you hanging around in me, but it won’t be the kind of missing that crushes your entire being into a tiny wad of sensitivity, it’ll be normal.

Kathy & Katie

Hi Katie,

I really enjoyed your article on the battle with sugar. I can relate to so mayn points in your story and would really like to give up sugar and get healthier.

You mention cutting out carbohydrates,sugar and grains, so I was wondering if you could give me a sample of what you eat over a few days?

Thanks and regards,
Kathy

Kathy,

Good luck with your plan!

A typical day for me would be as follows:

Morning – protein shake or a banana

Lunch- baked chicken and vegetables (steamed or just cut up raw veggies)

Dinner- Steak with vegetables and a salad with dressing (be careful of the dressing – check for carbs and sugar)

I limit the red meat each week so dinner could be chicken or pork or shrimp. There are good recipes in the Paleo cookbooks out there. I eat cheese so I’m not 100% Paleo but close.

I make sure my portions fill me up. If you need to snack, pick vegetables or a fruit. Your body will adjust to this and not crave anything else within a month if you really stick to it. I don’t want any of the junk foods that I used to eat. They don’t taste good to me.

I hope this helps get you started. Reach out anytime.

8/08/2014

While Katie had been to see the doctor before, this was the first appointment that I could attend.  I was excited, curious, nervous…..all the usual suspects.  Also attending was our surrogate, a close family friend with a great sense of humor who is always good at lightening the mood.  I got to meet our doctor, Dr. Whitten, and was pleased to find out that he was friendly and approachable.  Using additional data he had gathered from Katie’s previous appointment, he sat down and walked us through the process from start to finish – ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, genetic testing, egg fertilization, embryo freezing, etc.  Katie had heard some of this before and is, let’s be honest, smarter than me so she was taking it in stride.  I was excited about what I was hearing, but trying to digest the information so I could understand.  I managed to get through it without any old, college “what the hell is he talking about?” flashbacks.  After meeting with Dr. Whitten, we then met with our Nurse Coordinator named Tracy.  She sat down with us and walked us through the calendar of events, which is complicated and very specific.  Everything must be timed just right to get maximum effectiveness out of the procedure.  She gave us handy color coded calendars which I still consult multiple times a day.  Also, at this appointment, the first part of MY difficult contribution was discussed – the backup semen sample. Jokes were flying into my head at an overwhelming rate, but I kept telling myself “Don’t say anything. She’s definitely heard ALL of the jokes you’re thinking of.  You’re not that funny.  Don’t…….say…….a…….word.”  So, in the end I managed to get out of there with just a couple of jokes being thrown out there and without embarrassing myself too much (in my own humble opinion). Tracy sent me on my way with a brown paper bag containing a specimen cup and told me to bring it back with me for the next appointment.

Julie & Katie

Well Katie….with a few supportive words, your columns, books/articles on No Sugar lifestyle changes, and a bit of soul searching as to why I’m putting junk/poison in my body, I’m on my way to transforming my eating habits/health. I’ve always been very healthy as to how I treat my body especially the last few years, so this is the last, most crucial part. Plus my birthday’s on Monday…what could be a better bday gift?!?!?

I had my first colonoscopy this morn and decided that since it’s all cleaned out and pristine (I know TMI), 🙂 I’ll keep it healthy from now on. I cleaned out cupboards, fridge, and freezer and purged and resupplied with good healthy foods.

I’m keeping a small journal on highs and lows of the journey. Being a teacher and on Fall Break is helpful stress-wise so I can just work through this this week. I started a few days ago in terms of reading and wondering about it all so I’ve done lots already. Yesterday I really started due to the fact that I couldn’t eat anything. They said I could have jello and Gatorade but those are just full of sugar and that’s not part of the plan right??

Anyway thanks for your words of support. Looking forward to reading more columns. Plus since I’ve read you’re a financial adviser, that’s the next area of my life to improve (it’s not bad mind you, but certainly could use some tweaking!!)

Thanks again

Julie 🙂

Julie,

Post a colonoscopy seems like a good place to start! I did something similar.

The first few weeks are the hardest and then I was just pumped up to keep going. I so rarely think about the foods that used to draw me in. I just know they were killing me. Glad you have the week off so you can really take the time to eat clean.

Keep me updated on how it goes. Would enjoy meeting you if you ever need help with your financial plan.

As I’m writing this I just ate a hard boiled egg to hold me over until after my 1:00 appointment! I didn’t use to like them but really enjoy them now.

Take care!

10/06/2014

I’m all wiggly with excitement.  You know that feeling right before the roller coaster starts?  That!  You did make it!!  You’re incredibly strong and you get to be strong again for the next 10 months – but at least they will be shot free.

10/06/2014

Today was egg retrieval day.  Our appointment was at 7:00 am which required a 6:30 check in.  The timing of all this is very important because at 7:00 pm on Saturday night Katie had to take a HCG shot which was the trigger that caused the release of her eggs.  They’re not screwing around about it either……the shot NEEDS to occur 36 hours prior to the retrieval.  Too late and the eggs won’t be ready for retrieval, too early and Katie would ovulate and the eggs would be gone.  Same thing on the appointment side….don’t be late!  The science of all this is pretty crazy.  We were there right on time and the procedure went well.  They were able to remove.  In addition to the retrieval procedure, I also had to bring my primary semen sample to the appointment.  As I discussed in an earlier post regarding the backup sample, there is a specific process you have to follow, questionnaire you fill out, etc.    The backup is collected in the event of “stage fright,” which apparently happens more than one would imagine.  So, now they’ll fertilize the eggs and call us tomorrow with the “fert rate.”  If you want a better explanation of that, you’d better pop over to Katie’s blog as, I’ve indicated before, she’s smarter than me.  All I know at this point is that 8 eggs are awesome!  I like those odds as I’ve been telling Katie since this started, all we need is one.

Aside from the two grueling semen samples I had to provide, so far I’ve had it pretty easy in this process.  Katie, however has had to put up with a ton and has dealt with it like a champ.  She never, and I mean NEVER, complains……and the pills and shots she’s had to take made her feel “pretty cruddy.”  The fact she said anything shows to me that she feels like crap.  I’m thankful that at this point she is through that stage and can hopefully start to feel better soon.  I’m so thankful for my beautiful wife.

Michelle & Katie

Hello,
I just finished reading your article about turning 40, aches and pains then deciding to cut out sugar.
I have been told by my doctor recently to go Paleo. Not really for weight but due to my liver. I also have Celiac disease so grains are out anyway.

I just wanted to say that your article was inspiring. I still crave some sugar but I do not have soda anymore, not that I was a real big soda drinker anyway. I have yogurt almost every day so I haven’t cut out sugar completely but that is all I have…I’m trying. Paleo lifestyle, the full commitment, takes work. I’m not much of a baker so it’s a bit hard.

I agree that the kids (or parents) now a days have a problem. Sugar snacks, video games…not good. I’m happy to see there are more vending machines supplying apples and trail mix vs candy bars around schools though.

Anyway, just wanted to say…thanks for the inspirational article. I know I’m not alone in this battle but it’s good to read from other people’s perspective.

Michelle
41 yrs
Reno, NV

Michelle,

Thanks for reaching out. My liver actually had the most dramatic changes. It probably improved my life the most having all of those levels return to normal. I think most people view the liver only in terms of how alcohol will impact it, however, I found out that eating clean changes the entire function of your liver.

I was eating a hard boiled egg and yogurt in the morning and then switched over to a protein shake. I still got the cold flavor I was looking for in the morning and it keeps me full until lunch. That helped me get rid of the sugar in the morning.

There are so many people struggling and trying this approach. I have posted reader comments and questions on my website under conversations if you want to feel even more support www.katiecoombsuncommonsense.com

10/02/2014

Katie had a really rough night last night.  She was very anxious trying to go to sleep and finally drifted off only to be up again at 3:00 am.  Her heart was racing and she had pain in her legs that was new and concerning.  She was up for about 3 hours before being able to get back to sleep for a little bit.  I felt really bad for her.  It’s one of those situations where you want to help in some way, in any way, but there isn’t anything you can really do.    She was back up again at 7 am, took her shots like a champ, we got the kids off to school and then rushed over to our daily appointment with the doctor.  They did another ultrasound to check the follicle development in her ovaries and were able to identify 6-7 that were coming along nicely.  I told Katie that all we need is one, so 6-7 is more than enough.  She scoffs at my optimism at times, but until proven wrong I’m sticking with it.  After the ultrasound we met with the doctor to discuss how Katie had been feeling and he validated her anxiety as he said the process causes many women to be anxious.  Then, they told us to come back tomorrow and sent us on our way.

9/23/2014

A day or two ago, a big box showed up on our doorstep filled with medicine in different shapes and forms.  Our appointment today is to go see what in the heck they all are and what we do with them.  We sat down with a very nice young nurse who showed up how to mix medicines, get them into syringes, administer the shots, etc.  Also, the schedule is VERY specific as to how, when and where.  For once, Katie actually seems a little overwhelmed by all this process entails, but this kind of stuff is right in my wheelhouse.  Specific doses, timeframes and methods that I can follow?…….no worries.

Katie – See why I love Chris?  He describes me as overwhelmed.  All of the women in his life have trained him well for this moment.  I like being described as overwhelmed when really I’m being an actual lunatic.

Katharine & Katie

Hi Katie,

I just read your article about your life change. I live in Portland Or. I have many of the same “symptoms” as you said you had and my A1C this month was at 7.4. I am only 34 and pregnant with my first. My fiance and I are both morbidly over weight according to BMI.

I am wondering what you did for your mornings. I love carby sugary stuff in the morning with sugary coffee creamer. I believe starting the day out steong can help. I just don’t know how to add variety and satisfaction.

Also, How did you begin and stick with it with others in the house? I would need to be 100 in charge of all food and cooking if I wanted us both to do it and I dont want to deal with that.

Do you have any literature to recommend.

Thanks for sharing
Katharine, Portland Or. But Reno native.

Katharine,

The mornings also were why I had to make my biggest adjustment. I started by walking or running for 30 minutes before eating and then would do a protein shake. That was filling and kept me full until lunch. If that isn’t enough at first, I would add a banana and some scrambled eggs. You have to make sure you get enough calories to keep that baby fed! Once you get the sugars out, you will be amazed at how great coffee tastes plain. I always used to add cream (lots of it)!

In my house it is impossible to get all of the kids on this diet. You have to commit to this being your own journey and just avoid the foods that you know are poison for you. It took me some time and I slipped a few times but I got there. You will have to resist these temptations everywhere so if you can count on yourself at home then you can succeed anywhere. Keep chopped up veggies ready to eat always!! I use those as a substitute for chips, cookies, or anything I might grab just to be eating something.

All of the Paleo literature is helpful. I read articles on the Internet all of the time. I have a Paleo cookbook but I still eat a little bit of dairy (but not much). Be patient on healing your body. My stomach upset took 9 months to resolve but it is cured from this. That was very exciting after that long wait.

Good luck! Make sure to get permission from your obstetrician before making any a rule decisions.

Please reach out anytime if you need extra motivation!

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