Diagnosed

I'm not sure if you all remember, but a while back, I posted about two large cysts found on my right ovary. As we had been trying to have a baby for a long time, this was a surprise but not a surprise. I knew something had to be up.

Well, I saw the specialist this past week, and I have a diagnosis! PCOS, or Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is a disorder that affects between 5 and 10% of women of childbearing age. It can present in girls as young as 11 and women as old as 65. What is it, exactly? Well, it's a disorder that really is unknown as to cause, but the main culprit is believed to be a combination of insulin resistance and genetics.

I don't have some of the tell-tale symptoms, but I do have others. For example, while I am spotty, have difficulty losing weight and have rather long cycles (ranging between 35 and 42 days), I don't have excessive body hair (thank goodness) or male pattern baldness or dark patches on my skin.

I am, quite honestly, relieved with the diagnosis of PCOS. It is highly treatable, and once the hormonal imbalance is fixed with a combination of Metformin and diet and exercise (which will result in weight loss), symptoms should disappear. At least it's not something like endometriosis, which runs in my family and resulted in hysterectomies in my aunt and mother, and it's not ovarian cancer, thank goodness.

So on June 4th, I'll return to my doctor, review the results of the blood tests that were drawn last week and be prescribed Metformin and put on a diet plan. I generally eat pretty healthy, but I still have quite a bit of excess weight hanging around that just won't. Go. Away. I'm looking forward to the Metformin giving me a boost in that direction, maybe having some clear skin and most importantly, getting this thing under control as soon as possible.

In other news, my husband and I have both decided it's time to lead healthier lives. We have both given up all alcohol and started to eat even better than we were (no more eating out at fast food joints), and he is in the process of kicking his pot-a-day coffee habit and cutting out all other caffeine. He's been in a terrible mood for the last week or so, but I'm so proud of him for taking this step. I've already noticed that his mood is more even, that his breath smells considerably better, and he's not as gassy as he used to be. Having cut out caffeine over five years ago, I fully appreciate the difficulty of what he is doing.

Also in the healthier lifestyle choices, I have stopped staying up until 2:00 a.m. every night. I generally am asleep by 10:00 (although not tonight due to preparing caramel apples for a friend's birthday party tomorrow), awake by 7:30 and working until about 2:00. I've managed to nearly double my production in the last few weeks, and am bringing in double the income, therefore. I'm very proud of myself and feel like *such* an adult.

So overall, things here in Chez Plied are good. Things are looking hopeful. I shall keep you all updated on my progress. ONWARD!!