FRIDAY'S DIGEST: Fertility Facts, News and Views - Cancer Treatment and Fertility

Women of childbearing age and men battling cancer, will sadly find that their infertility is affected due to cancer treatment.

Cancer treatment can affect fertility in a number of ways although it largely depends on the age, type of medication used, type of cancer and target area for chemotherapy or radiation.

Infertility can be permanent or temporary although it can never be determined how soon it will be restored.

This is why women and men diagnosed with cancer have been preserving their fertility. Women are freezing embryos, having parts of their ovaries frozen or take a hormone which puts their ovaries into temporary menopause, while men are doing sperm banking, which simply involves collecting a sample of semen and freezing it.

I learnt as recently as yesterday, on a local newscast, that there seem to be a new drug that can be administered to women at the time of their cancer treatment, which also freezes the ovaries until cancer treatment is completed so that later when a woman decides to have children, her ovaries will be unaffected by her cancer treatment, making it possible and safe to conceive.

Apparently this finding is very new because I was not able to find any further information online. I will continue to check, so stay tuned for more on this.

The more we know.....








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I AM BACK!!!!!!!

Wondering what happened to me???

Well my family and I migrated to the United States (Florida), a little over 3 months now and have been busy with settling in and all that’s related to that kind of thing. We are indeed grateful to God as he continues to grant us his favour, to the point where persons are awed and are remarking ever so often, how much we have achieved and is still achieving over this short period of time. I am not surprised though, because I came with so much faith in my Almighty God, that he would grant us his good favour. Thanks to all who have prayed, offered advice and send positive and encouraging words our way.

So then, today is the first day for a couple of things – Our son began his first day of Elementary School and today is the day I have chosen to return to blogging.

Thank you for all the support you have being giving me as I share my journey with infertility and offer information, advice and hope, as a result of this journey.

I do look forward to your continued support and positive thoughts, as I continue to try to make an impact in my little corner.

Love everyone of you.

http://lifeof24hours.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/i-am-back/

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INFERTILITY NEWS, FACTS AND VEIWS “Conflicting criteria clarified for diagnosing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome”

A typical polycystic Ovary

As one who suffers from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which was the cause of my decade long struggle with infertility, I am very much interested in any new development relating to this condition.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS, affects millions of women worldwide and is a leading cause of infertility.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH). This condition causes diverse symptoms, and its causes are poorly understood. The definition and even the name of PCOS have been subject to debate. An NIH panel concluded in January 2013 that the name focuses on a specific symptom - cysts in the ovaries and this symptom is apparently not present in all PCOS cases. This is part of the confusion about the condition, they say.

The Endocrine Society in October 2013, issued a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome. In the CPG, The Endocrine Society recommends that a diagnosis be made if adult women have two of the three main features of PCOS (diagnostic criteria supported by the NIH panel):

§  Excess production of male hormones called androgens.

§  Anovulation, a condition where the ovary does not release a mature egg each month. This causes irregular menstrual cycles.

§  The formation of clusters of pearl-size cysts containing immature eggs in the ovaries, which is called polycystic ovaries.

Well, I can safely say that my diagnosis was right as it is supported by two of the above symptoms and I am indeed happy to say that this recent development will certainly allow for more accurate diagnosis of this condition, so that proper treatment and management can begin earlier.

The more you know……..

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO YOU!!!!!

Throughout my struggles to conceive, many Valentine’s Day had me hoping that this would be the time I finally conceived, and so I would make the Day special for us. If I am not mistaken, I think our daughter was conceived somewhere around Valentine’s Day in 2011.

With this said, trying to conceive can be so consuming and leaves not much room for romance. Here are 8 creative ways designed to make things sizzle this Valentine’s Day, courtesy of Fertility Centers of Illinois.

Who knows, this might be well worth it.......

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Valentine’s Day While Trying to Conceive: Keeping the Romance Sizzling

Fertility Centers of Illinois Shares 8 Ways to Spice Up Your Relationship When Trying to Get Pregnant

Trying to have a baby can be, well, trying.

For couples trying to conceive, staying up-to-date on monitoring ovulation, charting basal body temperatures, and timing intimacy can take a steamy bedroom setting into the cold.

For couples pursuing fertility treatment, it is very common for emotional and physical intimacy to decrease. Going through fertility treatment can be emotional, grueling, and exhausting for couples. Life’s everyday challenges can cause any couple to hit bumps in the road. When infertility is added to the mix, couples may feel overwhelmed with how to overcome this challenge as a strong, balanced unit.

“Treatment can take couples through a rollercoaster of emotion,” explains Dr. Jane Nani of Fertility Centers of Illinois. “Couples find great help in speaking with a counselor, and often find their relationships are stronger at the end of the journey.”

It is important for couples to understand they are not alone. Working together equally during the entire process – learning about infertility, supporting each other, and making treatment decisions – will strengthen your relationship.

With a little creativity, couples can make a swift u-turn back to the romance they once had.

1.    Recall Your Most Romantic Moments

What was it that made you fall in love?  What were the most “swoon-worthy” moments? Close your eyes and imagine those moments all over again, but don’t keep them to yourself. Write a love note to your partner recalling the reasons and events that made you fall for him or her, and seal it with a kiss.

2.    Get Your Heart Pumping

Working out decreases stress, improves health and increases happiness. Go for a walk or hike together, or try a new physical activity together. Partner Yoga at Pulling Down the Moon on February 15^th is a perfect opportunity – couples of any experience level will learn how to stretch and breathe away stress, while reconnecting the body and mind – together. Learn more or register on their website.

3.    Set A Fun Goal Together

Want to have a weekly date night for the next month? Have you always wanted to ballroom dance? Want to finish a half marathon in the summer? Want to start a couple’s food and entertainment blog? Studies show that the more couples invest time in doing fun things together, the happier they are in the long-term. In the name of science and happiness, pick a fun goal that you can work towards together, and focus on achieving it.

4.    Mum’s the Word on Trying to Conceive

Taking a break from infertility talk can give you the strength to revisit treatment with new resolve and optimism. What you are going through as a couple can be tough, and everyone deserves a break. Make a 48-hour rule to take a break from infertility, and focus on fun instead.

5.    Get Out of Town

Changing your environment can shift your mental outlook, allowing the head space you need to gain perspective, release stress, and have fun. Take the weekend to ski in the Rocky Mountains, drink wine in Napa Valley, sit on the beach in Mexico, or surf the waves in Florida. Kick back, relax, and focus only on enjoying each moment together.

6.    Love Me Tender

See where your partner is truly at and what they need, both in life and in the treatment process. Infertility can affect your partner’s self-esteem and depending on the diagnosis, can make a man or women feel “defective” or “incomplete.” Discuss where you're at, what you need, and how you can help each other. If treatment has caused challenges, being tender and attentive can help put a relationship back in balance.

7.    Recreate A Movie Moment

Kiss under a full moon, hold hands as the sun sets, embrace in the middle of a rain storm, watch the clouds while holding hands during a picnic lunch. Who says that romantic movie moments can only star John Cusack or Ryan Reynolds? Make your own!

8.    Double Date

Spend some time with another couple -- preferably one without children.  Go on a double date, and spend the evening having fun together, discussing current events, upcoming travel plans, and the latest in entertainment.

# # #

Fertility Centers of Illinois, S.C., is one of the nation's leading fertility treatment practices, providing advanced reproductive endocrinology services in the Chicago area for more than 30 years.  FCI physicians, embryologists and support staff are stringently chosen based on educational background, medical skills and their ability to collaborate. With a team of 10 nationally and internationally recognized reproductive physicians who treat thousands of patients each year, the practice has earned a reputation for overcoming hard-to-solve fertility issues. FCI is dedicated to medical and clinical excellence and continues to invest in the latest technologies and research. FCI offers a comprehensive range of fertility treatment options including intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, donor egg, gestational carrier, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis, as well as extensive resources to address financial and emotional needs. Fostering a culture for continuous innovation has made FCI home to the annual Midwest Reproductive Symposium which attracts experts in the field of reproductive endocrinology from around the world.  FCI has 10 offices conveniently located throughout the Chicagoland area (Buffalo Grove, Chicago/River North, Crystal Lake, Glenview, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Lindenhurst, Naperville, Oakbrook Terrace, and Orland Park). FCI is a member of the Attain Fertility Network which provides discounted fertility treatment programs. For more information visit www.fcionline.com

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Infertility and Friendships

When one of my very good friends became pregnant many years ago, I instantly found that I had pulled away from her. I no longer wanted to be in her company because she now represents what I wanted so badly, to become pregnant, after I had been actively trying for a few years. I had pulled way so much that when she had her baby, I was not one of the first persons to know, in fact, I only knew by the way, that she had had her baby. I was guilt ridden and when I went to the hospital to look for her and her baby, I felt so unworthy of being there. This guilt stayed with me for a while, so much so that when my friend asked me to be her son’s godmother, I refused at first.

Infertility had adverse effects on me and I suffered in silence and alone for the better part of this struggle. I was very relieved when I found someone who was struggling just as I was, not as long as I have been, but just as intense. She was the wife of a very good friend of mine. We began sharing our deep private feelings of wanting to become mothers so much and how we felt victimised and enslaved by this monster, infertility.

Not long afterwards I became pregnant, she was happy for me and said that I had given her hope that she would one day follow. I was so happy to hear this. When I lost the pregnancy at 28 weeks gestational age, she helped me deal with my loss. Shortly after that loss, my family and I migrated and immediately after that I became pregnant with our son. I did not tell her right away, but waited until I felt comfortable enough to give her this news, because I felt that this time around, being my chance at pregnancy, she might not be as happy to hear this news as she was for my first. I called her and we spoke, and somehow I felt what I had suspected would happen, an instant strain on our relationship.  I tried talking to her on a few occasions after that, encouraging her to not quit the infertility fight, but it just did not feel the same.

When I had our son, I called her husband just to say hi and that the baby was here. When I asked to talk to her, she told her husband to tell me that she was in the middle of something and could not come to the phone. A few months later, I extended an invitation to her husband and her, to attend our son’s christening, when I called to confirm if both of them were coming, she told me she was unsure of her attendance, due to prior engagements. I understood, because it was Christmastime, which is usually packed with activities. She did not attend and by then, I had felt it, infertility had its cruel grasp on our relationship, and it was on its way to demise. I felt such sadness and felt so helpless, because as one who understands to a great degree, the negative impact that infertility can have on our lives, I thought I would be able to help my friend continue to coop with her infertility struggles, but I was not able to do anything to help her further and save our relationship, one that I valued so much.  

I did not tell her about the pregnancy with our daughter because I could not bring myself to telling her about me having a second child when she was still struggling to have one. I however extended an invitation to the christening, to her husband and her (out of courtesy, not expecting her to come) which she did not. I have since sent her the link to my blog, but she has not said anything to me, to indicate that she is reading it.

There is another friend I have who has a grown daughter and wants another child. When she learnt that I wanted another child as well, we began talking daily of how our plans were going in this regard. I even said to her, as a joke, on one occasion, not to get pregnant before I do and I won’t get pregnant before her either. Turns out I became pregnant, I told her and she was very happy for me. We continued to interact with each other online where she would enquire with great interest, about my pregnancy. About 5 or 6 months into my pregnancy I noticed I was not getting any forward emails from her, neither was I seeing her online. I tried to go on her facebook page, but it has been discontinued. When the baby came, I could not help but still send her a note via all her email accounts just to see if she would respond. To date, I have heard nothing from her and I am even wondering if she has migrated or something. She gave me her number twice and because I did not log it to my phone right away, I lost it and I feel so bad about this.

I must say that I am terribly saddened that infertility has seemingly robbed me of two relationships that I treasure. I would have wanted very much for these relationships not to become victims of  this dreaded affliction and would have also wanted to be able to stay close to my friends so that they would have hope from just seeing how I persevered and conquered infertility.

Are you dealing with similar challenges in any of your relationships, as a result of infertility? I would like to hear from you.

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“Laparoscopic Excision Surgery For Endometriosis Frees Patients From Chronic Pain And Complications.”

Women who are diagnosed with Endometriosis, sadly deals with a lot of pelvic pain and discomfort caused by gastrointestinal and urinary tract conditions. I totally understand this, because my Polycystic condition, causes similar discomfort as well.A Laparoscopic Excision surgery eliminates this pain and discomfort, according to an article in Medical News Today.

The article also advise that women who suspect they might have endometriosis, get an accurate diagnosis sooner than later, so that they can be accurately treated and in so doing, minimize the chance of infertility, when they are ready to have children.

For more on this subject, please visit the link below.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/236843.php

From the article:

“Keynote speaker and women's health advocate Padma Lakshmi, an international supermodel and TV show host, who co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America to encourage research to help other women to avoid her ordeal, declares: "Endometriosis is one of the most treatable, but least treated of women's health problems. Like me, many women suffer debilitating pain and other symptoms for as long as a decade before receiving an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. 


Many women suffer silently or use painkillers, sometimes for years. Because pelvic pain can have many different causes, including appendicitis, bowel obstruction, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, diverticulitis, ectopic pregnancy, fibroids, IBS and many others, correct treatment can often be delayed further, as endometriosis is sometimes not immediately diagnosed. 


For example, in women with endometriosis on the intestines, symptoms may prompt a physician to suggest GI tests, which will not reveal the true problem. 


Lakshmi continues saying: "If a woman wants to have children, it's critical to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. Endometriosis is one of the top three causes of infertility. Many women are delaying childbearing into their 30s and even 40s these days, but if you have had untreated endometriosis for many years, it may be too late. And that is a real tragedy." 


The currently most effective treatment is laparoscopic excision surgery as alternative medical therapies for endometriosis are extremely limited.”

FROM FIGHTING INFERTILITY TO FIGHTING BREAST CANCER

In October 2010, I did a story about a celebrity couple, Giuliana and Bill Rancic, who has their own reality show on the Style Network, chronicling their struggles with infertility and their attempts at invitro-fertilization, to hopefully have the family they so want.

See story at http://onereachinganother.blogspot.com/2010/10/we-have-indeed-come-long-way.html

Turns out, on their second attempt at invitro-fertilization, (the first sadly ended in a miscarriage), Giuliana was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and has now announced that she will be doing a double mastectomy, as this is the only option which gives the cancer a less than 1% chance of returning.

Tears came to my eyes as I watch her make the announcement along with her very supportive husband Bill. When asked how this would impact on their plans to have children, Giuliana said, she has to choose life at this point and further said that her husband, when they were in discussing their options about the cancer, said to her, “I just want you around for another 50 years kid, so let’s just get you healthy.”

This is a tough one, and I am now realising how good I had it, even though I thought that my days struggling with infertility were some of the darkest, but if cancer was thrown into the mix, I am pretty sure those days would be even darker.

This couple is in my prayers, as I ask for God’s favour on their lives.

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LIFE LESSONS

I used to watch Oprah Winfrey shows a lot, but stopped watching them for quite some time now. One night recently, I was looking for something to watch and stumbled across her network. A program called ‘Oprah’s Life Class' was in progress. I decided to stop by and check what it was all about.

She was co-hosting this show with Life Coach, Iyanla Vanzant, and they were basically talking about lessons learnt in life because of situations we have had to experience.

Later on in the show, they had a guest on, one of the stars of my 'Big Fat Greek wedding.' Her life lesson came to her, when, as a victim of infertility for over a decade, she decided one day, while driving to an awards show in which she was nominated for an award, that she did not want to fight this infertility fight anymore. She was feeling really crappy that day and was in no mood to be on a red carpet, she said. That moment led her to her foster daughter and she is now a spokesperson for Foster Care. She even went further to say that, she is glad for the struggle of infertility, as it is because of this that she now feels so fulfilled in life.

As I listened to her, I thought about my own struggles with infertility. As my struggles progressed and my pain intensified, I knew somewhere along the line I wanted to help others, but I just could not make the move. It was not until February 2009, when my son was almost 2, that this resolve came, as I was too  preoccupied with my infertility pain to do it before that.

I know sadly, many of us who are facing struggles in our lives, do not so easily find the resolve to help others from our pain, because we are not able to see beyond this pain and therefore cannot see the life lessons that are in these struggles for us. For some of us, it is not until much later that we are able to identify these lessons and act on them. This is a pity though, as it is a known fact that we end up feeling better about our circumstances when we help others.

For those who are able to cease these opportunities, what empowerment for you and what motivation for the rest of us.

BE ENCOURAGED THEREFORE

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JUST WONDERING, DID I HURT HER FEELINGS????

Saturday night was my baby shower. It was lovely and I enjoyed every moment of it.

The first activity we did for the evening was one where all the ladies gave me, new mom advice. I got some great advice, even advice from grandmothers. How privileged am I.

When the activity got to this particular young lady, a very good friend of mine, her advice was, ‘ensure that hubby does his part’ To which, this being my second child, I responded, ‘hubby does alright in that area.’ I could see her discomfort as she quickly said, ‘I know, but I do not have anything else to say.’

The thing is, this young lady is single and has no children. I spent the rest of the evening feeling some discomfort, as I was wondering if I had hurt her feelings. If her feelings were hurt however, she surely did not show it as she continued to take part in the other activities of the night in her usual high spirits, even winning some of the competitions.

Am I too conscious about hurting people when it comes to infertility and childlessness? You see I have found out that even if people do not visibly show that they are hurting for that which comes automatic for some of us, marriage, having children etc., they do hurt, because they themselves say it, given the right circumstances.

Which leads me to ask the question, how comfortable are these individuals at baby showers and christenings, are they secretly wishing that they were never invited?

I love you my friend and I do hope I did not cause you any discomfort.

Your feedback is welcomed.








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NEW SPERM AND EGG DONOR LAW TO BE PUT INTO EFFECT IN WASHINGTON STATE SOON

Many couples, infertile and otherwise, will turn to sperm or egg donors, to have the family they want, when their efforts to do so themselves, have failed them.

These donors remain anonymous and so does most of their information, including pertinent   genetic information, as recipient families are not legally entitled to such information.

Recently on ABC, a 15 year old young man (Tyler) and his mother was featured. Tyler was conceived using a sperm donor and when he made contact with his biological aunt recently, it was discovered that his sperm donor father had died at the age of 43 due to a genetic heart condition (genetic connective tissue disorder). After a quick trip to Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore for a baseline screening of his heart, Tyler discovered that he had the same life-threatening heart condition, too.  Luckily for Tyler, he is able to get treatment before it is too late. Tyler’s mom said that this gentleman should never have allowed to be a sperm donor. He has fathered twenty plus children via three sperm banks.

It is for reasons like this that a law will be passed in Washington State soon requiring that sperm and egg donors  provide fertility clinics with their identifying information and medical history. Under the new law, offspring age 18 and older can seek out their donors, as long as the donors haven't signed an affidavit of nondisclosure. The aim is to give people conceived via donated tissue a chance to solve a future medical emergency, just as people who have been adopted currently can.

Read more:-

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/what-happens-when-a-sperm-donor-doesnt-disclose-a-genetic-disorder-2514416

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THYROID DISEASE AND FERTILITY

(Sorry, Blogger would not allow me to import an image, it seem they are have technical difficulties)

Having a thyroid condition, can impact negatively on your ability to conceive. This is due to the fact that a thyroid disease can cause anovulation (no ovulation or release of an egg), and other menstrual irregularities. 

This occurs, because a thyroid condition can interfere with the balance of the body’s reproductive hormones and this can make it very difficult or almost impossible to get pregnant.

If you have been diagnosed with thyroid disease linked infertility, your doctor will administer treatment which includes regulating your thyroid levels, so that the thyroid can resume its normal function thus making it easier to ovulate and making conception possible.

Some women with a thyroid condition also have polycystic Ovaries, or cysts on the ovaries, resulting in infertility as well.

For much more on this issue, please visit the link below:-

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/fertilitythy.htm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A SPECIAL LITTLE SOMEONE

Today, four years ago, after over a decade of struggling with infertility, God sent a miracle into our lives. 

How I can I forget that memorable Saturday, it felt like a heavenly host of  angels had converged at my bedside and with their glorious singing, was ushering me out of my slumber, from the anesthetic of my c-section surgery, to tell me that I had given birth to a healthy baby boy. Help us wish him a Happy Birthday today.

Our son adores ‘Thomas and Friends, for those who do not know, it is a cartoon featuring a train and it’s friends' adventures, set in a place called ‘Sodore.’ He asked us about two months ago, if he could have a Thomas cake for his birthday and we did not hesitate to say yes. Well, it has been very interesting since. Ever so often, I guess so as to check if we were really sincere about our promise, he would ask, ‘Thomas cake for my birthday?’ We soon began using it to keep him in line, which ever so often he finds himself out of. ‘If you do not behave, then you won’t get Thomas cake for your birthday,’ we would tell him. This is usually followed by a tantrum of crying and screaming, ‘I want Thomas cake for my birthday.’ Two days ago, we went to the bakery to make the order for his cake. We had to photoshop an image online because ‘Thomas and Friends’ is not a very popular cake that they do. Thank goodness, he will have his Thomas cake for his birthday.

For the last couple of weeks we have been taking him to toy stores to see what he gravitates to, which should make it easier for us to choose something for him. We went into this store and while I was looking at some remote control monster trucks, (he got a Thomas train last year for his birthday and so we were thinking that he somehow might change his mind from trains and like something else). Well, he did not. His eyes caught a wooden train, which I did not even noticed. He soon drew my attention to it, picked it up and said, ‘I will have this one,’ and was heading for the door with it under his arms, with the store clerks watching him. His Dad and I quickly wrestled the train from his firm grip and promised that we would come back and get it for him. From then on, it has been ‘Thomas cake and brown train for my birthday.’

Two days ago, unfortunately he had to be with us when we went to purchase his gift, so we knew we had to employ some strategy to get through this. We stopped in a store to pick up a little gift for his six year old cousin. We were in the little girls’ section and the store clerk was showing me some handbags which I was interested in purchasing. I picked up one to take a closer look at it, when he remarked, ‘I can’t want that!!!.’ The store clerk and his father and I had a good laugh. Why would my parents be buying me a girl’s handbag, when there are so many  cool boy’s stuff around that I was very much interested in, he was probably thinking to himself. He and his father left to go to the boy’s section of the store and he soon returned with a ‘Thomas and friends’ plate and cup set (He always spot anything Thomas and Friends, as long as it is around). I said to him, if you get that for your birthday you cannot get your train. The store clerk jumped at the opportunity to secure another sale and quickly said,  ‘we have trains’ and took us to that section. He became so excited when he saw them and these trains are a better option because he will have to spend some time putting the tracks together and best of all, it is battery operated with all the fanfare and flashing lights of any little boy’s dream. We had to now employ our strategy to be able to purchase the train without him seeing and so my husband managed to peel him away for a walk and I purchase it and the store clerk offered me a large garbage bag, after which I just walked directly to the car trunk and put it in. Mission accomplished. Thanks to that store clerk, she was really delightfully helpful.

His six year old cousin told us that she has a song to sing at his birthday party, I was blown away when she debut it to me yesterday. It is well written, tune and all. It seems to also have a bridge. I just said to her Dad to try and secure a scholarship for her, later in life at one of the top schools for the Performing Arts, because she is full of promise.

 My husband and I were in the patio where the party will be held, mulling over the setup, when she began enquiring, where will she stand for her performance, she also went on to say that whenever she sings at parties (I guess she is seasoned performer at parties), she usually stands on a chair. I said to her, whatever your little heart desires my dear. I should have asked her if she wanted her own dressing room with a table filled with cheese sandwich and Capri sun juices, because that is all she eats.

Feeling a bit sorry for our son, because to him, it might seem like he has been waiting for all eternity for his birthday, after being promised a Thomas cake, last night I said to him, ‘just one more sleep and it will your birthday. I thought I would get some jubilant emotions, but he just managed to mutter the words, while sucking his thumb, ‘Thomas cake, ma birthday? You think he does not believe that his birthday his actually here and that he will get his Thomas cake for his birthday? Poor fellow.

All in all, I think we will have a good time this evening and Theo will enjoy it more, seeing that his long awaited birthday his here and he is getting everything that his little heart desires, including his own little special birthday song from his cousin. I won’t be selfish, I will share the first line of the song with you.....”Happy Birthday, my dear cousin, you are four today..........”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY son, you have added so much colour and light to our lives and we love you to pieces.

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IN REMEMBRANCE of Ss. Jeannie Jackson

I want to use this space today as well, to send our thoughts and prayers to a dear friend, who lost her mother today, four years ago.

Karen, your family remain in our prayers as we pray that God continues to grant you comfort and peace. How quickly the years slip by.

We know you are holding tight to those precious  memories of your dear love one. Thank God for those memories.

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LIGHT MOMENT FRIDAYS – Feature 10

image by: http://www.support4change.com

All of us who struggle with infertility can attest to the fact that it robs us of our happiness. It robs us of our ability to truly laugh and this is why I have come up with this new feature on my blog, called ‘Light Moment Fridays.’ I love Fridays, and I guess it is because this is the beginning of a well awaited weekend. I love the casual laid back mood. This is why I have chosen Fridays for this, where I will post short jokes and funny videos. Our son is at the stage now where he says or does things which is so hilarious, so I will share some of those precious moments with you as well.

This is for you all, especially those of us  who struggle to be happy, amidst our hurts and pain.......DO ENJOY!!!!

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MISS AIRPORT 2011 CALENDER - Hilarious!!!!!!!!!

N.B.  I was having a problem with April's image....but you should get the picture

HEALTH TIP!!!!!!!

If you cannot afford to go to the Doctor, go to an airport - You will get a free X-Ray and Breast Exam

and;  if you mention Al Queda, you will get a free Colonoscopy.