Victorinox Knife

In search for high-quality knives for Hubby, we found ourselves in Kitchen Pro. Kitchen Pro offers imported kitchen utensils, gadgets and cookware. A paradise for my Hubby, if I may say so.

He wanted a Victorinox chef knife and a paring knife. When he was eyeing a Victorinox, the saleslady offered a Henkels instead, saying it is more durable. But, Hubby insisted on a Victorinox since he had used a Henkels knife before and it was heavy because the handle also has steel in it.

We left the store with an 8-inch chef knife (P1,600), paring knife (P200) and a carving knife (P200).

I can tell Hubby is so happy with his knife investment. He doesn't even want me to borrow it!

Kitchen Pro

Shangri-la Mall
Shop Number 473, Level 4
632-9121

Condolences and Prayers

My condolences and prayers to the families of those who were killed yesterday at the 10-hour hostage drama in Manila.

Such a sad and tragic story.

Three-week wait

Our check-up with Dra. Tanangonan brought good news. Four days before, she told us that my follicle should be 2.0cm by the time of our next check-up. And now, the ultrasound shows that I have a mature egg measuring 2.5cm that would rupture anytme soon! Woohoo! My endometrium lining also increased to 1.3cm (before it was 0.8cm) because of Progynova.

She gave us the "Sched" and told us that we should strictly follow it. (*wink, wink*) If I don't get my period, I'll do a pregnancy test three weeks from now. If period comes, I have to go back to her anyday from Cycle Day 1-3.

So now, we will follow the "Sched". Hopefully we would be successful this time.

Jatujak

When our favorite Thai restaurant, Ooody's, relocated from the mall, Hubby and I looked for another Thai restaurant that would quench our cravings for those spicy, salty, sweet dishes. Then, we discovered Jatujak. Hubby's birthday is a great excuse to try this restaurant.



Jatujak (pronounced as cha-tu-chak) is named after a famous weekend market in Bangkok.

We scanned the menu and found their prices not too expensive for Thai food. There is no dish above P300. Yes!

The Tom Yum Goong (spicy-sour shrimp soup) (P195) tasted like sinigang but a much spicier version. I tasted a big punch from the ginger. Very nice to eat during cold nights. A medium serving has three prawns.

The Chicken Pad Thai (P175) is a default order. Whenever we eat Thai, we always order Pad Thai.

Bagoong Rice (P155) is a winner for me. I loved the salty+sweet taste of the rice and some pork chunks. Combine these with slivers of green mango and you'll have a party of flavors in your mouth.

We only ate one fresh springroll (P115) since we were already full. I liked that it is a vegetarian dish (I need to incorporate more veggies in my meals.) which we can make at home.
I had the Thai Iced Tea (P78), a house specialty. It tasted like milk tea. Two persons can share a glass of it. Since it's his birthday, Hubby ordered a beer. :) See how tall a glass of Thai Iced Tea is?

Jatujak
SM Megamall
UG/F, Bldg. A
637 -1772


SM Mall of Asia
Level 2, Unit 237
Entertainment Mall
556-0850

Hubby's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my loving and very understanding Hubby!

We will be attending an afternoon mass later and have dinner at a Thai resto called Jatujak. I look forward to spending quality time with Hubby. This is our first time to celebrate our birthdays together. Cheers to us!

Hoping for 2.0!

Cycle Day 12

Today is Follicle Monitoring day. This calls for a TVS (transvaginal sonogram) which costs P970. Dra. Tanangonan said I have two follicles/eggs about 1.0 and 1.1cm in size in my right ovary. Last week I had none. Yey! I needed at least one to mature.

She prescribed Progynova to be taken for three days. I have to return on CD 16 for another TVS. She told me that the follicles should be 2.0cm, the size of a mature egg, ready for fertilization. Everyday, an egg should increase 0.2cm in size. I thought if those two matured and fertilized at the same time, does that mean we'll have twins? <*wink*wink*> There is another option aside from the medicine, whichis injection. She wouldn't recommend it to me yet. We'll wait until CD16 if I needed to have the injection. Hope not.

I've read a PCOS diary that keeps me inspired lately. If I would base my situation on her timeline, I'm on her entry dated April 12, 2003, three weeks until she got pregnant. I hope Hubby and I would be blessed too, three weeks from now.

The Joy Luck Club

image here

Take a break from my PCOS worries.



The Joy Luck Club is a novel by Amy Tan which I read as a school requirement in college. I have this book but someone borrowed it and never returned. Most of my books end up that way. I have also watched the movie and only have vague memories of the story.

I spotted this book in Book Sale and immediately wanted to buy it. It's only P80! <*giddy dance*> As much as possible, I rarely buy new books. I check out second-hand shops and thrift book shops for my book collection. I'm happy when I find great books at lower prices.

1 Peter 5:6-7

The diagnosis of my OB GYNE caught us by surprise. I have regular menses and am not overweight. Learning that I have PCOS made me research about it. I found websites (fertility websites) and learned alot about this syndrome. What to call PCOS? A syndrome? A disease?

At first I was saddened by the thought of having problems with conception. I was not expecting I have a condition that makes it difficult for Hubby and I to have a baby.

Yesterday, as I was changing to my day clothes or pambahay, I said a short silent message to God. In my mind, I asked God to let me know what to do about this situation. I'm a worrier and I don't want to worry about things that I have no control over. Worry = stress. We don't need no stress at this time, right?

I told myself to do all the things needed to make myself healthy, taking my medicines, eating the right foods (junk food and sweets, goodbye!) and doing some exercise (tho I haven't started this yet). If we are not lucky this Cycle, I will not stress over it. There are things beyond my control.

I go about doing my evening rituals. I read the Daily Bread and the Bible. The passage for the day was 1 Peter 5-11. And here is God's immediate answer to my message:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

I can't help but smile as I pored over the passage and read an article about it in the Daily Bread. God moves in mysterious ways indeed.

PCOS

According to Wikipedia,

PCOS or Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common female endocrine disorders affecting approximately 5%-10% of women of reproductive age (12–45 years old) and is thought to be one of the leading causes of female infertility.

I am diagnosed to have PCOS. In both ovaries.

When I had my period, Hubby and I went to my OB, Dra. T. She requested a transvaginal sonogram (TVS) for me so she could take a look at my uterus and ovaries. I was a bit scared at first because of the procedure but I said to myself I would do whatever it takes just to conceive a normal and healthy baby.

We found out that I have retroverted uterus (*sad face*) and I have PCOS (*double sad face*).

image from here

Dra. T gave me a prescription to take 2 tabs of Clomid (50g) before bedtime for five days. On Day 12 of my cycle, I have to see her and she will do follicle monitoring. Based on my research, it means checking if Clomid made my eggs mature. Hopefully it does.

A tablet of Clomid costs P244.75! Hubby and I were surprised when the pharmacist told us our total bill.

Waiting

For this year, I have 29 to 32-day cycles. It means I have my monthly period any day between the 29th and the 32nd day from the first day of my previous period. Since this is Cycle 2 and the cycle after our visit to the OB, Hubby and I are hopeful and positive. Hubby, very positive. Me, not so much. I still have some allowance for sad news. I don't like being disappointed.

Day 29
This is the first day when I'm supposed to have a period. It coincides with my birthday. Silently prays to God that He doesn't let my spirits down today.

Prayers answered. Thank You!

Day 30
Second day of waiting for something not to happen. Isn't it ironic? I'm still sick and I decided to take a leave and go to a ENT for check-up. Doc prescribes an antibiotic which he says is safe for those pregnant Yes, I told him I might be expecting even if I'm not yet sure.

Day 31
This anticipation is agonizing. Wish I could go now to Day 33, without having my period AND getting a positive from a pregnancy test. Everytime I take a pee, I'm searching for that unwanted stain.

Day 32
Today is a make or break day. This is the longest cycle I had for this year. Hopefully, I won't be disappointed. Still on the lookout for that unwanted stain. After each pee, I say a silent thanks to God. :)

As of press time, I feel that we are going to the positive side. Yoohoo!


__
08/05/10

Sadly, my period came. :(

My Birthday

Today is a happy day coz it's my birthday! Woohoo!

Hubby and I will attend mass later this afternoon and will have dinner at one of our favorite (albeit a bit on the expensive side) restaurants, Racks.

Hopefully, I will be given the gift which can't be bought. Hubby and I are praying (and hoping tremendously) for that.