Health Update

So I've been very busy the past couple of weeks. I did go to the specialist however and I have a good report! He informed me that the nurse gave me a misleading diagnosis. I do not have a large tumor on my pituitary gland. I have a small growth instead. Doesn't sound quite as comforting as you may think. Haha. But it is indeed comforting to me. He did diagnose me with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. You can read about it here:
PCOS.

A paragraph from the website (It's makes much more sense than anything I could try to relay): "Women with PCOS have ovaries that create and abundance of follicles each month without producing an egg. PCOS can contribute to irregular periods, depression, excessive weight gain (despite diet and exercise efforts), acne and excess facial hair. It is also the most common cause of infertility among women in the US. "
I am one who has the insulin resistance as well. I have experienced all of the things listed above and it's kind of nice to know the reason for all of the issues I've been facing. This may be too much information for the few who may read this, so I apologize. Most of those who I know read or have commented on my blog are women who have dealt with stuff like this or you're totally open anyway. So I figured you wouldn't mind.
Anyway... that's the update. I'm taking two medications and should hopefully be feeling "better" in the next 4 - 6 weeks. As of right now, it doesn't matter what I eat or drink, the medication makes me feel terrible. I don't feel like eating at all but I have to in order to take my medications. It hasn't been fun. I had been waking up in the middle of the night around 2ish unable to sleep for about an hour or so because of stomach pain, but there's nothing I could do about it. Luckily that has subsided. There's a lot of adjusting taking place inside of me right now, but I know that I'll be fine! I believe that God's hand is in this and that something good will come from this. (Like maybe we'll get pregnant with twins!! Haha!!) I'm just glad this has been found out and that I can begin focusing on getting healthier! I really hope this will make it easier to lose weight. I've always battled with my weight. But knowing that the weight gained wasn't entirely all my fault, is a bit comforting. Can't lie.
I've also always had this feeling that I wasn't going to be able to have children. I do believe it was my biggest fear. Knowing that we got this figured out before it was too late (infertility) and that the physicians will be doing all they can to help me get pregnant even though I have PCOS is such a blessing!
Oh and that small growth in my head.... I have an MRI in a year to see if it has shrunk. From my understanding, once all of my hormones, insulin levels, etc... are regular, the growth should shrink.
So that is what's going on. Even if no one reads this, I'm glad I will be able to look back at what I've been through and remember how everything has worked out. I hope that I will remember to praise God for bringing me through this and leading me to all the right physicians at all the right times! It truly is amazing. ;o)

Photography Blog

Despite all that's taking place health-wise, I have decided to take my passion for photography a little more seriously. I'm starting KaitlynRae Photography. Right now I'm just photographing family to really get the ball rolling, but eventually I would like to offer sessions for everyone. Seniors, Newborns, Family Portraits, Engagement, etc... KaitlynRaePhotography.blogspot.com

Please feel free to take a look and if you are in the St. Louis/Riverbend Area and wouldn't mind an amateur taking your pictures, let me know! I'm offering Senior Pictures to my sister's friends for $40 and that includes editing & a cd of all your pictures. I'd be willing to do the same for anyone in the area since I'm just starting out.

2 Year Anniversary!!

Today is my anniversary! 2 years has flown by. I know that I will say that, no matter what year we are celebrating. This year has been something else. It really seemed to get away from us. I'm trying to remember all that has taken place and it's kind of crazy that nothing really stands out in my mind vividly. Phillip reminded me that we started our 2nd year of marriage off with taking classes from Dave Ramsey. That was a whirlwind in itself. We didn't have a ton of debt but we definitely were for getting rid of what we had and learning as much about money, insurance, retirement, etc... as we could. It has been so worth it. We ended up having to buy a new car in December because Phillip's car died, and that put us back on the debt aspect. However, we are getting back on track now. That too was something that was a pretty big deal for us. We bought a family friendly car! Because we were hoping to be adding to our family!! Things haven't worked out just yet, but we are praying that they will. We were totally going to wait 5 years before having kids. Never would have thought in our 2nd year of marriage we would be deciding we wanted to have children. Let's see.... Oh, Claire turned 1. Hehe. I started this blog (Not that is has been the creative output I thought it would be but that's okay). I quit my job and I've pretty much started my own little photography business. Hmm... I wonder what this next year has in store for us!?

Happy Anniversary, Phillip!

You are my best friend and I'm so blessed that you are my husband!

You never think...

That things like this will happen to you. I was informed yesterday of my results from the MRI I had on Thursday.
I have a large mass on the pituitary gland.
They didn't say whether it's an outright tumor or not, just that it's large and they're concerned. I am going to see a specialist and had to have more blood drawn today. Part of me is like, this is no big deal, it's not a brain tumor. But then it's like, "Wait! This is a foreign growing thing in my head!!" I'm really trying to remember that God has a plan, He has allowed this for a reason. And because He has allowed this, He will help me through it no matter what happens. Sometimes I just want to freak out though and and forget to stand on the promises of God, you know? I'm so blessed that Phillip is my husband too. I mean, you always hope that a husband would be supportive of his wife, but he really is such a caring, supportive husband.
In other news, I got my hair cut. It's pretty cute. Different, but cute.
There are so many other things I should comment on, but I think this is big enough for today. If any of you could please pray for me. Please pray for healing and for guidance for the physicians as to what's the next step.
Thanks. ;o)

It's late...

and I'm almost wide awake. I've learned a few things the past couple of days. (1. I need to remember to trust in God no matter the situation! (2. I will never grow out of being the big, bossy sister. I haven't yet, at least. (3. Never buy the frozen lemonade concentrate again. I always get indigestion after I drink it.

I have also learned that I have high prolactin levels. I did my research on WebMD and I'm still not sure what it means though. As I've mentioned before I've had some health issues. I finally found a good gynecologist! She is so nice, so helpful, and she's finally finding out what's wrong with me. I had to do one of those fasting glucose tests on Thursday. Wow, I didn't realize they were going to take my blood three times! It was very painful. Anyway, most of the results are back. The nurse called yesterday and told me my thyroid is good, my glucose levels were good, but my prolactin levels were somewhat high. I think Prolactin is a hormone that is associated with the pituitary gland. Supposedly the prolactin levels rise in women who are pregnant, breast feeding, on certain types of medications, or if you have a tumor on the pituitary gland. I'm not pregnant, not breast feeding, and I'm not taking any meds. So naturally I want to freak out and think that I have a tumor on my pituitary gland. I have the tendency to overreact a bit. Anyway, I'm getting an MRI tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for me! I don't want to have a tumor of any sort ever, but also I would love to find out what, how, and why all of this stuff is happening to me.

In other news, I'm getting a new camera! Yippee! We had been thinking and praying for a long time, because to get a digital slr camera is not like buying new shoes. You have to take your time with the decision. I'm planning on practicing with a few family members and then I'm going to start taking photo sessions! I already have 4 inquiries for Senior Pictures and Family Portraits. It's very exciting. If anyone who may be reading this and is in the St. Louis area would like for a newbie to take your pics, just email me! I'm trying to build a portfolio right now, so the sitting fees will be very cheap.

Well, I better get some rest so that I can get up in time for my MRI tomorrow (Today at noon.)

Have a blessed day!

Toodles!