For the gals...

I've gone back and forth for a few days on whether or not I wanted to write a post on this particular subject. However, I always feel like if I've gotten some valuable information, it's important to pass it on and blogging is such a wonderful way of sharing knowledge and experiences.

This story has the potential to be VERY long and drawn out, but I think I'll keep it short and just say that it is SO important for us to be informed and in control of our health and the medical care that we receive.

For a some background, I will give a little info. about what I have recently experienced. I am currently undergoing various tests and treatments to determine whether or not I will be able to have children. Again, for the sake of keeping this story short, I think I'll just list out a few things to consider for any other gals who may be in a similar situation. This is just my personal take on the matter, but I'm hoping that my personal experiences might help someone else.

1. Consider seeking the help of a naturopathic doctor. I have seen a few different doctors over the last year or so, and my naturopath has by far been my best experience. I totally feel like she's in my corner. With other doctors, I felt like I was telling them what I should be doing. With her, I truly feel like she's leading me in the right direction. She's really getting to the root of what's going on with me. Most naturopaths are still willing and able to write prescriptions when need be, but they're also more apt to tap into other resources that most conventional doctors wouldn't consider.
2. No matter what kind of doctor you go to, insist on a very detailed blood analysis, checking ALL hormone levels (my first doctor didn't check progesterone...which is SUPER important for sustaining a pregnancy). Also, they will want to check iron stores and even vitamin levels. Plus, whatever else they recommend for your personal situation. With my most recent blood testing (ordered by my naturopath) I found out that I was extremely deficient in vitamin D. I didn't really think much of this (especially since I do live in the PNW...vitamin D deficiency is rampant here!), but apparently there's a major link between vitamin D deficiency and infertility.
3. No matter what, do not take everything a doctor says as the "be all and end all". There are SO many things to consider when it comes to our health and it's never a bad idea to get a second, third...or fourth opinion. You'd be amazed what you learn by keeping your mind open.

Mostly, I just wanted to share this information because I know I'm not the only one out there going through this type of thing. Even for those not in the same boat, I would just like to throw out there that it's never a bad idea to get a work up done to see where you're at health wise.

For example, even if I wasn't trying to get pregnant, a vitamin D deficiency causes all kinds of other problems too. It has been linked with depression, breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, fatigue, and osteoporosis. Just to name a few things.

For most people with an extreme deficiency, a regular multi-vitamin (or pre-natal in my case) will not have enough IUs of vitamin D to correct the deficiency. My doctor recommended supplementing with 3000 to 4000 IUs during the months of October through May.

It's funny, because I'm sure I get plenty of vitamin D in the summer...I'm always outside! But up until just recently my hubby was always traveling for work during the summer months...so guess it wasn't really doing me much good then huh?

Anyway, I would definitely encourage all of you to think about getting a blood test done. This coming from someone who literally passed out last time...seriously. But I really feel like this has all been very eye opening for me...so I guess that made the passing out worth it! ;)

Hope this hasn't been too heavy for y'all! Just wanting to look out for my gals! :)

In case you're curious, here's a link to an interesting article on vitamin D deficiency: http://www.womentowomen.com/healthynutrition/vitamind.aspx

Kickin' back with my hoss

Ugh...is anyone else feelin' the winter blues? I don't know about y'all but once the holidays are over I'm READY FOR SPRING! Can I repeat that? I'm READY FOR SPRING!!! Mother nature, did you hear me?

What's that you say? I still have 3-4 months to wait?!

Okay, I guess I better just suck it up then and try to enjoy winter for what it is. At least it gives me lots of down time (hibernation time) to cook up big plans for the upcoming season. I'm always making lists, drawing diagrams, and buggin' Kuntry Boy to listen to my ideas.

And every once in awhile, when there's a break in the weather, I get to go out and get in some good quality bonding time with my favorite pig...er, I mean horse. But you can see how I might get confused right?Caspian's winter area is atrocious right now. Whenever it starts to get under control we get another two weeks of rain and it turns to mush again. Then, when it dries out again just a bit, he wanders up to his favorite spot in the arena and gives himself a good dirt bath. Right after I brush him. Of course, right? I tell ya, I get no respect...no respect.

I'm definitely looking forward to getting this place a little more horse friendly, which includes mud abatement (if there's any such thing in the great Pacific NW) and lots and lots and lots of fencing to put in this spring. Here, Caspian is grazing in our front pasture, but as you can see I have to keep him on a long line due to our lack of fencing in this pasture. It's kinda fun though. I go out with my floral magazines and hold the line while he chows down as much as he possibly can. Kickin' back with my hoss on a Sunday afternoon...with no rain coming down...can't complain about that! :)

What are your thoughts on hangin' balls?

Er, I mean Uncle Jimmy's Hangin' Balls. Wait! That didn't sound right, either...what I meant was...what are your thoughts on horses playing with hangin' balls! Wait! Let me explain!

He, he, he, he, he...I crack myself up! Okay, so I know a lot of times these are called Bizzy Balls. But seriously, the one I just bought for Caspian was called "Uncle Jimmy's Hangin' Balls". My inner adolescent had a pretty good giggle at the store. And while I was hangin' my hangin' ball.

This thing is proving to be a very good baby sitter for my "sharp-minded-I-get-bored-easily-and-my-pacifier-doesn't-entertain-me-anymore-so-I-eat-my-house-ARAB".

You can kinda see in the back corner the pacifier I'm referring to. I got it for him when he started gnawing at the trim boards on his barn. Yeah...well, he played with it for about a week and then it lost its novelty. I still stuff snacks in it for an extra treat for him to find, but I think he's realized it's not a pez dispenser so it doesn't keep him occupied for long. Darn it. Enter the hangin' ball. Please observe:



Now, see the feed tub that's positioned under him? Well, I'll be darned if I didn't watch Mr. Smartypants pick up that tub with his teeth and move it over there so that it could catch the pieces that fell off the ball. He kinda missed his mark a little, but some of it still goes in there. I see it at the bottom when I go to give him his hay. So funny, that guy!

As fun as this is to watch, I think the best thing to cure his boredom will be a buddy to stand next to. Unfortunately, we are still a bit of stall construction and fencing installation away from that. And I have some more work to do on my reluctant cowboy. I think I'm making some headway though. The other night he asked me, "when I get a horse, am I gonna have to wear Stranglers?" He, he, he...but did ya notice? He said "WHEN" I get a horse! YES!!! Progress!!! Now I just have to convince him that he wants "his" horse sooner rather than later! ;)