Maca root

Hubby and I have started to take Maca root as a supplement. I got this idea from forums and blogs of people about trying to conceive. 

image source: www.livestrong.com

These are some of the benefits of the Maca root:
(Source of information: http://www.vega-licious.com/maca-root-powder-properties-and-benefits/)

• Increases energy and endurance
• Increases stamina
• Alleviates chronic exhaustion (fatigue) syndrome
• Improves sexual function in men and women
• Enhances fertility in people and animals
• Helps to regulate menstrual cycles
• Reduces hormonal dysfunction during menopause and andropause
• Can regulate hormonal imbalances
• Aids in alleviating depression- gives a sense of well being
• Reduces anxiety and stress
• Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system;
• Speeds wound healing and reduces anemia
• Enhances memory, learning, and mental ability
• Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system; gives skin a more youthful appearance
• Helps treat anemia, rickets, osteomalacia, and stomach cancer
• Good for healthy teeth and bones
• Acts as a fungistatic and bacteriostatic
• Acts as an anticarcinogen and antioxidant
• Is an alternative to anabolic steroids, helps to build muscle
• Libido enhancer

This is the kind of Maca root that we use, bought from Healthy Options:

We mix a half teaspoon of Maca root powder with a teacup of water. It tastes a little weird, but tolerable. It's hard to describe the taste and I'm still looking for something to compare it to. For those who don't like the taste, you can mix it with your smoothie.

Mothers' Day blues

It's Mothers' Day again. From the time I started to try to get pregnant, Mothers' Day is one of those days that I really don't look forward to. I just feel bitter about not being a mother yet. I can't help it. I'm only human. 

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“When God Created Mothers"

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." 

And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 movable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands." 

The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way." 

It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have." 

That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded. 

One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word." 

God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow...." 

I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower." 

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. 

But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure." 

Can it think?" 

Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator. 

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. 

There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model." 

It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear." 

What's it for?" 

It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride." 

You are a genius, " said the angel. 

Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.” 
― Erma Bombeck, When God Created Mothers

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HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY, MOM! I love you! =)

When panic attacks

Because of my 2nd failed IUI, I started obsessing about things I should do next to get pregnant. I have been preoccupied with reading blogs about IVF, particularly in Taiwan. I even e-mailed 2 of the most popular doctors in Taiwan who do IVF to inquire about the procedure -- Lee Women's Hospital and Mackay Memorial Hospital. I am eyeing on the latter though. Both replied through their secretaries anyway. I even checked information about visa application, accommodation, and air fare. Everything seems so easy to get, except for one thing -- funding...haha...

As I was taking a shower yesterday, my mind also wandered. Suddenly I had somewhat of a panic attack. I thought about turning 36 this year, my clock is ticking, and I don't have a child yet. I cried so hard thinking about these things. Good thing hubby was there for comfort. He told me to be strong. I have been trying to be strong, but sometimes it's just so tiring...so I cry for temporary relief.

I feel happy when someone I know gets pregnant, but envious at the same time. One of the blogs I have read was about a Filipino woman who underwent IVF in 2012 at Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. She was 40 then and got pregnant with twins! This gives me hope somehow.

This is the link to her blog: http://infertilitynotes.blogspot.com

There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must of felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life. 

" Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget, that until the day God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words, 'Wait and Hope.” 
― Alexandre Dumas