I started my Lady Times on Sunday afternoon.
On my own.
For only the third time since 2008.
I am super-mega pumped about this in a way that I have not been super-mega pumped to start a period since that one time when…well…since only one or two other times I can think of ever in my life that may not be appropriate to share here because my mother reads this blog.
Why am I excited about the Lady Times?
Because this means that maybe, just maybe, the PCOS isn’t going to screw with me again. Maybe.
I had a “normal” length cycle that ended with its very own period that wasn’t brought on by medications.
Maybe, just maybe, I won’t have 60+ day cycles and grow a mustache. (Truth. I sprouted facial hair the last time I stopped taking the pill. Lip-waxing is enough reason for me to pump my body full of synthetic hormones FOREVAH.)
(Oh, and in case you weren’t paying attention, negotiations have commenced for another Baby Human and I ditched the birth control in February and started charting again.
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Don’t get ahead of yourselves. We’re in negotiations. This isn’t a done deal.)
The what-ifs of this charting business make me somewhat neurotic. (If by “somewhat” I mean “completely.” Which I totally mean.)
I wake up every morning at 5:30, even on the weekends, and take my temperature. Without moving anything except for the arm that reaches for the thermometer and brings it back to my mouth. Sometimes I may even hold my breath. Or curse in my head if I can’t find the thermometer easily.
And then I wait for what seems like an eternity to hear the beep of the thermometer.
And then I use the light from my phone to read the thermometer screen. I’m maybe more excited about this part of the process than I should be considering it’s happening at 5:30 in the morning. But I can’t help it. I want to see what my temperature has done from the day before.
I want to know so bad I input my temperature and sync to the web and look for a spike or a dip. AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING. When the thermometer has memory recall and I could just do it at a more normal time. Like NOT 5:30 in the morning. On Saturday.
And as I analyze that chart, I ponder whether my mouth had been open when the alarm went off. Or was I too hot or too cold last night. Or did Joshua wake up. Was I bloated? Did I have cramps? What about break-outs? Gas?
And then I analyze and email friends and have them analyze.
And I’ve only been doing this for 34 days. But in 34 days? I’m a full-blown neurotic charter again.
Oh, charting! Love-hate relationship for sure! Makes me almost want to start it all again…almost. You know, in five years or so. Maybe. I mean, I’d hate for this trusty basal thermometer to go to waste!
I did not know you charted but now I love you even more than I already did.
And I am on my THIRD thermometer in 34 days. They just don’t make ’em like they used to (before I had to take Joshua’s temperature and could ONLY find the BBT…)
Charting drove me so batty. The analyzing and freaking and comparing. I spent hours comparing my chart to others on FF but was too cheap to pay for the full version. Good luck with this for reals. And just sending good luck and good vibes and all for the PCOS. It’s a special type of hell that I’ve had many many friends suffer through and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
It makes me crazy, but I love it. And the pressure is sort of off since I’m not TTC right now. No comparing me to anyone except myself!
And PCOS can suck an egg.
Good luck! I charted since last February (14 charts) before stopping when I started seeing the RE in March. And crazy charting me has felt weird relying on Dr & not “what my chart says” so I’ve been contemplating charting along with the Dr for this cycle. But I’ve gotten lazy and used to not doing the wake up at 7 on the weekends, so maybe not. Anways, I feel ya with the neuroticness & will be hoping we’ll both be knocked up at BlogHer?!
I don’t know if I want to be knocked up at BlogHer. I want to be able to have lots and lots of fun at Sparklecorn.
Oh, charting ABSOLUTELY inspires neurosis! I don’t know that I’ve met anyone who can chart and not be a little obsessive about it!
I haven’t either 🙂
haha you are much more dedicated than me! i didnt set alarms for the weekend.. and just went with whatever i got..
happy day to the lady business. And when negotiations are complete, here’s hoping you’re all on track!
i suck at charting. i tried this month and was a fail who never remembered to do it.
i guess i will try next month again…
sigh…