Remeber that old expression about march weather that goes; In like a lion...?
For Lisa and I that expression discribe our doctor visits coming up in march. Be sure to visit the blog often this march for updates and pictures from the following weeks
Feb 22nd-28th - Parnell's 2nd Overnight Blood Study
March 1st-7th - Lisa's Weightloss Surgery
March 8th-14th - Parnell's Surgery (2nd Biopsy)
March 22nd-28th (Estimated) - Parnell Starts new GnRh Medication
Thats it for now...
February 19, 2009
New Phones
Well as techy as I am it would surprise people to know that I was a bit behind the times when it came to my cell phone... I've had friends pick on me for my outdated cell phone many times but i didnt care... heck all i needed my phone for was making calls right... Well finaly after carring around a brink phone from the early nintys I finaly upgraded to a more modern phone last year. It was a small leap forward from the 90's brick to a smaller sleeker flip phone. I had this phone for over a year and in that time learned how useful having a phone with advanced features was and it wasnt long before i set my sights on a shiny techy phone...
Now you all know me so you know if I get tech it has to do everything imaginable or what is meant to do very well... Last month I took another leap forward in phone tech... I purchased a Samsung Omnia (i910). This phone is so advanced it took me a week to learn everything this phone coold do and I'm sure it can do even more that havnt figured out yet... Between browsing the web, listening to FM radio, Podcasts, MP3 Player, 5 meg Camera, full touch screen, 8 gigs of storage and more applications then i can count this new phone surprises me everyday!
And yes... once in a while I actualy use it as a phone and the call quality is great
The iphone has nothing on this powerhouse of a phone... I think i'm in love! :)
February 8, 2009
Lisa's big day is coming
Well as many of you bloggers know,I will be having weight loss surgery. It has been a tough journey that I have been going through, but it will all be coming to an end soon. I started this journey in September when I decided that after years of failed attempts at dieting that I need to fix myself and force me to eat smaller sizes. I have been through so many test and seen about 12 doctors to prove to them that I am well aware of what is expected of me and the importance of following the diet and going to the gym and working out. Well after finally completing all that was requied they have finally set my date for my surgery. DRUM ROLL PLEASE>>>>>>>> MARCH 3. That's right in less than 23 days I will have a new beginning to my life. I have chosen to have the lap band (Realize band) placed in to my body. For me having them make my stomach in a small pouch for ever (Gastric) just wasn't for me, so I decided that I would go through with the band instead. My stomach will still be small but it will have a band that has this pillow on the inside that they will fill with saline through a port that is attached to it. This port is under my skin in my abdominal wall. I know it's sounds painful and scary but if I don't do this surgery I feel that I wont be able to loss the weight required by the fertility doctors to help us achieve pregnancy. So I really need all my family and friends to support me and wish and pray for me on that big day in March. Thanks again for all who have helped and support Parnell and I through this stressful, emonitonal, and amazing journey that we have been on. Love you all L
February 4, 2009
Unique
The word “Unique” has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. While talking with some friends last week I was reminded of a story from when I was a kid. The tale of my youth went something like this: When I was seven years old, I attended the Westside elementary school in Middleboro ma. Back then it wasn’t rare for me and my brother to dress ourselves and walk to school each day. On one such day I was stopped in the halls by a teacher who pointed out my shoes were on the wrong feet. I tried to tell the teacher it was ok because my shoes were comfortable that way. Regardless she sat me down and made me switch my shoes. Then she patted me on the back and went on her way. As soon as she was out of sight I switched them back. A while later I was stopped again by the same teacher, who once again asked me why my shoes were swapped again. I told her I switched because I wanted to. She laughed at me and said “Mr. Grenier you sure are unique” Not knowing what the strange word meant I went home and told my parents the teacher had insulted me. A phone call was made but after the initial outburst of “what did you call my child” was answered nothing more was said or done... At least until the next day because when I got to school the following day Mrs. James my 2nd grade English teacher A.K.A the shoe police. Had a small construction paper sign with a yarn lanyard and the words “Unique = One of a kind, Special” written across the front. I had to wear the sign around my neck everyday for a week. The word and memory have stuck with me ever since. I guess there is nothing like humiliation to teach a child vocabulary.
When I finished telling this story all my friends laughed. I don’t blame them, thinking back now it is a funny story.. But I don’t think Mrs. James even knew how unique I was or would become. Dictionaries define the world unique as “alone(p): radically distinctive and without equal, singular: the single one of its kind” and while I’ve always known myself to be different, as years go by I’m seem to learn more and more about just how different I really am. Let’s take a quick memory trip. Lets see the first time I realized I was different wasn’t until I was a teenager of about 15 and my older brother started making jokes about his fat little brother… Even then not much came of it besides and inferiority complex and a desire to keep to myself.
Although it was obvious to all the kids at school who harassed me daily about my physical differences, It wasn’t revealed to anyone that mattered until I was 17 and only because I walked in front of my mother naked and asked, is this normal? A few doctor visits and tests uncovered that I was born with a genetic birth defect that inflicts an estimated 1 in 10,000 males in varying severity. I’m not going to make this any longer then it needs to be by filling it with medial terms and expressions, All anyone needs to know are the basics, I have no sense of smell, a low metabolism leading to obesity, extremely low hormone levels that cause depression, antisocial behavior and several physical defects that developed at puberty, worst of all is infertility. At 17 I was told I had no chance at having a normal life and a future with of a family of my own. It didn’t help I was already prone to depression so soon after being told all this I attempted to jump in front of a moving train but was tackled and held down till I smarted up. (Took a while… Thanks Tim)
Let’s fast forward a bit past the years of failed relationships and wasted time to happier place in my life. That being about eight years ago when I met the woman who would care enough about me to see past my physical differences and vow to spend her life with me for better or worse. As years passed together our love for each other grew but it was hard to hide that we both felt like something was missing in our lives, we both knew what it was and we talked, together we went to see if the doctors could do anything for me and my infertility. Doctor after doctor refused to help until finally doctors up at Brigham’s and woman’s hospital told us about a research study being conducted at Mass General Hospital that’s whole purpose was to study increasing fertility in people with my exact condition Lisa and I were ecstatic. Finally some hope!
Anther quick fast forward past all the poking and prodding and initial tests and exams, past the scary explanations about my condition and learning enough about how different I really am or how bad my condition could have been that ill be self-conscious for the next 30 years, forward past all the program delays to the present day. I have now been receiving study medication and taking daily injections now for nearly four months. As well as having my blood tested and analyzed weekly. Last week I was given some interesting news about the most recent results and for once it was something that made me smile.
The researchers told me that in my blood work they found something…. Wait for it…. They actually said… In my blood work they found something “unique” that was different from others afflicted with this condition. They continued to explain that what they found could possibly help doctors discover early detection and early treatment methods for others. At first I was worried that being diffent meant i was screwed but they explained it doesnt affect my current treatment or it chances for success. But what they learn could be beneficial to others and even my own child if Lisa and I are successful. I was introduced to another research doctor who was very interested in learning more about me and my family. When I heard all this I had to laugh… It’s about time my being different and unique was a good thing! Imagine that… Something in me could help prevent others from ever having to deal with the problems I’ve had to. Kind of makes me think a bit about my own self worth! Its gonna be a few weeks before I go back to the doctors again but I thought this was so interesting I just had to post it!
When I finished telling this story all my friends laughed. I don’t blame them, thinking back now it is a funny story.. But I don’t think Mrs. James even knew how unique I was or would become. Dictionaries define the world unique as “alone(p): radically distinctive and without equal, singular: the single one of its kind” and while I’ve always known myself to be different, as years go by I’m seem to learn more and more about just how different I really am. Let’s take a quick memory trip. Lets see the first time I realized I was different wasn’t until I was a teenager of about 15 and my older brother started making jokes about his fat little brother… Even then not much came of it besides and inferiority complex and a desire to keep to myself.
Although it was obvious to all the kids at school who harassed me daily about my physical differences, It wasn’t revealed to anyone that mattered until I was 17 and only because I walked in front of my mother naked and asked, is this normal? A few doctor visits and tests uncovered that I was born with a genetic birth defect that inflicts an estimated 1 in 10,000 males in varying severity. I’m not going to make this any longer then it needs to be by filling it with medial terms and expressions, All anyone needs to know are the basics, I have no sense of smell, a low metabolism leading to obesity, extremely low hormone levels that cause depression, antisocial behavior and several physical defects that developed at puberty, worst of all is infertility. At 17 I was told I had no chance at having a normal life and a future with of a family of my own. It didn’t help I was already prone to depression so soon after being told all this I attempted to jump in front of a moving train but was tackled and held down till I smarted up. (Took a while… Thanks Tim)
Let’s fast forward a bit past the years of failed relationships and wasted time to happier place in my life. That being about eight years ago when I met the woman who would care enough about me to see past my physical differences and vow to spend her life with me for better or worse. As years passed together our love for each other grew but it was hard to hide that we both felt like something was missing in our lives, we both knew what it was and we talked, together we went to see if the doctors could do anything for me and my infertility. Doctor after doctor refused to help until finally doctors up at Brigham’s and woman’s hospital told us about a research study being conducted at Mass General Hospital that’s whole purpose was to study increasing fertility in people with my exact condition Lisa and I were ecstatic. Finally some hope!
Anther quick fast forward past all the poking and prodding and initial tests and exams, past the scary explanations about my condition and learning enough about how different I really am or how bad my condition could have been that ill be self-conscious for the next 30 years, forward past all the program delays to the present day. I have now been receiving study medication and taking daily injections now for nearly four months. As well as having my blood tested and analyzed weekly. Last week I was given some interesting news about the most recent results and for once it was something that made me smile.
The researchers told me that in my blood work they found something…. Wait for it…. They actually said… In my blood work they found something “unique” that was different from others afflicted with this condition. They continued to explain that what they found could possibly help doctors discover early detection and early treatment methods for others. At first I was worried that being diffent meant i was screwed but they explained it doesnt affect my current treatment or it chances for success. But what they learn could be beneficial to others and even my own child if Lisa and I are successful. I was introduced to another research doctor who was very interested in learning more about me and my family. When I heard all this I had to laugh… It’s about time my being different and unique was a good thing! Imagine that… Something in me could help prevent others from ever having to deal with the problems I’ve had to. Kind of makes me think a bit about my own self worth! Its gonna be a few weeks before I go back to the doctors again but I thought this was so interesting I just had to post it!
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