To do:
– Go to Rouses
– Clean the kitchen
– Clean the bathrooms
– Vacuum and mop the floors
– Wipe down furniture
– Change Dozer’s bed sheets
– Clean Sam’s litter box
– Fold the clothes
Author: Phammy
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Lunar New Year’s Eve 2023
Since I moved to the US, S and I have established a tradition of celebrating Lunar New Year’s Eve on a video call with my family in Vietnam.
At the special moment marking the transition of time from one year to the next, we said “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!” which means “Happy New Year!” and felt honored to receive the wishes for good health and happiness from my parents. We in turn gave them the same wishes. Though I’ve been hearing the same greetings and wishes for Tet (Vietnamese name for Lunar New Year) since I was young, they are always special to me because they come from my parents. And even the enthusiasm and joy in their tone of voice and expression, not just the words themselves, make their wishes more special.
The most exciting part of the call was when my Mom showed us what she had prepared for Tet from decorations, foods to snacks. This year, she had a big kumquat tree that was full of leaves and fruit and a bunch of vases with purple larkspurs and sword lilies which are typical flowers for Tet. The vases looked great but they were missing dahlias – my favorite flower from my childhood. My Mom said she didn’t get them as they don’t last very long. This issue can be fixed easily in the US as flower stores commonly sell flowers with nutrition packs which keep them fresh for a week without even changing the water. However, fresh flowers in the US can’t ever be as healthy and vibrant as the ones in VN, as they are sold at markets in the morning, as early as at 4 a.m. right after they are picked.
Then she showed us the peach blossoms. Unlike every other year, this year was the first time my parents bought the whole tree instead of a branch. And it was also the first time, the flowers were soft pink instead of the usual red. I prefer red blossoms, probably because they hold sentimental value for me and remind me of my memories of Tet. Peach blossoms and a kumquat tree are essential decorations for Tet in the Northern and Central regions, while in the South, yellow apricot blossoms are used instead of peach blossoms. Without them, the Tet atmosphere isn’t complete.
Next, she showed us small trays of snacks which were already set out on the table for the Eve celebration and for guests and relatives when they come over during Tet. Then, my Mom walked into the dining room and showed us her fridge fully packed with food. She had “Giò Bò” (a type of beef ham), “Giò Lụa” (a type of pork ham) and “Giò Tai” (a type of sausage made from pork ears and black fungus), “Nem chua” (I call it “Vietnamese Salami” due to the similarity in fermented meat texture), buffalo jerky and beef jerky, and all kinds of other delicious foods that I couldn’t remember the names of. She also showed us boxes of grapefruits that she complained were too many but no one but her ate. The food tour kept going when she showed us the foods and fruits on the altar. I saw “Bánh Chưng” (square-shaped boiled sticky rice filled with green beans and pork) and “Xôi chè” (a sweet sticky rice dish cooked with concentrated ginger juice). In my memory, “Giò Lụa, “Giò Tai ” and “Bánh Chưng” are traditional foods that we always have on Tet, and “Xôi Chè” is my paternal grandmother’s favorite dish. Since she passed away a long time ago, we never forget to offer her that dish on the altar on Tet.
Growing up, I always thought Tet was so boring, repetitive and “too much work”. I would try to be away from the family’s activities whenever I could so that I could stay in my own space. I knew that this had upset my Dad a lot but I had reasons for not actively participating in the event with my family.
Anyway, now that I’ve been living in the U.S. for an extended period, I really want to be a part of the festival, experiencing flowers, foods, decorations and the festive and family-gathering atmosphere. It’s going to happen soon!
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His love in the old days
Sep 6, 2016, 5:58 AM
Good morning my love, I’m at work. Haven’t met anyone yet, waiting for the safety meeting to end. Apparently it takes place elsewhere which I wasn’t made aware of, so I should meet my co-workers around 6:30.
Love
Sep 6, 2016, 11:49 AM
Don’t forget to take your pill, sitting here in the office, not doing anything as of yet, but everything’s good.
Miss you and love you
Fri, Sep 23, 2016, 6:38 AM
Hello my destiny – I’m at work & love you; attached is our paystub.
Fri, Dec 9, 2016, 1:48 PM
Hi Baby, I was thinking about you while taking a break outside & how much I adore you & your love; I have been so focused on work since I/we started this new job that I haven’t been able to give us much time together, but I think my learning curve is over here, now I just have to focus on keeping up, which I hope is easier; but as for us:
My life would not be the same if it weren’t for you; it would be as it was, boring, lifeless, & no future – nothing to look forward to or plan. You have brought definition to my breathing and I will love you forever, zat new.
I hope you are having a productive day and learning well; remember to give S&D 2 kisses on their lips. Also, if you would think about what you want to do over the 4+ days of Christmas that we will have together & I’ll have off work.
Love
A & the people at work.
Kiss
Mon, Feb, 2017, 6:41 AM
Good morning baby, Happy Birthday. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me and mean everything to me: My past, present, and future; I want to be with you forever and have many experiences and adventures with you. I wanted to write you notes like you did for me, listing the things you love about me, but If you were a thousand years old, it wouldn’t be enough years for me to complete my list. But I do have a small list of qualities I love about you:
(1) I love that you love me
(2) I love your trueness & purity
(3) I love you innocence, inability to do wrong, and lack of guile
(4) I love you because you are you
Your Loving Husband
Sep 4, 2017, 11:56 AM
Hi Baby: Whenever I see or think you, I think of our beginning: How much I looked forward to our time, to what you were doing, and how much I wished to be with you. My feelings remain strong & have not wavered, at times I need a reminder of how important you are to me – all I need to do is remember those times, but never must I be reminded of how much I love you – you are my everything, my center, and my reason to continue as you are my future.
We have a long future ahead of us & our bond needs to remain strong, if one of weakens, it is the other’s duty to ensure the strength of the unity, not & never the only and the same. We have much to plan & prepare for, much to look forward to as life will revolve around us & we will evolve around life & its circumstances change us & we change our conditions. Within all of this, there is so much uncertainty, but there exists one certainty, and that is I Love You.
Wed, Oct 11, 2017, 11:46 AM
It anguishes my soul to avert my love for you, yet somehow I am able to fool myself into believing desolation & suffering is a viable solution even when I know communication is the key. The past couple of days, I have been terribly selfish in my behavior; I should have buried whatever pride precluding the rectification of our recent issue, even before it became an issue. You mean so much to me – before you, I did not exist, my life has changed a great deal because you are my better half – the half that makes me a virtuous man. You always let me know how much you love me and I am so fortunate to find the most wonderful woman in the world.
Tue, Dec 12, 2017, 11:03 AM
Hi Baby, I’m thinking of you & the promise I made to send you a love letter, because I haven’t done so in a while. I wanted to let you know that you’re always in my mind, 1st, in front of all, that you mean the world to me, that you are my priority even if it feels that you aren’t. That everything I do is for us and our future, even when I am not aware of it. I loved it when I got home early yesterday & didn’t tell you, “I’m on the way baby, I love you” and you were upset because you didn’t have time to stow away your Project, you were so animatedly upset with me & cute, but now I’m wondering what the Project is and I like having a small hint of sewing. I love you and everything you do is special & magical to me.
Love you forever,
Your Husband
Tue, Jan 2, 2018, 8:53 AM
Baby, I said a lot of things I didn’t mean and I want you to know that you are the most important to me of all, you are my essence. Please forgive me and know that I love you.
Mon, Nov 26, 2018, 8:38 AM
Good morning baby, I’m sorry; I’ve left most of what I love far away but I have you. You are what keeps me sane, you are much stronger than me and this is what I love about you. You never complain. Without you, I would be reduced to what I was. Please forgive my indiscretion.
Mon, Dec 28, 2020, 9:55 AM
Baby, I know I have been different & distant lately. My humor & smiles are gone – responsibilities have consumed me; I will work on this. I love you the most, you are my everything & we will bring in a New Year as I will search & find the lost A.
Your loving Husband.
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Love is dying
Sunday, 15th January, 2023
When they looked at each other, they didn’t see love, just desperation and misery in her teary eyes and hatred and soullessness in his gaze. At that moment, she remembered the grapefruit tree, her gift for their wedding anniversary, like their love, was also dying under a severe distress condition.
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Routine, Fri021323
To do:
– Go grocery shopping
– Do the laundry and fold clothes
– Give unused clothes away
– Vacuum and mop the downstairs floor
– Tidy up the multifunctional room including books
– Seal a painting’s frame
– Check an agreement
– Make an excel file of 2022 medical costs
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Chewy Bun Bo Hue and IVF treatment plan in Vietnam
Sat, Jan 07, 2022
It’d been a while since we’d last been to a Vietnamese restaurant, so I was excited to go last weekend. However, upon entering the restaurant named in Vietnamese, I noticed that the decoration was not traditional Vietnamese. The tall statues at the entrance and the burgundy tablecloths gave the impression that the restaurant’s décor was Thai-inspired. The waitresses were also not Vietnamese. Upon looking at the menu, I realized that the restaurant serves not only Vietnamese dishes from Vietnam but also foods from Laos and Thailand.
We ordered spring rolls and crispy wonton as appetizers. For the entrees, I had a special bowl of Pho, a national dish made with spiced beef broth, thin slices of beef, and herbs, and S had Bun Bo Hue, a spicy noodle soup specialty originated from the ancient royal city of Hue. While Bun Bo Hue’s broth tasted good, the meat was so tough and rubbery that S was unable to eat. It was even tough for me though my Vietnamese mouth is familiar with chewy food. I had to cut the meat into small pieces to be able to chew it.
It’s hard to find a traditional atmosphere at Vietnamese restaurants in our area, but we’ll try a different one next time, and see if we get lucky
My home-made Pho:
Wed, Jan 11, 2022
My period is coming if it follows the calendar. But the waiting is exhausting. I half hope for a miracle but remind myself to be practical. Life is never easy and 2023 will be a stressful and challenging year for me.
S has never agreed with my idea to have IVF treatment in VN. One of his reasons is concern that medical practices might not be as strict as they are in the US. This could cause mistakes, affecting the baby’s health. However, I think the real reason for his disagreement is that he simply doesn’t want me to be away from home for too long. Medical practices shouldn’t be his concern as I believe in the expertise of Vietnamese IVF doctors. Also, with my experiences in doing IVF in the US, I am confident I’ll be able to oversee the treatment process there on my own.
I had intended to have a heart-to-heart talk with him about this, not long after the New Year’s celebration. But the thought of having this talk was enough to make me overwhelmed as I have never been good at persuading people to agree with me, especially on ideas mainly based on emotions and personalities. I knew I had to be patient, waiting for the appropriate time but it was hard to shake the heavy feeling in my heart whenever that thought came across my mind. At times, when the stress became too much, especially during the time before my period, I couldn’t resist telling him I am going to VN no matter what.
One day, while on the phone with him, I brought my plan up again and surprisingly, he asked, “Will my two-week stay in VN be long enough for the treatment?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He was on board with my plan without a big talk between us. At that moment, I felt a great sense of relief and gratitude. S has always been with me as a supportive and protective knight, caring for me in my most difficult times. He may not always agree with my ideas or thoughts but he will ultimately support what I want to do. Despite differences between us, his commitment to taking care of me and our marriage through tough times has never wavered.
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Routine – Mon010923
To do:
– Cook pork steaks and spicy Italian sausage, and clean the kitchen
– Clean the shared bathroom and the half bathroom
– Wash Dozer’s bed sheets
– Clean S’s office
– Sort out unused clothes and give them away, and return an Amazon product
– Pay bills, check the patient calendar, examine the insurance-covered bills and plan a medical trip to VN
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Happy birthday!
In previous years, I gave S handmade clothes as gifts for his birthday. I usually made these for this occasion and Christmas. Though my sewing skills have been better overtime, it has always been time-consuming and frustrating to complete these projects. Last year, I hadn’t finished a shirt until late in the afternoon of his birthday and had to rush out to Publix to buy flowers, a cake and foods for the party while he waited at home. This year, I decided not to sew a gift for his birthday, which made me quite relaxed thinking it would save me a lot of time and work but it didn’t actually.
Since I had already bought him a lot of gifts for Christmas, which is close to his birthday, I was running out of gift ideas. I know he likes a BMW. Well, he will have to wait until I win a lottery ticket.
With the help of online recommendations, I had a list of gift and food ideas that would hopefully make his birthday memorable and special.
I went to Dollar Tree to buy ribbons, a large plastic bag, a gift holder, and red and blue confetti. I bought 2 baking foil pans and used them as a gift basket instead of a real basket because they were cheap and I could use them later.
The basket had the gifts that S likes (snacks/drinks) or may need (pens, a lamp for his office desk or garage work). S especially likes me to massage him, so I included coupons for hand and foot massage and facial exfoliation that vary in length from 7 mins to 20 mins.
The gift basket specifically included:
- 1 can of antioxidant sparkling water
- 1 bottle of electrolyte beverage Gatorlyte
- 1 package of M&M
- 1 bag of cheese straws
- 1 bag of spicy BBQ pork skins
- 1 pack of ballpoint pens
- 1 USB-charged lamp
- 1 Buddha-shaped incense holder
- 1 box of 24 massage tickets and coupons
Then I cooked him a party dinner including strawberry lemon juice, pan-fried scallops and deep-fried, flour-coated shrimp with grilled pineapple as appetizers, ricotta-stuffed pasta in garlic herb tomato sauce as the entrée with garlic butter sourdough bread, oyster soup and broccoli salad as side dishes.
The party was a great success, but it left me with a messy kitchen and dining table to clean up afterwards. S offered to help me clean but I didn’t let him to because it was his birthday.
When I gave S 24 tickets, I thought I would massage him twice a month. But he has already used 3 tickets in 3 days in a row.
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Failed IVF – Round 2
10/6/2022: Post-Round 1 visit
Free of charge
The appointment turned out well, much better than I thought. It was the first time I had ever felt care and attention from my RE, whom I had previously been nervous, anxious and stressed about.
I had excitedly wished to see her at first. I had hoped the visit would tell us more about what happened to our Round 1, what else we needed to do to better prepare for Round 2, and clear information on the protocol to follow for that round. However, I had lost my enthusiasm for the appointment after waiting for a month. Moreover, during that time, I had already started taking birth control pills as directed by the nurse in preparation for the stimulation phase of Round 2. (I was unsure if it was a good idea for me to take birth control pills for an extended period of time at my age.) But surprisingly, the appointment ended up going well.
This time, instead of injecting various drugs with doses adjusted as needed, I would only be using Gonal F for stimulation, Lupron for ovulation suppression and a trigger shot. The doctor would not be adjusting doses; she explained that if my body responds poorly to the drugs, increasing the amount would not be very effective.
During the appointment, the doctor seemed surprised when I mentioned that in a few days it would have been 41 days since I started taking birth control pills. Answering my concern if it was ok to take the pills for that long, she assured me that it was not a problem. I had also asked the nurse about this before and received the same assurance.
We left the clinic, feeling more positive about our next treatment.
10/20/2022: Baseline ultrasound and labs for Round 2
19 follicles (11 left, 8 right)
Lab tests showed normal results.
Stimulation Phase
Day 1 (10/20/2022): Took Lupron (40 units) at 8:30 pm.
Day 2 (10/21/2022): 225 units of Gonal F (x2) and 20 units of Lupron (x2) at 5AM and 8:30 PM.
Day 3 (10/22/2022): Same time; accidentally took extra 75 units of Gonal F. The nurse instructed to subtract that amount from the PM dose.
Day 4 (10/23/2022): Same dosages, same time
Day 5 (10/24/2022): Same dosages, same time
Day 6 (10/25/2022): Same dosages, same time
Got the first ultrasound, showing 8 follicles (6.5-9.5mm). Sad!
Day 6 (10/26/2022): Same dosages, got injections 30 mins late in the evening.
Day 7 (10/27/2022): Same dosages, same time
Day 8 (10/28/2022): Same dosages, same time
The ultrasound showed a 25.7mm cyst on the right ovary; as well as 3 follicles (15.7mm and 13.7mm on the left, and 12.7mm on the right) and 2 small follicles (8.6mm and 6.3mm). So sad!
Day 8.5 (10/29/2022): Same dosages, same time for the AM dose
The nurse called me and said my progesterone were elevated, so I would not be receiving any more stimulation injections. Instead, I was to take a trigger shot at 10:30 PM that night.
In Round 1, I had used the trigger shot Pregnyl, but this time I chose Novarel, even though it was more expensive, in the hope of getting a better result. Each box of Novarel comes with one vial of 5000 units of powder and one vial of bacteriostatic water. I bought 4 boxes, 20,000 units in total.
To ensure that we were not rushed while administering a new drug, we began preparing 45 mins before the scheduled injection time. To administer 10,000 units, I would need 2 vials of powder. S diluted one vial of powder with 1cc of water, then injected the mixture into the other vial of powder and swirled it to dissolve the medication. Next, he drew the resulting solution into a syringe and replaced the needle with a smaller one, 27Gx1/2″. The prepared syringe was then placed in the fridge until injection.
Mon, 10/31/2022: Egg Retrieval
Procedure time: 9:30 AM
We were required to be at the hospital 2 hours before the procedure for admission registration, medical history checking, and pre-surgical instructions, etc.
2 eggs were retrieved (…) – I was at a loss for words to describe my feeling.
Tue, 11/1/2022: Zero embryo. Failed.
The embryologist called me and said one of the eggs was abnormal and the other was mature but didn’t fertilize. He was unable to determine the exact cause, but suggested that the sperm’s low binding rate (30% versus the normal average of 60%) could have been a contributor.
….
I began writing this post more than 2 months ago and didn’t finish it until today. It was just too overwhelming to think about how things had happened, what would be possible paths my life would take, and what I could and should do to improve my chance of success in the next round(s). We had a follow-up appointment with the doctor on November 10, 2022 ($157) to review the result of our Round 2 and discuss a new protocol for Round 3. While we exchanged a lot of information during the visit, much of it was not particularly helpful. We still don’t know which factors mainly caused the failure, as there were so many variables at play. However we all know that there is no guarantee of success in this IVF journey, despite our best efforts.
Round 2 was truly a nightmare to me both mentally and physically. I broke out in pimples all over my face and part of my neck. More terribly, I suffered a significant change in my mood. I wasn’t myself anymore. I felt extremely low during the stimulation phase. I became tremendously vulnerable and sensitive. I got easily irritated and couldn’t let it go. I cried everyday until the retrieval day. The doctor later said these mood changes may have caused by Lupron, which lowers estrogen levels in the body, triggering menopause-like symptoms.
Though S has been with me just as he always is, IVF is still a lonely journey for me.
Begin life at forty 