Infertility Podcast & Blog http://www.benedictfamily.org The Life and Times of the Benedict Family and their battle with infertility - featuring the Second Time Around Infertility Podcast Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:32:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 en What to do with frozen embryos? http://www.benedictfamily.org/what-to-do-with-frozen-embryos/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/what-to-do-with-frozen-embryos/#comments Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:31:44 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=734 I think this article from the Los Angeles Times very well describes all the struggles couples face when they don’t know what to do with leftover frozen embryos. It also goes into details about the proposed Colorado amendment to amend the state’s constitution to assert that an embryo is a person.

It seems like Resolve is strongly opposing this amendment. I could imagine if the amendment does get passed, there will be a lot of sticky situations to deal with for both the doctors and their patients.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/what-to-do-with-frozen-embryos/feed/ Researching the Mysteries of Embryo Implantation http://www.benedictfamily.org/researching-the-mysteries-of-embryo-implantation/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/researching-the-mysteries-of-embryo-implantation/#comments Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:00:35 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=733 A process that governs embryo implantation in the womb in humans has been identified for the first time. The Oxford University research, could shed light on what goes wrong when embryos fail to implant in the lining of the womb, a leading cause of infertility.

As part of the research, embryos were added to a layer of cells from the womb lining in a culture dish. The research team were then able to video embryos implant themselves in the cell layer. Cool stuff.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/researching-the-mysteries-of-embryo-implantation/feed/ Show and tell 09/27/08 http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-092708/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-092708/#comments Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:19:45 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=730 This week, I did something I haven’t done in awhile. I baked Challah. Aaron and Rivky love my homemade Challah but I’m not a big fan of baking it during the summer since it heats the whole apartment up and we don’t have central air to call it off properly. So with the cooler weather and the Jewish holidays coming up, I thought this would be an excellent time to bake some. They came out really great - the round ones are for Rosh Hashanah. The reason we make round Challah’s for this holiday is explained nicely here. Rivky braided the small ones. I have a extra freezer, so we are set for a while now. We had the first taste of them this week and they were yum.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-092708/feed/ We thought it was hard to get men to test in the USA.. http://www.benedictfamily.org/we-thought-it-was-hard-to-get-men-to-test-in-the-usa/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/we-thought-it-was-hard-to-get-men-to-test-in-the-usa/#comments Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:33:49 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=729 I came across this article written by a journalist in South Africa. He describes how twisted their way of thinking is regarding infertility. That it must only be a woman’s issue and how men are discouraged from having a simple semen analysis. It’s quite eerie the way he describes it. I have to say we’ve come a bit further than that in the USA. I hope there will be change in South Africa as well soon.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/we-thought-it-was-hard-to-get-men-to-test-in-the-usa/feed/ PETA’s Great Idea http://www.benedictfamily.org/petas-great-idea/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/petas-great-idea/#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:19:10 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=728 I always thought that PETA was a bunch of boobs, now here is proof.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/petas-great-idea/feed/ Episode 50 - Feedback, More Talk on Male Factor and Contest Winner http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-50-feedback-and-follow-up/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-50-feedback-and-follow-up/#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:49:07 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=727 We hit the big 50 with lots of listener feedback, some news, some follow up and the winner of our contest! It’s an episode that you don’t want to miss.

Right click here to download the episode

Links from the show:

Download audio file (episode50.mp3)

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-50-feedback-and-follow-up/feed/ Please Nominate Us http://www.benedictfamily.org/please-nominate-us/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/please-nominate-us/#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:54:21 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=726 You may remember that I jumped the gun a bit on being nominated for a podcast award and I was a bit embarassed by that. However, now is your chance to get us on the ballot again by nominating us to be a part of the award voting. I think that the health/fitness category would work just fine. How the process works is simple, as an individual, you are allowed to fill out the nomination form ONE TIME. Go down to the Health/Fitness section and write in “The Infertiity Podcast” and our website. It’s real easy and fun. Oh, don’t forget to nominate other podcasts that you enjoy as well; as long as they aren’t in the heath/fitness category of course. :)

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that you have until September 30th to do this.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/please-nominate-us/feed/ More Male Infertility News http://www.benedictfamily.org/more-male-infertility-news/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/more-male-infertility-news/#comments Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:48:35 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=725 Now we shouldn’t drink coffee, beer or wine. Nor should we eat nuts. This is just getting silly.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/more-male-infertility-news/feed/ Mobile Phones and Infertility http://www.benedictfamily.org/mobile-phones-and-infertility/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/mobile-phones-and-infertility/#comments Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:43:51 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=724 Since we just did a news article an old favorite, here is an update on another old favorite. Mobile phones and infertility. Here is a new study that is out and will be published (or is already published) in Fertility and Sterility.

To arrive at their findings, researchers collected semen samples from 32 men and divided each man’s sample into two parts. They placed half of the semen samples 2.5 centimeters away from a 850 MHz frequency cell phone in talk mode for one hour. Most cell phones used in the U.S. are 850-900 MHz. They chose this distance because it is the typical distance between the testes and the trouser pockets.

At least they are admitting that there is more study needed:

Further study is needed to validate the findings. “We will also test the effect [of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones] at other distances,” he says. “We know the radiation impairs sperm quality at 2.5 centimeters, but we don’t know if the effect will continue at 3, 4, or 5 centimeters,” he says.

Maybe we should all go back to the 1800’s.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/mobile-phones-and-infertility/feed/ Acupuncture ‘helps women have babies’ http://www.benedictfamily.org/acupuncture-helps-women-have-babies/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/acupuncture-helps-women-have-babies/#comments Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:35:05 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=723 We haven’t done an acupuncture article in a while, here is one.

The research found that women suffering with fertility problems who underwent the ancient Chinese treatment increased their chance of having a baby from one in five to one in three. Acupuncture involves inserting extremely fine needles into specific points on the body, along qi energy channels, to stimulate the body’s own healing system.

and

Researchers led by Ying Cheong, from the reproductive medicine unit at the University of Southampton and the city’s Princess Anne hospital, concluded that ‘acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer achieves a higher live birth rate of 35 per cent compared with 22 per cent without active acupuncture’. Embryo transfer is when an embryo that has been fertilised in the laboratory is implanted into a woman’s womb. The research found that the chance of the embryo implanting successfully, resulting in pregnancy, increased significantly if a woman underwent acupuncture around the same time as the transfer.

There are some caviets:

However, there is no benefit if the treatment takes place in the days after the embryo transfer, according to Cheong and his colleagues, who include Professor Bill Ledger, a leading fertility expert and a member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. They looked at 13 studies carried out worldwide, involving more than 2,000 patients who underwent acupuncture during a course of IVF.

So maybe it can actually help in tandem with IVF. I’m still a skeptic though.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/acupuncture-helps-women-have-babies/feed/ ICSI sons may have infertility issues http://www.benedictfamily.org/icsi-sons-may-have-infertility-issues/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/icsi-sons-may-have-infertility-issues/#comments Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:29:13 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=722 Could the sons that are born with the help of ICSI have problems when they are older? The report from MSNBC seems to say that there is a chance. There is a long way to go in this study though.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/icsi-sons-may-have-infertility-issues/feed/ Show and Tell 09/20/08 http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-092008/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-092008/#comments Sun, 21 Sep 2008 02:38:49 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=720 I don’t mean to turn this into a knitting blog, but I just wanted to show everyone how cool the cable stitches are coming out on my afghan project. Pretty impressive if I may say so myself. That’s what I love about doing cable - it looks hard to do but it really isn’t that difficult.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-092008/feed/ Contest Giveaways http://www.benedictfamily.org/contest-giveaway/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/contest-giveaway/#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:23:57 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=719 Gemini Girl is having a contest giveaway of stuff she won on Martha. Ends September 19. Go check it out.

Also, a last minute reminder to enter our contest - phone calls and iTunes reviews preferred. Prize is a copy of “The Baby Trail” by Sinead Moriarty. We will be recording episode #50 in the next few days so this is your last chance to enter.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/contest-giveaway/feed/ New Hope for Women in Their 40’s Undergoing IVF http://www.benedictfamily.org/new-hope-for-women-in-their-40s-undergoing-ivf/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/new-hope-for-women-in-their-40s-undergoing-ivf/#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:42:56 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=718 According to this article from The Sydney Morning Herald, women in their early 40s have doubled their chances of having a baby through IVF in just two years. Their success rate is increasing faster than any other age group, according to national statistics that hold new hope for older would-be mothers.

Better media for culturing embryos and a trend in transferring embryos at the blastocyst stage, five or six days after fertilization, rather than the two-to-three-day stage, had helped older women. This allows more certain selection of the best-quality embryos.

Great new for all of us approaching the big 40 (me in 14 months - yikes), as well as for those of us already in their 40’s.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/new-hope-for-women-in-their-40s-undergoing-ivf/feed/ Steroid Therapy can help prevent miscarriage http://www.benedictfamily.org/steroid-therapy-can-help-prevent-miscarriage/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/steroid-therapy-can-help-prevent-miscarriage/#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:12:56 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=717 Dr Siobhan Quenby of the University of Liverpool, presented the results of a study she conducted to test the efficacy of steroids to prevent repeated miscarriages.

The tests, involving 120 women, showed that natural killer cells were a cause of miscarriages and failed IVF embryo implants. While natural killer cells have certain desirable functions, in the uterus, they have been found to encourage the rapid growth of blood vessels when present in high numbers.

These extra blood vessels can bring too much oxygen-bearing blood to the uterus and lead to miscarriage. A treatment of steroids can reduce the level of these natural killer cells in the uterus.

In a trial, 40 women, who had suffered multiple miscarriages, were given steroids, and 75% of them have since given birth.

I know Stephanie, from Brooklyn, will particularly like these findings ;-).

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/steroid-therapy-can-help-prevent-miscarriage/feed/ I’m Back! http://www.benedictfamily.org/im-back/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/im-back/#comments Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:57:09 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=716 This is going to be the last post about how I am doing post surgery. That is because I’m back to full health, thank God. Sunday night I took all off whatever remained from the steri-strips and and threw out the support that I was still wearing. I feel perectly fine. Thanks for all of you out there that wished me well.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/im-back/feed/ Everything you ever wanted to know about male factor and treatment http://www.benedictfamily.org/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-male-factor-and-treatment/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-male-factor-and-treatment/#comments Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:59:58 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=715 I came across this very detailed article from Conceive online that lists cause and treatment for male factor infertility. This is the best article I’ve come across yet with quite a few quotes from the good doctors at Cornell as well.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-male-factor-and-treatment/feed/ show and tell 09/06/08 Back to School http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-090608-back-to-school/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-090608-back-to-school/#comments Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:55:46 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=711 Back to school days are here again. Rivky started third grade (yikes) on Thursday and had a half day. Friday was another half day so she easing into it. So far she likes her morning teacher. Lets hope the afternoon one will be a good match as well. She will meet her on Monday the first full day of school. Here a pic of the school girl herself.

I’ve seen people doing this in Facebook, so don’t mind Rivky’s back just wanted to show off her new backpack.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-090608-back-to-school/feed/ Playing Didgeridoo Could Cause Infertility http://www.benedictfamily.org/playing-didgeridoo-could-cause-infertility/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/playing-didgeridoo-could-cause-infertility/#comments Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:20:46 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=710 This news is a little on the lighter side of things but hey! It’s a slow news day.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/playing-didgeridoo-could-cause-infertility/feed/ Older Fathers and Bi-polar Disorder http://www.benedictfamily.org/older-fathers-and-bi-polar-disorder/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/older-fathers-and-bi-polar-disorder/#comments Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:18:01 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=709 There is a new study out that seems to indicate that the older a father is, the higher the risk of the child having a bi-polar disorder. Here is the jucy bit:

The Swedish study found that children fathered by men 55 and older were 1.37 times more likely to go on to be diagnosed with the mental illness once known as manic depression than those of men aged 20 to 24. Kids born to dads above the age of 30 had an 11 percent higher risk of developing bipolar disorder compared to younger fathers, according to the research.

1.37 times isn’t a real high jump but it’s still something to think about. 

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/older-fathers-and-bi-polar-disorder/feed/ A Trip to the Doc http://www.benedictfamily.org/a-trip-to-the-doc/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/a-trip-to-the-doc/#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:14:09 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=708 I had a quick (maybe 5 minutes total) appointment with the doctor today so he could check out my stitches and see if there is indeed anything wrong down there. To my relief, he said that everything was looking good and I’m well on the road to recovery. 

The amazing thing is that starting from yesterday afternoon, I have been feeling a lot better. I have been able to walk almost at full speed, which is an improvement from where I was even yesterday morning. Not only that I’m not feeling any pain when I get up or sit down. 

I had been worried that the second week was going to be like the first but it’s almost like week one was getting up the hill and this week I’m heading down the hill. It’s a good feeling. 

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/a-trip-to-the-doc/feed/ Episode 49 - Varicocele Surgery at Cornell Hospital and Recovery http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-49-the-post-op-show/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-49-the-post-op-show/#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:01:20 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=700 Malky and I talk about the surgery that I had earlier this week. Plus we talk about some news, the poll and our contest for episode 50!

Right click here to download the show!

Links from the show:

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-49-the-post-op-show/feed/ The State of the Aaron Address http://www.benedictfamily.org/the-state-of-the-aaron-address/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/the-state-of-the-aaron-address/#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:53:20 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=707 I have not blogged about my recovery recently and I wouldn’t be a good narcissist if I didn’t focus things back on me. I think that on Saturday I over exerted myself and that stemmed from my having to rush so I didn’t get caught in some rain that was starting to fall. Then I felt that I was doing OK so I gave sleeping on my left side a try. That turned out to be a mistake since my incision bled over night. It wasn’t a lot of blood but it was enough that I was worried a bit. I followed that up by bending over a lot on Sunday to get some laundry done. 

Today I took it easy for the most part and I think that I’m doing better. The stitches still hurt like hell some times and there was still some bleeding (this time on the right side which is a smaller incision) but I didn’t feel totally in pain like I did yesterday. And as Martha likes to say, that’s a good thing. 

Tomorrow is going to be a test since I have to go to a meeting and do a presentation in Mid-Town Manhattan and then head back to the office and finally back home. This is a good amount of traveling and I’ll be having to take the subway for all of the travel. Wish me luck.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/the-state-of-the-aaron-address/feed/ NHS to give IVF more priority http://www.benedictfamily.org/nhs-to-give-ivf-more-priority/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/nhs-to-give-ivf-more-priority/#comments Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:43:31 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=706 Another chapter in the NHS situation over in the UK. It looks like things may improve.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/nhs-to-give-ivf-more-priority/feed/ Secondary Infertility Overview http://www.benedictfamily.org/secondary-infertility-overview/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/secondary-infertility-overview/#comments Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:39:00 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=705 Here is a good overview about going through secondary infertility. 

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/secondary-infertility-overview/feed/ Happy Labor Day http://www.benedictfamily.org/happy-labor-day/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/happy-labor-day/#comments Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:16:00 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=704 To those of you in the US, have a happy Labor Day. All others, have a great Monday. 

Speaking of labor day, Malky mentioned to me last night that our old friend Robin Weiss gave birth to a baby yesterday. We offer her a hearty Mazel Tov!

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/happy-labor-day/feed/ Common Decency http://www.benedictfamily.org/common-decencey/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/common-decencey/#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:06:05 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=703 Well there are several people here in the shared office space have decided that they should listen out loud to Barak Obama’s speech from last night. This is beginning to piss me off, not because of pollitics but I because I think that when you are in a public area, you should a) not do stuff to annoy those around you and b) don’t bring politics into things. I’m thinking of play some old Nixon speeches just to balance things out. :)

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/common-decencey/feed/ Hitting the Shower http://www.benedictfamily.org/hitting-the-shower/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/hitting-the-shower/#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:13:57 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=702 I was finally able to take a shower yesterday and what a difference that made. I felt rejuvenated and like a new person. A new person with two sets of stitches in a sensitive area, but a new person never the less. After the shower I was able to remove some of the extra bandages around the incisions and that really helped out a lot. Aside from about an hour, I was almost my old self again. In fact I’m going into the office in a few minutes. 

One of the other good signs was that I was able to finally sleep on my side and stay in bed the entire night. As I mentioned in a previous post (I think) I wasn’t able to sleep on my side the first few nights and could only sleep on my back. This wasn’t good for my sleeping and I wound up getting up at around 2:30am to try and sleep on the couch. Thankfully, that didn’t happen last night. 

So the upshot is that I’m getting better slowly but surely, which is frustrating me to no end since I think I should be at 100% already. 

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/hitting-the-shower/feed/ Our 50th Show contest http://www.benedictfamily.org/our-50th-show-contest/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/our-50th-show-contest/#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:40:32 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=701 So far our contest has been a complete bust. We have only had two people enter the contest. Malky and I thought it may be a good idea for a post with the ways to enter the contest.

  1. Write a review in iTunes - We like reviews in iTunes. All you need to do is follow the link (that will start iTunes) and then click on the “Write a Review” link. You know that you’ve wanted to do it, why not take 5 minutes out at write one.
  2. Leave us a voice mail - Just call (815) 301-9004 and follow the instructions on leaving a voice mail. Let us know what you’ve liked about the show so far or your favorite episode, etc. We’ll play that on episode 50.
  3. Write us an email - Just send it to us and we’ll read it on the air. The same idea as leaving a voice mail but via email instead.
  4. Twitter - just send Malky or myself a direct tweet
  5. Skype - Leave a voicemail on my skype account, aaronmb
  6. Leave a comment - Just leave a comment to this post.
So there you have it, 6 easy ways to enter the contest. I look forward to seeing your entries!
]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/our-50th-show-contest/feed/ About last night http://www.benedictfamily.org/about-last-night/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/about-last-night/#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:11:37 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=699 I couldn’t sleep well last night. This is because I’m not able to sleep on my sides as I is my wont because of the location of the incisions and stitches. I have to sleep on my back which is no fun at all. Not only that but the pain seems to be worse today than it was yesterday. This may be a result of my trying to over do things yesterday, this is something else that I’m pretty good at.

I washed my hair last night and Malky helped me with that and gave me a baby wipe bath which did a pretty good job. She’s really been there for me during this and I really appreciate it even though this is going to ruin our anniversary date. That’s coming up on the 30th.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/about-last-night/feed/ How I’m doing? http://www.benedictfamily.org/how-im-doing/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/how-im-doing/#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:10:54 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=698 That was the popular question that former NYC Mayor (and my mother’s favorite - she still votes for him) used to ask people he met. I’m going to use it in a slightly different way and try to go through how I am currently feeling post procedure. 

As Malky pointed out in her post from last night, I’m doing pretty well all things considered. There is pain but it quite manageable, nothing that some extra strength tylenol and ice won’t take care of. The major annoyance for me right now is the side of my mouth where they had the intubeation tube placed. It feels like I have some swelling on the inside, almost like a inverted fat lip.

The other annoyance is that I can’t take a shower until Thursday. I don’t consider myself Monk like in my cleanliness, but I do like to be clean and this is going to drive me insane for the next two days. Sure, I can use baby wipes or have Malky give me a sponge bath (which in other circumstances may be fun) but it’s not the same as having hot water running down your body.

Last and certainly not last, I wanted to thank all of you for your thoughts about how I should do the anesthesia (I decided to go the general route) and for your thoughts and prayers yesterday. It is very reassuring to go through a procedure like this and know you have people watching your back, so to speak. 

I think that I have been sitting in a chair long enough. It’s time for me to lay down some more. 

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/how-im-doing/feed/ Home Again http://www.benedictfamily.org/home-again/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/home-again/#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:03:54 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=697 We’re home again. All’s well. Aaron ate, rested and isn’t in too much pain thank G-d. May he be doing even better tomorrow, G-d willing. I was very impressed with Cornell hospital. The staff was wonderful - everyone was patient and nice.

The area that family waits in looks more like a hotel lobby then a hospital.That definitely helped in keeping me calm for the first hour or so. Although you could feel the tension in the air as family members waited for news about their loved ones. Not much conversation going on in the room either. I guess everyone feels it’s a private matter.

I’m just so relieved that it’s over, Aaron made it through okay and that we didn’t have to have an extended hospital stay.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/home-again/feed/ Out of surgery http://www.benedictfamily.org/out-of-surgery/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/out-of-surgery/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:46:18 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/out-of-surgery/ I’m out of surgery and the doctors are happy with how things went. I should be released shortly.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/out-of-surgery/feed/ Tick Tock http://www.benedictfamily.org/tick-tock/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/tick-tock/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:32:13 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=695 Well, there  is about an hour left until I have to be at the hospital for pre op fun to begin and 2 1/2 hours before the surgery. Malky it seems, is more nervous than I am at this time. I’m calm about the whole thing and the only thing I’m upset about is that I have not been able to eat or drink anything since midnight last night. This means I’m missing my usual caffeine fix this morning and I have a slight headache reminding me of that fact. I’ll make up for it tomorrow.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/tick-tock/feed/ Nervous Wreck http://www.benedictfamily.org/nervous-wreck/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/nervous-wreck/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:21:33 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=694 I’ve been a wreck all day about Aaron’s surgery tomorrow. You would think it was me having it, although in someways it’s easier to be the one going through it. Now I can really understand what Aaron must have been feeling when I went through my labors. Then there’s 2 people to worry about so I guess that’s even worse.

The surgery is scheduled for 2:00pm tomorrow. Please pray/have good thoughts that all goes well.

I will try to post as soon as I can when we’ve made it through.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/nervous-wreck/feed/ show and tell 08/23/08 http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-082308/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-082308/#comments Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:46:25 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=689 This weeks show and tell are pictures from our trip to Boston. We had a really nice time and it was great to get away from it all for a couple of days especially with Aaron upcoming varicocele surgery.

This is a picture of the world trade center of Boston. It has all the flags of different countries. I thought this was very appropriate for show and tell since Mel is so great at bringing people together.

This is me remembering to stop and live in the moment. The park was beautiful that day.

Pictures of the boat tour I took - a true sailboat where they got the passengers to assist with putting up the sails by pulling on the ropes. It had rained that morning and just as we started to sail out the sun came out. What perfect timing! My only problem was that I forgot my sunscreen - although I didn’t think I’d need it.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-082308/feed/ Gum infection, not just a problem for female fertility http://www.benedictfamily.org/gum-infection-not-just-a-problem-for-female-fertility/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/gum-infection-not-just-a-problem-for-female-fertility/#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:28:43 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=688 Most of you might know that when a woman has poor oral health it can cause complications in pregnancy such as pre-term birth and low-birth weight babies. A new study from Israel has found that poor oral health can cause men to have low sperm counts. The study was small and needs to be investigated further but this is a interesting new find in the world of male infertility.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/gum-infection-not-just-a-problem-for-female-fertility/feed/ Surgery Scheduled http://www.benedictfamily.org/surgery-scheduled/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/surgery-scheduled/#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:26:41 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=687 Well at 4:00PM on the nose I gave the hospital a call to see what time my surgery will be on Monday. I was told 2:00pm. I have to admit that I was hoping for an earlier appointment but I think that it will be early enough that I should be home for the night and if we want, Rivky won’t have to sleep over anywhere. 

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/surgery-scheduled/feed/ To Sleep or not to Sleep http://www.benedictfamily.org/to-sleep-or-not-to-sleep/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/to-sleep-or-not-to-sleep/#comments Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:47:58 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=686 As listeners of the podcast have heard, I will be undergoing a bilateral varicocele procedure a week from tomorrow. I’m having a bit of a debate with my self about how I should go through the surgery. I have the option of either going through it with a local anesthetic (that being an epidural) and a general anesthetic. I can see the pros and cons of going either way. Now I don’t need to make a decision until I get there but this is one of those things are are really on my mind right now about the surgery.

What would you do if you were me?

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/to-sleep-or-not-to-sleep/feed/ Show and Tell 08/17/08 http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-081708/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-081708/#comments Sun, 17 Aug 2008 04:19:25 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=682 This week I’m showing off a product that Aaron bought for the kitchen. He likes to cook just as much as I do if not more. Aaron purchased this spice carousel at a mall. I was not with him at the time since he had gone to the mall primarily for a business meeting with Apple Computers. I must say, he did good.

We are really enjoying the spice rack. It doesn’t take up a lot of room, you can put whichever labels you want on the spice containers and the labels actually stay on. They also have a neat feature that you can measure a 1/4 teaspoon at a time to come out of a certain slot - very cool.

i couldn’t find the exact one that we have on Amazon, but here is the closest one to ours that they sell if anyone’s interested.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-081708/feed/ Episode 48 - Study, Study, Study http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-48-study-study-study/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-48-study-study-study/#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:45:15 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=681 On this episode, Malky and I talk about three studies that have made the news recently. Update you on the current poll and on my upcoming surgery. 

Right click here to download the episode

Links we discussed:

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-48-study-study-study/feed/ Show and Tell 08/11/08 http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-081108/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-081108/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:46:15 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=679 I missed show and tell last week since I was waiting to finish this before posting. I started this afghan here. I just completed one full panel. Only 4 more to go! Hopefully I’ll be finished by the time it’s really cold outside and will need something warm to cuddle with (aside from hubby of course, LOL).

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-081108/feed/ Secretary fired for needing time off for IVF http://www.benedictfamily.org/secretary-fired-for-needing-time-off-for-ivf/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/secretary-fired-for-needing-time-off-for-ivf/#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:21:31 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=678 I found this interesting court case in relation to the subject we discussed on our last show about time off for fertility treatment. A secretary was fired for needed time off for IVF. She filed suit alleging sex bias. The company that fired her claims it’s not sex bias since men have infertility too. Give me a break. Everyone knows that in the majority of cases it’s the women who have to go to the doctor more often even if they are only dealing with male factor. Either way I hope she gets a huge settlement - that will serve them right!

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/secretary-fired-for-needing-time-off-for-ivf/feed/ Infertility drugs like Clomid not helpful for unexplained infertility http://www.benedictfamily.org/infertility-drugs-like-clomid-not-helpful-for-unexplained-infertility/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/infertility-drugs-like-clomid-not-helpful-for-unexplained-infertility/#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:11:09 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=677 A Scottish study was done on couples experiencing unexplained infertility to see if using drugs like Clomid and doing IUI really helps to improve pregnancy rates. The results were quite surprising. Check it out here.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/infertility-drugs-like-clomid-not-helpful-for-unexplained-infertility/feed/ A couple of twits http://www.benedictfamily.org/a-couple-of-twits/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/a-couple-of-twits/#comments Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:30:07 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=676 Malky and I finally broke down and we decided to join Twitter. If any of you, our listeners and readers would like to follow us, this is a great way to do know what we’re doing without having to worry about a restraining order :D. 

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/a-couple-of-twits/feed/ Nominated again http://www.benedictfamily.org/nominated-again/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/nominated-again/#comments Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:18:40 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=675 Well it looks like it’s that time of year again. Malky and I have been nominated for the 2008 People’s Choice Podcast Awards in the health and fitness category. Last year the podcast “Sex is Fun” is back and it’s hard to compete with a name and topic like that but we’re going to give it a try. The voting starts on Sept 15th and you’ll be able to vote once a day. Won’t you please help us upset the other podcast? Let’s make history together!

UPDATE: Well it looks like I jumped the gun on this. The list is last year’s nominees and the winner in the specific category. That should teach me a lesson not to toot our own horn.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/nominated-again/feed/ Miniature Golf http://www.benedictfamily.org/miniature-golf/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/miniature-golf/#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:41:14 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=668 Monday, I decided to take Rivky out to play miniature golf for the first time ever. Quite frankly, I was getting jealous of all the fun she’s been having in camp and thought lets have some fun together. She loved it! She did very well for her first time and even beat me in 2 of the rounds. Rivky’s becoming quite the photographer as well and took some decent pictures of me. Way to go Rivky.

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/miniature-golf/feed/ Episode 47 - Sinead Moriarty http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-47-sinead-moriarty/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-47-sinead-moriarty/#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:36:16 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=666

This episode Malky and I interview author Sinead Moriarty. She is the author of a trilogy of fictional books about a woman’s infertility journey. As always we have the news, a new poll, and some surprises coming up at the end of the podcast.

Right click here to download the show

Links from the show:

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/episode-47-sinead-moriarty/feed/ Show and Tell 07/26/08 http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-072608/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-072608/#comments Sun, 27 Jul 2008 02:30:17 +0000 malky http://www.benedictfamily.org/?p=663 This week I decided to go with pictures of myself as a baby (about 9 months) old and Rivky as a baby (7 months old). So, do you think we look alike or is she all Aaron or a mix?

Isn’t it amazing how far they’ve come with photography in 30 years. We don’t have any baby pics of Aaron - sorry, take that up with his mom!

]]> http://www.benedictfamily.org/show-and-tell-072608/feed/ Fun with Audio Hijack Pro http://www.benedictfamily.org/fun-with-audio-hijack-pro/ http://www.benedictfamily.org/fun-with-audio-hijack-pro/#comments Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:59:40 +0000 aaron http://www.benedictfamily.org/fun-with-audio-hijack-pro/ I’ve spoken about Rogue Amebia’s Audio Hijack Pro before since it’s such an important tool for our podcast. Last night I discovered a new use for the application.

I was looking for a sound clip but the only thing that I could find was a YouTube video of said audio. AHP came to the rescue sine it allows me to record sound from Safari. I gave it a try and it worked briliantly. Hopefully you’ll hear the new sound in our upcoming podcast.

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