All Jehovah's Witnesses!! October 08 EDITION

omcv · 10-03-2008, 04:55 AM

HOLLAND · 10-03-2008, 02:15 PM

I didn't know that the France convention had been taken off the list

There's a sister in our hall that found out several weeks ago that she's going to Paris. I wonder where she's going now. I also heard that the African trip has been changed. It's now in South Africa.

Cora - I'm hoping things turn out ok for you

I can't imagine!

Marcie - I saw your ticker. I wish I was as brave as you! I've thought about doing it before and DH has supported that idea but my mom is like.....NO WAY! I know she would freak out if I decided to have the surgery. I'm just thinking that I'd like to feel better instead of worrying if I'm going to keel over one day because I'm not healthy.

ducky · 10-04-2008, 04:48 AM

We are having our CO visit this week. It is the first vist for our new CO. Usually, on the week of the CO visit our bookstudy is changed to the combined one at the hall on Friday night. This CO's schedule is to keep the bookstudy on Thursday. It is nice our routine is the same - but I found it so strange. All day at work Thursday I knew that it was the CO visit and that we had a meeting that night - but kept thinking it was Friday, I guess because that is how it's been for my whole life. But, it sure made today long because I still had to work Friday today!

I got my beta results today. This one was considered a "fair" rise in their terms. The numbers are supposed to double and they didn't quite. The one before was considered a "poor" rise and is an indication of a non-viable pregnancy. But, fair is better so they are testing again on Sunday.

Holland - how's your foot, are you still hobbling around on crutches?

HOLLAND · 10-05-2008, 07:24 PM

My foot is doing much better

I'm allowed to wear Tennis Shoes for the next 5 weeks. I'm so happy I don't have to wear that ugly shoe anymore!

Ok....so a sister in our hall has been telling about her niece that has been trying to adopt for over 1 year now. Back in April a woman chose her and her husband because she felt that they looked the most like her and that she was a little overweight just like her as well. Things were going great. Paperwork was all filled out. She had baby showers and got the room all ready for the little girl they had been promised. The day before she was suppose to fly to the state for the birth the mother texted her to say she had changed her mind. I can't imagine! I just feel so horrible for this couple. They went through 1 IVF cycle only to find out that her eggs are no good so they can never have kids of their own. They have maxed out all of their funds and can't get any of it back. They had to pay like 11K towards the mothers care that they'll never see back again. The agency did promise to give them a baby boy in 2 weeks. They're thinking about it but they had there heart set on this little girl since back in the spring. They've got everything in Pink. The room is also decorated in a girl theme. I just feel so bad for them! I can't imagine going through something like that. It makes me nervous to go that route.

ducky · 10-05-2008, 07:47 PM

I know, you do hear such awful stories about things that can go wrong. But, so many people have had it work out. You just don't know how it will be for you. In Canada it is almost impossible to get a baby, and the whole process can cost you over $20,000.

I had to go for another Beta this morning. The Dr's office wanted another one on Sunday but you have to call the lab ahead of time to book it for a Sunday. I scheduled it for 11:00 - they only do it in the morning, and as it is the CO visit I was hoping to leave right after the public talk, get the test done and be back before his last talk. I went to the hospital and the receptionist said she would notify the lab that I was there. Well, after waiting for over 1/2 hr I asked her if she'd let them know and she said she had and that she would call them again. Well, the lab tech came and got me right away and told me that the receptionist hadn't notified her when I'd first gotten there. I was out 10 minutes after that but by then when I got back to the hall they were saying the closing prayer. I was disapointed to miss his talk. A few ppl told me some of the points from it, but it's not the same.

Amy_53405 · 10-05-2008, 11:03 PM

Hello ladies, I have a question for you. I have been studying with Jehovah's Witnesses for about 4yrs now and the woman I study with knows i've been ttc for years. She gave me the Awake magazine several years ago and I got out of it that Jehovah is against inseminations, IVF (which i've done and fully believe in). I noticed in some of your siggy's that you've done IUI....Did I maybe misinterpret what I read? Is it ok to make babies w/out your hubby per se?

omcv · 10-07-2008, 09:29 PM

Amy - I have meeting tonight but after I get back I will address your ques. If one of the sisters does not do it first.

Steph- My mom is still not crazy about the idea, in fact she has said some pretty crazy things. I will go into more detail after meeting tonight.

Ladies -
Arm - Before & After
It does not look like much but the relief is incredible!

ducky · 10-07-2008, 10:02 PM

I got the results of my beta today. It is good news, but I was on Pins & Needles all afternoon. I saw on my call display @ work that I'd missed the Dr's offices call while I was on lunch. They usually leave a message to call back, but they didn't this time and I thought that was the # that showed up but I wasn't sure. So, I waited until almost the end of the day for them to call back and when they didn't I called them. I missed the close time of the office and they wern't answereing the phone. So, when I got home I had a message from them on my home phone. I don't know why they do that. They have in my file my day time #. But - now I know. They said the numbers this time are good and that I don't have to repeat the bloodwork. I have an ultrasound booked for next week on Thursday so, I'm still a little anxious but I have some more peace of mind now anyway. I'm thinking that with the numbers not increasing very fast, odds are it's not multiples

I have something else I'm mulling over. I'm trying to do reasearch in the WT library but can not find anything specific to what I'm looking for. We have an annual gala at work, an employee celebration. Last year the theme was "stars" as in celebrities and people dressed up like famous people if they wanted to. This year, the theme is the Olympics. Our branch (I work for a Credit Union) decided to have embroydered hoodies made so we would be in matching track suits with "team St. Paul" and the town's logo on it. I'm OK with that, what concerns me is they want us all to walk in behind the town flag. As if we were a sports team in the Olympics. I know how I feel about the national flag - but I can not find anything in regards to a town flag. No one thinks of that as anything "special" do they? It is not like it is vererated like a national flag. But, I don't want to "lean on my own understanding". I called our PO to see if he can find anything that I didn't. Hopefully he can find something useful.

omcv · 10-08-2008, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy_53405

Hello ladies, I have a question for you. I have been studying with Jehovah's Witnesses for about 4yrs now and the woman I study with knows i've been ttc for years. She gave me the Awake magazine several years ago and I got out of it that Jehovah is against inseminations, IVF (which i've done and fully believe in). I noticed in some of your siggy's that you've done IUI....Did I maybe misinterpret what I read? Is it ok to make babies w/out your hubby per se?

I remember the article ... but I am going to reread before I comment completely. In some cases it is a conscience decision, not black and white. I think I remember the article brought into question if there were any left over fertilized eggs, actual living embryos. Would it be right to destroy them, etc.

omcv · 10-08-2008, 06:18 AM

*** g04 9/22 p. 11 The Choices, the Issues ***

How Will You Decide?

Medical science will no doubt carry the development of assisted reproduction even further. Some predict that in the future 30 percent of all babies born will be the result of this technology. The debate over the ethical and moral issues involved will continue.

True Christians are guided by an even more important consideration—the viewpoint of our Creator, the one who arranged for procreation. (Psalm 36:9) Of course, the Bible does not directly comment on modern assisted reproductive techniques, for such procedures were not available in Bible times. However, the Bible does set out clear principles that indicate God’s thinking and viewpoint. (See the box “What Does the Bible Say?”) Such principles help us to make decisions that are ethical and moral and that leave us with a clear conscience before God.—1 Timothy 1:5.

*** g04 9/22 p. 8 The Choices, the Issues ***

True Christians, however, believe that life begins at conception. The fact that the original fertilized cell contains the program for the construction of the placenta, the implantation, the connections with the mother’s blood vessels, and more only increases their admiration for the divine Designer, Jehovah God.

*** g04 9/22 p. 10 The Choices, the Issues ***

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible, of course, makes no direct comments on modern-day assisted reproductive procedures. It does, however, enable us to know God’s view on certain key issues. And knowing the answers to two basic questions can guide true Christians in making decisions that are pleasing to God.

When does human life begin? The Bible indicates that life begins at conception. Note the words of the psalmist David, who was inspired to say of God: “Your eyes saw even the embryo of me, and in your book all its parts were down in writing.” (Psalm 139:16) Consider also Exodus 21:22, 23, where the original-language text indicates that a person would be held accountable for injury to an unborn child. The lesson to be learned is that our Creator views life as precious, even during the very early stages of development in the womb. In God’s eyes the willful destruction of an embryo would be viewed as abortion.

Are there any restrictions as to how one’s reproductive powers may be used? God’s view can be found at Leviticus 18:20, which says: “You must not give your emission as semen to the wife of your associate to become unclean by it.” The underlying principle in that Scriptural decree is this: A man’s semen should not be used to inseminate anyone other than his wife, and a woman should not bear a child for someone other than her own husband. In other words, the reproductive powers are not to be used for someone other than one’s marriage mate. True Christians, therefore, avoid surrogate motherhood as well as any procedures that involve the use of donated sperm, eggs, or embryos.

When making a decision involving assisted reproduction, true Christians must weigh carefully what the Bible reveals about God’s thinking. After all, he is the Originator of marriage and family life.—Ephesians 3:14, 15.

*** g04 9/22 p. 4 A Baby Boom Through Assisted Reproduction ***

AI (ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION). A procedure in which semen is introduced into the female reproductive organs by other than natural means. AI is an option often tried before the procedures described below.

GIFT (GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER). A procedure that involves removing eggs from a woman’s ovary, combining them with sperm, and using a laparoscope (an instrument used for examining the abdominal cavity) to place the unfertilized eggs and sperm into the woman’s Fallopian tube through small incisions in her abdomen.

ICSI (INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION). (Shown magnified at left) A procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.

IVF (IN VITRO FERTILIZATION). A procedure that involves removing eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them outside her body. The resulting embryos are then transferred into her uterus through the cervix.

ZIFT (ZYGOTE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER). A procedure in which eggs are collected from a woman’s ovary and fertilized outside her body. A resulting fertilized egg is then inserted into her Fallopian tube through a small incision in her abdomen.

HOLLAND · 10-08-2008, 12:24 PM

Cora - I'm glad everything is ok with the little bean

I work for a CU as well. They also have a Gala every year. I have not attended it yet because it's always had a fishy theme...LOL I guess we'll see what the theme is this year before deciding if we'll go or not. I would say that if you don't feel comfortable with it then don't go.

Marcie - Did you already have the sugery done on your arm? If so I don't know were my mind was. I normally remeber those things...LOL

Let me know what your mom said about the WLS. I really want to do it but still not completely sure about it. A sister and I are going to start walking on Mon,Wed and Fri evenings. I've started to watch what i'm eating again. I want to be able to fit into a cute black dress for DH's sisters wedding in Feb

I'm hoping that now that I have someone to walk with I'll keep it up more then if I was doing it alone. With DH changing positions at work he gets home later now. So it gives me time for myself after I get home. I figured I would take advantage of it and walk with this sister. She is working on getting her blood preasure under control. So we'll see how this goes. I can only walk a little right now since the old foot is still recovering.

omcv · 10-08-2008, 04:02 PM

Steph- No worries about my arm. You have enough on your plate. I have been thinking about WLS for a long time. I did not sure my feelings with anyone. After tons of research and talking to two sisters in my congregation that had the surgery I decided to talk to my doctor. I was surprised that she immediately put in the referral April 28th. I still was not going to get my hopes up. DH said whatever makes me happy, but he loves me as I am. I did say anything to my mom until after I went to the required classes. She overreacted of course, saying I was taking desparate measures. Why couldn't I just diet and exercise? As if I had not be doing that since I was 13 years old. She kept telling me every chance she got that she would like me to go on a six month nutrition program with a real doctor (of which I already did). I started to ignore her and then I decided to stand up for myself. Side note even though she felt this way she still came with me on my appointments. Anyways I finally tried to reason with her.

I told her many people think heavy set individuals are lazy and express 'why don't they just exercise and eat less'! I asked her if she felt I was lazy? I know bold question but I was emotional and tried. She has had me on a diet my entire life. Don't eat that, exercise more, 'you would look so pretty if you just lost the weight'. My dad even offered me money to lose the weight and keep it off, it was a lot and I tried hard, only to gain it all back.

I know they are just scared about my physical health and possibly losing me. So getting back to my mom. She was quiet for some time and never really said anything about our conversation. I told her later that I want to be able to play with my children without getting exhausted. Fit in any seat that I choose, i.e. airplane, etc.

She asked me if I would be able to stick to the diet after the surgery. I told her that is the whole thing I will not be dieting anymore. I can still eat healthy as I do, but my body will have a fighting chance. With the surgery your brain thinks differently and becomes satisfied with less. It is just a tool not a miracle. I will still be doing what I have always tried to do but with a little help.

I have encouraged her to educated herself about the surgery beyond what I have told her. In the end I know she is scared she might lose me. After all the surgery is elective and I don't have to have it done.

I would of had it done sooner but the first surgeon refused to do the surgery without blood. I challenged him and the insurance referred me out for a second opinion. I had to start the whole process over again, tests, classes, nutrition, etc with the new surgeon. But once the new doctor submitted the letter for approval, the insurance agreed within five days! I was shocked.

I remember you mentioning you can have children afterwards. They like to wait about one year postop. But there is no physical problems in regards to the surgery that would stop you from having children.

If I think of anything more I will be sure to let you know.

HOLLAND · 10-08-2008, 08:24 PM

Marcie - You did great standing up to your parents! For some reason even though you can be married you still look for approval from your parents when it comes to making decisions. Some things are none of their business but when it comes to your health you can't beat around the bush there. It was something you had to come out and tell them. I'm going to ask my Endo about it next week. I'm still not feeling like I should jump into doing it right now. But later on it may be something that I choose to do. 1st though I'll talk to the Dr next week just to get her insight on it. I feel that it's great that we have something like this now to turn too when we can't accomplish it on our own. Weight issues are the hardest thing to overcome and can really make life feel horrible. I always worry about if I'll be able to fit into a chair or not. We should not have to worry about such things. There's too many other things in life we should be putting our minds too. Please let me know if you get anymore info on it. I'll also read info on it like you told your mom to do. I wanted to Congratulate you as well because you've come a long road to finally be only a couple weeks away from surgery. I admire you for making such a decision

ducky · 10-15-2008, 02:52 AM

Holland - I wish I didn't have to go. What a waste of a night. The branch closes 2 hrs early and everyone is bussed 2 hrs away and we don't get home until midnight - and have to be back at work in the morning. Yuk - but, if our obit's not in the paper we are expected to go. Not a choice. I'm counting down the time until I don't have to work there anymore. Too many women in one building. I'm in a big branch, over 40 ppl and only 7 men.

HOLLAND · 10-15-2008, 12:14 PM

I know what you mean about all the women. I was in a large branch but I moved to a smaller one in December. I can't stand it when they take such control over employees. Like bussing them somewhere and not letting people drive themselves. We had that happen this past Monday. Columbus Day...all banks are closed but we have to do this community work thing and we were bussed as well and kept under strict control the whole day. I hate that!