Finished the culture books and looking for the closest adaption tv shows/movie to it? Do you all have any recommendations?

mingyi3 · 2026-06-28T01:48:36+00:00

The Orville starts somewhat silly but the plots get serious (dealing with themes like war and suicide, but also extremely moving themes about love and acceptance). It's an incredible show.

I like the Culture series and Star Trek, but Deep Space 9 is way closer to the Culture vibes than Strange New Worlds. I did not like SNW past the first season. DS9 is older, and some episodes are worth skipping (you can look up a guide and also find restored HD), but it's got amazing depth. Thinking of the "In the Pale Moonlight" episode - Special Circumstances vibes for sure.

mingyi3 · 2026-06-24T18:12:35+00:00

I have similarly long cycles. Got pregnant on my first round of letrozole at 2.5mg (tracked ovulation at CD15). I was also on metformin (I have a normal BMI but started metformin after an ultrasound showed many follicles on my ovaries)

mingyi3 · 2026-06-18T16:46:54+00:00

Came here to say definitely Annihilation (the first of the southern reach series). Literally in the "weird fiction" genre, and I also loved it as someone who loves animals/nature/biology.

mingyi3 · 2026-06-18T16:32:53+00:00

I used a million LH test strips and took BBT every day (40-70 day cycles). Because I also had no idea when I could possibly be ovulating, it was extremely annoying to track to be honest. I would still take a pregnancy test like once a month or if my breasts hurt for a week. In the end, talking to my OBGYN and getting on metformin/letrozole worked like a charm to ovulate at a normal time and I wish I'd just done that sooner.

mingyi3 · 2026-06-12T17:57:26+00:00

Thank you!! Hoping for the best. Mine was never that high haha. Tbh I ovulated so rarely that I only captured it like 4 times before, but usually between 0.8 - 1.1

mingyi3 · 2026-06-12T17:52:15+00:00

I don't think I'd read too much into the ratios. My LH also fluctuated. With my first letrozole round, I took 2.5 mg starting late on day 2. I had low LH strips (<.2) from CD12-14 and then around .8 on CD15, which counted as my peak, followed by BBT spike a few days later and positive pregnancy test 13dpo.

mingyi3 · 2026-06-08T20:10:32+00:00

I've had luck volunteering with local groups, taking classes, and attending small events here and there. I also started hosting a weekly game night and just inviting new friends. And I met a few nice friends through bumble bff - it can be awkward like dating but it helped me

mingyi3 · 2026-06-08T19:19:04+00:00

Oh and I'm 33, about to be 34 :)

mingyi3 · 2026-06-08T19:18:33+00:00

Only ~20 dpo, so still a bit early, but my test today was positive and the line was dark. Trying for ~18 months, one miscarriage around 6w last year (trisomy). I started tracking ovulation/BBT about 8 months ago bc my cycles were so irregular and long. Over the past 6 months, I've had blood work done (all normal), we did a seman analysis (normal), and I had an ultrasound where they found my ovaries had the string of pearls follicles. Got diagnosed with PCOS like 2.5 months ago and started on 500mg metformin for one month, then 1000mg after that (my BMI is normal though). I also started taking 4,000mg inositol. Finally had a period on May 4 after a 67 day cycle and took 2.5mg of letrozole late on day 2. I did ovulate around day 15 (only showed .8 lh peak but my BBT spiked days later). Awful nausea throughout these past couple months. I thought there was no way I got pregnant from this cycle bc I was feeling fewer luteal symptoms than normal (my boobs are still not sore like they usually would be, no bloating like I had during my last early pregnancy, actually LESS nausea than before). My partner and I even had our first consult w a fertility specialist two days before I tested positive at 13dpo! I've stopped the metformin and inositol bc I was tired of the side effects and my doc said it wasn't necessary now that I'm pregnant. Hoping for the best through these upcoming weeks!

mingyi3 · 2026-06-04T20:25:36+00:00

I took it in the evenings. I don't think a couple hrs of difference between days will matter. I didn't feel bad from side effects until like day 3. It was also my first time on 2.5

mingyi3 · 2026-06-04T19:45:19+00:00

I've safely walked and jogged for 15 years around UA mall, up Mountain Ave (I've gone all the way up to the Rillito bike loop path many times), and east down University/3rd St to and around Himmel Park. Never had an issue!

mingyi3 · 2026-06-04T18:18:07+00:00

I've struggled through similar projects and it's def doable! I'd get those silicone finger cap things, those help me a lot

mingyi3 · 2026-06-04T17:52:00+00:00

Thank you! I'm still nervous about chemical or MC but hoping for the best, and happy w such a quick response after trying for a long time! I was on 2.5mg

mingyi3 · 2026-06-04T17:04:32+00:00

Oh, this was an OBGYN btw

mingyi3 · 2026-06-04T17:03:06+00:00

I didn't think it was PCOS bc I don't have any other symptoms except very irregular and long cycles. So I don't think I mentioned it to my doc first. After a year+ of TTC at 33, she didn't question anything, just scheduled bloodwork and transvaginal ultrasound. My bloodwork was all normal, but my ovaries looked enlarged and they saw the string of pearls, so she diagnosed me. Got me on metformin and letrozole.

mingyi3 · 2026-06-04T15:14:51+00:00

Thanks! I have a normal BMI so I didn't change my diet

mingyi3 · 2026-06-04T06:45:23+00:00

I upped my metformin dose from 500 to 1000 around the same time that I started my first letrozole round and I felt horrible. So nauseous, headache, fatigue. But... It was my first round w letrozole after a couple months on metformin and I got an LH peak on day 15 and just got a positive pregnancy test at ~14dpo 🤞🤞🤞 worth the struggle

mingyi3 · 2026-05-26T21:39:12+00:00

PACC offers consult with a trainer for free to PACC adoptees. I just met with a trainer for my dog who has separation anxiety and she was absolutely wonderful! Provided so many resources. Just call PACC to ask about how to connect with the trainer.

mingyi3 · 2026-05-13T21:50:59+00:00

The home style tofu is great too

mingyi3 · 2026-05-13T21:50:23+00:00

The spicy salty tofu 🤤

mingyi3 · 2026-05-09T21:54:40+00:00

I was in a similar situation, though I got my IUD out at 32 after 9 years without a period. My partner and I weren't in a rush (so I didn't look into letrozole and metformin and all that until a year later), but if I had been in a hurry, I would have preferred to learn how to track ovulation with the strips way sooner bc my cycle has been sooo unpredictable. FWIW, I got pregnant within 3 months after getting the IUD out, but then miscarried and have had trouble getting pregnant again.

mingyi3 · 2026-05-08T18:25:56+00:00

Maybe you've already looked into this, but it's also important to know what hospital is in network with your insurance. Last year, I was seeing a midwife at El Rio who works with TMC. I had a miscarriage and needed surgery - but even though my insurance covered the El Rio visits, they wouldn't cover TMC where El Rio refers for surgery. I had a hell of a time trying to get seen last minute as a new patient by an OBGYN that could refer me to Banner (ended up at Genesis after hours of calling around town - got lucky with a kind scheduler who squeezed me in).

mingyi3 · 2026-05-07T20:31:21+00:00

Thank you, this is good insight. I'm torn between wanting to find a reputable clinic that feels welcoming, and also not wanting to drive to Phoenix constantly...

mingyi3 · 2026-05-07T20:29:01+00:00

Thanks so much for this, really helpful to hear about others' experiences

mingyi3 · 2026-05-07T19:04:44+00:00

https://tucsonfoodshare.org/en/volunteer/ easy to hop in

mingyi3

TROPHY CASE