Yesterday morning I had to get to the RE office bright and early. The days agenda included a repeat blood draw and ultrasound. The doctor wanted to see my hormone levels to try to predict when I would release my big follicle. The ultrasound showed that the follicle had grown from something like 11x17 mm to 17x25 mm, which was fantastic. The smaller ones had grown, but nowhere near as big as the dominant one. That's okay because all it takes is one!
Yesterday afternoon I visited the chiropractor to work on my neck/shoulder tension. When he was finishing up, I asked him if there was anything he could do to incerase blood flow to my ovaries and uterus. He worked on a couple points and wished me luck.
The RE office called yesterday afternoon to inform me that the doctor wanted me to come in today for more blood work and another ultrasound. He also wanted me to bring in a specimen from Scott to do an insemination. This morning was our insemination. My follicle hadn't grown any from yesterday, but it still looked good. Scott had a good count. Now the rest is up to God.
I was a little disheartened when the doctor finished. Before he left the room, he said that I didn't have a lot of eggs showing up. That I may just want to start thinking about using an egg donor. He said that we could try to use injectable medications, but there was a good chance that I may not have a lot of follicles develop. That was a little bit of a downer, but I am going to just hope, pray, and be cautiously optimistic that this insemination will be plenty and will take.
In the six weeks we have been under this doctor's care, he has done more testing and investigating than the last RE did over a span of a couple years. I am praying that God lead me to his office for a reason and that my body was ready this week for a baby to be created. I am standing on faith that this is for a reason. God promises that he has a plan for us, plans for good. Doing my best to stand firm on His promise; yet trying to remember that if it doesn't happen, God has better plans for us. Even if it hurts right now and we are unclear about what those plans are.
10.04.2016
Bumps in the Night
Yesterday morning I was up and at 'em long before the sun came up from its slumber. I was joined at the door by our cat, Oliver. He wanted to join me on the trek outside. As we were walking down the sidewalk toward the driveway, I noticed something lying across the sidewalk near the end. My "hawkeyes" knew it wasn't going to be something simple like a clump of freshly mown grass. I turned on my phone's "torch" to see what it was.
Just before I turned the light upon the unknown mass, I noticed the cat was a couple steps behind me and not coming closer. This was the moment I became cognizant of the fact that said bump was probably going to be some sort of "gift" left by the demon cat. When I finally saw what the bump on the sidewalk was I wanted to throw up. Some creature (now thinking and HOPING it wasn't Oliver) had delivered a headless rabbit. This poor, full grown rabbit was not only headless but missing his front legs too. I am really thinking that this was the work of a raccoon.
So needless to say, I am thankful for a husband that disposes of dead animal bodies.
Just before I turned the light upon the unknown mass, I noticed the cat was a couple steps behind me and not coming closer. This was the moment I became cognizant of the fact that said bump was probably going to be some sort of "gift" left by the demon cat. When I finally saw what the bump on the sidewalk was I wanted to throw up. Some creature (now thinking and HOPING it wasn't Oliver) had delivered a headless rabbit. This poor, full grown rabbit was not only headless but missing his front legs too. I am really thinking that this was the work of a raccoon.
So needless to say, I am thankful for a husband that disposes of dead animal bodies.
10.02.2016
LAC, U/S, HSG
In my last post, I discussed the recent testing we had done. The results of my LCA are still on back, but I may find out the results tomorrow if I am lucky. It was a relief to get our karyotyping results yesterday. The doctor said everything was normal (thank you Lord). Scott immediately said, "Oh, I am surprised. I thought for sure it would come back confirming the fact that Melissa is a weirdo." This made the doctor chuckle (which is no small fete).
We were also at the doctor for a repeat ultrasound of my reproductive parts. My endometrium cyst is even bigger than it was 5 weeks ago. The shocking news was that my left ovary had three, COUNT 'EM THREE, follicles growing. The biggest was 17 mm (awesome!) and the other two were 10 mm each. After the ultrasound, we were lead to the basement of the buidling for a procedure to check my uterus and fallopian tubes for any issues. I have had a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) about 4 years ago, so I knew what to expect.
I had to lay on an exam table with stirrups for my calves to rest in. It wasn't the most enjoyable thing...especially with all your lady parts (from the waist down) exposed. I was dreading this procedure because of my history of the ol' cervix being closed up tighter than Fort Knox. I warned the doctor and he said he wasn't concerned and it wouldn't be an issue. To say it was a little uncomfortable would be an understatement. When it came time to do the xray, he said "if you want to see yourself, look to your right."
There on a black and white screen was a sea of gray. When he said "and here it comes", all of the sudden there was a perfect view of my uterus. You could see the contrast dye moving up through the fallopian tubes and spilling out into my abdominal cavity. To quote my doctor, I have beautiful tubes! My uterus looked perfect, too. He also said that I was one of the easiest patients to complete that procedure on.
At our brief follow-up post procedure, the doctor informed us that I was at a prime place/position/timing to try to get pregnant like any normal couple would. He highly suggested that I come back Monday morning for bloodwork to test my hormones and another ultrasound to see if I had ovulated. Then, depending on those results, come back Tuesday for a round of insemination. He said it can't hurt anything to try it...and it would save thousands of dollars to be able to avoid IVF.
I was more than a little shocked to hear all this. To think that we could get pregnant this weekend/week without any significant help blows my mind! Here's hoping and praying that our efforts this weekend will be fruitful and that God's will aligns with ours.
We were also at the doctor for a repeat ultrasound of my reproductive parts. My endometrium cyst is even bigger than it was 5 weeks ago. The shocking news was that my left ovary had three, COUNT 'EM THREE, follicles growing. The biggest was 17 mm (awesome!) and the other two were 10 mm each. After the ultrasound, we were lead to the basement of the buidling for a procedure to check my uterus and fallopian tubes for any issues. I have had a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) about 4 years ago, so I knew what to expect.
I had to lay on an exam table with stirrups for my calves to rest in. It wasn't the most enjoyable thing...especially with all your lady parts (from the waist down) exposed. I was dreading this procedure because of my history of the ol' cervix being closed up tighter than Fort Knox. I warned the doctor and he said he wasn't concerned and it wouldn't be an issue. To say it was a little uncomfortable would be an understatement. When it came time to do the xray, he said "if you want to see yourself, look to your right."
There on a black and white screen was a sea of gray. When he said "and here it comes", all of the sudden there was a perfect view of my uterus. You could see the contrast dye moving up through the fallopian tubes and spilling out into my abdominal cavity. To quote my doctor, I have beautiful tubes! My uterus looked perfect, too. He also said that I was one of the easiest patients to complete that procedure on.
At our brief follow-up post procedure, the doctor informed us that I was at a prime place/position/timing to try to get pregnant like any normal couple would. He highly suggested that I come back Monday morning for bloodwork to test my hormones and another ultrasound to see if I had ovulated. Then, depending on those results, come back Tuesday for a round of insemination. He said it can't hurt anything to try it...and it would save thousands of dollars to be able to avoid IVF.
I was more than a little shocked to hear all this. To think that we could get pregnant this weekend/week without any significant help blows my mind! Here's hoping and praying that our efforts this weekend will be fruitful and that God's will aligns with ours.
Family Matters
At some point towards the end of summer, Scott and I sat down and had a serious conversation about what we would like to see our family look like in the not too distant future. As you may well know, we have been struggling to have children for many year (at this point it seems like our entire marriage, but it has been at least the last 5 years). After failing to naturally conceive, we turned to my OB/GYN for some advice and assistance. He put me on a couple rounds of Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) to help with making sure I had some egg follicles developing. We were elated to find out I fell pregnant, only for that pregnancy to be short lived.
After no more luck, my OB/GYN suggested some testing to be completed by a local reproductive endocrinologist (RE) and seek out their assistance. After some testing and a month or two of IUI, I was expecting again. Our second sweet babe joined the first in Heaven after a few short weeks.
When I decided to start nursing school, expanding out family was put on hold. Now that I am still in school, with no end in sight, and my maternal age getting more "advanced" by the moment, we needed to figure out a game plan. I have wanted to adopt since we got married. I always envisioned there being biological children in our home as well as adopted children.
I told Scott that I was ready to put the fertility treatments behind me once and for all and move forward with adoption. He ultimately said it was my choice and he didn't care (when it is all said and done) where our children came from,he just wants to be a dad. We ended that conversation under the agreement that this is how we would grow our family.
I started telling a few friends and family members. They all were supportive (for the most part). It wasn't until I was questioned by my sister and a friend that I started questioning my decision. After much thinking and praying, I felt like I was possibly short-changing Scott by not getting a second opinion from another RE in our area. What was the hurt in getting a second opinion and having some more (new) testing done.
So five weeks ago we sought out a second opinion from a new RE. This doctor is known for having less than optimal bedside manner. I have read and hear from many people that you either like him or you don't. I went into the appointment with my expectations low...knowing that there was a good chance he could turn me away and tell me to come back when I have dropped 40-50 pounds (yes, he has said that to people). To my surprise, he didn't do that to me...that doesn't mean he didn't "highly suggest" that I lose weight. It may have helped that he is familiar with my husband and the company he works for (as Scott has done several jobs for this doctor at his office).
We went over my history and he gave us his recommendations. We had a crap load of blood work done, an ultrasound of my reproductive organs, and poor Scott had to leave a...sample. Scott is in the clear, as there is nothing wrong with his guys. My ovary has another big cyst growing that has to be monitored. And the majority of our blood work came back clear. There was an issue with my Lupus Anticoagulant test, so he had that redrawn and sent to a different lab for retesting.
Now we wait for that to determine our next step, should we decide to do anything.
After no more luck, my OB/GYN suggested some testing to be completed by a local reproductive endocrinologist (RE) and seek out their assistance. After some testing and a month or two of IUI, I was expecting again. Our second sweet babe joined the first in Heaven after a few short weeks.
When I decided to start nursing school, expanding out family was put on hold. Now that I am still in school, with no end in sight, and my maternal age getting more "advanced" by the moment, we needed to figure out a game plan. I have wanted to adopt since we got married. I always envisioned there being biological children in our home as well as adopted children.
I told Scott that I was ready to put the fertility treatments behind me once and for all and move forward with adoption. He ultimately said it was my choice and he didn't care (when it is all said and done) where our children came from,he just wants to be a dad. We ended that conversation under the agreement that this is how we would grow our family.
I started telling a few friends and family members. They all were supportive (for the most part). It wasn't until I was questioned by my sister and a friend that I started questioning my decision. After much thinking and praying, I felt like I was possibly short-changing Scott by not getting a second opinion from another RE in our area. What was the hurt in getting a second opinion and having some more (new) testing done.
So five weeks ago we sought out a second opinion from a new RE. This doctor is known for having less than optimal bedside manner. I have read and hear from many people that you either like him or you don't. I went into the appointment with my expectations low...knowing that there was a good chance he could turn me away and tell me to come back when I have dropped 40-50 pounds (yes, he has said that to people). To my surprise, he didn't do that to me...that doesn't mean he didn't "highly suggest" that I lose weight. It may have helped that he is familiar with my husband and the company he works for (as Scott has done several jobs for this doctor at his office).
We went over my history and he gave us his recommendations. We had a crap load of blood work done, an ultrasound of my reproductive organs, and poor Scott had to leave a...sample. Scott is in the clear, as there is nothing wrong with his guys. My ovary has another big cyst growing that has to be monitored. And the majority of our blood work came back clear. There was an issue with my Lupus Anticoagulant test, so he had that redrawn and sent to a different lab for retesting.
Now we wait for that to determine our next step, should we decide to do anything.
10.01.2016
End of Summer
In my last post, I had mentioned that I was praying for success in my nursing class. Well, things didn't go as planned and I ended up "failing" the class by one quarter of a percentage point. So, I transferred to a local state university. I am taking a nutrition class and a college algebra class that are requirements for the nursing program. I applied for the accelerated nursing program, which is for people who already have a bachelor's degree and are wanting to become nurses. I found out last night that I didn't get accepted. I am disappointed, but figured that was going to be the case. I will just continue taking courses that are requirements for graduating and reapply in the spring to start in the summer.
I am still working as a secretary at the local children's hospital in the neonatal intensive care unit. The job can be somewhat boring at times, but it is a good job. I am allowed to work on schoolwork as long as it doesn't interfere with my job duties. A perk of working there I they offer up to $5250 of tuition reimbursement if you are working on a degree that is in the healthcare field. Another perk is the medical benefits...especially that fertility treatment coverage. While it isn't stellar, it certainly does help take the sting out of treatment.
Now that it is officially fall, I guess it is time to start looking forward to brisk mornings and evenings, rainy days, and snuggling up with a fuzzy blanket. I don't know what my schooling future looks like, but I am just going to try to take it one day at a time.
Goodbye summer. Hello fall.
I am still working as a secretary at the local children's hospital in the neonatal intensive care unit. The job can be somewhat boring at times, but it is a good job. I am allowed to work on schoolwork as long as it doesn't interfere with my job duties. A perk of working there I they offer up to $5250 of tuition reimbursement if you are working on a degree that is in the healthcare field. Another perk is the medical benefits...especially that fertility treatment coverage. While it isn't stellar, it certainly does help take the sting out of treatment.
Now that it is officially fall, I guess it is time to start looking forward to brisk mornings and evenings, rainy days, and snuggling up with a fuzzy blanket. I don't know what my schooling future looks like, but I am just going to try to take it one day at a time.
Goodbye summer. Hello fall.
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