Not much happening

There isn't much to report here at the Galloway residence! Scott has been uber busy at work. I have been on my summer vacation for the week. I used to LOVE summer break. Now, I kind of could take it or leave it. There isn't much to do around here except housework and yard work. The weather has not been the best. I have no vacation planned, so that is kind of a bummer. But I can't complain since I got to go to fabulous Hawaii in December/January.

There are a couple exciting things this month and next. I am participating in an Autism Walk tomorrow in downtown Akron with some co-workers. I have two graduation parties. My niece is turning one at the end of the month. Some of my dad's side of the family are getting together for the 4th of July. And I am really exciting, because I haven't seen some of them in over 6 months. Then, my cousin graduates from the Columbus Fire Academy to become a fireman for the City of Columbus; so I get to go to that.

Just continue to pray for Scott and I as we continue on our quest for a child. We have a very important appointment with the specialists next week and could use all the positive thoughts and prayers we can get.

Unintended Time Away

I have taken an unintended break from blogging. My heart is loaded with things I want to say. Unfortunately, I can't share them. But I can provide an insight into what our lives have felt like for the past year.

This stinking journey through infertility has been a rollercoaster. Each month you have a baseline ultrasound, when the results come back as free of cysts it is the beginning of the long climb up a hill.

You take some special meds and get another ultrasound or two. This is a transition time during the ride. You are up, down, twisting and flipping around. You have no idea how the ride this month is going to end.

Finally, you approach the last big hill. You get your shot to induce ovulation and then the ART procedures you have agreed to. The long climb begins. This time, the hill is scarier than the last AND the trip up the hill takes 14 days.

On the 14th day, your rollercoaster "fate" is decided. You have one of two endings that you have no control over. 1) The ride ends horribly and you feel like you are spiraling out of control. All you want is to get off the ride. You vow to never get on that ride again. This is an unsuccessful month.
2) The ride turns into the happiest, most blissful thing you could ever imagine. You know it won't all be smooth sailing, but you don't care because at the end of the ride will be your sweet miracle. The miracle you have been waiting and praying for. You are at last pregnant!

Now this time on the rollercoaster, the stakes are higher than ever before. Your doctor has told you this will be the LAST TIME he will use IUI for you. I am hoping and praying that the end of this ride is a joyful one. No matter what, I know that Scott and I are surrounded by lots of family ans friends that love us and have been prayer warriors for us since we started our journey.

The long wait continues and the Lord is still good. The Lord still has us hedged behind His hand, protecting us until the time is right. He is rightous and mighty and the Great Provider.

Weekend Getaway

Scott and I took a little weekend getaway. We were gone Friday night and came home Sunday.  We went camping in Cook Forest, PA with my biological siblings and their families. It was great to get away for a while. The trip was the first time we have been away together in 3 years. Our last vacation together being a trip to Myrtle Beach.
While the nights were more than a bit nippy, the days were beautiful! I had so much fun watching my nephews and niece. After a relaxing weekend, I can't wait to camp again!

A Day of Firsts

Every Tuesday afternoon, there is a prayer group that meets after work. All employees are invited to attend, and the number of attendees varies. This school year, my prayer requests have pretty much stayed the same. Healing for my family members whom are sick and for the Lord to hear my prayers and bless Scott and I with a child. The most frequent request being blessing us with a child.

We had our prayer meeting the staff lounge, due the the heat and it is air conditioned. I sat my fanny down on the couch. A coworker that knows just how much I do not like to be touched sat next to me. Within minutes, she was leaning against me...trying to cuddle. I was not happy. Now I could have pushed her away, but she is very sensitive and I didn't want to offend her. I just took some deep breaths and tried not to think about the fact that my personal space bubble had not only been invaded, but POPPED!

Don't let the smile fool you, I was very uncomfortable.

I managed to let her lean/cuddle for the entire prayer group. This was a first. I am going to try to allow others to intrude upon my personal bubble in the future.

The most important first that happened today happened at the end of prayer group. A co-worker was lead to ask all of the group to lay hands on me to pray. He was brought to tears before he prayed. Talk about popping my personal bubble! I had at least 8 hands on me. I really appreciated the prayer and it meant a lot. But honestly, I couldn't quite take it all in and pray along with them because I was focused on people touching me. I hope and pray that my distracted state didn't counteract the prayer.

Torn Inside

This week I had an emotional breakdown at work. I was talking with one of the sweetest coworkers and I just couldn't take it anymore. My coworker and I spoke for a few minutes and she gave me some of the best input I could have asked for. It was just what I needed at just the right time.

There have been many times I have questioned whether or not I should even have this blog, let alone discuss my personal life so intimately. To open up and be so vulnerable is not something I am comfortable doing in person. I don't talk much; I get too self-conscious. There is something cathartic about writing out my feelings on here.

Back to my point...my coworker told me that this could be God's way of using me. I finally got it. I don't like hate writing. I have never been able to journal, but blogging comes so easy to me. I know that I may not be the best writer, but I don't care. I am doing this for me. When I write on here, it opens up space in my mind; I am able to move on more easily from any trials I have had. I realize I do not have a huge following and that is fine with me. Right now, the essence of people that read this are family, friends and co-workers (I think).

People don't talk much about infertility in public. I don't think that it needs to be a secret. When Scott and I first started having a lot of trouble conceiving, I didn't talk about it. I looked online for support groups and websites that could help me. Sadly, I couldn't find any that were really helpful. My goal is twofold for this blog: 1) To have a place for me to have my thoughts recorded so that I can look back on where we have come from and how far we have gone and 2) To have a place where other women or couples can read about struggles with conceiving and know that they are not alone.