This blog post needs a disclaimer for sure. You all have probably been accustomed to hearing about my lady parts but this one is going to take things a bit further. STOP right now if you don't want to hear about it! I'm serious! Back out now while you still can!!!!
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I'm a member of a couple holistic mom's groups on FB and I saw "vagina steaming" a couple times and it sparked my interest. Now, I'm sure your reaction to that statement is much like my husbands and my mothers. A lot of laughing and "Are you seriously considering that?" comments. At this point in my infertility career, I'm willing to try just about anything. After the insane amount of "steaming" comments, I made DH listen to a web cast from http://www.birth-institute.com/alternative-medicine-and-childbirth/vaginal-steams. Fascinating stuff! I encourage you all to check it out. DH was much more on board once he listened to it all with me. Without totally grossing you out, one of the biggest eye openers was about the color of my AF. Ms. Arvigo asked if AF was dark in the beginning, middle, and/or the end. Our periods should be pink and mine? It's RARELY pink. You can get more info about it at the link but dark blood means old blood and I have a LOT of old blood. I'm not getting cleared out the way I should so that's where vaginal steaming comes in.
Last week I walked into Whole Foods for the first time in my life. I've been to Trader Joe's, Sprouts, and our current favorite Earth Fare but never Whole Foods. I went in with the intention to buy organic herbs for my "steaming." I couldn't get fresh organic oregano (so I got two kinds of dried) but I did get fresh organic Thyme, Basil, and Rosemary. Of course the lady checking out my herbs just had to ask, "So, are you doing anything specific with these?" I said, "I don't think you want to know." She then said, "Oh come on, what are you making?" I smiled and just said, "I'm using them for aromatherapy." Which is totally true but uh, what if I would have said, "Yep, I'm going to use them to steam up my vagina!" ?? I just snickered as I walked out...
Ok, so here's the low down: I boiled approximately two quarts of water (with the lid on) with about a cup of fresh organic herbs and about 1/2 an ounce of the dried oregano. I simmered the pot for about 10 minutes and then let it steep for 5 more minutes (my kitchen smelled nicely of an Italian dinner!). I brought the pot upstairs and put it under a plastic chair with slats. I wrapped my half naked self in a blanket and then took off the lid. Ahhhhh... (20 minutes of steam and then an hour in warm blankets in bed...if nothing else, it sure was relaxing!)
You're supposed to steam 3 times the week before you get AF. I was able to do it twice and the second time was COMPLETELY different than the first. I ordered this Sitz bath from amazon and the experience was much, much different. (It was MUCH hotter with a whole lot more steam so be prepared for that if you do it with a sitz bath!)
Vaginal steaming is supposed to "clean out" my uterus of old blood, moisten the cervix and also my ovaries. It can also help with cramping and for after birth cleansing. It certainly can't hurt anything and it will be interesting to note if there are any changes to AF. Currently I'm on CD 3 and I'm not sure of any differences yet (should take approx. 3 cycles for changes), though I had much MORE cramping this time around. It was also advised to do a steam on the morning of a IVF/FET transfer...It's worth a try!
I have my first chiropractor appt tomorrow and my first acupuncture appt on Wednesday. I'm nervous!
Please let me know if any of you out there try vaginal steaming! I'll be doing it again next month and this time with organic lavender and oregano. :)
Monday, November 10, 2014
Monday, November 3, 2014
Local FET and some Halloween
Once again I've been slacking on my blog but here's some of the latest.
In the middle of Sept I decided it was finally time to get things rolling for our FET. If you recall, our one embryo that continued to grow from my last IVF, was frozen and sent to a local RE clinic in San Antonio. (Side note-SAAMC does not deal with anything frozen, sperm or embryo.) I couldn't even remember the name of the clinic the embryo was shipped to and had to do some searching. I played phone tag with that clinic for weeks until I finally was able to make an appt for the FET. Unfortunately, I once again had high hopes that this process would be painless and easy. HA! I was told that I would be considered a new patient with them (even though I was seen there back in 2009 for monitoring) and the wait for a new patient PHONE consult was a MONTH. They also wanted to charge me $100 for that five minute phone conversation and wanted me to redo my SIS (water u/s that I've done 8 times before) and tons of blood work. DH and I did some thinking and number crunching (and I did a lot of phone calling) and we decided that it would be better if we had the embryo shipped here since I'm already an established patient at the clinic in GA. I worked with a FABULOUS shipping company called Cryoport. I highly recommend them for all your human tissue shipping needs. They were extremely efficient, helpful, and FAST. They were also $300 cheaper than when I shipped embryos back in 2007.
Yes, I HATE the clinic here. Of all the RE clinics I've worked with (SEVEN of them I might add) this GA clinic is my absolute least favorite. They rubbed me the wrong way (literally, haha!) from my first appt with them but DH and I agreed this would be easier than traveling to TX for the FET. Of course, it's been very difficult getting started again here too. They want me to have an appt (more blood work too) before starting anything. Of course, my referral with Tricare ran out so I have to have an appt with my PCM (which is today in fact) in order to get another one for my appt on Nov 17. I'll be VERY surprised if this FET happens before 2015.
My advice to you: DON'T WAIT. Especially if you're military. This whole process is incredibly slow and obviously timed with your cycle so DON'T WAIT! There's always so many hoops to jump through, tests to have completed, and waiting time for appts. I know that if we were staying in one place, this would be a TON easier but that just isn't our life at the moment. I only wish I wouldn't have waited so long in starting this FET.
I have decided to do a couple things differently for this FET. I'm hoping to start acupuncture (to help with blood flow to my uterus) and uterine massage soon. Hopefully I'll be a little better with the blog so I can share my experiences with combining western and eastern medicine for this FET.
In other news, my little skittle is still getting over pneumonia and my DH has a stress fractured femur. Sigh. Though, I know things could always be worse :)
Here are a couple pictures from Halloween:
In the middle of Sept I decided it was finally time to get things rolling for our FET. If you recall, our one embryo that continued to grow from my last IVF, was frozen and sent to a local RE clinic in San Antonio. (Side note-SAAMC does not deal with anything frozen, sperm or embryo.) I couldn't even remember the name of the clinic the embryo was shipped to and had to do some searching. I played phone tag with that clinic for weeks until I finally was able to make an appt for the FET. Unfortunately, I once again had high hopes that this process would be painless and easy. HA! I was told that I would be considered a new patient with them (even though I was seen there back in 2009 for monitoring) and the wait for a new patient PHONE consult was a MONTH. They also wanted to charge me $100 for that five minute phone conversation and wanted me to redo my SIS (water u/s that I've done 8 times before) and tons of blood work. DH and I did some thinking and number crunching (and I did a lot of phone calling) and we decided that it would be better if we had the embryo shipped here since I'm already an established patient at the clinic in GA. I worked with a FABULOUS shipping company called Cryoport. I highly recommend them for all your human tissue shipping needs. They were extremely efficient, helpful, and FAST. They were also $300 cheaper than when I shipped embryos back in 2007.
Yes, I HATE the clinic here. Of all the RE clinics I've worked with (SEVEN of them I might add) this GA clinic is my absolute least favorite. They rubbed me the wrong way (literally, haha!) from my first appt with them but DH and I agreed this would be easier than traveling to TX for the FET. Of course, it's been very difficult getting started again here too. They want me to have an appt (more blood work too) before starting anything. Of course, my referral with Tricare ran out so I have to have an appt with my PCM (which is today in fact) in order to get another one for my appt on Nov 17. I'll be VERY surprised if this FET happens before 2015.
My advice to you: DON'T WAIT. Especially if you're military. This whole process is incredibly slow and obviously timed with your cycle so DON'T WAIT! There's always so many hoops to jump through, tests to have completed, and waiting time for appts. I know that if we were staying in one place, this would be a TON easier but that just isn't our life at the moment. I only wish I wouldn't have waited so long in starting this FET.
I have decided to do a couple things differently for this FET. I'm hoping to start acupuncture (to help with blood flow to my uterus) and uterine massage soon. Hopefully I'll be a little better with the blog so I can share my experiences with combining western and eastern medicine for this FET.
In other news, my little skittle is still getting over pneumonia and my DH has a stress fractured femur. Sigh. Though, I know things could always be worse :)
Here are a couple pictures from Halloween:
Jax stayed outside with me the entire time I handed out candy. For the longest time, he sat with his bum on the door frame and didn't move a muscle when kids came up. Adults from the neighborhood were taking pictures of him and were shocked at how great of a dog he was! I know he was pouting because of his pilot costume but it was hilarious!
Saturday, September 6, 2014
The Girl Who Lived
Skittle really is a miracle. A true, God given gift. She survived when all our other babies have not. Six miscarriages, four failed FETs, three failed IVF's but SHE LIVED! It's not an exaggeration when I say that I give thanks to God every single day for her. Sure, she can be stubborn, challenging, and a wee bit difficult at times but she is smart, talented, imaginative, beautiful, and a down right funny little thing. Oh how we adore you, Little Skittle!
It's almost hard to believe Skittle is now four years old. She's in pre-K4 this year at the same private Christian school as last year and she's absolutely loving it! Here are some first day of school pictures:
She's around 30 lbs now (sometimes 29, sometimes 30) and we think she's 39 inches tall. She wears a size 8 shoe.
Some of her favorites:
Food: Cupcakes?
Color: Pink and Purple ("I DON'T like blue anymore, mom!")
Sport: Swimming
Book: The Gruffalo
Toy: Anything new
Favorite Cartoon Characters: Pengu or Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates
Restaurant: The Waffle House
She's into playing Legos, kinetic sand, riding her bike or scooter, or her own creation "Dalmatian sleepover picnic party". She still sleeps with her beloved lovie and with her head at the foot of her bed. She's given up naps completely at home but has to go to bed very early (usually 6:30pm) to compensate.
Butterfly
Other museum pics:
It's almost hard to believe Skittle is now four years old. She's in pre-K4 this year at the same private Christian school as last year and she's absolutely loving it! Here are some first day of school pictures:
She's around 30 lbs now (sometimes 29, sometimes 30) and we think she's 39 inches tall. She wears a size 8 shoe.
Some of her favorites:
Food: Cupcakes?
Color: Pink and Purple ("I DON'T like blue anymore, mom!")
Sport: Swimming
Book: The Gruffalo
Toy: Anything new
Favorite Cartoon Characters: Pengu or Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates
Restaurant: The Waffle House
She's into playing Legos, kinetic sand, riding her bike or scooter, or her own creation "Dalmatian sleepover picnic party". She still sleeps with her beloved lovie and with her head at the foot of her bed. She's given up naps completely at home but has to go to bed very early (usually 6:30pm) to compensate.
DH and Skittle for a daddy daughter dance:
Butterfly
Other museum pics:
Dressing up Jax is also a favorite pastime. Don't worry, when he's had enough, he gets up and walks away :)
Monday, May 12, 2014
Thursday, May 8
Thursday, May 8 was a terribly long day. It started off by me heading on post for my official blood test. I knew the results days in advance (as I always do) and the nurse from SAAMC called right as Skittle started her gymnastics class at 10:00. She didn't have my results yet and wanted me to know that. I informed her I already knew it was negative...I held it together as best as I could as I had to walk back in the building for Skittles class. The first time I took an hpt, a week prior, it was negative and I knew it was going to stay that way.
I cannot even begin to thank you all for your prayers, texts, phone calls, and messages of encouragement. I've always said that I'd rather see another negative than face another miscarriage but that doesn't mean that this is easy to understand. Our hearts are crushed again.
I was able to have a great chat with Dr. M on Friday as it was impossible for her to reach me on Thursday, as I was working at our Military Spouse Appreciation Event for 11+ hours. I'll save that conversation for another blog post but she was encouraging and honest about our situation.
We did have one embryo make it to blastocyst on Day 5 so it was frozen and we'll do an FET within the next 6 months.
Thank you all for doing this journey with us. Your constant prayers and love have been felt. God is telling us "no" or "wait" right now and I'm leaning on His promises to get me through this.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Embryo Transfer
Saturday April 26: Dh and I went to SAAMC for my embryo transfer this morning. I drank 22 oz of water to ensure a full bladder for the u/s. Last time I was in misery with an over full bladder but I was able to handle it a little better this go. An embryo transfer isn't necessarily painful, just uncomfortable (esp with the u/s probe pushing on the bladder). Dr. M was on duty today and I just love her. She first told me about the quality of the embryos...I had 10 that fertilized if you remember from my last blog and they were rated by quality on day three. Last time I had two 8A's (they are the highest quality with the most cells) but this time I only had one. I also had a bunch of 7A's and 7B's, many 6's and one 3A. Dr. M bought up that she'd allow me to transfer THREE this time!! Because I've had a failed IVF, they were allowed to add one more. I was so very happy to hear that!! The 8A, 7A, and one 7B were transferred. The rest will be watched for another couple of days and will be frozen for later use. Things went as smoothly as they possible could!! I know that's because of the prayer warriors out there. THANK YOU.
I have noticed something in the past about each of my failed transfers and I brought it up to Dr. M this morning to get her take on it. Each time (besides my successful cycle with Skittle) after a transfer, within 48 hours my uterus has a small spasm or twitch. I have always wondered if that could be a factor as to why the transfer didn't work. Dr. M wasn't sure and didn't think there was anything I could do about it. They've used Valium in the past but that only calms the brain and not the uterus. So far, I have not had a spasm. I ask that if you pray, will you pray specifically that my uterus won't spasm and that my body will accept these babies?
You all have been such a huge blessing to me during this latest round of IVF. Your comments and prayers have been felt. Thank you!
Here's the u/s pic from this morning. The white dots are the fluid around the embryos.
Next step is a blood pregnancy test on May 8.
Current meds: prenatal vitamin,
antibiotic, prednisone, progesterone, and Estrace.
Monday, April 21, 2014
More journaling
Saturday, April 19: Another disappointing appointment. My uterine lining is great at 10mm but my follicles STILL aren't growing like they should. My 14mm follie on the left grew to 17mm, which is good but all the others only grew 1mm. Not the growth Dr. R was looking for. I didn't have my pre-op today either....I go back on Monday and all meds stay the same.
Monday April 21: Finally a good appointment! More blood work (everything looks fab) and another u/s. My follicles look "great!" Dr. M was super upbeat and positive, reassuring me everything looked just like she'd like. Uterine lining is 10.3mm and follicles are ready to go! Prayer IS the work! Thank you to all who are praying for me. There were 8 on my left (not all were big) and 6 on my right that were measured. My numbers aren't as good as last ivf but I'm starting to see the positives in that. My body is really hurting now though. I was doing really well up to this point but I think my body has had enough. I did my last stim injections this morning but my only butt shot is TONIGHT-my trigger shot. And guess what? I'm giving it to myself...I'm trying really, really hard to stay calm and not freak the crap out right now. 20 mins from now and I'll be injecting myself. Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh! I've rubbed numbing cream on my bum (on the circle my nurse drew on my backside) and I really, really hope it helps. Those muscle needles are no joke. Eeeekkkkkkkk! Freaking out slightly now!!!
Lovely FaceTime photo of me before purposely hurting myself with a huge mother of a needle. I tried to forget how big those suckers really are. DH had to count me down...
The numbing cream helped so so much! Obviously it only helps with the initial poke but I'll take what I can get! I felt it go to my muscle and that part really hurts. (Anyone who's ever had a inter muscular injection knows how that feels.). I did notice some blood in the syringe when I was done...which is a first. Maybe I went in at a bad angle? I only had a spot of blood on my skin though which is very normal for me. I can definitely feel it in my muscle...holy wow. And for the record, I never EVER want to do that again!! 36 hours from now and my follicles will be coming out!! I'm so happy all my shots are done!!!!
Wednesday, April 23: I'm now waiting to be called back for my egg retrieval. DH made it to San Antonio yesterday and he's done his part in this process. My ovaries always feel better in the morning so I feel semi-ok right now. I'm still bloated and crampy though...
Egg retrieval complete! They got 15 eggs!! One follicle actually contained two eggs! That's definitely a first for me!!
On the way home from the clinic I threw up...a lot. I was prescribed a patch to help with nausea, Zophran, and Phenergan and I STILL barfed! The bag that I was throwing up into in the car broke and so I ended up sitting in my own vomit most of the ride home. Good times.
Thursday, April 24: I got the call from my doc this morning. She said out of the 15 eggs, 11 were mature and 10 fertilized normally! Praise The Lord! I go in Saturday for the embryo transfer.
Thank you all that pray for me!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Journal Continued
Monday April 14: I'm a complete BONEHEAD. Seriously. I spent the weekend in Houston since I had a break between appts and I left today to come back to SA. Well, I left my menopur in Houston. Yeah....it's a four hour drive from my parents house to my inlaws and uh...yeah. I had the pleasure of driving to the west side of SA and then my gracious father agreed to meet me in Columbus, TX off I-10 to do a medication handoff. My dad is completely awesome. Eight hours of driving yesterday was enough for me. I probably won't forget my meds ever again.
Tuesday April 15: Today was blood work and another u/s to check follicle growth. It was pretty disappointing. Lining was 5.5mm, which is fine for now. Follicle growth is slow for the first time in my life. Dr. M said that it's normal for my protocol but it still wasn't fun to hear. My left had a 9.6mm and my right had a 8.5mm follicle with a bunch of smaller ones. I shouldn't compare but my last IVF at this point was showing 11-12mm follicles. I go again on Friday and I stay on the same dosages for meds. (150iu follistim, 5 units Lupron, 1.3 hGH, 150iu menopur)
April 16: I can't believe I'm about to write this but I'm getting used to giving myself all my shots. DH has literally given me hundreds of injections over the span of our infertility journey but up until now I had given myself a total of three. My first one ever I balled my eyes out over the phone with my best friend talking me into it. I had to give myself two injections last IVF so a total of three over my lifetime. Now I do that many in one morning!
Side note: menopur stings going in...I don't like that one at all! (And that's the med I've used the most with IVF and IUI'S)
Here's a pic of my belly...4-5 injections a day is no joke. Both sides are equally as bruised:
Friday April ?: Another round of blood work (three vials) and u/s. My uterine lining is perfect at 9mm. My follicles? Not as much. My left ovary, my usual overachiever, has ONE follicle at 12mm and a couple less than 10mm. So disappointing. My right, which is usually lazy, has seven pretty follicles all tracking (growing) together. They are all between 11-13mm. They are all still way too small as they can't come out until 18-22mm. I get to come back in tomorrow for more blood work and another u/s to show how much growth I'm getting in 24 hours. I'll also have my pre-op.
Stay tuned....
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
IVF #4 Journal
March 30, 2014- I started Lupron injections this morning (10 units). I can't believe it's been a year since I've last done IVF. Only another week on bcp's but Lupron will continue for a long time yet. I'm leaving in 6 days for TX!
April 8, 2014- Here we go again. I'm sitting in the infertility/reproductive endocrinology waiting room and now it's 6:48am. So stinking early. I've already picked up my meds in the ER pharmacy and walked to the 4th floor lab for my blood draw. Ahhh the blood draw...I was given the option to have a band aid or a wrap for my arm and I decided to try the band aid since I think the binding wrap is worse than the needle poke. I chose wrong!! My needle hole refused to clot and as soon as I bent my arm the band aid center popped up and I started spraying blood everywhere. Ruined my favorite linen shoes! Blood was all down my arm and all over the floor and my bag of meds. Not cool...I'm now waiting for my ultrasound and to meet with the doc for my baseline appt. I decided to go to the medication class this afternoon even though I could probably teach the class myself. I hope I can get a nap!!!
Ultrasound was...ok. I had 5 follicles under 10mm on each side. I asked point blank about my egg quality and if he (dr. R) thought my egg quality was the cause of some of our infertility issues. Long story short, yes. My lab work is showing some egg quality issues (borderline) and because I only had 10 follicles this morning, it's pointing that way. I make a lot of eggs...but they aren't good ones. It was very hard to hear him talk about it. I knew that was probably the reason I can't sustain a pregnancy but actually hearing it was a lot harder than I thought. This whole process feels hopeless and pointless. Sure, there is always a small chance it'll work but the gamble feels more risky than usual. I'm waiting now for the medication class that I wasn't originally going to but decided it wouldn't hurt if I attended. Yippy fun fun.
April 10, 2014- I'm in Houston for the next couple of days since I don't have a doc appt for another 5 days. My medication protocol is a little intense this time. At the med class I got my directions (the real reason I was there) and I learned I'll be doing four injections per day. FOUR. That's a lot my friends. I'll continue with the Lupron (going down to 5 units from 10), follistim, menopur, and a new drug that has shown in studies to help with egg quality issues. Three injections in the morning, one at night. I do get out of PIO this round! Yay! Only one butt shot instead of like 20! I start the four shot regimen
tomorrow...
Here's a couple pics of the meds they gave me. 
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
It's a Go!
Hi friends. It's been a bit since I've blogged again. No real reason for it except there hasn't been too much to tell...until now. I did my blood work to make sure my HCG went back to zero (and it did, no surprise there) and I had my second SIS (saline infusion sonography ) here in GA. The local RE that
I've been working with is not my favorite. Actually, he's my least favorite of the six RE's that I've worked with. I think my distaste came from the first time I met him and his staff (who are NOT friendly or easy to work with AT ALL) back last year. I went through a very thorough new patient exam-one that I was not prepared for and I ended up being in that office for close to three hours (I will spare you all of those details because trust me, you don't want me to scare you more than I already do with this stuff). I was not happy and I had vowed not to see him again. Well, I didn't have much choice because of the required SIS for BAMC in TX. My first SIS with him was fine-uneventful really. The second? Well, it wasn't as easy as the first.
This RE has a teaching clinic. Hey, I'm all for learning and teaching residents but when you know they can't do something yet why do you let them try procedures on me without my permission!? With my first SIS here a male resident was assisting the RE by pushing in the saline when asked. I was perfectly fine with that. This time, a female "doctor" began the SIS with not being able to find my cervix. That's pleasant. Then she proceeded to pinch the crap out of my ovary (ok, my ovary area) with the catheter when she tried to place it in my uterus. I actually cried out from the pain! The RE took over at that point (about time, doc) and I had no other issues. My uterine cavity was completely normal after the miscarriage and I was on my way. Too bad the story doesn't stop there. Of course they never faxed the results (that'd be too easy) but once I got that straightened out I learned that they didn't include any "comments" with the SIS results (ones like "Her uterus is NORMAL"). I was told yesterday that my IVF was going to be cancelled because the test wasn't done properly. EXCUSE ME!? I had a momentary heart attack after talking with TX yesterday. I played phone tag and finally was able to talk to a nurse today about it and it was all taken care of. Thank you Jesus! The show is still on!
I do my CD 3 blood work tomorrow (FSH, E2/Estradiol, and LH) and start bcp's on Friday. I will always find it ironic that I'm taking "the pill" when I want the exact opposite result but that's just how it is. I'll be doing the long Lupron protocol this time (different one than the last time-the same one that helped me get preg with Skittle) and I start those injections a week before I leave for TX.
Take a look at these invoices for my last two SIS's. I paid $400 for both and yet look what they are trying to charge me for my most recent test. That's just insane for a 10 min procedure (15 when they can't find your cervix and poke your ovaries). I thought $400 was high enough!
I've been working with is not my favorite. Actually, he's my least favorite of the six RE's that I've worked with. I think my distaste came from the first time I met him and his staff (who are NOT friendly or easy to work with AT ALL) back last year. I went through a very thorough new patient exam-one that I was not prepared for and I ended up being in that office for close to three hours (I will spare you all of those details because trust me, you don't want me to scare you more than I already do with this stuff). I was not happy and I had vowed not to see him again. Well, I didn't have much choice because of the required SIS for BAMC in TX. My first SIS with him was fine-uneventful really. The second? Well, it wasn't as easy as the first.
This RE has a teaching clinic. Hey, I'm all for learning and teaching residents but when you know they can't do something yet why do you let them try procedures on me without my permission!? With my first SIS here a male resident was assisting the RE by pushing in the saline when asked. I was perfectly fine with that. This time, a female "doctor" began the SIS with not being able to find my cervix. That's pleasant. Then she proceeded to pinch the crap out of my ovary (ok, my ovary area) with the catheter when she tried to place it in my uterus. I actually cried out from the pain! The RE took over at that point (about time, doc) and I had no other issues. My uterine cavity was completely normal after the miscarriage and I was on my way. Too bad the story doesn't stop there. Of course they never faxed the results (that'd be too easy) but once I got that straightened out I learned that they didn't include any "comments" with the SIS results (ones like "Her uterus is NORMAL"). I was told yesterday that my IVF was going to be cancelled because the test wasn't done properly. EXCUSE ME!? I had a momentary heart attack after talking with TX yesterday. I played phone tag and finally was able to talk to a nurse today about it and it was all taken care of. Thank you Jesus! The show is still on!
I do my CD 3 blood work tomorrow (FSH, E2/Estradiol, and LH) and start bcp's on Friday. I will always find it ironic that I'm taking "the pill" when I want the exact opposite result but that's just how it is. I'll be doing the long Lupron protocol this time (different one than the last time-the same one that helped me get preg with Skittle) and I start those injections a week before I leave for TX.
Take a look at these invoices for my last two SIS's. I paid $400 for both and yet look what they are trying to charge me for my most recent test. That's just insane for a 10 min procedure (15 when they can't find your cervix and poke your ovaries). I thought $400 was high enough!
I covet your prayers now more than ever. And I hope I won't bore you with all the blog posts about this IVF trip to TX. :)
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Number Six
And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21
I've said that verse over and over lately. It's so hard to understand why God allows what He does. I've struggled this past week more than I have in a long time. You see, I conceived naturally-something that hasn't happened for us since late 2007. I miscarried then and I'm miscarrying now. I knew something wasn't quite right the minute I took an hpt. It wasn't dark enough to make me feel comfortable and I immediately called SAAMC in Texas to see what I should do. As most of you know, I was scheduled to do IVF later this month but amazingly enough, I got a BFP on my own. It was quite a shock to see/hear that I was indeed pregnant as the blood beta test proved. My number wasn't high but it was a good starting point. The problem was my progesterone number. It was only 4.1. When I was first pregnant with Skittle, my number was over 200. I was told to do my progesterone vaginal suppositories twice a day to see if it could help save this baby. It didn't. They wanted me to repeat the blood work 48 hours later (pretty standard stuff and I would have requested that if they wouldn't have suggested it in the first place). We had planned to be on a mini vacation to NC for a couple days so I had to find a lab in NC on a Saturday. Not an easy task AT ALL. Actually, it become quite the ordeal and I ended up at a Presbyterian urgent care. They said they could do the labs and fax them to Texas and even call me with the results 3-4 hours later. I was very pleased with that....only they never called and come Monday, I learned they hadn't faxed the results either. Those two days were excruciating, waiting for those results. I was either praying, or thinking about our baby...a baby I knew we were losing.
Obviously, we now can't do IVF this month. I have to wait two weeks to make sure my hcg is back to zero and then get another cavity clearance to make sure everything is gone from my uterus. More waiting...always waiting. I'm now on the April/May IVF list. Pray for us?
This makes pregnancy number six for us. SIX. This miscarriage has messed with my head more than any of the others except for my very first one. I have a lot of questions for God-none of which can be answered right now. All I know is that I was not meant to do IVF in January and that maybe God was sparing me from something much worse. He is still good. He is still just. He is still loving and gracious. I'm holding onto His promises to get me through this.
I love you all dearly.
I've said that verse over and over lately. It's so hard to understand why God allows what He does. I've struggled this past week more than I have in a long time. You see, I conceived naturally-something that hasn't happened for us since late 2007. I miscarried then and I'm miscarrying now. I knew something wasn't quite right the minute I took an hpt. It wasn't dark enough to make me feel comfortable and I immediately called SAAMC in Texas to see what I should do. As most of you know, I was scheduled to do IVF later this month but amazingly enough, I got a BFP on my own. It was quite a shock to see/hear that I was indeed pregnant as the blood beta test proved. My number wasn't high but it was a good starting point. The problem was my progesterone number. It was only 4.1. When I was first pregnant with Skittle, my number was over 200. I was told to do my progesterone vaginal suppositories twice a day to see if it could help save this baby. It didn't. They wanted me to repeat the blood work 48 hours later (pretty standard stuff and I would have requested that if they wouldn't have suggested it in the first place). We had planned to be on a mini vacation to NC for a couple days so I had to find a lab in NC on a Saturday. Not an easy task AT ALL. Actually, it become quite the ordeal and I ended up at a Presbyterian urgent care. They said they could do the labs and fax them to Texas and even call me with the results 3-4 hours later. I was very pleased with that....only they never called and come Monday, I learned they hadn't faxed the results either. Those two days were excruciating, waiting for those results. I was either praying, or thinking about our baby...a baby I knew we were losing.
Obviously, we now can't do IVF this month. I have to wait two weeks to make sure my hcg is back to zero and then get another cavity clearance to make sure everything is gone from my uterus. More waiting...always waiting. I'm now on the April/May IVF list. Pray for us?
This makes pregnancy number six for us. SIX. This miscarriage has messed with my head more than any of the others except for my very first one. I have a lot of questions for God-none of which can be answered right now. All I know is that I was not meant to do IVF in January and that maybe God was sparing me from something much worse. He is still good. He is still just. He is still loving and gracious. I'm holding onto His promises to get me through this.
I love you all dearly.
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