Life Lately
1 week ago
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Day 22 Progesterone Level...
... was ovulatory!!! YAY! It was 13.06. Two months in a row ovulating is an all time record for me! Now just the 2 week wait.. praying and hoping for a positive pregnancy test.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
IUI Tomorrow!
I went for my ultrasound this morning at 8am and I had one mature follicle on my left ovary that was 19mm and 3 follicles that were not quite mature enough on my right ovary measuring 8-12mm. I hope this one follicle is good enough! The lady gave me the hCG trigger shot.
Robbie is scheduled to go in at 8:30 tomorrow and I am scheduled to go in an hour later. Pray for us! I hope this works!
Robbie is scheduled to go in at 8:30 tomorrow and I am scheduled to go in an hour later. Pray for us! I hope this works!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Baby Fix
I was holding a precious 5 month old little girl today at church. A lady came up to me and asked (out of the blue might I add), "Are you getting your baby fix?" I turned to her and immediately out of my mouth came... "No!" Now, don't get me wrong, I love holding little babies... But this baby didn't "fix" the fact that I don't have my own. I politely told the lady, "I really would like my own baby." She of course turned around and walked away. I keep telling myself to not get offended, but it is hard to just let comments like this one in particular to go in one ear and out the other. This lady has no idea that my husband and I are urning to add another precious little baby to our family. It just hurts...
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Thorny Path of Infertility
Imagine with me that infertility is really a journey. You stand at the beginning of a path and when you walk to the end of the path, your issues will be resolved. What does this path look like? What will it take to get to the end?
There are many twists and turns. You cannot see if you are at the beginning or nearing the end. You just know you cannot get off this path. You must follow it until it ends.
Look down by your feet. What do you see? You see thorns all around you. Thorns on the right side of the path, thorns on the left side. You see them all alongside the path behind you, and all alongside the path in front of you. If you step on one, the injury would cause great pain and make it harder for you to continue on your journey.
But look! There’s a shortcut! That path has flowers instead of thorns! The only problem is that you must walk through the thorns to reach that path. Oh, the pain those thorns would cause. Is it worth it?
There are so many questions, so many “what if’s” along the path to potential parenthood. Each one is like a thorn in the way.
What if I go the wrong way? What if I get lost? What if I can’t find my way out of the woods?
What if I choose the wrong treatment? What if our savings is lost? What if I can’t find my way back to God after the way I’ve spoken to or about Him? What if we have to consent to IVF and it fails? What if my marriage fails? What if there is another diagnosis? What if my husband says ‘no more’? What if I conceive and lose a child? What if we make the wrong choice as to whether to go to a different doctor or not? What if…? What if…? What if?
The burden of making so many life-changing decisions in the midst of such stress can be so overwhelming! You gather as much information as you possibly can, yet you still cannot understand the medical jargon or even the financial statements. The pressure is mounting!
You desperately need a guide down this path. Sometimes it is easy to see which way to turn. Other times the thorns are hidden among the foliage and they catch you by surprise. Who can help you navigate this unknown territory?
Let’s go to the third chapter of Proverbs.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Don’t understand exactly what you’re supposed to do? Here’s the good news. You don’t have to! In fact, God tells you not to! Don’t trust in your own understanding. Remember that there are times when your understanding of a situation is not accurate!
Trust God! Trust Him with all your heart! Trust Him with your future, with your body, with your family. He’ll direct you down this path of infertility.
(Taken from Sarah's Laughter)
There are many twists and turns. You cannot see if you are at the beginning or nearing the end. You just know you cannot get off this path. You must follow it until it ends.
Look down by your feet. What do you see? You see thorns all around you. Thorns on the right side of the path, thorns on the left side. You see them all alongside the path behind you, and all alongside the path in front of you. If you step on one, the injury would cause great pain and make it harder for you to continue on your journey.
But look! There’s a shortcut! That path has flowers instead of thorns! The only problem is that you must walk through the thorns to reach that path. Oh, the pain those thorns would cause. Is it worth it?
There are so many questions, so many “what if’s” along the path to potential parenthood. Each one is like a thorn in the way.
What if I go the wrong way? What if I get lost? What if I can’t find my way out of the woods?
What if I choose the wrong treatment? What if our savings is lost? What if I can’t find my way back to God after the way I’ve spoken to or about Him? What if we have to consent to IVF and it fails? What if my marriage fails? What if there is another diagnosis? What if my husband says ‘no more’? What if I conceive and lose a child? What if we make the wrong choice as to whether to go to a different doctor or not? What if…? What if…? What if?
The burden of making so many life-changing decisions in the midst of such stress can be so overwhelming! You gather as much information as you possibly can, yet you still cannot understand the medical jargon or even the financial statements. The pressure is mounting!
You desperately need a guide down this path. Sometimes it is easy to see which way to turn. Other times the thorns are hidden among the foliage and they catch you by surprise. Who can help you navigate this unknown territory?
Let’s go to the third chapter of Proverbs.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Don’t understand exactly what you’re supposed to do? Here’s the good news. You don’t have to! In fact, God tells you not to! Don’t trust in your own understanding. Remember that there are times when your understanding of a situation is not accurate!
Trust God! Trust Him with all your heart! Trust Him with your future, with your body, with your family. He’ll direct you down this path of infertility.
(Taken from Sarah's Laughter)
Monday, July 6, 2009
I'll Praise You In The Storm
Below are the lyrics of an amazing song entitled "I'll Praise You in the Storm" by Casting Crowns. This song is a perfect reflection of how I feel being caught in the middle of an infertility storm.
I was sure by now that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day, but once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining … As the thunder rolls, I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, “I’m with you.” And as You mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives, and takes away --
I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where I am. Every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand, you never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm.
I remember when I stumbled in the wind. You heard my cry. You raised me up again. My strength is almost gone, how can I carry on, if I can't find You? As the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I’m with you." And as Your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives, and takes away.
I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
I was sure by now that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day, but once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining … As the thunder rolls, I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, “I’m with you.” And as You mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives, and takes away --
I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where I am. Every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand, you never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm.
I remember when I stumbled in the wind. You heard my cry. You raised me up again. My strength is almost gone, how can I carry on, if I can't find You? As the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I’m with you." And as Your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives, and takes away.
I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Dr. Ke, M.D.
Here is a biography of my doctor.
Dr. Ke is Board Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Director of In Vitro Fertilization Services at Fertility Associates of Memphis and Director of Andrology at Memphis Fertility Laboratory, Inc. He is also Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Tennessee, Memphis. Dr. Ke is a native of Canada, where he completed his medical training at McGill University and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Manitoba. His sub-specialty Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology was completed at The University of Tennessee, Memphis, in 1992. Since that time, he has maintained an active practice in medical and surgical infertility, assisted reproduction, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menopausal medicine, and reproductive endocrine disorders of all age groups. Dr. Ke is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. In addition, he is certified by the State of Tennessee and the American Board of Bioanalysts as a High Complexity Laboratory Director. The author of over 40 publications and 70 invited lectures, Dr. Ke was an investigator in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a federally funded multi-center scientific study that was the largest on women's health ever to be undertaken. Dr. Ke has been named one of Memphis’ Best Doctors each year since 1999 and a Best Doctor in America annually since 2004.
Dr. Ke is Board Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Director of In Vitro Fertilization Services at Fertility Associates of Memphis and Director of Andrology at Memphis Fertility Laboratory, Inc. He is also Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Tennessee, Memphis. Dr. Ke is a native of Canada, where he completed his medical training at McGill University and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Manitoba. His sub-specialty Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology was completed at The University of Tennessee, Memphis, in 1992. Since that time, he has maintained an active practice in medical and surgical infertility, assisted reproduction, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menopausal medicine, and reproductive endocrine disorders of all age groups. Dr. Ke is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. In addition, he is certified by the State of Tennessee and the American Board of Bioanalysts as a High Complexity Laboratory Director. The author of over 40 publications and 70 invited lectures, Dr. Ke was an investigator in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a federally funded multi-center scientific study that was the largest on women's health ever to be undertaken. Dr. Ke has been named one of Memphis’ Best Doctors each year since 1999 and a Best Doctor in America annually since 2004.
Ups and Downs
The ups: I STARTED A CYCLE ON MY OWN TODAY! Woo Hoo!
The downs: I obviously am not pregnant.
I am going to do the Femara again 5.0 mg Day 3-7. I will get an ultrasound on July 19 to check for follicles. If I have one, I will get the trigger shot just like before. This cycle, since I ovulated with this protocol last time, we have decided to try an IUI. Lord willing I will ovulate like before or better. The IUI will more than likely be on Tuesday the 21st. Please keep us in your prayers that this protocol will work. The next step is injectable medication which is really expensive. That is one reason we decided to try just the Femara one last time.
The downs: I obviously am not pregnant.
I am going to do the Femara again 5.0 mg Day 3-7. I will get an ultrasound on July 19 to check for follicles. If I have one, I will get the trigger shot just like before. This cycle, since I ovulated with this protocol last time, we have decided to try an IUI. Lord willing I will ovulate like before or better. The IUI will more than likely be on Tuesday the 21st. Please keep us in your prayers that this protocol will work. The next step is injectable medication which is really expensive. That is one reason we decided to try just the Femara one last time.
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