My New Year wish is probably similar to most peoples wish... I wish all those around me to be happy and healthy. I also am wishing that this will be my year for a baby!
I was able to go to the fertility doctor today. I had the usual done blood work and an ultrasound. Things looked good this time around so I was able to get my medications called in and will start tomorrow. This round will be a little different from last time. I will be taking Tamoxifen and taking the Bravelle shots all at the same time. I will then go back to Fertility Institute to have more blood work and another ultrasound. This will tell me how my body is reacting to the medications. I may have to continue the shots for a little longer but I will get to do IUI again and that is all that matters.
I am hopeful for a great new year and a fresh start! I wish everyone a very happy new year!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
**Thankful**
I have been so caught up in "what's the next step" that I feel like I have lost sight of all the things that I am thankful for.
I am very thankful for the family and friends that I have: Everyone has been so supportive and involved in our journey to pregnancy! I know that I can always pick up the phone and talk to someone that is going to make sure that I am comforted in what ever has taken place. We are so lucky to have people praying for our success and who are interested in learning more about infertility. I cant imagine life without these wonderful people!
I am also very lucky and grateful that my insurance is covering this process. There are so many people that are going through the same thing as me, but can not continue with the treatments due to the astronomical cost. One month of treatment can be $5000.00+. These physicians are fantastic and are worth every penny.
Most importantly I am so thankful for my husband, who has been so supportive and understanding through this. When I feel like I am letting him down the most he is there to pick me back up. He is there to humor me when I am being irrational and is able to put me back in my place when I am being impossible. Randy keeps me laughing and upbeat.
For all of these things I am grateful, thankful, and happy.
I am very thankful for the family and friends that I have: Everyone has been so supportive and involved in our journey to pregnancy! I know that I can always pick up the phone and talk to someone that is going to make sure that I am comforted in what ever has taken place. We are so lucky to have people praying for our success and who are interested in learning more about infertility. I cant imagine life without these wonderful people!
I am also very lucky and grateful that my insurance is covering this process. There are so many people that are going through the same thing as me, but can not continue with the treatments due to the astronomical cost. One month of treatment can be $5000.00+. These physicians are fantastic and are worth every penny.
Most importantly I am so thankful for my husband, who has been so supportive and understanding through this. When I feel like I am letting him down the most he is there to pick me back up. He is there to humor me when I am being irrational and is able to put me back in my place when I am being impossible. Randy keeps me laughing and upbeat.
For all of these things I am grateful, thankful, and happy.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Ready.... Set..... STOP!
Well, the last round of injections and insemination did not take but I guess it was a good trial run.
I had an appointment today to start my second round. At this appointment they do an ultrasound and some lab work. While getting the ultrasound I noticed a follicle that was larger than it should be. I asked the nurse later about this and she told me that it should not be a problem and told me that I would start medicaion and injections again tonight. I was also told the office would call me back later in the day and let me know about my blood work.
The doctors office called me today at about 2:00 and told me that the larger follicle was an issue and that I would not be able to take the medication or do the injections this month. I was also put on birth control for the month. I have to admit that this news had me very very upset.
I was OK with knowing that I was not pregnant this month... I knew that it was unlikely that I would get pregnant the first round. The part that disappoints me the most is that I am just sitting idol for an entire month. I was really getting excited (well, i guess as excited as you can get about shots) about starting the next round of injections.
I will take this month to get back to the gym and start jogging again.... I can't just let my body completely relax.
I had an appointment today to start my second round. At this appointment they do an ultrasound and some lab work. While getting the ultrasound I noticed a follicle that was larger than it should be. I asked the nurse later about this and she told me that it should not be a problem and told me that I would start medicaion and injections again tonight. I was also told the office would call me back later in the day and let me know about my blood work.
The doctors office called me today at about 2:00 and told me that the larger follicle was an issue and that I would not be able to take the medication or do the injections this month. I was also put on birth control for the month. I have to admit that this news had me very very upset.
I was OK with knowing that I was not pregnant this month... I knew that it was unlikely that I would get pregnant the first round. The part that disappoints me the most is that I am just sitting idol for an entire month. I was really getting excited (well, i guess as excited as you can get about shots) about starting the next round of injections.
I will take this month to get back to the gym and start jogging again.... I can't just let my body completely relax.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Wowza Wowza Wowza
I work for a local university residency program and this is the most hectic time of year....We have started interview season. This goes on from November to the middle of January and is the most exhausting time of year. So, lets add some fertility treatments to the mix!
This month I took 5 days of pills and then 3 days of injections in the tummy and off to the doctor I went. The appointment was o.k. but not great. The meds were working but not at the speed we would like. My follicles are growing but not where they need to be. Another round of 3 injections with an upped dosage was in my future. Friday I went back to the doctors office and got some not so great news. It looks like my follicles are still not where they need to be and when they did the post coital test it looks as though my body fights off my hubby's little swimmers. I only have 2 follicles that seem to be growing to the size needed. This makes my chances of conceiving this month pretty low but we are trying anyway. The appointment ended with another round of 3 injections but now 2 different injections a night. I was also told that we would have to do, intrauterine insemination, IUI. Monday I have another appointment and I am hoping that my follicles will be the size needed to do the trigger injection and then IUI will begin.
I did complete the book Every Drunken Cheerleader: Why Not Me and I thought it was great... I think it is a book everyone should read not just those going through the "I" word as Kristine Waits, the author, would say.
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and thank you for joining me in my journey through this!
This month I took 5 days of pills and then 3 days of injections in the tummy and off to the doctor I went. The appointment was o.k. but not great. The meds were working but not at the speed we would like. My follicles are growing but not where they need to be. Another round of 3 injections with an upped dosage was in my future. Friday I went back to the doctors office and got some not so great news. It looks like my follicles are still not where they need to be and when they did the post coital test it looks as though my body fights off my hubby's little swimmers. I only have 2 follicles that seem to be growing to the size needed. This makes my chances of conceiving this month pretty low but we are trying anyway. The appointment ended with another round of 3 injections but now 2 different injections a night. I was also told that we would have to do, intrauterine insemination, IUI. Monday I have another appointment and I am hoping that my follicles will be the size needed to do the trigger injection and then IUI will begin.
I did complete the book Every Drunken Cheerleader: Why Not Me and I thought it was great... I think it is a book everyone should read not just those going through the "I" word as Kristine Waits, the author, would say.
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and thank you for joining me in my journey through this!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
New Book... New Start...
I started a new book today and it seems like it is going to be very interesting. The book is called Every Drunken Cheerleader:Why Not Me by Kristine Waits. Since I just started it I can't go in to lots of detail about it but so far so good. It is not a book of what you should try it seems more like chronicles of Kristine and her husbands journey through fertility treatments. I will continue to read and will comment more about this book once I have finished it.
I have another appointment with Fertility Institute on Monday. I have my fingers crossed that all goes well with this appointment and I will be able to start the medication and the injections. It seems crazy that I would be excited to start injecting myself in the stomach for 3 days, but you do what ever you need to to get to the end result. I know that it is unlikely that the first round of this treatment will work but it is really hard to not get your hopes up. I by no means am losing any hope I just understand the reality. At this appointment I will be asking quite a few questions, I hope I will be able to get some answers. The Fertility Institute staff is usually really good about answering questions or getting the answer to questions and getting back to you as soon as possible. Please keep your fingers crossed for my appointment on Monday!
I have another appointment with Fertility Institute on Monday. I have my fingers crossed that all goes well with this appointment and I will be able to start the medication and the injections. It seems crazy that I would be excited to start injecting myself in the stomach for 3 days, but you do what ever you need to to get to the end result. I know that it is unlikely that the first round of this treatment will work but it is really hard to not get your hopes up. I by no means am losing any hope I just understand the reality. At this appointment I will be asking quite a few questions, I hope I will be able to get some answers. The Fertility Institute staff is usually really good about answering questions or getting the answer to questions and getting back to you as soon as possible. Please keep your fingers crossed for my appointment on Monday!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wait for it.... Wait for it..... NOTHING
Yesterday I had my first ultrasound with the Fertility Institute and had some blood work done. Then the nurse took me in to a room, gave me my prescription and showed me how to give myself the injections. Later in the day the nurse called me with the blood work info. She told me that my body was already selecting a new follicle and I would not be able to take the medication this month. So, another month to wait…
I decided that I needed to go to the gym and not sit at home and think about it but last night was a rough night and today I feel like a walking zombie. I keep telling myself that this is all happening for a reason and when it is time everything will happen. It is just so hard and it mentally and emotionally wipes you out. I know that the fertility stuff could take years but every time you try something new your hopes get raised a little.
I am Catholic and about 2 weeks ago I went to the Religious store and purchased a St. Gerard, the patron saint of motherhood, metal and prayer card. I make sure to pray every morning and I never take my medal off.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
So, When will you have kids?
Things that you should never ask a woman are "How old are you?" and "How much do you weigh?"
I think within the week of our wedding day people were already asking, "So, when are y'all gonna have babies." At the time we wanted to wait a little while, we needed to get used to living together and getting in to a regular routine.
Why is it acceptable to ask "When are you going to have babies?" I mean, that IS a really personal question. Think about it! Maybe the couple is not ready to have children or maybe they are not financially stable at the time. Very possibly the couple may not want to have children at all. None of these answers are anyones business.
After a year of being married my husband and I decided that it would be a good time to "not prevent" getting pregnant. Another year rolled around and NOTHING. Still all the while friends and family asking "Well are you guys going to have kids?" At this time I start to realize something's not right... I made an appointment with my OB/GYN and we discussed what I needed to do. I was put on medication to regulate my cycle and had to have an ultrasound to check out my ovaries. The medication worked and I started using the Clear blue Easy Fertility Monitor (every... single... day). With the monitor I was able to see that I was not ovulating. By this time we were thinking things were not looking so good for us. My OB/GYN suggested I go back to the imaging center to have another ultrasound and an HSG dye test. This test is really uncomfortable, but I got good news, there was no blockage. The radiologist also told me "Many people will get pregnant after this test since everything has been flushed." I left that appointment on cloud 9. At the 2 year mark and countless friends having babies later I really started to lose hope. My OB/GYN decided at this point to start me on a round of 50 mg Clomid. I continued to use the OPK (ovulation predictor kit) daily. I GOT IT! I got the peak symbol saying that this is it! Less than 2 weeks later Aunt Flo arrived and I am crushed. Another round of 50 mg Clomid makes me ovulate again but does not result in pregnancy. The OB decided we would do one more round with Clomid before I am referred to a fertility specialist, this time 100 mg. Again I got the peak symbol but no baby. I started noticing that my cycles were too close to ovulation.
I made my appointment with the Fertility Institute of New Orleans, I was very excited about finding out what my options were. At this appointment I discussed the luteal phase defect with the doctor and she believed that, in fact that is my problem. To help prevent this defect I was put on Prometrium, I take this starting 3 days after ovulation. I am still in this phase, and will be having yet another ultrasound with in the month.
Infertility is not something that is easy to deal with or is there a simple answer for many people. Maybe the question of "When are you having children" should be added to the list of forbidden things to ask a woman.
I think within the week of our wedding day people were already asking, "So, when are y'all gonna have babies." At the time we wanted to wait a little while, we needed to get used to living together and getting in to a regular routine.
Why is it acceptable to ask "When are you going to have babies?" I mean, that IS a really personal question. Think about it! Maybe the couple is not ready to have children or maybe they are not financially stable at the time. Very possibly the couple may not want to have children at all. None of these answers are anyones business.
OR MY ANSWER:
After a year of being married my husband and I decided that it would be a good time to "not prevent" getting pregnant. Another year rolled around and NOTHING. Still all the while friends and family asking "Well are you guys going to have kids?" At this time I start to realize something's not right... I made an appointment with my OB/GYN and we discussed what I needed to do. I was put on medication to regulate my cycle and had to have an ultrasound to check out my ovaries. The medication worked and I started using the Clear blue Easy Fertility Monitor (every... single... day). With the monitor I was able to see that I was not ovulating. By this time we were thinking things were not looking so good for us. My OB/GYN suggested I go back to the imaging center to have another ultrasound and an HSG dye test. This test is really uncomfortable, but I got good news, there was no blockage. The radiologist also told me "Many people will get pregnant after this test since everything has been flushed." I left that appointment on cloud 9. At the 2 year mark and countless friends having babies later I really started to lose hope. My OB/GYN decided at this point to start me on a round of 50 mg Clomid. I continued to use the OPK (ovulation predictor kit) daily. I GOT IT! I got the peak symbol saying that this is it! Less than 2 weeks later Aunt Flo arrived and I am crushed. Another round of 50 mg Clomid makes me ovulate again but does not result in pregnancy. The OB decided we would do one more round with Clomid before I am referred to a fertility specialist, this time 100 mg. Again I got the peak symbol but no baby. I started noticing that my cycles were too close to ovulation.
I made my appointment with the Fertility Institute of New Orleans, I was very excited about finding out what my options were. At this appointment I discussed the luteal phase defect with the doctor and she believed that, in fact that is my problem. To help prevent this defect I was put on Prometrium, I take this starting 3 days after ovulation. I am still in this phase, and will be having yet another ultrasound with in the month.
Infertility is not something that is easy to deal with or is there a simple answer for many people. Maybe the question of "When are you having children" should be added to the list of forbidden things to ask a woman.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Just the Beginning
Welcome to my Wonderland! I am very excited to start this blog as part of a new journey in life. I am married to a great guy and have 2 amazingly spoiled dogs. I enjoy my work as a Residency Coordinator at a local university. I also love to bake and make gift baskets. (Pictures posted below) Most importantly I want to be a mother!
My husband and I have been trying to conceive for a little over 2 years now. We have tried 3 rounds of Clomid with my OB/GYN, 2 ultrasounds and an HSG dye test (which was not fun at all). We are going to The Fertility Institute in Metairie, LA. I have to say that my first visit with them was AMAZING! The staff and doctors treat you really well and are quick to answer your questions and to call you back if you need to leave a message. They were able to tell me on my first visit that they think I have luteal phase defect. This means that instead of having 14 days between ovulation and a period, I only have about 7 days from ovulation to a period. Next month will be our first month of closely monitored fertility treatments. I am very excited and nervous to start this new adventure in my life. When the treatments begin I will be sure to post all about them.
Gift Baskets/Diaper Cakes:
This gift basket was made for a fundraiser.
2 baby showers in one day! Hopfully one little pitcher and one little miss priss. These are so much fun to make. I hope baby Stephen and baby Makenzie enjoy all the fun stuff attached!
This diaper cake was made for baby Sofia. I forgot to take a picture once I had the bows attachd so this is not the finnished product.
Here is a close up of baby Stephens diaper cake!
This is the very first diaper cake I ever made. It was made for my wonderful God Child Madison!
This is a close up of baby Makenzie's diaper cake!
Baby Abigail's diaper cake!
Baking:
This cake was made for a birthday party! It is the first tiered cake I made. I learned alot from this cake.
My husband and I have been trying to conceive for a little over 2 years now. We have tried 3 rounds of Clomid with my OB/GYN, 2 ultrasounds and an HSG dye test (which was not fun at all). We are going to The Fertility Institute in Metairie, LA. I have to say that my first visit with them was AMAZING! The staff and doctors treat you really well and are quick to answer your questions and to call you back if you need to leave a message. They were able to tell me on my first visit that they think I have luteal phase defect. This means that instead of having 14 days between ovulation and a period, I only have about 7 days from ovulation to a period. Next month will be our first month of closely monitored fertility treatments. I am very excited and nervous to start this new adventure in my life. When the treatments begin I will be sure to post all about them.
Gift Baskets/Diaper Cakes:
 |
| Bridal Shower Cake (Toilet Paper Cake) |
I made this toilet paper cake as a table center piece for my sisters bridal shower.
 |
| Cinco de Mayo Gift Basket |
This gift basket was made for a fundraiser.
 |
| Boy and Girl Diaper Caker |
2 baby showers in one day! Hopfully one little pitcher and one little miss priss. These are so much fun to make. I hope baby Stephen and baby Makenzie enjoy all the fun stuff attached!
 |
| Girl Diaper Cake with out Bows |
This diaper cake was made for baby Sofia. I forgot to take a picture once I had the bows attachd so this is not the finnished product.
 |
| Baseball Fan Diaper Cake |
Here is a close up of baby Stephens diaper cake!
 |
| My very first diaper cake |
This is the very first diaper cake I ever made. It was made for my wonderful God Child Madison!
 |
This is a close up of baby Makenzie's diaper cake!
Baking:
 |
| Almond Cake with Chocolate Covered Strawberries |
This cake was made for a birthday party! It is the first tiered cake I made. I learned alot from this cake.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)