A twisted sense of relief...

I am miscarrying... and this gives me a very twisted sense of relief.

Tuesday's numbers did rise, but only to 307 (+3%). SO - I had an appointment Wednesday for MORE blood work and an ultrasound to try and find the sac of cells, whose location would give us a hint of miscarriage vs. ectopic pregnancy.

The u/s was pretty inconclusive, since they couldn't find any sac - so we needed to wait for the blood work. Results were then down to 224. This decline almost confirms a miscarriage (rather than ectopic, which would be much more serious). I am scheduled for my next blood draw Friday morning while we're up in PA.

So those are the facts... the emotional toll however is... ::::sigh::::

As you can imagine, we are devastated. It's everything that we hoped for, so close, but gone too way too soon. This has been such a long week of extreme up and downs. In a way, I'm "happy" (?) we kinda knew what was coming since Friday - it's given me time to grieve.

I hope you forgive the randomness of this post, my mind is all over the place.

Even given the outcome, I have to keep positive. WE MADE A BABY! That's something. Now, to be fair, I didn't come to that realization on my own. But while I was feeling down and out, a couple of my friends (and my nurse) brought me that perspective (Amanda, I know you're reading this, so thank you...).

I've said it before, I'll say it again, the support has been uplifting on so many levels. From random people who I haven't spoken to in years - who've reached out to say they were thinking about me, to the handful of friends who I feel lucky enough to be able to lean on, vent to or sometime talk about ANYTHING else to make me feel normal. 

This struggle is difficult, and sometimes I feel like this has taken over my life, not to mention my marriage. The tracking, the monitoring, the blood tests, the drug and injection schedule -  they can certainly take over a life.

Especially now, it's time for a break. I will never not want a baby of my own. I will forever be wanting to be a mom. But, after 36 months of trying and 7 months of testing and procedures, this girl's mind, body and soul need a recharge. Some perspective. Some time that does not revolve around my next appointment or injection. And doesn't summer seem to be a beautiful time to recharge, with nights on the patio with a cocktail?

Keep praying my friends. We're not done trying yet.

xoxo

I am BROKEN...

Do you KNOW how hard it is to not share news like this?!

First off, telling Mike about our positive test Wednesday night was the most beautiful thing I have ever done. (I wrapped up those "baby" goldfish crackers - which sounds silly, but the real ones are his favorite snack to have on hand so it was personal to us - plus, it's not like it was a surprise that I had news.

Friday morning, I had Beta #2. Numbers should double - or at least increase by 60%, per SG. I went in so cockey. 265 is a fantastic starting number and though I knew I was a few tests away, my confidence was soaring. 

Ann called that afternoon with a test result number of 300. Only a13% increase. She said it was looking like the pregnancy was ectopic. My heart fell into my stomach and it hasn't moved since then. After work, I napped/cried - where Reagan literally laid next to me in the bed licking away my tears for 2 hours. God bless him.

I am beside myself. This is WORSE than a plain ol' negative. There was so much hope, and with good reason. Now we're just in limbo.

As I've said, nothing is by one test. I have a 3rd beta tomorrow morning. This will be 96 hours after the last, and this way we will know one way or another. Doing the math - 60% increases every 48 hours, I should have numbers between about 1100-1200 tomorrow.

If my numbers have gone down, it will mean I'm miscarrying. If my numbers have risen, but not at a high enough number - it will display as an ectopic pregnancy (at pregnancy outside the uterus), most likely the Fallopian tube - and will need to be terminated. Trust me, the only thing worse than a negative test is an nonviable pregnancy. I am heartbroken and hurting on so many levels, I can't even explain. Tomorrow should be an interesting/emotional day. (For the record, I don't think my numbers are doing down. I am still getting a positive home pregnancy test.)

I should of course mention, there is a sliver of hope that Friday's test was a fluke and all is well. A very small sliver of hope, but it's happened. I've been talking with my support group(s), which has helped a bit. There are some success stories out there and I'm more positive thinking than I was Friday/Saturday. After all, there is still a baby in there who needs my positivity, not negativity.



(This post, written 5/15, was kept private. But I still wanted to keep a record of this time...)

I am BURSTING...

I received that phone call... no, no, no - not that one. The one I've been waiting for... "Hi Dana, this is Ann from Dr. Mottla's office. I have some good news for you...".

Beta #1 bloodwork results (where anything over 5 is pregnant, but they say 100 is a good number) came back yesterday. 265 HCG mIU/ml.. 265! My nurse sounded very happy with that number. But of course, the important thing is that my numbers increase (by 60% according to Shady Grove) every 48 hours.

So, Beta #2 TOMORROW... and we're hoping for at least 424.

I am elated - to say the least. I am chomping at the bit to tell someone... anyone! But like I said before (and desperately trying to keep a level head), I want... no, NEED, more bloodwork before telling our parents. And subsequently, all the people who have been in my corner.


(This post, written 5/11, was kept private. But I still wanted to keep a record of this time...)

Beta Day

IUI day and the TWW week have come and gone. Today, I went for my Beta blood test and the most agonizing wait until the results call (between 12-3) begins.

It's been a rough 2 weeks. More than previous times, I've been in some moderate amount of discomfort. And though my googling fingers will say that it could all be an early sign of pregnancy, I'm prepared for the worst.  I've never gotten that GOOD call, so it's easier to picture a negative than the overwhelming postive.

I've been thinking (stressing) a lot lately about what to tell to who and when. They down side of putting this story out there is that you all know when these tests are. But even IF there is a positive today, I will need at least 2 more blood tests to confirm viability over the course of the next week. Also, don't you think our parents should know first (and only after confirmed)? I certainly do. So, in other words - consider no news, good news and you'll know when you know. ;) (And, note, thank you for caring.)

As this cycle comes to a close, I feel oddly at peace. I thought a lot over the last two weeks and after discussing with Mike (who really just refers to me in these situations), we decided that if it is negative, we're talking this summer "off". Insurance will only allow 4 per year (which honestly, is plenty to do to a body!) and with only 3 left until April 2018 - we'd have to break at some point anyway. Now, OF COURSE I want that big fat positive (BFP). But I feel also at peace with a break to let my body (and mind) recover from a very stressful first part of this year. We've been testing and having procedures since October, so having some time to "regroup" before starting any additional necessary procedures feels like the right thing to do.  Although... so does planning a nursery. ;)

Thinking happy, positive thoughts! xo

Sometimes, I Miss Me...

The Clomid is kicking my tush this month! I'm sure my husband could tell you differently (he wouldn't - but probably could), but this is the first month I've felt that the medication is make me, um, "short fused". Seriously, everything has set me off. Of course I think I'm being perfectly rational that I became irritated Mike opened 3 sodas in one day. Alright, I literally LOL'd at that one.  Glad that's over - took my last dose of the cycle last night.

But anyway - the hormones are in full swing this month. I was having a particularly reflective day yesterday and came across an infertility support blog/page called missconception.com. A few posts really spoke to me, but nothing compares to this. 

Sometimes, I Miss Me 

I don't always feel like the same old girl who was carefree, spontaneous and adventurous, who you used to know. Now I often feel scared, worried and anxious. There haven't been many months that have gone by where I haven't cried because of these feelings and how desperate I am for this to all go away. I hate having to deal with infertility and I hate that you have to deal with it too. 

She is still there, a bit buried, but still there. She has never fought so hard for something in her life and is surprised sometimes of this strength. She will keep fighting because that's all she can do. She will let the support and comfort of those that love her in. She will remember it will get better. She will hold onto the hope that she sees all around her.

So, this. So so so much of this.

This reflectiveness comes in waves mind you. I'm not sitting crying all the time. Sometimes I'm stalking Pinterest for nursery ideas (hence, how my hopes get raised) and reading every little thing on child development. Ya see, I'm planning for success.  ;)

I guess I shoulda said - my initial ultrasound of this cycle looked fine last week and we're in full swing of attempt #3. Oops... way to bury the lead.  Anyway, day 8 now - Follistim injection tomorrow and Dr. Mottla doubled my dosage this month. This should increase the number and quality of ideal sized follicles. Though hopefully, not too many... Shady Grove's goal is ONE healthy baby. Especially "at our age". (And yeah, how odd is it to say those words... I swear I just graduated college.)

Next monitoring appointment set for Sunday to check said follicle count - and hopefully IUI #3 Tuesday or Wednesday.

Till then...

"I wish I had better news..."

​I don't even know what to say. Got our results on Monday afternoon that our second IUI attempt was unsuccessful. 

I'm just numb. 

I put on a brave face. I say positive things to the people ask how I am. But the truth is I just hurt. It is not lost on me that I am not the first person to go through this. I'm not even the first person I know to go through this. 

I'm not the first person that has had two disappointments, in fact that's fairly common, and I understood that going into this. But the heartbreak that goes along with this... I definitely didn't understand before now. 

In my "dark thoughts", I feel like a dream is slowly slipping away. Somewhere deep down​​ I fear that maybe somehow it's not in the cards and that just leaves me heartbroken. It's hard for me to fathom a life where I'm not a mom.

A chat with a friend regarding the timing of trying again referred me to my last blog post and on trusting God's plan.  And, you know, she said that she would understand if I wanted to delay or quit further treatment.  But maybe, just maybe, God's plans for me are to go through this process for some reason we just don't see yet. So maybe it's not about trusting God's plan like motherhood vs. not - maybe it's about trusting in the journey.

Flowers from Dawn, 4/12/2017:  Keep Praying.
Keep Believing. Keep Loving. Keep The Faith.

Can I just say, my friends are amazing. There are a handful of people who check on me before/after every monitoring, ultrasound, procedure, or bloodwork appointment. They check on me during long waits and send words of encouragement. I will never really be able to let them know what that means to me. Having them in my corner is truly a blessing. Furthermore, they make me NEVER regret the decision of sharing our infertility battle. I can't even imagine not being able to talk this out.

So, what's next? Next, we continue onto round #3. Day 1 should be just around the corner, as soon as the medication works it's way through my system, and then it starts all over again.

Putting #2 behind me and thinking good thoughts.  Full steam ahead.

Do You Trust Me?

This hits me hard when I read it - even time after time. I get that feeling, you know the one, where you can feel the tingle between your eyes like you'll cry at any moment (though to be fair, I get that feeling a lot lately).

It's scary to put those thoughts out there. I don't exactly practice the "every Sunday" part of my Catholic upbring. And as I got older, I feel like I lean a lot more to basic Christianity than the stricter Catholic following. But please don't ever confuse that to mean I don't believe in God, for that couldn't be further from the truth.

But, do I believe strong enough in His plan? Do our fertility struggles mean He doesn't want this for me? Does he think I'd be an awful mother? And... just WHY?

But at the end of the day, I have to trust in something. God, for sure. Medicine, definitely. Patience, oh boy...

We're coming to a close of the two week wait (affectionately known as TWW). We should really just call it hell. Seriously. Actually, it's like limbo. You are to act/do as if you ARE pregnant. You have massive amounts of hormones going through your body - so you are mimicing signs of pregnancy. Yet you're still waiting on the actual news that will hopefully change your life.  There's a cruel joke in there somewhere, I swear.

I'm pretty sure there were at least 30 days in the last two weeks. Definitely felt longer than last time. Maybe cause I've been there before.  Because I've gotten that phone call.  The one you pick up with a cautiously optimistic and a little excited "Hello?", only to hear the "Oh, Dana, I wish I had better news...." on the other end. Then trying desperately to ask what you need to ask before the ugly sobs start.

So here's the thing... this post, I'm not really complaining. Just being real. Seriously, if you could hear my thoughts sometimes... Emotionally, this is the hardest thing I've ever done.

But here goes nothing... "Beta" test Monday morning - results by 3 the same day. And BREATHE...

A Few Moments of Reflection...

This weekend definitely brought a lot of feelings to the surface.

Saturday we celebrated the anticipation of a new baby coming into the family. And while my joy over another's happiness/blessing is never meant to be shadowed, my emotions were definitely all over the place (couldn't possibly be all the hormones, could it?! ;).

While driving around with my mom, I expressed a thought... what if this doesn't happen. And then it happens. A knot forms in my throat and I can't breathe.

I have seen this "Happiness" quote in some way or another for awhile. But only recently does it hit home in a way I never thought of.

I have a truly beautiful and blessed life.

A big crazy beautiful extended family, some truly life-long friendships, a roof over my head, a job I enjoy, and a cute pup to boot. And (best for) lastly, a husband who truly adores me - and looks at me that way that every young girl dreams of being looked at. Like, how Disney princes look at their princesses.

So, I'm blessed in more ways I can count.

But never before in my wildest nightmares did I factor in NOT being a mother. It went without saying.

So it's hard to even put into words the hurt I feel when I dream I've wanted for so long (and spent years finding the right guy to dream along with) is just out of reach even though I am doing everything I possibly can to make it happen.

But that's just it, isn't it. "...doing everything I (we) possibly can...". It's out of our hands. We've taken the cues and sought out help for our infertility. A step that was just as, if not scarier, than all the actual treatment/procedures. The future is up to a higher power that we just can't explain.

Here We Go Again

After getting the negative pregnancy bloodwork results on Friday, we went back and forth a few times on whether to start back up with my next cycle. 

Day 1 hit like clockwork this Monday, so once we settled some insurance questions (my plan restarts April 1, so we were being responsible and figuring out deductible math) we decided to continue our momentum and start on attempt #2 right away. 

And away we go... I just got back from my Day 3 baseline test.  Since I JUST had a bloodtest, I didn't even need bloodwork (nice to give those veins a rest now and then ;). Just an ultrasound to check around that everything is "ready" to go and make sure there were no cysts.

ALL CLEAR!

I start taking the Clomid tonight thru Sunday and continue with the injections on Day 9, an ultrasound on 11 to check follicle count and hopefully the "trigger" shot that night.  Same course as last time (unless something happens between now and then), if you've been following along. ;)

Then, our 2nd IUI procedure will be around Day 14, and then the dreaded LOOOOOONG two week wait before my "Beta" (pregnancy) bloodwork. 

Funny thing is - that's just a repeat of our last 4 weeks and it feels like FOREVER since the beginning.

But... only way to go is onward. Fingers crossed, hopes in check.... xo

Time to Re-Group

Yesterday, we received the news that our first IUI procedure was unsuccessful. And while highly common for the first attempt to not result in pregnancy, the disappointment is very, very real. 

I tried to keep a level head thru the last two weeks, but hopes and excitement inevitably got raised as time went on. And now...well now, we restart when ready. 

I've learned so much about myself through this process. I've learned how strong I can actually be, I've learned how I deal with some truly devestating disappointment (for better or worse) and I've learned that my husband truly can see me at worst and hug away the tears. 

And though tears may appear at a seemingly random time, I am TRYING to keep a good outlook and my hopes up. 

And now, we wait...

Friday proved to be an intersting day, to say the least. We DID in fact get that call from the Dr. on Wednesday that we were a go! So it was a trigger injection on Wednesday, "day of rest" on Thursday, and procedure on Friday.

Although I was nervous to boot, the procedure went very smoothly. That said, I was in pain the rest of the day. I wasn't expecting to have that much cramping... I only made it through a little over an hour back at work before I had to lay down. Fetal position was really the only way to be comfortable.

I woke up Saturday so much better. Feel strange - but better!

But now, we wait... the dreaded 2 weeks in between procedure and bloodtest.

And though I'm CAUTIOUSLY excited, I'm more of a realist and the chances of the first IUI actually working are only 18-20%.

So March 10th we'll know for sure. Here's hoping for a quick 2 weeks! :)

Day 11 | Just. Got. Real.

Had my day 11 blood work and ultrasound this morning... I almost cried when the Technician told me the I had a follicle ready for trigger.

Met with the nurse for further instructions and she said if the bloodwork comes back good this afternoon, I'll be giving myself the trigger injection this evening and to go ahead and make the appointment(s) for our IUI procedure Friday morning. So. Many. Emotions. But I don't want to get ahead of myself.

As I sit at the pharmacy waiting for a Rx to be filled (they want my lining a little thicker, most likely thinned by the Clomid), I'm consumed with how far we've come. It'll be 28 months, almost to the day, since we've started trying. I know I didn't think it would take this long or that this is the route we'd have to travel. But we're almost there. So close I can just about see it.

I am cautiously hopeful. It's so hard not to be down right giddy about today's news, but on the other hand - there's still A LOT that has to go right. I take comfort in knowing we've made it this far.

On a side note, this Friday is Mike and I's 5th anniversary of our "4th first date"... so the day we officially got back together. This day is already pretty special (known as the day we both got our heads out of our asses ;), but to possibly conceive a baby on the same date would truly make my heart soar.

Anxiously waiting this afternoon's phone call from the doc. Fingers crossed.

Day 9 | Injection Day!

This day came up faster than I wanted! ;)

At the beginning of this process, I was not a fan of needles. Ok, still not, though I'm a pro at giving blood at this point.  But there's something that feels very wrong about stabbing yourself with a needle, LOL.

That said, as expected, the anticipation was much, much worse than the prick. All done for the day and now we move on...

Wednesday (Day 11) will be my follow-up bloodwork and ultrasound, where they'll take a look at how the clomid and the Follistim "worked". Hopefully everything is on track and we'll be having our first IUI treatment by the end of the week!

It's crazy to me how "up in the air" everything is until it's "go time". I mean, I definitely get it. There's so many "what if" factors - but it's just nuts to have all the contingency plans.

So, good thoughts people. Only good thoughts this week. :)

On a side note: this process became very, very real after giving myself an injection. Not that the plethora of tests and Rx wasn't real - but I have to tell you, I woulda give myself a needle for any other reason!

Day 3 | All Systems... GO!

Today was an exciting day!

As day 3 of my cycle, I had a doctor's appointment this morning for  baseline bloodwork and an ultrasound. By afternoon I received word that everything looks good to start the process!


So this means that starting today (and through day 7) I'll be taking Clomid. After that will be the injections, but let's not think about that yet. ;)

I really can not express how much I appreciate the ongoing support. There are a handful of friends who constantly ask and check-in on me and it truly means the world to me. Knowing you're in our corner gives me much-needed strength.

Getting Pregnant with a Hormonal Imbalance

I love the emails I get from Shady Grove, but I especially love the emails that speak directly about the issues we're currently having. Today's was no exception...

9 MUST-READ FAQS ABOUT HORMONAL IMBALANCES AND TRYING TO GET PREGNANT

Since I've been on the Vitamin D supplements and the Dostinex (for lowering my prolactin levels) - my cycles have shortened to normal length and consistency. So if anything, that can't hurt the process!