GREAT news!

Beta results for K were good!  36!! =)

Waiting for good news

My friend is awaiting her beta today.  I feel like I'm waiting for my own blood test results!!  She had her first IUI this cycle and we are hoping for a great beta!  I found this particular friend through my blog and FF.  She also had a chemical around the same time as me.  She emailed me and then we began messaging through Facebook.  Eventually we started texting and talking.  She came to visit me in the hospital after I had my surgery.  She has had too many medicated cycles to count with timed intercourse.  This was her first IUI cycle and we both have high hopes!  They did her blood drawl at 7:30am and we're still waiting for the results!  I'm on pins and needles! I'm hoping and praying for her and her husband that it's positive and we'll have something to celebrate about!!

Infertility Inspirations

 

I know that God has a plan.  It may not make sense to me right now, but He has a plan.   Recently I have felt at peace with Him and tried to understand that He works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). 

 I cannot stand when people tell me that everything happens for a reason. I know this!  Sometimes it is just hard to accept when going through something like this.  Bad things happen to good people each day.  God never promised us that this life would be easy.  You can sit around and complain about it, or do something.  I've chosen to share my journey to give others hope.  I may have a baby in a year, 2 years, or longer than that.  I may have a baby through IUI, IVF, naturally?, or through adoption, but I will have a baby some day. Only He knows.

I believe in Jesus Christ and know that he died for me to have eternal life.  I believe that He knew I could one day triumph over Infertility and share my testimony with others.  He chose me for this life, and even though it has been hard, I have grown to trust in Him fully.  He is the potter, I am the clay. 

IComLeavWe

Tomorrow officially kicks off ICLW for February!  I did not do a great job of explaining this week last month.  It stands for International Comment Leaving Week.  Each day we are encouraged to leave 5 comments on other posters' blogs and respond to one comment we receive.  This event is great!  I found many new blogs to read during last month's event. 
I have tried to make commenting on my blog easier in that there is no security code to submit your comment, and anyone can post.  If you choose to post anonymously, please at least leave your first name. =)

I enjoy reading your comments!  =)  I know that many of my friends in real life (IRL) read my blog, so let me know you're here!! 

Weekend

Wow, a lot has happened over the past few days.  =)

We had Date Night last night!  It was great!  Jen & Brad, Rachel, and Brandon and myself all went to Mizu for some yummy Japanese food!  After, we got milkshakes and then went down to Mama Goldbergs to see Clint since he was working.  It was a great night!  Nothing special or fancy but I enjoyed every minute of it!

I submitted my "worst day" story of battling Infertility through Fran Dunn-Meadows's book website and won!  Only two people submitted their stories, but all of my Facebook friends voted for my story. =)  It took a lot of courage posting it under my personal Facebook page and then asking my friends to vote for my submission.  I won a signed copy of her book, The Truth Behind the Secret "Infertility" as well as a necklace.

I know that I have become very public with my friends IRL about my struggle, but I think I am ready to take it a step further.  I created business cards yesterday with all of my contact information.  I am constantly meeting women at the doctor that don't have anyone to talk to about their journey.  Now, I will be able to give them something professional other than scratching down contact info on a paper napkin.  I don't think that any woman should have to go through this journey alone.  Also, I feel that God has given me the idea to begin writing a book about my journey.  I will recall on my previous blog posts and even ask Brandon to help in writing.  This book will be about my fertility struggle, as well as how God has helped me through each and every situation.

Next steps in the plan

My appointment with Dr. Allemand went well. =) He said that my incisions looked great and my body should be healed and ready for pregnancy.

He said that we could start "trying" again as soon as my next cycle begins. Right now, I am not ready. Brandon and I have both discussed waiting through March before continuing.

Dr. Allemand recommended that we pursue IVF next. He feels that with out specific situation, we have a higher rate ofsuccess (pregnancy) with IVF. Because we have 10+ frozen specimens, he did say that he would attempt one more IUI if that is what we wish.

I am almost 100% positive that we will try one more IUI before making the leap to pursuing IVF.

Follow Up Appointment Today

I'm seeing Dr. Allemand today at 12:30pm.  I'm nervous that I'll forget to ask a question since Brandon is out of town for work and cannot be there!  I will post once I'm home!!

Dr. Childs's (pelvic pain specialist) office just called telling me that they had a cancellation for tomorrow.  It figures that Paul is out of town and I cannot take a few hours to go tomorrow. =(  I told them to notify me if another appointment comes available.

I've decided that I would like to begin writing a book.  Obviously, it would deal with Infertility, but emphasize how God has guided me through this process.  That's all I know right now.  I couldn't sleep the other night, and I believe it was because God was speaking to me.  I wish He would choose a time other than 3am, but I'm just glad that I heard Him. =)

Valentine's Day

It's finally over!  Yes, I said it!  I LOVE Valentine's Day; however, I work in a jewelry store.  Valentine's Day is one of those holidays that men wait until the day before and the day of to shop.  We were extremely busy, and today I feel like I have a Valentine's Day Hangover! haha

I made Valentine cards for all of the girls!  I know, I'm a nerd, but I wanted them to all feel special!! =)

Jenna with her Superhero Valentine made by me! =)

 

Brandon and I decided to not spend too much money on Valentine's Day this year. (Only because we're broke after fertility treatment and need to save money -haha.)

Our Valentine's Day gifts to each other

I like to make his cards.  To me it speaks more than standing around picking out an overpriced preprinted greeting card.  Also, he LOVES Moe's Southwest Grill and I just happen to work next door to one.  Jen and I eat there on an almost daily basis and he gets so jealous.  I thought it would be funny to get one of the shirts that the Moe's crew wears.  Of course the manager, Rick, gave it to me for free for our patronage! =)  I also bought him a new visor because ALL of his are Alabama and I thought he could mix it up a bit!  He got me some over sized t-shirts to sleep in, which I had been talking about for weeks.  In addition, he got me a cute bear that says "Only you." He stopped by to see me at work and then had dinner ready when I got home last night.

We had bought roses to give to our big spender customers, and had some left over.  Paul had ordered enough to give us our own roses, but there was one bouquet left.  We all split the bundle and took single roses home to our men.  I don't think anyone had ever given Brandon a rose. =)  It may have been cheesy, but he loved it. 

 Maybe we didn't go out and spend hundreds of dollars on flowers, candy, and an expensive dinner, but it was one of the best Valentine's Day celebrations that I can remember. =)  Brandon Scott Boyington, you are my best friend and I am so lucky to have you as my Valentine each and every day of the year!

Busy Weekends

Last night I went to the beauty pageant to watch Laura, one of my "daughters."  About a month or so ago when I was doing the Menopur injections, Rachel told me she thought of me as another Mom.  Most women my age would be appalled by that, but I loved it being an Infertile. =)  Because we were so busy at Christmas, B had to give me most of my injections at work.  Rachel held my hand through each one.
Since then, whenever I've given her or Laura advice they always say, "ok, Mom."  They've even went so far as to call B their Dad.  It's so funny!!  I'm sure we confuse lots of people who hear our conversations!

It's strange how something so small has helped me over the past few months.  Someone calls me Mom.  I love it. =)  I got to see my beautiful Laura place Top 10 in the pageant last night and I felt like one Proud Momma.

Rachel & Laura; my adopted daughters =)

 

Laura & myself (however my sweater makes me look chubby! haha)

Rachel, Jennifer, and myself =)

We had such a great night!  It was nice to get to have some fun!!  I am so proud and lucky to have two wonderful girls who call me "Mom." =)

UTI

So I broke down and called the DR yesterday.  My abdomen was hurting, and I had noticed that I was having some pain when I went to the bathroom.  After calling Dr. A's office, they thought it sounded like a bladder infection.  There was no way that I could leave work and make it to ART and back to work within an hour, so they suggested that I just go to American Family Care.  Well, I got there and sure enough, it was a bladder infection.  It's amazing what antibiotics can do.  Most of the pain I was feeling is now gone.  They also gave me that medicine that enhances the color of your pee.  Brandon thinks it's funny and keeps going behind me double flushing the potty!!  They said that it was normal to have an infection after having surgery, especially one that involved a catheter.  I slept so much better last night and feel more rested today!