Shameless plug :)

Hey all!  So we've put together a t-shirt campaign for this frozen embryo transfer!  After the last failed attempt, I am now on lots of medications and some are covered by insurance but the really expensive ones are not and there aren't any generics!  Ah!  That is where this money will go towards.

In the IVF world, frozen embryos are lovingly known as "snow babies".  Please help us "catch" our snowflake baby!

Thank you all for your love and support!

https://teechip.com/catchingsnowflakes

There are men and women sizes in assorted colors :)

Well.. didn't see that coming.

So I went in on Tuesday and did my blood work and my ultrasound.  The kids were in schools so I didn't have to worry about finding anyone to help with them.

Dr. Nuredeen (she did my last hysteroscopy) did my scan.  She said my lining was really thin and my follicles were small.  She can't make the decisions on my treatment because Dr. G is my official doctor.  She said "I can see you starting- but it all depends on your bloodwork and Dr. G."  I waited all day to hear back.  Finally, at 7pm I got my message that I needed to start my meds that day!

Thankfully, I had pills and patches left over from August.  While I was at the doc's office I called the specialty pharmacy and ordered my meds for overnight shipment just in case.

It's official.. I'm a walking pharmacy this go-round.
estrace (dissolvable pill) 3x a day
estrogen patch (changed every 3 days)
lovenox (blood thinner) injection every day (uggggh!!)
Metanx - to help me absorb folic acid- 2x/day
baby asprin

and then later on... the lovely progesterone in oil.

I'm excited for the IVF part... the whole meds part totally sucks.  I don't know if I'll be able to this another time if this doesn't work.

People keep asking me "you really want another one?"  are we crazy?  I never know how to respond to that... or why I have to defend our decision.  It's a 3rd child... not a 10th.  Jon and I made this decision together.  It's going to be hard.  It's going to be a lot of work... but it's worth it.  We started talking about when the twins are grown.  They'll only have a few kids each.. that means if they only have 2 kids each.. that's only 4 grandchildren.  Then we talked about family gatherings that we have in our own families.  It's fun to have multiple siblings and having cousins to play with.  We want that for our family.

Sorry, had to get that out lol.  I'm nervous.  I hate the meds.. but I have high hopes!

Blood results and where to go from here

So, I had my monster blood test done in September and we saw Dr. G at the beginning of October.

First things first-  what we learned from the test was that Alton and Ashlyn are truly miracle babies.

When we sat down with Dr. G- the first thing he said to us was "Well, we did the blood test and we got more than we bargained for!"

Basically- I have a few genetic mutations.  MTHFR is one of them.  That's basically where my body doesn't absorb folic acid like normal people.  That's easily fixed with a supplement.  Not a really big issue.. however... with that comes something a little more serious.  I have something else where because I don't absorb the folic acid- I am prone to clotting which is most likely why the last FET/IVF failed.  If we do this again- I will take the supplement to help with folic acid and also a blood thinner (in an injection form, of course...).

At that visit I was like day 30 something into my cycle... he said to call when my cycle started.  I told him that we were going on vacation from the 18th-23rd of Oct.  He said not to worry and suggested to schedule me towards the end of the week before we were leaving to see where I was at.  So, if my cycle started I'd call before that appt and if not- that appt was already in place.  We had a plan.

I went in for my appt on the 15th.. day like 45 of my cycle... my lining was thick.  Results showed that my cycle would start within 10 days.  Great.  I was hoping that it would come later in the week so that we wouldn't miss the opportunity.  Then... Sun/Mon (18th/19th) my period started on our trip.  We were in FL!  I couldn't call them... what was the point?  I couldn't go in to be checked and I didn't have my meds and I wasn't about to have them shipped to the hotel.  I decided to just not think about it because I wanted to enjoy our vacation and not stress.

We got home on Friday the 23rd.  I could've called them when we got back into town, but I didn't.  I was still just on the fence.  Then today came and I got the nerve to call.  I told the nurse that I was fully aware that I had probably lost my window for being able to do a FET for this cycle but I was looking for advice on what to do.  Their IVF lab closes at the end of December.. so timing is important.  However, my cycle is NEVER normal.  Sometimes it comes around 28 days and sometimes it decides to take a holiday for 6 months!  This is why birth control is important for those who are going through fertility treatments.  I was assuming they'd tell me to call when my next cycle started and then they'd probably put me on birth control to get more control.  The nurse said that if my period didn't come by day 28 then I would need to call them so they could see where I was and maybe jump start it.  Marked the calendar and ended the call.

About 5 mins later I got a text saying "check your patient portal".  The nurse had talked to Dr. G and he wants me to come in tomorrow and see where I am (ultrasound and bloodwork) and see if we can start this cycle.  I'm not holding my breath.  I'm keeping my hopes low.  I will be VERY surprised if we start the meds.

Wish me luck...

Results

Sorry, no pictures today.  This will be a bit of a long post.  I wrote this below- but in case you don't make it that far (I don't blame you) I am making this blog public.  Not for people to feel bad for us- but to spread awareness about different things like mammograms, infertility, faith and hope.

Today was my blood test to see if the IVF took.  I'm heart broken to say that it did not.

I had a feeling this morning that it wouldn't be a positive result.  No real reason or symptoms- just a hunch.  When I told Dr. G that on the phone (that I had a feeling that it was going to be negative) he said "why do you say that?" he was concerned.. maybe thinking I hadn't mentioned any sort of symptom or something- but I assured him that nothing was out of the ordinary with my symptoms.. just a "hunch".. I hate using that word for this- but I can't think of anything else right now.  Even with the hunch- it is still heartbreaking.  

This last year has been hard.  Jon has been traveling every week since before Thanksgiving (minus Christmas, the week in NH and the week we thought our transfer was going to be).  The kids and I have just gotten into a little routine.. some days are better than others... some days include mickey mouse clubhouse episodes and others include chicken nuggets... not super proud of that- but you do what you have to sometimes.  Then, this past summer with the whole mammogram scare and going through all the infertility stuff- I've just been a mess.  I know, I'm complaining.  

We are blessed beyond what we deserve and I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and things will be ok.  So, I hate complaining about all of this- because our lives are so wonderful.  There are just times where I'm tired of being strong or tough.  However, there are so many things in my life where I've had to rely on my faith and I've always come out stronger.   

Dr. G called me later today (after the nurse had called me with the results) and went over everything with me.  He suggested that we do a blood screening (the miscarriage panel).   He said that my results indicated that the embryo may have implanted- which would be a definite miscarriage.  Sometimes when the embryos are transferred into the uterus, they don't implant at all and just pass through.  We will never truly know what happened, but since Dr. G knows  more than I do- I trust what he says.  He said that the blood screening is usually done after 2-3 miscarriages.  However, with my history, it just makes sense to do it now.  This will hopefully give them answers of what happened and how to prevent another miscarriage.  He said part of what it checks is to see if I have blood clotting issues or if there was an antibody that interfered.  I agreed to do the blood panel. He told me that it'll be about 15 vials. I responded with "I know I shouldn't be freaked out by needles after all the shots I've given myself... but yikes!!"  Anyways, that will be on Thursday.  It takes about 2 weeks for the results to come back.  After that, he wants to meet with Jon and me.  We've been either phone conferencing or skyping him in to any meetings I've had with Dr. G.  So, because Jon travels all the time- Friday is the only day.  However, Dr. G is in The Woodlands on Fridays... so we will have to go up there to see him (at least an hour away.. with traffic... longer).  

I'm not sure where we will go from here.  I feel like our family isn't complete.  One thing I never mentioned in my post a while back about the mammogram ordeal was that when I told the main radiologist (the one who was so sure that she found something and was expecting to do a biopsy) that I had b/g twins but we wanted to do IVF again to have another... she just was in disbelief.  She was an older lady.. but she kept saying "But you have two already- that's not enough? You want more?"  I've thought about that comment a few times since and I was a little shocked that she even said it.  I'm not offended by any means.. I just felt sad for her.  Yes, trust me, my two are enough- more than enough and I love them more than I'll ever be able to express.  I'm not looking to have 10 kids or anything like that- but I know that we are not done.  We feel like there is one more little one and we will do everything that we can (including the horrible shots!!) to bring them into our lives.  

We may never have another one.  We may adopt.  Who knows.  What I do know that I have hope.  As heart broken as I am at this moment, there is hope.   I've kept this blog private because I was nervous to share, but I will probably be making this blog public.  Not for people to feel bad for us- but to spread awareness about different things like mammograms, infertility, faith and hope.  Heavenly Father puts people in our lives to help us, to comfort us and to uplift us.  He has a hand in all things.  He is in the details.  

For now, we will move forward.  This will all be okay.  I am so blessed to have two incredibly amazing miracle babies (well.. not babies.. they're almost 3! But still!).  I am blessed to have such a wonderful husband who works so hard.  I am so blessed to have my in-laws in town. I can't express how much I appreciate their love, support and generosity.  Our friends are amazing and have been there and have been so supportive.  I can't thank them enough.  I'm thankful for my family back in NH who have been a great support to us as well.  We couldn't get through any of this without ALL of you.  

I will leave you with one of me and my husband's favorite scripture

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Love,

Crystal

The 2 week wait

Blah!!  The two week wait is terrible!! I'm fine and everything.. but the waiting itself stinks!  You play all these mind games with yourself.  You google everything on the planet to see what other people have experienced.  Any new symptoms must be fully evaluated and worried over.  It's just so ridiculous.

Infertility just plain stinks.

I have days where I"m super optimistic "oh yeah, this totally worked!" and other days where I'm like "This didn't work.  We're going to have to do this again!  I hate shots!!"  Okay... the shots thing is an all around "I hate shots" but figured I'd throw it in the non happy thought haha

It's not uncommon to not have any symptoms at all during these first two weeks and that's what really stinks.  You think someone would throw you a bone and just show you a small sign... even taking a home test could be false (negative and positive).  I'm debating on whether or not to take  a home test the day I do my blood test or not.

I made my appointment for that today.  It was a little odd... I told them why I needed my appointment and the first girl seemed confused.  She put me on hold and then it rang and someone else picked up and it was like I started the conversation all over.  It was weird.. They got it figured out and scheduled me.  I love HFI but I have to admit.. this time around has been hard.  The staff is all new.  They don't treat things the same way.  Instead of getting a phone call after you have a visit with a blood test to explain your results, you just get a little message on your patient portal and then instructions to call them to make your next appointment.  Before, they'd call, you'd have them to ask questions and then you'd make your appointment and be done.  Maybe it's because they've grown and have more patients?  I don't know.  Maybe something happened that has caused them to have to be not seem personally invested?  Either way, it has just been weird.  I still love Dr. G and have a ton of respect for him.  It's really not a big deal with the staff and stuff- I'm just being petty.  I would still recommend them to anyone needing help with infertility in a heart beat.

Anyways, we find out in 5 days.  Keep us in your prayers!

In the mean time, here are the littles- who are starting PRESCHOOL soon!  Can you believe that??? I'm in denial.

Transfer Day!!

What a day!!  I did not get much sleep last night.  My alarm went off around 5:20am and Jon's parents came around 5:45am. Between getting up and leaving- the cat decided to get sick... 5x. ugh! Anyways, I helped give instructions about the kid's normal routine as best I could.  Then Anne and I headed off to the Piney Point surgical center.

Traffic was a little crazier than we expected.  We were about 15mins late- but oh well.  I wasn't worried.  We got into the building and into the fertility office and then we realized that we needed to go to another suite down the hall to register.  While I was there, the woman who had called me yesterday called me again!  I was like "i'm sorry, I know I was late- but I'm getting registered right now!" She was like "oh, okay. Bye"  Weird!!

They called me back.  I went back alone, signed consents, continued drinking water, took my motrin and then they gave me a valium - the loopy drug!!  I got changed and ready.  Anne came in and was dressed up in her gear :D I wanted to take a picture but I didn't want one of myself... so in fairness I didn't take any.  I helped her figure out how to use skype so that we could do that with Jon.  Dr G came in and showed me the picture of our embryo!  It had survived the thaw and the picture was cool!  It caught it in hatching stage- Dr. G said that was a good thing.

 I was walked back to the room.   I met the nurses, and 2 doctors (including Dr G).  They got me set up on a table, put my legs in these weird things, they had an ultrasound going.  Dr. G explained everything as it was going on.  He said my lining looked great.  The whole thing was maybe like 20mins? I don't know.  I was a little out of it haha.  After it was over, Dr. G made a joke to Jon (but he couldn't hear it- the microphone was a bit muffled).  He told Jon it all went well, but if he wanted the doc to check- he could add a 2nd one"  It was a total joke :)  threatening twins!  Jon totally didn't hear it and thought he said that the 1st didn't take so we would have to do a 2nd one.  It was a little funny.

They had me slide over to another bed thing and they rolled me into another area.  Last time they made me lay there for like 45 mins.  This time it was NOT that long.  They've changed it up a little I guess.  3 years apparently means big changes in the medical world ;)  I went and got changed and then I met Anne and a nurse named Martin who wheeled me out to the car :)  What service!!  We headed home, grabbed some chicken minis at chick fil and got home.

It was so nice to see the kiddos!  They were a bit confused all day as to why I was on the couch.  They loved having grandma and grandpa here!  I did feel a bit like a loser just sitting her laying on the couch while they took care of the kids.  I know that's what I'm supposed to be doing, but still!!

I cannot express how thankful I am for Jon's parents.  They literally took care of the kids ALL day today.  I am so blessed to have them in my life.  I can't thank them enough.  They truly are so wonderful.

It was hard not having Jon here, but I was thankful to have him on skype.  All of these things happen for a reason.  I love him so very much.  He is my rock.  I love our little family.  I am excited about all of this and... very nervous.  I hope this all ends in good things!  Keep us in prayers! Let the 2 week wait begin!!

It's tomorrow!

I think I'm in denial.  No.. I am in denial.

I got my call today from the surgical center.  It was quite the conversation.  I was driving, so I pulled over in a neighborhood so I could write things down.  The woman was asking me all the normal questions "what meds are you on?" "Your husband is coming with you, right?"  Um.. no to that question.  I had to explain and then I told her that my wonderful mother in law would be with me.  I also told her that Dr. G said we could skype with Jon because he is out of town.  The next part was kind've ridiculous.

She was asian and her accent was thick- this is how the conversation went
woman: "So you have iphone?"
me: "No, we don't have iphones, but our phones can use skype."
woman: "But you can't facetime without iphone"
me "That's true, but we can skype- it's the same thing"
woman: "So, no iphone?"
me: "No, no iphone."
woman "oh.  But you will facetime?"
me: "yes- video chatting but with a different program"

lol.. I think we spent more time about discussing if I had an iphone or not than the more important info

Then she went on saying that we needed to be there by 6:30am.  Bah.  It's like 35mins away from here.  Early.  Then she told me that I have to drink 2 bottles of water starting from when I leave the house.  I remember last time that I had to go to the bathroom so bad after the procedure and I had to lay there for quite a while afterwards and I was just dying!  I pretty much begged to go to the bathroom and then they handed me a bedpan.. thanks.  Sorry, TMI.. but I had to tell the nurse on the phone today about this.  Then she said "you probably chugged your water"  ok?  I just don't want to go through that again lol... it was embarrassing.  So, here's to doing that again with hopefully a different outcome haha.

I'm sad that Jon can't be here, but I know that it will be okay.  This time around is so different.  I'm excited and so hopeful.  However, running around like a crazy lady with the twins takes my mind off of it (except when it comes time to do the shot!!).  

Wish us luck!  :D

Green light!

Um... so... I meant to post this here.. but I posted it on our public blog on accident!  Oops.. well maybe not many people saw it lol...

This past week I had 2 doctor appointments.  Just the normal drill.  Blood and ultrasound.  It was nice though, Dr. G was at each visit!  That hasn't happened much this go-round.  He told me on Tuesday the 4th that we were expecting the transfer to be August 11th.  Good and bad... So, we were originally planning on the transfer being either the 4th or 6th... well, that came and went... Jon even planned to be home this week because of it.  Timing of these things are so sensitive... and Jon's travel plans for work are also time sensitive.  He has to plan out his travel 3 weeks in advance and unless it's an absolute emergency- he can't cancel.  In my own personal bubble- not having him there at the transfer is an emergency.  However, in the real world.. it's not.  Plub.  

So, during my appointment today Dr. G was excited and said that Tuesday is officially the day!  I asked if we could Skype Jon in and he said they've done it before and that would be fine.  I probably should have been more excited when we were talking about the transfer date but I was like "sounds good!"  Oh well :)  It worked.  

So, now that everything is in the works.. the next part is here.  The "scary" part lol... shots.  Yep.  The nurse had to draw circles on my rear to show where the injection site is.  Awesome.   Here we go!  Wish me luck!  These shots are completely freaking me out.  Okay, I'm done now lol

Just because you'd rather see the kids :)

Polynesians Pray Hard

After a LONG weekend- I made it to Monday!  

So, let me backtrack a little.  When everything went down on Friday-  I was crazzzzy emotional.  Thanks, estrogen drugs!  I just wanted to say that I was never fearing that they were finding cancer.  My biggest fear was having to cancel the frozen transfer and have to go down a road that I don't even want to approach.   Did the fact that whatever the radiologist was seeing/feeling could be something bad like cancer go through my mind- of course!  The radiologist was very matter of fact and serious (that's her job- I know) but so serious that it just really scared me.  

The one thing that I did KNOW was that when Dr. G's office (fertility doc) did all my initial blood work- they checked EVERYTHING.  Everything from white blood count to if I was immune to chickenpox.  I know that sometimes even if everything checks out- you can still have problems- but rechecking all my lab results really helped to calm me down this weekend.  Oh- and that I got a blessing from Jon.  That was key :D  We talked to some family and let them know what was going on.  Jon's parents are in Hawaii (lucky ducks!) and they said they put our names in the temple there.  Then, Jon and I fasted on Sunday and fed the missionaries (that last part was planned like a month ago.. extra blessings!!).  

Anyways,  I went in today and the ultrasound tech was so nice!  She really helped me feel like it was okay.  She spent a lot of time doing the ultrasound and then went in and got the radiologist.  The same radiologist as Friday then did her own ultrasound on me... my immediate thought was... you couldn't have done this on Friday???  Because obviously the radiologist could do the ultrasound lol.... poor ultrasound tech just sat there... probably thinking "I just did all of this...."  She kept asking "Do you feel what we felt on Friday?"  All I could say was "I'll be honest, I don't know.  Everything feels the same like it always has.  Nothing hurts and nothing feels weird to me.  I've always thought it was just fat deposits."  All she said was "That could be"

Anyways, after about 45 mins- they concluded that there was nothing- maybe a cyst but nothing really visible.

A wave of relief just came over me.  Thankgoodness!!  I can't tell you how happy I was!  I wasn't going to have to cancel the FET or get a biopsy!  Woohoo!  

Thank you all for your love, support and prayers!  Also, a thank you to the Polynesians ;)  y'all pray hard!

So many wonderful things have happened today.  Not only all the stuff above.. but Jon's older sister and her family met their little girl, Mabel, in China today who they are adopting.  We are in love with her! I cannot wait to meet her (Ashlyn can't either- she keeps asking to see pictures of baby Mabel). So many happy feels today!    

Prayers needed

So, things have been a little emotional this past week.  Partially due to all the estrogen I'm taking - ha!  But... in all honesty, things have been a little nuts.

When I first started writing this blog I mentioned that I had to go in for a mammogram (because of my mom's history).  Well, it came back abnormal.  However, when I first got the call saying I needed to come back- all they said was that the pictures on one side were incomplete and I just needed to come back in to redo them and they didn't see anything.. well.. that wasn't the full truth.. so when I finally figured out that they did see something (yesterday)- that just freaked me out.  This isn't all that uncommon when you have your first one- they don't have any other baseline mammograms to compare it to.  Anyways, they rescheduled me for a 2nd mammogram and that was today.  I also need an ultrasound... but that's not until Monday.  Apparently they're short staffed on these types of ultrasound techs... awesome.  On the plus side, the ultrasound was originally scheduled for August 14th... so it at least got bumped up due to a cancellation.  Anyways, so today was the 2nd mammogram.  It was just as awkward as the first (didn't blog about that one because I figured it would just be TMI).

The radiologist tech took like 40 different pictures of my left side.  I'm not even joking.  I was there forever.  She kept going back and forth between doing pictures and consulting with the main radiologist (who wasn't in the room).  The 2nd to last time the tech left the room to consult with the radiologist- I lost it.  I started bawling my eyes out.  I was a total mess.  Seriously... it was a little pathetic- but I just couldn't pull myself together.  Anyways, the tech came back and I know she could tell I was blotchy and teary eyed.. but she didn't say anything.  Then we did more pictures.. and then she left again to see the radiologist and then the radiologist came in.  She was an older lady.  She immediately said "we think we found something".  The tech was dead silent.  The radiologist did her own exam on me and was like "oh yep.  Feel that??" and all I wanted to say was "No! You're nuts! There's nothing there!"  But... there it was- I felt it and I just started bawling.  The location where this is is way far back and can't be felt on a normal exam- she was like digging in around my armpit towards my chest (not in lymph node territory)... horrifying... you can't wear deodorant to the mammogram lol so you're like dying of embarrassment!   Then she started talking about how the ultrasound will hopefully show them what it is but we might have to do a needle biopsy.  What??? At that point I was just shaking and trying to hold back my tears.. failing.. but I was trying.

I then just blurted out - "but we're in the middle of doing a frozen embryo transfer!!" and she was like "can you hold off?"  Um.. I'm already on meds!! So, after Monday... we might have to cancel the FET.   I know that this could all be nothing.  I'm probably blubbering for no reason at all.  The fact of the matter is that I'm heart broken.  I'm scared.  Like... really scared.  

Anyways, keep me in your prayers.  I'm trying not to be a drama queen... but it is what it is lol.   I'm banking on it being nothing.  Here's to a weekend of being in panic... woo.  I still really don't understand why I couldn't go somewhere else to get an ultrasound.  I was in a hospital!  There are techs all over the place... humph.

I'm thinking mexican food is a must tonight.  Maybe ice cream.  Maybe both?  Kind've wishing I had set up a babysitter tonight.

Thanks all for your support!  We'll keep you posted!

Stuff just got real!

Went in to Doc. G's today for a quick appointment.  Ultrasound and bloodwork.  Nothing fancy.   Due to the nature of IVF- it's hard to have any exact dates ahead of time of when the transfer will be.  You can estimate.. but depending on how your body responds to medication- it can either be spot on- or really delayed.  The really hard part about that for us is the fact that Jon travels every week for work.  He has to book his travel 3 weeks in advance... and when we're looking at when the transfer *might* be... it's not exact and there is a possibility that he won't be able to be here for that.  I think I'd have a heart attack if he wasn't here for the transfer.   The nurse today said that transfer is typically around 20 days after you start medication.. so we're looking at the 2nd week in August.. maybe.  Here's to hoping that it will all work out!

A few hours after my appointment- my medications were delivered.  Most of it is familiar- but the injections are not.  This will be new.  Yes, I did injections before- but not progesterone injections.  I was hoping that he wouldn't have me do the injection type... oh well... guess I couldn't get out of giving myself shots that easily!  Rats!!  Sorry for the terrible picture... didn't take a picture until it was dark out.  Didn't want to have all this stuff out when the kiddos were awake.  :)

After all of that showed up- I received my instructions for how to proceed...  Meds start Saturday.

Crystal,

Dr. Griffith reviewed your results from today. You will take your last birth control pill today. No birth control pill tomorrow or going forward. You will start estrogen pills and patches on SATURDAY. See below. We will see you back in the office on Thursday, 7/23. Please call to schedule your appointment.

Your spouse will need to sign consents in office by your appointment on 7/23. 

Jenna

o Take/administer the following medication(s)

- Tue 07/14/2015: LAST BIRTH CONTROL PILL
o Desogen 1 Tablet, Take 1 daily by mouth as directed at the same time of day until instructed to stop.

- Sat 07/18/2015: START ESTROGEN
o Estrace 2 mg, take one tablet by mouth to dissolve under tongue THREE times per day
o Minivelle Patch 0.1mg 0.1 mg/dl, place 1 patch on the skin and change every 3 days

- Sun 07/19/2015: 
o Estrace 2 mg, take one tablet by mouth to dissolve under tongue THREE times per day

- Mon 07/20/2015: 
o Estrace 2 mg, take one tablet by mouth to dissolve under tongue THREE times per day

- Tue 07/21/2015: 
o Estrace 2 mg, take one tablet by mouth to dissolve under tongue THREE times per day
o Minivelle Patch 0.1mg 0.1 mg/dl, place 1 patch on the skin and change every 3 days

- Wed 07/22/2015: 
o Estrace 2 mg, take one tablet by mouth to dissolve under tongue THREE times per day

- Thu 07/23/2015: APPOINTMENT
o Estrace 2 mg, take one tablet by mouth to dissolve under tongue THREE times per day

o Return to clinic on Thursday Jul 23, 2015 for the following test(s): Follicular Ultrasound, Estradiol, LH and Progesterone

Breathing

Quick update-

Had my follow-up appointment with Dr. G.  Everything from surgery looks great!  There was an insurance question so we had to wait a few days to make sure we (us, doc and insurance) were all on the same page.  I called yesterday for confirmation and everything is a go!

My first appointment to start our FET is on Tuesday!

The only stinky part about next week is that because I'm 30- I have to start having mammograms.  That's on Monday.  Boo.  I know it's important- the thought of it really makes me nervous!!

Here we go!  Get ready, Snowbabies!  We're coming for ya! ;)

Made it through surgery!

This last week was so crazy busy!  I had a pre admittance appointment on Wednesday at the Memorial City hospital.  It was a 2 hour appointment.  They just got all my information, did lab work.. all that fun stuff.

So, the last time I met with Doc. G (June 4th) I went over to my OBGYN's office (same building) and made my annual appointment.  It was supposed to be on Thursday.  They got me in the system and everything was set.  However, when I got the confirmation call a few days before (of course it was a recording and it was after hours) it said I was scheduled to see a different doctor.  Hmm.. So I called the office the next day only to find out that the receptionist scheduled me to the wrong doctor!  They aren't seeing each other's patients unless they patient is close to term in their pregnancy.  Then they told me that my doctor is out of town for the next TWO weeks!!!  This poses a problem... my thyroid meds are almost gone and my prescription has expired.. If they had scheduled me with the right doctor to start with- I wouldn't be having this problem- I planned it so I wouldn't run out of meds.  Awesome.  So I am now scheduled to see her on July 8th.  I went to the pharmacy and was able to get a few extra pills for my thyroid... but I'm still going to be two days short.  So hopefully when I call the doctor's office today they can work with me and put in a prescription for a few days?  Humph.  Oh well, it happens.

Anyways, went to the hospital yesterday for my surgery.  My sister-in-law, Beth was so sweet and watched Alton and Ashlyn for us.  We got there on time and only waited maybe 10mins before they called me back to get me prepped.  I knew it wasn't going to be a major surgery- but I was still so nervous.  After I got my IV and met my doctor, a nurse came in to help me walk to the OR.  That was weird... walking to the OR and getting on the table myself... Oh well.  Anyways, the one thing that made me even more nervous was when the nurse handed my IV fluid bag to the anesthesiologist- he dropped it on the floor lol... "um... are you fit to put me under???" :)  The part that hurt the most was when he gave me the drugs through the IV to put me under- it burned A TON!   I don't remember it burning like that from previous surgeries.

I woke up in a recovery room with a few other patients in there.  One of them was a man and he was snoring.. really loud.  It was kind've funny.  He also had a translator there with him.  She kept yelling at him to wake up.  So much so that the nurse had to tell her to not be so loud.  After a little while a different nurse came and rolled me to my 2nd recovery room where Jon met me.  That nurse asked me a lot of questions.  We told her we had boy/girl twins... and her response "Oh! A boy and a girl!  Wow!  Are they identical??" um...?  We get that a lot (surprisingly) but to get it from a nurse was a little weird.  Facepalm.   The Doctor came in and showed us pictures of everything (no idea what these pictures are.. but thanks!).  She said she had to cut a few things but all looked good.

I'm not in a whole lot of pain- which is good.  I was a bit groggy yesterday but it worked out.  Jon's parents came home from China this past weekend- Yaaay!  They were over at Beth and Zak's house visiting when we came to pick up the kids.  Alton and Ashlyn loved seeing them!  Ashlyn has been asking for them for a while now and she is beyond excited!  So we spent time with them and then headed home.

I tried to take a nap when the kids went down... but Ashlyn decided that she needed to get up and be with me.  She was being a good little mommy and kept handing me all sorts of things when I was laying down- blankets, dolls, olaf, a ball, a book, a goat, whale, octopus... so helpful ;)  She'll be a good big sister some day.

Recovery has been good.  I've been tired, but I'm able to do stuff still.  I am in way LESS pain than my first hysteroscopy so that's a plus!  My follow up appointment is on the 7th.  Note to self- still need to set up babysitting for this. We'll talk about my procedure and our timeline from there.  One thing I have to remember to tell Dr. G is that our insurance informed me that when my cycle starts (when we're doing IVF) it has to either be non-medicated or with provera.  Seeing that I usually need meds to have any sort of cycle- this could mess up our initial timing.  On day 3 the doctor does baseline tests. Making sure all hormones are on base level.  Those results are then sent to the insurance company and sometimes insurance won't accept the results if you had been on birthcontrol and then you'd have to wait for a whole new cycle to start over.   Stupid.  

All in all- this week has been great though.  The kids have loved having Grandma and Grandpa back in town!  It has been wonderful to see them!  Jon is home this week for my procedure too- and he has Friday off!!! Yesssss!  I'm so thankful he was able to stay home for the whole week.  There was a small possibility that he would be here for my procedure and then have to fly to Tulsa the next day.

Didn't want to leave Alton out!  He LOVES bubbles!!

Here we go again....

We have decided to go back to Dr. Griffith to do a Frozen Embryo Transfer.  Daunting.  There are some days I wonder- am I really ready??  However, I'm at a point that I know that these things are not on my time... they are on the Lord's time.  If He waited on us to get this done on our own time- we may never do it.  Why?  Fear maybe.  Adding another little to our clan is hard to wrap my head around, but my heart knows it's right.

I have been hesitant about how public I want to be about this.  I didn't want to really create a whole new blog, but I didn't want to add this to our public blog yet.  We were so public last time- so why be private now?  To be honest, I'm scared of sharing it with everyone and then having it not be successful.

I went to see Doctor G last week for a consultation.  It felt a bit odd, all the nurses are new.  No familiar faces.  That was probably the hardest part... oh! And the fact that it's in a different location.  That's a little strange.  So this will no doubt be a very different experience.  I filled out a ton of paperwork.  Tried contacting Jon.  He was currently arriving at the Tulsa, OK airport to come home.  Let him know that I was waiting.

I was called back to see Dr. G.  I waited in the office a little bit.  I saw all of his credentials on the wall and then on the other wall was another doctor's stuff.  This doctor is one I didn't have the best experience with.  I hope I don't have to see him later on...  Anyways, Dr. G came in, we talked, showed pictures and then called Jon on speaker phone so he could be apart of it.  We decided to do a July/August transfer.  I also found out that I would need to do a hysteroscopy again.  I totally forgot about that.  It didn't even cross my mind.  I'm also up for my first mammogram this summer.  Yay.  Lots coming my way soon.

We then decided that because I was on birth control that we would go ahead and do my baseline while I was there.  That saved me another trip and a co-pay.  Lots of blood work, ultrasound... all the fun stuff.  Then I headed home to relieve the babysitter.

Since the visit I have been scheduled for my hysteroscopy for Monday the 29th of June.  That's the day after Jon's parents come home from China.  They've been there for a year teaching English.  Not the best timing, but this was really the only date that we could do AND stay in-network for our insurance without messing with our timing.  This procedure is minor, but I still have to be put under.  It's just to check that everything looks good on the inside.

I spent over a half hour on the phone with insurance today registering for authorization of infertility coverage.  Alton and Ashlyn are currently napping- although, I just heard Ashlyn kicking the wall so they're up.  Time to go get them.

I'm excited. Scared. But excited.  Knowing that there's a possibility for another little one to love on in spring 2016 makes my heart feel good.

Random fun fact:  A frozen embryo only takes 45 minutes to thaw!  Who knew??