Mike and I can't thank our friends and family enough for the outpouring of love we've had over the past few days. Our attitudes feel a lot more positive right now. Yesterday, we had our first official appointment (we've had phone convos) with our new doctor in Lexington. He wanted me to do a SHG, which I was not excited about...especially since I've had one before and it was probably the most painful thing I've experienced. A friend of mine also had two done and thought it was more painful than childbirth. I'll have to take her word for it, but it gives me confidence I could handle childbirth one day.
I was super nervous. Not only was it a painful test, it was with a new doctor (that I know personally), and a new facility. The nurse was extremely nice. The test was done quicker than I expected and with much less pain than expected. Mike's hand only got squeezed twice. I was so relieved. This new doctor is amazing! Plus the ease of the test was good news going forward. He thought he might have to put me under just to get my uterus and cervix to line up better, but he has a much easier plan (which I'll leave out the gruesome details). And it won't delay us any more.
We then had a meeting with his nurse to go over the schedule for the IVF process as well as all the injectibles that Mike will get to give me. The month of November is going to be crazy for us. We'll definitely need prayers and patience. One of the daily shots is to stimulate the ovaries. I asked her if it was like clomid, and she said clomid on steroids! If anyone remembers past posts, clomid gave me hot flashes and serious mood swings...so you may want to stay clear. I'm sure Mike will need his friends especially...just don't offer him any alcohol or caffeine...two definite no-no's during this process. Also, stress is a no-no, so if you play him in fantasy football, please let him win.
We were both feeling good and excited when leaving the doctor's office. We expected that I'd have to be shipped right to the couch for a long day of recovery...but I was good to enjoy the day. As much as we want to get excited that everything in this will run smoothly, we know what we are up against. The costs financially, emotionally, and physically will be tough. As I mentioned, the drugs will have some major side effects, but they can also be dangerous to my system. We're going to take one step at a time and trust God fully.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Please Pray
It's been a busy few months at the Idle house, and I think we have preferred it that way for a reason. It has helped to distract us from the reality we are about to face. Since August we've been to Detroit, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Mt. Sterling, Las Vegas, and Lexington for trips. I've played in two different softball leagues and a few tournaments. We've allowed work, school, and our dog to keep us busy; but all of that is coming to an end now.
What we have to look forward to now are expensive medications, blood tests, painful ultrasounds, restrictive diets, and then a three day procedure that only has a 48% chance of being successful. What we need right now more than anything is prayer and encouragement. We have always kept this situation somewhat private, but we'll take all of the prayer we can get now. There are specific things we need people to pray for:
God's Will- We did not take this decision lightly. It has been several months since our last attempt at any sort of infertility treatment, and that is because we have spent the past few months talking, praying, and listening. I know we are making the right decision because of the change of mindset I experienced in this process. Going into it I thought there was no way that I wanted to undergo this procedure. God slowly changed my thinking and provided me with a reassuring calmness about this. I feel very confident it is going to work. On that note, the second thing you can pray for is......
Success- I don't know why it would be God's will for us to do this if it was not going to be successful, but all the faith and prayer and the world will not make those two weeks between the operation and the test any easier. We will be praying for a positive constantly, the stakes will be higher than they have ever been. Some of the worst days of my life have been hugging Veronica and trying anything to stop the tears when we get a negative pregnancy test. I don't want to even think about it this time around, yet I can't help it. I have to recite Matthew 6:34 at least 10 times a day in my head. We have faith that this is what God wants for us, please just pray for a smooth procedure with no issues. And pray for calmness, especially for Veronica. Stress and worry can affect the potential pregnancy. On that note please also pray for..........
The Future- Regardless of what happens from this procedure; things will be drastically different for us. Hopefully we will be expecting a baby and we will still need all kinds of prayer and direction from God if that is the case. If it does not work out for any reason, we will be facing more important decisions. Either way, pray for us to continue keeping the faith and to seek God's direction. One more.........
Finances- God has blessed us both with great careers and has blessed me with a wife who is financially savvy (because I am the opposite). We researched the area practices that do IVF including Louisville, Cincinnati, Lexington, and Evansville and found that the highest rate of success for couples with factors similar to ours was in Lexington. We actually know the doctor that runs this clinic so God also blessed by placing the best option with someone we know and are comfortable with, and is also giving us a discount. We can find the resources to pay for this procedure (this is not my way of asking my friends for money). But it is going to require some changes for us. Regardless of how the procedure works out, things are going to be incredibly tight afterwards. Please pray for God to give us wisdom with our finances now and in the future.
I am thankful for an outlet that I can share these thoughts, requests, and emotions on. Sometimes I have to ignore this blog because I just need to forget about infertility for awhile. But I love coming back to it when I start to get nervous or afraid. Thank you for taking the time to read this, for your encouraging words, and most importantly, for your prayers.
We've written before about our life verse; this is a verse I have been clinging to lately:
Genesis 25:21- "Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his Wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his Wife Rebekah became pregnant."
What we have to look forward to now are expensive medications, blood tests, painful ultrasounds, restrictive diets, and then a three day procedure that only has a 48% chance of being successful. What we need right now more than anything is prayer and encouragement. We have always kept this situation somewhat private, but we'll take all of the prayer we can get now. There are specific things we need people to pray for:
God's Will- We did not take this decision lightly. It has been several months since our last attempt at any sort of infertility treatment, and that is because we have spent the past few months talking, praying, and listening. I know we are making the right decision because of the change of mindset I experienced in this process. Going into it I thought there was no way that I wanted to undergo this procedure. God slowly changed my thinking and provided me with a reassuring calmness about this. I feel very confident it is going to work. On that note, the second thing you can pray for is......
Success- I don't know why it would be God's will for us to do this if it was not going to be successful, but all the faith and prayer and the world will not make those two weeks between the operation and the test any easier. We will be praying for a positive constantly, the stakes will be higher than they have ever been. Some of the worst days of my life have been hugging Veronica and trying anything to stop the tears when we get a negative pregnancy test. I don't want to even think about it this time around, yet I can't help it. I have to recite Matthew 6:34 at least 10 times a day in my head. We have faith that this is what God wants for us, please just pray for a smooth procedure with no issues. And pray for calmness, especially for Veronica. Stress and worry can affect the potential pregnancy. On that note please also pray for..........
The Future- Regardless of what happens from this procedure; things will be drastically different for us. Hopefully we will be expecting a baby and we will still need all kinds of prayer and direction from God if that is the case. If it does not work out for any reason, we will be facing more important decisions. Either way, pray for us to continue keeping the faith and to seek God's direction. One more.........
Finances- God has blessed us both with great careers and has blessed me with a wife who is financially savvy (because I am the opposite). We researched the area practices that do IVF including Louisville, Cincinnati, Lexington, and Evansville and found that the highest rate of success for couples with factors similar to ours was in Lexington. We actually know the doctor that runs this clinic so God also blessed by placing the best option with someone we know and are comfortable with, and is also giving us a discount. We can find the resources to pay for this procedure (this is not my way of asking my friends for money). But it is going to require some changes for us. Regardless of how the procedure works out, things are going to be incredibly tight afterwards. Please pray for God to give us wisdom with our finances now and in the future.
I am thankful for an outlet that I can share these thoughts, requests, and emotions on. Sometimes I have to ignore this blog because I just need to forget about infertility for awhile. But I love coming back to it when I start to get nervous or afraid. Thank you for taking the time to read this, for your encouraging words, and most importantly, for your prayers.
We've written before about our life verse; this is a verse I have been clinging to lately:
Genesis 25:21- "Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his Wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his Wife Rebekah became pregnant."
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