Monday, March 28, 2011

Two years ago

Two years ago today I married my best friend. The weather didn't cooperate at all- it was windy and cold-much like today. Even though it was terrible outside it was one of the best days of my life. I will never forget that day and all of our friends and family that came to celebrate with us.
The past two years have been fantastic! It is hard to remember my life before we were together...I am so glad that we have so many good memories. While the past two years haven't been perfect and we don't see eye to eye on every subject we wouldn't change the challenges we have faced together one bit. Our challenges have strengthened our marriage- and helped us realize if we have each other, nothing else matters.

I am one lucky girl!

Our new Doctor- Dr. F

So after our first IUI with Dr. H's office I just felt like we needed to move to a different doctor office. I was frustrated that it appeared the concerns we had with Nurse K were not important to anyone. Before we even knew if the IUI wasn't successful they started talking more about our only option being IVF...not what you want to hear from your fertility doctor and staff.
One of JD's co-workers and his wife are going through the same things and the day we found out the IUI didn't work for use they announced they were pregnant with twins. I asked JD to find out who their doctor was so I could ask them some questions. They had been seeing Dr. F at Utah Fertility Center in Pleasant Grove. I did some research online and both of us felt good about the move. A huge bonus is the office is just down the road from our house...about a mile away which is a nice bonus.
Our first appointment was March 8 with Dr. F. We had to wait 3 weeks to get into him but we were so happy and more important hopeful again when we left the appointment it was well worth the wait. Dr. F went over our histories and what we have done in the past two years. He then asked us what is needed to have a baby. It seemed like a silly question but we played along. Basically egg, sperm, female plumbing (uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries) and some luck. We told him what we had been told about us having to do IVF because of sperm morphology and he told us that wasn't necessarily true. He asked if I had a test done that checks to make sure my fallopian tubes are open. He said we could do a million IUI's but if my fallopian tubes aren't open then all of this if for no reason. Sooo we are in a waiting period *no pun intended* right now. I am on cycle day (CD) 39 right now waiting for AF to show up. After AF arrives we are at CD 1 again, then on CD 7-9 I will have a procedure done called hysterosalpingogram or HSG. They inject my uterus with a dye that should go to my fallopian tubes and take an x-ray to see if my tubes are open. If they are open, we are good to move forward, if not, we will have to decide what the next step is- either surgery or IVF, I guess.
Dr. F said we will plan on 3 IUI cycles- hopefully it won't take 3 cycles but if it does and we don't have success we will look at other options at that point, until then he won't bring it up.
I is all still pretty costly but a little bit less expensive with Utah Fertility Center. Dr. F said he tries to take care of his patients like he would like to be taken care of and cost is obviously a consideration. The meds are less expensive this time and the IUI will be about 50 bucks less at Dr. F's office. He also said that if I make more than 3 follicles they will extract the eggs over 3 and save them "since I have already paid for the medication there is no reason to waste good eggs and cancel a IUI cycle"...have I mentioned that I think Dr. F is great!
For now, we are playing the waiting game. JD and I planned a trip to Arizona the middle of April so we are hoping that we can have everything done by the time we planned to leave on our trip. If not, we will postpone the trip- it will be worth the wait if we have success. I have a feeling that we won't have to postpone- the great thing about all of this is I am very in tune with what is going on with my body.

We are hesitantly optimistic about what the future holds in regard to the possibility of expanding our family. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

Until next time...

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Love of my Father(s)

I have felt so much gratitude lately- especially this past week. I have felt an abundance of love and comfort. I don't know about you but I don't typically talk about my lady business with my dad...and let's be honest the main issue with us not being pregnant is because of my lady business not working properly...or as Dr F (more on him later) says the female plumbing.

Anyway, last week I talked to my dad and funny enough we were talking about taxes. I spouted off about how unfair it is that there are people that never or rarely work that will get a tax refund because they have children where I just get to keep paying both taxes and doctor bills and I don't know if I will ever have kids. He asked what was going on and that he would sure like more grand kids. I told him that I have some issues with my body not working properly and told him how much everything costs.

Just so you have an idea- for each IUI we do it is around $800- 1000 and again no guarantee that it will work- which was the case last month and that is just our out of pocket costs. If we end up having to do IVF it is $12,000- OUCH! We have great insurance but fertility treatments are not covered- which is "normal" because it is considered a lifestyle choice. (Don't even get me started on that!) Ultrasounds and doctor visits are covered but the medications, injections and procedures are not covered...kinda sucks but what's a girl to do.

My dad immediately offered any help he may be able to give. I assured him we are doing fine but I appreciated the offer. It struck me later as I was talking to J.D. about my conversation with dad how lucky I am. Basically the light bulb came on for me- if my earthly Father loves me as much as he does and that he hates to see the struggles that we are going through to have a family (among other things) how can I comprehend just how much love my Heavenly Father has for me. He knows all things, he knows of my struggles without the words needing to cross my lips. I am grateful for this realization= I am one blessed girl!

Until next time...

Friday, March 4, 2011

I Would Die For That


I have never heard of this woman (Kelly Coffey) but she hits it exactly.