Well, IUI #4 was a BIG fail. I struggle with the why's, but I'll never know. I feel like we're falling into the category of "unexplained infertility". As I've said before, we're both blessed with good eggies and good swimmers...so something is amiss. Before the lap surgery it was obvious why we couldn't get pregnant, but now I just don't know.
We are taking a very long break. I'm remembering how BIG my God is, how He will bless us in His own timing...not a minute too late.
Thank you for all the support and prayers...couldn't make it through without them :)
Monday, June 27, 2011
BIG
Posted by amy at 5:19 AM 10 Fabulous Comments
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Today
Just a quick post to recap. I'm going for IUI#4 today. Went yesterday and had one good follie @ 26mm, got the HCG shot at the office and I'm doing it at 3:30 today! I feel realllly good about the timing of this one, just praying that it actually works! I know I say this often, but I'm so blessed to have the support that I do here on my blog. The IF community is amazing, and I couldn't do this w/o the knowledge and support that is given! I will be back to give an update on our IUI...please pray for us! Thank you :)
Posted by amy at 5:31 AM 7 Fabulous Comments
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
2 years & IUI #4
As of today, I'm officially going on two years of TTC and failing miserably. We started TTC in the month of June and I saw my first negative pregnancy test in July of '09. It's official today because I've sadly started a new cycle today. I just really felt like this month might be the month. I had a few "different" symptoms that made me feel hopeful. However, I was only left to feel foolish, once again.
I feel like I see pregnant women EVERYWHERE. I went to the beach this weekend with a girlfriend of mine, and I swear I was running into bellies everywhere!! I wanted to stop each and every one of the pregnant women and say "you are so incredibly blessed!!" And, I was so incredibly jealous. Wondering what that must feel like to be carrying a baby. I was actually so consumed by the preggo ladies that I wasn't even enjoying myself walking around downtown Charleston. i.am.a.loser!!
I'm such an open person, like an open book...probably to a fault. However, I'm finding myself becoming increasingly more private about our IF. This is probably the most painful thing I have experienced...complete with embarrassment and grief, and you can throw a little jealousy and bitterness in there too. Nowadays when people ask me how things are going (simply b/c I've been so open with people), I just say "good" and keep on moving with the convo. It hurts too much to talk about it, and furthermore I'm starting to feel like such a failure and it's embarrassing. This "embarrassing" thing is new for me...but I totally get it now when people say that. My body fails me and I don't feel adequate at all.
So, I'm about to call the RE's office and set up IUI #4. I'm not looking forward to this at all. I'm totally scared of the possibility of another failed one, and how Jeromy and I will take it...but we must forge ahead. The depressing part is we have no plan of attack if this doesn't work. Unfortunately, I don't see IVF in our future, simply because it does NOT fit in our budget. I know if it's something we must do and we really want, than we'll find a way I suppose. However, we already have some debt that is kinda holding us back from building at this time, so I can't even fathom adding another $15,000 to that debt??!! I'm so happy for those that do IVF, that they have that opportunity...but how do they do it??
I usually try to be very positive and stay hopeful, but I think lately my posts are doom and gloom and for that I'm sorry :( The life that the Lord has sooo richly blessed me with is not lost on me! Although, lately, these days tend to really test my strength and sometimes even my hope...never my faith.
Posted by amy at 6:13 AM 8 Fabulous Comments
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mother's Day...
Mother's Day is particularly hard for me. It's, of course, a reminder of my mom that I lost almost nine years ago...wow, can't believe it's been nine years! I find that I'm more upset on Mother's Day than I am on her birthday for some reason. Probably because there is such a focus on mother's all day long, whereas her birthday, nobody really even knows that her birthday has come and gone.
I always wonder how different my life would be if she were still here. So many things. Like how she would have LOVED LOVED my husband...and he would have LOVED her too. She was one of those types of people that everyone just adored. So sweet and generous of her love and time. I didn't have one friend or boyfriend that didn't adore her. She gave and sacrificed so much for my sister and I as well, and I'll tell you I do NOT do nearly enough to honor her memory :(
And then, there's my infertility...which always makes me think of my mom. How supportive she would have been...and how broken hearted she would be for me at this time. Could I handle it better if she were around?? I think, maybe I could. Having a mother like I had was always the driving force behind my desire to have children. I've always wanted a child to pass on all the love she showed me. She knew how bad I wanted to be a mother one day, and she always reminded me how badly she could not wait for me to have a child...although nine years ago it wasn't even on the radar yet. It always pleases my heart to know that she did get to be a grandmother for a short while though. My sister had a daughter whom my mother was attached to. She was three when my mom died, and to this day my niece still talks about her. When she was younger she would ask how she can get up to heaven to see her Grammy again. Now at twelve, she just expresses how she misses her and wishes she was still here. My sister and I do a good job of reminding her how much her Grammy loved her. My sister was also pregnant with my nephew when she died...talk about stress during pregnancy, but she did great and my nephew turned out perfect ;)
I know Mother's Day is hard for women struggling with infertility. The reminders are EVERYWHERE!! I'm on your side and I want my IF friends to know that I pray for you almost daily!! It's even hard for the infertile to find the right words for the infertile (lol)...however, please try and find some peace this Mother's Day and know that your day is coming, no matter which avenue you choose. As for me, I have a funny feeling my mom is up in heaven petitioning for me in her own little way ;)
Happy Mother's Day to all those blessed mama's out there :)
Posted by amy at 6:36 AM 5 Fabulous Comments
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Lowww
Unfortunately, I am in a really low place right now. (kinda hypocritical of my last post, I know). I just can't help it. I'm a few days away from getting my period...and I say that b/c that's exactly what's going to happen. I'm trying to be ok with it, but it's hard. Some cycles are harder than others. For instance, my first failed IUI was devastating. After trying in vain for so long and you try something new, your hope is renewed and VERY high. Like this month...2nd cycle post lap surgery coupled with a round of Clomid --I just got my hopes up really high. I hear people say, don't get your hopes up so high...but really, how is that possible?? And, I know I'm writing this post prematurely, but I'm just feeling so emotional and I need an outlet! Last night I just cuddled up to my husband and cried, crying helps and I slept really good...so,that's a bonus I suppose??
And, why when you're feeling at your possible lowest do some things slap you right in the face? My very first patient this morning (before I could even say good morning) bounced in the front doors and said "Do you wanna see a picture of my new granddaughter?" I immediately got that lump in my throat and all I could muster was "Ok"...not "Sure, I'd love to" or "Absolutely". Luckily for me, my co-worker took on the enthusiasm that I lacked, and complimented her and her new grandbaby. And as I sit and write this, Rachel Ray is on in the waiting room. You know the identical triplet women, they're models and one of them is married to Dr. Phil's son? Yea, they all THREE got pregnant at the same time...nice! How cute is that?? How awesome it would be to say "Hey, let's get pregnant"...and viola, nine months later a baby is born!?
I know I'm going to look back on this post and want to kick myself for how ugly I sound...but this is how I really feel right now. For some reason Clomid wasn't that kind to me this cycle and I absolutely dread doing it again, or for that matter a new protocol of drugs? It gave me the worst anxiety ever for like a week after I took it. I don't talk about it much on here (or at all really), but I already struggle with anxiety in general, and this infertility just enhances it :(
I'm fighting myself on my current attitude. I feel so bitter/sad/anxious/frustrated and I just have to trust that the Lord will not give me any more than I can emotionally or physically handle. Sometimes I just wish that the Lord would remove the desire to have children from my heart! I know it could be worse, and I know women out there have struggled far beyond what I have. But, at the same time, I know it's all relative and this is how I'm feeling at this particular time...
Posted by amy at 9:24 AM 8 Fabulous Comments
Sunday, April 24, 2011
He is risen!!
What a glorious day Easter is! What a renewal, He has given us new life on this day...He was victorious over death and in turn gave us abundant, eternal life. I'm so grateful everyday for what Jesus did on the cross for us...my salvation, His mercy and grace. What a sacrifice...
When I'm down and out and feeling hopeless...I always remind myself of the enormous sacrifice Jesus made for us, that usually puts an end to my pity-party immediately. On this Easter it would have been so nice to either be celebrating a pregnancy or dressing a baby in a precious little Easter outfit...but I can't help to realize how ridiculously blessed I already am!!
"He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying." Matthew 28:6
*Added*
Oh...and I forgot to add....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST HUSBAND IN THE WORLD!! One of the many blessings I was speaking about above :) This is a pic of us celebrating his birthday...it was Friday. He's getting just a tad closer to his 30's so he can finally join me...what a baby!!
Posted by amy at 5:23 PM 1 Fabulous Comments
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
On testing...
Guide To Taking A Home Pregnancy Test (Fertile Version)
1) Decide to “Not-Not Try” with your partner. Let’s just see what happens. (Alternate step, become intoxicated and forget to use contraceptives.)
2) Realize your period is a week late! Oh you, always forgetting.
3) Go to the store and purchase the prettiest pregnancy test, or perhaps one that is on sale, and go to the counter to purchase. Oh goodness, I wonder if the salesclerk will notice!
4) At home, follow the test’s instructions. This is where it can get a little confusing… pee ON the stick. That’s right.
5) Set it down and walk away. Hmmm… you haven’t steam cleaned the carpets for a while. And you’ve been meaning to organize that pantry—that soup won’t alphabetize itself!
6) Oh my! You almost forgot; now where did you put that pesky test?
7) Well will you look at that, there’s two lines. What does that mean again?
8) You’re pregnant, congrats! Now wasn’t that easy?
Guide To Taking A Home Pregnancy Test (Fertility-Challenged Women)
1) Sigh, are you really sure you want to take another test?
2) Honestly, your period isn’t due for five more days.
3) Ok, it’s your mortgage payment. Let’s hit the store.
4) Make sure to get a variety. Digital, early result, and that Asian version with the baby playing tug of war with Pokemon.
5) Might as well hit the dollar store too. Pick up 20 tests there.
6) Give the salesclerk the stink eye when she looks at you curiously.
7) Rush home. Do you wait till tomorrow morning? Or take it right now? Decide on the dollar store test for now, save the expensive one for tomorrow morning.
8) One line. Well, not even quite one line… it looks more like the test is flipping you the bird. Oh real nice, dollar store test!
9) Throw it in the garbage. But on top.
10) After a few hours, go back and rummage through the garbage to find that test. How does it look now? Even a shadow? No? Well you probably tested too late in the day, or too early in your cycle. And you had a lot of water today.
11) Next morning, take a fancy digital test. You can always trust a computer, right?
12) “Not Pregnant” read-out on the digital display. You made that decision too fast! Maybe if you had just waited a little longer, the line would have shown up. Never trust a computer!
13) Crack open the digital pregnancy test. Maybe the screen was confused.
14) Damn. Thank God you got those non-computerized tests, those will know for sure.
15) Next morning, take your early result pregnancy test. Hold it up to your face (pee side away, of course), and attempt to Jedi mind control the test into having two lines.
16) Just one line. Wait, is that a shadow? Why don’t we have a magnifying glass?! Nope still one line. Place on your counter for further analysis at a later time.
17) Fifteen minutes later, go back and check… anything yet? Well this one was probably a dud. You know how common a false negative is?
18) Next morning, take that Pokemon test. It claps and cheers when you pee on it, how fun!
19) Only ONE line. Cheap foreign imports! Add it to your row of tests, for comparison sake. Does today’s test look less negative than the past ones?
20) Continue steps 1-19 until you obtain a positive test.
21) Hahahaha, sucker. Positive test isn’t going to happen. Return to store to purchase mortgage payment in feminine supplies.
22) Come home, and open up a fresh box of wine. Wait to do it all over again next month, or whenever Aunt Flo decides to show up.
Posted by amy at 12:43 PM 1 Fabulous Comments

