Another Small Victory

Today I had another blood test and a 3D Saline Sonogram. This test is where they get a more defined look of the uterus and ovaries. I am going to be honest....this was not very comfortable either, but not as bad as the HSG test. Let's just say I'm not a fan of catheters. Although he said that the sonogram and the HSG are by far the most painful things I'll have to beside's giving birth. He better not be lying.

The doctor uses this 3D wand and looks at the uterus and then he takes a few pictures. And this isn't a wand that he use's on top of your stomach. This is an "inside" wand, if you catch my drift. Even though I was pretty uncomfortable and pretty cramp, I was able to look at the monitor as well and I have to say, it was pretty cool to look at. Then he used a catheter (yuck) and shot saline into the uterus. This time he looked at my ovaries to see how many eggs I have. 12 eggs on each side! He said that was more than average, but that was because my cycle's aren't regular, but promising that I have alot to work with. It was just amazing to look at and be able to count up all those eggs. No, it's not a baby, but it was still pretty cool and impressive.

After he was done we looked at the pictures and he showed me what he had taken pictures of and told us that everything was normal and looked really good. Better than the doctor in Baby Mama telling me he didn't like my uterus. LOL It's obvious we are pretty pleased. It was also nice to hear the the results from the first blood test were good and my hormone levels were right where they are supposed to be. Now Jon is scheduled for his test and we'll have even more to work with.

We can truly feel that several prayers have been answered and we have been truly blessed. This is just one step closer to our goal. However, we know we still have a long and emotional road to travel, but I think we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just have to remember that every test, every shot, every painful experience, is going to be worth it in the end.

HSG Test Results........NORMAL

So, yesterday I went in for a HSG test, or a Hysterosalpingogram. This is a test where they take X-ray's of the uterus and fallopian tubes. This test is not comfortable by any means. First the doctor swabs the area down there clean and then he uses a catheter to shoot a die into the uterus and tubes. I'm not going to lie....this hurt like HELL. You get crampy and it is very uncomfortable. This is far worse the most uncomfortable thing I have experienced. Worse than period cramps. However, I pushed through and before I could start crying, he was done.

The doctor was so nice and had the best bedside manner. One pretty cool part was they put I could watch on a monitor the pictures they were taking, but I had no idea what I was looking at.

Afterwards, they brought Jon in to look at the pictures with me. He showed us the tubes and the uterus and where they shot in the die. I still had no idea what I was looking at. It's kind of a strange image. However, he told me there was no blockage and we were looking at normal fallopian tubes and a normal uterus. We were both so happy and pleased because this was something we had prayed for. Thank heavens for small miracles. And because everything is normal, I'll never have to do this again. YEAH!!!

When I went in to change, I just started crying because I was so happy and felt truly blessed. And Jon was so proud of me that he took me to dinner. Kind of a celebration for a small victory. And that this is one step closer to our goal.

Again, thank-you to all who read this blog and have kept us in your thoughts and prayers. It means more to us than you could ever know. I honestly do not know how we would be able to go through this without a wonderful support system and the gospel in our lives. I am overwhelmed.

Happy Birthday to ME

On Saturday, I turned 32. Yes...I am proud to say I am a 32 year old woman who has been very blessed. I can't believe the older you you get, the faster your birthday comes and goes. Time is crazy that way. But I have to say that I had an incredible weekend.

The celebrations began on Friday. Jon and I and our friends, Rebecca and Robert headed to Park City to go to the Baja Cantina for dinner. I LOVE that place!!! It is so yummy. I had a chimichanga and Jon had steak fajita's. Yum!!! And their salsa is amazing. We just had a wonderful time visiting and eating. Then we went to Main Street and got ice cream from the Java Cow and it was really good as well. Friday was a great night and a perfect way to start off the weekend.

Saturday, my birthday, Jon gave me a really sweet card and a few gift cards so I could get whatever I wanted. Then we headed over to the doctor's office so I could have my blood drawn for our infertility testing. Not exactly my favorite thing to do, but it's going to be worth it. Then Jon took me to lunch at the Paradise Bakery and Cafe afterwhich, we headed to the mall so I could use some coupon's at Bath and Body Works. Then Jon dropped me off at the nail salon so I could get my nails done and get a pedicure.

Later Saturday night, we met up with Jamie and RJ at The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Another favortie place to go. We visited and ate lots of yummy food and I finished off my meal with a slice of Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. YUMM!!!! Then we went back to their house to visit some more, use their internet, because ours went out, andplay with their cute little boy, Tyson.

Sunday, we went to Jon's parents house for dinner where Dean went all out and made us a very special italian dinner and strawberry shortcake to top it off. Everything was so good. And they even bought me some roses. Then Daniele and her crew showed up and we just talked for hours It was nice to see everyone.

It doesn't stop there. Today I received birthday cards from my parents and sister filled with birthday money. So tonight, after dinner with Daniele, I bought myself some black, dress sandal's and Burberry Brit perfume.

It has been an imncredible weekend and I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. But you want to know what my favorite part was about the whole weekend?????

Meeting this little guy. This is our new nephew, Max. Or as I like to call him, Little Max. I got to meet him for the first time on my birthday and he was just four days old. He is so darling. He has red hair, cute, chubby cheeks, and a nose like his Uncle Jon's. I have absolutely fallen in love with this little guy.

Uncle Jon and Max

Aunt Sally and Little Max

And So It Begins.....

Tomorrow I have my first blood test where the doctor will check for my day 3 FSH and Estradiol. This is the beginning of ou journey and we are praying it is not short lived. I am also scheduled for an HSG test where I will be checked for blockage and that will be on this coming Tuesday. I wasn't planning on this test so when my doctor called me and told me about it, I think I freaked out a little bit. Not only will I have this test done next week, I will also have a 3D Sonogram next Friday to look at my ovaries as well as another blood test. The natural worries came to mind such as what if there is something wrong, what if it can't be repaired, what if, what if, etc. But then I just had this calm feeling come over me that everything was going to be o.kay.

I'm kind of excited for the sonogram because I think that will be very interesting to look at my ovaries and the eggs that I produce. I know, too much information, but it is kind of cool.

Through all of this, I have grown such a close relationship with my Heavenly Father and have come to completely rely on Him and my faith. It's not easy, but I know that this has been the right thing to do. I have gone through the ups and downs of emotions because of the medications and being worried and stressed about upcoming tests. But a wise friend told me to not worry until the results come back and she is right. But I know that through all of this, I can rely on my Father in Heaven.

From what I understand, Invitro is an emotional road and that this is just the beginning. But I know Heavenly Father only gives us what we can handle and through him we can get through anything. I just have to keep telling myself and believing that what we are going through is going to be worth it in the end. I just know that everything is going to work out the way it's supposed to. I have spent alot of time on my knees praying and shedding so many tears for this blessing and I know that I will be blessed.

I am truly gratedul for so many supportive friends and family who are pulling for us. And for our employers who are willing to work with us on our schedule's so we can have these procedure's done. We have been truly blessed.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - Priesthood Session

This talk really hit home!!! It's about 20 minutes, but I loved it.

Testing: Day 1

We are starting the preliminary test's for invitro. Today is day one for me. Jon just needs to make an appointment for his. I won't go into any more detail about his.

For me, the tesintg requires a clomid challenge. I have done clomid before and have to say, I didn't really enjoy being on it. Hotflashes, moodswings, achy, etc, etc. However, I am willing to do what I need to do to become a mom.

The clomid challenge test consists of several things. First of all, I do not have regular cycle's so I have to take a hormone pill, called progesterone, to induce my period. Once my period starts, I go in on day 2, 3, or 4 of my cycle for a blood draw. On day 5 of my cycle, I start Clomid and I will be on that for 5 days, taking 2 pills a day. On day 10, I will go in for another blood draw, and this one has to be done in the morning. I am praying that my employer will work with me on this. The same day, I will also have done a 3D Saline Sonogram where the doctor will look at my eggs and follicles and see how many eggs I can produce. He will also check for cyst's and any abnormalities.

We are praying that these test will come back normal to prevent us from doing further tests. However, we are willing to except any challenges that come our way during this process. The fortunate thing in all this, is that our insurance will cover 90% of most of the test's. This is quite a blessing. However, they will not cover IVF.

This does not necessarily mean we will start IVF right away. Since it is so expensive, we have to work some type of way to pay for it. We are praying earnestly that a way will be provided. But we have decided to do the testing now to see what we are up against and then decide from there what IVF route to take. As I said in an earlier post, there are different options of IVF, and I don't fully understand them otherwise I would go into further detail. Our brains are still a little overloaded and we're still allowing the idea to sink in.

We thought that if we did the testing but didn't start IVF right away, then there was something wrong with us. However, after speaking to other couples, we found that this was pretty normal. Some have saved for a year and a half while some have taken time to work out the financing for this procedure. It's incredibly unfair that some insurance's won't cover it, but it is what is and because this is so important to us, we are willing to find away.

Thank-you again for all of your prayers and positive thoughts. We ar so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

P.S. If this was a little more clinical then you would have cared to read, I'm sorry. But after going through so many tests, I'm not shy to share.

Goodreads Win

I belong to the website called Goodreads.com. Everytime I read a new book, I log it on this website with a few comments and rate it. The best part, is that my friends, who are registered as well, can see what I'm reading and vice versa.

Every month, they email a newsletter about different authors and new books that are coming out. In the April newsletter, they had a long list of books that that were going to be given away from the author. Depending on the author, they were going to give a ways anywhere from 2 to 5 copies. So I signed up for a bunch of different books thinking I wouldn't win any at all.

To my surprise, I got an email a week later saying that I had won a book. And the book I won is called: Women of the Book of Mormon. I was pretty psyched. I just received my new book in the mail yesterday and I can't wait to start reading it.

One Step Closer to Our Goal

I had the most AMAZING vist with the reproductive endocrinologist today. It was so awesome!!! However, when we first got there, we waited a little bit longer than we thought and I almost lost my nerve. I turned to Jon and told him I wanted to go home and he felt the same way. But he said we were here and we had to stick it out. I mean, we had both made ourselves sick all day over this appointment. we just didn't know what to expect. But we're committed. This doctor was wonderful. I felt such a connection with him and felt so good about our visit. I was extremely impressed. He first got to know us as a couple instead of patient's. He asked us things like how we met, how long we dated, where we worked, how long we have been married, and things like that. Then he asked us if we knew why we couldn't get pregnant. After givine him both of our diagnosis', it was determined that Invitro would be our only option. However, he went over different option's of invitro. Then he showed us a diagram of what happen's and what the process is like. I have to say, that I am impressed how far technology has come. He was very personable and kind. I seriously feel like a burden has been lifted off of my shoulder's. It feel's good to know that there is a chance.

Then we met with his nurse who was just as sweet. She went over the different test's we'll need to do before we get started. She explained to us how invitro works and what they do when they retrieve the eggs and the sperm. It was truly amazing. She gave us a magazine to take home called Conceive that has article's on infertility. She was just really sweet. She even gave us a web address so we can look at the stages of invitro and Jon thought that was pretty cool.

Now, as if our brains weren't overloaded enough, we met with someone from billing. I thought for sure the billing part was going to be hard to talk about, but Jon and I were surprisingly calm. I mean, this will cost a small fortune and in the end it will be so worth it.

We were pretty overwhelmed by the time we were home, but it was a good overwhelming feeling. This office staff was amazing and I can't wait to work with them.

So for right now we are going to do the preliminary testing and then go from there. These test's will help give the doctor a better idea of our chance's and we are praying that they will come back normal. And just the fact to have a doctor that is so positive and confident, and he should be for as long as he has been doing this, made this visit even better. We are feeling pretty positive about the direction we are going.

Thank-you again to everyone out there, who reads my blog, for all your prayer's, love, support, and positive thoughts. I know it is helping and it has been a huge blessing in our lives. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends.

1st Step

So we have our first appointment with the Reproductive Care Center of Sandy, next Tuesday at 4:00PM. We are very nervous yet very excited about this. We're not sure what they will do, what the test's will be like, what the doctor will be like, what the prognosis will be, or how we'll handle any of this. However, we do know that Heavenly Father is aware of us and wants us to be happy. We know that with his help and our faith in him, we can get through anything.

Just a little history. Jon and I have been married for 12 years and started trying to expand our family after 2 years of marriage. We had a few tests done along the way and I have taken medication to try to help our predicament to no avail. We both have issues that we have brought to the table. So, instead of doing what we're doing now 10 years ago, we have sat on this problem. Both of us being stubborn and thinking if we have enough faith, it will happen. Not true. We have learned that sometime's we have to take our own initiative and then Heavenly Father will step in. We have alos learned that once you stop relying on Heavenly Father, he will most defnitely humble you to help you remember that he needs to be included. We have also looked at adopting, however the agency we chose treated us so poorly that we became discouraged. It's bad enough not being able to have children, but then to have someone be insensitive to your needs only compounds it.

So now we are taking that leap of faith and are going to do all we can to have a family. This is a complete walk in the dark because we have no idea what Heavenly Father has in store for us. We have had to completely put all our trust in him which isn't easy for either of us. But we both know without a shadow of doubt that no matter what the end reslut is, we will be blessed.

Thank-you again to all our family and friends who have supported us and have prayed for us. It means the world to us. We will try to keep you posted as often as possible.

Decisions

Jon and I are about to make a big decision that will affect our family. We have prayed very hard about this and are asking for support and to keep us in our prayers. On top of Jon going to school, we are also going to work on expanding our family. We are currently researching a fertility specialist that will help us and pray that we will find the right one. This is a huge leap of faith that we are taking. Thank-you in advance for all your support, thoughts, and prayers.