Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Infertility... and beyond!

Okay, I will try and keep this update as simple as I can, but there is A LOT of information to share and sift through. Here goes...

In August we decided to see an RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) after trying to conceive for quite some time and suffering problems with ovulation. During that appointment I had a full lab work up scheduled and an ultrasound of my ovaries and uterus. I called a couple weeks later and was told all my tests came back normal. So we gave up on the RE and kept trying to conceive on our own. My body was like, "NOPE" and I still wasn't ovulating and still experienced many symptoms that helped me know something was off. So after much prayer and consideration we decided to schedule the follow-up appointment with the RE.

Now fast forward to December 9th... We had our follow-up appointment to discuss the results from my lab testing and come up with a game plan for treatment. We were under the impression all my lab work was normal, so didn't quite know what to expect. Well it turns out the lab had lost a few of my important blood results and the doctor didn't view them until the morning of our appointment. **LESSON LEARNED: always schedule a follow-up just in case something like that happens** because it just so happens those few lab results were abnormal.

The doctor officially diagnosed me with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). It is a hormonal imbalance that effects the relationship between the ovaries and your brain sensors that trigger ovulation.
With this diagnosis he also informed me that my testosterone levels were high and my right ovary looked off, possibly not functioning at all. We asked the scary question about the possibility of ovulating and conceiving on our own, and the answer was what we knew deep down all along. The chance of me ovulating on my own is slim. Therefore the possibility of conceiving without medical intervention is very low. This was hard to hear.

BUT there is good news for us! Our RE would like us to try what he calls an "Injectable Cycle".
Now there are a LOT of big words I'm about to throw out, but bear with me...
We would start out using a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) called letrozole followed by FSH injections taken daily. Those two medications will stimulate the follicles in my ovaries to grow and produce quality eggs and then an HCG trigger shot will force the follicle to rupture and release an egg (aka, ovulation) ;) then I will go back in a week after I trigger and check hormone levels-- specifically Progesterone-- and then a week after that they will do a beta blood test to test for pregnancy.
To put it simply: I will take injections to help me ovulate.

Ta da!! It's that easy!... NOT. We are very very excited that this treatment is available. But this will not be a walk in the park. My doctor is in Tulsa and we are in Branson. The drive from Branson to Tulsa is 3 hours and 15 minutes. I will be making this drive 4-5 times per medicated cycle. We don't mind the gas expense. its well worth it. But that is a lot of driving time-- approximately 25-30 hours of car time per month... and all with a two-year-old. *phew* That in itself stresses me out more than anything.

So far we have been blessed by my ability to be on my parent's insurance until this March 2014. That Insurance has covered EVERYTHING so far (WOOO!!) But we don't know if they will cover these FSH injections. If they are covered then my entire medicated cycle, ultrasounds and blood tests will be covered. Since I will be kicked off this great Insurance in March, we want to start treatment before then. Because after March we would be paying completely out of pocket and we can say goodbye to all our money... NO THANK YOU. So I am so very grateful to be on an Insurance with excellent coverage! Thanks Mom and Dad!! :)

So, what now? Good question! I will take a Patient Education Course on Monday, Dec 23rd. I will learn about the medications and how to do the injections, since I will be doing all the injections myself. After that course I will wait for a new cycle to begin our medicated cycle. 

How are we feeling? At peace with the decision to move forward with Injectables and hopeful for good results. We are, of course, nervous to move up a level in this journey. Our infertility journey thus far has been hard emotionally, physically and mentally... and that is about to quadruple. So I am already focusing on keeping my stress level down and trying to relax my mind and nerves.
 I have felt extremely overwhelmed this week and have had a few well deserved meltdowns. Right now this is all I can think about and it's consuming my days. I feel stuck in my "Infertility bubble" and have found this all a little tough to talk about in person. But keeping it text like this has been the perfect way to keep you all in the loop. 

For our Prayer Warriors:

-Tyler's Lab tests to come back with good numbers so we can avoid an IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
-That Insurance will cover my injections so we can save a lot of $$
-We can find a sitter for Jack during my many doctors appointments in Tulsa
-Safe travels to and from Tulsa, and a happy toddler during travel (laptop and movies=lifesaver!)
-Calm nerves
-HOPE. Pray I stay hopeful and my pessimism and disappointment don't set in too soon. Even a little hope can carry you through the most stressful times.

Words cannot describe how incredibly grateful we are to have such supportive Friends and Family during this tough season in life. THANK YOU. 
In many ways it is about to get a lot tougher, I already know my emotions react badly with hormones, and I will be on a mega dose of hormones. So I will be asking for a lot of grace and understanding from people in my life. Thank you in advance! 

I will try my absolute hardest to find the joy in this journey. I know God will (and already has) give me strength to carry forward with excitement and peace.

I will continue to update on this blog, so if you ever find yourself thinking, "I wonder how Tyler and Robyn are, and where they are at in their journey?" Check this blog :) OR those who know me, know I am an open book and would be happy to answer any questions you may have! But if it's a particularly awful day I will nicely tell you to ask again in a few days ;-)


4 comments:

  1. I was wondering how your appointment went. I'm sorry that you didn't get the news you were hoping for, but I'm glad that there is still hope! I'll be praying for you guys!

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  2. Thank you for sharing with all of us! We are hopeful with you and will be praying for all those specific requests! Love you guys! Let yourself experience all the emotions you are feeling instead of keeping them bottled up inside. :) It's ok to be sad or happy or hopeful or disappointed, just let yourself feel that and not stuff it all in. :)

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  3. ...I'd be SO HAPPY TO BABYSIT...but...er...I think the drive to Aunt Merry's would make it a 'little' more taxing... LOL! :) You are going to ROCK this sweetie, regardless of the outcome and timeline God has you on...I love you and am so very proud of you (&Ty)...*think happy thoughts* I think you need to leave little 'Tinkerbell' stickies all around your LIFE right now as reminders! NOTHING right now is as important as your sweet family's peace...so just 'manage' the hormones and 'be in the moment' ... this time is precious too.... Love Aunt Merry :)

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  4. Thank you so much for all your kind words, prayesr and encouragement :) I am so lucky to have women praying me through this tough season! Aunt Merry- I love your Tinkerbell reference! I will think of that often when I need " think happy thoughts"... if only I could fly to Neverland for a much needed vacation... :)
    Thank you!

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