First Try with IUI

Today we started IUI. I was really excited this morning and nervous at the same time. The test wasn't painful at all and the doctor said it went well. It was kind of like the pain you would feel from an annual PAP. It was a little uncomfortable but nothing completely unbearable. My husband and I have high hopes but know that if this doesn't work, there is always next month or even the following month. We are leaving it in God's hands and time will tell.

Change of Plans

Today my husband and I went for our appointment to find out results from last Mondays cycle day 3 test. We found out the news that I was anticipating. The age of my ovary reserve level did in fact increase due to scarring from past surgeries. Ideally your number should be between 2-10 to conceive successfully. Mine was at 11 last January and has escalated to 19. My doctor did not seem very optimistic with that number. The normal number should be less than 9. I read that as the numbers go up there is a reduction in response to ovarian stimulating drugs. This really worries me because that means I really might not have any chance even with IVF.

The next step to proceed with intrauterine insemination (IUI) for three months. I was under the impression that today we would discuss starting IVF.  My doctor only wants me to three months and than possibly proceed with IVF, if that is even an option. If we wait any longer we risk my level only to increase. Right now we are in race with time.I guess at this point we should just be hopeful and stay positive because this could work. Time will tell.

...AND THE RESULTS ARE IN

Today I received the results that I  have been waiting for since last December. The question finally got answered- Can I conceive on my own?.... the answer is.....NO. Fortunately with the aid of IVF, it can be possible along with an expensive price tag. I have been diagnosed with Tubal Infertility. My left tube doesn't flow correctly due to scarring from surgery and the right tube is nonexistent. I feel better hearing it today. I can now learn how to accept it and move on. I never expected any good news out of this whole ordeal. I'm just trying to be openminded and taken things one step at a time.

The next step is to start Clomid today and will continue into Friday. Clomid is a drug taken orally which will help stimulate ovulation. I also have another appointment next Tuesday for more blood work, ultrasound and will receive my results from the Cycle Day 3 test performed today. The test checks the levels of three important substances: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2). I am curious to learn the results of that test. Wish me luck!!

Daddy always said "Patience is a Virtue"

I have really tried so hard to be as cooperative and patient through this whole process of trying to find a diagnosis, managing the pain, surgeries, drug therapy, unanswered questions from doctors appointments, playing the waiting game with doctors and not to mention the emotional toll it has taken on my husband and myself. It hasn't been a smooth ride for us but then again nothing in life has been easy for us. My husband didn't have a father growing up and I lost my father to cancer at age 22. We paid our way through college, our own wedding and purchased a co-op apartment which later helped us buy our own home  (in New York on Long Island going on five years in June!!). We grew up without any hand outs from anyone and are proud of what we have achieved. We live a hardworking, modest life and we are thankful for what we have, not by how much we have of it. We plan on hopefully instilling this moral into our childs life someday. We both understand that life is a gift and should not be taken for granted under any circumstance. Our life may not be everything that we had hoped and dreamed for at this point in our lives but we are dealing with it one day at a time.