Almost two months have passed since my last blog and I am still a roller coaster of emotions. Some people probably read this and think "Girl, you have major mental health issues." Ummm, you're wrong. It's called, I'm living with a fertility issue called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and I can't get pregnant at the drop of a hat. So deal with it... My story isn't as unique as it may sound. There's millions of women going through the same thing as my husband and I. It's also something that all these women deal with differently. Blogging is my outlet. I hope to one day look back at these blogs and thank the good Lord for diagnosing ME with PCOS, rather than a couple that 1) doesn't know how to cope with it and ends in divorce, 2) turns on the Lord and blames him, and 3) hurting themselves or someone else. Trust me, this is painful. Five years with no answers would drive anyone absolutely crazy! Can you imagine!? Take a step in my shoes for a second... Think of something you have now (ex: child(ren)). Imagine having to wait for that one particular thing for five years. Imagine wanting something so bad and not being able to know when or if you're ever going to get it. Imagine fighting so hard for something for FIVE YEARS, and still not getting it. You get my point? It's difficult. Now you have an idea what Bill and I are going through... It's hard to fathom.
So the journey continues... I recently had blood work completed since being on Synthroid and Metformin for 2+ months. My nurse at Shady Grove e-mailed me with the results and they couldn’t be more pleased with my levels. My hormone levels, thyroid, and A1C are all within normal range. The next step was setting up an appointment to meet with the doctor. I set up the appointment for the following week and was told to come prepared to discuss treatment plans. Well that’s easier said than done. There are so many different treatments available, but there’s a lot of factors that play into treatment – cost being the primary factor. Dr. Esposito, who is following my case, couldn’t be more personable, helpful, and most of all, caring. Her level of kindness is unbelievable, especially for a doctor.
The outcome of appointment –
Although I have 57 follicles on my ovaries, I was given a high chance of conceiving. Since we were unsuccessful with Clomid, the next step is to try Femara along with hormone injections. Injections, you ask? Yes, like giving yourself a large needle injection. This is when the fun starts. Multiple trips to Shady Grove for ultrasounds and blood work begin my next "cycle." Then, get ready here’s the best part…. Timed intercourse. Helllllooo! Oh my…. It’s just like it sounds… The doctor’s office will call me when Bill and I are supposed to “do it.” Intimate?? Ha.
So that’s pretty much it! Trial and error.
I couldn’t be more overwhelmed with emotions. These long 5 years of trying to conceive feel like they are coming to an end. I’m not getting my hopes up, because I’ve been there, done that way too many times. I’m feeling a little more at ease with the whole situation since talking with an expert regarding my infertility. If you or someone you know is experiencing infertility, have them speak with a fertility specialist (Shady Grove is the best). Only reason I say this is, I feel I lost a lot of time going to my gynecologist. She didn’t care about my husband and my wishes or the amount of time we tried to conceive. She didn’t go out of her way to make the referral for me to go to Shady Grove. I took it upon myself to refer myself to Shady Grove, and I’m glad I did.
I’ll be sure to keep you all up to date with how everything is going. I just ask that you continue to support Bill and I through this journey. We are so happy that we have YOU in our lives and couldn’t ask for a better support system.
As Nicholas Sparks always says, "It's the possibility that keeps me going, not the guarantee."
God bless and love,
Emily
