It's been a while

I am back now, I had to take a mental break. The doctor came up with a plan for lots of injectible meds, as I thought he would. The combination of medications would be chlomid, menapur, ovidrel and progesterone. Three of those are shots...yay! (Not). But, we will not be able to start on all of this until December or maybe January. This procedure wil cost double what the IUI with chlomid and ovidrel alone did. The kicker is the menapur. That medication is $1100 by itself! I find it so crazy that to have a child, we are having to spend so much money. Lately Jenn and I have been looking for new jobs, and what I am basing my search on is the benefits (namely, the fertility benefits). The financial advisor at our doctor's office told us that there are two companies locally that only pay $25 (copay) for an IVF cycle. I will give you minute to process that information...

$25 for a $20,000 procedure is worth taking a pay cut for sure. I have been looking at positions within these companies, and they are all out of my area of expertise, but I would take a secretary, or admin position for just about any price to get those benefits. Hopefull they will be hiring for those positions after the Holidays, wish me luck!

Meanwhile, I am trying to get lost in the Holiday spirit and not think about the fact that there is no baby to be seen yet. I just finished my period yesterday, so we have about a month or so before we need to have the funds available. Maybe Santa will bring us the dough... here is hoping (fingers crossed).
Love,
Christy

Tuesday is the Day

Doctor's appointment has been set for next Tuesday. We are giving it one more shot. We ended up getting a full credit for the spermies that were low on the count, and so we have some free juice on the way. YAY! But, for sanity's sake, I am praying for a positive outcome this next and last try. Send some baby dust our way please!

Mini Vacation

Taking a  mid week getaway this week. Mental-health days actually. Jenn and I were given 2 nights for free with parking and breakfast included, and we are cashing in on that right now. It was kind of an impromptu thing, but we are so excited about it. We are however, going to have to postpone our doctor's appointment for another day next week, but I think that this little break is just the ticket for the long hours that we will have to work this coming holiday season.  

Appointment is Set

Next week we have an appointment with Dr. Park to talk about other options for getting us a baby. I think from what I have read, that the next step is to try injectible hormones. I am so excited (not) but if it works, I am all for it. I have read some great stories of couples who have tried Chlomid, failed, then gotten pregnant from the first cycle of injectibles. I hope that is the case for us. For now, I am trying to be stress free and focus on eating healthy and maybe starting to do some exercise. I want to lose some weight so the pregnancy can be a little more comfortable. Jenn is great and positive as always. I am trying to stay out of the "baby room" in the house, as it makes me a little sad. I just can't help it sometimes though, it is so nicely set up and ready to welcome a little person.

For all of the people who are reading this and going through the same stuff, sending baby-dust your way. ***

Not Prego... Again

With all the love and support we were receiving from mom and dad, it looked like the positive vibes were going to make a difference but alas it was negative. I was adamant about not testing at all, but Jenn asked so sweetly that on the days we were actually supposed to test, we did. I took it pretty hard this time, but I am okay now.
Tomorrow we are going to make an appointment to see the doctor about what the next steps should be. This moth we are skipping it, because we need to recoup our funds and our sanity a bit. What I have notices is that my period is super exact every month. I know exactly when I will start spotting and when I will start full flow now, so that is a great sign for fertility.
If after the next round of tries we are unsuccessful, Jenn is going to try. The expenses are adding up, but I do know that this is at least a tax write-off as long as it is over $5000 in medical expenses. We have every receipt for exams, scans, and medicines and I am sure that we are just about there.
I will let y'all know what the doctor says.

We have made it through almost to the end of our 2WW, and boy and I grateful that my parents were in town for most of it. This time has really flown by, which has taken a lot of stress off of me. Jenn made the executive decision to tell my parents abuot the IUI procedures, and to my surprise and delight, they were really happy and excited for us. While they were here they gave lots of advice, and also gave lots of support. It makes me so excited to hear my mom say that she will be spending a lot more time in NC once the baby is born. Jenn and I are just so excited to have their support, and if we are not pregnant this time, it makes me a little less stressed because we can talk to my parents about it. I am still staying strong about not testing this time. Jenn is a little less commited, and actually wants us to test tonight. I just don't want to see that single pink line again. I HATE IT! But, I will test on Friday if I have no symptoms of my period still. I have no symptoms at all actually. I am not craving salt, my boobies don't hurt, and I am not spotting. That is really good! Hopefull tomorrow will be the same. I am so ready to be a mommy.

Third Times' a Charm?

So on Friday of last week we had our third attempt at the IUI procedure. My follicles looked nice and mature, and the lining was ready as well. The only downer was that the sperm count was only 7.5M, as opposed to the 20M that we had the last two times. The nurse was quick to reassure us that they just has someone get pregnant from a count of only 4M, so that eased our minds a bit. If we are unsuccesful this time, we will make an appointment with Dr. Park to see what else we could try to increase our chances, but I am feeling really positive about everything this time.
We are going to be pregnant dammit!
On a really positive note, this week will go by really quick because my parents will be flying in to town tomorrow at noon. We have been working super hard to get the house perfect for their visit, and I have worked out a really nice trip for them, will a lot of emphasis on local fun stuff like the fair, and a corn maze! They leave the next week on Tuesday, so our minds will be preally preoccupied with them rather then if we are going to have a baby or not. 
One thing that we have decided is to not test this time. My periods have been super regular, and if we are not pregnant, I should get it the day of or after I would have had to test. So, we are just going to wait on that instead. Jenn doesn't think that I can make it without testing, but I am pretty tired of seeing that single pink line mocking me. I would much rather just see if I get my period and deal with it that way. 
It is way too early for any symptoms, but I am peeing a lot! I have to get up and pee like 6 or 7 times at night and in the morning. I'm not even drinking all that much water or anything. So we shall see! 

Not Pregnant...Yet

Unfortunately I got my period and got the big negative one line on the First Response test. But on a good note, we are able to try again this month! We already started the Chlomid on Monday so today is day 3. Hopefully the follicles are maturing nicely. One the 5th we go in for the baseline scan and then if all is well, then the insemination on the 7th. All of this is coming right before my parents arrive for their first visit to our home here in Garner, NC. Jenn thinks that we should tell them, and that it would relieve some stress from me, which might make conception a little easier. I agree, but I am scared.
When we found out that we weren't prego, we were crushed (again). Jenn has been my rock though, and keeps things positive and in perspective for me. "It just means that the baby wants to be born in the same month as our fathers (July)" she says. I love her for making me smile when I am the saddest. The hardest part is switching emotional modes. During the 2WW, I am treating my body as if I was pregnant. Eating lots of veggies, resting, not lifting heavy things, and of course no alcohol. So this whole 2 weeks I am assuming I am preggers, my mind automatically goes there. Thinking about all the cute baby things. The room, the clothes, the little feet, etc... Then when we get the bad news, it is over. All of those cute things, you are to forget, because now you have to focus on trying to get pregnant again. Its exhausting for sure. I know it is hard on Jenn too, although she doesn't really show it because she has to be the strong one for all of this.
But anyway, here we are again on day 6 of my cycle. 2 more days of medicine then next week the fun stuff. This time is going to be it. Positive thinking! ***Baby Dust*** and Fertile Thoughts!
But...if it's not, the nurse told us that we should make an appointment with Dr. Park to reevaluate the course of action. We bought 3 vials of little swimmers, and this is our last one, so they have to work!
Send some love our way, and I will continue to write and let y'all know what happens.
XOXO
Christy

1/2 way through 2WW

So we are half way until we can POAS. We are of course hoping for a BFP... Why am I using acronyms now? Well I have come across a whole list of these that people have been using for a while to discuss the who IUI process and so on. Here is the list for your convenience (and mine)!

2WW = 2-Week Wait
AF = Aunt Flo or Menstrual cycle
AI = Artificial Insemination
ASAP = As soon as possible
BBT = Basal Body Temperature
BD = Baby Dance (sex for the purpose of conception)
BD = Baby Dust (good wishes for conception/pregnancy)
BFN = Big Fat Negative
BFP = Big Fat Positive
BH = Braxton Hicks Contractions
BMS = Baby making Sex
BW = Blood Work
CD = Cycle Day
CF = Cervical Fluid
CM = Cervical Mucus
D&C = Dilation & Curettage
D&E = Dilation & Evacuation
DHAC = Don't Have A Clue
DI = Donor Insemination
DIUI = Donor Intrauterine Insemination
Dx = Diagnosis
EP = Ectopic Pregnancy
FHR = Fetal Heart Rate
FSH = Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
FT = FertileThoughts
HCG = Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HOM = High Order Multiples
HPT = Home Pregnancy Test
HSG = Hysterosalpingogram
ICSI = Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
IUI = Intrauterine Insemination
MC = Miscarriage
MS = Morning Sickness
OV = Ovulated
PG = Pregnant
POAS = Pee On A Stick (home pregnancy test)
PUPO = Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise
SA = Semen Analysis
SP = Sperm Count
S/S = Signs and Symptoms

Throw us some ***BD***!

Insemination Part II

So today was our second insemination try. Everything went really well. The longest part of the whole thing was waiting for the sperm to thaw int he incubator. From there, we went into the room and I laid down with my beautiful wife beside me. The really nice nurse that has helped us the last few times we have been there came in and asked to us to verify the donor's number (1982-for the year I was born) and to sign the insemination consent form. After that, I laid back down and she got to work. The last time we did this the nurse could not position my cervix correctly in order to put the catheter in, and that made for a very uncomfortable time, and she struggled. This time, our nurse was great and got it on the first try. The whole thing took about 5 minutes, but there was some pressure and a little pain associated with it. The catheter is the worst part, and it feels like an intense period cramp. Luckily it was over quickly and then I got to chill for about 15 minutes while my wife made me laugh. She took some silly pictures of us which are not at all flattering, but it made the whole situation pretty enjoyable. I love her more than words can say. So the rest of the day my task is to relax and take it easy, as I still have some light cramping. My mission these next two weeks are to treat my body as if I was pregnant by eating healthy and resting a lot. If only I didn't work retail and had to stand all day... Oh well. 
Updates to come!

Waiting... Always Waiting

After a long wait of over a month, Jenn and I get to try to make a baby next week. On Tuesday we will be going in for another baseline scan to see how the chlomid has done with kicking my follicle production in high gear. If all looks good, Jenn will give me the ovadril shot in my belly and then 36 hours later we will be back at the doctor's office to perform the insemination. It seems so surreal in a way, but we are also just so ready for this to happen.
My emotions are in overload with the chlomid, and I feel like I am taking crazy pills. I cry at the drop of a hat, and I get hot flashes at night while sleeping. If this is what pregnancy is like... j/k I welcome it all.

Good News!

Today we had a baseline scan, and the result is that we get to try to this month! Jenn and I are so excited and relieved that it is not another dissapointing month waiting for a new cycle. On Sunday we will start the Chlomid and then on Labor Day we will have another scan to check the follicle production before the trigger shot and eventual insemination.
We had an amazing time in Florida with my parents. We went to the parks, sweated our buts off and got rained on, but still managed to have lots of fun. We relaxed a bit at the pool, and got to tour Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral some.
One thing that was a little dissapointing was a late night talk that I had with my parents about having a child. They are completely supportive of us starting a family, but they are just weary of us doing it so soon. With our jobs in retail, fluctuating finances, and lack of child care, they just don't think it the right time. I guess this was why we were resistant in telling them that we are trying already. We want to be sure that we are pregnant, and the baby is safe and healthy before we let them know and by the conversation we had this past week I am glad that we made that decision.
More updates to come once we start the chlomid...maybe some more real or imagined symptoms too...lol

Disney & Beach Bound

We leave tomorrow at 7AM (yay...not) but we will get there at 9 promptly for breakfast and then to the beach. We have our bathing suits, shorts and tanks packed and read. We really needed this time together and time to relax.
According to my ovulation app, I have only 8 days befoer my next period, so that should put us back at the doctor for another baseline scan soon after we get back home. Pray for a positive outcome people!
Jenn seems to think that we will be successfull and preggers this time. I am cautiously optimistic, but I do hope and pray that we will be blessed with a child sooner rather than later.
It would be wonderful to tell my parents that they are going to be grandparents once again when they come in October.

Well bon Voyage all!

Not About Babies

Our 2 days off together is probably the best time in my week. I look forward to it for 5 days, and once they get here, they pass by way too quickly. Thus is the life of a full-time worker. We spent our "weekend" doing projects around the house, and really just getting ourselves organized.

This blog has nothing to do with babies, but I will be ranting about customer service. We went to Kohls by our house and wanted to purchase some kitchen items. We were in desperate need of pots and pans and wanted to get a decent set. We had our hearts set on the Rachael Ray 10 pc set (as we are a bit spoiled and really like the orange handles and anodized finish). They set was $230 in store, and we just about fell out at seeing that price. We immediately got on our smartphones and looked up comparable prices online at different retailers. Target had the same set for $145 and Amazon had it for $111. We knew that it was a long shot to get them to price match Amazon, but Target should not be a problem since the competition was literally across the street. We found a manager and she flat out said no to our price match request. This day in age, where retailers are under major stress with customer service and pricing, this request should not have been a big deal. The price that retailers pay for products are a fraction of what they are marked up to the consumer at. I should know, I know just how much we sell our products for and I know what we purchased them for.
Well, that was not going to be the end of it for the Dawson-Rodriguez's. Not while my wife's name is Jenn. She decided to call another Kohls in an adjacent city to speak to a manager and see if this would be possible. The manager on the phone was friendly, and said she would price match the amazon price. We drove 20 miles further to get the deal, and $100 less for the same product is so worth it... and we really liked the orange handles. When we got there we picked up our pots and pans, plus we purchased several other kitchen items that we may or may not have absolutely needed. We got to the register and told the cashier who we had spoken to and she did the override without even calling the mangager, and on top of that, she allowed us to use our 30% discount. So, we got the set for $77!
Why was it so hard to do that in the first place? Why did we have to waste our hard earned (sorta) money on driving to another city?
Ugh!

     Trying to think less about babies this month, and more about finances and gettting the house fixed up. We have done a lot so far, but there are always projects when you are a homeowner. We decided to build a brick paver patio along the side of the deck in the backyard. We wanted a place to hang out with a fire pit and chairs and some tiki torches. A good place for family and friends to hang out on nice nights while we grill out, and eventually for the kids to play as well. It was good in theory, and we thought we could handle doing everything ourselves. Well 3 months later, it is about 1/2 way done. Getting these suckers to be level is the easy part, it is getting them level to each other that is driving us bonkers. But, we feel very accomplished when we get out there and lay 6 or so bricks, and we are doing it together, so that is some quality time too. I know we are going to love it once it is done, but the journey getting there has been arduous. We want it done by the fall, so we can enjoy it in the nice weather.
     Tonight we have dinner with Jenn's parents, which I am looking forward to. I am a family girl, and really enjoy spending time with ours. It will be nice to sit and have dinner with them and just catch up on what has been going on. They know nothing about the whole baby business, so there is no need to discuss it. In the back of my mind the hope is always there, and I have a countdown app on my phone that shows when I am ovulating and when my next period is, so it is hard to completely avoid it, but that is okay with me. 20 days until my next cycle. Until then, we wait... Disney in less than 2 weeks!

No 2nd Try...yet

Our first attempt has come and gone, but the 2nd is going to have to wait until September. We had a baseline scan on Monday which resulted with some cysts still remaining from the first try. My body just didn't want to let go of the follicles (which are now called cysts after the fact), which would not be optimal for making a baby this month. The nurse said that we could try if we absolutely wanted to, but that we may just be throwing money away. We took her lead, and have decided to wait until next cycle. This turn of events was a little hard to take. We were so looking forward to trying again, but alas, God has other plans. Jenn, always to see the positive side to things said that it would allow us some time to recoup our funds and also allow me to ride everything in Disney when we go in a few weeks. Definitely a plus, although I would not have complained for having to stay off of the fun stuff in order to keep a baby safe in my belly. But I guess a mini vacation is going to be good for our sanity. Some surf from Cape Canaveral and some fun from Disney can sure almost anything. Plus, we get to spend some more time with my parents. This year we have seen them a lot, and I love it! I also love that Jenn enjoys spending time with my family as well... definitely a bonus and a lot of stress off of me and our relationship.
Jenn is my rock. She has been absolutely amazing with all of this. When I am an emotional mess, and can't make a valid thought in my brain, she steps up to the plate and takes care of everything. I feel guilty most of the time though, as I am the older one, and should be playing this part... but she is just too good at it. Needless to say, I love her with everything that I have.
So now we rest, relax and wait for the next try. I have never wanted to see my next period so badly...ugh!

The Verdict...Sorta

     So we took the test on Monday morning and it was negative. I cried a bit, but generally held it together. Jenn is my rock, and I know that she is just as dissapointed as me, but she makes sure to see the positive and show it to me. She gets me through evrything. The only thing is, is that I have yet to start my period (TMI, I know) and I am having some symptoms that can't be just in my head. It has been almost a week with my sore boobs, and that can't be ignored. We are going to test one more time on Saturday, and then if it still says negative, I guess we will wait for aunt flow to eventually show up. It might be easier to go get a blood test done, but insurance won't cover that either, so the last thing that we need right now is another doctor bill.
     It feels like doctor bills are eating us alive. Not just from the IUI treatments, but from previous visits as well. Both Jenn & I got really sick a few months ago in Miami, and we had to go to an urgent care down there. Well although we have insurance, the 10% that is out of pocket is still significant when there were a multitude of tests and x-rays done and the bill is in the thousands originally. I know that we are lucky to have the insurance that we do, because without it, we would be stuck...but still... money is money.

     More updates to come... for now... we wait some more.

What I shouldn't have done...

     I got really impatient on Friday and did something stupid. I mad Jenn buy a first response test, and we took it that night. Of course it said negative. We were 7 days before my missed period, and 3 full days before the doctor said we should test, but nontheless, it was hard to see that single solitary line looking at me.
I still "feel" like I have symptoms, however minor they might be, so I have not lost hope, but I am a little less cheerfull since seeing the inevitable result. But, alas tomorrow is the day to test, and I am even thinking of waiting until Tusday morning instead, as we took the HCG shot at 9:45PM the 2 weeks prior. We will see, what Jenn thinks is best. I should've listened to her when she said we should wait... but I am a stubborn cuban till the end.
     We are making plans to visit my parents next month, as we have 5 days off in a row together. I am hopeing to have some good news for them. If we are preggers, taking it easy will be of the utmost importance should we go to Disney, so relaxing on the beach during the day, and walking around disney and riding the ultra slow rides is the plan for sure. I might plan on seeing all the shows that I tend to skip in order to go one all the rides instead,
     I am so glad that I am off tomorrow and Tuesday. Jenn is off on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I think that waiting until we are off together would be the smartest move. I am feeling so tired lately, it is hard to function at work, and I definitely need the rest these next few days.

Another update soon!

Testing 1-2-3

I have had enough with the waiting (I think). Jenn and I have decided to take a preliminary test tonight or tomorrow morning. I mean...Monday is only 2 days away, so it shouldnt make a big difference right? UGH! Decisions, decisions.

Imagined or Real Symptoms
* Really Sore Boobies
* Really tired
* Feeling a little sick to my stomach

The boobs are the major thing for me. I know I can't imagine the pain that they are in, so I guess that could be a positive or a negative. One the one hand, it could just be my period. But on the other, my boobs are usually only sore for a day or so before I get my period, and it has been 3 days already of full soreness.

I guess we will get a preliminary answer tonight...

Wish us luck!

The 5 Day Wait

     So, the 2WW 2/3 of the way over, and now we are down to the 5 day mark. It is so crazy to think that in just a few days, we will learn if we are mommies or not. Everyone we have any contact with that knows whats going on thinks that we are... but we refuse to get our hopes up. Yesterday Jenn & I took care of her little 3 year old cousin. We took her to the kids museum downtown, to lunch, back home to watch her favorite movie; Tangled, and then to the pool. We then gave her a bath and sat her down to watch some of Toy Story while we got ready ourselves. She was a perfect angel with us, and we loved ever minute with that little girl. This further solidified the desire to be a parent in both of us. Its funny how spending time with children can either help, or harm the feelings of wanting to be a parent.
     Watching Jenn with her cousin made my eyes water a bit. She is so great with her, and I can just picture her with our children in the future. Lately I have been reading up on early signs of pregnancy. This may have been a mistake, because all of the "symptoms" I think I am having, may all be in my head. I am asking questions like "Am I just tired because I am not getting enough rest, or is it because I am knocked up!?!" I am questioning everything...not to mention I am questioning all of my food intake, and physical activities. "Did I run up the stairs too fast that I could dislodge the blastocyst from my uteran lining?!?" I feel a little bonkers with all of these crazy notions and emotions.

     In the meantime... we wait. Just 5 more days... although today is almost over... so 4.5 :)

Maybe Baby

July 14, 2011

Yesterday was our first IUI cycle. It was definitely interesting. We got to C.C. at about 9:15 and waited until about 9:50 for the spermies to thaw. We got to the room where the insemination would take place and got the show on the road.
***Graphic Detail Alert***
They had to use an extra long speculum in order to get past my (deeper-than-normal) cervix. This took a couple of tries, and because any sort of lubrication would affect the sperm adversely, it was a little uncomfortable. Once in place, our RN inserted the catheter straight into my uterus. Then they injected the little swimmer up into my uterus.
 We stayed in the room for about 15 minuted more while I layed flat on my back to make sure the little guys made it safely to their destination. For the rest of the day, Jenn didn't really allow me to do much. My job was to take it easy and relax. This was actually exhausting. But today was back to work. I often wonder if me being on my feet for 10 hours a day would be a bad thing, but I guess I am not the first person to get pregnant while working retail.
In less than 2 weeks (on July 25th) we are going to be able to test for pregnancy with an at-home pee-stick. That day can not come soon enough as far as Jenn and I are conserned. I am trying to take it easy, and not do any hard work physically or eat anything crazy... trying to be as healthy as possible.
 Not to jinx anything, but we both have a good feeling about everything, and so does everyone else that knows. I decided to tell my abuela (grandmother) before telling my mother. I would like to tell my mother only when we are preggers, and it has been confirmed and safe for at least a month or two.
For now, we wait... wish us luck!