Thursday, January 21, 2016

Round 2! Feeling Good!

Okay, so the first IUI didn't take - I'm over it.

This SECOND cycle has got me very excited for a couple reasons:

1) Now that they have gotten to know my body's timing during the 1st IUI, they were able to pin point PERFECTLY when my follicle(s) would be mature and ready to trigger.

2) During my last ultrasound appointment, things looked way different than the first go around. My lining was much thicker and my right ovary showed a HUGE, mature follicle (I think they measured at 21 or 23mm) with another pretty big one as well (18mm). Left ovary was quiet, which is good - not sure I want THREE eggs floating around! They had me trigger that night (never fun) and scheduled my IUI for the morning after next.

3) IUI day: lining still looks fantastically thick, but SURPRISE - my big follicle had collapsed, ensuring that I had actually ovulated this time (last time my follicles were still big and round and I was nervous I didn't actually ovulate). The 18mm was still there, but doc suspects that one will release an egg as well - prob in the next few hours.

4) Sperm count was high once again. My husband is so great. I mean that in all sincerity. We are so blessed (cliche, I know) that he is in tip top fertility shape!!

Husband says he doesn't want to get his hopes up, but that he said a prayer this morning. I loved that. Makes me happy to know he wants this as bad as I do, but sometimes just has trouble expressing it. The whole macho male thing... *sigh*.

Anyway, now I'm back to feverishly researching and reading blogs - like I'm going to learn something I already don't know. Most of the links in my search results are that already-looked-at-purple color. I'm just so excited and want so badly for this to be it.

I think I'm going to take a different approach this time. Instead of acting like I'm pregnant and emotionally beating myself up, I'm going to act like all is normal! Nothing different here! Well, I will cut down on drinks - but other than that, I am completely normal! Hopefully that will cut down on some stress and make this 2ww seem a lot shorter.

Fingers crossed and lots of prayers!!

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Test Results - No Surprises, Unfortunately

As expected, my test came back negative. So we will start this whole thing over again soon. Upside: I can stop taking that nasty progesterone. Downside: another month of hoping, praying, and waiting.

I'm sad, but honestly I don't feel as bad as I thought I would. It's comforting to at least KNOW. Now I can prepare myself for another go instead of clinging onto false hope. C has been very supportive as well. We got the call during lunch on Monday, so it was nice that we heard the news together and got to talk it out. I've learned that his way of dealing with this stuff is just different than mine, and that he does care about the outcome even though on the outside it may not seem so. Funny how men and women can be so different.

I finally talked to my work bff about everything. Didn't go into details, but told her we've been getting treatment and that I tested negative this month. She's pregnant with her second, but unlike a lot of other posts I've been reading, I don't try to avoid her or get sad when I see her. That's selfish and unfair to her! I think I've learned my lesson on jealousy. It was really great to talk to her though, because unlike my other friends, she is interested in kids and talking about the process. Some of my other friends can't relate to what I'm going through because they are just at completely different points in their lives. Nothing is wrong with that... it's just nice to finally talk to someone who can somewhat relate.

Anyway - we are taking the next step in our journey. I'm trying to stay positive and not think about what happens if we keep getting negatives. Honestly, I don't know what we would do if we had to move to IVF. There are just so many moral ambiguities. Also not sure if I could put myself through the stress either. BUT... like I just mentioned... trying to not jump too far ahead of myself.

One day at a time. Focusing on the fact that I am doing everything in my power to overcome infertility... and right now, that's all I can do!

Sunday, January 3, 2016

The Wait is Almost Over: Feeling Negative

So tomorrow is the big day. I go in for my beta blood test bright and early.

It has been 16dpiui and I got a BFN on FRER (first response HPT) this morning. Not feeling very optimistic right now. I immediately logged on my computer and started googling "Negative HPT, positive beta after IUI??!". Some responses were encouraging, but I feel like I'm just grasping at straws right now. I'm definitely preparing myself for a negative beta tomorrow.

The worst thing about this experience is the inability to completely share what I'm going through with anyone. I tried to share with my husband this morning and his response to my negative HPT was "oh no." in a rather sarcastic tone. Then he proceeded to login to his computer to work. That was it. When I told him that was insensitive, he said "what?". When I repeated his response, he said NOTHING and just walked away. I went into the bathroom and cried. Are men really that OBTUSE?! I don't get it. I guess they will never understand a woman's undying desire to be a mom. And the torture and agony that comes with every reminder that you may never live out that dream.

I guess I will continue this journey alone.

On another note: I swear I've been feeling pregnant... but that might just be wishful thinking. Found myself on the verge of tears for NO REASON the other day. Could be side effect of the progesterone though. I just so desperately want a positive tomorrow. Mother-in-law texted me that she bought two extra grandchild stockings for next Christmas "just in case....", so that puts the pressure on as well. I know she didn't mean to... has no idea what we're going through... but she's now suspicious due to my lack of drinking over the holidays. I would give anything to give her another grandchild (or two!) by this time next year, but seems like this dream will have to be put off for another month.

So I'm prepared. Prepared for disappointment. Prepared for more meds, more injections, more unfortunate side effects. Prepared for more internalized sorrow and never ending "what if?!" thoughts that occupy most of my days and nights. Prepared for a negative, but still hoping (only if it's just a glimmer) for a positive.

FC and lots of prayers tonight.