No news is good news.....

Here we are on the verge of a deployment and we are in complete limbo. Michael officially does not have a deployment date. Let's just say it's anytime in the next 6 weeks. Let me tell you that this is really frustrating. I had gotten myself all mentally prepared for the deployment. Now we're in limbo. This does give us some more time together which is really nice. If we can try the IUI this month, then at least I'll have him here with me through the process. I'm praying hard for it to happen this month.

I got my first sub job tonight, and it's going to last for the rest of the week. I'm really excited for it! What made me giggle when I got the phone call, was the teacher I'd be subbing for - it's the music teacher. Now all you Salvationists know that our first instrument is a brass instrument and for the next 15+ years we play and play and play. And most of us played in high school bands too. It just makes me giggle that my first sub job is as a music teacher! Will let you know how it goes.

Until next time.....

Patiently waiting

Well this blog won't have any info on doctor appointments, but it will have an update on Michael & I. Michael is getting ready for his 4 deployment. We have about a week left until he leaves. He has started blogging again, www.thebigcheeseburger.blogspot.com, where he will be able to hopefully post what he's up to in Afghanistan. I'm hoping to get out an address to our family and friends so that you can send Michael cards, notes, and care packages if you like.

This deployment will only be 12 months in length. And as I type that, I can hear most of you saying "Only 12 months!", well last deployment was 15 months. I think that was the hardest ever. Deployments don't really get easier as you go through many of them. This time around though, I have decided to stay at our home on Ft. Bragg. I have become very involved in our FRG, Family Readiness Group, and have responsibilities that include managing our FRG's online store. I also have gotten a job - substituting at the high schools off post. I'm really excited for this opportunity.

Please pray for Michael and the other soldiers in the battalion as they deploy. Most of the soldiers are already gone and are getting situated in Afghanistan. We know that God will provide protection to Michael and the people of Afghanistan that he will meet on a daily basis. I will post items that you can send him, if you would like, once he gets to Afghanistan and knows what he needs.

We are grateful for your love and support. Until next time......

Today's Experience

I've changed the title of my blog from "Mrs H Does Italy" to "Our Journey Through Infertility". At least when Michael's deployed in a few weeks he'll be able to follow me through the blog since we won't be able to chat about things face to face everyday.

This morning I went and had another ultrasound done to do some measuring. My blood work came back at 25, whatever that means, but that's a good thing. I started off the beginning of last week at 2500 then went down to 230, then this morning I was at 25. We have to wait another month or so to try again. I'm not going to get explicit about the other "adventure" of the day, but let's just say we will continue to try while Michael's away.

This experience is certainly teaching me patience. I've never been tested like this before. I thank you for all your prayers and comments. I will definitely keep up better with this blog. I'm hoping as this goes on that the title will have to change and I'll be able to post pics of ultrasounds and my pregnant belly.

Until next time....

Another day....another blood test

Well it's been a whirlwind of emotions this week. After my tests on Monday and the emotion of finding out we had to wait another month to try again, I spent the next 2 days on the couch with some serious nausea. I ended up vomiting Monday night, which was not a good sign. I had to go in Tuesday for blood work and my levels are just starting to come down, which is a good sign. I went to the doctor this morning and I've lost 2 pounds of bloating and water weight, which makes me feel good. I haven't really eaten anything besides toast in 3 days, so that helps too.

I found out from the ultrasound technician that I have great ovaries for an IVF patient. I hope I never have to go through IVF (we can't afford it anyway) since it's painful and emotional. I also found out that since my ovaries reacted somewhat well to the meds, they were concerned that I would have 4+ kids at once. They don't want to put my body through that. I couldn't imagine going through that alone. I don't know what I'd do being pregnant with that many babies all alone. CRAZY!!!

So, now we're waiting for next month to try again. I'm so thankful for all the love, support, and prayers that you are giving us. We are blessed to have so many friends and family who are praying. Maybe I should re-title my blog - I'm not living in Italy anymore. Maybe I should rename it My Fertility Journey or something. If you've got any ideas, let me know.

Until next time.....

The Fertility Game

I've been reluctant to post about the past few weeks. It's been a whirlwind of emotions for me. So let me just start.

We've been trying to have a baby off and on for about 3 years. I knew it was going to be difficult, but I didn't realize it would be this difficult. Due to deployments and training it's hard to "schedule" the perfect time to get pregnant. I don't ovulate on a regular basis which makes timing difficult. This brings us to moving to Ft. Bragg. There are very few reproductive endocrinologists in the military, but there is one here. I've been through tests, trials, and more tests over the past 6 months that it's ridiculous. The last round of tests showed that I have PCOS. For the past week I've been doing injections to help stimulate my ovaries for an upcoming IUI. I had an ultrasound this morning and some blood work done, and it showed that I have hyperstimulation of the ovaries. At this point I have too many follicles, nausea and heavy cramping. They can't do IUI until my levels come back down. I'm off the injections as of this morning and started another injection to help bring down my levels. I go back for another ultrasound on Thursday morning to see how everything is.

The stress for me is that Michael's leaving in 21 days. I knew I'd have to do a pregnancy alone, which I'm perfectly fine with. I have my plan in place in my head. They said we can try again next month. I think they only allow 4 tries with IUI. We're going to keep trying while he's away though.

Please keep us in your prayers as we go through this process. It's an emotional journey and at times I just want to throw in the towel. We know that God has so much in store for the both of us. I guess I just need the patience to know that it's all in His timing.

Until next time....