What's Our Story

{Another permalink as an "FYI" for visitors.}

I met hubby in 04/2001. We both worked with different YMCA afterschool programs while attending different colleges. From there, we just began talking, hanging out, & unofficially dating. When I pointed out it was unofficially, he officially asked me to be his girlfriend. I was thrilled to meet someone that was so good with kids, since that was extremely important to me. We both knew we'd like to have children someday...

We continued dating through my graduation (05/2002), then his junior college graduation (05/2003). When deciding on what school to finish his undergrad degree, I think he took my plans into consideration… I planned to move back home. Which, conveniently, had a major state university. So, it was FSU for him.

We married a year later when he told me he was switching universities. I told him I needed a greater commitment to follow him & we were shortly engaged! Then, in the midst of planning a wedding, trying to find a place to live in South Florida, & searching for a job… he decided the best thing to do would be to stay right where he was (like 2 wks before the wedding, can ya tell nothing else was working out for us… jobs, living arrangements). Which was good. I always tease him that he “tricked” me into marrying him.

But, I was definitely pushing him for marriage. I was ready to start my family. When we married (07/2004), I was on birth control. After dealing with the crazy way it affected me, we decided in 11/2004 to go off the stuff. He didn’t want to get pregnant right away since he was still working on his undergrad, but we decided to be open if God would allow it.

A year later & we weren’t pregnant. I went to see my GYN. He pretty much told me that since we were so young & didn’t really “want” to get pregnant (his words, not mine) w/ my husband still in school, that it’s nothing we should worry about. Hmm.

So, 6 months later & we’re still not pregnant. Went to visit him again & he started the basic “work-up”. HaHa. He did a pa.p smear, u/s to check for fibroids. We also had a SA done. That reflected lower, but normal, numbers. We repeated the SA several months later & pretty much were done. My GYN said that was the problem & ignored my requests for further diagnostic tests for endometriosis.

Hubby didn’t ever set up a urology appointment & I tried once (to get the price est, since we knew it wouldn’t be covered), was turned off by the nurse I spoke with & didn’t do any more.

Meanwhile, I’m in the midst of applying for a part-time nursing school program. Got approved in 02/2007 & had to return lots of paperwork verifying my immunizations & such. Which led to lots of communication with my primary care physician (PCP) & a visit. At the visit, I asked for a referral for another GYN to pursue an endo diagnosis. The nurse I spoke with also had endo & was very supportive. By 05/2007, I was meeting with the new GYN. I came armed with all my risk factors, symptoms, “proof” that I should get a lap. I was pretty defensive mentally, but this GYN was completely different. {He is part of a fairly large practice & was the only one that was a member of an infertility association… I know, really, that doesn’t mean anything as far as his experience goes, but I was hoping maybe it meant he was a bit more sensitive.} It didn’t take any arguing or pushing & he was completely responsive to all of my concerns. Since I was beginning classes that month, we decided to schedule my surgery at the end of the summer semester.

In 07/2007, I was diagnosed with endo. He said that in practice they don’t stage it, but since I asked he said it would be either Stage 2 or Stage 3. My bladder & uterus are very close buddies & are still stuck together. Fortunately, at this point, my ovaries were not affected. Had some more adhesions in my cul de sac with most of the removed tissue coming from my left side.

Since my doctor knew we very much wanted to become pregnant (Nick had since finished his undergrad degree & was beginning his grad degree while working), he gave us until 12/2008 to TTC before starting more intensive treatment.

New Years Day 2008, our dreams were crushed again. The next day, I picked up my prescription for Zoladex. Very similar to Lupron, but this is a monthly implant. I also had add-back therapy, which helped a bit. We met with the RE the next week.

RE was willing to attempt IUIs before IVF, which I was relieved to hear. They wanted another SA, too. Our plan, in 01/2008, was to save for IUIs by the end of the year & pursue IVF in Spring 2009. I wasn’t very hopeful about IUIs, which made it easier to take the next bit of news… IUI was out after they processed the SA (03/2008). The count was normal, but on the low end. Motility fine, too. The morphology was 1%. They wanted at least 5% for an IUI. So, IVF it is.

We were still thinking about Spring 2009 as an IVF start date. That changed & by the end of 05/2008, we were scheduling our savings & arranging fundraisers & hoping for an 12/2008 start date. Also had another lap to remove the endo. Told the GYN I wanted it all out. Grossly unsuccessful. Grossly. Spent the night before & morning of my b'day in the hospital for a surgery that basically removed nothing. Doc said he'd pretty much have to do a laparotomy & didn't feel that the increased recoop time was worth the extra removal. So, ute & bladder are still stuck together + my left ovary is being pulled behind my uterus. So much for Zoladex stunting the endo growth. Don't really even have pics from this surgery as the cameras went out during the surgery. Which made a 30/45m surgery 1.5 hrs. Ugh.

From 05/2008- 10/2008, we saved, did several fundraisers (which included T’ware sales, craigslist sales, & yard sales), & also were fortunate enough to receive donations. We had the money by the end of 10/2008. We also began fostering classes to pursue fostering through a local Christian agency at this time.

Our official start date is Nov26, with stims starting on Nov28. We’re looking at a beta test right around Christmas. Ouch.

We are very thankful for the opportunities we have & being able to go through one fresh IVF cycle without debt. We’re excited & nervous.