Follicle study appointment

Today I had my ultrasound follicle study with Dr. Kopher. Like last time there were no eggs in my right ovary and again my left ovary was hard to find, but there were no eggs in there either. I was so disappointed. How can it work one month and not the next. Dr. Kopher did see some small eggs that may develop and mature and may not. He wants me to come in on Friday to see what they have done. So we will not be doing the Intrauterine Insemination on New Years Eve. I feel like if its not one thing its another.
I hope those of you who have been following my blog get at least one thing out of it; people with infertility go through the same emotions, feelings and stress as someone who has an serious illness or maybe treatable cancer. I have had a close family member with cancer and feel Eli and I are going through similar stresses. 10 months have gone by since we started all this and I still today never thought it would be me.
I will update on Friday after my appointment. If there are no eggs I will be devastated. Not sure how many more times of getting let down I can take. Please pray.

Thank you, Kristen & Eli

Appointment

My appointment with Dr. Kopher went well. He thought it was GREAT news that I got my period on my own. That means I ovulated and we are on the right path. ("We won the battle but not the war") Our plan for this month was what I had expected. I started 100mg of Clomid the day of the appointment, to be taken for 7 days. After all 7 days, wait 7 more days to go back to the clinic for a follicle study. This is where he looks at my ovaries with an ultrasound to see if I have any eggs mature enough for ovulation. My appointment for this is on December 29. If I do have eggs he will give me the same injection of the hcg hormone to help release the mature eggs into my uterus. My most fertile days will be New Years Eve and New Years Day. At the appointment I brought up Intrauterine insemination again and he said he would like to try that this month. So New Years Eve morning I have an appointment for the insemination. He did say that he also recommends to have sex after the procedure, just for more safe measures :) IUI increases the chances of pregnancy each month from 15% to 30%.
I am very excited to try something different this month. I am hoping this New Year brings us some more luck!
I also just wanted to say that I had an awesome time in Mexico with my friends. I feel a 100% more relaxed. It was what I needed and I thank my friends and husband for encouraging me to take the vacation.
Thanks again for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I will update after my appointments next week!

~Kristen & Eli

End of the month...

I've been patiently waiting for 17 days to go by so that we could test and see if we were expecting a miracle. We were so close, but on day 16 at work I got my period...I was crushed. I thought for sure it would work this month, or I wished. This is so emotionally draining to go through. In the beginning of the month I am excited and hopeful and always seem to get let down. Its hard to go on when you have been hurt so many times each month. Its also very hard to get advice or listen to those who have never been through something like this. I know everyone tries to help but you just really do not know how it feels until you actually experience it first hand. However, I am very grateful for all the support I have gotten from family, friends, and co-workers.
So, after a few tears and a lot of convincing from my friends and family I found the positive side of getting my period. It came on its own without medication to induce it! Which has never happened in the 11 months I have been off birth control. So I guess that means I ovulated and my body is starting to work with a little bit of help. I thank god for this progress but hope for more next month.
Everyone always asks me "Isn't it hard to work in labor and delivery and go through infertility?". It is in some ways but I am actually not at all jealous or envious of my patients. Its my job and they need me. I can't let my life get in the way of my nursing care. Its more of the friends and family who I become more envious of. But my time shall come sooner or later and I just have to remind myself that.
My next appointment with Dr. Kopher is on Tuesday December 16th. I believe he does an exam before prescribing Clomid again. I am almost positive the plan will be the same as this month. Clomid, Ultrasound, Injection, Sex. I am going to ask him again about intra uterine insemination for this month. I talked to many doctors at work who have said to just do it to increase your chances each month a little more. I will see what Dr. Kopher says about that.
Onto a totally different subject, spur of the moment my best friend Molly and her sister and I have planned a short vacation to Mexico. I have been so stressed out with this infertility, losing hours at my job for budget cuts and Eli losing some of his stores that I am in need of a vacation full of relaxing! We are leaving Thursday December 18 and coming back Monday December 22. We have never done this and I am so excited. Spur of the moment trips are sure to be interesting.
Once again I thank everyone for caring and supporting us as we wind through this tough path we are on. Everyone is very much appreciatted by both of us.
I will update after my appointment with Dr. Kopher!
Kristen & Eli Wolfe