I know some of you have been asking for an update so that you can continue to know how to pray, so I thought I would take the time to update you on what's been going on the past few weeks, and what the plan from here is.
After the hyperstimulation, I went for my check-up appointment to see how things were going. My ovaries were still very much enlarged, and the fluid wasn't receding very much, so they decided to put me on a week of bed rest so that my body could try to correct everything so they would not have to drain the fluid. Patience test number 1. This was so difficult for me for many reasons. My life right now rarely allows for much down time and it was a big adjustment. I enjoyed the first day or so, but after that I felt so unproductive and it was hard to be patient and just rest.
After hyperstimulation the next step is to wait for your body to regulate, and for you to get back a normal cycle. Patience test number 2. As if I wasn't already feeling disappointment from a cancelled IVF cycle, now there is nothing I can do except wait for things to get back on track.
Next came the good news. My nurse called me and told me that she knows it can be dreadful just sitting around waiting or things to regulate again, so they were going to start me on a medication that would get me regulated and start my cycle within the next week! After this happened, I was to go to the office for monitoring to make sure my ovaries were back to normal.
Finally I was regulated and I was off to the doctors for that monitoring appointment. After waiting in the office for a while (Mini Patience test number 1) A doctor who has only seen me once before comes in with somewhat of a bewildered look on her face and asks "What are we doing here today?" That wasn't exactly reassuring, considering everything I had been through up to this point, and also the fact that she was the doctor, but somehow I managed to tell her what my nurse had instructed me to do, and that I was beginning a FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) and so the doctor decided I should get my blood work done.
As I was sitting BACK in the waiting room for my bloodwork to be drawn (Mini Patience test number 2) a nurse who I do not normally see, came out and proceeded to tell me "Um, Nakeia, You actually need to go on birth control before you do an FET, so you did not even need to come in today so you can go ahead to the checkout counter" Patience test number 3. Major Patience test! I had been told by MY doctor and nurse that I would be having my FET done in just a few weeks. Never once was birth control mentioned, and now a doctor and nurse that don't know my history very well are telling me otherwise. I politely checked out and waited for my typical afternoon phone call from the office to try to figure this out. With that phone call, it was decided that since my doctor and nurse were not in, that I would wait until the next day to talk with my nurse about my FET plan. Patience test number 4.
The next day I had another disappointing conversation with my nurse. As it turns out, the lab where they perform the FET's closes down at the end of this month to do major cleaning and sterilization. Due to this, all transfers and FET's have been pushed back, making mine scheduled for August 21st. Patience test number 5. I know this may not seem super far away to some people. But to us, this is extremely far away. Considering this past Saturday would have been the day we found out originally if we were pregnant, and also that we were told we would only have to wait a few weeks to do the transfer and now it's 2 months later.
For some reason, the Lord feels like we really need a lesson in patience. Although we feel like we are patiently waiting, he keeps presenting us with situations where we have to wait more and more. We still know this will all be for his glory, and that our attitudes will determine how that happens. It is our prayer that we remain faithful, and keep our eyes focused on him, and that we do not lose hope by letting the discouragement get a foothold in our lives. So, if you are looking for something to be specifically praying for, join us in that, and that he will continue to bless us with encouragement. Thank you!
