First Blood Test Result

My progesterone level from Friday came back yesterday. At 3 dpo it was at 55.7. Whaaat? Last medicated cycle (7.5 F.emara, 100 mg progesterone) my level was a sad 8.5 at 7 dpo. So, yeah, a nice improvement in that department. Obviously it is in no way an indication of if this cycle worked, but at least it means it was a nice, strong O. I do feel good about that we seem to have found an effective meds regiment for future cycles. As of today, the trigger is out of my system, so it's just a little more waiting, and a lot more wondering.

A Tiny Step Forward.

We finally got a call today from our home study worker! She seems really nice, and she was letting us know that letters were going out today to those we gave as references, and that we would be getting some paperwork to submit as well. Whenever she receives our packets back, she will call and set up the first visit. I'm hoping to have the packets for DH and I done and back to her by the end of the week so that hopefully, by this time next week, we will have a date set for that first session. We weren't given any indication of how far out these meetings are being booked, so to be on the safe side, we are making sure that every.single.thing. about the house and the room is finished by the end of next weekend. Just in case.

I'm not getting ahead of myself, though. While I'm happy things are moving forward, we are *such* a long way from adding to our family. There will be at least 2, if not 3 more sessions - assuming she likes us and the house on her initial visit. Then it's figuring out what kind of placements that we are ready to accept for respite care situations. Then we wait. And we hope, that at some point in the journey and temporary placements, we get a call for a child that's waiting. Until then, there is an empty room full of clothes and toys, and I keep the door to it closed. I am excited about this journey, yes. But I'm also realistic about what it might involve, both time and heartache wise. It's strange to have to have a room all set up when there are so many hoops to jump through before that space you've carved into your home is filled. If it ever is. I've said it before, and I'm sure it won't be the last time - there are no guarantees in this process. All we can do is hope for the best, and be prepared as much as possible for the outcome we are working towards.

The 2WW Begins.

I've lost count of how many times I've been in one of these. Living life in 2 week long increments of treatment and waiting. It's BS, if you ask me, but clearly the universe has no concern for what I think is fair or unfair. That bastard.

Either way, it's out of my hands now. I triggered on Sunday, which went well, other than my thigh being really sore the next day. I was showing the starting signs of O already on Sunday, and based on my experience with my cycles, my best guess is it happened overnight Monday, or early Tuesday. Though honestly, pinpointing it like that is just another thing for me to obsess over, so, whatever.

I go on Friday for my progesterone draw, and hopefully I'll have the rest of my Rx by then. I thought it was 100 mg P.rometrium 3x/day. That part is correct, but I'm also supposed to do another 100 mg 2x/day supp-style. So, 500 mg a day up from the 100 mg I've done in the past. If that doesn't help my LP, I might be a lost cause! Too bad the pharmacy didn't get it right either, because all they gave me were 24 pills at 100 mg. Obviously that lasts less than 5 days at the correct dose, instead of the full 12. The on-post pharmacy is the only one around here that doesn't take electronic prescriptions, and I'm not driving 2 hours to pick up a paper slip. I'm crossing my fingers that it can be here via snail-mail by Friday, so I can have it filled before mine runs out over the weekend.

Still no word from our Home Study worker. I know they are busy, but I was really wishing that we'd at least get a phone call with a guesstimate on our first visit. Hopefully soon.

In NBR news, DH has a 4 day weekend this weekend. That makes me quite happy. It is supposed to rain, ha, but I don't care. This will be the first down time since he came back from training that hasn't been full of my appointments, or errands. Well, other than the blood work, but that's pretty minor, since I can do that locally. I wanted to take both pups out to the park at the river, so I'm hoping the rain lets up for bit to allow us an outing! I can't wait until spring when we can do more with them outdoors. There is supposed to be pretty good hiking, camping, canoeing, etc. around here, and I'm so excited to get out there and do it all when the weather is nicer!

A Turn for the Better.

I was so upset earlier this week with how things were going; or not going, as the case was. I'm so happy that DH is now home, and has been a huge help to my sanity! He is such a wonderful support, and my best friend. I am capable of handling it all on my own, but it is just so much better when he's here.

I had my second follie check on Wednesday. I went from nothing on Monday, to one 11, one 10, and two 9's. Some improvement, since everything on Monday was non-existent. Yesterday I had the third check. A much better jump after the most recent 2 days of stims! I had one 15, one 14, one 13, and two 12's. Still not where they need to be, but my body seems to be over the hump, and progressing well. I stimmed yesterday, will again today, and will trigger on Sunday.

I have no expectations, and I'm trying to keep it that way. I go back next Friday for a progesterone check, and I start P.rometrium on Wednesday, 3 times a day. Hopefully it will make more of an improvement in my pathetic luteal phase than the 100 mg supps did. I (almost) always had a great progesterone level on my post-O draws with my Texas RE, but then, AF would show up by around 10-11 dpo. If the P.rometrium can extend that a handful of days, that would at least help me feel like I had a chance.

So yet again, here goes nothing.

A bit of a vent.

One more day. That's all I have to get through before DH comes home from this training. Damn good thing, because any longer, and I might scream.

On the TTC front, I had my first follie check on Monday. Nothing. Nada, zip, zlitch. I had my E2 drawn, but they didn't tell me what it was. I know it's early, but that was so disheartening to not have a single promising follie started. I did 75iu CD 3-5, then 50 on CD 6. I was instructed to stay at 75iu yesterday and today, and I have my second scan in the morning, as well as another E2 draw. I'm not getting my hopes up. I hate having to drive over a hour each way every few days, and I'm nervous about the possibility of having to stim for a long time to see results. That's a lot of gas, time, and complications with DH's work days - just to get down there for appointments full of fail. And the G.onal F headaches... ouch.

On the home front, I'm at my wits end. 99% of the time, all the pets are great fun, and relatively easy to take care of, especially given the number of them. But lately, they are driving me nuts. I think it's because I've been gone a lot with appointments, and when I am home, I've been constantly busy. Cleaning, continuing to unpack and renovate, juggling all the calls, bills, errands, etc. since it's all on me while DH is gone... they aren't getting their normal amount of attention. I'm rarely sitting still in one spot or room, and typically, as I run around the house, I have at least 4 of them follow every step I take. The new kitten has suddenly taken to going potty in the shower. The big female cat has been beating up the kitten. Paisley pup cut her leg open on something outside, which I learned about because the dogs came in covered in blood. She's all bandaged and fine now, and it doesn't seem to hurt her much, thankfully. Toby is going through a big growth spurt/rebellious puppy stage - though training tips from my friend C have helped immensely. The house has been an ongoing nightmare of a project for months, and I know that once things are done, it will be calmer. Or at least finishing the parts I can do. It will be professionals coming in for the big things, thankfully. But in the mean time, trying to balance everything alone - the repairs, the pets, and the meds/appointments? I'm going bonkers.

I think I'll have some wine to go with my whine.

Go Time.

All of my appointments went well yesterday, and each Doc was on board with starting this cycle. I begin G.onal F on Thursday, continue through Sunday, and return to the RE on Monday for a follie check. Hopefully it won't take too many checks before I'm ready to trigger, since it is a good drive from home, and DH will be back from training soon, and back to work as usual. 

I'm trying hard to find the balance, yet again, of being hopeful without getting my hopes up. This week should have been yet another 1st Birthday, for another baby we never got to meet. I just want something to go right. To work out. To allow my husband as much time as he can get during a healthy pregnancy before he deploys again. For him to be excited about the future of our family, instead of being heart broken over another loss, another failure, as he had to do last time around. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can give that to him. 

Holding My Breath.

Tomorrow will be quite a telling day as far as this, and future cycles are concerned. I have three appointments in the morning; one for insulin resistance blood work testing, one for pre-conception counseling, and then a follow up with my RE. Tomorrow should also be CD1, and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I can get the ball rolling to do a treatment cycle this time. I was originally under the impression the the counseling was only about the use of blood thinners during pregnancy, should I get there again. When I called to find out about starting my medications for this cycle, I learned it was an all-inclusive counseling, and a pre-requisite of beginning a treatment plan. I finally got it all worked out scheduling wise, so that I have the counseling done in time to, theoretically, not be too late for this cycle. I just hope that when I see my RE tomorrow afterwards, that he's game to get this started, too.

I've been taking the P.laquenil for the lupus, and while I haven't been taking it long enough to notice pain improvement, my body is certainly reacting to it in the form of side effects. They are a bit scary if I don't keep an eye on them, so I'm trying to stay on the ball. I've also got all my G.onal F, hanging out in the fridge, thanks to a very generous friend, K! I've had enough of break time. I'm ready to do this.

Missing a cycle when you are TTC around a military training and deployment schedule is a big deal. Every chance that you miss out on before your soldier leaves for a year can seem crushing. What if *that* was the time it could have worked? What if one more cycle would help the RE find the right meds, and get it right, so that you're successful before he leaves? It's such a stressful combination, and I'm just holding my breath that I don't have to miss this chance.

Not-So-Unexplained-Infertility

This has been a big week diagnosis wise. Countless tests, blood draws, meds, and playing musical REs for years now - all that has led to nothing as far as an actual infertility cause. The mild lupus, yes, that has an influence on getting and staying pregnant. However, it doesn't explain the wacky cycles, lack of ovulation, short LP, or other symptoms of hormone imbalance.

But PCOS does. I met with new RE yesterday, and he mentioned my PCOS. Um, my what? Oh, that thing that no one noticed before? Yup, that. In defense of my previous Docs, they were pretty focused on the immunology, but still. I have almost every PCOS symptom. I've noted them on every new intake form when I get sent to yet another new RE. And nothing ever even mentioned. Oh well. It's out there now.

As much as getting told there is a 'problem' stinks, I'm beyond relieved. The answers I've gotten this week explain so many things about the trouble I've had the last few years. It also means that I have a much better chance of changing things outcome wise in the future.

Next cycle, I'll start G.onal F and monitoring, and will be triggering (hopefully) in a time that works with DH coming home from a short training trip. If that works, I'll start the lupus treatments. If not, we will adjust the meds, and try again until DH leaves for deployment again. Just keeping my fingers crossed that the outcome will be different this time that it was before last deployment.

In other news, our make-up class for Foster Care licensing was last night. So we are officially done with all out classes, and all that's left is turning in the rest of the papers, and waiting on home study to be scheduled. It has been an amazing process so far, and I can't wait for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids who need us.

It's such a change to feel positive about the future. To feel like somehow, some way, a family is on the horizon in some way or another.

Lupus "Lite"

That's my current diagnosis after my first appointment with my new rheumatologist. Auto Immune/Connective Tissue Disease/Mild Lupus. This doesn't rule out full-on lupus, it is just all the can be diagnosed in a single visit based on symptoms and past labs. For now though, that is where it stands. I had lots of blood work and testing done, like always. I go back in one month for follow up tests so my Doc can start monitoring for damage to any organs or systems. That's the only way to nail down calling it full blown Lupus. If there isn't significant damage at this time, it still may be progressing that direction, so it is a scary and uncertain road. The comfort comes in knowing that I'm going to be watched closely, be treated proactively, and that if and when things go downhill, it will be caught quickly. I feel confident in my new Doc, and in the care of this practice, and for that, I'm so fortunate.

My overall health, of course, comes first and foremost. I'm so thankful to feel like I'm in good hands with that. However, I will admit that I left in happy tears at how he will be addressing my concerns of how this has impacted my struggles with IF and RPL. His outlook on it was that - if there are treatments that won't hurt, and have a good chance of helping, why would we not pull out all the stops after all I've been through? And that is an approach I've been hoping to find in a Dr. for the last 15ish months since I found out about the auto immune issues. It's getting longer between each pregnancy, with each pregnancy being shorter than the one before. It's been almost a year since my last BFP, and that only lasted a few day - even though my treatments have been stronger, and more involved since then. I've had significant symptom flare ups in that time as well. I have to believe they are connected. If there are things that I can do or take that might be game changing, bring it on.

So, it's P.laquenil starting immediately to combat my symptoms and flare ups. That will help me feel better, but also may help lend success to upcoming IF treatments. If I get pregnant again, I'll add in P.rednisone steroid treatment, as well as injection blood thinners, likely L.ovenox. He may also add progesterone shots, since I have low numbers in the department. That's the plan, and it is one I feel great about. I still have to *get* to the part where it comes into play though. That whole pesky actually getting pregnant thing that I'm not too good at? That's my big obstacle now. I can only hope that my new RE that I start with next week will be as understanding and proactive. Oh, and that they will work with Soldier's training and deployment schedule, which will cause some complications.

It is a lot to process. This is a journey I only recently decided to revisit, and it is a little tough to get my head in the right place with it. But, I can honestly say that I'm glad we reopened this door. Knowing that everything that can be done, will be done - that's huge. And if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. At least I'll know I took this ride as far as it could go, and won't regret, or wonder 'what if' down the line.

This Time Next Week...

...we will be finished with our pre-approval classes! Then it's constant prep and waiting for the home study to be scheduled. Hopefully that won't be too long, because the 'real' waiting starts after that. I had a really rough weekend, where I was so overwhelmed, I was starting to really doubt if I could handle it all. I know those moments are going to happen. I can't be strong and positive 100% of the time, but it can still be tough not to feel like a failure when I get overwhelmed. I'm so lucky though, as I have been for over 2 years now, to have such amazing friends. I feel loved by them whether I'm at my best, or at my worst, and that is pretty phenomenal to me.

I'm now looking for outlets here locally. The pets are great, the house keeps me busy, and so on. But I really want to have a little craft business. Or group or class of some sort. I will  be going back to school again soon also. Something I've attempted, and then dropped too many times - but I really do need a degree that opens doors no matter where the Army sends us. That's been a challenge with my major from college, pre-marriage and military. I don't want to spend my time working frivolous jobs just because they are what my area has to offer. I'd rather add to my skills and education, so that I can get an actual career now that we will be here awhile. We also have some big decisions to make about our living situation in the future. As much as I work, the progress is still not enough to be comfortable long term. There is so much we can do, and have done, to make it look/feel nicer, and acceptable for home study. But, continuing to absorb the responsibilities of the problems that keep arising is so much added stress, and I'm just not happy with the road it's taking us down. No matter what call we make, it will impact everything else, so we are trying to weigh our options carefully.

Until then, more waiting!