The phone call the day after egg retrieval revealed that 14 eggs were mature, but only 10 fertilized. Although disappointed, we held steady to the thought that we only needed one embryo (in our hopes of adding it to our other 3). On the sixth day, the embryologist called to say that 5 made it to blastocyst and would be sent out for testing. FIVE!!! I remember collapsing on the bed, and Jeff and I just cried and hugged each other full of so much excitement and relief.
Two weeks after the embryos were sent out, we learned that we had the most amazing results yet. Three were normal. THREE!! Our best results yet! GOD is good!! The doctor informed us that we “could start building our family”.
97 shots
1 oncologist, 1 ovary removed, 1 cancer scare
4 scars
40+ acupuncture sessions
30+ blood draws (over 50 vials of blood)
3 egg retrievals
2 reproductive endocrinologists
2 therapists
25+ ultrasounds
oceans of tears
Every moment of pain seemed worth it to me because we could finally implant our embryo and bring our baby home.
I kept this song on repeat for weeks as a reminder that the worst was behind us now. In my moments of weakness Jeff would remind me that it was like we were swimming. We were not drowning, we just couldn’t see the island yet, and we had to keep treading water. I feel like we could finally start to see land. We made it through the storm, and I could start becoming who I was before.
“We have kept a light on through the trouble
Treaded water – in a sea of tears…
…If we can make it through the storm
And become who we were before
Promise me we’ll never look back
The worst is far behind us now
We’ll make it out of here somehow
Meet me in the aftermath
Oh, meet me in the aftermath”
Aftermath by Lifehouse
breakdown and rally 