While everyone else was getting into the Christmas spirit, we were looking into second opinions, and researching a variety of specialists.
December 7th: I went into our current clinic for a surgical procedure called a hysteroscopy to see if they could find anything wrong with my uterine lining. Unfortunately/fortunately they did not. Which I guess is a good thing, but we still do not have any answers as to what is wrong.
December 11th: I went for my first visit with a Mercier Therapist. She is so amazing and so positive!!!! Which, is exactly what I need right now. She also recommended I try a chiropractor to possibly help align any pelvic muscles.
December 14th 8:00am: Jeff and I went to our current clinic for a “wtf” (what the fuck) appointment with our current Dr. to talk about next steps. We decide to bring them Christmas cake pops as a thank you for all the support that they have shown us over the past 17 months.
Current clinic believes that we just have bad luck and we could try using the “donor egg” protocol which takes about two months, and would include Lupron shots, steroids, and antibiotics. (*I would be using my own eggs, but this is a protocol I have been wanting to try because I think that possibly my body is rejecting the embryos, and steroids could possibly prevent it from doing that.)
December 14th 10:30: Jeff and I meet with a Dr. at Boston IVF. She is wonderful, and is able to spend so much time with us answering questions. What struck me the most about her was the fact that she read our files before we even entered the room, and knew information about our situation without having to refer back to her notes. She suggested that since I have a regular cycle, we try a natural protocol with Lovenox and embryo glue. I have read about other women having success with this as well, so it is something for us to consider. She also suggested running more blood work for Karyotyping (we had carrier screening, and our embryos were genetically tested, but this would specifically test my genes and Jeff’s genes for any translocations.)
Jeff and I had some long, difficult and wavering conversations about how to proceed, and ultimately we decided to try the long protocol with our current clinic. Since we have our embryos there, it just seems like the easiest path right now (transferring embryos to another clinic is costly, and also risky, and I preferred the idea of another transfer with our current embryos over having to do another egg retrieval procedure.) We still have a phone consultation with a NYC reproductive immunologist coming up in January, but at least we would be taking action in the meantime.
December 24: Start Lupron injections
December 25: Fly to Nashville (with one of our closest/best friends) after Christmas dinner for a mini getaway and lots of laughs.
“We’ve all search for the light of day in the dead of night
We’ve all found ourselves worn out from the same old fight
We’ve all run to things we know just ain’t right
And there’s a better life
There’s a better life
If you’ve got pain
He’s a pain taker
If you feel lost
He’s a way maker
If you need freedom or saving
He’s a prison-shaking Savior
If you’ve got chains
He’s a chain breaker”
Chain breaker by Zach Williams
breakdown and rally 