February 2018

Update on a few things.....
We announced recently that we are trying for baby #2 via IVF, using one of our 5 frozen embryos.  So far it's been a bit hectic just to start our second IVF cycle.  Last month I had my consultation with my fertility doctor, and laid out a plan that seemed quite easy - so it seemed at the time.  You see, for the last 13 months (yes since January 2017), I have been bleeding.  This situation is quite unique, not to mention a complete struggle on the daily for me.  My entire life prior to my pregnancy with Colton, I would rarely have a monthly cycle, it would come approximately 1-2 times per year (super abnormal for the average female, yet normal for me).  So, to be bleeding for this amount of time that I have been is not only irregular, but very alarming.  Last April of 2017, my regular OB gave me an ultrasound and found nothing irregular to the bleeding, so I just sort of let it go after that and continued to deal with it (crazy I know).  Let's come back to the present - my fertility doctor wanted to address as to why I am bleeding, so she scheduled a saline ultrasound and biopsy of my uterus for February 9th.  I went to the appointment (mind you not had to drive there and back in the worst winter storm of the season), and neither procedures could be completed because I was bleeding SO heavy.  When I say heavy, I mean 1 tampon bled through, 1 pad completely soaked, and blood running down my leg within 30-45 minutes (TMI I know, but I want to explain the severity of it at times).  It's not always like this, however it is very often that it does occur.  She referred me back to my regular OB as there wasn't much she could do until my bleeding stops - then we could move forward.  She did however order a blood test for anemia, which not surprising came back with extremely low red blood cell counts.  This means I was diagnosed with anemia and have to take a new iron supplement. 

February 15th, I had an appointment with my OB.  I chose not to use my primary OB, but another doctor who I met through the same practice while I was pregnant with Colton.  He was actually the only doctor who paid attention to my high blood pressure which led to my diagnosis of preeclampsia (ultimately the reason as to why I was induced at 36 weeks of pregnancy to deliver - my BP was 160/110 that morning and I was in early kidney failure.  In my eyes he's a hero LOL).  I figured if anyone would pay any attention to what was going on with me, it would be him.  We did a pap (which came back inconclusive due to too much blood - yay me I get to redo that again), a blood test to check platelets & thyroid (thyroid came back normal, but platelets came back high), and he also gave me a hormone called provera to take for 10 days to hopefully stop the bleeding.  I found this odd since normally in my past with fertility, provera would be given to bring on my period, and he told me it will have the opposite effect and hopefully end my bleeding.  Within 3-7 days after the last pill, I should have a "normal" period.  Well luckily for the first time in a LONG time, it has worked so far, and I haven't been bleeding for 6 days straight now (thank God)!  So now I have a few things to do:  finish taking provera for the total of 10 days (3 more days left), then once I get my period ("Day 1"), call my OB and he will schedule the saline ultrasound to be done with him.  Hopefully that test will discover something called polyps that he is believing is the cause of the irregular bleeding.  Polyps grow in the uterus and are a noncancerous growth attached to the inner wall of the uterus, but cause bleeding.  If this is the case, he will then schedule a D&C (dilation and curettage).  This is a surgical procedure to remove tissue from inside the uterus.  Once that is complete, I should be able to move forward with fertility to try for our baby #2.

Now lets move on to emotions.  Excited, nervous, and scared...I'm petrified of failure.  I sort of feel like someone robbed me of my sparkle lately (mostly due to someone telling me I'm not myself & the hormones have changed me.  I think I've been pretty myself the last 7 days I've been on hormones, so that statement no matter the situation in my eyes is hurtful & heartless.).  I've been so tired, so drained, so exhausted - have you heard enough about how I'd like to just lay down for an entire week and sleep uninterrupted? I'm sure that's all due to anemia, which the iron should help regenerate my red blood cell count within the month, and I should feel normal again soon - hopefully.  The best thing I can do from here is surround myself with positive people who want to uplift me rather then attack me, and do what makes me most happy - enjoy my perfect little boy at home. 

Speaking of Colton - he's doing GREAT!  He has 8 teeth now, running all over the place, and getting better with his words like "more, mama, daddy, book, uh-oh, & no" and he says "shhh" for shoes.  He loves to ride his little quad, bring you books to read to him, feed the fish, and bath time is still his favorite.  He gives kisses and loves to snuggle which is my favorite.  His personality is so big and bright.  He's always looking for me when I pick him up at daycare, he will grab his little bag and walk towards me with the biggest genuine smile there ever was.  However, he does know how to throw the perfect tantrum, which at this point is still a little funny (I'm sure that will change).  He's learned what "time-out" in the corner is.....it may be 30 seconds in the corner but it works better then the word "NO", which he just laughs at.  He's learning ability amazes me.  I can't find all the words in my heart to express how he is the most amazing thing to ever happen to me.

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