It's not just about turkey.....

So much to be Thankful for…..
I’ve been a little silent since our ERA mock cycle deciding how to properly put into words my feelings.  In case it wasn’t apparent in my last blog post, I did not want to do that mock cycle.  The thought of another cycle with all the appointments, meds, and cost with possibly no outcome was a miserable thought.  In the end, we opted (me reluctantly) to do the ERA mock cycle.  It required everything that a normal frozen embryo cycle entails, and on day 20 we would do a biopsy instead of an embryo transfer.  What does this mean – well, you have a 3 day window on when your body is ready for the proper time for the frozen embryo transfer, on day 19, 20, or 21.  We were successful with Colton on day 20, so our doctor did a day 20 transfer in May with one embryo, and in July with two embryos – both failed which prompted our doctor to put the biopsy on the table to see if maybe we’re a day 19 or 21.  Our results – DAY 21!  I fought, didn’t want to do it, but in the end (WAIT FOR IT), my husband was right (do not ever tell him I said this LOL).  He wanted answers, a reason, and I get it – but it was my body going through another cycle for a “possible result” – in the end, I’m glad he pushed for it to happen.
So where do we go from here?  Well, I began my final embryo transfer cycle back in mid October, with all the appointments and medication.  Today, I had my FINAL blood & ultrasound appointment pre-frozen embryo transfer – my FINAL ONE EVER.  This is a very exciting moment, because we began this process 8 years ago this very month in 2010.  Our very last frozen embryo cycle will be next week on November 29th, using our very last two embryos.  The fertility portion of our journey comes to an end next week, and I can’t even wrap my head around that, because fertility has become a way of life for me on so many levels - physically & mentally.  Not having another fertility appointment, fertility treatment, or fertility payment due is a HUGE deal in our world.  I feel like I’m somehow going to lose a portion of who I am, but also gain a huge part of myself back as this chapter closes in our lives.
While we are hoping that our final embryo transfer ends in a positive pregnancy test, there’s also a chance that may not happen for us.  I can’t tell you how I’ll react come December 10th when we have our final pregnancy test, but I do now that I whatever happens we will be okay.  We will be okay because we are lucky enough to be blessed with one perfect miracle within this process, Colton.    We are thankful for medical science, our doctor, and nursing staff over the years for giving our son life and making it happen for us.  We are thankful for all the support over the last 8 years – 8 YEARS!!!  Many people reading this made IVF possible for us, and without IVF we wouldn’t have Colton in our lives.  We are thankful for every single one of you who have supported us over the years, kept up with the blog, or who have simply checked in to ask how things are.  Without all the support and encouragement, we may not have come as far as we have, we may not have Colton, and I just cannot picture that at all….life would be incomplete without him (understatement).
We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday, and remember to be thankful for the little things.