I'm still in shock that our infertility journey has brought us to this point. If you'd have asked me 5 years ago if we'd ever consider IVF, I would have said, "No way! We'll get pregnant before we have to do anything that extensive."
But God. He had other plans. And here we are, just a few days after the egg retrieval, weaving our way through the IVF process.
But God. He had other plans. And here we are, just a few days after the egg retrieval, weaving our way through the IVF process.
Thankfully, by God's providence, we were delayed in starting the process a few months ago. This allowed us to clear our schedules as much as possible, minimize extra stressors, and devote more time to prayer.
After a busy summer, we started the first step of the process – again – taking birth control. When I pulled up to Walmart on that hot July afternoon to purchase the prescription, I almost cried. What girl trying to get pregnant wants to take birth control? Not me! But with the doctor's orders and the need to "calm down" the follicles that would soon produce eggs, I started the pill.
This was not a fun experience. My body does not like birth control! My hormones were out of control, and I wanted to eat everything in sight. Unfortunately, my body did not react as it should, with calm, "deflated" follicles, but rather continued to function as usual as if I was not taking birth control at all. So with that, the doctor ordered a double dose of birth control every day.
With almost every exam, Dr. Johnson would say, "Well, Paige, you don't look frazzled yet. I keep expecting you to fall apart the next time I see you because of the increased doses you are taking!" And I'd laugh and think, "It's only by God's grace!" After about a week and a half (which seemed like an eternity), things were looking as they should and we were ready to proceed with the next step: more hormones!
About a week after finishing my last birth control pills, I started a series of injections and medications that would stimulate my ovaries to produce a greater number of eggs than a regular cycle in order to retrieve them and fertilize them for a later transfer. Amazing that this is even possible!
Throughout these 2 weeks of injections and medications, I had to visit the doctor's office every day for a transvaginal ultrasound and a blood test in order to monitor the results and adjust the injection dosage(s) if necessary. By the end of the 2 weeks, my arms were bruised and I felt like an oversized pincushion! Of course, the published list of side effects for the medications was extensive; the good news, however, was that I only experienced a few minor side effects such as anxiety, sadness, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, and bowel issues. Probably too much information, but I want to remember the details so I also remember how gracious God has been to me throughout every step of this process!
With almost every exam, Dr. Johnson would say, "Well, Paige, you don't look frazzled yet. I keep expecting you to fall apart the next time I see you because of the increased doses you are taking!" And I'd laugh and think, "It's only by God's grace!" After about a week and a half (which seemed like an eternity), things were looking as they should and we were ready to proceed with the next step: more hormones!
About a week after finishing my last birth control pills, I started a series of injections and medications that would stimulate my ovaries to produce a greater number of eggs than a regular cycle in order to retrieve them and fertilize them for a later transfer. Amazing that this is even possible!
Throughout these 2 weeks of injections and medications, I had to visit the doctor's office every day for a transvaginal ultrasound and a blood test in order to monitor the results and adjust the injection dosage(s) if necessary. By the end of the 2 weeks, my arms were bruised and I felt like an oversized pincushion! Of course, the published list of side effects for the medications was extensive; the good news, however, was that I only experienced a few minor side effects such as anxiety, sadness, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, and bowel issues. Probably too much information, but I want to remember the details so I also remember how gracious God has been to me throughout every step of this process!
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| David's workbench, AKA our home pharmacy. |
David did anything and everything that had to do with the shots. He got up early and mixed them every day. He administered the shots, disposed of the needles etc. etc. I could go on and on! I am very thankful for the part he played in this process as it relieved A LOT of the stress just knowing he was measuring the doses and making sure the injections were done properly.
After 10 days of injections, doctor's appointments, blood tests, and ultrasounds, the doctor determined I was ready for the egg retrieval based on the size of the follicles, and I was scheduled for surgery on August 16th. The doctor said it was as if my body was saying, "Let's hurry this process up. I'm ready to go." He said I progressed quickly, and things were looking very good.
Before retrieval I had to have 2 final shots to trigger ovulation so that I was ready to go for the procedure. One of them had to be given at 12:30AM, 2 nights prior to the procedure. I was too nervous I wouldn't wake up, so I forced myself to stay up until 12:30 and then woke David up in time to give me the injection. The final trigger shot was given by my doctor the next day and we were set to go for the 16th.
After 10 days of injections, doctor's appointments, blood tests, and ultrasounds, the doctor determined I was ready for the egg retrieval based on the size of the follicles, and I was scheduled for surgery on August 16th. The doctor said it was as if my body was saying, "Let's hurry this process up. I'm ready to go." He said I progressed quickly, and things were looking very good.
Before retrieval I had to have 2 final shots to trigger ovulation so that I was ready to go for the procedure. One of them had to be given at 12:30AM, 2 nights prior to the procedure. I was too nervous I wouldn't wake up, so I forced myself to stay up until 12:30 and then woke David up in time to give me the injection. The final trigger shot was given by my doctor the next day and we were set to go for the 16th.
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| My view while waiting for egg retrieval surgery |
We arrived at the Scottsdale office about an hour before the procedure to re-sign the consent forms, prep for surgery, meet with the anesthesiologist, and speak with the doctor. When I first arrived they took David back right away, and I was left in a small space with a curtain around me and silence. I started to get a little claustrophobic!
Thankfully, the doctor came in and realized I had been left alone, opened the curtain, found David so I wasn't alone, and told me not to worry because it would soon be all about me for at least the next hour or so.
Around 11:40AM after being hooked up to an IV, I walked myself to the operating room, got up on the table, had my legs strapped up in the air, and was ready to go. I was quite a sight I'm sure! I told all the nurses and staff in the operating room, "I guess all modesty is out the window now!" They laughed. I made sure to thank all of them for everything they were doing for us. One of the nurses started crying and another one said, "See! Our job is worth it!" It was sweet! The nurse that had been taking my blood every day came to Scottsdale just to be there with me for the procedure. The staff and doctor could not have had better bedside manner; they clearly understand the toll that this process takes on a couple.
The doctor came in just as the anesthesiologist put me under. I had wanted David to pray with me and the doctor but it didn't work out, so I decided I'd just tell the doctor I was praying for him. And I did! He leaned over, patted me on the side of my leg, and told me everything was going to be okay. (He probably thought I was just nervous and afraid I wasn't going to wake up, ha!)
About 45 minutes later the procedure was completed. I easily woke up and about an hour later left the office with pain meds, anti-nausea pills, and a very tired body.
The surgery was a success. We trust God that just the right number of eggs were retrieved, and that He will work His will in creating life. We are praising the Lord for answering our prayers thus far, and are hopeful for the days and months to come.
~ Paige
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| Thankful for God's goodness so far! |
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