Well, we got to Victoria safe and sound. Our flights went smoothly and I had no issues getting through security with my needles/medications and stuff. I also managed to take care of the car rental and navigate around using "Richard"...my handy-dandy GPS.
Today I finally met Dr. Hudson and Leigh and they are as amazing as I knew they'd be! So sweet, kind and accommodating. From my ultrasound everything looks GREAT (YAY! God is good!!) and I start my increased dose of Gonal-F tonight. What is Gonal-F you might ask? Well, as Leigh would call it..."the most important 'drug' of all...it's like your "miracle grow"..lol! Minor speed bump of the day....my pharmacy back home did not give me the Gonal-F so I am waiting for it to get into the Pharmasave here tomorrow afternoon. How then, will I start my meds tonight if my pharmacy back home failed to dispense it?? I can start it tonight because the clinic is so awesome that they have 'loaned' me 2 boxes of the medications that I can replace once I can use my insurance coverage to get them from the pharmacy tomorrow! How awesome is that?! Not expected. Talk about making you feel cared for. They could've just forced me to buy from them and I'd be out the who-knows-how-much $$$$ and have to suck it up! Wow! God has definitely led us to this wonderful place where the doctors and clinic staff are warm, caring and inviting. Praise his name! I just know he has brought us here and he is taking care of everything.
Now, it's not even 10:00 a.m. and we are free until Monday morning....what to do???
I'm not sure. We'll ha:ve to find something to keep us busy.
Anyways,
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
Love you all,
Jen
Friday, 30 March 2012
Thursday, 15 March 2012
2 more weeks!
Well in 2 weeks (8 work days if you can believe it!) mom and I are off to Victoria! Luc has a bit more of a wait...but it's coming up fast!!!!
Newest update: I have $2000 in "medical travel expenses" I can claim through my benefits that I was unaware of until just a couple of weeks ago! Praise God! He is really taking care of everything for us.
I can't believe it's coming so fast. If I'm being honest, I'm not nervous at all about the IVF treatments at all (which sounds bizarre to most people I'm sure...but that's what a faith in God will do for you!). What I am nervous about is leaving my classroom kidlets for 6 days. Sounds ridiculous I'm sure...but it's hard. I have my routine and my way of doing things and as much as I completely trust the substitute that is coming in...it's still hard to say "here are my kids...here are my resources....have a great time!" Pray that the transition will go well for the kids and the substitute and that things will go smoothly in all areas.
Anyways, that's my quick little blurb! Not very "rambly" today!
Love you all! Thanks for you continued prayers and support!
Jen
Newest update: I have $2000 in "medical travel expenses" I can claim through my benefits that I was unaware of until just a couple of weeks ago! Praise God! He is really taking care of everything for us.
I can't believe it's coming so fast. If I'm being honest, I'm not nervous at all about the IVF treatments at all (which sounds bizarre to most people I'm sure...but that's what a faith in God will do for you!). What I am nervous about is leaving my classroom kidlets for 6 days. Sounds ridiculous I'm sure...but it's hard. I have my routine and my way of doing things and as much as I completely trust the substitute that is coming in...it's still hard to say "here are my kids...here are my resources....have a great time!" Pray that the transition will go well for the kids and the substitute and that things will go smoothly in all areas.
Anyways, that's my quick little blurb! Not very "rambly" today!
Love you all! Thanks for you continued prayers and support!
Jen
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Step by step we're moving forward, little by little we're taking ground...
Well it's been a while since I've posted an update, so I thought I'd let you all know what's going on in our journey to Victoria.
Things have been happening almost weekly. I've had lab work done and I've begun the prep stages of my treatment. I've been on my Metformin treatment the doctor prescribed me for my insulin resistance and I have lost nearly 15 pounds and I'm continuing to eat healthy and try to continue to get my weight down as a part of this journey.
Also, so far, we have our flights booked and paid for, our accommodations booked and paid for, IVF deposit paid for (that's a nice chunk of it already paid), rental car booked, prescriptions faxed to and at the pharmacy (so that we can pay that before we get there and be reimbursed via benefits).
Now, I didn't write a post about this, but my number one 'worry' was being able to afford everything all at once. I have been faithfully praying that God would make a way for things to work and I tell you He is always faithful. I had this thought in the beginning (for some reason) that we would have to pay everything all at once and we wouldn't have a way to do it...but...we have been able to pay little by little and get different costs out of the way. The flights..done! The accommodations...done! Deposit on the IVF, done! My medications (which is potentially the most expensive part) are going to be paid for before we get to Victoria so we have time to be reimbursed and thus we will have more available funds to pay the remainder of our IVF costs. I just see this as such a blessing. The stress that I was having is literally melted away!!! All the glory be to God because I just know He has been leading and guiding this entire journey and continues to do so.
In other news, on the treatment front, I won't begin my full on treatment protocol until I am actually in Victoria, meaning that unlike the majority of patients who go through IVF who have to begin the treatment process (nasal spray/injections) before they get to the clinic...I will be in Victoria for the entire process. This is also somewhat comforting because I know my doctor will be close by. I know ladies go through it all the time on their own but somehow just knowing that I'll be seeing my doctor for appointments and stuff while I'm going through the process is very comforting. As I said before, the stress that I was feeling...that anxiety over things to come is quickly dissolving and it is all thanks to God. I feel His presence and His hand in everything and I take great comfort in knowing that He is watching over me at all times. This journey would be impossible without Him.
So there you have it, a bit of an update on what has been happening with us and our journey. Step one is only 46 days away. That's 46 days until mom and I hop on a plane to Victoria. A bit longer than that for Luc. It's coming so quickly!
Continue to lift us up in prayer. I can feel the presence of the Lord in all of this and it is in thanks to my wonderful prayer supporters.
Love you all,
Thanks for following our journey,
Jen
Things have been happening almost weekly. I've had lab work done and I've begun the prep stages of my treatment. I've been on my Metformin treatment the doctor prescribed me for my insulin resistance and I have lost nearly 15 pounds and I'm continuing to eat healthy and try to continue to get my weight down as a part of this journey.
Also, so far, we have our flights booked and paid for, our accommodations booked and paid for, IVF deposit paid for (that's a nice chunk of it already paid), rental car booked, prescriptions faxed to and at the pharmacy (so that we can pay that before we get there and be reimbursed via benefits).
Now, I didn't write a post about this, but my number one 'worry' was being able to afford everything all at once. I have been faithfully praying that God would make a way for things to work and I tell you He is always faithful. I had this thought in the beginning (for some reason) that we would have to pay everything all at once and we wouldn't have a way to do it...but...we have been able to pay little by little and get different costs out of the way. The flights..done! The accommodations...done! Deposit on the IVF, done! My medications (which is potentially the most expensive part) are going to be paid for before we get to Victoria so we have time to be reimbursed and thus we will have more available funds to pay the remainder of our IVF costs. I just see this as such a blessing. The stress that I was having is literally melted away!!! All the glory be to God because I just know He has been leading and guiding this entire journey and continues to do so.
In other news, on the treatment front, I won't begin my full on treatment protocol until I am actually in Victoria, meaning that unlike the majority of patients who go through IVF who have to begin the treatment process (nasal spray/injections) before they get to the clinic...I will be in Victoria for the entire process. This is also somewhat comforting because I know my doctor will be close by. I know ladies go through it all the time on their own but somehow just knowing that I'll be seeing my doctor for appointments and stuff while I'm going through the process is very comforting. As I said before, the stress that I was feeling...that anxiety over things to come is quickly dissolving and it is all thanks to God. I feel His presence and His hand in everything and I take great comfort in knowing that He is watching over me at all times. This journey would be impossible without Him.
So there you have it, a bit of an update on what has been happening with us and our journey. Step one is only 46 days away. That's 46 days until mom and I hop on a plane to Victoria. A bit longer than that for Luc. It's coming so quickly!
Continue to lift us up in prayer. I can feel the presence of the Lord in all of this and it is in thanks to my wonderful prayer supporters.
Love you all,
Thanks for following our journey,
Jen
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Taking steps forward....EEK!
It's official!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 29 I will be getting on a plane and flying to Victoria and I will be there until April 13th! I talked to the clinic today and was told that whenever worked for me would work for them! Talk about service I tell ya! Usually it's the other way around! So cool. So, I have decided to take the 4 days before Spring break off plus the Thursday and Friday before in order to give myself some re-coup time before I have to go back to school on April 16th! I'm so excited!!! Flights and accommodations have been booked and the wheels are in motion. Airmiles more than cover the flights for me, mom and Luc so that is a HUGE blessing...we just have to pay for the taxes/fees which is a lot less than 3 people round-trip!! I must say though, once I got the call this afternoon after work saying to book for whatever dates I wanted the stress immediately set in (man, being the decision maker and having to finalize all the details is hard!!)...Please pray for my mind to be at ease and for this to not be an issue, I have a history of being a worry wart when it comes to these sorts of things...which is completely out of character to my normal, everyday, easy/breezy, go with the flow self! Anyways....things are starting to happen and happen rather quickly here. I have so little time before I'll be off and away for Part One of my Two-Part IVF experience.
Stay tuned!
Thanks for the prayers! They are much appreciated!
God Bless!
Love, Jen
March 29 I will be getting on a plane and flying to Victoria and I will be there until April 13th! I talked to the clinic today and was told that whenever worked for me would work for them! Talk about service I tell ya! Usually it's the other way around! So cool. So, I have decided to take the 4 days before Spring break off plus the Thursday and Friday before in order to give myself some re-coup time before I have to go back to school on April 16th! I'm so excited!!! Flights and accommodations have been booked and the wheels are in motion. Airmiles more than cover the flights for me, mom and Luc so that is a HUGE blessing...we just have to pay for the taxes/fees which is a lot less than 3 people round-trip!! I must say though, once I got the call this afternoon after work saying to book for whatever dates I wanted the stress immediately set in (man, being the decision maker and having to finalize all the details is hard!!)...Please pray for my mind to be at ease and for this to not be an issue, I have a history of being a worry wart when it comes to these sorts of things...which is completely out of character to my normal, everyday, easy/breezy, go with the flow self! Anyways....things are starting to happen and happen rather quickly here. I have so little time before I'll be off and away for Part One of my Two-Part IVF experience.
Stay tuned!
Thanks for the prayers! They are much appreciated!
God Bless!
Love, Jen
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Alice (Underground) Avril Lavigne - Lyrics
Here is a song to musically represent the journey I have been on this year.
Just like the lyrics say:
"When the world is crashing down, When I fall and hit the ground, I will turn myself around, Don't you try to stop me!"
The news that we were to have IVF was devastating at first, but I did not let that stop me. My dream is to be a mother and with a lot of faith and trust in my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I have gotten through and in a few short months my dreams will be coming true.
Thank you all for supporting me in love and prayer,
I love you all!
God Bless!
May the year 2012 be full of blessings for all of us!
Jen
Saturday, 24 December 2011
My Christmas Rant (I apologize in advance if this offends anyone)
Well I'm sitting here, it's after midnight and I just can't seem to fall asleep. It's technically Christmas eve (just super early in the morning).
I haven't really been in the Christmas spirit too much this year. I think that is because there is a lot about the way Christmas is celebrated that really bothers me. Take "Santa Claus" for example. Now, don't get me wrong, the idea of a jolly old man who unselfishly gives gifts to the children of the world...it's a nice concept. I had "Santa Claus" when I was young..I turned out alright. I guess what I don't appreciate is that it is a lie that children are told and it is a lie they feed into so they get more things...more presents. Kids don't ask for dollies and dinky cars nowadays, trust me, I've read the letters. They ask for things like quads, snowmobiles, cellphones, iPods, laptops, gaming systems, $$$ etc.$$$ etc. I'm 25 soon to be 26 years old...some of these things I don't even own and cannot afford to own...yet kids write letters to Santa expecting to receive these things...and what is more sad, there are kids that actually receive these things as gifts (from "Santa"). Kind of raises the bar pretty high for the parents that cannot afford to buy these things for their children. Sort of makes the kid that gets a doll and not a laptop think Santa must hate her or something otherwise why did Sally get a laptop and all I got was a stinkin' doll? Also, what happened to the naughty and nice list??? I know there are kids out there who are naughty 85-95% of the time and they still get those quads, dirtbikes, snowmobiles, laptops, cellphones...you name it. Hmm...must be awesome to be that kid. I can do whatever I want without consequence...and basically get rewarded for acting like that all year long?! Nice. No, seriously, that is really messed up! I know you're supposed to be nice at Christmas but not disciplining your child all year and then giving them everything they want...yeah that doesn't sound like a recipe for success if you ask me.
Sorry, that was my rant on Santa Claus and how the whole Santa Claus thing is played out in homes around the world. I just cannot stand it. Yes, I play along with it every year. I'm a teacher, I have to. But, the whole buy buy buy, spend spend spend, shop shop shop, has made Christmas into this terrible holiday that makes me cringe and want to hide under a rock. The awkward "oh you bought us a gift, but we have chosen not to buy presents for anyone this year" conversation never ends in warm fuzzy feelings inside. It's terrible and the pressure and stress that comes along with it is enough to make a person sick.
Do you want to know what Christmas is truly supposed to be all about? CHRIST!
Yes, you heard me. Jesus Christ. Well over 2000 years ago God gave the ultimate gift to the people of Earth. He sent His son to be born of Mary and to be called Jesus, Emmanuel (God With Us). He was brought into the world only to die for the sins of man, that all who believe in Him shall have eternal life. God could not have given us a greater gift. That gift beats an iPod or a laptop or a quad any day of the week and Christmas should be a celebration of the fact that God gave us this wonderful gift of Jesus Christ. Santa Claus has nothing to do with it. It is not called Santa-mas...it's called Christ-mas! I have nothing against those of you who choose to celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus. It is your choice and I hope you enjoy your holidays and find joy in the moments you share with your family and loved ones. I hope the kids wake up and experience the same joy I did on Christmas morning thinking Santa had been there and left us all these wonderful presents. It is magical. Just do me a favour. Please do not forget that Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So, while you're thanking Santa for the presents he placed under your tree, send up a prayer of thanks. A thank you that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Sorry, this blog post has not had much to do with fertility, and it seems like I'm bashing Santa (which I'm not. Santa is a great story about unselfishly giving to others, and I'm a huge supporter of unselfish giving, really I am!!)
I haven't really been in the Christmas spirit too much this year. I think that is because there is a lot about the way Christmas is celebrated that really bothers me. Take "Santa Claus" for example. Now, don't get me wrong, the idea of a jolly old man who unselfishly gives gifts to the children of the world...it's a nice concept. I had "Santa Claus" when I was young..I turned out alright. I guess what I don't appreciate is that it is a lie that children are told and it is a lie they feed into so they get more things...more presents. Kids don't ask for dollies and dinky cars nowadays, trust me, I've read the letters. They ask for things like quads, snowmobiles, cellphones, iPods, laptops, gaming systems, $$$ etc.$$$ etc. I'm 25 soon to be 26 years old...some of these things I don't even own and cannot afford to own...yet kids write letters to Santa expecting to receive these things...and what is more sad, there are kids that actually receive these things as gifts (from "Santa"). Kind of raises the bar pretty high for the parents that cannot afford to buy these things for their children. Sort of makes the kid that gets a doll and not a laptop think Santa must hate her or something otherwise why did Sally get a laptop and all I got was a stinkin' doll? Also, what happened to the naughty and nice list??? I know there are kids out there who are naughty 85-95% of the time and they still get those quads, dirtbikes, snowmobiles, laptops, cellphones...you name it. Hmm...must be awesome to be that kid. I can do whatever I want without consequence...and basically get rewarded for acting like that all year long?! Nice. No, seriously, that is really messed up! I know you're supposed to be nice at Christmas but not disciplining your child all year and then giving them everything they want...yeah that doesn't sound like a recipe for success if you ask me.
Sorry, that was my rant on Santa Claus and how the whole Santa Claus thing is played out in homes around the world. I just cannot stand it. Yes, I play along with it every year. I'm a teacher, I have to. But, the whole buy buy buy, spend spend spend, shop shop shop, has made Christmas into this terrible holiday that makes me cringe and want to hide under a rock. The awkward "oh you bought us a gift, but we have chosen not to buy presents for anyone this year" conversation never ends in warm fuzzy feelings inside. It's terrible and the pressure and stress that comes along with it is enough to make a person sick.
Do you want to know what Christmas is truly supposed to be all about? CHRIST!
Yes, you heard me. Jesus Christ. Well over 2000 years ago God gave the ultimate gift to the people of Earth. He sent His son to be born of Mary and to be called Jesus, Emmanuel (God With Us). He was brought into the world only to die for the sins of man, that all who believe in Him shall have eternal life. God could not have given us a greater gift. That gift beats an iPod or a laptop or a quad any day of the week and Christmas should be a celebration of the fact that God gave us this wonderful gift of Jesus Christ. Santa Claus has nothing to do with it. It is not called Santa-mas...it's called Christ-mas! I have nothing against those of you who choose to celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus. It is your choice and I hope you enjoy your holidays and find joy in the moments you share with your family and loved ones. I hope the kids wake up and experience the same joy I did on Christmas morning thinking Santa had been there and left us all these wonderful presents. It is magical. Just do me a favour. Please do not forget that Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So, while you're thanking Santa for the presents he placed under your tree, send up a prayer of thanks. A thank you that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Sorry, this blog post has not had much to do with fertility, and it seems like I'm bashing Santa (which I'm not. Santa is a great story about unselfishly giving to others, and I'm a huge supporter of unselfish giving, really I am!!)
Moving onto the fertility side of things...in a little less than 4 months we will be heading to Victoria to begin the process of starting a family. You already know that but this Christmas, we have chosen to cut back on the gifts and material things. We are saving up our pennies diligently to make our dream of having a child come true. The Lord has been so good to us and He has not ceased in providing for us every step of the way. Our dream seems to be more and more within our reach every day. I am so grateful to have a loving God who not only gave His only Son as a gift to save me from my sins but who provides for me in every aspect of my life. Everything I have is because of Him and Him alone. I am so excited to begin this new chapter of my life. I have been working to lose some weight and get healthier. It has been baby steps, but I am doing it one step at a time. This new year we are about to embark on is about health and happiness. It is about prioritizing, that is, spending more time on things of importance and less time on the things that do not matter. I am turning over a new leaf. I have realized that part of that turning over a new leaf has included leaving the material/commerical/santa claus focused Christmas of my past IN the past and working towards a Christmas that is focused on Christ and his birth and all that means for us. That does not mean my kids won't know about Santa Claus. It does mean they will know he is not real. I will give my children gifts at Christmas..but they will be gifts from their father and I, not from some supernatural being who flies with reindeer and comes down a non-existent chimney. All I want for Christmas this year is to spend time with my husband, family and friends in celebration that Christ was born to save us all. That is a beautiful story and I encourage you to sit down with your children and read it to them! You'll be glad you did.
So I apologize for the fact that this is nearly exclusively a rant about Christmas, but it's my blog...and I'll write what I want to.....lol!
Merry Christmas!! May you truly feel the blessings of God upon you and feel truly grateful for all that has been given you!
Love to you all!
Jen
So I apologize for the fact that this is nearly exclusively a rant about Christmas, but it's my blog...and I'll write what I want to.....lol!
Merry Christmas!! May you truly feel the blessings of God upon you and feel truly grateful for all that has been given you!
Love to you all!
Jen
Friday, 2 December 2011
A bit more information...
So my doctor emailed me back after I asked him a few more questions. I sent another email in reply and am waiting on other answers...but in the mean time here is what I found out!
I am at risk of OHSS not just because of my polycystic ovaries but because I am so young. The younger you are the higher the chance and worse the OHSS can be.
A fresh transfer at the time of retrieval can still be successful but the odds go down by 20% =( The doctor says he would only do a fresh transfer if we have enough good quality embryos (and if I was comfortable with it). He does say that there are still lots of successful pregnancies achieved with the use of GnRH agonists instead of HcG. I have emailed him in response that it bothers me to not give my baby the best chance at survival...but that ultimately I'd like to think on it and hear his professional insight.
If we did not do a fresh transfer it would be 6weeks before my body would be calmed down enough to start the 2 weeks of estrogen treatment I would need to get ready for a frozen transfer. Then I would only have to go to Victoria for a few days to go through a frozen transfer! This takes us to about mid June. I should be pregnant before summer vacation !!! =)
I have a prescription of metformin to fill and we both have some lab work to get done.
And again, I just feel this whole journey has been in God's hands and I feel so at ease, especially with my doctor. He must have been hand picked by the man upstairs himself! He really does make me feel so cared for. So I am singing the praises of my heavenly father as always! He has made this journey so much easier!
I tell ya...it feels amazing to have things in motion!! My new year is looking more and more like the new year I had envisioned! I cannot wait =D
God bless you all!
I will keep you posted!
For now, continue to lift us up in prayer. It is greatly appreciated!
Love you all!!
Jen
I am at risk of OHSS not just because of my polycystic ovaries but because I am so young. The younger you are the higher the chance and worse the OHSS can be.
A fresh transfer at the time of retrieval can still be successful but the odds go down by 20% =( The doctor says he would only do a fresh transfer if we have enough good quality embryos (and if I was comfortable with it). He does say that there are still lots of successful pregnancies achieved with the use of GnRH agonists instead of HcG. I have emailed him in response that it bothers me to not give my baby the best chance at survival...but that ultimately I'd like to think on it and hear his professional insight.
If we did not do a fresh transfer it would be 6weeks before my body would be calmed down enough to start the 2 weeks of estrogen treatment I would need to get ready for a frozen transfer. Then I would only have to go to Victoria for a few days to go through a frozen transfer! This takes us to about mid June. I should be pregnant before summer vacation !!! =)
I have a prescription of metformin to fill and we both have some lab work to get done.
And again, I just feel this whole journey has been in God's hands and I feel so at ease, especially with my doctor. He must have been hand picked by the man upstairs himself! He really does make me feel so cared for. So I am singing the praises of my heavenly father as always! He has made this journey so much easier!
I tell ya...it feels amazing to have things in motion!! My new year is looking more and more like the new year I had envisioned! I cannot wait =D
God bless you all!
I will keep you posted!
For now, continue to lift us up in prayer. It is greatly appreciated!
Love you all!!
Jen
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