Tuesday, December 31, 2013
"Small Miracles-Living In The Now from 2013"
At the beginning of 2013 Mark and I were believing we would bring home our miracle baby this year. We are told over and over again that God has a plan and his timing is perfect. With all my heart I believe that to be true. 2013 wasn't our year to have our miracle, maybe 2014 is, and that's what we are believing for!!!
As we reflect on 2013 and the fact we didn't receive our BIG miracle we are reminded of the SMALL miracles we have been blessed with and that will all play a part of the making the BIG miracle happen. Sunday in Church we sang a song, one of the lines says "Miracles are your memorials" and the message that was taught that day was "learn to live in the now". Oh how that speaks to my heart. Although this year had MANY disappointments, it had many blessings as well!! Here are a few of our "Small Miracles-Living In The Now from 2013":
Jan: Decided to start a family-taking charge of our infertility
Feb: Ovulated on my own w/o meds-huge miracle!!!!
March: Appt with Dr. made a plan of action
Trying to conceive(TTC) on our own
April: Opened up publicly about our infertility. We gained amazing support from our family, friends and church family.
Still TTC on our own
May: My Mom became really ill-she made a miraculous come back!!!
Still TTC on our own
June: TTC on our own-unsuccessful
July: Found a new Dr.-to receive a second opinion and to do IUI's locally
Decided to go with new Dr.
Aug: Finically able to afford 3 IUI's and meds that are needed for IUI's
Sept: Celebrated our 12th year of marriage!!
IUI #1 unsuccessful-blessed to be able to do this locally and not have to travel to Houston, Austin or Temple!
Oct: IUI #2 unsuccessful
Stepped out in faith and purchased a CRIB!!! Believing it will be filled with a baby one day!!
Nov: IUI #3 unsuccessful
Dec: Started my blog to give hope to other infertiles and educate others on the good, the bad and the ugly of infertility.
Met our new Dr. In Houston who will perform IVF in 2014! We loved him!!
Things you can pray for us during 2014:
*Our IVF treatment will be around $16,000 insurance does NOT cover anything. God knows what we need and we are believing he will provide.
*We will be able to do IVF and it WILL be successful the first time!!
*I will respond well to the meds and shots associated with IVF
*We will get our miracle baby!!
If you are believing for a Miracle in 2014, no matter what is it: financial, marriage, family restoration, healing or a even miracle baby of your own!! We are believing with you! If you would like for Mark and I to be in prayer with you, you can email us at waitingonourbabycake@yahoo.com
We would love to pray on your behalf!
Happy New Year!! May all your dreams come true in 2014!!
Love,
The Mosley's
Monday, December 23, 2013
Right On Time
I always get so nervous meeting new a Dr. I don't know why. Today as we were driving into Houston I am trying to stay relaxed but it never fails I get so nervous:) I guess I think they are going to tell me they don't want me as a patient or can't meet my needs. Our prayer was as we met the new Fertility Specialist this morning that we would know right away if He was the doctor for us. God didn't let us down. Within the moment of walking into his personal office, not a clinic room, I relaxed. The Doctor came in and instantly we knew he was a resource God would use for our journey. I had asked God for signs that we were in the right place and throughout our conversation we had so many similarities that I new they were the signs I asked for!!
He began by getting to know Mark and I. All of my charts hadn't been sent over so he began to ask me what tests, blood work, and procedures I have had done and what were the results and how had I responded. I tell him everything I know and that I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2001.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. He pulled out a packet full of great information, even some for Mark, so he is aware of what is going on in my body. Some of my blood work I had done about six months ago came back borderline. He wasn't happy with those results and has ordered different tests with more accurate results. He took the time to explain to Mark and I what he was ordering and why. He ordered testosterone, free testosterone, thyroid, glucose tolerance test (this will tell if I am insulin resistant, which most women who have PCOS are), and AMH (women with higher AMH values will tend to have better response to ovarian stimulation for IVF and have more eggs retrieved. In general, having more eggs with IVF gives a higher success rate). He explained (disclaimer: this is my take on what he explained) that when a normal person eats, insulin is released. In PCOS women extra insulin is produced, which finds cells and turns to fat. Insulin also works hand in hand with testosterone. When there is extra insulin there is a possibility for extra testosterone, which can cause cysts on the ovaries, headaches, fatigue, excess hair growth on the face and body and thinning scalp hair. To which, I have ALL of these and is why we are rerunning a more detailed test . I will be starting metformin tonight which will help regulate the extra insulin. I will be on metformin for ten weeks before we can begin IVF. He also suggested that I restrict my diet and work out 3-5 times a week as I have in the past. One important thing he asked was "Do you ever skip meals?" to which I reply "NO" at the same time Mark replies "YES, if she is working on a project she will not stop to eat!" The doctor explained that this is horrible for my insulin and that I must not skip meals and start eating snacks every three hours to keep my insulin level balanced. I am so glad Mark was with me today, He keeps me honest:) After the New Year the medicine should be regulating my insulin and I should be starting to feel back to normal.
Our next appointment is Jan 31 and we will know more about our IVF timeline in detail. The doctor believes it will be early Spring 2014!!!!
I know this is a lot of information and it's very personal but I have had PCOS for 12 years and today I got more answers and tests run that I ever have. I hope this helps other PCOS women to at least know some of the questions to ask when seeking medical advice. In telling our story we want other couples to find HOPE!!
He began by getting to know Mark and I. All of my charts hadn't been sent over so he began to ask me what tests, blood work, and procedures I have had done and what were the results and how had I responded. I tell him everything I know and that I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2001.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. He pulled out a packet full of great information, even some for Mark, so he is aware of what is going on in my body. Some of my blood work I had done about six months ago came back borderline. He wasn't happy with those results and has ordered different tests with more accurate results. He took the time to explain to Mark and I what he was ordering and why. He ordered testosterone, free testosterone, thyroid, glucose tolerance test (this will tell if I am insulin resistant, which most women who have PCOS are), and AMH (women with higher AMH values will tend to have better response to ovarian stimulation for IVF and have more eggs retrieved. In general, having more eggs with IVF gives a higher success rate). He explained (disclaimer: this is my take on what he explained) that when a normal person eats, insulin is released. In PCOS women extra insulin is produced, which finds cells and turns to fat. Insulin also works hand in hand with testosterone. When there is extra insulin there is a possibility for extra testosterone, which can cause cysts on the ovaries, headaches, fatigue, excess hair growth on the face and body and thinning scalp hair. To which, I have ALL of these and is why we are rerunning a more detailed test . I will be starting metformin tonight which will help regulate the extra insulin. I will be on metformin for ten weeks before we can begin IVF. He also suggested that I restrict my diet and work out 3-5 times a week as I have in the past. One important thing he asked was "Do you ever skip meals?" to which I reply "NO" at the same time Mark replies "YES, if she is working on a project she will not stop to eat!" The doctor explained that this is horrible for my insulin and that I must not skip meals and start eating snacks every three hours to keep my insulin level balanced. I am so glad Mark was with me today, He keeps me honest:) After the New Year the medicine should be regulating my insulin and I should be starting to feel back to normal.
Our next appointment is Jan 31 and we will know more about our IVF timeline in detail. The doctor believes it will be early Spring 2014!!!!
I know this is a lot of information and it's very personal but I have had PCOS for 12 years and today I got more answers and tests run that I ever have. I hope this helps other PCOS women to at least know some of the questions to ask when seeking medical advice. In telling our story we want other couples to find HOPE!!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
It's Mark's turn
So it's Mark here! If you know me, you know I am a man of few words. Cathy has told me that she has had requests for me to share my thoughts with all of you!
I Never thought this would be our journey but it is. We are going to do all that is within are means to have a baby. We believe in our hearts that God has laid out a plan for us. We feel that plan was 3 IUI's (which were all unsuccessful) and then IVF. We have our IVF consult on Monday.
Cathy and I have a fun and wonderful marriage. We support each other even on the hardest days. With fertility treatments comes lots of medicine for Cathy. It's also has it's ups and downs. Not everyday is a walk in the park. We have had big disappointments and emotional set backs. Even in the mist of the turmoil we have found a moments of laughter. One of my funniest moments was during our first IUI. Cathy is laying on the hospital bed and I am in the chair next to her. I ask her if she "you tubed" the procedure. Cathy replies "NOOOOO". Then asks "why did you?" "Yes" I reply. She says "what do they do?" I begin to explain " well, they take a really BIG silver gun thingy" Cathy stops me and says "babe that's called a speculum and they use that every year when a women has an annual exam." I had no idea what a women goes through. I have learned a lot of a stuff that you are never taught in science and sex ed! We are taking this season of our life one day at and time and living life to the fullest.
This ended up being wordy. I'm out! Cathy and I will update all of you after our appointment on Monday!
I Never thought this would be our journey but it is. We are going to do all that is within are means to have a baby. We believe in our hearts that God has laid out a plan for us. We feel that plan was 3 IUI's (which were all unsuccessful) and then IVF. We have our IVF consult on Monday.
Cathy and I have a fun and wonderful marriage. We support each other even on the hardest days. With fertility treatments comes lots of medicine for Cathy. It's also has it's ups and downs. Not everyday is a walk in the park. We have had big disappointments and emotional set backs. Even in the mist of the turmoil we have found a moments of laughter. One of my funniest moments was during our first IUI. Cathy is laying on the hospital bed and I am in the chair next to her. I ask her if she "you tubed" the procedure. Cathy replies "NOOOOO". Then asks "why did you?" "Yes" I reply. She says "what do they do?" I begin to explain " well, they take a really BIG silver gun thingy" Cathy stops me and says "babe that's called a speculum and they use that every year when a women has an annual exam." I had no idea what a women goes through. I have learned a lot of a stuff that you are never taught in science and sex ed! We are taking this season of our life one day at and time and living life to the fullest.
This ended up being wordy. I'm out! Cathy and I will update all of you after our appointment on Monday!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
12 Days
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me......Just kidding. We are 12 days away from our IVF Consult. I'm nervous, excited and obviously counting down the days:) Mark is excited too. We can't wait to hear what the doctor has to say and decide what our next plans will be. During this time we are leaning on God for strength and believing for a miracle!! The last 3 months have really been a unique experience for us. We have seen God show up like never before. Things that we hadn't planned on being covered by insurance were!! One of the hardest moments of this journey thus far is the waiting period after a treatment until you find out if you are expecting or not. It's a 2 week period and it feels like a year:) We try to keep ourselves busy during the "waiting period". I always thought God was testing my patience's but for me I think He was saying "trust me and I got this". Oh how I have learned to trust him!! We have truly humbled ourselves and know that without a Miracle from God we may never be parents. I will leave you with one thought, this verse gets me through everyday. Hebrews 12 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" We are all on a journey, we all have "our" story. However our journey is suppose to end, at the end of the day I want to be able to say "I ran the race that was marked out for me with everything that is in me". I want to be a stronger women of God who can inspire other women and couples to never give up! God has a plan!!!
Ornament Exchange
I participated in my first ever first exchange. This one was an ornament exchange within our infertility support group! Aren't these adorable homemade Angels? I love them so much!!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
A new way of thinking
A year and a half go Mark and I made a life changing decision. After working as a Salon Manager for 7 years I accepted a position as the Children's Ministry Director at our Church. Having fertility challenges and working with children can be tough. For me, it is truly a gift from God. We don't know if we will ever be blessed with a child. We have strong faith and we believe God has a plan. I am blessed with getting to love on and be a part of about 350 kids lives every Sunday. Being a part of something that is bigger than myself is so rewarding. Working with children also comes with being around pregnant moms. When I see a pregnant women I am reminded that God is still in the miracle making business. I believe every baby is a miracle from above. I cant wait to say For This Child We have Prayed........
My name is Cathy. My hubby is Mark. My nickname for him is babycakes. Hence how the name "Waiting on our baby cake" came about. Mark and I have been married for 12yrs! We have two four legged kiddos. Buster and Gizmo. I love these lil guys so much. I can only imagine how much I will love a sweet little baby. Shortly after we married I was diagnosed with PCOS. We started on clomid right away. It made me crazy and I stopped after one round. We haven't been hardcore TTC but we haven't been trying to prevent it either. Earlier this year (2013) we decided to move forward on our journey to starting a family. I have had the same OBGYN for 12 years. In April we decided to get a second opinion. We loved the new Doctor the moment we met him. Within three weeks I had started femera and our first IUI was scheduled. I will write about our first IUI experience at another time:) We have had three unsuccessful IUI's. We are currently waiting for our upcoming IVF consult on 12/23/13.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)