My letter came today!!!

MY LETTER FROM DR. H CAME TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!
Sorry for screaming, but I am so excited!!! I've been asking DH every day for the past two weeks if there was an envelope from PPVI waiting for me. This is what Dr. H said:
"You are experiencing functionally abnormal cycles and have had one miscarriage." (remember, only the MD trained in the Creighton method has ever referred to my chemical pregnancy as a true pregnancy, therefore a real miscarriage)

Per my CrMS charts: "It reveals dry cycles and variable length post-Peak phases. These findings are often associated with hormonal dysfunction, ovulation defects, and/or endometriosis."
He recommends: thorough hormone evaluation of menstrual cycle without medications, a thyroid system dysfunction panel, an ultrasound series to determine whether there is an ovulation-related defect, and a diagnostic laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and selective HSG, endometrial cultures.
He also said his schedule is out three to four months for him to do the lap, but I could get in sooner if I saw his partner Dr. K. Sooooo, now I just need to call PPVI tomorrow!

Because we are going to Mexico the middle of February, I wouldn't want to to get in for surgery sooner then that.  I will hopefully have a better idea of the timeframe for each doctor's schedule when I call tomorrow!

I'm back.

Sorry for not posting an update lately, I've really just not felt like writing about anything!  Things are better from when I last posted.  DH got a job with a new company (his old company's big competition).  He is actually back in Wisconsin meeting with one of the owners this weekend and also visiting his mom.  Money will still be tight until the new year when he actually starts getting paid "for real".  It's been hard for me to just trust that everything will work out (even though it always has!). 

As for my cycle, absolutely nothing new going on there!  I get O pains/cramping for a few days every month, but no cervical fluid to match, so I'm not sure if I am actually ovulating or not.  I'm still waiting for a response from Dr. H.  It would be nice to know what he recommends so I can start planning 2010!  I'm guessing I wouldn't be able to get in to see him or his associate for at least two to three months, if not longer.  Since we are going to Mexico the middle of February with MIL and two of DH's sisters, I wouldn't want to go until after that anyways!  I'm also hoping that I get to go with the MD that I work with to Honduras in March.  He started a surgery center at an orphanage there and goes down four or five times a year.  I still haven't been there and have worked for him for five years!

We are going up to my parents for Christmas...looking forward to that, except for the nine hour drive!  Yuck!  We were going to take the train, but I didn't book the tickets early enough and the price went way up.  New Year's weekend we might go up to the cabin or just hang out at home. 

Hope everyone has a great week!!

I am thankful for...

...my husband, my family, my pup, my friends, my job and wonderful boss.  Last week was a rough week.  DH was away this past weekend for his sister's 40th birthday, so I had a lot of time to spend on my own.  I know that everything will work out. 

I got a letter in the mail today from PPVI confirming that they received my records and that Dr. H reviews them in the order they are received.  I should get a written response from him within 4 weeks.  I am so excited to hear that, because I had heard that it can take much longer!  Good thing the holidays are coming up to keep me busy and my mind occupied!

What are you thankful for??

What next??

I guess I will start this post with the good news.  I got my medical records sent off to Dr. H in Omaha to be reviewed.  I hope that I get a response from him before the end of the year!

Now for the bad news.  This week has gone well so far and it's only Tuesday!  Yesterday DH was fired from his job.  This isn't all bad, as he worked mostly on commission and hasn't received a paycheck for at least 6 weeks anyways.  The other upside is that his boss was/is literally crazy!  She accused him at 11:15 in the morning of being drunk and on drugs!  Things have been going down hill lately, so it is probably a good thing.  He actually had been on the phone prior to this conversation with their one and only competitor to see if they would hire him.  It sounds promising, but he has yet to hear back from them with an offer.

Today, I work up with a sore throat.  I took Ibuprofen right away and felt okay for most of the morning.  By afternoon, my neck was sore and shoulders were starting to get achy.  Now, I am achy all over and the sore throat is bad.  I don't have a fever, so it's probably just a cold.  I hate feeling like this, since all you want to do is lay on the couch and sleep, which makes you even more achy and tired!  I'm praying it goes away while I sleep so I can go to work tomorrow!

Please pray or think good thoughts or whatever you do for DH and I.  I'm not sure how much more I can take right now.  I need peace about everything.  God has a plan for us, I know that, but I just wish I would have the tiniest clue as to what that plan is. :)

She's Here.

I guess I just needed to talk about AF and she'd show up! I'm glad she's here, now I can send all my records in for review by Dr. H. Hopefully I can get everything together & out by Thursday this week.
I'm taking Friday off of work...I really need a mental health day, plus MIL is coming and I need to clean & want to bake!!

Paranoid.

The title says it all! For the last week, my left bb has been very sore/tender to the touch. I've also been tired, but that could be due to working so much the last few weeks. I took a PG test yesterday morning, of course it was BFN. The paranoid part is that my mom and great grandmother had breast cancer. I don't think I feel any lumps or anything, but I'm still worried. I just want AF to get here so I can get over this crap!

Nothing new.

Sorry for the lame title, but it's true! I am getting a little bit excited for this cycle to be over with though! I'm started to get all of my records gathered up so they'll be ready to send to Dr. H in Omaha the day AF arrives. I have heard that it can take well over a month and a half to get a response back just for the review of records, so I'm hoping that I can get an answer before the end of the year. That way, I can adjust how much $$ I have taken out of my paycheck for my Flex Spending Account for 2010 to cover costs of whatever is needed. I'm guessing at the minimum he will recommend a laparoscopy since I haven't had one, plus tons of blood/lab work, and of course meds! I'm not sure how much or if my insurance will cover, so I want to be somewhat prepared financially for this! 2010 is going to be my year!!!

One more thing...you know how I posted all excited about going back to P.A. school?? Well, secretly/deep down, I don't want to go...I just want to be a mom!!!! Aaaaahhhhh!!!!!!! Crazy how that deep desire to be a mom can easily override everything!!!

Not a very good blogger...

I'm sorry! I have been bad at blogging again! Once again, there just isn't much going on! I did have my first follow-up appointment with the Creighton Model Charting fertility care instructor a little while ago. She was very helpful and gave me lots of tips. I meet with her again next Wednesday.
Today was kind of a depressing day. I thought AF would have come by today, so I tested this morning. Of course it was negative, like usual. AF still hasn't showed up and I hate waiting on her! I hate having to be prepared with all the "equipment" and having to run to the bathroom every time I think she's here! Since I don't know for sure if I even ovulated or when (I did have a very small amount of fertile CM, had O pain/cramping and timed BDing), she could show up anytime. Ugh! This is so frustrating! I wish I could just forget about all of it!

In other news, Nissa, our furbaby, is going to her first day of doggie daycare tomorrow! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time! I'm worried that she won't do well. I've warned my boss that I may have to leave in the middle of the day to bring her home if that happens!

I'm still looking in to PA schools/locations. DH and I definitely want to live somewhere warm if possible (I guess anything warmer than MN would work too!). I think I will take Anatomy & Physiology I this spring, II this summer and probably Microbiology next fall. That will allow me to apply to one or two schools to start with. I may have to take the GRE, even though I already have a master's degree. Has anyone taken that? Can I just get one of those study books and do okay at it??

Okay, I promise to start blogging more, even if it isn't exactly infertility related! :)

I did it!

This isn't really TTC related, but thought I'd share anyways! First, a little background info.
I work for a surgeon in a large orthopedic group. The MD I work for is awesome, I've been there for a little over four and a half years. I have a master's degree in Exercise Physiology, but have never really used it in a job. Because we have been trying to get pregnant, I've never really seriously thought about going back to school to become a physician's assistant...until now! I've decided, with DH supporting me, that I'm going to take the five or so classes I need as prerequisites and apply to PA school! Because I will only take one class at a time (maybe two if they are online), I won't even be able to apply to schools for two to three years, and the time it takes to finish school, including rotations and preceptorship is another two to three years, depending on the program. I know that seems like a really long time, but heck, we've been TTC for FOUR & A HALF YEARS and got nothing out of it, so this should be simple!!
I talked with my doctor about it and he is also supporting me! When I get done, I really want to come back and work with him, and he said that he would love it! Not exactly sure how it would go with me not working for him while I'm in school (PA programs are full-time day), but that's not an issue that needs to be addressed right now.

Now, if I do become pregnant, things may change, but I'm not letting it get in the way of starting things. The nice thing is that I will get CEUs for the courses that I do take for my athletic training certification/license, so nothing will be wasted if I find myself so busy with a child I don't want to continue on to PA school!

As for the new Creighton charting, I'm having a very hard time of being consistent with the "observation of the cervical fluid"! I think it's been frustrating because I have not had any fertile CM this cycle. I did have ovulation pain/cramping/bloating, but that was about it. I haven't had my follow up with the practitioner, as I kind of put off calling her back to schedule. Once I did call her, I had to leave a message and haven't heard back for almost a week now. So I think this cycle is a bust for the new charting. Another thing I'm considering doing is having a consult with nutritionist that a fellow infertile has seen. That scares the crap out of me since I love and crave certain foods and drastically changing my diet would be difficult! I think I may just do a phone consult with her (I think it's $80), see what she says, and then consider it.

DH and I (and the pup!) are off to Wisconsin tomorrow night to see his mom. We are really excited to get to spend time with her and just us, but sad that his dad isn't there anymore. We keep talking about how fun it would be to go golfing with him (I'll call him T)! T didn't really follow golf etiquette, ie, driving the cart too close to the greens, throwing his cigarette butts on the course. But, I always rode the cart with him and it was so much fun!! We really miss T!!
AF is due this weekend...pray, cross your fingers, or whatever you do that she doesn't show! I wish my optimism wasn't so high every cycle! :P

A new fork in the road...

I had my infertility consult with Dr. K from the aalfa clinic here in MN. She was 45 minutes behind, very annoying, but I work for an ortho surgeon so understand. She spent 45 minutes going over my history with me. Since I just got AF late last night, we put off the physical exam. Basically, we are starting at square one. I will do Creighton charting for two cycles and then get the b/w done. Once the b/w is done, I will do a follow up with her and go from there. She said I could start to get on the waiting list to see Dr. Hilgers once the two cycles of charting are done since it takes a long time to get in to see him. So I didn't really learn anything new, but am excited to see where this new road takes us!

She also truly acknowledged the chemical pregnancy that I had 2-3 months into TTC as a life that was lost, which nobody else has really done, so that was nice. She also brought up PCOS (even though I'm thin) without me saying it first, but of course nothing for sure until I get the charting and lab work done.

So, today is a new day, a new road, a new journey!

For those reading this that don't know what the Creighton Model is...check out http://tinyurl.com/qf9bnf & http://tinyurl.com/p2xw26 to find out more. I'm too new to try to explain it myself yet!!

Sorry...

...for not posting in so long! Since FIL passed away, I've had very little motivation to do anything. I've been reading other blogs and commenting when I can, but have neglected my own blog! DH and family is doing okay without FIL. It's hard, but we are getting thru it.

As for me, not a whole lot new. Obviously no BFPs or anything like that! ha ha! I've been going back to acupuncture once a week, although I wish I could go twice a week (her hours aren't the greatest with my schedule). Last month, my cycle was back to it's normal length, 27 days. I'm seeing a new MD for my annual lady exam on the 17th, 4th new one in 4 years! I'm also starting a new way of charting my cycles, called the Creighton Model FertilityCare System. It's a natural family planning method of planning/preventing pregnancy. I know it seems like I'm going backwards, but at this point, I'm up for trying just about anything (that I can afford of course!)!
Hopefully this new doctor can help find some answers...she may refer me to the MD that started Creighton Model...he is based out of Omaha, Nebraska. I guess I will just have to wait til Monday to see where things go! I'll post again after that appointment, I promise!

Nothing new...

Sorry I haven't updated lately...there really isn't a whole lot going on when it comes to the baby stuff. I had started up with acupuncture again, but that was put on hold when my FIL passed away. We spent six days out in Portland, Oregon with DH's family. It was great to get away and see everyone again. FIL was definitely missed!!

As for my cycle, I've been confused as to why it's been lengthening since about February of this year. When I was doing treatment, I knew exactly how long it would be, when AF would show up, etc. Now, it just keeps getting longer and longer! It went from 24 days in February to my last cycle in June being 32 days! WHY?! I've tried searching online, but haven't come up with anything. I still haven't been tracking ovulation, so not sure if that has changed as well. I definitely have felt more bloated and possible minor O cramping between days 11 and 16, but who knows if that means I actually ovulated!

Anyways...I'm gonna try to get back in to the swing of things here next week!

Father's Day...bittersweet

Happy Father's Day to all the father's out there! This is a bittersweet day today. My FIL passed away early Thursday morning. He made it out of surgery, but some of his organs were starting to shut down. DH was able to make it to the hospital and be with his mom before he passed. They were able to talk to him and hold his hand. He went peacefully and painlessly. I drove out Thursday afternoon. The funeral is on Monday.
MIL & FIL have sooo many wonderful and amazing friends, it's unbelievable! They were waiting for her to arrive back at their house! Tons of people have stopped by to tell stories and reminesce about FIL. They've also been feeding us very well!
It is so weird to be in their house without FIL! Tomorrow is going to be the hardest part of all of this. I'm doing a reading at the funeral, hopefully I can get thru it without crying! Wish me luck!
As for my cycle...AF is still a no show, but if she's anything like last cycle, she'll be here when she feels like it! I took a test this morning, it was negative. But of course, like usual, I swear I could make myself see something!!! Oh well! I hope to continue with acupuncture later this week when I return home. I'm also currently reading "The Infertility Cure" to go along with acupuncture. It's very interesting!
Thanks for the comments about FIL. I really appreciate them!! -jenny

Prayer Needed!!!

Our family is in need of prayer! My father-in-law is in the hospital and soon to be in surgery for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneursym. We don't know too many details right now. They were on their way to the airport in Madison to fly out to see Tim's brother and family in California. Tom was having leg pain, so Mary was driving. He passed out and she had to call 911 for an ambulance. He's going in to surgery right now....
Mary just called and said it's not looking good...

30

I have now been 30 years old for just over 7 hours!! So far it's going well. For some reason I was dreading this day. I had knots in my stomach last night worrying about it. My life is definitely not what I thought it would be at this point. I am happy...I have a great, loving husband, a happy puppy, a home that is ours, a great job and an awesome family. It's just that not having kids has made a huge impact on my life. It's made me question so many things...

I'm going to try to be happy today and not dwell on the what should have, could have beens. DH and I are going out for dinner tonight, so that should be fun! Any advice for me out there?!

She's here :(

Well, I started cramping this morning, so I knew AF was just a few hours away. Maybe my cycle was longer this time because I didn't do acupuncture? Oh well! It doesn't really matter anyways. She's here and there's nothing I can do to change that.

I'm so tired of all of this! The thing is, I won't be able to not think about the possibility of being pregnant until I go into menopause! It's just something I don't think I'll ever be able to let go of.
I'm glad I'm up at the cabin this weekend. It helps to keep my mind off things a little bit! Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day!!

Still No AF!

I still don't have AF...I couldn't bring myself to test this morning. I had to go get grandpa from town for dinner, so I stopped at the store and bought a few more tests to "waste". I took one when I got to his house (it was Answer brand)...nothing, negative. Still no symptoms other than fatigue, which I've been feeling for the last four to five days. I'll probably test again in the morning if she's still not here and I'm not cramping. Why can't I just be PG for once or get stupid AF?!?! This is really annoying! At least the weather is good here at the cabin!

Where is she??

AF that is! Today I am 14dpo (based on symptoms...I didn't use OPKs and am not doing any ART this cycle). I've only had a luteal phase this long when on Prometrium. I took a few dollar store tests earlier this week and an internet cheapie yesterday after work...all negative. I'm up at my parents cabin for the weekend and have the last two tests from my house...a FRER and EPT digital...Should I test or just keep waiting?? I suppose I could be off on my O date, but I O on a pretty regular basis.
I would love for AF to not show up at all, and to actually be PG, but I am NOT getting my hopes up! I even made sure to bring a big 'ol box of tampons with, cause I'm sure she'll just be late! We'll see!!

Here is our new compost bin with the door open! It was super easy to make. The pallets were all different sizes, so looks kinda funny and uneven, but I'm sure the compost won't care! Now that the outside stuff is going somewhere, I need to get back to the inside!! I hate housework though, so we'll see when I get to it.

Totally off topic!! My new garden!

Here are my new "Square Foot Gardens"!! I'm so excited to start planting tomorrow! DH was out of town with a friend today, so I ended up building the frames and mixing the "mix" myself. We need to go get more mulch tomorrow, but then we'll be all set. We are also going to build our compost bin, which will go back by the shed. We are using recycled (free!) wood pallets for the bin. Next up is trying to get the yard leveled and some grass to grow! (this is what it was like when we bought the place 2 1/2 years ago :( ) I'm sooo sore and tired right now, but had to have a glass of wine, so I thought I'd share my pic with everyone!!

Am I the only one??

Sorry I've been neglecting my blog lately. There really hasn't been much to post about! I had a little melt down when I wrote my last post. The Yukon needed work, but it was taken care of. I ended up not starting to sell any of my fabric and cloth diaper making stuff, mostly because I'm too lazy. I didn't use OPKs this cycle, so not exactly sure when/if I O'd. I got my hopes up again the middle to end of last week since my cycle was a few days longer than the last two.
AF showed up Saturday morning. I was fine with it. I guess I knew she was coming.

In regards to my title question: Am I the only one that can't afford reproductive treatment OR adoption?? I feel like all the boards I go on, and all the people I know in real life dealing with infertility have either continued with treatment or are now starting the adoption process. We can't afford either one! I've been doing acupuncture for awhile now...I think this will be my fourth cycle now. I'm just not sure how much longer I want to continue even that. When are you ready to say enough is enough?? I'm not saying I don't want kids, I just don't know how it would be possible.

In other news, I had a wonderful glass of wine last night! The first in a long time! It was sooo good. I think I'm gonna start having a glass on a more regular basis.

It's over and I'm done...

AF arrived early this morning. I kinda knew she was coming, but as usual, hoped otherwise! It wouldn't have been so bad if yesterday had gone better. DH's Yukon died yesterday afternoon as he was coming home from golf. We tried jumping it, but that didn't work. We ended up having it towed back to our auto shop in town. He went in this morning to drop the keys off...sounds like it's the alternator...hopefully that won't cost too much! We need to get rid of the piece of junk, but of course owe more than it's worth!!

I've also decided to start selling all the fabric that I've purchased over the last three and a half years to make cloth diapers and stuff out of. We really need the money and I can't get myself to sew anything if we don't have a kid, so I think it's time to let it go. It's soooo sad and hard for me to do this, but I can always buy more if we ever do have a child. My hope is gone for now though. I don't think I can take much more of the heartache. :( I'm trying so hard to trust in God, but I am having a difficult time of it. Please pray for us!

1 week down, 1 to go

Actually, it will probably be less than a week since I'm not waiting on a beta! I've continued with acupuncture and it's going well. I also started exercising three weeks ago and am enjoying that. I love it once I get to the gym, but getting out of bed in the morning is the hard part! The MD I work for has been gone a lot, so I have been able to go in the middle of the day which is nice.
I will be busy the rest of this week with work and this weekend with my niece's birthday party up in Duluth on Saturday and then a get together with college friends on Sunday! Hopefully my mind will be fully occupied by all of that and no IF stuff creeps in!

2ww

Nothing too exciting going on right now. I'm pretty sure I ovulated on Wednesday, so we're now in yet another two week wait! I've still been going to acupuncture, which I really enjoy. The drive is a huge hassle, but so far worth it. Yesterday I think I fell asleep in the short half-hour that I had the needles in me! I feel so relaxed while I'm there and for a few hours afterwards. I wish I could go every day!
We used Preseed for BDing around O time this cycle. We'll see if that does anything!
I honestly feel like I'm getting closer to just giving up on ever having kids. Unless we either a) win the lottery (so we can do more IUIs or IVF or adopt) or b) miraculously get PG on our own, I don't think it's gonna happen. It's fine in some ways I guess...we can do what ever we want and not have to worry about it. But some days, I want to not have that option! I'm sick of being selfish and just thinking about me and DH! I want to be a mom!
Anyways...hopefully this two weeks goes by quickly!

Acupuncture

I had an acupuncture appointment this afternoon. I had been looking online at all the different acupuncture clinics in our area last night. Most of the clinics list their fee schedule, which ranges from $70 to $120 for the initial consult and treatment, and $55 to $80 for follow-up appointments. Unfortunately, the majority of insurances don't cover acupuncture, mine included!

Early this afternoon, I decided to look at a few of the websites again, specifically Minnesota Community Acupuncture. Their prices are much cheaper...$25 for the initial visit and $15-$35 for follow-ups. The reason that they are cheaper is that the acupuncture is performed in a community setting...meaning you don't undress (just roll pants up just above knees and sleeves just above elbows) and there are several recliners in one large treatment room. Kinda sounds creepy, but it really wasn't at all! There was soft music playing, a few small water feature/candle thingys and the lights were off with a few small softly lit lamps. The practitioner came in once I was in a chair and went over my forms with me. We talked about treating my unexplained infertility and the burning that I get over the left side of my sacrum.
She put a bunch of needles in and let me relax for about 45 minutes.
After she took out the needles, we talked about how often I should come in, 2 times per week. She also said it's a good thing I'm unexplained, and don't have any structural abnormalities...it makes it easier for the acupuncture to work.

Now for the down side! Of course there's a down side!! Without traffic, the clinic is 44 minutes away from my house! It is only about 25 minutes from one of my offices. Those are both times without traffic...today it took me one hour and fifteen minutes to get home!! It was awful! The clinic does have Saturday appointments, and I can make the appointments online, so hopefully can schedule during work and miss all the awful traffic. We'll see!! I'm definitely excited about it!!

February 23rd

I couldn't think up anything exciting for the title of this post!! After AF showed last cycle, I decided to really take a break this cycle. No OPKs or TI!! I have no idea if or when I O'd or when AF is due! Kinda nice for once. The sad thing is, I will still wonder if the one day we BD'd could be the one to get us PG!
I did order some PreSeed, on the advice of R, a friend from high school. Thanks R! I think we'll try it out before next cycle.

I've been very bad at commenting on blogs lately. Facebook has gotten ahold of me!! I can't believe how addicting it is!! Very crazy. It has been nice getting in touch with friends that I haven't talked to in a long time.

My sister, brother-in-law, niece and new nephew are doing well. She was feeling well enough two days after giving birth to drive two hours to attend our grandmothers funeral! It was a very hard day, but we know Grandma is up in heaven looking down on us!!

My niece Jenna has turned into my little buddy! My sister says she talks about me and our dog Nissa all the time! If they are going out to eat somewhere, she always asks if I am coming with. Last night my brother-in-law heard her say good night to me, DH, and Nissa after he left the room! AWWWWW! I love it and I love her! She's the best thing that has happened to me despite being infertile. Hopefully my new nephew Nolan will be the same way!!

Good news and bad news.

Good news first...my twin sister had her baby boy this morning at 5:01 am!!! Nolan Joshua G. was born in weighing 6# 15.6oz, 19 3/4 inches long. He's beautiful!! He's hardly cried at all this morning! He is starting to suck well and hopefully that gets even better when Liz's milk comes in. I'm really tired, but I don't care!

Now for the bad news....AF reared her ugly head late last night. Apparently the Lovenox didn't help this time. Now I'll have 12 bruises on my stomach for a few weeks to show for it! woohoo :(
Also, my grandma died on Saturday and the funeral is this coming Thursday. I'm very sad, but she is in a much better place now. She has battled Alzheimer's Disease for at least five years and wasn't herself anymore. I'm most worried about my grandpa and how he'll handle all of it. Pray for our family if you do that! Thanks.

Lovenox hurts!!

I don't mean to complain, especially if the injections will help me to get pregnant, but darn it do they hurt!! They burn for about 20 minutes after the injection. The spot is sore for days. I get bruises from each injection. Other than that, they are good!! I'm hoping we timed it right on our own. I know we were gonna be on a break for a few months, but the call from my OB's office changed all of that. I still haven't heard back as to whether or not they are going to do anything other than apoligize for their mistake.
I guess I'll just keep on doing what we are doing for now!

Lab results are in....

My hematologist's office called with my blood lab results this afternoon. They found another mutation...something other than the positive MTHFR stuff.
I am positive for the PAI-1 polymorphism. I was told that I have 2 out of 2 copies, meaning I am homozygous for this. PAI stands for: plasminogen activator inhibitor.
The nurse said that this just confirms Dr. P's recommendation of using Lovenox from ovulation until AF or PG and then continue throughout PG. She said that basically because I have two different factors/mutations that have to do with blood clotting, it increases my risk or chances of developing blood clots.
Of course I've searched the internet for whatever I could find on this, but there isn't much other than journal articles and some message board threads.
I started the Lovenox injections last night and we've been timing our BDing. Now we wait til AF doesn't show!!!!!
If anyone reading this knows more about PAI-1 polymorphism, please let me know!!

Bad luck...

I think I really have bad luck...After asking the nurse at the hematologist's office how long it usually takes to get MTHFR blood results back, and finding out it only takes a week, I confronted my OB's office. The receptionist was super nice and went back and talked to some of the nurses. She came back to tell me that the results were never faxed back to them by the lab company, and then the OB office missed the results in their monthly audit. Somehow they caught it in January, four months after I had the blood drawn!! The receptionist gave me a complaint form to fill out and I went back to work. Within 15 minutes, the patient advocate person was calling my cell phone! She apoligized profusely, told me I had a valid complaint and asked me to tell my side of things. She said she would let Dr. A know and that it would also be presented to the team of doctors at their next meeting. She still wanted me to fill out the complaint form, so I did and brought it back over (the office I work for is across the hall from theirs).
What can come of this?? Are they going to pay to have my two Follistim/IUI cycles repeated so I can do the Lovenox?? I don't really know what to think. I was sick to my stomach for an hour or so after I talked to them. What if the Lovenox is what I needed to get pregnant? I guess I will just have to wait and see what they say back to me or if they do anything else besides apoligizing.

Some good news for the day:
My sister and brother-in-law closed on their new house today!
My dad's thyroid cancer has not returned!! Yay!!

Back from hematology appointment

I had my hematology appointment today. Dr. P was very nice. He was upfront saying that having the heterozygous MTHFR C677T mutation isn't that big of a deal. I will continue on my Folgard/FABB (B vitamin, Folic Acid) supplement. The only thing he can add to what I'm already doing is to do Lovenox once daily injections from when I ovulate until negative pregnancy test. If I'm pregnant, I will continue the Lovenox throughout the pregnancy. They took 12 vials of blood for futher testing, and should have the results in a week or so.
I mentioned to Dr. P the possibility of me having Celiac disease, which could be causing a portion of my lactose intolerance and other GI issues, not to mention possible vitamin deficiencies. He said that he could do the blood tests for that as well.
So, I feel like I have a few answers. This isn't definitely causing our infertility, but it could have a small factor in it. I guess our next step is to do it like rabbits and hope and pray we get a positive test!!!

a glimmer of hope??

I got some interesting news yesterday. My OB's office called and told me I had tested positive for the C mutation of the MTHFR gene. I had originally had the blood drawn for the testing in September, and found out then that I was heterozygous (but I think I was told everything was negative). My OB had decided at that time to put me on the Folgard folic acid/B vitamin supplement in addition to prenatal vitamin and baby Aspirin daily. I am now being referred to a hematologist or blood doctor. My appointment is on Monday January 19th, so I have one more week to obsess and "research" online about this!!
One thing I'm not sure about is that I have never really had any miscarriages, just one chemical pregnancy 3 months in to TTC. Everything I read online talks about miscarriages being associated with MTHFR mutations. So, I don't know what this new doctor will tell me. The nurse said he would definately be putting me on the supplement and ASA that I'm already on, so we'll see.
I'm kind of happy to have something wrong with me, even if I've already been treating it and not having success. Maybe it's not even affecting our infertility. Time will tell. If anyone that reads this knows more about it, let me know!!