The Johnsons

The Johnsons
John + Kavitha

Monday, June 20, 2011

Goals

I started my IVF acupuncture today. It was a different/cool/relaxing experience. It even helped my neck pain from the car accident.
During the consultation, the acupuncturist wrote a sheet of goals, recommendations, and a schedule of appointments.
The goal at the top of the paper said: "A healthy full term baby"
The goal made me tingle and reminded me that the reality of my baby/babies may be closer than I think.
If this IVF cycle does work, I will be the same age as my mom was when she had me & my baby will be born in April-- just like I was! That would be the best birthday present ever!
I hope history repeats itself in this case!
I am so excited! I learn about my meds and shots at my RE appointment tomorrow.
I will keep you posted!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Pin Cushion for Free!

I was happy and thankful yesterday. I had decided to participate in acupuncture along with my IVF because it is said to help with the success rates. The Acupuncture place is even located in the same office as my RE! So, I made my consultation appointment and was told that the IVF acupuncture costs close to $800. If it helps, it is worth it to me. So, I signed up.
Well- yesterday, I was on the phone with my health insurance about the millions of shots that I have ordered for my IVF treatments. I decided to just ask them about acupuncture. I didn't think they would cover any of it, but guess what!?? They do! I get 20 visits per year! Thank you insurance, and most of all, THANK YOU, GOD! I feel like through this whole process God has shown John and I small victories though each month has ended with BFNs.
I am so hopeful that this procedure will go well. I have learned so much through this experience. Though God's time and my time have not matched up, I know that he has a reason and a plan. A plan that will just blow our minds when it is revealed, because it is not possible for us to see the big pic that God sees.
Sometimes I struggle with not putting all my faith in the docs, meds, and procedures. I look at the stats and reports on IVF, but for what? Does it even matter? This is all just the train, GOD is the conductor. He is in control. I am happy for that.
Luke 12:25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

IF decoder

2WW = 2 Week Wait
AF = Aunt Flo – your period
BCP = Birth Control Pills
BD = Baby Dance (i.e. sex)
Beta = Blood test for HcG (pregnancy hormone)
BFN = Big Fat Negative (not pregnant)
BFP = Big Fat Positive (PREGNANT!)
BW = (B/W) - Bloodwork
CD = Cycle Day
DP= Days past
ER= Egg Retrieval
ET= Egg Transfer
Follies = Follicles or Eggs
HPT = Home Pregnancy Test
HSG = Hysterosalpingogram (X-ray test that examines inside of the uterus/fallopian tubes)
IUI = Intrauterine Insemination
IVF = In Vitro Fertilization
M/C = miscarriage
MFI = Male Factor Infertility
OB = Obstetrician
PG = Pregnant
POAS = pee on a stick, take a pregnancy test
RE = Reproductive Endocrinologist
SA = Semen Analysis
TI = Timed Intercourse
TTC = Trying to Conceive
US = Ultrasound

Take a ride with me

A week after my 2nd anniversary, John and I sat in the doctor's office discussing the procedures that are our future for the next month or two. We have reached the point and made the decision to do IVF 
In honor of this decision, I have decided to review the roller coaster of my IF:
December 2009-Stopped BCPs
Jan 2010-- discussed IF with my gyno, she said to TTCN for 6 months and see her in June if I was still not pregnant
June 2010- I had gotten my period once (March) since Jan 2010.  Doctor gave me Provera to start my period
June 16, 2010-- my first round of Clomid 50mg
July 2, 2010-- blood test showed no ovulation
July 13, 2010-- Provera to start my period
July 23, 2010--  I never got my period; started 100mg of Clomid
Aug 2, 2010-- started my period (all messed up)
Aug 10, 2010-- + ovulation test
Aug 21, 2010-- BFN
Aug 26, 2010 -- Start period
Sept 2010-- Left my gyno and called a Reproductive Endocrinologist (The Jones Institute)
Sept 3, 2010-- HSG: normal results
Oct 2010-- 2.5 Femara - No ovulation
Nov 2010-- 5 Femara -- No ovulation
Dec 2010-- 7.5 Femara-- Egg size 20mm
Dec 28, 2010-- Ovidrel trigger shot
Jan 2011--BFN
Jan 2011-- 7.5 Femara & Ovidrel shot, mature egg, BFN
Feb 2011-- 7.5 Femara & Ovidrel shot, mature egg, BFN
March 2011-- 7.5 Femara, forgot  to bring my Ovidrel shot to India, BFN
April 2011-- 7.5 Femara & Ovidrel shot, 2 mature eggs, really excited, want twins, but instead BFN
May 2011- 7.5 Femara & Ovidrel shot, 19mm egg, BFN
June 9, 2011-- start period
June 10, 2011-- start BCPs & get bloodwork (Day 2)
June 13, 2011-- IVF consult.  LH is 3x FSH, so ICSI is recommended also
June 21, 2011-- My next appt to go over my IVF schedule & learn how to administer the shots

My first consult went really well.  The doc was very optimistic and so am I.  I appreciate prayers very much!  Thank you for all who support us.  Friends, family, & Hannah's Prayer Ministry
Come Home, Baby...

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Honeymoon

2 years ago I was curling my toes in the warm sand of a Mexican beach. I was a proud new wife. Smiling from ear to ear, glowing from the inside out. Two years later I am happy to say that I am still a proud wife. I am blessed so much to have a husband that continues to make me smile from ear to ear and glow from the inside out.
6/6/11 -- my 2nd anniversary


Enjoy these pics from our honeymoon at the El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico







Saturday, June 4, 2011

Summer


Sun hitting your back, open the door to a warm blast of air, sand between your toes, unpack the bikini and tank tops, new pedicure in a vibrant shade of pink, hiking with the dogs, picnics, summer vacation, wake boarding, boating, camping, cook outs, flowers, bright colors, birds singing, happy, flip flops, SPF 30, weddings, hydrangeas, blasting music with the windows down, Nags Head, Lake Gaston, the warm wind blowing through your hair... I love summer!
I love to pick hydrangeas from my garden~
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Jesus Take the Wheel

Driving down the street, listening to Psalms on my audio Bible, thinking about the day ahead-- I turn my head and see an SUV closing in a small gap between it and my driver's side window.  Then I'm gripping the wheel as the impact hits-- the car moves with out control, shaking violently, as it is thrown onto the curb.  It stops moving, I think about my legs, my arms, my head, miraculously I am in tact.  Then a loud hissing, panic sets in, is this car going to explode?  I can't see out the side window, I push on the door-- stuck.  I throw off my seat belt, open the passenger side door and crawl to the grass.  Panic, fear, anger, adrenaline...
Then thankfulness sets in as I talk to a witness, who kindly calls the police and asks if I am ok.  Pain in my neck, head, shoulder, and leg set in, but I can move & am not bleeding.  I walk back to my car and turn it off.  I see the three airbags.  (The hissing noise I had heard earlier) They came to my aid with out my knowledge, they were not even a part of my memory.  God came to my aid with out my knowledge as he does in every aspect of my life.

No matter what I did, when that impact hit my car, I was not in control. No matter how hard I try to control my life, I am not in control. This experience reminded me to let go.  To remember who is in control.  To remember when I try to control every part of my life, it is an idol effort.  Sometimes I find myself laying my hopes on the medication and doctors who are helping me with my IF.  God can snap his figures and grant my wish.  He is in control, not the doctors, not the meds, and certainly not me... So, all I have to say is Jesus take the wheel.  (Listen to the Carrie Underwood song "Jesus Take the Wheel" below)

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:  So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Proverbs 3:1-6