Friday, March 13, 2009

Finally an update!

It's been a long time, I know! I guess I just didn't feel like there was anything worthy of blogging about. We have just been going about our lives with work, school, the nursery...oh, and the other nursery. We were called to be nursery leaders in the ward, so with that and the crisis nursery where we work we get plenty of time with kids.

Ben's brother, Archie, moved in with us. Yes, he has the same name as our dog....let's just say that's gotten a little confusing at times. For example, one night last week I was taking Archie the dog outside at 4AM. On the way back into the house, the dog decided to go into Archie the brother in laws bedroom. Well, I immediately thought "I can't yell at him....Archie, Archie...cause that would wake the human Archie up" So, i was out in the hallway in the middle of the night, yelling softly "dog...dog...come here". Lets just say Archie the human wasn't very pleased being woken up in the middle of the night to that. But, other than the confusion with the dog, we have enjoyed having Archie living with us.

Two days ago, March 11th, we celebrated our 3 year anniversary. Ben brought me flowers to work, I decorated his office, and we went out to dinner. We had a good day. I am so lucky to have him, and I think he's pretty lucky to have me. Really though, it has been a great 3 years and in so many ways it has flown by. I am looking forward to all the time I get to spend with him. He truly is my very best friend.

There is one big thing that has just come about in the past few weeks. We are starting IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) in just one week. I had a follow up appointment for my surgery a little over a month ago and everything is looking good and healthy (that's a first) so the doctor really felt like we should move forward with fertility treatments right away. I immediately made an appointment for the consultation, which took place last Thursday. We went over the whole process, my situation, had an exam, met with the nurses, signed a bunch of consent forms and decided that we could start our IVF cycle as soon as March 22nd. At the time of the appointment that scared me. I felt like I needed more time to prepare, but then i realized I have been preparing for this for 3 years. What else do I need to do? This is our chance, so we are jumpin on it. We just don't know how long my body will cooperate and feel like this is the best time and opportunity to move forward. It is a scary process for many reasons. It is a LOT of money, it is a lot of medications and shots and side effects, a lot of doctors appointments, a lot of hope, and it kind of feels like the final thing we can do. I know that what the Lord wants to happen will happen, but I just hope that entails us getting pregnant the first time and moving forward and having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Ha, not that I would tell the Lord what to do or anything. Anyway, we are extremely excited and anxious to start the process. If there is anyone out there who has been through it, please comment and tell me anything you think I need to know.

We appreciate all the love and support we have received and continue to receive from our family and friends. We know that we have had many prayers said for us, and hope that will continue. We love you all!

10 comments:

Sara said...

I feel like I'm missing part of the story? Why would you name your dog the same name as your brother? Which came first, the brother or the dog? Weirdos!

But hilarious story.

I'll be praying for your reproductive organs. Which is not weird, but nice. Just to be clear.

Carmen said...

The brother came first. We bought the dog when we were in Oregon for the brother's mission farewell and thought it would be a nice/funny gesture to name our dog after him. I was not imagining we would all be living under the same roof at some point. Thanks for praying for my reproductive organs, they need all the help they can get!

The Staheli's said...

WOW! An update! I almost fell off my chair in surprise! :D
We're so dang excited for this next step. I know it's scary and there are a lot of unknowns and there is nothing I can say to change that...or even change your outlook on it. But I hope you know that we will be thinking of you and continuing to pray for you daily through all of this.
And good luck with those shots...(that goes for you AND Ben! :D)

Tiffany Johnson said...

Congrats! I'm so excited for you. I know you're nervous, stressed and scared.. just know you have a lot of people pulling for you and praying for you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you guys. We love you both very much and hope for the best. Good luck with everything.

And give Archie a hug for us... both of them. :-)

Rebecca Leigh Hall said...

I hope that little Rufus Crisanto will be on his way soon! :)

Jenny Lynes said...

You are definitely in my prayers! I was so excited to get your text! Let me know what I can do for you through all this!

Amber said...

You are in my prayers! Love U!

Brooke said...

Carmen! I am excited for you two! YEAH! Ang went through this, so I will have her read your blog and share her experiences with you. I am happy for you and Ben and keep positive and put you in our prayers.

.the palsky's. said...

Hey carmen, i know we haven't met, but i just wanted you to know that you're in our thoughts and prayers and i really hope that you and ben are able to have great success from this next step and hopefully you won't have too bad of a reaction to all of the medications.

good luck and we're thinking about you guys!

robin

Angela said...

I just read your blog and I am sorry I am about 2 months late. By now you have probably gone through the shots I would suppose.

I would definitely recommend you put an ice pack on the spot where you are going to give yourself the progesterone shot. You won't feel a thing (until the next day when you will feel bruised).

Gosh, the most important part for you to prepare for is the result. It is the longest 2 weeks of your life...seriously.

Just know that whatever the result of this IVF procedure, people are there for you...to support you no matter what. Take advantage of it. It didn't work for me and it was an emotional time.

You seem like you have the right attitude about it all though...that the Lord is in charge and things will work out.

My fingers are crossed that things go well. Please let us all know how it turns out!