Infertility Progress

I have found out a lot about my infertility.

My husband has some beautiful swimmers, so that is VERY good news.

I have PCOS - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) -have which basically means that my ovaries do not understand what they are supposed to do. 

We learned a lot from the doctor's visit.

What we learned:

1. The other doctor did not test me for Factor V gene like she said she did. However, from the test results that Dr. Brabec reviewed, she doesn't think that the blood clotting disorder is the cause for the miscarriages. She said that we will take precautions, but that we do not have as much fear as we initially thought we would have.
   
2. I do have PCOS, which means that my ovaries aren't producing eggs properly. She gave a really good comparison. Most people have 12 eggs getting ready for a marathon, all at the starting line, all wanting to be first and to win. Well, with mine, she said mine are not ready to leave the home base and are just not all that interested in racing at all. It's just too much work and they have better things to do with their time. I have two that are even trying but they aren't trying to win, they just want to get people off there back for a while.  Get it? She said that the sexual abuse from when I was a child could be the cause of this. My ovaries didn't develop properly.
   
3. PCOS is extremely treatable! I am going on Metformin to help my body get ready for a baby. It also helps the ovaries figure out what they are supposed to do by kick starting the body.  There are many options for us!
   
4. When my cycle starts next, I will call to get the prescription, which start day three. Day 3- I get an ultrasound to check my lining and do some more labs. Day 4-11, I will take the meds and wait. Day 12 (or 18)- another ultrasounds, begin hsg(if necessary) and iui (implantation)... wait eight days- ten days then take a pregnancy test. Positive= done. Negative= try again. Success rate: 15-30%  the nice thing about this is there are three different treatment possibilities to try.
   
5. Also I need to know if there are ANY other cases of cancer in anytime in both sides of  our family at all. Ovarian, lung, pelvic, brain, prostate, etc. We need to know everyone.
   
6. I have to go to a counselor to talk about this process to make sure I am of sound mind.

I also had to have an HSG test, which showed that one of my Fallopian tubes is blocked. I am beginning to feel pretty discouraged.

California Trip

We had a great trip to California! Curt had a number of meetings, but I got to explore the area.

We arrived on Monday at dinner time. We ate at a delicious Persian restaurant. I had never had saffron rice before, but I now wonder how I ever lived without. It was the highlight of my meal. When I say this, I don't mean to say that my food was not absolutely superb, because it was! I asked the server for a recommendation because I had never been there before. He graciously brought me to dishes: a beef and a chicken. He had given us a free entree to try.

We stayed at the Wild Palms Hotel in Sunnyvale, CA. It was a nice hotel. They had a heated pool, which I could not bring myself to get into - even with 70 degree weather. We did, however, enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi and the gym.

The view from Pier 39 was exquisite.

I'd love to take a bay cruise.

We had such a wonderful day today.

The pictures were a tad dark, but still very pretty.

We ate at Neptune's and it was delicious.

Alcatraz island.

Big month

In March, I will be doing a great deal of traveling. I will go to California with Curtis and to Pennsylvania to see my family for Ava's first birthday. I am getting VERY excited. I just cannot wait.

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Three Years.... with a bright future.

On Saturday it was three years since Curt and I for our first date. It's hard to imagine that it's only been three years. I feel like we have gone through so many experiences together.

When we met, we both were in a place where we didn't want to rush into another bad relationship - but were pressured to get out there and at least date. He and I spent the first three months of our relationship acting like we weren't in a relationship. We kept talking about how we had to take it slow, how we weren't really dating just waiting to see where things would go.

Then one day, I realized that it wasn't just hanging out to me anymore. I was starting to really care about this guy. At first I was worried because we were just friends. I didn't want to mess up a friendship with a silly crush. I knew well before we admitted it that we were dating and that we were very happy together.

He said "I love you" for the first time on my sister's birthday June 10, 2009 ... almost 6 months after our first date. It was so very special.  He used to leave messages on our scrabble board for me to find after he had left.

My grandmother, Irene, came for a visit. We went to the lake for Labor Day weekend. On September 7, 2009, he was so nervous and asked me in the morning to go for a walk that evening - I knew he was about to propose. The entire day I was super excited. I even told my gram that I was pretty sure he was proposing that night. I was right!

In November 2009, he moved to Rock Port and I moved into his house. I was still teaching in Kansas City until the end of May, so I was left in the city as he started a new life in small town NWMO. He moved in with family for a few months before moving into the apartment in Rock Port. He loved his development job, so I moved up with him in June.

July 24, 2010 - we got married! While it rained on our wedding day, it was beautiful! I loved it. We honeymooned in Ethel, MO at a super cute renovated school house.

We figured out a routine in Rock Port and found out what life as a married couple was really like. We have had so much fun together and I am so thankful for this man.

I love you, Curtis Addison Spencer!

Christmas 2011

This year Curtis and I went to Pennsylvania to see my side of the family for Christmas. We caught a flight on Christmas Eve at 6 a.m. - Thanks again to Shawn Henderson for taking us at such an early hour. You rock, dude. Also, a big thank you to Mario for keeping our PUPPERS!

Saturday, December 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE:

Ava didn't remember Curt and I, however, she is such a lovable little lady that she quickly accepted our place in her life. She LOVED Curt's whisker kisses. lol SO cute.

Ava and Mommy

Mom made steaks for dinner Christmas Eve, DELICIOUS!

 There are some LARGE gifts under this tree!

Grandma Char is gonna get Ava!

Bouncy, Bouncy.

If Krystal didn't do it fast enough, Ava would start bouncing on her own.

Okay, so I take this and tear it? Can't I just play with the paper?

Sunday, December 25th - CHRISTMAS:

Christmas morning. I love Violet!

Mom almost didn't see that she got $$$ on the outside of her present.
Krystal had to point it out, super funny. 

Ava's sleepy.

Ava loves the camera!

Great Grandma Irene and Ava!

Four Generations

Charlotte (Grandmother), Krystal (mother), Irene (Great Grandmother)

Ava (super cute)

Ava loves playing with Grandma

Monday, December 26th:

We spend the entire day with my brother, Pat. He came up to pick us up, we went down to Titusville for lunch. The boys wanted chinese, so I conceded. It's always hard to eat chinese being gluten intolerant, but it was a buffet - I ate salad, fruit, a couple "chinese" items and drank my favorite hot tea.

Then we went over to Pat's to watch movies. We watched Rango - great movie!!! I didn't have any idea what to expect, but it was cute. I fell asleep while they watched Open Season 3. I wanted to see that movie, but it was a great afternoon anyway! ;-)

We went up to mom's for dinner. Pork chops, gluten free macaroni and cheese, home-made applesauce, cottage cheese, and green beans! DELICIOUS!

Krystal had to work, so we didn't get to see her or Ava.

I love my husband!

Tuesdsay, December 27th:

Gram came up to visit after her doctor's appointment at about 11. We left about 12:30 to go to Arby's and a movie. We went to Cranberry Mall, which is so small these days. It saddens me when businesses close.  We watched Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. It was a good movie. It is clear that Tom Cruise is getting older, he takes far fewer risks in his actions these days. He almost seemed tame in this movie. It wasn't as action packed as we expected, but we liked the movie.

We rushed home for dinner with the family before Ashley arrived. 

It was so nice to visit with Ashley, I missed her so much. She is such a great young lady. I'm so thankful for such a wonderful family. Ash stayed for a couple hours before going home. 

I added this one because she is just so pretty!

Aunt Leen, can you please pick me up?

Curt and I... geeks!

Wednesday, December 28th:

We woke to a couple inches of snow. It was beautiful. It continued to snow most of the day, which was fantastic. I loved it! We went back up to Cranberry with Krystal, Ava and Pat. We found some pretty good deals at Ollies, then met up with Katie and Ashley for dinner at Bob Evans! 

We went back to mom's and spent a little more time with Ava before they had to go home. 

Aunt Leen loves her niece Ava (and visa versa)! 

Check out the shirt ;-)

Uncle Curtis and Ava

Uncle Curtis, bouncy bouncy!

Peek-a-boo!

Thursday, December 29th:

We got up at 5:30 and were out the door by 6 a.m. - however, we had some car problems and didn't actually leave until 6:30 a.m.  The roads were snow-covered from the day before; however, they were clear enough for safe driving. Gram and Mom dropped us off at the airport - we boarded and make it to Cleveland and Kansas City with no problems.

When we got back to KC, we had to find our car. That was fun. Mario had sent us a text after he took it to parking for us. It took us 20 minutes to find that darn car, though. His directions were perfectly clear, we just didn't understand them. lol. We couldn't wait to see our puppers!

We went over to Carol's to spend the night. We went out to dinner with them at 54th Street Bar and Grill. There is just something comforting about greasy bar food. lol We stayed at Carol and Ed's for 2 days before heading up to Shenandoah, IA.

Saturday, December 31st:

We dropped our dogs off at the puppy sitter - a student keeps them for us! It's great.  Then drove up to Shen to meet up with everyone. The hotel was a crappy hotel with poor service, but we had a great time! We ate, played pitch, and just plain enjoyed life! It was wonderful.  We had "christmas" since we hadn't been here to exchange gifts. Our family is extremely generous. Curt and I felt like we had received way more than we needed --- thank you all so very much. The pool wasn't working, so Shelby had to "swim" in the heart shaped hot tub! She didn't seem to mind, though. LOL. I wish I had taken pictures!

Curt and I wish you a very happy new year. We love you all so very much!

Birthday Weekend

We have had a great weekend. We drove down to Kansas City Friday night to meet the family for a late birthday dinner for Jerry at LoneStar. Curt and I had delicious steaks, baked potato, and I had broccoli.

Shelby is four now and full of energy and a ton of fun. She is really growing up. It is nice to be able to communicate with her. She has so many great thoughts going on in that bran of hers. She is just soooo cute.

On Saturday, we went to breakfast with Mom and Dad Spencer at Corner Cafe in Riverside. I order a Gringo Omlette. It was spicy and wonderful. Curt ordered a medium order of biscuits and gravy, but it could have fed the whole table. He ate all but a bite or two. Craaazy.

We met up with Cara, Jerry and Shelby to exchange birthday gifts. We gave Jerry some smoker spices and hickory briquettes. Curt got a nice sweater, a new (old) phone, a pair of shoes, The Day After Tomorrow blueray and airplane tickets to PA! Charleen got a candle, breadmaker and some gluten free bread mixes and a plane ticket to PA. Curt and I have not exchanged gifts, yet.

It is both a blessing and a curse to have four birthdays from November 25th - December 28th, not to mention Christmas.