Let Us Give Thanks
I truly hope everyone had a VERY Happy Thanksgiving filled with num nums, family and relaxation. I also hope you don't fall into the ugly trap of consumerism called Black Friday but, I digress.
This year has def been one to remember. In a good and not so good way... I feel like I could star in my own little telenovela lol But let's not dwell on the negative and instead focus on what we can be thankful for.
I am thankful for my job, my family, my super hard working hubby, my puppies, my health, my friends, my home and soooo soo much more. I've been trying to remind myself daily to wake up with gratitude and not attitude. Life changes so rapidly and anything or anyone can be gone in an instant. The moment you open your eyes to wake and the moment you close them to sleep just tell yourself one thing you're grateful for that day- if nothing else, even if it's just a bed a lay in.
Although it's not exactly the news we wanted, Zach and I are grateful for an opportunity. In my last post I mentioned that we had some more doctor's appointments over the last few months so here's the skinny.
In an early video blog I mentioned some of Zach's labs weren't looking quite right. To be exact, he had a very high white blood cell count in his semen analysis indicating there was some kind of infection somewhere. What kind and where? We'll never know...but what that meant for us is that we could not proceed with IUI because there's a risk of transferring the infection to my uterus.*
*SUPER cringe worthy...sorry if you scrunched your face while reading!
Why were we chatting about IUI in the first place? Well aside from the anonymous infection (which cleared up with a course of antibiotics, thank God!) his overall sperm count was/is low. For his age, health and activity level there should be no reason why his count is as low as it is other than it could be hereditary somewhere down the line. Also no reason except that this is another hurdle for us to jump over and conquer as a couple and God has a bigger plan for us than we had for ourselves.
Fast forward to my investigation of The New Hope Center. I've heard amazing things about this place and Zach personally knows a few couples who conceived their children through their services. The day I decided to look them up on Facebook they had just posted info about free mini sessions with Dr. Robin. FREAKING. SCORE. I read their new patient policies and a new appointment costs about $125. And annnnyyyyone who knows me knows, if it's FREE it's for ME. Sign me up!
Hustle hustle hustle to get medical records retrieved and all forms signed so we can make the most out of the free session. I'd like to add that this free session also was only for 15 minutes. Thank God I'm a fast talker! Dr.Robin was wonderful and had reviewed all of our documents before we came in (way to do your homework doc!) so there really wasn't much for us to catch her up on. Her opinion on our case was that the best course of action was IVF +ICSI. jigga whuuut?
Take a look at this fascinating video to learn all about what's about to go doooowwnnnnn.
If all goes well with gathering the financials, Baby Walden should make His/Her/Their debut in October! SO much more news and insight coming every week for the next few weeks so stay tuned!
Love You All & God Bless.
xoxo,
Kearsten
This year has def been one to remember. In a good and not so good way... I feel like I could star in my own little telenovela lol But let's not dwell on the negative and instead focus on what we can be thankful for.
I am thankful for my job, my family, my super hard working hubby, my puppies, my health, my friends, my home and soooo soo much more. I've been trying to remind myself daily to wake up with gratitude and not attitude. Life changes so rapidly and anything or anyone can be gone in an instant. The moment you open your eyes to wake and the moment you close them to sleep just tell yourself one thing you're grateful for that day- if nothing else, even if it's just a bed a lay in.
Although it's not exactly the news we wanted, Zach and I are grateful for an opportunity. In my last post I mentioned that we had some more doctor's appointments over the last few months so here's the skinny.
In an early video blog I mentioned some of Zach's labs weren't looking quite right. To be exact, he had a very high white blood cell count in his semen analysis indicating there was some kind of infection somewhere. What kind and where? We'll never know...but what that meant for us is that we could not proceed with IUI because there's a risk of transferring the infection to my uterus.*
*SUPER cringe worthy...sorry if you scrunched your face while reading!
Why were we chatting about IUI in the first place? Well aside from the anonymous infection (which cleared up with a course of antibiotics, thank God!) his overall sperm count was/is low. For his age, health and activity level there should be no reason why his count is as low as it is other than it could be hereditary somewhere down the line. Also no reason except that this is another hurdle for us to jump over and conquer as a couple and God has a bigger plan for us than we had for ourselves.
Fast forward to my investigation of The New Hope Center. I've heard amazing things about this place and Zach personally knows a few couples who conceived their children through their services. The day I decided to look them up on Facebook they had just posted info about free mini sessions with Dr. Robin. FREAKING. SCORE. I read their new patient policies and a new appointment costs about $125. And annnnyyyyone who knows me knows, if it's FREE it's for ME. Sign me up!
Hustle hustle hustle to get medical records retrieved and all forms signed so we can make the most out of the free session. I'd like to add that this free session also was only for 15 minutes. Thank God I'm a fast talker! Dr.Robin was wonderful and had reviewed all of our documents before we came in (way to do your homework doc!) so there really wasn't much for us to catch her up on. Her opinion on our case was that the best course of action was IVF +ICSI. jigga whuuut?
Take a look at this fascinating video to learn all about what's about to go doooowwnnnnn.
So here we are in a situation that I never dreamed I would be in but again, God has a bigger plan. I totally understand now why there's a lack of common knowledge in society about couples who go through IVF and other reproductive treatments and why couples are so private about it - this shit is about to get REAL.
Let me begin by saying that being open about this process opens you up to ALL kinds of criticism, advice, judgment and so on. First off, there's just the issue of people not believing in IVF (makes NO sense to me but I'm not here to judge). Secondly, infertility talk in general makes people uncomfortable and they start trying to offer anecdotes and well seeming advice but it's always offensive. ALWAYS. I found this great etiquette guide on how to talk to your infertile friends. Please do not read ahead until you've read the guide! I want everyone to be well informed as this journey has cost me a lot of hard/awkward/frustrating/unnecessary conversations in the past 4 years.
Another appointment with Dr. Robin & team and we've decided to push full steam ahead on operation Walden Baby 2016. Some have asked 'why now?' and 'are you ready?' and all kinds of questions and I just wanna say this once because it pains me to say it.
On February 12, I will be 31 years old. As young as that might seem in the scheme of things, my eggs say otherwise. The closer I get to 35, the higher my chances go up for abnormalities and birth defects. Sure, women are having children much later in life now but everybody and situation is different and every BODY is different. Just because it works for one doesn't mean it works for all. To add to this, we've also been trying to get pregnant for 4 years now.
Can you imagine wanting something for 4 years and you can't figure out why you can't have it? It's the most frustrating, debilitating, heart-wrenching process I've ever been through. Every month that Mother Nature (that betch...) shows up is another time to mourn my child that has yet to appear. Every month that goes by is another smile or 'congratulations!' I have to give to someone else expecting a child...and that kills me inside. Happy for them, sad for me. So OF COURSE we're ready (just finished a 3month parenting course- qualified!)... OF COURSE we've planned this out to the best of our ability... OF COURSE we know that kids are expensive but UNFORTUNATELY we're in a situation that does not afford us time or the ability to save up money. Unlike the portion of the population that can conceive naturally, we have to pay a RIDICULOUS amount of money to bring this baby into the world. When I tell you we're using every last penny... it's every. last. penny. we. have. To some this seems fiscally irresponsible but at the end of the day it's just money and we'd end up spend it on something we never really needed. This seems like a MUCH better investment to me.
With that being said, we have started a GoFundMe account to help off set the expense of these procedures. It would mean the world to us if you could donate- even if it's just love and support- any amount helps and we will be eternally grateful for it. Nobody is every financially ready (or mentally ready really) to raise a child and these situations you can't really prepare for so thank you in advance for any and all help <3
If all goes well with gathering the financials, Baby Walden should make His/Her/Their debut in October! SO much more news and insight coming every week for the next few weeks so stay tuned!
Love You All & God Bless.
xoxo,
Kearsten
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