Sunday, January 24, 2010

This is me

Hello, my name is Jackie I am 27years old and was diagnosed with primary infertility due to Stage four endometriosis in July 2009. My husband and I have been married since May 28, 2005, I am an RN in surgery and we have a dog and 2 cats. My journey began in September 2008 when my wonderful husband Aaron and I decided to try for our first child. I had gotten off of the pill June 2007 so I could ensure that I would get pregnant as soon as we started trying. I had also started charting my cycle using the natural family planning method so I could be assured of my most fertile days and get pregnant immediately. November of 2008 I went to my OB/GYN for my annual exam and presented him with the information that I had a short luteal phase of only 9 days. It was then that he started me on Prometrium a progesterone replacement to be taken after ovulation until menstruation. I then thought OK , THIS will be it we will now get pregnant. March 2009 my Dr decided to do a sperm analysis on my husband which came out great, nothing wrong with him. Then in July of 2009 I had surgery, on the hunch my Dr had that I had endometriosis. I underwent a Laparoscopy, Hysteroscopy, D&C, and Tubal Lavage. I was convinced that he had to be wrong as I had none of the symptoms of endo. Well turned out I was wrong. I had extensive endo covering my colon, ureters, bladder and other vital structures in my pelvis. The good news was that my tubes were wide open and no endo on my ovaries which he said were "beautiful". But the bad news was that due to where the endo was located he wasn't able to remove most of the lesions for fear of perforating something and causing a real problem. While he talked to my husband after surgery he mentioned Invitro Fertilization as our best bet to achieve a pregnancy. My husband and I were devastated. I went through the whole grieving process, denial, anger, sadness, bargaining, etc. you name it I thought it. I then decided to do research. Unfortunately nothing really promising is out there for the treatment of endo, they really don't even know why it causes infertility in someone like me, where the processes of ovulation is working and nothing is blocking the passage of the egg. There are theories but they are just theories not facts. My Dr suggested treatment with Lupron Depot injections monthly for 6 months to put me into pseudo-menopause and essentially choke out the remaining endo which feeds off of estrogen. This is also just a theory with about a 50/50 response from Dr's as to whether it is effective in reestablishing fertility or not. My husband and I decided to wait and try on our own for a few more months after the surgery hoping that the surgery was enough to get things in working. Which brings me to now. Here it is January24, 2010. Last night I gave myself my first shot of Lupron Depot.This blog is my journal of this trip through my infertility and treatment. Also my journey through pseudo-menopause at the age of 27. If no one reads this that is fine but if you find this and it helps you in any way that is really great and what I am really hoping for.

4 comments:

  1. Well, I know that it will help me... because I am always humbled to read about the lives of other women and the journeys they are on. Whenever I start to feel down, thinking I have it so hard, I am reminded that everyone is going through something. Everyone has a story. Thank you for being willing to share yours. Love you girl and I'm behind you every step of the way.

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  2. Thanks Veronica I miss talking to you at work. You give me hope and inspiration as well!

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  3. Well, now you don't just get me at WORK! You are lucky enough to get me ALL THE TIME!!! :) I know, I know...it takes a moment to take it all in. I understand. ;)

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  4. LOL I know but I liked you in person too!! :)

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