Our miracle RAINBOW BABY BOY arrived 8/2018

1st IVF = BFN
2nd IVF = Baby A, born May 2015
3rd IVF = Miscarriage at 14 weeks
4th IVF = BFN
After we paid for 5th IVF, positive pregnancy without IVF!

Because the important moments in life just don’t fit in a status update! I started this blog when I was training for my first ½ Ironman, (70.3 miles) to record what I hoped would be growth and progress but ended up being a huge learning experience. Although fitness is one of the key ingredients to a happy life, it certainly isn't the only ingredient. My blog has evolved to document growth, progress and setbacks in other areas too. From my surprise proposal in Rome and wedding in the fall of 2013, to Mom's devastating stage IV cancer diagnosis and death 2 weeks after I found out I was pregnant. Who knows what shape it will take, but thanks for being along for the ride.

TTC Timeline

Miracle RAINBOW BABY born August 2018! 

1st IVF=BFN 
2nd IVF=Baby A born 5/2015 
3rd IVF=Miscarriage @ 14 weeks 
4th IVF=BFN 

After paid for 5th IVF, positive pregnancy without IVF!



February, 2013 - Engaged! Went to OBGYN for all testing to make sure we were both good to go once we wanted to have children. No known fertility problems for either of us.

August, 2013 - Mom diagnosed with brain cancer. Also in lungs adrenal glands, around pancreas. Realized we would need to expedite becoming parents more than we were already planning. 

September, 2013 - Prescription for clomid, to use once married

November, 2013 - Married and actively trying with clomid

November -February 2014 - Use of clomid

February 2014 - Failed IUI

March 2014 - Failed IUI

April 2014 - Decided to go IVF route, 1st cycle cancelled because one follicle already dominant.

June 4, 2014 - IVF #1 - Egg retrieval - 8 eggs. Only 7 mature, all fertilized, only 3 developed normally. Three day transfer of three.

June 18, 2014 - BFN

July, 2014 - Natural cycle

August, 2014 - IVF #2

September, 2014 - BFP! September 11th: Transfer of 2 embryos on day three. POAS September 25th. Positive blood test September 26th. 

Baby A born May 26, 2015
TTC Baby Number Two!

October, 2015 - Failed IUI (unmedicated)

November, 2015 - Failed IUI (unmedicated)

December, 2015 - Natural cycle

January, 2016 - Failed IUI (unmedicated)

February, 2016 - Diagnosed with melanoma. All fertility treatments stopped.

March, 2016 - PET-CT, wide excision of back to remove melanoma, recovery.

April, 2016 - MISDIAGNOSIS - I Don't Have Cancer?

May, 2016 - Still reeling from the mistake - missed IUI, celebrated her 1st Birthday and it was nothing short of amazing. All I dreamed it would be. You can read all the details here.

June, 2016 - On birth control pills to regulate cycle and time with our trip to Prague - planning IVF in Prague.

July, 2016 - Traveled to Vienna, Prague and Budapest. My IVF cycle was cancelled, after we purchased our medication. Read why here.

August, 2016 - More traveling, to Oregon and Morro Bay. Natural cycle. Moving forward with plans to do IVF in the states, considering CNY in New York because total cost (without meds) is $3,900.

September, 2016 - Picked our clinic and gearing up for IVF #3! We're going with Dr. Frederik at HRC Fertility in Newport Beach. Stimulation medication starts 9/23. Anticipated egg retrieval on October 4th.

October, 2016 - BFP! Heartbeat - due date of June 27, 2017.


November/December, 2016 - It's a girl! All screenings are normal including NT scan.

January, 2017 - Miscarriage. Routing doctor's appointment at 17 weeks showed that our baby girl did not have a heartbeat and stopped growing around 14 weeks. D&E procedure 1/19/2017.

February, 2017 - Recovering from D and E procedure.


March, 2017 - Recovering from D and E procedure.


April, 2017 - Recovering from D and E procedure.


May, 2017 - Gearing up for IVF #4! On birth control pills, ordering meds and timeline set! Baseline ultrasound on 5/31/2017.

June, 2017 - IVF number 4 is underway! Will this be our last? Probably not...unless it ends with a healthy baby in our arms.

July, 2017 - BFN. Devestated

August, 2017 - Trying to set up IUI treatment while we decide on IVF clinic.

September, 2017 - DENIED IUI treatments, which were covered by my insurance, by Dr. Robert Anderson - the only doctor in my area that accepts my insurance (IUIs are covered by my insurance). Through his office manager, Annamarie Santana, he said "IUIs will NOT work for you. Go back to your IVF doctor." She also told me "If you had gone to Dr. Anderson, you would not have had a miscarriage because he does genetic testing." Horrified and hurt, I explained that our baby girl was genetically normal.

October, 2017 - Defeated. Unsure what our next steps should be.

November, 2017 - Paid for IVF cycle #5 - next summer at CNY in New York


December, 2017 - Realized I was late by 2 days and POAS. PREGNANT!? Without even trying!? Even my husband doesn't believe it. Only God can say what is possible, not fertility doctors only out for a profit.

January, 2018 - Extremely afraid of loosing pregnancy, but all testing is coming back normal.


February, 2018 - Made it to the 2nd trimester!!! We finally tell our family and friends.

Our MIRACLE Rainbow Baby arrived August, 2018!



4 comments:

  1. HI Megan, I came across your story and can totally know what you are going through. Because i am one of those who feel devastated facing reality but plunge up to look positive.

    IVF is a big investment, physically, emotionally and financially. Who wouldn't want to optimize their outcome? There comes no day without feeling guilty and full of remorse that what happen on me before. I am jealous to hear my friend get pregnant again after having the first one. My husband and I have to work harder to get what is so easy for others, but i never give up.

    My husband got sterilized when he was 20, so we have to go through IVF to get pregnant. I am doing IVF for the second time already. June 10th is our Oocyte retrival and i am so concerced about the result. Unluckily, my HPV is positive which delay my transfer date until i get better. I am prepare for transferring embroy day with nutritions, supplements and lifestyle. It is devastated and double sad to face the reality, like HPV Positive and only 2 embroy at last, but I never give up hope. There comes no day without not wishing to make our dreams of becoing parents come true. I find it is also a meditation for mental and physical progress especially in the terms of women. I don't know how to tell my parents and i feel like as loser for what have happened. Would I be much happier if i had made different choice ? i hate to be weak, to feel list loser, but the worst part is i have to smile and pretend everything is fine when i know its not. America is amazing country, where everyone is more tolerant and the situation like IVF or sharing the experience like you did can be more welcome but in China, our situation is more harsh. I am glad to come across your story and spill my feeling to you. Hope we can keep in touch by mailing liweivicky1@hotmail.com and share more news. I wish you best all the way.

    Best regards,

    Wei

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  2. A connection from China! So happy you found me, Wei! I just sent you an email.

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  3. Hi Megan, I found your blog through Lisa at Amateur Nester. I have been matched with you for her Fall card swap and am so happy to have found your blog. I am so very sorry to hear about your mother and her diagnosis, I can not even imagine what she and your family are going through. She will be in my thoughts. I am also sorry to hear all that you have gone through trying to build your family, I am hoping this cycle is the one that works for both of you :)

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    1. Amie! Thank you so much! I am excited to be "matched" with you and learning more about your journey. Much love and baby dust!

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