My name is Lindsay, and I've become a bad blogger.

So what's happened... hum.. where to start...

We found out my daughter has an immune deficiency of some sort early this summer. Low IGG and IGA. We had to pull her out of daycare in early August, which started a period of total chaos in my life. We hired a nanny, she got sick. a lot. Which of course meant she couldn't come over to watch my immune deficient child. We loved her, but we had to find a new nanny. It took more time than I thought it should. Next week we finally should have someone reliable to watch her full time. Hallelujah!

In the mean time, Lillian's gotten sick quite a few times, which has meant a lot of trips to the immunologist (who we LOVE), and some quality time with our Pharmacist as we worked to find drugs she'll actually respond to. We've had to see her poked and prodded more times than I would like to remember, but feel confident in the care we are receiving. The immunologist hasn't specifically diagnosed her with anything yet, so we're in a wait and see mode. He's hoping that he immune system will get stronger when its not being challenged constantly. She does seem to be sick less frequently now that she's not in daycare, which is great. We're hopeful that her system will strengthen in the next 8 months as we are eager to get her back in a group care environment. She used to love playing with all her school friends.

On the baby #2 front, we found out we're having a girl!! We're super excited. Kathleen Francis will arrive Feb 2013. I've been contemplating a VBAC, but after much discussion with my husband I'm 99% sure I'm going to schedule a repeat c-section. He's very nervous about a VBAC and I won't be able to do it with out 100% support from him. Pregnancy #2 has been so different than #1. Maybe its because I have my hands full with a 22 month old, but I've just been so much less stressed about this pregnancy. Things seem to be progressing well and I'm grateful that this pregnancy has not been filled with the anxiety that the last one was.

I hope all my blog friend out there are doing well! I'm keeping up with your posts even if I'm not commenting! I'll try to be a better in 2013, Promise! Happy Holidays!!

I have a LOT to update date everyone on, but while I'm trying to draft my much needed post, I wanted to make sure that everyone out there from NOLA was aware of the launch of the New Orleans Moms Blog (http://www.neworleansmomsblog.com/). A good friend of mine is a co-founder and I could not be more excited to have a such a great resource dedicated to New Orleans! Check it out as there are a TON of free giveaways this week!

My OBGYN likes to see patients every four weeks so I was due to see him again this week. I had to move my appt from Thursday to Monday due to a work conflict so I saw him at 10 weeks and 4 days. The appt went really quickly. He came in, felt my uterus externally, we listened to the heart beat and that was about it. HB was 160 so he's predicting a girl. He did tell me that my blood work showed that I am slightly anemic so I'll need to take some extra iron. But all in all a pretty boring appointment. With Lillian, we opted not to get the genetic testing and blood work done. After everything we go through to get pregnant we figure we're probably not going to do anything even if there was something wrong, so why stress about something you can't control. It's a very personally decision, but that's how we choose to approach it. Problem is, when you a normal patient that means you don't get to see the baby until like 20 weeks!!! I've had hardly any spotting so I'm not getting weekly ultrasounds like I was last time. I'm really considering breaking down and doing one of those 3D places in a few weeks. We'll see. Next appt in 4 weeks! Good news is I'm getting my doopler back from my friend I lent it to so hopefully that will help with the anxiety I'm having about not seeing the baby.

So we went to the RE and saw one perfect little bean, with one little heartbeat (at 100 BPM)

After seeing the heartbeat, the RE released me since I was OOP. My OB wanted to see me 1 week later. The appt went well and I got to see the baby again.


Sorry for the delay in posting. We've been dealing with some health issues with my daughter which have been taking up all my time. Will post more about it later.

My first ultrasound is scheduled on Thursday and I must say the suspense is killing me. I'm OOP with the RE 100% since they don't accept my insurance so I choose to postpone it from the originally offered day of Monday to Thursday. I will be exactly 6 weeks, so I was hoping we will be see a heart beat. But now I wish I'd taken the earlier appointment because I'm so nervous and anxious. I feel like it was too easy this time, and it makes me soo nervous! I'm super tired, and starting to get more nauseous, so I assume everything fine. BUT, I'm just a nervous wreck!

I had spotting this weekend, so my RE had me come back in for another beta this morning. @ 18 DPIUI = 1,096.5. Its a doubling time of 39 hrs which is great!! I was pretty sad this weekend because I was spotting so bad I wasn't sure if this would be it for us. But I'm trying to take comfort in some great numbers. First ultrasound is still on for Jun 14th when I will be exactly 6 weeks.

When I got pregnant with Lillian my cycle was as follows:
Cycle started: May 4, 2010
Triggered: May 15, 2010
IUI: May 17, 2010
BFP: May 30, 2010

This cycle:
Cycle Started: May 3, 2012
Triggered: May 15, 2012
IUI: May 17, 2012
BFP: May 30, 2012

Isn't that the craziest thing ever?! I just realized that the two cycles lined up so much when I was looking back at my old chart for something today. I can't believe they mirror each other to the date (almost). Crazy.

I had my Beta done today. It was 200 at 14DPO. With Lillian I was 226 @ 15DPO. I go back in two weeks for a U/S, B/W and visit with the dr. I can't wait. I'm OOP with my RE still because he doesn't take my insurance so I opted not to get the second beta drawn. But I may have one of my family members who is a Dr order me one to get done this weekend just for peace of mind. I'm so excited, but still so nervous.

I'm sitting here 8DPO, not feeling anything one way or the other.... I hate all this waiting! To catch you all up, I took the estrogen and my lining increased pretty quickly. I triggered Tuesday May 15th and had IUI #2 on May 17th. This is the same month I got PG with Lillian in 2010 so I am hoping its my luck cycle. Keep you fingers crossed for me!

Went for a monitoring appt this morning and my lining looks a little thin (6.5, they like it around 7). Never had that happen before. I forgot to take my dexamethasone Saturday and Sunday, so I hope that didn't cause the issue!  So I am going to take some estrogen tonight and go back in the morning for another check. Assuming that I'm going to trigger tomorrow with IUI on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning... we'll see!

So luckily my body decided to cooperate and AF started on Thursday. I was a little disappointed because I had hoped I'd be one of those lucky people who gets KU on their "off" cycle. Alas, that wasn't the case. So I went in for CD3 monitoring on Saturday. I had a large cyst on the left ovary, ando the nurse said it would depend on my blood work if I could cycle or not. After a stressful few hours, the nurse called with the good news that the RE had given me the go ahead. However he wanted me to wait to take my clomid on CD5, instead of 4 like usually. So I started today which means I have some hot flashes in my not so distant future. Good news is I'm traveling so my poor husband and slaughter don't have to deal with the AC being cranked down!!! This is the cycle I got pregnant with Lillian two years ago. I've got everything crossed that this is my lucky cycle again this year. Say a little prayer for me!

TO add insult to injury, I had the worst period ever. Like seriously horrible. Thank you clomid and endo. I would have ended up needing IUI #2 next weekend when we'll be out of town, so we're taking a cycle break. Boo. I'm a little nervous things aren't going to work out for next cycle because of a work trip I have planned that could prevent CD3 testing. Not sure what my doctor will do. Trying not to get too stressed about it until I know it's a reality.

1 week down, 1 week to go. Sometimes I feel "something", sometimes I think I'm making it up in my head!! Why does the 2ww have to be sooooo long!!!

So things are underway here in TTC#2 land. I had a 17 & 15 on the left ovary and a 15 & 14 on the right ovary during Friday morning's appointment. I will be taking my HCG trigger tonight at midnight and doing the IUI Monday at 1pm. I just realized I haven't been taking prenatal vitamins so I'm going to run to the store this afternoon. Its crazy how quickly this is all happening. I'm excited but of course trying not to get my hopes up in case its a long road like last time.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

So it looks like we're headed back into treatment. I have mixed emotions about it. While we're definitely ready to get pregnant again, the thought of going through treatment again gives me a lot of anxiety. And to be totally honest, if I get pregnant with multiples I'll probably have a heart attack.


I went to my new RE this morning. He seems very nice and knowledgeable; and more importantly he specializes in the treatment of endometriosis. We spoke about my ER visit and he says he definitely believes that the pain I've been having is an indication that the endo has returned. He says when I'm done having babies he strongly recommends doing a couple Lupron series. He also said that he thought I would mostly likely end up a hysterectomy candidate. He said people with Stage I, II usually will be fine after a pregnancy but those with IV it most often comes "raging" back. He also said they'd likely have to take my ovaries, so I'd end up on hormone replacement therapy. So that was all kind of disappointing to hear.


On the bright side, we're starting treatment again! While the thought of all the appointments, needle pricks and hot flashes gives me lots of anxiety, the thought of being pregnant, and having another LO again makes me unbelievably happy. Keep your fingers crossed for me!


Protocol is the exact same of the cycle I got PG with Lillian:
CD1 - OV - Dexamethason
CD4-CD8 = 100 mg Clomid
CD 11 = U/S + Labs
HCG Trigger Shot
IUI 24 Hrs after the trigger


Interesting Factoid.. apparently HCG is in short supply in the area and the pharmacies are charging an arm and a leg for it. I might opt to order some from an online pharmacy. Anyone out there have a suggestion?

... To remind you that your reproductive organs are a little messed up.

Last Wednesday night I had severe pain in my right ovary. So severe I actually drug myself to the ER just in case it was something serious. I've had pain pretty consistently on my right ovary since it was operated on, but this was substantially more painful. So I went to the ER. During Mardi Gras. And waited for hours. Visited with my dear friend, Dildocam. And was told everything looked fine. Then they sent me home with some pain meds.

But there is no way that amount of pain is "fine". I mean seriously, I felt like the ovary was going to explode inside of me. It was horrific. So I made an appointment with an RE. The bad news is my dear RE from last time has moved to the Baton Rouge office. Since I can't travel an hour each way, I booked an appt with another doctor in the same practice. I'm wondering if another Lap isn't in order? Or maybe we should just cycle now and see what happens? I'd like to avoid a lap at all costs, but also don't to waist money cycling if the endo is going to mess everything up. I'll be interested to see what he thinks.

I've also decided that once I'm done with all the baby making that ovary is getting evicted. Seriously.