I can’t believe it’s finally here! The start of IVF – something that feels like it has been in the works for far too long. All my nerves from before have completed melted away, leaving me with an excitement that is hard to put into words. It’s a journey we so strongly feel called to, that we can’t help but hope with eager anticipation that God will continue to use this part of our story for His glory.

I have been struggling to decide how much “medical” talk I want to put in this blog. I don’t think truthfully people want to read about Lupron injections and all the finite medical details of this process. So I will do my best to give updates without boring and educating without making you cross your eyes. Plus, I want to continue to be transparent about what it’s like to be IN this stage, so you will likely hear a lot about how “I feel”. (I work in a psych hospital, “how does that make you feeeeeeeeel” seems like simple lunch conversation.)

With that said – this morning I started my first injection!  I know I have broken this out before, but to refresh your memory, the IVF cycle is broken into 5 steps from here:

1. Suppression
2. Stimulation
3. Egg Retrieval
4. Embryo Transfer
5. Waiting

The timeline of all this really is spread out over the next 5-6 weeks. I am in the Suppression stage now, using medication to slow down and stop the pituitary from producing LH and FSH. (Those are just fancy names for the hormones that make you ovulate.) So essentially this stage is shutting down my system in order to gain complete control during the Simulation phase. I have been told to mainly expect some tiredness, potential nausea, hot flashes and headaches. Those tend to be the most common side effects. As of this morning though, the only thing I noticed was burning and tenderness at the injection site for about an hour. Bearable for sure, just uncomfortable.

Work has come to a halt as I move through this journey and I am so thankful for the chance to focus entirely on “me” and self care and to be available for whatever comes our way during this. We were able to take family pictures this afternoon (with an amazing photographer, Jana Wick!) and it was so special to be able to capture our family as it is today, knowing and praying that it will be different in the future. Cali was on her best behavior thanks to our fantastic doggie stylist and treat distributer, sister Courtney. :-)

I will take this one day at a time, one hour at a time. If I cancel plans with you last minute, don’t take it personally, I just may not feel good. If I forget to write you back on Facebook, my mind is just scattered (or I read it on my phone, which is nearly always the case). “Expect the unexpected” is what I have been told and I feel like my mind and body are ready. I can’t wait to continue to share this story with you and truly am grateful for your investment. Hugs all around!!

Round 1 of my meds have arrived!!!

Getting ready for the first shot! (Yes, I may have just woke up.)