2 post in one day – whoa! Settle down, thankful this one will be short too. I wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and all the encouraging words sent this morning. I really needed it and am so thankful I can rely on each of you to help support us in prayer and thoughts. There are times I don’t know the words to pray or say, and knowing that you are all supporting us gets me through a hump. So thank you.

An update – My ultrasound shows two “packs” of follicle sizes – ones that are mature and to the size they want them to be, and other smaller ones, that are nearing mature size but not quite there yet. The doctor wanted to see lab results to determine which “pack” of follicles that they should go after. Walking out of the appointment, it seemed likely we would go after the current mature follicles. However, my lab results were less than ideal.

There is a certain hormone that is lower than they would like to see – they would like it to be minimally in the 1,000+ range in order to result in mature, usable eggs. Many women are between 2,000 – 4,000. I am at 923. My doctor says that needs to get higher before we can do a retrieval. What this means is they are going to double my medication doses tonight and tomorrow morning and have me come back to the clinic for another ultrasound and lab work in the AM to determine next steps.

Follicles can grow 1-2 mm a day. My mature follicles right now are at a stage where they can and may quickly grow past the point of mature and become “too big” (they are within 1-2 mm from hitting that stage). So we are praying that the smaller ones, which are 3-4 mm under the minimum “ripe” size, grow quickly. Big follicles tend to absorb the majority of the medication so we truly need to recruit prayers for these smaller follicles to grow, the larger ones to stop growing, and for my hormone levels to skyrocket … overnight.

The plan from here – in order to have the egg retrieval, 36 hours before its scheduled I will be injected with what is most commonly known as a “trigger shot”. This is a hormone shot that helps with getting the follicles ready to ovulate. It has to be timed very carefully as we need the follicles to be just about to ovulate, but retrieve them before they do. (Literally the minutes count here!). We anticipate if the results tomorrow improve to what the doctor would like to see, that this shot would be administered tomorrow evening with the egg retrieval surgery taking place on Monday morning.

This has been a continued emotional rollercoaster! It is such a helpless feeling having no control over what my body is doing and relying so heavily on the knowledge and experience of the doctor. I’m scared things won’t go as hoped but know I can’t get ahead of myself. I need YOU to help support us in prayers and pray against discouragement. I have no other option but to fully rely on God during this. Josh has been such a positive, confident supporter. And each of you – gosh, the words and messages I have received today have met me right where I am. I love what one friend said … “IVF is such a blessing … but I love that it still takes GODS MIRACLES to make it happen …” That is the truth and I need to be reminded of that each hour. The hormones don’t help logical thinking and truthfully, we are still absolutely in this and excited for the next step. Please join us in praying:

1) for hormone levels to rise;

2) for the follicle sizes to be and become what we need them to be to give us the most optimal changes;

3) for clarity and direction of the doctor; and

4) for hope to continue to penetrate my heart.

I am reminded of God’s goodness in this passage someone sent to me …

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; He surrounds and defends all who fear Him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:4-10)

Thank you my friends.