We prayed. We asked that God would put in our hearts what was next for us. I took several blood tests. All of which came back in proper ranges and negative for everything that could be concerning. Good news. We met with the doctor. “What should we do?” She recommended doing another fresh cycle with a different protocol. “Because you only have one “C” embryo left, let’s do another fresh cycle and transfer the best embryos back. And hopefully add one more to your frozen embryo so you could do a 2-embryo transfer in the future.” We prayed. We contemplated. We weighed our options. Yes, a fresh cycle with strong embryos sounded wonderful. But neither of us could forget about our little less-than-average embryo that was waiting for us. “Your odds of a pregnancy are much higher if we do another fresh cycle.” We kept hearing our doctors voice in our head. But both of our hearts felt called to our little frostie baby first.
So we made the decision. We were going to proceed with a frozen cycle based on the hopes that God had big plans in store for our last embryo – “Frostie”. Our doctor completely supported our decision. We made our consult appointment. We paid our bills. We scheduled our transfer for September 26th. I would be starting shots at the end of August. We knew without a doubt that this frozen transfer was the right decision. But we continued to pray for God’s timing to be displayed. Instead of praying for a sign that it was His time, this time I prayed that if it wasn’t His timing, that He would throw up a roadblock. A clear, can’t-miss-it sign that September 26th wasn’t meant to be the transfer date.
Later that same day we paid for the September 26th transfer, the call came in. “Your blood work went up.” Less than a week later I was canceling our September 26th transfer as we found out the D&C would be necessary.
I asked for a roadblock and I got one, clear as day. I was frustrated because I wanted God to be like “Yes of course this is My time! Go for it!”. My bags were packed for our cruise. We requested a fridge in the room to house my shots. My doctors note allowing me to travel with needles and such already packed in my carry on. And then the roadblock.
September 26th was not meant to be our transfer day.
I will never know why. But I sit now, weeks later, in complete awe at the simple answer to prayer that He created, especially when my will and wanting was so different.
Days passed. Then the nurse called. We were cleared to start our Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle again. My numbers were zero.
So we proceeded with starting. And again, praying, God, if this isn’t Your timing or Your will, please create a roadblock.
This FET would be different than all the other cycles in the past. I would be using different injections and high dosages to receive the estrogen I needed. I would be adding and changing other things as well. We had no idea if my body would respond to this. Truthfully, I think I anticipated my body not responding at all and that being my “roadblock”.
We (I) made the conscious decision not to share this cycle prep with anyone. (Josh respected and agreed to my request.) I was exhausted. I didn’t really want to think about the cycle. I wanted to wake up, give myself my shot, pop a pill and go about my day. Repeat at night. My mind couldn’t handle anyone asking me how I was. Updating people. Telling people “Yeah, the medicine didn’t work. The cycle has been cancelled.” I stood with my hot flashes, too stubborn to admit that the shots were to blame. I was too exhausted some days to get off the couch. I am sure people just thought I was insanely lazy. But still, I chugged on. It was beautiful not being defined by how I was feeling/doing by everyone I encountered. Yes, I know. Their intentions would have been wonderful. But my heart and brain just didn’t want to think or talk about it. At all. I felt like I got to be a “normal” person when really, if they had seen my stomach, they would have known by the bruises I wasn’t all that “normal”.
You see, for so many cycles I have relied upon YOUR support, your encouragement, your words to keep me going. But I felt God quietly whisper in my heart Let me be all the support you need. And so we marched forward, the future of if my body would be ready for a transfer unknown. Only Him knowing my specific needs each day.
We cleared the first appointment. My lining was thin, ovaries quiet. Then we added more meds. And waited, prayed, hoped. My heart so cautiously scared yet optimistic. I knew that if this transfer was meant to happen, then the medicine would work. My hormone levels would be as they should. My lining would be okay. And if not, another clear roadblock.
Last Friday I went into the clinic to hear the wonderful news that this protocol worked. My lining was ready and perfect. Now we just needed to take some blood work and check that pesky estrogen level. They like to see it between 200 – 400, but will cautiously take anything above 100. Last time I was a miserable 112. I had no idea what to expect. So imagine my pleasant surprise when the nurse called that afternoon and didn’t tell me “The cycle is cancelled.” But instead “Your levels are 391! We are set to move forward with the transfer.”
Praise God! Oh He is so good.
So what does all of this mean? It means I am EXCITED to share with you all that this Friday, Josh and I hope to have the God-given opportunity to transfer our last little embryo into its home for hopefully the next 9 months. I say hope to have because there is still one more big step between now and that moment of transfer – our little guy/girl has to survive being thawed. It’s a complete unknown if it will. We pray with every piece of our hearts that it does. But we will not find out if it made it until we get to the clinic Friday morning. The emotions thinking about that possible joy or heartbreak is overwhelming.
So – surprise! For the last 30+ days, my days have included many shots. If I have broken out in a sweat around you or looked a painful color of gray, it was because of the shots combined with the lack of sleep.
- A tiny look at my secret life lately.
So PLEASE join us in praying for:
- The thawing of our embryo.
- The transfer itself to go smoothly.
- That this is IT.
Today also marks a special day in our journey as it is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Throughout this journey, Josh and I have had little ones join our Father earlier than we would have liked. It’s interesting, for those who have lost a spouse, the word “widow” is given. For those who lost a parents, the word “orphan” is used. For those who have lost a child – well, too often it simply goes unsaid.
“Unless you wear a T-shirt emblazoned with your children’s names or tattoo them on your wrist, you rarely speak their names aloud no matter how much you need or want to tell others. And for women who have struggled with pregnancy loss, there seems even less place to mention the love they feel for babies they will never have.” (NY Times article today)
So today is the day we remember. Today is the day not to be ashamed of the sadness you have felt. In fact, on this day, there will be a “wave of light” spread throughout the world. From 7 pm – 8 pm in each time zone in every part of the world, candles will be lit to remember those babies who have been lost. So please, I ask, if you are home tonight, even if its not at 7:00, please lit a candle for those who have lost their precious babies. It’s not an image that will likely ever be seen but the significance is incredibly touching and moving.
(Great, now I am crying at Starbucks. Yes sir, the one watching me, if you have a Kleenex to share, that would be great.)
I saw this photo on Instagram earlier today and it touched my heart so much.
What would God say to my little one about me? As I pondered that today, I couldn’t help but pray, with all my heart, that it is something similar to the song I had been listening to ironically at the same time:
May Your love cause us to open up, cause us to open up our hearts.
May Your life cause us to shine so bright that we bring hope into the dark.
Great is the courage to give as You’re calling.
Make me an instrument of Your peace.
May we love as You love.
I hope that I am living a life that causes God to whisper, “Look at your Mom. Her heart is open. She is shining so bright. She is bringing hope into the darkness around her. She is brave. Aren’t we so proud of her?
(That may have been the hardest sentence and image to imagine and type. More tears.)
So as we move forward, join us with confidence as we trust whatever God has planned for us. Perhaps another roadblock. Perhaps a glorious ending to this present suffering. Perhaps another lesson learned. A heart more dependent on Him. The possibilities are endless. And we are jumping in wholeheartedly.
Now off to find some tissues.
Trials Bring Joy 
fingers crossed!!!!
I like the pic with the dog, who’s got a face like “what am i doing in this pic???” ;)
Thank you so much! And yes, I laughed too! She wouldn’t get down! She just had to keep licking my face, then gave a super creepy stare at the camera. I love it. Ha!
love dogs’ creepy faces ;)
First, I want to tell you how much I love you and am so blessed to “know” you. Your friendship means the world to me. You are quite possibly the strongest woman I know, and I pray with my whole heart that this cycle is IT. The ONE. I pray that God blesses you with a beautiful baby to hold in your arms nine months from now.
I love, love, love the pictures! “The many faces of IVF.” :)
Oh my dear friend, I appreciate you and your encouragement so incredibly much. I simply can’t thank you enough or in any articulate manner. My heart is so blessed by your friendship. Love you!!! (And yes, so true! You should see the many others! LOL!)
SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!
Thank you sooo much!!! <3 FET buddies just a few weeks apart! Lets hope this is IT for us!! XOXO!
I’m keeping everything crossed that we have July babies together!! :)
YES! Sounds good to me! :)
I think this post may be one of my favorites from you. I am praying for you, and will lift you all up Friday morning for your transfer. Best of luck!!
Thank you so much Chelsie! I appreciate your kind words and your caring heart SO much! XOXO!
God is totally being glorified through your story Chelsea – Thanks for your willingness to share. I love how He has spoken to you – it is so beautiful! Lord, we lift up Chelsea during this time and we praise you for your soverigness. We ask that you would bless this embryo – that you would breath life into and you would breath life into Chelseas’ womb as she prepares to receive this baby. We ask that you would align every hormone, every organ, every tissue in Chelseas’ body to your word and will which commands us to be fruitful. We rebuke the enemy and his attacks on her mind and body. We pray for peace, clarity and hope these next few weeks. We ask boldly and we wait expectantly for the good news of a positive test. Amen!!!
Thank you so much for this shared prayer Caroline. You made me cry wonderful tears of feeling so blessed by the sincere words lifted up to our Father. I am so grateful for you in so many ways. Much love.
awww Chelsea I have so many tears! Tears of knowing the pain, tears of joy and hope that this is IT. That this IS the one. That you get to hold your baby finally in your arms (and until he/she is like, 50.. because we probably will never let go once we get them, right? :D
You and your amazing attitude, even when it’s so hard to lose hope, to get angry and give up… continues to give me hope, and maybe feel like no, I should NOT give up. I should just continue to have faith, just like you and Josh. And I love you for that. So thank you Chelsea. I am soo grateful for you. We are sending big prayers and the most positive thoughts your way! (yes, I am looking East) and will continue to do so!!! xoxoxo
Oh thank you so much Natasha. My heart is so blessed by your words and encouragement. It means so much to me. And YES, NEVER GIVE UP! Stay strong. Believe in your heart that you will become a mother some day. Stay strong in that faith that you are not being ignored. Your prayers are heard, your heart is held. Thank you so much for being wonderful.
I love that you are trying with this embryo instead of moving on. It’s beautiful. And I really really hope everything will go for the best. Good luck!!xx
Thank you so much. I appreciate your comment and shared hope! <3
This brang tears of joy to my eyes! So excited for you and so excited to see God work and show his timing! xx
Thank you so much Nat!!! So thankful for your excitement. :)
Chels.!!!
I am so happy for you. And I am so glad that you have been able to let God step in for your journey. I have been kinda worried about ya ♡
I will be thinking of you lots.!! And if I wouls of known all this I could of sent you a surprise package….. :)
Your words about today and remembering our lil babies up there hit me hard in the heart. My thoughts are always about my babyG. I miss everything. Even things I didn’t go threw yet.
Anyways love ya girl.!!
Lauren
Thank you so much Lauren! I am in the best hands possible. And you are so sweet to offer to send something. Truly your prayers are all we need! Thank you so much. Praying for you and your lost baby G as well … so so hard. Much love!
Chelsea, you and Josh are amazing with your faith and hope. And I am certainly praying with you and crying with you. I did have 3 miscarriages, and I feel the pain, but perhaps not as much as you do, because I did have a healthy child first. God be with you and fill you with His presence and joy and may He grant you the desires of your hearts!
Oh Jeannie, a loss is still a loss! I am so sorry for your pain as well. Candles were lit with you in mind last night too. Thanks for your continued prayers and support. It means so much. ((Hugs))
This was so beautifully written! What you said resonates with me on so many levels and echoes my heart about all of this. I am praying this is IT for you – and end to your present sufferings (so perfectly put). You are in my fervent prayers. So want this for you. Thinking of you, friend.
Thank you for your prayers – they mean so much to us. We are blessed to have you on this journey with us. Sending much love.
I need tissues too!! What a month! What emotions! PRAYING for you and your little frosty!
THANK YOU! So much! Those prayers are invaluable.
I just HAVE to repeat this. Your words. God’s words. Right back at you. Beautiful.
“Look at your Mom. Her heart is open. She is shining so bright. She is bringing hope into the darkness around her. She is brave. Aren’t we so proud of her?”
This made me cry to read back. Thank you so much.