There has been 387 days between the date of our last transfer and today. 387 long days. I remember typing this post about our 4th cycle failure like it was yesterday. I remember sharing with you all that we were being called into a season of putting a hold on fertility treatments and let me tell you, it’s been a long year. Between last October and today, I have seen a naturopathic doctor, an acupuncturist, had a laparoscopy surgery done and many tests run, drunk teas, sucked down pills and above all, prayed for wisdom, guidance and direction. This wait has been LONG. And yet even though it has felt unproductive compared to years past, both Josh and I felt incredible peace that this was exactly where we were supposed to be, even though it wasn’t easy.
Then a month or so ago both of our hearts started stirring, feeling like we were supposed to restart up treatments. I don’t think either of us were prepared to start thinking about it again and the thought of jumping back into things caught me a little off guard. We began to talk and pray and felt that gentle nudging to make some calls.
I reached out to 2 new clinics in the area. One thing Josh and I felt strongly about was the need for a second opinion, a new set of eyes, a fresh space. Doctor consults can often be booked out 6-8 weeks so I made a call, thinking that we would sit down with them towards the end of the year. Imagine my surprise when one of them shared that they had a cancellation just open up – for 3 days later. (The other being consistent with the longer timeline we were expecting.) With a swiftness that could only be God, charts were exchanged, papers were filled out, and there we were, walking into a new RE, waiting to hear his thoughts on our case. I instantly felt relief when he said that he still has hope for our case, even though I know that our hope is found in God. Still it was reassuring that he felt so positive for us. The hour we spent with him was incredibly educational and we loved how he explained his thoughts and our options.
For the sake of brevity, the plan he proposed is that we do a few IUI (artificial insemination) cycles using Femara and a trigger shot, which I have responded to well in the past, combined with estrogen and progesterone supplementation.. He also wants to put me back on Metformin to improve my egg quality and felt strongly about completing some more blood test to ensure that my reoccurring miscarriages haven’t been caused by any autoimmune disorders. We have done a few of these tests in the past and I am in full agreement that we need to complete the panels. Regardless of how the results come back, we will add in Lovenox injections which are useful for a whole slew of things. If this doesn’t work, the next step would be to do another IVF cycle. This clinic in particular only does cycles 4 times a year, making the next one we would be eligible for at the end of March. After our appointment, we continued to pray. My prayers were that God would make it abundantly obvious if we were supposed to move forward. The nudging in our hearts that it was time to step out again seemed so clear, but still, I kept praying for two things – 1) that God would make it very evident that moving forward with IUI/IVF was His plan and 2) that the financial part of these medicated cycles would be provided for.
Within a DAY, and I mean a DAY, God answered both of these requests clearly. The first answer occurred while I was sitting in my Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) meeting the next morning, where we were talking about Moses, specifically Exodus 14. Our lecturer was talking about how the Israelites were standing in front of the Red Sea while the Egyptians were chasing after them. My lesson picks up here:
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.”
What God spoke to me was that sometimes He brings us to the point where we are supposed to be waiting. (Like the Israelites did for 400+ years.) But then other times He brings us right before our answer to prayer and says “Why are you still standing still?? Stop talking. It’s time to move forward.” Had Moses not acted and lifted up his staff, had the Israelites not taken those scary steps into the parted Red Sea, the story would have ended there. But instead, it was time to move forward in faith. That day God affirmed “I will fight for you – it’s time to move forward.” Message heard, loud and clear. (This is one of many affirmations that have come my way since offering up that prayer!)
He then answered the financial part in a variety of ways. At the start of the week I was committed to a job share position, which ended up changing into a short-term, full-coverage opportunity, giving me more hours. I then was contacted by an Editor in Chief at a large online fertility resource website, who asked ME, little old me, to become a paid blogger for them starting in December. (I never reached out to them, this was completely God-initiated. And I said yes so more on that to come in another post!) And then I had 2 friends, within a few days of each other, reach out to me, offering to use their online businesses to throw a fundraising product party, both offering to donate 100% of the commission earned to our medical treatments, without any conversation about our future direction. Wow. God, you are so good!
So let me summarize – we are doing this again!!!!
The plan is to get some blood work done this Friday and then start 28 days on birth control to reset things. Then after that, we are going to move forward with a Femara+trigger shot IUI cycle. I could see how to some of you, it feels like we are stepping backwards, since my IUI days are years behind me, however there is SO MUCH PEACE in this new plan and we are GIDDY to get things going. And of course, excited to see how God will act. We can’t do this without the prayers and support of those around us, so THANK YOU!
With all that said – now how can you help!?
- Continue to pray for us. This is the biggest way. Prayers, vibes, energy, whatever you can throw , we will take it. I know those prayers go from your mouth to His ears.
- Another way is to shop! For the next 10 days, there are 2 online parties being thrown by two generous friends to assist with the medical costs involved. Please do not feel ANY pressure to make a purchase, but if you are looking for any Norwex or Younique products, I would love and appreciate you using these parties to make your purchase! Being able to receive some assistance through these amazing women’s commission is nothing short of an answer to prayer.
- Feel free to share the event link with your friends/family. There will be an entirely separate link (www.trialsbringjoy.com/fundraiser/) that will give you information on where you can do this online shopping, complete with details on purchasing and without boring anyone with all these details above.
- Lastly, I ask that you pray a special blessing over the lives of Annie and Jana, both of the women who has made this offer and are allowing Him to answer our prayers through their generous kindness. God knows exactly what prayers are on their hearts and so I simply ask that you lift up a prayer of gratitude and blessing over them.
These online parties will run from today (November 9th) until November 18th (next Tuesday). Again, if you are not in a place to make a purchase, please don’t feel any pressure. But if you are and are looking to support these next steps of ours, Josh and I both would appreciate it more than you know. Plus YOU get some fun products from 2 great companies! I call that a win-win!
Thank you again for all of the prayers for wisdom and guidance over these last years. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 6 years of trying and waiting, but I am trusting that GREAT things are ahead! XOXO!
Trials Bring Joy 
Wishing you the best as you jump back into fertility treatments again!!
Thank you so much!!! <3
Oh Chelsea, I am so excited for you! I can’t wait to see all of the wonderful things 2015 will bring for you.
Thank you Nina!!! I am ready to make 2015 a wonderful year!!!! <2 Thankful for you!
So happy for you doll! Praying for you as you adventure through treatments again!
Thank you! I am anxiously excited – anxious (but trying not to be!) about all the emotions that come with this but excited for what the outcome may be!!!! Thanks for the prayers my friend! XO!
I am so inspired by your story. Just to know that God did it for you means He’ll do it for me. I pray that God continues to show favor throughout this process. You deserve everything that is coming your way. You’ve been a huge inspiration to several of us and I thank you for being so transparent! God bless girlie! God bless!
Thank you oh so much! This encouragement and prayers and the support you offer to me is priceless. May He be glorified! XOXO!
I’m SO excited about your new plan love!!
You own twenty-fifteen my love.
Sending prayers beauty.
Can that be a trending hashtag please? I love it! #owning2015. XOXO! Thank you for your prayers!
I got goosebumps reading this as for the last 3 weeks my pastor has been talking about this EXACT passage in Exodus. Today he was talking about either 1 of 4 things will happen at the Red Sea: 1) He’ll part the seas 2) He’ll move the mountains 3) He’ll destroy the enemy or 4) He’ll have Us wait at the sea to teach U.S. dependence on Him (which is where I feel we’ve been for the last 4.5 years on our fertility journey). And it also seems as thats where you all have been as well. Well, it appears as though 1,2, or 3 is happening for you now and I am thrilled for you. Praying for you and your husbands strength and faith as you start this new journey. I illicit your prayers for DH and I as we wait, in dependence on God, in hopes that our fertility journey will soon have a happy ending!
REALLY!??! Oh I just got goosebumps! I have never noticed that verse before truthfully and for additional validation to come our ways, WOW! Thank you for sharing all of this with me and for all of your prayers! Your encouragement means so much!!!!!
Filled with excitement to see how God continues to move for you and Josh. You two are always in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your news with us! I’m thrilled for you.
Thank you Charity! As always, I am so thankful for the support and love you have offered to me. It means so much and I am even more thankful for the Godly foundation our friendship is built off of! Love you and the babies to pieces!
You had me at online shopping ;) I will certainly have a look, the aussie dollar after two years is now weaker against the USD making overseas shopping a bit more expensive! I am really hopeful for you going forward and will be sending lots of positive thoughts and love to you.
I appreciate your heart in just thinking of making a purchase! Please know your thoughts mean the world to us!!! I am so so thankful for your support in every way, the friendship is what matters most! <3
I found your blog shortly after you wrote that post 387 days ago, when my journey was just beginning. I am so excited for you and look forward to celebrating with you. You will definitely be in my prayers as you begin this exciting, challenging journey again!
THANK YOU! I am so grateful to have you as a supporter and cheerleader. You guys are all overwhelming my heart tonight in the best possible way! Here’s to big celebrations in 2015 :) XOXOX!
I’m praying for you as you embark on this new adventure sugars! Hopefully this will be an amazing 2015 for you! xo
Thank you my friend! I pray this will be an amazing 2015 for BOTH of us!!!! <3
That would be awesome!!
Yah!! I’m so excited for you both!!! Best of luck!!! 💕💕
Thank you times infiniti!!!!! <3 Praying for you lots in this really tough season. You have a special place in my heart.
praying for you sweet sister!! Can’t wait to see how God moves in and through this! :) so excited for you :)
Thank you soooo much Ashley! Grateful for the prayers, support and friendship!!
Wow that’s just great news!!! I feel strongly positive about Lovenox: we had 6 blasto transferred – all negative, and for our 3rd IVF, I started Loveox injections. And it was a winning case, as I’m 5 months pregnant with our 7th (or 8th? we’ve transferred 2, but a single pregnancy). So I already like your doctor ;) and will keep my thoughts and fingers crossed for you.
Chelsea, this sounds exciting! Will be praying! Love, Sharon
Starbucks, Peace, and the Pursuit of a Baby wrote: > chels819 posted: “There has been 387 days between the date of our last > transfer and today. 387 long days. I remember typing this post about > our 4th cycle failure like it was yesterday. I remember sharing with > you all that we were being called into a season of putting a hol” >
Yay! This sounds like you have some wonderful next steps. I’m so happy that you’re moving forward and that He has a plan for you. Hoping your wait to your little one is almost over. Hugs!
All the best to you and your husband. It’s a beautiful feeling to all of the sudden really hear what God wants you to do.
Oh girl!! I clearly have so much to catch up on! Love your plan – and how sweet of the Lord to confirm everything! He is so good. How did your blood work go on Friday? Hope it went well! Thinking of you friend and you know I am believing for lots of babies!!!!!!!!! Come on Jesus!!!