Happy Monday friends! First of all, thank you all so very much for the encouragement, prayers and love you sent me after my last post. Man, I was having a tough day and we suddenly felt surrounded by an army of prayer partners, lifting us up and clearing our minds and hearts. I simply cannot thank you enough for that!
This cycle so far has been going beautifully – almost too perfectly in fact. My body is responding like never before and for once, my hormone numbers are where they are supposed to be, when they are supposed to be. We really have felt His peace and presence in a whole new way. It’s not easy and there’s a daily need to cling to Him for strength, clarity and hope and isn’t that right where we are supposed to be anyways? My heart has been filled and I am really hopeful for the future.
Speaking of the future – guess what tomorrow is!? Our egg retrieval! YAY! I was on stim meds for 9 days and triggered last night with a low dose hCg shot and then 2 Lupron injections. We are to report to the surgery center tomorrow morning with a 10:30 am retrieval planned. YAY! This is it! Time to get these eggies out of me! (Not that walking around with 2 ovaries the size of grapefruits isn’t fun, hehe! OUCH.)
As we go into tomorrow, we would love your prayers! Again, we couldn’t do this without your support. We can feel those prayers storming the gates of heaven and backing up in a nearly tangible way. Simply put, you guys rocks.
Here’s how you can be praying!
- For a smooth surgery. Pray for the wisdom and leadership of our doctor and anesthesiologist.
- For the quality of my eggs. We know roughly how many follicles I have, but we don’t know about the eggs that are potentially inside each one. We would love prayers for the eggs to be mature, viable and healthy. We know God already knows the quantity!
- For fertilitization. Yes, that happens tomorrow! We are so trustful that God knows exactly what He is doing here. Fertilization and life can’t be forced, no matter how much science tries. We know He manages the sun, the moon, and tomorrow, our fertilization. We ask for prayers that God breathes life and viability into these embryos. We would love for you to pray for our embryologist working with our eggs and embryos tomorrow as well.
- For embryo development. Our little guys (and girls!) will start developing right away and we pray that they stay healthy, viable and develop appropriately over the next 6 days. After day 6, into the freezer they go, where they will wait until we do a frozen embryo transfer.
- For healing post retrieval and protection from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. (OHSS). This retrieval and days following are tough. I will be in much need of your prayers as my body begins to heal from a pretty rough 10 days. All of that said, it’s incredibly worth it, clearly.
- For His peace, strength, hope and ultimately, that glory be brought to His name. None of this is possible without Him. He has written the story that we have the opportunity now to live out. Our emotions are steady as we trust in Him and we pray that our faith and eyes would be secure on Him like never before.
I will do my best to update here as much as I can, but likely will only be feeling up to minimal updates on Instagram (@chels819). I am so thankful for each one of you!
With our love and incredibly gratitude,
Josh, Chelsea, and Cali
Post-appointment Thumbs up! This cycle has been a steady report of good news!
Josh is working hard at getting this puzzle of ours assembled! The black and white 1,000 odd-shaped puzzle has been a tough challenge, one that represents our journey well, haha! A special thanks to our family that has helped us with it too. I am an awful puzzler but a determined tryer. :) We have only a small handful of pieces left without names – if you haven’t already and want to, you can claim a piece today! (Link below)
To claim your puzzle piece: **DONATIONS CLOSED AS THE PUZZLE IS FULL**
Trials Bring Joy 
Praying for you Chelsea. I truly can understand all the emotions and I believe with you that the end result of this will be a healthy baby. Will be standing in the gap in the next couple days as you go through this.
Thank you so much Catherine! I am so touched by your words and prayers. Thank you for believing boldly with us! Much love!! xo!
I LOVE this puzzle! I can’t wait until every piece is put together. Thank you for sharing specific requests. Lord, we lift up Chelsea to you. We thank you that you have given her a peace that surpasses all understanding. We ask for your supernatural presence to overwhelm her and Josh and all the doctors tomorrow. We thank you Lord for healthy embryos. We thank you that you have good plans for each of her babies and we ask that you would grow those babies to be strong and ready to freeze. We speak peace to Chelsea’s body and ask that she would experience no pain the name of Jesus! We thank you for what you are doing and we praise you in advance for the miracles that are coming! Amen
Your prayer! Oh Caroline! Thank you for being so faithful in lifting us up, so often on the spot. I love being able to go back and reread your powerful words lifted up on our behalf. Thank you for standing with us in faith and for supporting, loving and encouraging us. He really blessed me greatly with you! I love you and as always, am praying for your miracle too!
Am hoping for all of that! Give us (good) news!!! Xxx
Thank you so much!!!! XXXX!
Prayers prayers and prayers!!
Thank you so much!!!! <3
Absolutely praying and believing with you guys! It’s so cool to stand with you guys literally through the puzzle and states away. Praying for the miraculous and for every part of the process!
Thank you so much, for EVERYTHING! I love that you are part of our puzzle. It makes me feel so infinitely small stepping back and looking at it and the names involved. You guys are such a blessing! Thank you for your prayers!
Standing in the gap for you my sweet friend. I know God will work through your doctors and in your body. He is the master RE.
“Standing in the gap”. I love that visual Charity! Thank you for this! YES AND AMEN! The ultimate RE!
Much luck for your Egg retrieval! I hope all your prayers and dreams come true for this cycle. Look forward to hearing how it all goes!!! 😊
Praying and so much love coming your way!!!!!!!!!!!
Sending you so many prayers. I hope today was wonderful & you have a smooth recovery. Your trust in Our Lord is admirable; I hope to share your strength when our time for IVF comes! Please keep us posted!!
I am praying for you and your family, God has got this! Thank you for allowing me to follow along on your journey. I pray your prayers are answered, for your health, for peace, and joy.
God bless,
MarieW