Halleluiah!
No more endometriosis, at least for a little while! & just because that is the most beautiful thing I've heard in awhile, I'm going say it again...NO MORE ENDO! Praise God! We are so thankful for Dr. Parker and his commitment to making me a healthier & happier person!!
& as if that news wasn't amazing enough on its own, we got the official "go ahead" on mission making baby Smathers! We are so Thrilled that things are moving right along. Dr. Parker decided to not waste any more time (my kinda dude) & is moving us straight into our next cycle using Femara, Progesterone, and another medication to help control the autoimmune side of endometriosis. For those who do not already know, Femara is a drug used to either A, help those who do not ovulate during their cycle to ovulate, or B to help those who already ovulate, like in my case, to help to create multiple eggs instead of just one . This will obviously up our chances of conceiving substantially( & of multiples, and to that I say "Bring it on!!"). The Femara will be taken on day 3 of my cycle to boost my ovulation. Progesterone is the second factor in our plan. Progesterone levels rise in a woman's cycle after ovulation and if a pregnancy occurs they will continue to rise and help to prepare the uterus for implantation. I will be taking this after I ovulate to help with implantation and to prevent another chemical pregnancy. Dr. Parker is the first doctor to prescribe me a dose of progesterone to help maintain a pregnancy. This is HUGE! We will be doing this combo for 3 cycles in hopes that we will not need to move on to further treatments. We have nothing but hope that this is "it".
On our way to our post op appointment, before I found out all this FANTASTIC news:
I have felt completely overwhelmed with all the support and love everyone has shown us over the past 3 and a half years, but the past few months has been unreal. The amount of prayers, kind words, and just the simple things like a "how are you" has been unbelievable. We are so incredibly blessed to have the angels we do in our lives. I could never say thank you enough!! God and my friends and family are the reason I am able to keep pushing, and that is something I could never pay back to you all.
Sadly, with all good news there tends to be some bad news that sneaks its way in. One of my dearest friend's husband has been diagnosed with kidney cancer with a bone metastasis on his shoulder, lower back and hip area, and lymph node. Today begins his first radiation treatment and later this month he will have his kidney removed. It gives me goose bumps just typing it, so I can only imagine how my lovely friends are feeling. It breaks my heart to know they are going through something so horrific. Through this trial in their lives they have, somehow, remained so incredibly gracious, positive, and hopeful. Let me tell you folks, this couple is absolutely amazing for that. Their love for each other and continued love for God will warm even the darkest of souls. I kept sitting here thinking, why would this happen to them? They don't deserve this! It really saddens me how much I take for granted daily and how the smallest of things send me over the edge. And for what? Your life can be turned upside down in two seconds flat and I'm worried about my Starbucks being made wrong one day or someone cutting me off on my way home from work? It's absurd where our minds can take us so quickly. Take time to hug your family, husbands, wives, children, and friends and show them the love you feel for them because you never know where life can take you one minute to the next.
I would love to continue with a huge prayer chain that has begun on IG for Greg & Tiff. Please join me in saying a prayer of comfort, strength, healing, and continued hope for this wonderful couple. My heart goes out to you both!
At church this past Sunday we had a guest pastor visit and he gave us a wonderful sermon that could not fit my life, nor my friend's lives any better. I am including it here for those that are interested in listening. Though my trials are nothing compared to some, this sermon really spoke to me. The first part of the sermon is an intro and talks about our church and pastor a little bit before he jumps into the sermon, its quite funny but don't feel bad about skipping the first half and jumping right in. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Lastly, just a little update on my recovery since surgery:
Things are finally looking and feeling normal again! It was a rocky and difficult road, but so worth it! ( My dearest Jen, you were so right!)
Again, thank you all so much for your prayers & kind words of encouragement through all of this! It is more than I could ever ask for!
Can't wait to be at YOUR baby shower.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could plan it, but that may piss your local friends off. Darn it all. (Hugs) Love you sweet friend