Update and Thank You!

I just want to thank all of our family and friends who were able to fast with us today. We really felt all the love and prayers! It was a really spiritual day for us and we are grateful for the testimonies and lessons we had in church today. It seemed like everything we heard was what we needed to hear. So grateful for my Savior who knows us so well and is aware of what we need. 

This last week I have had 2 shots, Gonal F and Menopur, every night in my belly, which Tyler has had the privilege of administering to me. When we went to the doctor's on Thursday we were hoping to start our third shot called Cetrotide. Unfortunately, my follicles were not at the size they needed to be so we continued to take the Gonal F and Menopur (which are used to make follicles grow). When we went in on Saturday they finally were growing. My largest 2 follicles went from being 9mm to 12mm (in diameter). At least one needs to be 13mm before you start the Cetrotide. The Cetrodide is what keeps the eggs from releasing while others grow (they want as many as possible for the egg retrieval). Both of my ovaries have around 36 follicles each, which is normal for someone with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome), but a lot for anyone else. Because of this they have to be careful about the amount of hormones they give me so I don't get hyperstimulated (very bad/could lead to negative consequences including never being able to have children). My ovaries have already more than doubled in size because of all the follicles in there and all of the hormones I am taking. Since I had a couple follicles at 12mm they new I would be ready to start the Cetrotide shot this morning. This shot makes me itchy and swollen but is bearable. Overall the shots have not been as bad as I thought. I am feeling pretty good besides being a little crampy and bloated. I really feel like my diet has played a huge role in that.
I decided to cut out gluten, dairy, candy and sweets while doing this process. I am not sure if it is completely necessary, but I have read that it could help and I wanted to do everything that I can to give us the best chance at getting pregnant. I don't want to have any regrets pertaining to anything that I do have control over. For those of you who know me, following this diet has not been an easy thing. I just stopped eating all of it cold turkey. I had been wanting to do it for a while but just kept indulging and never got there. Not too long ago, when I was trying to start this diet, I posted on FB that I really wanted a "Smart Cookie." Only one person, my sister, told me to not give in to temptation. As I was looking at all of the other posts I really thought I was going go get myself a cookie, and then I thought, "you know, if I am gonna start doing this I've gotta start sometime and why not now? These cravings will never go away unless I do something about it. I am the one who controls my body!" That was when I realized that sugar really has been like a drug to me. When I want some, I just have to go get it. I also realized that I wanted more than anything, including sugar, to have a family. Although nutrition is not the reason I can't get pregnant, I know that being healthy will help with our overall goal. I want a healthy body as well as a healthy baby. I am proud to say that I have not given in to any temptation of bad eating for one month, a week and three days (not that I am counting! Lol!). It has not been easy by any means, especially since most people that know I am doing it think it is weird and talk to me about all of the foods I am missing out on. Fortunately there really is so much that I can eat and keeping myself full on good food makes avoiding the bad much easier. Although Tyler is not doing the diet with me he has helped make some delicious meals for me. We have made delicious salads, green smoothies, several different soups, protein shakes (I actually found one that is dairy free and actually delicious), rice, and chili, etc... All made with organic herbs, veggies and meat. I have actually never felt better in my life than I have on this lifestyle change I have made. Along with eating well I started exercising regularly before the shots. I have come to realize that if I am eating well and exercising I feel better and have more energy(the simple lessons are the hardest to learn) and I want to continue this throughout my life so that I will have the energy I need to be a good mother and wife!
So we go in on Tuesday to see how my follicles are growing and they will also start doing blood work as well to make sure I am not producing too much Estradol. Hopefully this visit will tell us for sure when the egg retrieval will be!
Along with the update I hope to fill in some of our back story including the emotional roller coaster I've been on, the surgeries and the blessing of finding cancer in my appendix.