When I wrote a blog post back in April about my current favourite slant on infertility—that having a baby cures childlessness, not infertility—I never seriously imagined it would be shortlisted for Resolve’s Night of Hope Award for Best Blog. And, holy mercury-filled mackerel, here I am! Of course, I’d love to win. Who wouldn’t? But even to have been nominated…
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The Trying Times: when TTC becomes TTT…
You know sometimes how you feel a burst of creativity coming on? Last Sunday, I awakened before dawn and couldn’t fall back to sleep. I could tell an idea was percolating. And then, poof! the name, The Trying Times, came to me, and with it, the idea for an e-newsletter for reproductive warriors. As I lay there in the dark, I…
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Fertile Friday: Turmeric Tea
Knowing that my abnormal ReceptivaDx results were caused by endometriosis, which is inflammation (TK) in the body, I’m going on an anti-inflammation, high anti-oxidant diet until transfer. Disclaimer: I’m neither a nutritionist nor doctor, and do not claim to be an expert in anything other than my own tastebuds, so I can’t answer questions about nutritional value or if this…
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Devil Drug Begins—and with it, Fertile Fridays
I just came back from my Ob/Gyn’s office where I had my first of two Depot Lupron shots. When the nurse called me from the waiting room, she was already holding a large syringe. She shook it like an expert mixologist, massaged my left butt cheek, and plunged in the needle. It didn’t hurt at all (she was a pro!)…
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ERA and ReceptivaDx Results
I did the ERA and ReceptivaDx biopsies a few weeks ago and got the results on Monday. I was astonished by what my RE told me. ERA recap: I thought that the ERA test would show that I was receptive on Day 6, as that is the day that V was transferred; but FET1 was Day 7 and FETs 2…
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“She Has a Donor? Like Me, Mama?”
“Mama, I want to wear my dog t-shirt. Like Wynnie!” V is two-and-three-quarters, an age still measured in quarters for the last time. She’s a strong-willed kid, and I’ve learned to pick and choose my battles. I take off her dress and help her into a white t-shirt with the outline of a dog balancing a large, glittery ice cream…
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ReceptivaDx vs. ERA Test (aka Fuck It, I Did Both)
Disclaimer: this post is not meant to be medical advice and it shouldn’t be construed as such. Last Thursday, I had a baseline ultrasound to see if I could start the progesterone for the ReceptivaDx and ERA tests. When nurse practitioner asked me how I was doing, I said, “No offense, but I’m a bit sick and tired of this…
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Four Fucking Years
Four years ago yesterday, my niece was born. A day that marked the end of avoiding my pregnant SIL (due two months ahead of me, had I not miscarried). A day that signalled new beginnings. Ne’er a truer word spoken. The next day I was hit with a possible (later confirmed) infertility diagnosis. So, as of today, I’ve been living…
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Moving Forward: With a Plan
After my RE read my email, she suggested we talk on the phone. The main question I had was why she valued the ReceptivaDx test more than the ERA test. As with most things, it really comes down to personal preference. She said she’s seen Receptiva work for patients with repeat implantation failure—her latest success story is her tenth consecutive…
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This is NOT a Pregnancy Announcement…
My period is late. Cut to: 20 negative OPK tests and one BFN. Or maybe it’s not that my period is late, but my ovulation was delayed. The stress of hearing B’s news came three days before I was supposed to ovulate. This would explain 20 negative OPK tests. Wait—why all the OPK tests if I’m not trying to get…
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