This is going to be a long post!! BUT there is so much to tell :)
Rob and I met with the Dr. Weelen yesterday and we had such a good meeting!! We are beginning to process and we can't be more excited!!!! While we were with our Dr. we talked through ALL of the other options one more time, and Rob and I feel very clearly that this is the direction we are going to take. We don't feel like right now we are called to do any further testing on Rob to see what's going on, we have decided that if we feel called to do that, we will do it at a later date. We have decided to continue with the sperm adoption through IUI and our Dr was in 100% support of that!
The first thing we asked is "Where to do we get the sperm? And how much do we get? There are 2 different Sperm Banks that he suggest that we go to in order to get the sperm. One is Fairfax Genetics and IVF institute and the other is California Cryo bank. We both thought it was pretty cool that California is one of our options to get Sperm, because that's where Rob was born!! I found like it was another sign from the Lord saying we were doing this right :) We are still praying about where to get the Sperm from. We want to look at both of them first. He suggests that we get 3 vials of sperm this way we can have them on hand when we are ready to go and we have more then 1 just in case the 1st round doesn't work. Usually it will take on average 3 rounds to work. We can't get the Sperm until after I do my blood work, which goes into the next part :)
The first step that we have is to wait until my next cycle begins. This will be around the last week of March (give or take a day). Once I start my next cycle I have to make a call into the Dr and then on day 3 I have to go in and get blood work done. During this blood work they will check my blood type, my hormone levels, and they will check for CMV. I asked my Dr. what CMV was and it's called Cytomegalovirus, a common virus that can infect almost anyone. If I test positive for it then I need to select a sperm donor that has also tested positive, if I test negative then the sperm should also test negative. If I get the opposite of what I have then it could cause birth defects in the baby. SO I'm glad we are getting tested for it :)
Once they get my results, about 7-10 days later, Rob and I will go back into the Dr and talk to him about what the game plan is. One thing we will look at is my hormone levels. The blood work will help decide if I am going to need to go on any Hormone drugs (like Clomid). SO we are praying that my hormone levels are normal. I would rather not have to go on drugs BUT I know that then it is easier for it to work AND it is more successful. So I guess It's a win win. We will also then figure out when we will need to have the Sperm in the lab ready to go and what else I will need to do (more blood work, possible ultra sounds etc).
I told the Dr that we were hoping for a June "go time" and he said "Well...actually it's going to be sooner than that. We will be ready for MAY" Rob and I both looked at each other and I said wait...that's not what we planned!!" Well I guess God has other plans! May it's going to be!! Not sure when in May but it will be after my May "cycle".
Once the pregnancy happens, Rob and I are going to be meeting with a Psychologist they work with closely to help walk us through what's going on. They are trained professionals who know how to handle questions, concerns, and different scenarios that will come up.
SO that was a LOT to take in. Rob and I are VERY excited!! We do know that the procedures themselves are covered at 100% PRAISE GOD!!! But we don't know how much the ultra sounds (if needed) and all of the blood work will cost. At our next appointment we are going to sit down and talk through the financials with the Dr. so we will have a better knowledge. We DO know that the LORD will provide everything that we need and we are SO excited to be on this journey!!!
Ways to pray
- Continue to pray for Rob and I to be at peace about this
- Pray as we look over the Sperm banks and begin to pick out our Sperm. Pray that the Lord would guide our decisions
- Pray that our marriage will continue to stay strong through this
- Pray that my hormone levels will be normal so that I will need minimal to no hormone therapy
Once we have blood draw and we meet with the Dr again I will send out another update :) Rob and I love you all so much and appreciate your prayers!!
Love,
Rob and Natalie
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