June 24, 2005
Married my wonderful hubby!
June '05 - June '06
Practiced S-T NFP; we were open to the possiblity of new life but we weren't really "trying." I can honestly say that I always had an underlying fear that for some reason we would have trouble conceiving.
July '06 - January '07
Seriously begin "trying" to conceive and realize something is wrong.
January '07 - October '07
Begin working with my GYN to figure out what's going on. My hubby checked out just fine, my hormone tests came back normal, HSG was normal - tubes looked fine, and I took Clomid for three months. (It's so frustrating to look back and realize that so much of this was a waste of time... there wasn't a specific reason for the Clomid and the hormone tests were not done well because it didn't reveal a problem that was later found.)
As soon as my physician suggested I visit a fertility clinic to learn more about IVF I knew it was time to find another doctor.
November '07 - January '08
After deciding to work with Dr. H at Pope Paul VI Institute I realized I needed to learn the Creighton Model of NFP. I found an instructor and spent two months charting in order to send off to Dr. H.
January '08 - March '08
While waiting for the response from Dr. H I decided to pursue another local physican who was highly recommended for being an amazing Catholic and pro-life doctor. While he was not officially affiliated with NaPro Technology, his practice is founded on the same philosophy. I had an amazing first appointment with Dr. B in which he prayed with me, listened to me and came up with a great plan. He also examined me and noticed that my cervix was inverted, so he cauterized my cervix. This helped explain why I had such large amounts of mucus each cycle.
March '08 - April '08
Dr. B orders a hormone series (done by saliva.) The tests finally reveal the first problem anyone has ever found! My hormone levels were very irregular - very high amounts of estrogen and progesterone - and they weren't relating to each other as they should. My cycles have always been pretty short (23-25 days) and Dr. B wondered if I had a luteal phase defect. He prescribed Femara, the vitamin Chrysin and some dietary changes to help lower my estrogen.
April '08 - July '08
Take Femara (on days 3-7), Chrysin and Sudafed (to help decrease my mucus.) Get blood tests on Peak + 7 to test progesterone levels.
August '08
Another hormone series collected.
September '08
Results show that my hormone levels have changed as a result of the medication! Both estrogen and progesterone are lower and they are relating better to one another. He says that while my previous cycles were a C+, these are now a B+ or A-. The frustrating news is that he thinks conception has been possible all along. This leads him to believe something else must be wrong and it's time for a laparoscopy to look for endometriosis.
October '08
Meet with Dr. L who is NaPro Technology trained but recently joined Dr. B's practice. She prescribes Tamoxifen for at least a month (instead of Femara) and agreed to schedule laparoscopy.
November '08
Surgery is scheduled for December.
December '08
Diagnostic Laparoscopy done on December 4th. Dr. L finds mild endometriosis in two spots and removes both.
January '09
Continue with Tamoxifen - 25 day cycle.
February '09
Another cycle with Tamoxifen and take Prometrium (progesterone supplement) for 12 days starting on peak+2. Cycle was 28 days long.
March '09
Same plan: Tamoxifen and Prometrium. Bloodwork on peak+7 looked great. Cycle was 25 days long.
April '09
Still waiting to see what Tamoxifen and Prometrium are doing for me. Bloodwork done on peak +6, +8 and +10.
May '09
Go off Prometrium (since progesterone levels have been through the roof) and increase Tamoxifen dosage to 30mgs. Start taking Mucinex and Keflex to help strengthen cervical mucus. Vaginal sonogram done on Day 14 - uterine lining and ovaries look great.
June '09
Continue taking 30mg of Tamoxifen and Mucinix.
Peak +7 - estradiol 480 and progesterone 27
Peak +9 - estradiol 540 and progesterone 27.9
Peak +12 - estradiol 68 and progesterone 2.3
July '09
Another cycle with Tamoxifen at 30mg, in addition to Mucinex to help with mucus. Sonogram series done to watch ovulation revealed "great" signs of ovulation. Too bad my cycle was only 26 days long.
August '09
More Tamoxifen.
September '09
40mg of Tamoxifen, slow release B-6 to help with mucus.
October '09
20mg of Tamoxifen on days 3-7; sonogram done and HCG trigger shot given on 10/2/09 (it was day 13 and ovulation was confirmed through the sono.) Sonogram reveals possible polyp growing in my uterus.
Peak +7 - Estradiol 423 and Progesterone 21.6
Peak +10 - Estradiol 126 and Progesterone 2.8
New cycle - 20 mg of Tamoxifen on days 3-7; hysterosonogram done to confirm uterine polyp.
Post-coital test comes back normal - good mucus and good sperm swimming around.
November '09
Taking Endometrin on cycle days peak+2 - peak+13; 28-day cycle
Peak +8 - Estradiol 378 and Progesterone 44.3
Peak +10 - Estradiol 171 and Progesterone 10.2
Peak +13 - Estradiol 71 and Progesterone 10.3
December '09
Uterine polyp removed with a D&C.
No Tamoxifen on the first cycle after surgery, but I did take Endometrin (100 mgs/day.) Cycle was 26 days.
January '10
Tamoxifen (30 mgs on days 3-7) and Endometrin (100mgs on days peak+2 - peak+13)
Peak+7 - estradiol (332) and progesterone (28.8)
Peak +9 - estradiol (344) and progesterone (21.7)
Cycle was 27 days long.
February '10
Thyroid Panel done - results are "normal."
No Tamoxifen this cycle; Endometrin taken during Luteal Phase. Cycle was 27 days long.
March ‘10
First appointment with Dr. S. He reviewed my medical history and did a very thorough physical exam, including a pap. Dr. S recommends: another SA, full hormone panel (bloodwork) and surgery - selective HSG and laparoscopy to see if endo has returned.
Unmedicated cycle lasts 26 days.
April '10
Unmedicated cycle lasts 25 days.
Begin hormone panel (done with bloodwork)
May '10
Birthmother chooses us to adopt her baby!!!!! Thomas Joseph born on 5/12/10. Our world is turned upside down and incredibly full of joy!
Finish hormone panel. Results given over the phone by nurse. Diagnosis is Type II Luteal Phase Defect and Vitamin D deficiency. Dr. S prescribes high dosage of Vitamin D (taken once a week) and post-peak progesterone taken vaginally. He wants peak+7 bloodwork done and we will review the results at the next appointment.
June '10 - December '10
DO NOTHING.
Enjoy being a mother and completely take a break from charting.
January '11
Insurance changes and Dr. S is now covered! Call his office to schedule an appointment and end up scheduling surgery (Selective HSG and laparoscopy to see if endo has returned.)
Begin charting again.
