It is hard to know how much of your life to divulge to everyone. But, I kind of feel that I have already poured my soul out on here, so why not...
Since my last post, alot of life has been happening. I started back to work-school in August and have been going 100 miles an hour since. My students, planning for classes, church, bible study, and fun stuff have kept us super busy.
In the midst of all that fun, and not fun stuff we have been going to doctors. LOTS of doctors. We did decide to go see a Genetic Specialist, who recommended that we see a Reproductive Endocrinologist (a more invasive baby making doctor), and since results have come back from that we are now getting ready to see a Hemotologist. Whew...it has been kind of crazy, to say the least.
In all this testing and blood work (it is amazing how much blood I can give in one day) these excellent doctors have discovered that Tyler and I are both healthy, able to concieve (duh, we did that twice) and have no major fertility issues. Thank you Lord! So, it wasn't a getting pregnant problem, it was a staying pregnant problem.
They finally discovered that I have not one, but two blood clotting disorders that lead to recurring miscarraiges if untreated. Some women go through 5-6 miscarriages before they figure this out and I am SO glad that we got it nailed down now and can begin treatment! I have Factor 5, Leiden's and a Protein C Deficiency. Both are genetic traits that I inherited from one of my parents. Basically my blood is more prone to clotting and when I was pregnant my body thought something was wrong and began clotting rather than giving the right amount of blood and nutrients to the babies. It kills me that my body was fighting off exactly what my head and my heart and my husband wanted so badly. I wish I would've known before we ever began trying.
Luckily, treatment is pretty simple. We have the go ahead from ALL involved doctors to begin trying again when we are ready. Once I become pregnant I will immediatly begin taking daily anti-coagulant (blood thinner) injections. That's right folks, I get to give myself shots every day!! Yuck...I am not excited about that, but the outcome will be worth it! We had injection training a few weeks ago and it seems simple enough, but I guess I won't know for sure if I can do it until I do it. Tyler might have to take the reigns on this! I will continue the shots throughout pregnancy and stop taking them once I deliver. Anytime I become pregnant I will take them. And believe me, I used to want 4 kids - but after this, I want as many as God will give me!
I am also on low dose aspirin to keep my blood thin and will likely take that for the rest of my life. No biggie - just like another vitamin. I need the aspirin so that I won't develop random blood clots. That is why we are going to the Hematologist soon. Because I have 2 blood clotting disorders. Only about 1 in every 75-100 people have Factor 5 and only about 1 in every 400-500 people have Protein C Deficiency. So, in case you didn't already know, I am VERY special! :) They said that both of these could result in clotting problems during or after surgeries, long flights or anytime I am immobile for long periods of time - but probably none of those will be issues until later in life. And with the right treatment and medications, maybe never a problem.
And...now you know. That is the craziness of our lives lately. We still could use prayers because, while I would like to say I am fine, I am not fine. I have a few bad days every now and then. I still have awkward situations at church, work and pretty much anywhere. People who don't know ask why we don't have children yet. We smile and say that we are waiting for God's timing. Some people understand and change the subject. Others are a little more dense and keep pushing. Sometimes I just want to yell at them to stop being insensitive and rude, that it is none of their business. But, I don't. My momma raised me to smile and be kind, so I am. I just bite my tongue and deal with the rediculous questions until I can find a way of escape. And as I thought I would, here I go divulging too much! Forgive me, please.
I promise to let you know when we are pregnant. Please don't ask me. In fact, if you know ANYONE who is going through a struggle like mine, they probably don't want you to ask them either. Their mommas raised them to smile and be kind, also. It most likely hurts their heart the same way it hurts mine.
I really, really do thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Tyler and I don't know how we would get through this without the loving, comfort of our friends, family and our Lord. We know that all of you and, most importantly, Him want the very best for us.
