Engaged!

 

Guyssssssss....


Guyssssss....


HE FINALLY ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM!!!


The Story Goes...

He: "Hey Babe, we're doing a mothers day photo-shoot this Saturday"

Me: "Oh we are? yay"
(I do mothers day photos every year and he wanted me to think this because of me questioning why our family photographer was there)

Day of May 2 2020:

*goes to headlands beach*
Photographer (Bobbi Frohman in this case): Hey April, walk over there for me.
Me: Ok *turns around and heads up path on beach*
Photographer: Okay now turn around
Me: *turns around*
Really?!?!?!?! REALLY?!?!
*covers face with so many emotions as face persists to get redder*
*Andrew proposes*
'We've had a crazy year...."
... ... .....
"I want to know if you, April Marie Driesse will marry me"
YES! YES I'll marry you

And of course our lovely amazing family photographer captured this very special moment for us. She is also going to capture our special day! Thank you so much Bobbi for capturing these photos and the moment for us!

 

Save the Date....
Saturday July 10th, 2021

That is when we are getting married :)

I'm so happy I get to marry my best friend and go on these journeys with him!

Coronavirus & IUI Cancelled....

Coronavirus has essentially shut this country down. 

Here in Ohio, we've been on Stay at Home Orders since March 22, 2020. The governor announced that on May 1, 2020, that we would be opening Ohio again in phases. 

I started provera on 3/23, without realizing that this cycle would be entirely a fluke.

Everyone has been wearing face masks everywhere, and they've set these precautions up but I feel like this should already be common sense. Does everyone not wash their hands regularly? Because if not, GROSS! They taught us this in kindergarten. Cmon guys!

 

Maybe its just me being grouchy, because my IUI got cancelled. 

My IUI got cancelled because the recommendations by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

I cant say I didn't see it happening because I saw it talked about in a few groups. I was just excited, because after the Provera on 3/23, my period came 4/9 through 4/12. ATLEAST it was not 15 days of bleeding again...

https://www.asrm.org/news-and-publications/news-and-research/announcements/update-1-released-to-the-asrm-patient-management-and-clinical-recommendations-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/

 

Is where you can see the current guidelines, but in a nutshell it says:

At this time, the ASRM Coronavirus/COVID-19 Task Force affirms all of the stated recommendations of March 17, 2020 as timely and appropriate, including:

1. Suspend initiation of new treatment cycles, including ovulation induction, intrauterine inseminations (IUIs), in vitro fertilization (IVF) including retrievals and frozen embryo transfers, as well as non-urgent gamete cryopreservation.
2. Strongly consider cancellation of all embryo transfers whether fresh or frozen.
3. Continue to care for patients who are currently “in-cycle” or who require urgent stimulation and cryopreservation.
4. Suspend elective surgeries and non-urgent diagnostic procedures.
5. Minimize in-person interactions and increase utilization of telehealth
   
   
   
   
   
   
   So.... we wait. Patiently
   
   
   My next cycle *SHOULD* start May 10-12th, but I am secretly hoping that we got pregnant this cycle, since we've been baby dancing almost every day since after my period ended.
   
   
   If that does not happen, they will likely start the process all over again...
   
   which will be:
   
   - Provera to induce period
   - CD1 call the office
   - Baseline Ultrasound Prior to Day 5
   - Femara for Days 5-10
   - Return Day 12 for another ultrasound
   (Bring the HCG Trigger to that appointment and trigger)
   - IUI Day For the following day or 2 days
   - Wait 2 weeks to see if it worked
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Provera.... Again....

So, I didn't get pregnant. Surprise surprise. But my period decided it also was not going to show its ugly face. 

So I am on Provera again.

The doctor said the purpose is to jump start my cycle because this month were going to do our first round of IUI. 

I'm nervous but excited. 

This quarentine has my emotions all over the place. 

I've been sleeping ALOT and was secretly hoping that I was pregnant but my body decided not this month. 

So I'll do ten days of Provera and then assumably day one I'll call their office to schedule the Femara and then the IUI. 

I'll know more once my period decides to show up. 

Heartbreaking Results...

I look into this mans eyes and I fall more in love with him.

He doesn't do anything special, or in particular. He's just... him

I saw this man break yesterday and it hurt to watch.

So often we talk about mental health as a stigma...

What about our partners mental health?

We often get so wrapped up in our busy lives, that we forget to check "hey are you ok"?

 

Yesterday ... Yesterday I saw this man break and shatter into pieces.

The results of the SA (semen analysis) were that his sperm count was low, and that he has disfigured, demented sperm, likely due to the energy drinks he drinks once a day.

He broke. He broke and shattered. He needed to take space to regroup himself.

We don't often talk about our significant others infertility issues. 

Because most people use that as a stigma too.

Guys can't have infertility.

WRONG.

They can too.

Its just not as talked about, and they are left to feel alone and isolated.

Check in with your spouse and see how theyre doing.

Make sure theyre not feeling alone, isolated and trapped.

They matter too.

So... whats next?

For me: Vitamin D3 50,000 IU once a week for 7 weeks.

Synthroid 150mcg (this is increased from my 112mcg) for Hypothyroidism (he said I had subclinical hypothyroid) 

Provera if a negative home pregnancy test by 3/25 to start my period.

For him:

Stop the energy drinks

IUI (Artificial Insemination) for 3 cycles.

I will go on Femara 7.5mg to force myself into ovulating.

When ovulation is confirmed, We will schedule IUI.

IUI is used for those with low sperm count, motility, or other issues.

Basically, they wash your sperm and then insert it into you with a catheter to give a chance at pregnancy.

 

The doctor says that its a 7% chance over 3 cycles, with a chance at being pregnant by time 3, at 25%.

Prayer Warriors, pray for us. We're going to need it for this.

Infertility sucks! Both male, and female!

I found this image, and I can really relate to it.

 

Pretty relevant right now.

 

A bit of an update....

I am a bit past due with this update but I figured I would be able to do it now for my readers to know what's been going on...

January was a really rough month for my family and I and I didn't ovulate. I won't lie I was quite bummed out about that. Especially using all the methods I have been using. (OPKS Ovusense Mira and BBT) 

I didn't ovulate in February either. I also didn't have a period and so Dr. Nash prescribed me Provera.

I took Provera for 10 days but strangely by the 5th day my period started on its own.

Andrew did his semen analysis. We get the results for that soon and I'll post an updated blog once they're in. 

I also got my HSG or 'Bubble Test' as they call it and it looked wonderful. So everything is normal there.

After Andrews results come in, I meet with Dr. Nash again and will post another update with regards to the plan. 

OPKS, Proov, Ovusense and Mira... OH my!

There are so many options available out there now for TTCers. Talk about modern advantages and advancements. Holy cow!

For us seasoned TTCers and Fertility Mama's we obviously know the good old fashioned methods of BBT Temping and Cervical Position and Cervical Mucus and OPKS. 

Now there are these other cute little things. 

Proov is a progesterone test that can be done at home with your first morning urine 2-7 days after your peak detected with OPKS. Gone are the days where you have to go into your Fertility Doc or OBGYN for confirmation you indeed ovulated with 21day progesterone tests. You can do it at home now!

Ovusense or Mr. Spermy as I call mine, is a device that you insert when you're not on your period or having sex and you keep it inside you overnight. It works by measuring Core temp for your BBT. 

Mira is this new type of LH testing that I came across. It uses AI to learn your body's methods and detect ovulation easier. 

Moisey is another option prior to IUI for at home insemination. 

Like where were these options years ago? Hello. Us Fertility vets are who create them. Making it easier to TTC!

Anyway...  Here are a few of my charts 

This is my good old trusty Fertility Friend. I've been using it for years. It's my BBT chart. I take my temperature vaginally before I even get up and put my feet on the floor in the AM. 

This is what Ovusense charts look like. It takes your temp from Mr. Spermy overnight and downloads it and puts it in the chart. It learns your methods after 2 cycles and is able to accurately and reliably determine ovulation. 

Then there's OPKs...

As you can see there are some days that are closer than the other. I still don't have my peak yet :(

 

 

And then there's Mira

 

 

Unfortunately I'm used to not peaking due to my pcos and my history of annovulation. That is periods without ovulating. You can have it go both ways. Ovulate without a period which is how my son got here. Or period without ovulation.

Then there's Mira. I have not gotten my Mira yet but I'm excited to start using it. It looks very promising. 

I'm expecting to not fall pregnant this cycle. I'm sad. But I expected it honestly. But being intimate with Andrew has been fun haha 

And trust me... It WAS fun 😍🤣 ;) 

IUD Removal & Whats Next?

This is all the supplies fo

Removal:

Honestly, that was not that bad.

It was quick and easy.

I cramped a little bit, but it was nothing I was not used to.

I was very surprised with how small these devices really are.

Whats Next?

This is how small a Mirena IUD is.

Well, since we already stopped the Arava, and Methotrexate 3 months ago, and I have already completed a preconception appointment with Dr. Perni to come up with a plan for pregnancy, we have a general idea what the next steps are for us.

We have a Fertility Appt on January 3rd 2020, with Dr. Nash at Reproductive Gynecology and Infertility in Akron, and he will be requesting that Andrew get a Sperm Analysis, and likely will want me to get an HSG, but after that, I forsee him RXing me Femara and Gonal-F, since this is what worked with my son. We need to discuss with him the possibility of conceiving naturally with Gonal-F and Femara, or if we should realistically consider IVF. We will also need to talk to him about PIGD (pre implantation genetic diagnosis) which is something our MFM agrees we should get, and she also agrees that when we are pregnant we should get MaterniT21, and an Amniocentesis.

The current plan is:

Follow Dr. Nash' recommendation. He will transfer care to Dr. Perni at 13 weeks. As far as meds go:

Progesterone in Oil until 13 weeks

Cortef, Florinef and Prednisone for management of my Addisons.

Synthroid for management of my Hashimotos.

Metformin 1000mg X2 for my Type 2 Diabetes

Lovonox 40mg X2 Daily, to prevent complications with Factor V Leiden and my history of DVT/PE

Makena Injection at 18 weeks to prevent pre-term labor.

Novolog 70/30 and Lantus during pregnancy since Bydureon is not safe.

Ixinity 1500 IU for delivery to prevent hemmoraging, and taken for 6 weeks postpartum with Lovonox.

Endocrinology wants to see me in March. Rheumatology in April. Pain Management as needed. Neurology in February. Hematology has been seeing me monthly, so once I am pregnant we will plan what to do with Dr. Escuro and Dr. Samaras.

Endocrinology has recommended I start on DHEA  which also studies show help improve pregnancy loss risk. I have severely low DHEA levels due to my addisons, and low DHEA causes a whole boat load of problems.

Dr Perni wants to Plan to induce, and do biophysical profiles, fetal echo cardiology, amnio and MaterniT21. She also wants Andrew to get Genetic Carrier Testing done to ensure that he does not carry anything in his family history that he is not aware of.

As far as our plan?

We're going to just try, and have fun. Not try, not prevent. But have tons of fun.

I am using many methods. I have OPKs, Pregnancy Tests, Proov to check for progesterone level, I am using OvuSense to try to detect my BBT more reliably, and also try to see if I ovulate, and we are also charting. We are going to be using Fertility Tea, and Pre-Seed as well, so that we can have more fun "exploring" one another, and enjoying our intimacy.

We're hoping and praying that it happens in 2020, and that it will be without heartbreak, or loss.