Our Fertility Journey

• May 16, 2009- Married!! 
• July 16, 2009- 2nd cervical fusion procedure to replace a degenerated disc and previous bone grafts. Fused on 3 levels from C4- C7.  New bone graft taken from hip. Inserted 6 nice titanium plate and 8 screws. Continue to suffer from chronic pain. 
• March 2010- moved back to Knoxville to be closer to family since dealing with health issues and for new job opportunity for Harrison.
• June 2010- began seeing a infertility and pelvic pain specialist due to moderate to severe pelvic pain
• July 2010- had laparoscopic surgery to remove what was thought to be endometriosis.  No endometriosis found but did find severe scarring and adhesions in abdomen, wrapped around uterus and ovaries. Also discovered cervical stenosis. 
• Spring 2011- began slowing weaning on my fentanyl pain patch to prepare for trying to conceive.
• August 2011- weaned completely off pain patch
• November 2011- stopped birth control. No period.
• December 2011- still no period.  Thought maybe my body was just adjusting to being off birth control
• January 2012- after 8 weeks, finally had a period
• February- no period
• March- scheduled appointment to see same doctor who had done previous surgery. On the morning of the appointment, started period after 9 weeks.  Discussed not ovulating. Decided to start Clomid
• April- 50 mg clomid. Did ovulation predictor tests (OPTs) and never ovulated. No pregnancy.
• May- 100 mg clomid with ultrasound and bloodwork to monitor ovulation. Planned for IUI.  Harrison in Oklahoma but had frozen specimen.  Morning of IUI the lab could not find specimen.  No IUI done. No intercourse because of Harrison being in Oklahoma.  No pregnancy (obviously).
• June- 100 mg clomid with ultrasound and bloodwork. No specimen for IUI with Harrison in Oklahoma but flew to visit so did timed intercourse. No pregnancy.
• July- 150 mg clomid, ultrasound and blood work. HCG trigger. IUI # 1. No pregnancy
• August- 200 mg clomid with ultrasound and bloodwork. HCG trigger. IUI #2. Progesterone supplementation after IUI. No pregnancy.
• September- 250 mg clomid with ultrasound and bloodwork. HCG trigger. IUI #3. Progesterone supplementation. No pregnancy. Doctor recommended injectable medications with IUI for 3 cycles. 
• October- clearing ultrasound to start injectable showed 3 golf ball sized cysts leftover from clomid cycles.  Had to take the month off. 
• November- injectable cycle with Menopur. HCG trigger. IUI #4. Progesterone supplements. No pregnancy.
• December- increased Menopur. HCG trigger. IUI #5. Progesterone supplements. 
• December 14- 2 days before our pregnancy test and 4 days before we were scheduled to leave to go to Hawaii with Harrison's family for Christmas, went to the Emergency Room for severe pain on right side beneath ribs.  Thought it could be a blood clot in my lungs from all the hormones.  Blood work at hospital before I could get X-rays showed I was not pregnant.  MRI and ultrasound revealed gallstones. Admitted to the hospital for gallbladder removal.
• December 16- gallbladder removed
• December 17- discharged from hospital
• December 18- Harrison's family leaves for Hawaii without us. 
• December 21- back to the ER with unbearable, extreme pain on right side beneath ribs. X-rays and MRI showed distended and inflamed stomach and intestines. Digestive system had shut down.  Admitted for IV fluid and medication to start digestion. 
• December 22-24- lots of testing. Not allowed to eat. Diagnosed with gastroparesis. Finally got digestive system moving after lots of IV medication.
• January 1, 2013- Good riddance 2012. Glad to see a new year after a tough 2012. 
• January - June- took a much needed break from fertility treatments to heal my body and soul.
• July- final injectable cycle with Menopur. IUI #6. Progesterone supplements. No pregnancy. Devastated.
• August- met with doctor to discuss next steps.  Decided to do another laproscopic procedure to check for endometriosis or scar tissue regrowth.  Went to the Bahamas to make up for missed Hawaii trip. 
• September 13- my niece Ingrid Elizabeth entered the world after my sister struggled with her on infertility.
• September 16- laproscopic surgery.  Discovered minor endometriosis and moderate scar tissue regrowth but not enough to warrant trying anything else. Doctor recommended IVF in Nashville. 
• October 30- first appointment at Nashville Fertility Center. Lots of testing and bloodwork.  Sperm Penetration assay showed decreased penetration rate for Harrison's sperm. ICSI recommended. Planned for December suppression with stimulation and egg retrieval after the first of the year.
• December 4- started Desogen birth control
• December 16- started 10 units of Lupron
• January 3, 2014- suppression check
• January 4- started Gonal F injections, continued 5 units Lupron in AM
• January 16- Egg retrieval. 34 eggs, 22 mature and ICSId, 19 fertilize. Scheduled for 5 day transfer. Started Progesterone in Oil (PIO) IM injections.
• January 21-  Transferred one embryo. 10 embryos frozen. 
• January 21-29- PIO injections and PRAY!!!
• January 23- started estrogen patch
• JANUARY 30- beta #1-157...WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!!
• February 3- beta #2- 730
• February 5- beta#3- 2068
• February 18- First ultrasound! Baby measuring perfectly and strong heartbeat detected!