Hello, dear friends...it's been a while since I last updated...things have continued to go smoothly for us. :)
I began the shot regimine about 2 weeks ago. This first round of shots was Lupron...it's a pituitary glad suppressant and the purpose is to stop my ovaries from function - basically to stop normal ovulation. When they go in to transfer the embryos, they don't want any 'stray eggs' floatin' around... The first shot was a bit scary - it's one I give to myself, in my stomach. It's a tiny needle, the same one diabetics use for insulin, but it was still scary. I shook so bad and had to do the 1-2-3 a few times before I just said "screw it" and did it. I barely felt it at all and there were no crazy side-effects. Each day has been easier ... the hardest part is remembering to alternate sides because I forget which one I used the day before. LOL I keep asking Si if he wants to practice this one before he has to start giving me daily intra-muscular shots in my behind and he politely passes...he did give me the shot ONE day and it was a breeze! He's a natural! :)
I've noticed a few of the mild side-effects they've mentioned; fatigue, nausea and rollercoaster-type emotions. Like I said before, nothing too crazy, but noticable. All is worth it and I'm trying to take them in stride. My close friends and husband may say that my 'stride' needs some work, but I'm trying!
Tomorrow the dosage of the Lupron changes, I start taking a daily baby asprin and on Monday the doozy starts - estrogen patches! (Watch out Si...here comes the REAL rollercoaster!) Again, I'll try to take it all in stride and hope he and my friends don't get too crazy annoyed with me!
The last few weeks have really had me contemplating a miracle birth - the scripture readings through Advent contain both the Annunciation (the Angel Gabriel telling Mary she's going to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and bear a Son) and the story of Elizabeth, Mary's cousin (who was said to be barren but conceived John the Baptist in her old age...like 80+). Both of these stories have taken on new meaning for me this year. I have heard these stories a bagillion times throughout my life yet I am hearing them differently this year. While reading the Gospel lesson last week, I read the story of Mary hearing from the Angel Gabriel and he said to her: and now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible for God. (Luke 1)
Those words have never had more impact on me than they did this year. My eyes welled up with tears and a huge lump clogged my throat and I had to pause from reading the Gospel lesson. I knew that if I looked up at the people who I have come to care about so much, who have been and continue to be so supportive of Silas and I, I would fall apart, so I didn't. I continued to look down at the reading...until I realized my voice was gone....I looked up and there were so many kind, loving eyes; some offering encouragement, some curious, some wondering why the pause...but they gave me my voice back. I finished the reading and continued the service.
It made me think about why the Angel Gabriel told Mary about Elizabeth in the first place - shortly after Mary's conversation with the Angel, she took off for Elizabeth's place to see her. She went to support her and to receive support, to encourage and to receive encouragement, to love and to be loved. That is what we are here for - to give and to receive. Elizabeth and Mary share the experience of a miracle conception and resulting births... I have come to be even more convinced now that any women blessed by becoming pregnant and giving birth experience a miracle conception and birth. God's fingerprints are all over each soul, each moment and each birth.
I guess you could say that these days I am praying for our own miracle conception and birth...I am praying that God is guiding this process and will be holding us carefully when it comes to transfer day in a few short weeks.
As we all celebrate the miracle birth of Jesus this weekend, please pause to consider the miracle that YOU are - the miracle conception that occured when you were created and the miracles that your children, nieces/nephews, neighbors and friends are...
God continues to bless us with good friends and an amazing family. I can't wait to see what is coming in the weeks ahead.
Merry Christmas to each of you...thank you for your prayers. Please keep 'em comin'!
Love-
Stac & Si
