Rally the Troops

Hi everyone! I've got a serious post today. As serious as I can get anyway. I know a lot of people check our blog to watch the adventures of our sweet baby girl. Well, Steve and I are hoping to take Samantha on an exciting new adventure soon ... being a big sister! If you've followed the blog since the beginning, you know that Samantha came to us through the miracles of an amazing God and modern medicine. Unfortunately, my body is just not equipped to make babies on its own. For all those well intentioned people who told me the second one would "just happen", I can now boldly say what I've thought all along ... Not for me. I'm just different, and that's okay!

So here is my disclaimer: Steve and I are open books about this stuff. We know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that one of the key factors of Samantha's life is prayer. She would not be here without it. And our next one(s?) will not be here without it either. So, we cordially invite you, our friends, to take this new journey with us. You don't have to. It's not all pleasant. On the days you see only writing ... just skip. But, if you are willing to take the ride, we would welcome it. We need it. And we desperately need your prayers.

I went to see Dr. Keenan yesterday. Nothing has really changed with my health. At this point, Steve and I have 2 options that we will be praying diligently about: (1) Start shots again. This time around, we would do a very low dose over the course of 2-3 weeks with the goal of producing only 1-2 follicles. (For those who don't know, follicles have the potential to turn into eggs.) Last time, I had 5. And after viewing my ovaries via ultrasound, Dr. Keenan told us I am in "the highest risk category for multiples." Going slow would reduce the chances of an octo-mom situation. (2) I can have a new surgery - Laparoscopic Ovarian Diathermy. Or, ovarian drilling. Doesn't that sound fun? It significantly increases chances of ovulation without having to do shots (though its not a given) and reduces the risk of multiples. It would also help me return to a "normal" status for the remainder of my child-bearing years, if you catch my drift.

That's all for now. Samantha and I are heading to West Tennessee for a week tomorrow, so we'll take that time to think and pray about our options. Thanks for sticking with us. I'll post pictures throughout next week of our adventures. Love to you all!