TTC

Hi, I'm back. Again.

I know I tried to resurrect my blog a couple of years ago, but quickly got distracted as I easily do and forgot about it. But I've been doing a lot of diabetes-related and pregnancy-related Internet surfing lately and thought it would be a good time to get back into this blogging thing.

I've actually spent the past couple of days re-reading through Lyrehca's blog Managing The Sweetness Within. I used to read MTSW years ago when I was really into the DOC and found her blog very interesting, although I couldn't relate at the time. Who knew, when I wasn't even really thinking of children then, that 5 years later I would be in the same boat.

Since getting married in the summer of 2008, hubby and I have been trying to conceive (TTC for those unfamiliar with the acronym). At the time I assumed that it would just happen right away and a year after our wedding we would be a happy family of 3. I even thought that by now we would be onto our second child.

Unfortunately this has not been the case. After trying for a year, I finally went to see my primary care physician to initiate an investigation into why we hadn't yet conceived. He did some initial tests on hubby and I and at that point nothing seemed amiss with either one of us. Said doctor then referred us (me) to a OB/GYN.

I spent over a year with the OB/GYN. I had bloodtests, ultrasounds, an HSG exam (which I won't get into details about, but from re-reading Lyrehca's blog again she does an outstanding job of describing what it's like) which did not reveal any blocked tubes although my left tube had a "slow leak" (OB/GYN's words, not mine), and a laparoscopy during which some mild to moderate endometriosis was discovered and removed. In the meantime, he had also prescribed a drug called Clomid to help me "superovulate" (again, his words). We tried Clomid three times to no avail.

At the end of all this and now at the age of 36, OB/GYN said that there was nothing more he could do for us and has since referred us to a fertility clinic. We had our initial appointment with the doctor there and after reviewing our case she suggested going straight to IVF treatment. She said that while she did not see any glaring reason why we have not acheived a natural pregnancy, and we could try other less expensive options, IVF is probably going to be our best chance at success. After a lengthy discussion amongst ourselves, hubby and I agreed that we should give it a go.

So our next appointment at the clinic is a couple of weeks from now and I am kind of excited to begin this next phase of our journey. I have been very involved in forums with other IVF-ers, and I have also started a group on TuDiabetes for those of us experiencing both diabetes AND infertility. The ladies who have joined me there are all fabulous and we have all wondered why someone didn't think of the group sooner.

And although I have been horrible about blogging in the past, as I begin IVF I plan to document my experience since there isn't a lot of information out there for women doing IVF with diabetes. I'm preparing myself for the ups and downs that I will likely encounter on this ride.

Still trying

Okay, I know... it's been a while again.

I'd meant to post a couple of months ago after my endo appointment when my A1C miraculously came back at 6.6 - yay me. Seriously, I thought I was in for some disappointed-in-you frowns from my endo (he has an incredible way of making me feel guilty when my A1C is over 7). But instead he gave me a knowing smile and said, "Go make babies." To which I replied, "We're already trying."

Yes, I've been trying to get pregnant without the 'official' thumbs up from my doc, which I know isn't ideal. But I have been trying to do everything right - eating right, no alcohol, exercising, checking my blood sugar about a thousand times a day. It seems to all be in vain though because so far nothing has happened anyway.

I have an appointment next week with my GP to see if anything could be preventing a pregnancy. My period has been seriously messed up since I went off the pill after our wedding last year. Like, my cycle has been 6-8 weeks long instead of a standard 28-day cycle. I know it takes some time to get back in order after stopping the birth control pill, but this last stretch has me a little freaked out. It has been 12 weeks since my last period. I have taken 5 pee-stick tests and they are all clearly negative. So it's time to find out if anything else is up. I mean, I am almost 35 and trying to get pregnant for the first time.

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On another note, it's been like a wonderful diabetes Christmas-in-July this week! I registered both of my Contour glucometers a few weeks ago (my Contour Link and regular, old Contour which is my backup), and today I received my matching pump and glucometer skins AND a fancy-shmancy carrying case for my glucometer. It's, well... LARGE. I'm not sure whether or not I'll use it, but it really is very pretty and matches my pump skins quite nicely.




p.s. It is berry season. My mother-in-law brought me a big bowl of strawberries last night so I made my Berry Muffins this morning. See here if you missed the recipe the first time.