Back in the Saddle - IUI #2, Post Ectopic

[lambchops]

Hey all,

I don't know if anybody remember my situation, but here goes nothing. I am a cancer survivor (non-Hodkin's t-cell lymphoma) who was treated with chemo and radiation at age 19. I've been in remission/cured for 9 (going on 10) years. I also lost my left kidney at age 22 from a congenital defect (I had a corrective "plumbing" surgery when I was 6 and the actual nephrectomy when I was 22).

Hubby and I have been together 8 years and married 4. I explained to him immediately upon starting to date that I may not be able to have kids. We were fine with that. We decided to try to have a family a few years back. I went to the gynecologist and she immediately referred my to a reproductive endocrinologist--no further questions asked and no waiting involved. We went through the usual battery of tests and it turns out that I'm as normal as I could be. I only have one functional ovary, but that's definitely enough to get pregnant. So hubby went in to the urologist. It turned out that he had a grade 2 on one side and a grade 3 (visually detectable) on the other. His morphology was pretty rotten (riding the line of 5%) and he had corrective surgery. A few months later we found out his surgery didn't work.

We went back to the RE and received a gameplan. We were to start clomid and IUI treatment. In the meantime, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (my levels were at 17 TSH--it's a hereditary problem in my family, Hashomito's). That got straightened around in about six months time. Then I started on clomid. I couldn't get any ovulation kits to work (they've NEVER worked) so I had a test, and sure enough I would require the HCG shot. Another three or four months passed and my hubby and I finally were straightened around. We had our first IUI on June 9.

It came as a pleasant surprise on July 1 when we got a positive pregnancy test. We were on top of the world--for two days. On Sunday July 3 I began to have a little bleeding. Not much, but I knew something was awry. Around 6:00pm I began having ridiculous amounts of pain. I have an incredible tolerance for such things (a byproduct of a lifetime of surgeries and diseases) and it took until around 7:00pm for me to have hubby call the resident on call. I was told to come in immediately. I will say that the pain was horrible, but even weirder was that it was isolated on my right side (the only one with an ovary) and radiated down my leg.

Blood tests, morphine shots, and ultrasounds later it was discovered I had an ectopic pregnancy. It hadn't ruptured, but was still "leaking out an end" and blood was entering my abdomen. I was scheduled for emergency surgery at 6:00am the next morning. The docs said I would have been in easier had their not been liver and lung transplants. The surgery was short and recovery wasn't too bad. I was back to work a week later.

Now, a month and a half later I went back to the RE hoping for an updated gameplan. He said that everything worked as it should...almost. There is no way to predict ectopic pregnancies so he believed IUI with clomid was the best way to go again. He said that they were ready when we are ready. I told him September it is!

So after all that we're back in the saddle again. Looking for lightning to strike twice (so long as it doesn't hit the tube again). Any words of support would be welcomed. This has been a very difficult time for me. The ectopic wasn't hard because of the "loss." There was no loss as far as I'm concerned. The real issue was the surgery. It was my fourth abdominal surgery (the first gynecological) and in the past I've had some time to think about it. This time I had to completely turn over trust and go with the flow. After all, the docs told me that ectopic pregnancies are STILL the biggest cause of maternal death. I can't even imagine letting that pain go on...

[miamomma]

lambchops,
I am so sorry to hear about all of the things you have had to go through. I am encouraged by your brave stance on all of the situations you have had to endure. Good luck with the Sept. IUI. It sounds like your doc is on top of things!
Dana

[dmm2101]

I can't even begin to imagine what you have been going through. I only wish you the best and hope everything works out for you. Hope you get that BFP soon, God knows you deserve it sooo much. Again, Good luck with everything. Keep me posted!!

[SNSD]

Lambchops, reading your post made me want to cry. You've gone through so much and still standing strong. You deserve to be pregnant, and my prayers are with you. All the best for IUI # 2. Take care.

Sharifah

[Caligal]

Lambchops

It is soo Good to see you again! I totally remember you...and glad that you and Dh are back at it again. I thought about you and wondered when you would start trying again. Glad that it is sooner than later. I am hoping and praying you get preggo right away. You have been thru soo much and deserve it soo much! Hope you won't have to be here that long and will graduate to the pg boards (hope we all go there together! ) Good Luck and I am happy to see you

[lambchops]

A round of thank yous to everybody. I try to stand tall, but sometimes my "bravery" makes me seem hard I think. I try, I fail, I try again. For now this is where I am in my life and what I have to work with. Until the next phase I suppose.

I have a great doctor. He's actually the director of the RE clinic at the University of Michigan. He's very hands on, but hard to get in to see. I'm right on the tip of his tongue after all my happenings...just where I'd hope to be!

Again, thank you all for everything. I had to beg for hugs and the like but sometimes it's all I need to smile for the rest of the day.

[Beth1070]

Lambchops.....you must be one tough cookie!!!! I applaud you for getting right back on the horse. Anything worth having is worth working your a$$ off for. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers daily and looking for your updates. Sending LOTS of hugs and prayers your way.

[lambchops]

Again, thank you for all your support!

My IUI is scheduled for September 15. September 14 will be the ultrasound and shot. I have hope, but it's really pretty difficult right now. I mean, what are the odds one will get pregnant via IUI in a month? I've already had one, got pregnant (sort of--not really), and feel as if I may have worn out my luck. We'll see though, if I wasn't hopeful we wouldn't be going through this chaos again.

[dutchgirl]

You poor thing (((HUGS))) I am so sorry for all that you have been through. You sound like such an amazing woman for having endured so much. I say that you are long overdue for some happy times. All the best to you with your upcoming cycle. We are here for you!

edited to add: "they" say you are more fertile after a pregnancy so perhaps that will hold true here and you will get that BFP