Thursday, December 17, 2009

If infertility were the lottery, I would be a millionaire.

Let's begin at the beginning. Yesterday was a followup appointment to the second FSH/estradiol/LH reading I had done on Monday. My FSH was actually okay (7.5), but my estradiol was really high at 121 and it artificially lowers the FSH value, so basically you can take that to mean the same thing (my FSH was probably high). So, we're continuing on with the clomiphene citrate challenge test. That was supposed to be the end of the appointment.

But it wasn't. When I had my progesterone tested a few weeks ago (which was fine, thanks for asking), they also ran a few test for some really rare blood clotting disorders that hadn't been tested for yet. I believe the words of my doctor were, you will not have one of these disorders, but just to cover all of our bases, we'll run these tests. He ate those words! I DO have one of those really rare blood clotting disorders, the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation. But wait - there's more! There are two types of mutations for the MTHFR gene and I have.... BOTH! (I only have one copy of each, though. I might have given him a heart attack otherwise.) This RE has never seen that in a patient before. Goooooooooooooooo me!

Lucky for me, this means that if I ever get pregnant I get to inject myself twice a day with Heparin or once a day with Lovenox (blood thinners) every day of a pregnancy. I also may get to take extra Folic acid for the rest of my life, since folic acid works along with the MTHFR enzyme to break down homocysteine (an amino acid). My RE was not super familiar with this problem, so I'm headed back to... my original doctor! Dr. Atkins, the lovely woman who passed me on to Dr. Blanchard for my septum, who passed me on to Dr. McClamrock for my other problems. I bet she'll be super excited to have me back!

Okay, so to summarize the various ways that I should never be a mother, I not only am going to have trouble getting pregnant (good thing we're starting early!) with any baby, much less a baby that has good genes, but once I get pregnant, my babies are very likely to be miscarried or born too early because of both a septate uterus and a blood clotting disorder.

If infertility were the lottery, I would be a millionaire. Since it isn't the lottery and I am not a millionaire, I can't afford to pay for it. Which means that these doctors are going to have to be very surprised when God takes control and helps me deliver a living baby.

Thank you, Lord, for helping the doctors find these problems, and thank you for the children that I should never have, but will have because you care about me and my husband and our desires! I can't wait to see them and tell them their story...

10 comments:

Laura said...

Hello--I discovered your blog yesterday, and can totally relate to so many things. But I absolutely love your positive attitude in this post especially! I sincerely wish I could share some of your confidence--I need to work on that. Please feel free to stop by my blog sometime. Take care and God bless!

Brooke said...

I have to admit when I was reading your post I felt hope. I guess the reason for me is that when the doctors gave us their "diagnosis" as to why dh could not get me pregnant they said it would be a while before we could conceive since the surgery could take a while to work if it did at all. A week later I ovulated and was pregnant. I know your situation is so different Abby. You have been through so much more then I ever did and I just know God has a perfect plan in place for you. Hang in there girl I cant imagine how all this news is to take in but you are getting answers and that is better then having none for sure. ((hugs))

Unknown said...

It's okay for doctors to point out the difficulties so God can get the Glory when we overcome them!!! Keep the Faith my little one!!! God is Faithful!!! :-).

Without tests there can be no testimony!

Staci said...

Sorry to hear about all the obstacles and I am so glad to see that you are remaining positive. I just know that with your faith in God and strong desire to have your baby(ies)that your prayers will be answered.

Jessie said...

Oh Abbie, I'm sorry to hear that. So you're heterozygous for the compound MTHR mutuation with borderline/high FSH with a septum in your uterus. Sheesh! I believe MTHR is actually rather common as far as blood clotting disorders go, but being hetero for both versions is pretty rare. The good news is that you know what is going on. I fully believe that God works miracles through modern medicine. My IVF twins are proof of that!

I've BTDT with the Lovenox as I'm heterozygous for Factor V Leiden. The shots are not as bad as they sound. They are extremely expensive though, even with insurance. I think I paid a $200 per month co-pay. Heparin is much cheaper though so you can go that route if needed.

I'll be praying for a great response to the Clomid Challenge test for you and wise doctors to guide you in the right direction.

ottspot said...

My cousin had a blood clot so she had to do the twice a day injections throughout her pregnancy. After getting used to the idea she said they weren't bad at all! Hang in there!

Perfectly Imperfect said...

Hey Abbie.. Just wanted to tell you.. I also have the MTHR mutation, as does the hubs, which means the chances of a baby getting both is really good, and they can't survive with both... and I'm 6 mos. pregnant. I also had the septum in my uterus (which has since been removed) and currently inject myself with heparin twice a day (not fun, but totally worth it). Anyway, I also had a ton more issues that led to multiple problems, but the point is, doctors are there to find out all of this and to do something about it. I'm expecting my little miracle right now despite all the odds.. Don't let this get you down girl.. There is always hope!!

Anonymous said...

Mary got pregnant without ever having sex, I'm pretty sure God will have no problem giving you your little miracle!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Abbie, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how much you want a baby, and I'll keep praying that God will bless you with one regardless of the obstacles in the way. Keep your faith :-)

Marilyn Navarro said...

Hello everyone!! I'm Marilyn Here in the States and I'm here to talk about what Dr. James did for me. I have been suffering from (GENITAL HERPES VIRUS) disease for the past 4 years and had constant pain and itching, especially in my private part. During the first year. This disease started circulating all over my body and  I have used Oregano oil, Coconut oil, Acyclovir, Val acyclovir, Acyclovir, and some other products and it really helped during my outbreaks but I totally got cured! From my HSV with a strong and active herbal medicine ordered from  Dr. James herbal mix and it completely fought the virus from my nervous system, and I was tested negative after 15 days of using  Dr. James herbal mix medicine. I'm here to let you all know that the herpes virus has a complete cure, I got rid of mine with the help of Dr. James herbal medicine.  I came across a testimony of Tasha, on the internet testifying about Dr. James, on how he cured Her of 7 years HSV 2. And she also gave the email address of  the great Dr. James  (drjamesherbalmix@gmail.com...]..., advising anybody to contact him for help on any kind of diseases that he would be of help with, so I emailed him telling him about me (HSV 2) he told me not to worry that I'm going to be cured!! Well, I never doubted him. I have faith he can cure me too, Dr. James prepared and sent me his herbal mix medicine made of roots and herbs which I took. In the first one week, I started experiencing changes all over me, after 15 days I drank his herbal mix medicine, I was totally cured. No more inching, pain on me anymore as Dr. James assured me. After some time I went to my doctor to do another test. The result came out negative. So friends my advice is if you have such disease or know anyone who suffers from it or any other disease like Alzheimer's Disease, Warts, Moles, Bipolar disorder, Shingles, HPV, HIV/AIDS, ALS, HBP, CANCER, NEPHROTIC SYNDROME HIV / AIDS, herpes cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic cancers, bladder cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, Glaucoma., Cataracts, Macular degeneration, Cardiovascular disease, Autism, Lung disease. Enlarged prostate, Osteoporosis. Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, Tach Diseases, Lupus, Backache, dementia. Kidney cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, skin cancer and skin cancer. Testicular Cancer, LEUKEMIA, VIRUSES, HEPATITIS, INFERTILITY., etc. you can contact  the great  one  directly on his........@ drjamesherbalmix@gmail.com  He is a good man, and He will help you.