Hope for Cancer Patients

I decided that I couldn't help my sister-in-law much one-on-one since she's in ID, I'm GA. However, I knew that having a 2nd kid had been on her mind, and she's worried what this cancer will do not only to the length of her life, but also the size of her family.

 

Those of us in the IF world understand the pain and difficulty that come with dreams of fertility. I can't imagine what it woudl be like to add the fear of my own death to my planning. I'm very sad for her and my brother, and their baby son. The whole thing is just such a shock...

 

So, I wrote my RE, and I got this in response from my VERY FAVORITE PA:

 

...the best thing for her to do is to contact Fertile Hope (an organization that provides support to cancer patients who are interested in fertility preservation). Fertile Hope provides free medication undergoing IVF for fertility preservation. They are affiliated with Serono Pharmaceuticals who makes Gonal f that is used for IVF stimulation.

 

Fertile Hope is affiliated with certain IVF centers (our clinic is one of them) who will discount IVF cycles for cancer patients. Not all IVF centers are connected with Fertile Hope. That's why I think she should call them directly to see which centers in her area are associated with Fertile Hope so she can limit her out of pocket expense. Her oncologist may also know which IVF center to refer her to.
 
Fertile Hope info:
www.fertilehope.org
866-965-7205
 

Doing my own research into Cancer and Fertility, I found another site that I thought would be VERY useful for those that already have a pregnancy in progress and are looking for information and support. This site was started by a survivor of cancer while pregnant. 

 

http://www.hopefortwo.org/

 

 

Grrrrr... Heparin...

Well, got the bloodwork back from Dr. Amazing (the Perinatologist) he said my IGm numbers were too high, so I'd have to stay on Heparin until this pregnancy is complete. AND it appears this particular issue gets worse throughout pregnancy (numbers get higher) so I'll likely have to take 3 shots a day at the end. THEN I'll have to take heparin for 6 weeks post-baby.

 

He told me to check into changing from Heparin (2x per day) to Lovenox (1x per day) to save myself some of the side-effects and extra shots. Not sure if our insurance will cover Lovenox - much higher cost than Heparin. I'm going to check today though.

 

Guess I'm glad they checked my blood, but darn it, that wasn't what I wanted to hear. I guess it's at least something I can manage, it's just going to be a pain, literally.

 

Looking on the bright side... They checked my blood, found that I would've most likely lost the baby late in the preganancy, and gave me a way to avoid it. I'm thankful. Just whining.

 

More Good News, More Bad News... A Pattern!

Good News:

 

My bloodwork screening for the baby having Downs, ect came back in the totally normal range.

 

 

Bad News:

 

My oldest brother's wife was just diagnosed with cancer in her thyroid and lymph nodes. It is malignant and considered very aggressive. This is the same SIL that just had my sweet baby Nephew -  he's 6 months old. I don't know what the exact type of cancer is - the details/news has yet to be shared fully. 

 

This just strikes me to my heart.

12 Hours of Life and Death

 

Last night I sat on my couch and I cried long hard sobbing tears over the loss of Vee's hubby Alex (aka Max).

 

I wondered how could the world be so cruel to take away one so young and well-loved. How unfair! He needed to live, to be here for his lovely wife and son. Then I stopped and thought about how much "extra" time he got - way beyond what the Doctors thought he was to be alloted. That's when I realized he DID live - to the fullest, as his body and time would allow. He got loves and kisses from his son. He got to hear "Dada" when he wasn't expected to be here even for the birth. Maybe, just maybe, he was able to stick around longer simply because he was so well loved and had so much to live for. 

 

We knew him through the words and images that he and Vee shared with the world. I, for one, wish to thank them for being willing to share the rawness of their lives and their love. There are so many that will miss him, even though they never met him.

 

Today, I cried tears of joy at the great 12wk Nuchal Translucency US report we received. Everyone was smiles and laughter, talking and sharing good stories. It was like a party in our US suite. Hubby actually took the pictures from the US and rocked them, imagining them as his bundle of joy in his arms in a few short months. It was magical. I feel like celebrating.

 

12 hours, such a short time, and yet it is enough to go from cursing the world for its cruelty to blessing it for its gifts.

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY - 12 WK US

Tomorrow I get to find out more about the future... Look into the crystal ball, or in this case I guess it's more like a snowglobe, huh?  :)

 

I guess I'm more nervous than I thought I was - I'm up at 12:30 at night, instead of asleep for the past 3 hours, as is my usual lately. I have to be up at 0'dark:30 too... Ugh.

 

I'll try to get a post out about the outcome asap. I hope I'll be able to get some sleep tonight. Sigh.

 

-- Protect the time and space to carry out your dreams -----

Sometimes Coming Home is the Treat

Jim made coming back from vacation a real treat! 

 

I'd been away for about 4 days - girls' weekend in San Antonio with my Mom and a friend. It was a blast. I arrived home just as bedtime ensued, and I was greeted by my baby boy flying down the hall, arms out, so fast that he ran into my legs, bounced off, and almost fell - but I caught him up and swung him around for hugs and kisses. I walked with him to his room while he burrowed into my neck.

 

Daddy did NOT look so happy to see me... turns out he was just exhausted, and was VERY happy to have a relief pitcher. While Daddy slunk off to get some rest I put Jim on the changing table. Suddenly Jim grabbed both my hands, he looked up so seriously and said, "MOMMY!  Kiss my cheek!" - he pointed to JUST the spot I should kiss.  It was the GREATEST kiss request I think I've ever gotten. So wonderful!  He continued to point to cheeks, eyes, and forehead, demanding more and we ended up in a kissing tangle of faces, bellies, and arms all in a jumble - it was pure bliss. He laughed harder with each kiss -- so did I.