belated introduction....sorry a bit long!

fishstix2020 · April 2011

Hi everyone!

It occurred to me that I've been posting and receiving support without actually introducing myself ~ so I thought I would to alleviate the dirty lurker/poster guilt

I am 32 years old and am married to a marvelous man, my very best friend. After an absolutely horrific first date (it was a blind date, I was over an hour late *thanks, in part, to a speeding ticket*, the waiter spilled the soup into DH's lap, then we went to the worst first date movie ever *The Hills Have Eyes - I had thought a "scary" movie would be a good excuse to get closer*) and four years together, DH and I eloped in Dec 2009. We skipped out of the country with our very closest loved ones (my sis, his bff and their spouses) and ran away to Banff, AB. We got married standing in the falling snow standing next to a frozen waterfall (my wedding day lingerie included light blue thermal underwear and handwarmers tucked into my bra). I can honestly say the cold feet were from the near zero temps!

DH has a DD-11 from a previous marriage. Our relationship was a bit sketchy at first (I blame Disney's depiction of step-moms for a big part of it) but its been steadily improving. I knew we had turned a corner when she spontaneously called me mom - I nearly fainted! Many years later, I love her like she was my own and she calls me her BFF. She's definitely becoming a tween (wish us luck!)....

DH and I officially began TTC in Feb 2010. I had been on Depo-Provera for about 4 years and had my last injection in Dec 2009. My OB warned me that it could take some time for my cycle to regulate (hadn't had AF while on the Depo). By Aug 2010, with still no AF, I began to get a bit frustrated and worried. Especially since I was told that at 32, I was already in the "advanced maternal age" category!?!

My past med history and an ultrasound indicated a PCOS diagnosis. We started Metformin to help regulate. Almost immediately, I developed an odd pain in my upper abdomen. At first I ignored it, but eventually it became too much to handle. Several months later, my blood panels revealed shockingly high liver values (almost 4 times the abnormal levels). Coincidentally, we stopped the Metform as it wasn't making a difference after 5 months. The pain began to subside and my follow-up labs showed marked improvement in my liver function.

Late Dec 2010 and still no AF. We did a round of Provera to no avail. My OB put me on a low dose BCP and 28 days later, voila! AF showed up like she had always been cooperating in Jan 2011!

AF (28-day cycle) but no O in Feb 2011...

Mar 2011, we started Clomid 50mg. I had a surge on CD14, yay! Clomid monitoring ultrasound looked promising (cannot remember the numbers, sorry!). AF was late but several BFNs (including one blood test). AF finally showed 8 days late...so now we are gearing up again....

My OB and even DH say that we need to ignore this past year, because it didn't really count (no AF, no O therefore not really TTC). And I realize that technically we've only been TTC for the last 2 months or so.....but this has been a long hard path! I feel like I've been put through a physical and emotional ringer...

I've been lurking here for a very long while and have drawn solace and strength from the amazing people here! I hope that I can give back the support and hope to other bumpies out there...

denahamilton@cox.net · April 2011

Do you blog? You should...if you did I'd follow. lol You are a great story teller. Your wedding day sounds romantic...minus the thermals...

The last year sounds like it has been nothing short of challenging. BUT hopefully you can look ahead and focus on getting KU in the near future!

Baby dust to you and WELCOME!

**I lurk a lot too...I am currently on Cycle #1 of TTC #3...we started "trying" last month but we missed O completely so it doesn't count in my book**

KateLouise · April 2011

Hi and welcome. I agree with pp, you're a great storyteller. Although I kind of think the thermals add a "devil may care" romance to your wedding day. Our path has been very different to your own, so it would be wrong of me to say I understand your frustration, having said that in a sense you have been TTC regardless of the technicalities, so I can imagine that your emotions and that sense of waiting and hope has been the same as anyone else who has been ovulating. Best wishes, oh and for the record I think step Mums are rock stars.

adoruhbul · April 2011

Hi! I am in the EXACT same position as you. Depo, no period for over a year, did the Provera, did the BCP's, and now finishing my first round of Clomid. The only difference is I am still on Metformin, if you need someone to talk to, feel free to PM me, seems like we are TTCTwins!

Wish Upon A Star · April 2011

fishstix2020:
My OB and even DH say that we need to ignore this past year, because it didn't really count (no AF, no O therefore not really TTC). And I realize that technically we've only been TTC for the last 2 months or so.....but this has been a long hard path! I feel like I've been put through a physical and emotional ringer...

Hey Fishstix!

Welcome to the board! I have been on and off this board for some time trying get myself to O (that used to mean something else back in the day). I think you can count the past year for TTC. I know I do- just because our bodies were cooperating doesn't mean we haven't been trying! I am trying, d@mn it! Smile Anyway welcome and good luck!

fishstix2020 · April 2011

Thanks ladies I've thought about blogging, but then I get intimidated!

Hahahaha O used to mean something else entirely, you are absolutely right but honestly I can say that these days, I'd take the +O over the "big" O Surprise I know, right?!?!?