Power of Prayer

Thanks again to everyone's support with enduring the newest adoption roadblock. Already my hubby and I have cut back on bad foods and started exercising more. I also plan to post healthy recipes once in a while.

My blood test buddy had a laparoscopy (with a NaPro surgeon) yesterday. This past Monday, some of us from the support group gathered with her for evening Mass and afterwards sat with her as she received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. I know quite a few people who received this sacrament prior to surgery and felt great peace afterwards.

It was so inspiring to gather as a group and pray for blood test buddy. Somehow the experience seemed more powerful when shared with women who were experiencing the same cross as me. Blood test buddy went into her surgery peaceful and hopeful, cheered by the presence of friends. From what I can tell through text messages, the surgery was a success. Yea for the power of prayer!

The only rough spot of the night was after Mass an acquaintance came up to me and asked if I was expecting. (!!!!) Perhaps my shirt looked too much like a maternity shirt. Ugh, I've never been asked that question. I quickly said "No. Actually, I'm sitting here with our infertility support group." The lady felt bad and then tried to tell us about how so many people she knew have adopted and then got pregnant...you know how it goes. We just asked her to pray for us.

I'm glad at least my IF friends were there to keep me from responding with snarky comments. :) Also, the priest who anointed blood test buddy was delighted to hear that we had NaPro physicians in our part of the country.

Major Roadblock

My blog has been silent the past couple days due to some jarring news about our adoption endeavors. The agency informed us that in order to become eligible to adopt from Korea, both of us need to have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of less than 30. Anyone who has seen me IRL (In Real Life) would realize that my husband and I do not meet that requirement. So we have to lose about 35 lbs each in order to qualify. That means no home study or paperwork until this goal is met.

The news fell like a ton of bricks. To feel the surge of starting the process only to hit a roadblock-- especially after our many infertility medical experiences-- was incredibly frustrating. It didn't help that last night I sang at a children's holy hour. Just watching all of those precious children made my heart break.

The good part, however, is the weight loss will be good for overall health. My husband and I have always wanted to shed pounds; our child definitely gives us a hard & fast reason to tackle our goals ASAP. So I'm shooting for the end of November, at least to get our home study in before December. Several kind friends have offered dieting tips and I plan to seek the aid of the local hospital's nutrition center. And yes, I have asked for Divine Help to help my cravings for sweets & carbs.

Once again, infertility takes us on another twisty path. Hopefully we'll make it unscathed and thin. :) Oh, please pray for the SHE group meeting on Saturday; our attendance has been low.

Nun on the Run...

Check out this story from the American Papist blog about a robber who was outrun by a nun!! Great story to close out the week.

The Next Step

Once again, I'm procrastinating on lesson plans to blog. :) This past Tuesday we took the first step in our adoption adventure: mailing our adoption application. It's a seemingly small step, but the first and most important in our new journey.

A new feeling washed over me as I wrote the check and mailed the application: it's really happening. Sure, I had a fleeting semblance of such a feeling in the beginning of our infertility appointments and ventures. Now, however, each appointment or treatment just runs into the next. Hope still remains and I am pleased of the progress with the NaPro treatment...but none of it feels real, as if parenthood is within grasp.

That small, 2-page adoption application, gave me that priceless feeling of parenthood coming soon. A reality that I have worked hard to keep my heart from feeling after so many failed cycles. This new adoption journey will not be easy, but at least we will have concrete goals in sight. I'll continue to post info about my ongoing NaPro treatment, but will also talk about our adoption progress. Stay tuned!

Taste and See...

Every once in a while I get to cantor the Responsorial Psalms at Mass. Almost every time the psalm has some special message for my life at the present moment. This Sunday's Psalm is no exception. Last night's vigil Mass was the culmination of a marriage conference and included the renewal of our wedding vows. Yea!! To my pleasant surprise, my psalm was the same one we had at our wedding Mass.

Three years ago we selected this psalm after marriage prep using Christopher West's Theology of the Body series. His specific mention of this psalm spoke of God's way of using tactile things for us to get closer to Him (e.g., water for baptism). Three years later, I see a different side of this psalm, especially the line, "when the afflicted man called out the Lord heard..." Infertility feels quite afflicting, so the psalm is a reminder that God does hear such prayers.

Psalm 34

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
Let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
And delivered me from all my fears.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.
And your faces may not blush with shame.
When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard,
And from all his distress he saved him.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

HCG update

I'm taking a break from lesson plans to blog. Call it distraction or procrastination....I'll call it therapy.

My NaPro doctor called a few days ago with the report of my recent blood test. My hormone levels have increased, but he would like to see them a little higher. So I will have to get another blood test in this present cycle to determine if the HCG dosage needs to increase.

If you recall, the hormone profile/8 blood tests ordeal revealed my hormone levels were very, VERY low, particularly after ovulation. When the doctor told me the levels were the lowest he's seen in his years of practice, I panicked a bit. But after 2 cycles of the HCG shots, I'm overall pleased with the results.

The 2 biggest changes with HCG have been my cycle lengthening substantially and a lessening of cramps. Normally I am glued to the heating pad on CDs 2-4 due to extreme cramping pain and nausea. Since taking the HCG, these symptoms have lessened. Not eliminated, but lessened. That improvement alone has made it worth it. My husband has become quite adept at giving the shots; I barely feel the needle. I would definitely choose the shots over my previous painful cramps.

Whether or not these shots help me get pregnant (a hope that seems to be fading), I'm grateful that they have helped my overall health. ME, grateful for a shot. Hell has frozen over!! :)

Cincinnati Infertility Conference

A couple in Cincinnati is hosting a conference focused on Infertility. What an awesome idea! :)

Cincinnati Infertility Conference

Saturday, September 12th

9:00-1:00pm

Guardian Angels Parish, Cincinnati, OH

Find out more information here.