Fall 2007: The Mister and I meet and start dating.
Fall 2009: Wedding Bells!
Spring 2010: Throw out B/C
April 2010: Suspect pregnancy, but miscarry before getting a BFP
May 2010: Suspect pregnancy again, and again miscarry before getting a BFP
Summer 2010: Take 3 months off to recover physically and emoitionally
Sept 2010: Realize I want to find out what went wrong and do something about it before trying again.
Oct-Nov 2010: Meet with various western and alternative fertility specialists, choose an RE (Dr. R) and acupuncturist (Ms. Bird)
Nov 2010: Western diagnosis: insulin resistance/polycystic ovaries and MTHFR C677T homo. Begin meds. Also begin additional supplements to correct low iron and vit. D levels.
Dec 2010: Chinese diagnosis: Blood, Spleen, and Kidney Deficiencies; Dampness; Liver Qi Stagnation. Begin herbs to build blood, begin to think about trying again.
Experience serious emotional upheaval as a result of strain from trying to make decisions based on limited information. Begin seeing a therapist (Dr. Black).
Jan 2011: Decide to wait to try again until blood deficiency improved. This means waiting at least one more cycle after the current cycle. Earliest possible TTC date: March 2011
Feb 2011: Ms. Bird pronounces my pulses no longer deficient.
One week later: Suspect unplanned pregnancy. Begin additional meds only to have symptoms disappear for the third time without a BFP. Beta less than 2. Dr. R. says pregnancy and early miscarriage were still very possible.
May 2011: Three immune tests run. Positive for tumor necrosis factor, a marker of generalized inflammation. Go on anti-inflammatory diets and supplements. Prescribed steroid to take during TWW and pregnancy.
June 2011: TTCAL. Take all meds as directed. Notice less symptoms, but still some. AF arrives in spite of progesterone. Try not to grieve.
July 2011: Planning to take cycle "off". Recognize symptoms and begin meds at 9dpo. AF arrives in spite of progesterone, again. Increase protection and begin registering for full immune panel at Reproductive Immunology (RI) center.
Aug 2011: Register at RI center and complete testing.
Oct 2011: Consultation with Dr. I., our new Reproductive Immunologist. Given preconception protocol of Leukocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT), Hu.mira, and IV.IG. Complete infectious disease panels for both Hope and The Mister, and make appointments and travel arrangements for LIT treatments.
For an explanation of what I mean by "pregnancy symptoms" or "suspect pregnancy" please read this post. (Warning: TMI & long post alert.)
