The past few days, I felt like I was wandering around in a fog and the weather conveniently matched my state of mind...I was running to doctor's appointment after doctor's appointment...making phone calls...emailing professors...and packing!! Here's a quick update:
First thing's first, almost all of my professors responded to my email about trying to complete the semester from my parents' house with words of encouragement and have agreed to work with me. I am just waiting to hear from my biology instructor. That is a huge blessing! It meant that I could come back to Turlock for the first two weeks of class--which means I will get a solid start at school before my surgery.
Second, a dear friend of mine offered my family not one, but TWO places to stay during my surgery and recovery at UCSF. Both of which would not cost us anything. Another huge blessing! My family will be staying at a ministry house that is run through a local church within 2 miles of the hospital with a garage for our car and a small kitchen so we don't have to spend a fortune eating out for every meal.
Third, I met with a fertility doctor about harvesting and freezing my eggs yesterday. It was an interesting experience...we met with the financial coordinator first, who explained how much the process would cost. I had been warned that it would cost as much as a down payment on a house so when she showed me the cost breakdown, I was surprised to see that it was considerably less than I had expected. God is so good. After the financial meeting, my mom and I met with the doctor who answered all of our fertility questions. He was a little concerned with the time frame I gave him (I have to get it all of this done before my surgery on Feb. 14) but he gave me a few options. One included moving the surgery date back a week, but I was not willing to budge on that. I knew that my surgeon at UCSF would not agree to it, either. The best option seemed to be the one that was the most "out of the box": test my progesterone, (if the progesterone was high) start four days of injections to induce a menstrual cycle, then start ten days of follicle stimulation injections, and finally harvest my eggs the Friday before surgery. He did a quick ultrasound to be sure I had all my lady parts and then gave me the order for the lab work he needed. The nurses had already suggested that we get the blood work done at our own clinic so that insurance would cover the cost. I made an appointment with my primary doctor's P.A. for this morning to get everything taken care of before I rode back down to school. Long story short I was able to get the tests done (praise God), my dad drove me to school, and my fiancee gave me my first injection. It was super scary...and I'm not looking forward to the next one...at all. But I keep telling myself it will all be worth it in ten years...
Well, tomorrow is the first day of spring semester and I don't have class until 12:30pm. Not too shabby! :)
Please continue to pray that the remaining instructors will be willing to work with me and that I will be able to finish this semester. I am meeting with one of the professors tomorrow at 4pm to discuss the possibility of making accommodations to his class structure. Pray that the Lord will give me the words to say and the courage to say them. Pray for my fiancee and I as we do these fertility injections, that the Lord will take away my fear. Pray that I will be able to focus in my classes instead of stressing about all of the other things going on right now.
I thank You and praise You for the clear direction and guidance You have given me so far, Lord and I pray that You will continue to provide. You know the whole story, and I only know a few of the characters. I pray that you would give me patience until You reveal Your plan because I know it will be far better than mine. Protect me in the days ahead, Lord. I pray all these things in Your powerful, healing name, Jesus. Amen.
Goodnight all!
First thing's first, almost all of my professors responded to my email about trying to complete the semester from my parents' house with words of encouragement and have agreed to work with me. I am just waiting to hear from my biology instructor. That is a huge blessing! It meant that I could come back to Turlock for the first two weeks of class--which means I will get a solid start at school before my surgery.
Second, a dear friend of mine offered my family not one, but TWO places to stay during my surgery and recovery at UCSF. Both of which would not cost us anything. Another huge blessing! My family will be staying at a ministry house that is run through a local church within 2 miles of the hospital with a garage for our car and a small kitchen so we don't have to spend a fortune eating out for every meal.
Third, I met with a fertility doctor about harvesting and freezing my eggs yesterday. It was an interesting experience...we met with the financial coordinator first, who explained how much the process would cost. I had been warned that it would cost as much as a down payment on a house so when she showed me the cost breakdown, I was surprised to see that it was considerably less than I had expected. God is so good. After the financial meeting, my mom and I met with the doctor who answered all of our fertility questions. He was a little concerned with the time frame I gave him (I have to get it all of this done before my surgery on Feb. 14) but he gave me a few options. One included moving the surgery date back a week, but I was not willing to budge on that. I knew that my surgeon at UCSF would not agree to it, either. The best option seemed to be the one that was the most "out of the box": test my progesterone, (if the progesterone was high) start four days of injections to induce a menstrual cycle, then start ten days of follicle stimulation injections, and finally harvest my eggs the Friday before surgery. He did a quick ultrasound to be sure I had all my lady parts and then gave me the order for the lab work he needed. The nurses had already suggested that we get the blood work done at our own clinic so that insurance would cover the cost. I made an appointment with my primary doctor's P.A. for this morning to get everything taken care of before I rode back down to school. Long story short I was able to get the tests done (praise God), my dad drove me to school, and my fiancee gave me my first injection. It was super scary...and I'm not looking forward to the next one...at all. But I keep telling myself it will all be worth it in ten years...
Well, tomorrow is the first day of spring semester and I don't have class until 12:30pm. Not too shabby! :)
Please continue to pray that the remaining instructors will be willing to work with me and that I will be able to finish this semester. I am meeting with one of the professors tomorrow at 4pm to discuss the possibility of making accommodations to his class structure. Pray that the Lord will give me the words to say and the courage to say them. Pray for my fiancee and I as we do these fertility injections, that the Lord will take away my fear. Pray that I will be able to focus in my classes instead of stressing about all of the other things going on right now.
I thank You and praise You for the clear direction and guidance You have given me so far, Lord and I pray that You will continue to provide. You know the whole story, and I only know a few of the characters. I pray that you would give me patience until You reveal Your plan because I know it will be far better than mine. Protect me in the days ahead, Lord. I pray all these things in Your powerful, healing name, Jesus. Amen.
Goodnight all!
Still praying for you daily, Maggie. Keep hanging on to that beautiful faith- not a hair can fall from your head without His will, and surely all things will work together for your salvation :) Sending you lots of love and prayers. <3
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