A couple, a couple of years later......

It's been a while since I've blogged. Lots of things have happened during that time, good, bad, happy and sad. Since Kevin was diagnosed with his brain tumors in November I've been debating on starting the blog again. The blog was a great outlet for me while going through ivf. It was a place I could share what we were going through week by week but it also let people deep into our daily lives.

I'll admit it. I'm a blog addict, reading others blogs has been a stress relieving outlet for me. So after much debate and prayer I'm starting to blog our journey again.

Update on Kevin, in November of 2013, the Monday before thanksgiving we took Kevin to the ER for a massive headache he kept having. The next week we were told it was primary brain cancer and that he had to have surgery to remove the front tumor. He had the top surgeon in Dallas remove the front tumor with success. We then started oral chemotherapy along with radiation daily at Baylor Dallas. We were so happy once that part of our journey was complete and had a month off. A month with no daily drives to Dallas, no blood work or doctors visits. Life was a little more normal and Kevin went back to work after three months of not working.

Today Kevin had his follow up MRI to see how that first round of treatment went. The oncologist was very pleased with the success of both the chemo and radiation. The back tumor reduced in size and there was no sign if regrowth in the front. He will start his maintenance chemo next week, which is 5 pills per month at a higher dose. Chemo at home is such a blessing. He takes it 30 mins before bed and it shouldn't make him sick. We've seen so many blessings through this journey. We're looking at brain cancer as a blip or bump in the road. We've got lots of happy times ahead and Kevin's fighting like Hale!

Speaking of fighting like Hale, if you'd like a fight like hale bracelet let me know. You can email me at Kati.hale@yahoo.com and I'd be happy to send you one.

Kevin fly fishing three days before the news of his tumors. 

Kevin 2 days after having the tumor removed

Uncle Kevin with Pierson at the Stars game

Kevin and I at the Stars game back in February. 

Our new Texas edition Tahoe we got three weeks ago. For new adventures.  

The $10,000 Question!

It’s been a while since I have updated our blog. Most of you know that Kevin and I had our only frozen embryo transferred at the beginning of November and found out on our anniversary that it was not successful. We were both pretty emotional about it not being successful but know God does have a plan for us getting pregnant. I was overwhelmed by the calls, texts, emails and prayers sent up that day. We for sure felt everyone of those prayers, that is what got us through.

 

The hardest thing for me has been the money. All along the doctor told us that he can get us pregnant it just might take us a couple of times of IVF to get it to work. We have truly struggled with paying for what we just completed and we will be paying for it the next three years and I was overwhelmed trying to figure out to pay for it again. But in the end I know God has a way for us and he will provide every dime we need to do IVF again. God truly knows what we need and provides. I have complete faith that he will make a way for us to do IVF again next summer and I can’t wait to see how God is going to work through our lives to provide that.

 
We are going to take a few months off in between IVF to not only find a financial plan for IVF but to also take a break. It’s been so wonderful not to have to take medications, go to the doctor 2-3 times a week and really relax during the holidays. We are going to start acupuncture in January to see if that helps and will continue that up until we do our next round of IVF. I will also start gulcaphage again in January on a reduced dosage to help regulate my insulin levels. We are hoping this helps our IVF cycle as well.


We are truly living on our faith in the Lord and know his plan is more perfect than the dreams we had of how our life would be. 2011 has been a struggle for many and our prayer is that 2012 will provide blessings for all! Thank you for praying for Kevin and I during this journey. We pray that each of you have a safe and blessed Christmas. Remember that Christmas is truly celebrating the birth of our Savior!

Whose Plan Is It Anyway?

It’s been a while since I have written an update and I had several people ask how things were going with the frozen embryo transfer. So, I figured I would update the blog so everyone knew what we had coming up.

We have had a couple of date changes on the transfer due to my lining not being thick enough. The original date for the transfer was October 25^th (tomorrow) but the new date is now November 8^th. At our appointment last week our lining was measuring at a 4, and today we measured a 6.5 which is a great improvement. Our goal is to be an 8+ so we should have plenty of time to get there before the transfer. I did have another follicle that was showing up on my ovary but at the appointment today they told us it shouldn’t be a problem. I haven’t been able to grow a follicle on my own for 2 years but now that we don’t want any to grow, go figure I have one growing. We have another appointment on Friday to check the lining again and other than that we are just continuing the medications.

We have kept really busy spending our weekends at the deer lease, which has been a blessing. I love seeing how Gods plans come together and our deer lease has been just that. The owner of our deer lease has a campsite, and anyone that leases from him can bring their camper or have one of the cabins to stay in. I was so worried that it was going to be a bunch of guys who weren’t too fond of a woman invading on their territory, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. We have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with a wonderful couple. I couldn’t have asked for a better couple to spend our weekends with.

We also had an opportunity to have dinner with the land owner, his sweet girlfriend and our friends this weekend. I forgot I was with people that I have only known a few weeks, they feel more like family. As we were driving home last night from the lease Kevin and I talked about how perfect Gods plan was for us this season, we just had to let him show us his plan. I know he has a plan for us as parents too, we just have to give him the opportunity to show us that plan. We can make all the plans we want to but God’s plan is best. It may not be our timing but his timing is perfect.

Please continue to pray for us and we prepare for the FET on the 8^th. Please pray that our embryo will be strong and that my lining will become thick. Thank you for caring about us and our lives!

Kevin and I dove hunting September 2011

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28