Thank you, Thank you!

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers over the last few days! I feel so very blessed to be covered in prayer during this time.

Surgery went great! We have been praying from the very beginning that Dr. H would be able to help us gather answers for why we aren't conceiving, and God does not disappoint...right?!

This was my third surgery in three years, so I was sure that it was just another "thing" to check off our list. One more surgery to come out of and be told that "there was nothing unusal" going on inside of me.
In fact, I spent the morning of surgery telling each person that came and introduced themselves to us- "I am so sorry, but this is bound to be a really boring surgery. I don't think there is going to be anything to see inside of me!". Well, I lied to every one of those poor med students!

At our follow up appointment yesterday, we were informed that I need to go back in for more surgery. To be honest, I don't even care! I am just so relieved that there are reasons for what we have been walking through the last 3.5 years. I know that there are so many people who think my husband and I are crazy for doing what we are doing, but we have finally found a doctor who is finding real answers for us.

When I asked Dr. Hil.gers point blank "Do you think we will ever conceive?", He answered "I don't see why not! Once we get these issues taken care of and the right medicines on board, you shouldn't have any problems at all." To hear those words have been worth every penny we have saved, humility we have endured, every heartache we have lived though. Worth it all. (I mean, to know we are ACTUALLY pregnant will be amazing, but this works for now.)

So, on October 24th, I am going in for the real deal. I will be having the large amounts of endometriosis removed, a cyst on my left tube will be removed, each ovary will get a nice little wedge resection, and my nasty, little appendix will come out. I asked for a tummy tuck while I was in there- Dr. H said he didn't think I would want him doing that on me. Oh well, worth asking!

So thank you again for all of your prayers. I will probably be begging for more in another week. But for now, I just have to thank you all. I feel so blessed to have found this community of encouraging women!

Please know that I am praying for as many of you by name as I can remember. I have been offering up this time of recovery for all those woman carrying children (especially my SIL- woot, woot!!), for all those waiting to be matched for an adoption, and all of those women who are trying to find good doctors to help them find answers. And I am a wimp...so I have lots of prayers going up!


P.S- The Rosary that my sister posted the pic of yesterday was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI. As I was wheeled into the operating room, the sweet little nurse asked if I would like a Rosary in my hand, and when I woke up it was taped there. Too sweet. Memento #1 for the baby book!

Sweet JoJo Update

Hello faithful readers!

This is Mrs. Testosterhome cracking the code on Joanna's blog.

Joanna is out of surgery and doing great. Her hubby said they will meet with the doctor tomorrow to get a better understanding of what he found and where they need to go from here.

In the meantime, I am working on posting a beautiful picture Jo sent me -- doctors taped a rosary to her hand for surgery. The rosary was blessed by the Pope and while I'm not sure which Pope, we are waiting with expectant faith and hope for his intercession.

D- Day

Tomorrow is my surgery with Dr. H.

After nine months of saving, slaving, and praying, we are finally here. I am all excitement, no fear (ok...maybe a little...but I will live). It isn't the type of nine-month waiting I would like, but I know it is the next stop to get me there.

I spent last week going through Phase I of the Cr.MS Practitioner program, so I had no time to think about how very close I was to making it to this goal. On Sunday, after that week was over and I had a second to breathe, I couldn't help but choke up- over and over. Finally. We are here.

I am so incredibly grateful for all of the prayers, support, and encouragement this community has given me. I know that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you all. Please know that I will be offering up any pain or fear for all of you - especially for those women who are trying desperately to find good doctors to help them.

I am praying that tomorrow is the first day of a new, exciting chapter of our lives. A chapter in which are hearts are bursting with happiness and not breaking with heartache. One in which our mourning is turned into dancing, and our sorrow into joy.

If you have a prayer or two to spare tomorrow, I would be most grateful.

Prayer Buddy Reveal

First of all, I have to apologize for being so absent on the blogs lately. I have been so insanely busy- I often forget what day it is! I hope that once I am done class here in Omaha, that I will be able to get back to blogging and commenting.

I had the honor of praying for My Heart Exults during this season of prayer buddies!
I have been praying and fasting for her intentions and that the Lord would protect her and her precious baby, especially as she prepares for Baby Boy's arrival.
I, I will continue to lift you and your family up in prayer! It was a privilege to pray for you!

And I have to give a huge shout out to my prayer buddy, JellyBelly.
Girl, you have helped prayed miracles into my life that you wouldn't believe. I know that your prayers played a part in my husband and I have the opportunity to get to Omaha- when I (not he) thought it impossible (note: He is the saint...I am the saintmaker!). People have given so generously to us in so many ways, and have made the dream of getting to PPVI a reality.
We also found out as I was leaving for Omaha (I got her yesterday!), that our insurance company accepted our appeal letter. So, we only have to pay for PPVI and not for the hospital...such a miracle. That is another story for another time!
And on top of that, I got my bloodwork back from my hormone series and I am all kinda messed up (which I was totally praying for!). I don't doubt for a second that your prayers have contributed to the beginnings of answers for me and my sweet husband. Thank you from the bottom of my teeny, tiny, broken (and cautiously hopeful) heart.
Please know that I am praying for you as you prepare to make your trek out to the Institute. I will be behind you- praying for you and rooting for you!