In A Good Place

Sorry that I haven't posted in a few days-- I haven't really had much to write about!

I'm at peace with whatever my body has decided to do this cycle. My temps for the past few days suggest that it's very possible that I ovulated on the day FF added my dotted CH. I'm going in on Monday for a progesterone test so that I don't have to wonder, but it really won't change the outcome. I would just like to be able to tell the RE whether I'm ovulating really late or not at all. (8 days until the big day!)

I've been doing a lot of reading about late ovulation lately-- I know how anovulation is linked to infertility, but I wanted to understand how late ovulation is linked. Here's one of the many things I read:

"The reason why late ovulation and infertility are linked is because of certain physiological reasons. For one, during late ovulation, the lining of the uterus gets older for successful implantation and therefore, makes it less receptive for fertilization. If you have long cycles on a regular basis, cycles that last longer than 35 days then you ovulate less than what is considered normal; further decreasing your chances of getting pregnant. Consider this; if you ovulate on the 22nd day of your menstrual cycle and your cycle lasts about 40 days, then you are ovulating comparatively less (about 9 times a year) than someone with a 28-day or a 30-day cycle (about 12-13 times a year). Also, with late ovulation the eggs don’t mature properly and as a result, are not good for fertilization and implantation. Your hormone levels are not exactly conducive for the eggs, hence decreasing your chances of pregnancy."

Makes sense, and whether I'm ovulating really late or not at all, I feel pretty certain that Clomid will be the first step (after the appropriate tests, of course). Rob and I have talked and we're ok with that-- I would just rather it be under the watchful eye of my RE, rather than a busy ob/gyn.

I never took the progesterone prescription that I had filled-- I was trying to time getting my period with the appointment, then I started questioning if I had ovulated right around the time I was going to start taking it. I'm glad I waited-- if I had taken it, I wouldn't be able to go in for this blood work on Monday, as it would have elevated my progesterone levels. And the good news is that, if my LP is around 15 days, it looks like I should be getting my period right around the time of the appointment, which means that we can do CD3 blood work right away if the RE orders it (which I certainly hope she does!!). I'm crossing my fingers that maybe AF will hold off until the day after-- it would be great if I could get an ultrasound at the first appointment!!

I'm grateful that Thanksgiving is this week. I have to work Monday & Tuesday, but I have the rest of the week off. We'll be traveling to SC to visit my parents on Thursday and on Friday, I'm thrilled to say that we're heading to Charleston. I miss the town where we fell in love, where we got married, where we became a family. It will be a short trip (probably just the day) but we'll see our old home, eat at our favorite restaurant, see the plantation where we got married, and maybe, if it's not too cold, take a walk on the beach. I. Can't. Wait.

My weekend has been consumed by my work on a RIDICULOUS 21 page grant application-- it's not due until December 1st, but I need to finish it before I take a break the second half of this week. I spent almost 5 hours on one page of financials today! It's going to take several more hours of work, but I'm hoping to have it finished by early afternoon tomorrow, so that Monday and Tuesday will be relatively stress free at work.

The only thing left to do before Thanksgiving is hound my old physician's office for my medical records-- I called twice last week and got a recording from the Medical Records Department that my call would be returned within 24 hours. No one has returned either call, even after I stressed in my message that I needed someone to call back on Friday. Monday morning I will call the receptionist at the appointment desk and tell her that I want to speak with someone. Don't transfer me to that voicemail again!!

Posting will most likely be sporadic this week as I try to enjoy a restful holiday.

I have so much to be thankful for!!