REally well...

Today was our first RE appointment! It went pretty well. We spent a short time there at the center, back in April for the open house, but this experience was so different. I guess I was just taking it in more, because we were there for an actual appointment for us...

The lobby itself is gorgeous and they even had a keurig machine, which Matt was happy about. Upstairs, they also have a wellness spa. I love this place already. It's just so peaceful and...hopeful. Right before we left for the appointment, Matt had to get a SA (semen analysis) together. We've been laughing about this all week. Something that has to be done, but just funny all around. He was a champ though and did what he had to do. I even joked with him that, in comparison to what my body has gone through and what my body will go through still, a SA is NOTHING :) We were hysterical laughing, when we almost left the house without the sample and Matt said " Don't forget the kids!" :) He was pulling the manly card though, joking that his "boys" were great. And it turns out, they are!! Dr. G even joked that he could sell them on ebay. haha. I really like Dr. G. He seems like a really smart guy, and took his time explaining all of our options and listening to what we had to say. Ahhhh, so refreshing. I finally feel like I'm in good hands. Even the nurses were awesome, very helpful and supportive. What I also like about this place is that we feel like they are really looking out for us, money wise. We ran into some insurance issues today, when we realized my insurance has a high end deductible. Which basically means my insurance SUCKS. How can I work for a hospital and they have sucky coverage with outrageous policies. I hate the healthcare system. So many of us are getting robbed. My visit today for the consult is going to cost us $300 out of our pockets. My insurance does cover some stuff, but basically until we reach $800 dollars in bills, then my insurance will cover the rest..with us still paying 20%. We aren't rich. We live paycheck to paycheck and we just can't afford what my insurance is asking of us. So, we are in the process of getting me on Matt's insurance, which is a much better plan. Higher co-pays, but everything else is covered! So I'm praying that the insurance company doesn't give us trouble with that. Originally, I was going to have bloodwork and an ultrasound done at the office today, but the nurse recommended waiting until I could get on Matt's insurance, to save us a ton of money. Dr. G did give us a script for Femara. So once AF shows up, it's on-your-mark-get-set-GO :)

I finally feel like I'm in the hands of people that get it and I can't even explain how good that feels. We are moving forward. I actually didn't even cry today at the office. There was a box of tissues in front of me too, and I thought that might encourage me to have another "in office" breakdown. But I didn't. Maybe that's a good sign. They gave me a gift bag when I left, that contained a pretty journal. On the cover of the journal it says, " Listen to your heart. Once you find the beat, you will always walk in tune..." In the bag, was also the book "Love and Infertility" by Kristen Magnacca. I'm excited to start reading it. Also in the bag, were two free spa treatment giftcards, for the spa there! Have I told you I love this place already?

I know it could still be a long road, even in the hands of the right people. But I am so so hopeful. Our plan as of now, is to take Femara with this cycle, hope for best, and then if that doesn't work, meds combined with an IUI mid-summer. I'm going to be setting up a ticker on my blog for the Femara cycle as well as a past/present TTC timeline.

When we were at the RE's office today, I felt this instant connection with all the other women and couples that we're coming in and out. A sad, but bonding connection. Just like the other IF girls in the blog community, we share this common thread...a sad and challenging one...but we share it. And we work through it. And we support each other. I wanted to just give the girls in the office a hug. But I didn't want to be a creep-o :) Naturally, I also wondered where they were at with their journey and how far they've come.

The mother of a little girl in my class and I got talking the other day. She noticed my ring and we got talking about weddings, etc. She then asked if I had kids and I just opened up to her about everything. I knew she was a fertility nurse at another clinic, so I had been anxious to ask some advice. She was super nice and we talked for awhile. She also gave me some helpful advice and said that if I ever had any questions or if I wanted her to look over my chart, she would be happy too. How nice! :)

I'm looking forward to just vegging tonight. I'm exhausted for some reason. I think today took a lot of me. So we are going to order pizza and wings and watch the GLEE episode that we dvr'd...

So that's the latest, blog world, our first RE appointment went REally well :)