My husband and I were really in no rush to try to have kids. Like most other women (I say that as what we’re taught as young girls) I believed that if we don’t use a condom, we’ll get pregnant! I was never on birth control as I never cared for it.
One day, my husband mentioned to me that his one testicle felt hard — rock-solid was the term I believe he used. I told him he needed to call a Dr immediately but to also call his dad because his dad had testicular cancer around his age. He called his dad and sure enough, he also told him to call a Dr and get in. This all took place at the beginning of COVID. Right when things started and were still new and scary. I was out of work, basically.
Then came the dreaded news of testicular cancer.
That came with its own ups and downs and questions and scares. So we thought we should try really quick before he may lose one or both. Within a week they had him in for surgery and had the cancer removed. All has thankfully been good since then! But from that moment, we decided we should try just in case the worst scenario should arise.
The next thing we know, it’s a year later.
One year trying to conceive
We got to see a fertility specialist. We did all the usual tests — blood, tube checks, sperm checks etc. I had a small uterine polyp that I knew about that a previous Dr had laughed off. I was lucky enough to be sent to a leading gyno in Toronto to have it removed within 2 weeks. My Dr said it had to go should we ever need IVF.
So the polyp was gone. And now I was on letrozole for my horrendously irregular and often painful periods. The lady Dr told me “just get pregnant, that’ll set them right” and a woman at that. This new Dr was great.
I cycle monitored and still nothing. Nothing was changing. Dr wasn’t giving me anything new. So I asked for IUI. He said he wanted me on letrozole for 6 months to know for sure I cannot conceive naturally now that my period was regular. I was okay with that.
Finally, my first IUI. Scared. Excited. Every emotion. Failed.
We took Christmas off and just relaxed and enjoyed each other. Feb 2022. IUI #2. Excited. Less excited than last time because of disappointment but also lord excited because the more IUIs, the better the chance. Failed.
What comes next?
Here we are, waiting for IUI #3. Currently on cycle day 2. This will be our first “medicated” round. They have avoided medicated cycles so far as I am producing great amounts of follicles but we’re going to try a small dose. Fingers crossed.
We have more to come but that’s still in the works! :)
Robyne shares her story from Canada.
Thank you for sharing x Emma & Lynette. Join the movement and share your story too.
Comments