I have not posted an update until now because I have been waiting until I had all of the information to share. Now I do, so here I am :)
First of all, I want to say thank you to all of you who have read my blog and are praying us through this emotionally and physically taxing journey. There are some days that I just feel like I can't do it anymore. But, God has not given us a spirit of fear, so I tell Satan to leave me alone and keep on keeping on.
Growing up in church, I sang in the children's and youth choirs. I loved to sing the special music on Sundays and would fight through the butterflies to do so every chance I got. One of my most favorite songs to sing was "He is Able." I had no idea how much that song would come to mean to me as an adult. It is so true...and I catch myself humming it more and more these days. Here are the lyrics:
"Like peering through a window blurred with rain,
emotions run together in a flood of doubt & pain.
We've prayed as best we can. Now we must leave it in His hands.
Yet I know when my eyes fail to see, HE IS ABLE.
Even though it seems impossible to me, HE IS ABLE
And if He chooses not to move in the way we prayed He would,
Confident He's working all together for my good
And I will stand behind His word for HE IS ABLE.
Questions seem to haunt us night and day
How could my God allow my heart to be torn this way?
Does He listen when I call? Is He even there at all?
Yet I know when my eyes fail to see, HE IS ABLE.
Even though it seems impossible to me, HE IS ABLE
And if He chooses not to move in the way we prayed He would,
Confident He's working all together for my good
And I will stand behind His word for HE IS ABLE.
He is ABLE!
And as the night gives way to dawning and evaporates away
I stand to face another day
And I will stand behind His word for HE IS ABLE! HE IS ABLE!
HE IS ABLE!!!!
Wow. What a message, right?
So, here's the deal: We went to our RE on September 29 with the belief that we were going for our baseline to begin the steps for our first procedure in assisted conception of our miracle baby. Well, that morning I prayed while I was in the shower. I told God, "Lord, I'm giving this to you. All of it. I know I have always held on to a little bit of it...but as of today, I am laying it all at Your feet. I am asking you to see this through and to bring our dream of being parents to not only our heavenly baby but a baby we can honor You with here on Earth to fruition. I love you and I thank you in advance because I know you hear my cry."
Now that may seem fairly insignificant to some...but that was the hardest thing for me to do. But the instant I said it and actually MEANT it, I felt a HUGE release. It was as if I physically felt my precious Savior take this burden from me. I have never felt so free.
We got to the doctor's office and everything seemed to be going fine until he told me that he had found a cyst. Same place. Same size.
I felt like I was thrown backward. I felt myself starting to spiral.
Then I heard Jesus' voice in my ear, " I already knew about this. Trust in me."
There were no tears. I couldn't cry. I just asked all of the questions that came to me and completely held it together. I was so calm and so matter of fact. The doctor told me that we would have to put everything on hold and that it would require surgery. However he is booked way out so it would be mid to end of November if they were able to squeeze me in. Otherwise, it could be after the first of the year.
I took a deep breath and just said, "okay. Let's do it." My husband remained so calm. He keeps any part of me that wants to flip out very calm. He is my perfect match. I love him so.
My surgery is scheduled for November 13 at 7:30am. I am full of hope that this will be the final step.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Baby McAdams is already so loved and he or she isn't even on their way...yet ;)
<3 Lori
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Keep Calm and Carry On
I know I promised to update this more...that wasn't an empty promise. But, things happen...life happens. Sorry! But, I'm here now so that's what counts :)
We had an appointment last Monday at a new Reproductive Endocrinologist. I have a few friends that have used this particular doctor so I wanted to at least consult with him and see if he had a different take on our situation. He usually has a 6-8 month wait to get in with him so I have had this appointment for a while.
A couple of weeks ago I had another negative test. Another one that I took and placed on the counter and went to the bedroom and begged God to make both lines appear on. Another one that had only one line. It wasn't any different than the thousand others I've taken. But a dam broke in me that day and I cried. I screamed...I yelled...I cried that horrid ugly cry that nobody wants anyone to see. EVER. I told God I was mad at Him. I told my husband to leave me because I can't even give him a child and he deserves children. It's all my fault...not his. I gave up. I told him that God wasn't listening to me and that the only thing I've ever begged him for is the ONE thing He won't give me. I threw my hands up and said to everyone I know, " I.AM.DONE." And I meant it.
Evidently my Heavenly Father (so thankful that he allows me to be raw and real with Him and forgives me for it) got a kick out of that. The next morning the clinic where I've been waiting to get in called me and had an opening for the following Monday. OK God. I'll shut up now. ;)
The night before the appointment I was a nervous wreck. I felt totally unprepared. I was so anxious. As I was scrolling through facebook trying to get my mind off of it, I came across a post that had the Bible verse, Phillipians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Ironically one of my facebook friends...a girl I went to school with in Hallsville..had shared that verse with me on my meltdown status as well. I know God sent me those words. And I soaked them in as much as I could. When Jake and I were getting ready to pray before bed, I told him that I didn't want him to pray for a miracle (which is what we pray for every single night). I just wanted him to pray for peace. I wanted him to pray that when we left the appointment we would know if this was the doctor for us and if it was, that God would guide his hands and give him the knowledge to know what will work for us. And what steps God wants us to take. So, he did. I was convinced that we were going to have to do IVF. I just knew that was our only remaining option. I figured when he saw my records and all of my test results, he would tell me that we have to do IVF and that's it.
Praise GOD I was wrong.
I'm not going to go into all of the details of what is going to be taking place over the next few months but I will say that we left that appointment with complete peace. We KNOW this is where God wants us to be and we feel completely confident that this doctor's plan is going to work. I will share as we are ready. I just ask you all to please please pray that this will work and that we won't have to wait much longer. If you are going through your day and either of us pop in your head, please just say a quick prayer for us. We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers and just need them to keep coming. God knows our hearts. And we know that He hears every one.
Praying for Baby McAdams to arrive in 2014 :)
I recently heard that this song was written by Pink after suffering a miscarriage. Most of you know Jake and I went through that in July 2010. Anyway, listen to the words. So sweet. Dare you not to cry! ;)
<3
Lori
We had an appointment last Monday at a new Reproductive Endocrinologist. I have a few friends that have used this particular doctor so I wanted to at least consult with him and see if he had a different take on our situation. He usually has a 6-8 month wait to get in with him so I have had this appointment for a while.
A couple of weeks ago I had another negative test. Another one that I took and placed on the counter and went to the bedroom and begged God to make both lines appear on. Another one that had only one line. It wasn't any different than the thousand others I've taken. But a dam broke in me that day and I cried. I screamed...I yelled...I cried that horrid ugly cry that nobody wants anyone to see. EVER. I told God I was mad at Him. I told my husband to leave me because I can't even give him a child and he deserves children. It's all my fault...not his. I gave up. I told him that God wasn't listening to me and that the only thing I've ever begged him for is the ONE thing He won't give me. I threw my hands up and said to everyone I know, " I.AM.DONE." And I meant it.
Evidently my Heavenly Father (so thankful that he allows me to be raw and real with Him and forgives me for it) got a kick out of that. The next morning the clinic where I've been waiting to get in called me and had an opening for the following Monday. OK God. I'll shut up now. ;)
The night before the appointment I was a nervous wreck. I felt totally unprepared. I was so anxious. As I was scrolling through facebook trying to get my mind off of it, I came across a post that had the Bible verse, Phillipians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Ironically one of my facebook friends...a girl I went to school with in Hallsville..had shared that verse with me on my meltdown status as well. I know God sent me those words. And I soaked them in as much as I could. When Jake and I were getting ready to pray before bed, I told him that I didn't want him to pray for a miracle (which is what we pray for every single night). I just wanted him to pray for peace. I wanted him to pray that when we left the appointment we would know if this was the doctor for us and if it was, that God would guide his hands and give him the knowledge to know what will work for us. And what steps God wants us to take. So, he did. I was convinced that we were going to have to do IVF. I just knew that was our only remaining option. I figured when he saw my records and all of my test results, he would tell me that we have to do IVF and that's it.
Praise GOD I was wrong.
I'm not going to go into all of the details of what is going to be taking place over the next few months but I will say that we left that appointment with complete peace. We KNOW this is where God wants us to be and we feel completely confident that this doctor's plan is going to work. I will share as we are ready. I just ask you all to please please pray that this will work and that we won't have to wait much longer. If you are going through your day and either of us pop in your head, please just say a quick prayer for us. We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers and just need them to keep coming. God knows our hearts. And we know that He hears every one.
Praying for Baby McAdams to arrive in 2014 :)
I recently heard that this song was written by Pink after suffering a miscarriage. Most of you know Jake and I went through that in July 2010. Anyway, listen to the words. So sweet. Dare you not to cry! ;)
Lori
Friday, April 19, 2013
You are who You are...No matter where I am
I have been way to busy for far too long. We have had so much happen since my last blog. I promise to try to do this more often. (key word: try)
For starters, we are now HOME OWNERS!!! YAY!!! I am totally in love with our new home. We are still working on getting settled in but it is so much fun being able to do what we (I) want to the house. lol! Jake really doesn't care...he is happy with his recliner and his bathroom! HA!
Today was a rough day for me...I really don't know that I want to go into too much detail, other than to say, we thought we were pregnant, and it turns out we were wrong. I know there are many of you that have been through this. You've seen this heartache and felt the void. So, you know where I am today. I'm sad. I'm sad that all the plans I was making in my head aren't going to happen just yet. I'm sad that I wasn't able to see a smile on my husbands face when he read the results. I'm sad that this room that I'm sitting in right now is still going to be called "the office" and not "the nursery." But, I'm OK. Not completely, but I will be. No, I don't want to talk about it. When I do, I cry. And I'm tired of crying. So, I've been doing what I do best...staying busy!
Jake is HOME! I love this. He is not going to be away from home anymore. Sure, he will still have to go out of town some. That is, after all, the nature of the oilfield. But, he is based in Longview. Shop days will be in Longview. He is home with me and that is a HUGE prayer that God has answered for us.
We have asked a lot of God this year and He has been so good to us.
He provided us with the ability to purchase my fabulous car!
We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary!
We are the proud owners of a beautiful new home!
So, of course, since my timing is so much more perfect for me than His (insert sarcasm), now I say it's time for our baby to come. Of course, I know too well that it's so not about my timing. This is one part of my life that I don't get to control. It is all up to Him. So, that being said, we are praying. Actively. Begging some days, that we will be parents soon. We have a couple of appointments set. I'll share those when I feel like the time is right. It is our heart's desire to pursue the road that God wants us to travel down.
I'm asking you, our friends and family, to not only pray with us and for us that God will see it in His will to bless our home with our baby. We ask that you pray for us to have peace during the waiting process. And that we can find joy in knowing that He will not let us down. <3
As for us, for now, we are praising Him in this storm. Sometimes, it's more of a whisper than a shout. But we are trying...because every tear we've cried, He holds in His hands.
Here's a few more pictures to catch you up with our life: We have a new nephew born 12/23/12 named Sawyer James Riley! He is pictured here with my sweet daddy.
For starters, we are now HOME OWNERS!!! YAY!!! I am totally in love with our new home. We are still working on getting settled in but it is so much fun being able to do what we (I) want to the house. lol! Jake really doesn't care...he is happy with his recliner and his bathroom! HA!
Today was a rough day for me...I really don't know that I want to go into too much detail, other than to say, we thought we were pregnant, and it turns out we were wrong. I know there are many of you that have been through this. You've seen this heartache and felt the void. So, you know where I am today. I'm sad. I'm sad that all the plans I was making in my head aren't going to happen just yet. I'm sad that I wasn't able to see a smile on my husbands face when he read the results. I'm sad that this room that I'm sitting in right now is still going to be called "the office" and not "the nursery." But, I'm OK. Not completely, but I will be. No, I don't want to talk about it. When I do, I cry. And I'm tired of crying. So, I've been doing what I do best...staying busy!
Jake is HOME! I love this. He is not going to be away from home anymore. Sure, he will still have to go out of town some. That is, after all, the nature of the oilfield. But, he is based in Longview. Shop days will be in Longview. He is home with me and that is a HUGE prayer that God has answered for us.
We have asked a lot of God this year and He has been so good to us.
He provided us with the ability to purchase my fabulous car!
We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary!
We are the proud owners of a beautiful new home!
So, of course, since my timing is so much more perfect for me than His (insert sarcasm), now I say it's time for our baby to come. Of course, I know too well that it's so not about my timing. This is one part of my life that I don't get to control. It is all up to Him. So, that being said, we are praying. Actively. Begging some days, that we will be parents soon. We have a couple of appointments set. I'll share those when I feel like the time is right. It is our heart's desire to pursue the road that God wants us to travel down.
I'm asking you, our friends and family, to not only pray with us and for us that God will see it in His will to bless our home with our baby. We ask that you pray for us to have peace during the waiting process. And that we can find joy in knowing that He will not let us down. <3
As for us, for now, we are praising Him in this storm. Sometimes, it's more of a whisper than a shout. But we are trying...because every tear we've cried, He holds in His hands.
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| I adore this picture. I adore this man. |
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| Uncle Jake and his boys |
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| Christmas Eve with my favorite boys Khaunor & Carlisle |
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| me & Khaunor |
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| Me and Sawyer...he was so tiny! |
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| Leighton bug :) |
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| Mom, Dustin & Sawyer |
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| Me & my baby daddy! |
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| part of a note he wrote me before leaving for a 2 week hitch. |
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| FaceTime with my Princess Leighton |
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| my boyfriend ;) |
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| I love this car! One of our Christmas pictures ;) This is Kelly Clarkson singing with Jason Aldean at the concert
Sound quality on this video isn't great but it was amazing live!!!
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| Sawyer and my Daddy |
Monday, September 3, 2012
How Great is Our God! Sing with me...
How great is our God, Sing with me! How Great is our God!
I love that song. It sums up how I feel right now...and every day these days, for that matter. I figured it was definitely time for an update...so here I am :)
To start with, Jake had back surgery on July 11. I will not lie to you...I was a complete and total nervous wreck the morning of his surgery. My mother and Jake's older brother were both there with me when they took him away to the operating room. I just kept stopping and looking back, watching them wheeling him away. I started to cry and I just whispered, "He's in your hands now, Lord. Please keep him safe." What seemed like 2 years, was actually only a couple of hours. The doctor called me on the waiting room phone to tell me that everything went perfect and he was in recovery and I could see him about an hour.
Ugh. More waiting...
Then, finally I was able to get to him and he was in a lot of pain. Now, let me tell you something. There is no worse feeling than seeing this solid rock of a man who is always so strong in such a weakened state. I had to suck it up and take over. I stayed beside him every second. I never left his side. We stayed one night in the hospital and they sent him home around noon the next day. I was SO glad...sleeping in the hospital is a joke. I was exhausted and just wanted to be home, with my husband.
His progress has been remarkable. Within a couple of days he was pain free and doing fantastic. He went back to light-duty at work 2 weeks later. Then, at the 6 week mark, he was released to full duty with no restrictions. His job required him to take a full DOT physical before returning, which he passed, might I add, with flying colors!
Meanwhile, my cupcake fundraiser has now turned into a full time, crazy-busy, completely fulfilling business! I have sold about a gazillion ( ok, not really, but you get the drift) cupcakes over the past month. I have so many orders right now for bridal showers, baby showers, bachelorette parties, kids birthdays! It is overwhelming and wonderful :) I LOVE IT! We are now in the process of searching for a place to be able to open a shop where I can sell cupcakes every day. I am actually going to look at 2 tomorrow, so I'm pretty excited about that! It is the best feeling to be able to do what you love and love what you do...and make money doing it! :)
As far as the fertility journey goes, we got some pretty fantastic news. We visited a different specialist in Frisco on August 25. I actually found him while doing research on the success rates of IVF clinics in TX. This clinic has the highest in TX. So, naturally, I wanted to see what his opinion was. I had all of my records sent to him from my local OB and the RE in Dallas that I have been seeing. I can honestly say this. When I walked into the office, I already felt more at peace than I have ever felt at the other place. Now, don't get me wrong. I am in NO WAY knocking the previous RE. I really like him. I'm not so crazy about some of the staff there, but that doesn't mean that they are not good. I just am not sure they are right for ME. We have prayed. A LOT. We asked God to lead us in the direction He has planned for us. We feel like this is the right one. Anyway, this particular RE at the new clinic was SO comforting. He informed me that I am NOT at risk of never being able to get pregnant and that he doesn't think that my only option is IVF. Now, he is not 100% sure that we won't have to resort to IVF eventually. But, he said that nowhere in my chart or my lab results does it indicate I cannot carry a child...the reason I'm not getting pregnant is because I'm not ovulating. Period. He said that is because I have PCOS. (Nobody has ever confirmed that for me. Nice to know...) Anyway, he said that most women with PCOS don't respond well to oral medication (i.e. clomid, femara). However, we do respond well ( sometimes too well) to injectible meds, such as Follistim. So, he recommended us going with that course of action first. He has a program in his office that provides intensive monitoring of my ovaries starting with the first day of my cycle. This will help him know how to adjust the medication if needed...whether it be to increase or decrease...so that we get perfect eggs. Then, when they are perfectly matured, they will give me a "booster shot" that will trigger the release of the egg, and at that point, will schedule an IUI in the office. This will get the swimmers closer to the egg so they won't have to look hard for it and will hopefully dig in and create a baby :) This procedure is about 20% of the cost of IVF. If we do have to go with later, (if this procedure doesn't work) then, their IVF cost is about 50% cheaper than the other clinic...and as I stated earlier, has about 19% better success rates.
Needless to say, we are super excited about this news! I don't feel so doomed...I don't feel so hopeless.
Jake has transferred to work in Odessa. He is still with the same company, but he will now have a 2 week on/1 week off schedule. So, we will have to coordinate the procedure with his schedule. We are going to wait a month or two to be sure of how things are going to go before we go ahead. I will keep you guys posted on that.
<3-Lori
I love that song. It sums up how I feel right now...and every day these days, for that matter. I figured it was definitely time for an update...so here I am :)
To start with, Jake had back surgery on July 11. I will not lie to you...I was a complete and total nervous wreck the morning of his surgery. My mother and Jake's older brother were both there with me when they took him away to the operating room. I just kept stopping and looking back, watching them wheeling him away. I started to cry and I just whispered, "He's in your hands now, Lord. Please keep him safe." What seemed like 2 years, was actually only a couple of hours. The doctor called me on the waiting room phone to tell me that everything went perfect and he was in recovery and I could see him about an hour.
Ugh. More waiting...
Then, finally I was able to get to him and he was in a lot of pain. Now, let me tell you something. There is no worse feeling than seeing this solid rock of a man who is always so strong in such a weakened state. I had to suck it up and take over. I stayed beside him every second. I never left his side. We stayed one night in the hospital and they sent him home around noon the next day. I was SO glad...sleeping in the hospital is a joke. I was exhausted and just wanted to be home, with my husband.
His progress has been remarkable. Within a couple of days he was pain free and doing fantastic. He went back to light-duty at work 2 weeks later. Then, at the 6 week mark, he was released to full duty with no restrictions. His job required him to take a full DOT physical before returning, which he passed, might I add, with flying colors!
Meanwhile, my cupcake fundraiser has now turned into a full time, crazy-busy, completely fulfilling business! I have sold about a gazillion ( ok, not really, but you get the drift) cupcakes over the past month. I have so many orders right now for bridal showers, baby showers, bachelorette parties, kids birthdays! It is overwhelming and wonderful :) I LOVE IT! We are now in the process of searching for a place to be able to open a shop where I can sell cupcakes every day. I am actually going to look at 2 tomorrow, so I'm pretty excited about that! It is the best feeling to be able to do what you love and love what you do...and make money doing it! :)
As far as the fertility journey goes, we got some pretty fantastic news. We visited a different specialist in Frisco on August 25. I actually found him while doing research on the success rates of IVF clinics in TX. This clinic has the highest in TX. So, naturally, I wanted to see what his opinion was. I had all of my records sent to him from my local OB and the RE in Dallas that I have been seeing. I can honestly say this. When I walked into the office, I already felt more at peace than I have ever felt at the other place. Now, don't get me wrong. I am in NO WAY knocking the previous RE. I really like him. I'm not so crazy about some of the staff there, but that doesn't mean that they are not good. I just am not sure they are right for ME. We have prayed. A LOT. We asked God to lead us in the direction He has planned for us. We feel like this is the right one. Anyway, this particular RE at the new clinic was SO comforting. He informed me that I am NOT at risk of never being able to get pregnant and that he doesn't think that my only option is IVF. Now, he is not 100% sure that we won't have to resort to IVF eventually. But, he said that nowhere in my chart or my lab results does it indicate I cannot carry a child...the reason I'm not getting pregnant is because I'm not ovulating. Period. He said that is because I have PCOS. (Nobody has ever confirmed that for me. Nice to know...) Anyway, he said that most women with PCOS don't respond well to oral medication (i.e. clomid, femara). However, we do respond well ( sometimes too well) to injectible meds, such as Follistim. So, he recommended us going with that course of action first. He has a program in his office that provides intensive monitoring of my ovaries starting with the first day of my cycle. This will help him know how to adjust the medication if needed...whether it be to increase or decrease...so that we get perfect eggs. Then, when they are perfectly matured, they will give me a "booster shot" that will trigger the release of the egg, and at that point, will schedule an IUI in the office. This will get the swimmers closer to the egg so they won't have to look hard for it and will hopefully dig in and create a baby :) This procedure is about 20% of the cost of IVF. If we do have to go with later, (if this procedure doesn't work) then, their IVF cost is about 50% cheaper than the other clinic...and as I stated earlier, has about 19% better success rates.
Needless to say, we are super excited about this news! I don't feel so doomed...I don't feel so hopeless.
Jake has transferred to work in Odessa. He is still with the same company, but he will now have a 2 week on/1 week off schedule. So, we will have to coordinate the procedure with his schedule. We are going to wait a month or two to be sure of how things are going to go before we go ahead. I will keep you guys posted on that.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
My Cup Runneth Over
Never in a million years did I think I'd be writing this update so soon. I went out on a limb and decided to quit hoping and start doing. Here's where that has got me:
It's only been 3 weeks since I opened up our fundraiser. THREE WEEKS. That's it. And already, we have raised almost $1500.00!
There have been so many people that have read our story...watched our video...and cried with us. I can literally feel the arms of my many friends reaching out to hug me and my sweet husband with love and encouragement. I am still in such awe of our progress. I have complete strangers contacting me and offering prayers and words of encouragement. People are sending us requests daily to join our group. WOW!
If you haven't joined our group yet, here's the link!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/463520313661187/
I ended up selling 30 dozen cupcakes! Lord, I have never baked so many cupcakes in my life lol! The good thing about that is, I LOVE doing it. It's therapeutic for me. I never realized that until one day someone was talking about how when they are stressed they start drawing. Well, cooking is a type of art too...and I started thinking back and noticed that's what I do. When I have something on my mind, I start looking for a recipe. I get in the kitchen and put my own twist on it and there it is :) Of course, my husband is the benefactor of this hobby of mine ;) That's not always a good thing, but for the most part he's happy about it ;)
I've been selling Scentsy like crazy too! I have quite a bit of overstock so that has worked out good. I'm hoping to get a couple of ladies to do a basket party soon. All of my commission on orders goes directly into our savings account on the 10th of each month. So, that's definitely helping too!
We have received 2 cash donations so far. Sweet, precious loved ones. I love you and I thank you. I can't say that enough. I can't find the words...but "thank you" just isn't enough.
I have also received 2 donated items so far and 1 is pending. These are items to be raffled off. All the money from ticket sales goes directly into our savings.
Today I got a card in the mail from a friend of ours. It was a $50 visa gift card and a $25 chili's gift card. I think I've read it 1000 times and I am still in shock. SO sweet. So thoughtful. My heart is so full.
Thank you all for your support, for your prayers, and for your love.
We are right on track to meet our goal. IVF Cycle #1 (and hopefully the ONLY one) in March 2013 :)
XOXO
It's only been 3 weeks since I opened up our fundraiser. THREE WEEKS. That's it. And already, we have raised almost $1500.00!
There have been so many people that have read our story...watched our video...and cried with us. I can literally feel the arms of my many friends reaching out to hug me and my sweet husband with love and encouragement. I am still in such awe of our progress. I have complete strangers contacting me and offering prayers and words of encouragement. People are sending us requests daily to join our group. WOW!
If you haven't joined our group yet, here's the link!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/463520313661187/
I ended up selling 30 dozen cupcakes! Lord, I have never baked so many cupcakes in my life lol! The good thing about that is, I LOVE doing it. It's therapeutic for me. I never realized that until one day someone was talking about how when they are stressed they start drawing. Well, cooking is a type of art too...and I started thinking back and noticed that's what I do. When I have something on my mind, I start looking for a recipe. I get in the kitchen and put my own twist on it and there it is :) Of course, my husband is the benefactor of this hobby of mine ;) That's not always a good thing, but for the most part he's happy about it ;)
I've been selling Scentsy like crazy too! I have quite a bit of overstock so that has worked out good. I'm hoping to get a couple of ladies to do a basket party soon. All of my commission on orders goes directly into our savings account on the 10th of each month. So, that's definitely helping too!
We have received 2 cash donations so far. Sweet, precious loved ones. I love you and I thank you. I can't say that enough. I can't find the words...but "thank you" just isn't enough.
I have also received 2 donated items so far and 1 is pending. These are items to be raffled off. All the money from ticket sales goes directly into our savings.
Today I got a card in the mail from a friend of ours. It was a $50 visa gift card and a $25 chili's gift card. I think I've read it 1000 times and I am still in shock. SO sweet. So thoughtful. My heart is so full.
Thank you all for your support, for your prayers, and for your love.
We are right on track to meet our goal. IVF Cycle #1 (and hopefully the ONLY one) in March 2013 :)
XOXO
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
IVF or BUST!
Well, we didn't get picked for the top 3. They even doubled the top 3 to the top 6 and still we didn't make it. I really thought I would be devastated by this. But, surprisingly enough I'm not. I prayed that God would protect my heart and prepare me to NOT be in it. I'll admit, my heart was racing reading through the finalists. I kept re-reading it over and over trying to find our name but then it hit me.
It's not here.
I even said it out loud. "We didn't make it." I ran into my bedroom and pulled the list up on the computer just to make sure I wasn't missing it. I wasn't. I was sad and naturally disappointed. But I didn't cry. WOW! I DIDN'T CRY!!!
I immediately decided to start finding a way to do it on our own. I'm tired of leaving it up to fate...so I became proactive. I googled grants...I searched for clinical trials. I found so much information that was so overwhelming!
Then I found something that I would have NEVER imagined: A FUNDRAISING website. There was another couple who is trying to pay for IVF on their own and set up a site on gofundme.com that allows people to make cash donations, no matter how big or small, that will add up to help them pay for their journey. HOW COOL IS THAT??? It's set up so that you can only withdraw the money once. Therefore, people can be sure that the money is not being used in any way aside from what it is intended to be used for.
At first, I felt kind of strange about it. I don't want people to think I'm begging...because I'm not. But, then I thought back to a facebook group I'm a part of. It's an adoption group. The couple is raising money to pay for the fees associated with the adoption of their little girl from Africa! They are auctioning off donated items daily and have almost raised all the money. Alongside their own savings, they are so close to bringing their daughter home. That's SO amazing!
Well, I can do that! I'm an excellent cook. I can sell cupcakes I'm also considering talking to friends about donating items or services to be auctioned off. That's a little later. For now I'm starting small.
In ONE day, I've already sold 8 dozen cupcakes! That's 84.00!!! We received a cash donation of $50 from a precious family member, and the Scentsy basket I have up for grabs is at $70!
That's $204 in ONE DAY!!!
Here's how the IVF cycle pay schedule goes.
They do 1 cycle per month. The dates are usually the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The total cost for IVF is $8950.00. The medication cost is between $3000.00 and $4000.00. Anesthesia is $580.00. Freezing of embryos is $720.00. Semi annual storage fee is $305.00
Another thing that has to happen 1 month prior is a fluid ultrasound that is $506.00 and a mock embryo transfer that is $200.00.
That's a grand total of $14261.00-$15261.00.
A deposit of $2000.00 has to be paid 2 months in advance in order to lock in your cycle date. Then 3-4 weeks later, you begin your medication. At that time, the remaining $6950.00 is due. Then the day of the egg transfer, the $580.00 anesthesia and $720.00 freezing fees are due along with the $305.00 storage fee.
The fluid ultrasound and mock embryo transfer have to be paid the day they are done.
So, in other words. We pay $2000.00 to lock in the date and then 4 weeks later we have to drop $10656.00-$11656.00. Then at the end of that we have to pay the final $1605.00!
A little intimidating...huh?
Well, we are working hard. We are saving saving saving. I am starting to babysit for extra money. We are cutting back everywhere possible. We can do this! Our goal is to be ready for March 11, 2013. That gives us 7 months to save and raise the money :)
I believe this is what we are supposed to do. I know that this is possible.
Thank you all for your help and support.
The website for our fundraiser is http://www.gofundme.com/qo790.
***update 6/18/2012***
Our facebook group is called McAdams Infertility Fund. If you'd like to join, just message me and I'll add you! So far I've sold 16 dozen cupcakes! We're getting closer :)
XOXO
Lori
It's not here.
I even said it out loud. "We didn't make it." I ran into my bedroom and pulled the list up on the computer just to make sure I wasn't missing it. I wasn't. I was sad and naturally disappointed. But I didn't cry. WOW! I DIDN'T CRY!!!
I immediately decided to start finding a way to do it on our own. I'm tired of leaving it up to fate...so I became proactive. I googled grants...I searched for clinical trials. I found so much information that was so overwhelming!
Then I found something that I would have NEVER imagined: A FUNDRAISING website. There was another couple who is trying to pay for IVF on their own and set up a site on gofundme.com that allows people to make cash donations, no matter how big or small, that will add up to help them pay for their journey. HOW COOL IS THAT??? It's set up so that you can only withdraw the money once. Therefore, people can be sure that the money is not being used in any way aside from what it is intended to be used for.
At first, I felt kind of strange about it. I don't want people to think I'm begging...because I'm not. But, then I thought back to a facebook group I'm a part of. It's an adoption group. The couple is raising money to pay for the fees associated with the adoption of their little girl from Africa! They are auctioning off donated items daily and have almost raised all the money. Alongside their own savings, they are so close to bringing their daughter home. That's SO amazing!
Well, I can do that! I'm an excellent cook. I can sell cupcakes I'm also considering talking to friends about donating items or services to be auctioned off. That's a little later. For now I'm starting small.
In ONE day, I've already sold 8 dozen cupcakes! That's 84.00!!! We received a cash donation of $50 from a precious family member, and the Scentsy basket I have up for grabs is at $70!
That's $204 in ONE DAY!!!
Here's how the IVF cycle pay schedule goes.
They do 1 cycle per month. The dates are usually the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The total cost for IVF is $8950.00. The medication cost is between $3000.00 and $4000.00. Anesthesia is $580.00. Freezing of embryos is $720.00. Semi annual storage fee is $305.00
Another thing that has to happen 1 month prior is a fluid ultrasound that is $506.00 and a mock embryo transfer that is $200.00.
That's a grand total of $14261.00-$15261.00.
A deposit of $2000.00 has to be paid 2 months in advance in order to lock in your cycle date. Then 3-4 weeks later, you begin your medication. At that time, the remaining $6950.00 is due. Then the day of the egg transfer, the $580.00 anesthesia and $720.00 freezing fees are due along with the $305.00 storage fee.
The fluid ultrasound and mock embryo transfer have to be paid the day they are done.
So, in other words. We pay $2000.00 to lock in the date and then 4 weeks later we have to drop $10656.00-$11656.00. Then at the end of that we have to pay the final $1605.00!
A little intimidating...huh?
Well, we are working hard. We are saving saving saving. I am starting to babysit for extra money. We are cutting back everywhere possible. We can do this! Our goal is to be ready for March 11, 2013. That gives us 7 months to save and raise the money :)
I believe this is what we are supposed to do. I know that this is possible.
Thank you all for your help and support.
The website for our fundraiser is http://www.gofundme.com/qo790.
***update 6/18/2012***
Our facebook group is called McAdams Infertility Fund. If you'd like to join, just message me and I'll add you! So far I've sold 16 dozen cupcakes! We're getting closer :)
XOXO
Lori
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Faith
This Friday will be 2 weeks since I made our video. Our video that could potentially change our lives.
I'll explain.
On Thursday, I was playing around on Facebook while my husband played his boy game. I noticed an update from Sher Institute...the fertility clinic Jake and I have been going to since December. It stated that they are giving away a free IVF cycle to the winner of a contest. The contest was simply upload a video telling the story of your infertility struggle. The top 3 will be chosen and then the one with the most votes wins. Sounds simple enough, right?
Well, I'm no Steven Spielberg...so the whole video thing was no cake walk for me.
But, I did it!
Tomorrow is the last day. Last time I checked there are 24 total entries. That means I have to beat 21 other people to be in the top 3.
I won't lie, my nerves are shot at this point.
Voting begins on June 8th....and then the big winner will be announced June 13.
I've never wanted something so bad in all my life. I just know this is our chance. We have prayed for so long that God would provide the way for us to be able to do this if it's in His will. Then, this contest comes from out of nowhere. I don't think that's a coincidence.
I am trying to prepare myself to not be heartbroken if we don't get picked. But, it's hard to not put your all into it when you want it so bad!
Here's our video. Please pray that we make the cut. Please let this be our chance.
I'll explain.
On Thursday, I was playing around on Facebook while my husband played his boy game. I noticed an update from Sher Institute...the fertility clinic Jake and I have been going to since December. It stated that they are giving away a free IVF cycle to the winner of a contest. The contest was simply upload a video telling the story of your infertility struggle. The top 3 will be chosen and then the one with the most votes wins. Sounds simple enough, right?
Well, I'm no Steven Spielberg...so the whole video thing was no cake walk for me.
But, I did it!
Tomorrow is the last day. Last time I checked there are 24 total entries. That means I have to beat 21 other people to be in the top 3.
I won't lie, my nerves are shot at this point.
Voting begins on June 8th....and then the big winner will be announced June 13.
I've never wanted something so bad in all my life. I just know this is our chance. We have prayed for so long that God would provide the way for us to be able to do this if it's in His will. Then, this contest comes from out of nowhere. I don't think that's a coincidence.
I am trying to prepare myself to not be heartbroken if we don't get picked. But, it's hard to not put your all into it when you want it so bad!
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