The Dotson Family Adoption

Last Wednesday, just a day after my last blog, I decided it was time to reach out to our birth mom again. It's been most difficult to know the exact words to say.... so many thoughts ran through my head every time that I attempted to communicate with her over the last 4 months. I would think to myself, how can I show the love of Christ? How do I show her she's loved and worth the risk? Do I say I'm freaking out? What might end up being a one sentence text or voicemail, takes about an hour of prayer and preparation and lots of deep breaths. She once again didn't respond. So, I reached out to her mom. Her mom always responds.  Her response this time was: "she hasn't told you?"  My heart sunk. My first thought was that she lost the baby. My second thought was that she changed her mind.  Me: "no" Her mom: "I'm trying to get her to call you" Me: "Do you think she will actually call me?" (she hasn't in almost 2...

I want to start blogging again. I think. This post is eventually an update to what is happening in the Dotson family. There is so much going on in my mind right now. I am writing this post just moments after I was about to comment something not-so-nice on an Instagram post. Evidently it's "national infertility awareness week". I know this because social media said so. If we didn't have social media, I would never know about such days and weeks that we now celebrate, donuts, siblings, dogs, infertility... I do think it's important to be aware of things, but how often do we just use these moments as soap box time? I'm probably about to do that... I followed a link from Instagram to a blog of someone who "struggled with infertility" (said in my most sarcastic voice). I'm no professional, but I've been through the infertility ringer. This blog starts with "I have two kids..." screams infertility, right? As someone who continues to s...

Just a quick update on our IVF Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET). I went to the doctor for monitoring today (u/s and blood work). Everything looked good. So we are scheduled to transfer this Tuesday morning.  I am still on a number of injections, pills & patches, but I feel so much better this round than last time. I'm sure it's because I haven't had surgeries and the stimulation drugs. It's just been nice to be able to function this time around - so that I'm not at home constantly worrying or googling, etc... I also think that it helps that my injections are in the morning. Maybe it's my OCD self - but I like the fact that I do it and it's done and I don't have to plan my day around being at the house at a specific time to do shots.  Our biggest prayer request right now would be that our embryo survives the thawing process so that it can be successfully transferred. They don't freeze embryos that are at risk to not make it, but there is always ...

Working in children's ministry means that our summers are BUSY...times 100!!! Somehow I feel like that is an understatement for this summer. Basically it consisted of camps and VBS. All of it was so much fun and worth every moment of it! We enjoyed our summer. It was great to not be on meds and be free from doctors appointments. We were even able to get away for a fun vacation with some friends! We also started Weight Watchers online together. It's been great to be able to exercise and eat healthy! Both of us feel so much better (no indigestion, sleeping better, more energy, etc...) As of today, Kelly has lost 17 pounds and I have lost 12 pounds. Last week I started back on my tutoring/piano schedule. It's great to be back into a routine and to see my kids again!!! :) So where are we now with IVF?  We thought we were going to start meds in July, but the timing of Dr. Dunaway's vacation and our schedule for the summer didn't work out. I think that was for the be...

We were able to meet with Dr. Dunaway last Wednesday about what the Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) will look like for us. I will have fewer meds/injections this time, but will still have to be monitored frequently. We have 1 snow baby that is cryopreserved. It's a 98-cell grade 4 embryo. That is a really good quality, although they cannot see the genetics to know if it will make it.  We have decided to take a short break over the first part of the summer and in July I will start back on the hormones to prepare for the transfer. Right now it looks like that will be the end of July.  We had the option to start last week, but Kelly will be out of town for 2 weeks - once in June & July for youth camps (RYM). This is actually better because it gives us time to regroup and make sure we have the money. It also gives my body a chance to return to "normal". I keep reminding myself that I have had 2 surgeries and lots of drugs & hormones in my body in the past 5 months.  ...

Well, as you can guess - by the title, our little 97-cell blastocyst (aka baby) didn't make it. It was a long day of waiting - but because so many of my pregnancy symptoms had subsided, we had a "feeling" the little guy hadn't made it. We were still holding onto hope, ofcourse. We are most definitely grieving this loss. It has been such a long long journey. So many medicines, trips to Metairie & Baton Rouge, bedrest etc... It's hard to think it's over. (for now) We do have one snow baby (frozen embryo) it's actually a 98-cell grade 4 (grade 4 is the best at my clinic - different doctors use different grading systems). We will go next week to consult with the dr about when & how to do the next transfer. The benefit of that is that we don't have to go thru all the, visits, medicines (some) and retrieval (surgery) again. The main thing we lack knowing right now is the cost. We know that God has provided this far & He will continue to mee...

We are on our way to Metairie for the transfer. We are scheduled for 7:30, but have to be there at 6:30 to get ready. We are very excited & anxious. The process is only to last a few minutes, but I will have to stay lying down for 1 hour. Then I'll be on strict bed rest for 48 hours once we get home. We are thankful for your prayers! It's hard to believe we have finally made it this far! God is so Good. To Him be the glory! "I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High." Psalm 7:17