Doug and I went today to get the results from his biopsy. From spending way too much time with Dr. Google we knew that the results could range from him needing a liver transplant due to sever liver damage to needing medical management and monitoring. Thank God that we were on the positive side of the spectrum. Doug will need to continue meds (also the ones responsible for diminishing our likelihood of pregnancy) for at least 6-8 months but then it will just be monitoring and maintenance. His liver is significantly inflamed and has scar tissue as a result. We were told that on the scale of liver health, 4 meaning cirrhosis, Doug is at a 2-3. So, he is doing well and the best news is that he is feeling better and better everyday. The less than fantastic part is that this is a disease that he will have for the rest of his life. He will most likely live a long life but at some point, his liver will eventually lose the fight. We just hope that his liver loses when he is 90+ years old. We appreciate the prayers!

Since pregnancy is probably unlikely until the meds have been discontinued, I have decided that I am going to try something new. So much of the last 5 years of my life have been about fertility, pregnancy, and trying to conceive and I kinda feel like I am on the verge of a breakup with charting. If me and charting were dating, this is the part when I feel like I could go through the motions and we could co-exist but I know that it isn't really a healthy relationship. Nothing is going to come of it so, why not just make a clean break. So I am breaking up with my thermometer for the next 6 months. But, since fertility is really fascinating, herbs are amazing, and I have just found a new love for gardening, I am going to try to grow all of the herbs needed to make a homemade fertility tea! I recognize that I could go to a store, buy all of the herbs in bulk, and make my own tea, but where is the fun in that?

So, I am off to read up on all of the ingredients and order seeds or plants and get this adventure going!

I will hopefully be growing plants for the following ingredients:

• German Chamomile
  
• Nettle Leaf
• Red Raspberry Leaf
• Peppermint Leaf
• Red Clover Leaf (actually already have this growing everywhere!)
• Green Tea
• Chaste Berry

I welcome any advice or experience!!



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We just came home from the doctor and we have answers! While it looks like it is going to be a very long road to recovery, we at least have a destination on that road. The diagnosis is autoimmune hepatitis. Now, I should emphasize that this is not a contagious form of hepatitis (like A, B, C, or D). Simply put, Doug's autoimmune system was somehow threatened and is now not recognizing his liver as his own. So, his immune system is fighting against his liver and causing him to feel nauseous, fatigued, and generally wiped out. Knowing the name of what we are dealing with and fighting against brings us some peace.

As far as treatment, this looks like it will be a long long journey. He will be taking some steroidal medications which should help him feel better in a couple of weeks. He will also be having a liver biopsy to determine to what extent we are dealing with the hepatitis. The treatment is going to take 2-3 years. Yes. You heard me. Years. The rate of recurrence of this is also 30-40% at some point in the future.

I am so happy that we have direction but I am so sad that, first of all, it is going to take a couple of weeks before he will feel any better. I am also sad that he has to potentially deal with this all over again at some point. I have always been blessed to have healthy people around me. Major illnesses just don't happen to us. So all of the emotions that come along with doctor's appointments. tests, and medications are so new to me. For whatever reason, while my recurrent losses were emotional, this feeling is very different. I think it was because, even if I was never able to have more children, my existence wasn't threatened. My individual "quality of life" wasn't directly effected in a long term way. This is a new place I find myself in, but God must have chosen this road for us for a reason.

Doug will be fine, but I think that the last week or so has really reminded me about what is important. It is so easy for me to get caught up in having another baby, but my husband's health is so much more important to me. I need him and he needs me. So... while my husband is on the mend, I think our effort to add to our family is going to be on hold- unless of course I am already pregnant (and there is a chance for that). I know that God's timing is perfect so I am putting it in His hands.

Thank you for all of the prayers!!



(I promise to get back to more festive and fun posts soon!)


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