The weather has turned cold here in Virginia, Mom (our last visitor of the year) has gone home and we are settling in to get things accomplished by the end of the year. We appreciate all your prayers over the last few months. We have had lots of progress in researching the difficulties in getting pregnant. So let me start where we left off.
In September, I was told that I needed to have a CT Scan. I went and had this done at the beginning of October. The CT scan went well ( I hate drinking the barium chalk, yuck!). After the CT Scan, we met with Dr. Cook again to discuss the results. During this meeting she advised us that most of what she initially saw looked as she expected. She stated that in order to get pregnant I would need surgery. They have confirmed that I have a Deremoid (a benign tumor) on one of my ovaries. It is currently the size of a penny (funny how such a small thing can cause so many problems). Dr. Cook is afraid that it may keep growing and as such does not feel comfortable doing IVF without it being removed. In addition to removing the Deremoid, they are going to evaluate my fallopian tubes. Apparently one is being blocked by something yet to be revealed in scans.
Today (October 16) we went and met with the surgeon (Dr. Paul MacKoul) Dr. MacKoul is a gynecological surgeon (http://www.womenssurgerycenter.com/about/our-team/). Upon review of my medical history, a discussion with Dr. Cook, and a little more information from us this morning Dr. MacKoul is ready to proceed with surgery. As a team we have decided that he will perform the removal of the Deremoid and evaluation of the fallopian tubes. The current goal is to save the ovary that the deremoid is attached to, clean the fallopian tube that is damaged (if possible) and to save as much of my reproductive system in the process. The surgery is an outpatient procedure with a 3-5 day recovery at home. There office will be calling me on Monday to schedule the surgery; as soon as I know the date I will let you know.
The hope after all of this is over is that Eric and I will be able to avoid IVF for the conception of our child. If this does not work we do feel that IVF is a solution and a possibility for conception that we will pursue. Eric and I have had great peace in the recent weeks and know that we are covered in prayer. Please continue to pray for us and the doctors.
***UPDATE: Surgery Date- October 29th at 2:00pm ***
