Where was I? Oh, yes...
So we went to the introductory class for the Creighton Model System, which turned out to be a whole other ballgame from the ole Sympto-Thermal. After the first group informational meeting, we decided to proceed with the training, and from then on we met with a Fertility Care Practitioner who taught us the charting methods and how to read the signs of Becca's fertility.
At first, I thought I might be questioning why I had to do this. This was after all, everything going on in her body, and I would just be the recorder in the booklet of whatever she told me at the end of the day. Then my better sense took hold and explained it to me. We made that vow on that (momentous wedding) day, and became a one flesh union, so that we not only treat each other and our bodies with equality, but we really are one in the same. So, being true to the union that exists, I had to be in this all way, and be in tune with what's going on with her body as much as she is. Being able to die to oneself for the other, i.e. putting the needs of my wife before my own, you begin to mirror Christ and the example of his Saints. And in serving, you feel that it is right, and you're on the right track. Also, beginning with this model at the early stages of marriage helped to strengthen our communication, as there was a lot of discussion about cycles and how she was feeling, among other things.
So we learned from the courses, and would meet back up with the practitioner at 'Cycle Reviews' once a month, where we would go over the charting, get some corrections, and learn a little more about the system. And after a few months of charting, we returned to the NaPro doctor in Baton Rouge, so he could look at the charts and determine a course of action. The first step was for Becca to go during the middle of her cycle for blood draws (several), to create what they called a Hormone Profile. As a small person with tiny arms and veins, she didn't like this all that much. So that was collected, and sent off, and we continued charting and learning more about the system. Every month we would learn a little bit more in how to describe signs of the day, so the charting would be more accurate.
Then the Profile comes back, and we visit the doctor again to discuss it. And it seems Becca's got low hormones all across the board. So he devises a regiment of medications, one to regulate her PMS and others to stimulate the production of the correct hormones. Notice the difference: we weren't injecting her with hormones, but were activating the part of her body that is normally supposed to be producing them, or produce them to a certain level.
If you were to ask if I expected this when we were planning to get married, maybe yes and no. This situation specifically, no, not really. Carrying the hardships with her, 'for better or for worse', then absolutely yes. We receive tests and trials from a loving Father, not torments and bitterness from a distant deity. And they're meant to make us stronger and more loving, and in turn bring us closer to Him. It's an ongoing practice to keep that at the forefront of your mind when undergoing such things.
As for the adoption alternative investigation, we had a great visit with a social worker at the adoption wing of Catholic Charities. Again, we didn't realize all that was entailed to even be considered as eligible to be an adoptive parent. But we had discussed already, pre-wedding vows, that whether we had natural children or not, that adoption would always be something we would want to do. Interestingly enough though, the adoption forms sat at home, blank, for quite some time. Several months went by before we ever began filling them out, and even then it took a while to finish them. There's quite a discernment going on with that route, it's no whimsical decision. You have to really examine yourself, in aspects I never really thought of too deeply. Such as if you would be willing to take charge of a child with special needs, or a child of different nationality or race. To me at least, the pathway to adoption wasn't closed, but it wasn't meant for now. And it made sense, since decisions of that nature should be deeply contemplated.
Somewhere down the road, and many, many blood tests later, the hormones were more or less on track. Using the days of fertility to achieve a pregnancy was more likely to be successful. During this time, for about 6 months, we had been avoiding days of fertility using what we learned with the Creighton Model. This way, as being unsure of the hormone levels, which help achieve and sustain a pregnancy, we had avoided to the best of our ability having a miscarriage. Somewhere around her birthday in 2012, we were given the go ahead to start trying for a baby naturally. After a few months of no resulting pregnancy, our spirits and hopes began to wane again. We weren't sure what was going to happen.
All the while, many people in our lives were having children. As joyful as we were for them, and the starts of their families, it could be painful for us at times. But also during this time, I realized how much joy children give to me, and I was having a growing excitement at becoming a father. It grew a little more with every little victory we had.
When we began seeing the NaPro doctor in Baton Rouge, he had mentioned there was a procedure that could be an option down the road. Something that would alleviate Becca's monthly menstrual pains. And when I say pains, I mean like debilitating sickness pain, laid up in bed for 2 days or more pain, pain so intense it would make her very nauseated (and sometimes me, too.). It was a version of laparoscopic surgery, combined with two other diagnostic procedures, that would aim at removing her endometriosis and measure flow in her ovaries, and something else I can't quite remember. (Noting that this procedure was done in late 2011 by her local doctor, and supposedly treated it, but the pain never left.) The specially trained NaPro doctors perform this procedure with fertility in mind, more thoroughly searching for the inflammations and eliminating them, and leaving the area with as few adhesions as possible.
So we scheduled the surgery for July of 2013 in Houston. When we began with NaPro, the doctor to do the surgery was still in her special training in Omaha, Nebraska. But by the time we came to this avenue, she had resumed her practice in Houston, which made it much easier for us indeed.
Another step, another struggle. We held fast to our faith, and continued to pray, and ask for prayers.
End of Part 2...
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