Then, in August Scott got down on one knee and asked me to marry him...and of course I said yes! We knew from that day forward we would stick with each other through the good and bad times in our lives. We would always be there to support one another and continue reaching for our goals. Scott and I have reached goals and set new goals in the last two years and it is so wonderful to accomplish such achievements.
Now, almost two years later, I am working as a teacher and Scott is working for a Title Insurance company. We are so happy to be where we are, but there has been a lot that has happened in the past year that has helped us come closer to one another and put our trust in God.
When I was 22 I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS. There were signs I noticed that pointed to PCOS. I had a roommate that was studying women health at the time, and she and I connected the dots. Then, after meeting with a doctor, I was told that I have PCOS. At the time, I didn't realize the effects it would have on me in the future, but I wish I would've been prepared then for what my future might and would be.
I was on birth control for years until Scott and I decided that we felt it was time we started trying to begin our family. I stopped taking birth control and I hoped that soon after I would get a positive pregnancy test. That day never came.
Eventually, Scott and I decided that I go and look into meeting a doctor that specializes in helping women with PCOS. After doing some research, I came across a doctor that I thought was a good match for me. I started meeting with him, and I began taking Clomid. I had taken three rounds of Clomid, and on the third round the unexpected happened.
On the third day of the third round of Clomid, I was at work and the most excruciating pain began. I felt awful and couldn't even finish out the last five minutes with my class, so I had someone come in and help out those last few minutes so I could leave the room and try to deal with the pain. I prayed and prayed and prayed that the pain would go away, but it only got worse. I headed home and again prayed that I would make it home and I would be able to tolerate the pain. I made it home and continued trying anything I could think of to try and take away the pain, but nothing worked, it only got worse.
Scott came home from work early and realized how bad this was, so we called my doctor. It was the doctors day off, so of course we called his personal phone because we had run out of ideas and needed some suggestions. Scott did the talking, because, I couldn't really talk, I was too busy rolling around and rocking back and forth on the floor trying to find a position that was comfortable. The doctor didn't show much concern, and said, "The pain will go away, it's common to be in pain, but give it a few hours or days and it'll go away." SERIOUSLY! Obviously this doctor of mine didn't quite understand what Scott was trying to explain. So, we did as he said and just waited a while longer to see if the pain would go away. It never did.
At 3 o'clock in the morning I woke Scott again and we headed to the Emergency Room. When we got there they took me right in and began the works to try and figure out what was going on. Within the next 30 minutes they had test results and had taken me in for an ultrasound to take a look at my ovaries. Can I just say that was the most painful and uncomfortable ultrasound I've ever experienced! After quite a while, they finally got a good look at my ovaries and saw that my left ovary had enlarged so much that it needed to be removed.
Around 4 o'clock I met with the anesthesiologist and started prepping for surgery. Scott was so good to me and made sure that I was as comfortable as I could be. Right before being taken in for surgery Scott and I said a prayer and it was at that time that we truly needed to put our trust in God. There was a possibility that my ovary could be saved, but there was also the possibility that I could lose the ovary.
It turned out that my ovary went from the size of a walnut to the size of a softball and had twisted on itself, which was causing all of the pain. There was no hope for that ovary and it needed to be removed. The first time hearing it I didn't fully understand what that meant, but after the drugs started wearing off and a few days later, it hit me. I had lost an ovary, and was that going to cause even more heartache to begin a family?
At my post-surgery appointment, I met with the surgeon, and my new OBGYN, he told me that I would still be able to have a family and there was still hope. I was so relieved and so excited! Scott and I could still have a family; I could still experience the joys of being a mother.
I have been referred to a specialist that I have heard so many wonderful things about and heard so many success stories that I am anxious to meet with him. However, at this time we feel we need to be frugal with our expenses and hope to pay off our medical bills before taking on this next step in our journey. The saying is true -- you would give anything to have children -- and to go in this direction the expenses increase, but the reward is completely worth it!
My story is not finished. It's only beginning.
-Ali
