Hope Ahead: A Journey of Infertility

How do we deal with disappointment from day to day, month to month, cycle to cycle?How do we wait well? We talk about those things and about a future series we hope to start aimed guiding us through this continued season of infertility.Scriptures mentioned:Genesis 50:20 "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”*correction-PRP is Platelet Rich Plasma not protein

We're back after the work travel assignment and a decided "trying" break. We discuss the work assignment but then how we "regroup" with my NaPro doctor after returning home.This episode focuses on the frustration and validation of feelings we feel through this journey but focusing on who and where God is in the midst of it.Are we seeking a relationship with the Lord as much as we are trying to search for a solution for our infertility?I (Naomi) also mention how I was able to find a local infertility group near me and other resources that have been helpful.Waiting in Hope (this is the resource I found/use for my support group)Sarah's Laughter (so good and their podcast has so many stories to relate to from women all over)Bridget's Cradle (specifically related to loss but another great resource for support groups).All three are on social media (facebook, IG), have podcasts and have good websites of resources and connections.Correction: B9 is folic acid not myo-inositol. Myo-Inositol is B8 (stated wrong in episode)Scripture mentioned:Psalms 6:3 My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?John Waller - "While I'm Waiting" https://youtu.be/3gjXBMC8-oM?si=z4iM4tPgCkySWvgR

Welcome to Season 2! We continue our journey into another year. In this episode, we wanted to talk about the recent monitoring I (Naomi) did prior to starting my new temporary work assignment, but also how the use of the word “failure” isn’t helpful. Why do us women (more than likely than men) use that word to describe ourselves in this journey of infertility and striving for a healthy pregnancy/baby? Hopefully you can relate, but let us all change our mindset to a higher purpose, giving it over to God. It is a constant, minute by minute, day by day struggle with emotions/feelings, but God wants to comfort us and guide us through them (totally normal to have them and feel them but allowing God to be the One we turn to to help us and NOT avoid these emotions/feelings). Let us choose to see another cycle that didn’t work out as “unsuccessful” and look forward to the “miracle” that God will provide, even if (or when) it is not in the way we hope or expect. Scriptures mentioned: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (16) Rejoice always, (17)pray continually, (18)give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (19) Do not quench the Spirit. (20) Do not treat prophecies with contempt (21) but test them all; hold on to what is good, (22) reject every kind of evil. (23) May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. Ephesians 3:20-21 (20) Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, (21) to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Season One of the podcast comes to a close in 2023. What a year it has been! Listen in as we discuss our updates and future plans on our infertility journey and also as we reflect on what 2023 has meant for us. God is faithful, even when we don’t truly see it at the time, in all He has done.We look forward to sharing more (hopefully good news soon) in Season Two, starting in 2024.Scriptures mentioned:Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

So the last advent is Love. Love means something so special to us especially in relation to God's love and how massive and incomprehensible it is. How do we know God loves us even in these trials? How do we realize He is in control and truly rest in that? We give several scriptures throughout this episode to help point you back to Him and Him as the Creator and who sees all things, even when we don't.First and greatest commandment is to love the Lord, your GodSecond commandment is to love your neighbor as yourselfHow do we love well in this journey of infertility? Tune in to hear our side of things and hopefully encourage you.Scriptures mentioned:Psalm 103:8 (NIV) (sorry I, Naomi, misspeak this one in the episode ;-) )The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.Psalm 23 (1-6)“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”Abbreviations on these scriptures:Psalms 36:5Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skiesEphesians 3:18b-19 (NIV)To grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.Matthew 6:25-34 (do not worry, for He takes care of what you “need”)Job (38-40) - God response ‘Who is this that questions Me with ignorant words?’ ‘Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?’ ‘Have you commanded the morning…?’ ‘Have you understood the expanse of the earth?’ Story of generations of this mountain goat family – donkey, ox, ostrich, horse “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars…” “Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up?”Job says: “Behold, I am unworthy; how can I reply to You?” - Job 40:4aJob says: “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. …I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” - Job 42:2-3And then check out and listen to Christmas Carols with a new ear to what the song is really saying and talking about, such as O, Holy Night.

How do we have joy in the midst of life in general and with going through infertility? How is Joy different from happiness and how can we find this? These are some of the questions we answer in this week's episode on Advent: Joy in infertility.It is not a easy journey but having the right tools to help during this unexpected and sad times are key.Scriptures mentioned:James 1:2 (NIV)“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials.”John 10:10 (NIV)“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.”

We continue our mini series of Advent with the next topic of Peace and how we can apply it to our journey of infertility. We also touch on just how each of us (male and female perspective) apply this aspect of peace to us as individuals and as a couple. Advent devotional for inspiration: I'm reading the @YouVersion plan 'Finding Peace: An Advent Study'. Check it out here: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/41405 Scripture mentioned: ”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ”Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.“ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ”Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.“ ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let us celebrate this Advent season (which starts the first Sunday of December leading up to Christmas, so 2023, the last Sunday is Christmas Eve). The first is Hope and that is the topic of this podcast. It is very fitting, since it is what is in our podcast title. We have Hope but where does hope come from and where did it start in relation to Christ. We discuss this and then tie it back to our infertility journey and how we can use this knowledge to help us not only in this holiday season, but our current "season" of trying to have a child. We used several devotionals to help with our discussion from the Bible App and from YouTube. -Great Expectations: Rediscovering the Hope of Advent (bible app) -Clinging to Hope: An Advent Study (bible app) -Advent Series by the Bible Project (YouTube) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH0Szn1yYNecujwVOMet2ywprWUbFcAQb&si=ruO1GymCzP-m7byF Scriptures mentioned in this podcast (NIV): Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope and for assurance about what we do not see." Matthew 6: 34 "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

This episode is a recap of the 2nd surgery follow up that then lead into our 2 week overseas vacation. We talk about next steps now that my body has healed. We also discuss how our vacation was a nice break from reality and how often times we use things like this to escape. We continue to lift our eyes to God and ask for His help and provision in our lives in this continued journey.Romans 15:13 NIV"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Well, we made it through surgery #2! We do a recap on what lead to this and then our (mostly Naomi's) experience with this round. It is amazing what technology we have and what our bodies can go through. We are this much closer to our #miraclebaby (babies ;-) )This episode references previous episodes for certain topics. You can find them here.-We have met with my OB (Ep04),-a RE (Ep05)-are now with a NaPro MD (Ep08 and since Ep11)-Ep13 references what was found from first surgeryWe continue to persevere and that is what prompted this scripture. Note we are in the threshold of year 5 of infertility following a miscarriage.Romans 5:3"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."Oh, and if you're watching us instead of listening, enjoy the flannel. ;-)Follow us for more updates @hopeaheadjourney on Instagram #infertility #ttc #ttcsupport #ttccommunity #endometriosis #pcos #miscarriage #fertilitysurgery #couplesttc #hopeful #fertilityjourney #infertilityjourney #infertilitysupport #infertilityawareness

In this episode we discuss what was found from surgery (laproscopic, hysterscopy, selective HSG) back in August. This is my (Naomi's) first time to ask the NaPro MD my questions based on what was found and find out some interesting stats. We are preparing for future surgery and all that entails as we get closer to ending another year without our miracle baby. Scripture mentioned in this episode: 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect I weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Join us in this special episode as we welcome Priscilla Harlan, a friend of ours, as she shares her and her husband’s story of trying to conceive.It starts with an emotional loss and increased desire of wanting to start a family. The reality vs expectation was difficult to understand in this area because like so many, they thought it would be easy.She shares her struggle with trust in God and His perfect plan and wanting to control the situation. She talks about how she and her husband battled with inconsistent advice from medical doctors, other health professionals and her own research on what they should do. But through it all, God’s plan and timing is perfect and He blessed them with their sweet baby girl.Scripture mentioned in this episode:Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

In this episode we discuss my surgery that the NaPro MD wanted to do, essentially an exploratory surgery to see what was really going on. We give our experience and then recap on results and next steps. We officially get a diagnosis (well, technically, I get a diagnosis)! Heartbreaking but then grateful to finally know what has been going on all these years...Our Hope is still present and slightly renewed with this news.Scripture at end of episode is,Isaiah 40:31"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

(to be added)

Another year and no baby, no pregnancy. More waiting and hoping. In this episode we talk about what we did in the 6 month wait leading up to our appt with the NaPro MD. We talk about fertilysis and the findings we discovered, a year using the kegg device, life continuing to move on for our friends and family and them growing their own families. I (Naomi) talk about my first public breakdown in regards to fertility. It is hard and even when trying to keep an optimistic approach and faith in God, we are still human and easily broken.Fertilysis website if interested in checking out their products.https://www.fertilysis.comScripture mentioned in this episode:Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.Romans 12:12 (ESV)Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

We discuss our time after the LEEP and waiting to TTC again. We mention the NaPro MD again and about just NaPro technology in general and the long wait to see if this would be better vs IVF. We desperately want to fix "something." And the waiting continues...Scripture mentioned in this episode:Ephesians 3: 16-19“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

In this episode we discuss all the supplements/herbs, diets, acupuncture and clean products we have tried or are currently using. It can be overwhelming so we definitely recommend starting off slow and changing what you can because it can only benefit you, however, don't let it stress you out. Just because the things mentioned didn't work for us thus far doesn't mean it won't work for you. We just give our opinion on what we have liked so far and felt worked for us. We talk about our current situation and upcoming surgery as a side note, but also just bring the focus back around to the fact we/us/you are not alone. We see you, God sees you and we are walking this journey with you.Scripture mentioned for this episode: Jesus said in John 17:10 NIV “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.”John 14:27 CSB “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.”Find us on HopeAheadJourney on Instagram to follow more about us in real time. Also look for our audio podcast on Apple, Spotify and Pandora.Gut ProtocolAcupunctureCastor Oil PacksCaraway cookware

Do you ever just feel left behind? Like the world just moves on without you and you just feel stuck? In this episode we talk about what that is like going through this infertility journey, just being stuck, left behind, while everyone is moving forward with their lives and getting pregnant and having their babies. We talk about how we were literally forced into taking a break from this TTC time due to health issues that arose in Naomi and how we dealt with that and moved forward knowing God continues to love us where we are and is compassionate to us in this situation.We really relate on a personal level of not knowing what the future holds and the fear and frustration that can creep in if we let it. We pray for our viewers/listeners on the regular, but please reach out and message us if there is anything more specific we can pray for you about.Scriptures referenced in this episode:Psalms 100:5For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His Faithfulness continues through all generations.Lamentations 3:22Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

This episode 5 continues on with our visit to the RE's office (reproductive endocrinologist) and finding out our results of bloodwork and scans. We then discuss our next actions including another procedure to check for any outstanding issues (hysterscopy) with my uterus. We go further into navigating the possibility of IVF/IUI, seeking more clarification and then just wondering if we need to take a break. We also talk how our viewpoints on this journey begin to vary slightly but are still focused on God's ultimate plan for us and our relationship with Him and one another.Scripture referenced in this episode:Proverbs 3:5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.

In this episode we start off by sharing a loss of a pet and just discussing how life moves on even though we are still waiting for our miracle baby. The animals, family members or loved ones our little one will never get to meet can be a hard process. We also discuss how our journey continued after getting a clear HSG and bloodwork from OB and good semen analysis, so now we move on to fertility drugs and then referral to the RE (reproductive endocrinologist)/fertility office.We mention a clinic called CNY (Central New York) that does offer a better deal for those interested in IVF on the East Coast and struggling with insurance or just payments in general.We also reference the BibleApp which is a great tool for looking up scripture, reading the Bible or doing devotions on your own or with others. Ryan especially likes it because it reads to him. ;-)Scriptures referenced in this episode:Matthew 6:27Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?Romans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.Psalms 27:14Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.