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.com

Scripture 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 Protocol

Acupuncture

Castor Oil Packs

Caraway 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 100:5

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His Faithfulness continues through all generations.

Lamentations 3:22

Because 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 3:5

Trust 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 6:27

Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalms 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.