Illinois Race for the Family

We did our first 5K, Joe ran...I walked!

Tinina, Joe, Sarah, Camille, and Jason
(If you don't know the story behind the Cade Foundation, ask- it's awesome)

Friday morning, we ventured north for the Race for the Family.  Joe drove, so I kicked back and read Pretty Little Liars (very intellectually stimulating material) and let him deal with driving around Chicago.  We checked in at our room and then headed to packet pick up, where I had volunteered us for the evening.  We hung out, passed out packets and shirts, and visited with everyone volunteering.  As of Friday night, there were 208 registered to be on the course for the Race.  I was able to meet Julie from the Infertility Awareness page on Facebook who signed up for the Race with her daughter.    After helping pack up everything, we headed to Chipotle for dinner and then back to crash for the night.
Saturday morning came quickly and we headed to Deer Grove Forest East to help set up for the Race.  I'm really not sure how many registered on Saturday morning, but there were people everywhere!  Yellow shirt volunteers, green shirt Race sponsors, and purple shirt race participants.  We rocked our yellow shirt while setting up, but then changed to our purple one!  Joe lined up with the runners, and they were off.  Walkers followed a minute or so behind, so I geared up my playlist, and started out.  I've been walking so I was ready to rock and roll.  While I was walking, it hit me how blessed we truly are by the Cade Foundation.  Granted, we haven't done our IVF cycle yet...but it was an emotional event to stop and process all the people there to help people like us overcome infertility.  As I looked ahead and behind me, there were purple shirts, strollers, doctors, nurses, couples still in their journey, and those who have overcome infertility...everyone together for a common cause.  
Joe finished the race in forty minutes, and I came in about fifty four.  While Joe recovered, I explored Savannah's Playground with Audrey and Cole.  After helping with clean up and saying our good byes, we headed to Crown Point for the night.  Before heading home on Sunday, we had a visit at the park with Joy, Jack, and Kate.  It was nice to get some family time in addition to our Cade Family time!
We are already looking forward to the Race for the Family next year!  We did find out the recipient of the Savannah's Grant is eight weeks along.  Savannah's mommy Lisa is 17 weeks along!!
A little bit about Savannah's Playground and Grant:
Savannah’s Playground is an area at our Race for the Family events where children and their parents/caregivers can play, take part in age-grouped Toddler Trots, listen to live acoustic children’s music with talented local and national artists, and learn about child safety. These playground events honor the memory and legacy of Savannah Caroline Pereira – a happy, beautiful baby girl conceived in love with the help of infertility assistance. Savannah loved to play, listen to and make music, read books, interact with her parents and caregivers. Savannah died in 2010 at 10 months of age in a tragic accident. To honor her and bless other families struggling with infertility, her parents, Lisa Rushton and Charley Pereira, established Savannah’s Memorial Fund with the Cade Foundation. Savannah’s Memorial Fund provides an annual grant to couples trying to conceive their first child so that they may have an opportunity, which might not otherwise be possible, to experience the joys of parenthood.

All in all, we had a great weekend trip with our Cade Family! We look forward to overcoming infertility ourselves and continuing to do education and outreach to help other couples. Support is out there if you or someone you know is struggling! Please let us know if we can help or be of assistance. Also, in addition to the Cade Foundation check out Fertility Centers of Illinois. Dr. Eve Feinberg from FCI is amazing! Not only did does she make little miracles, she ran the race, worked packet pick up, and came up with the cutest "Just Did It" t-shirts.  I'm hoping there will be a good picture up on the Cade site!
Special thanks to Craig, Audrey, & Cole for making the trip up from Muncie, too!  Thanks Buzz and Linda for donating to Indiana Jones!
Thanks to everyone for the love and support!
Joe and Sarah

Packet Pick Up on Friday

Registration

Joe ran the 5K.

The runners

Awards

Cole enjoying Savannah's Playground

Team Indiana Jones

School’s out for summer!  Woohoo! 

Indiana Jones-

That’s what you get when I have to name our team for Race for the Family!  If you’d like to support our team, which includes us, Craig, Audrey, and Cole, you can do so online…

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eras3/illraceforthefamily

If you are going to be in the Chicago area on Saturday, it’s not too late to sign up!  Go to www.ilraceforthefamily.com.

Thursday, June 7 I met with Dr. Bopp for my post-op consultation.  We reviewed how surgery went, that there more polyps then he’d originally thought so it was a good thing we did the surgery.   Nurse Allison was awesome to get me total cost for meds to help us budget.  My concern was how the cost of surgery was going to impact my HSA, which according to MY plan was going to be what we could use for meds.  Well, they say if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.  I’m sure He gets a chuckle thanks to me having a set plan and thinking it’s going to go my way.  The business office came in to review our budget without ICSI, so I left knowing a concrete number for out of pocket expense.  After a minor meltdown in the car and accepting the fact that I have to let it go and know that our IVF will happen when it’s meant to!  Faith in God includes faith in His timing, but surely He understands that sometimes that is easier said than done.  I did have to call Joe and tell him I need to listen to him more, because all along he’s said not to have a set time frame in my head so I wouldn’t get disappointed.  Oops, didn’t listen and he was right…ugh, hate to admit that!  Before I left, they checked my TSH just to make sure it was still in the ideal range.  Good ol’ Allison called to say they were decreasing my dosage because my TSH was too low.  (A few people asked how I was losing weight…that’s one perk to a low TSH, now I just need to keep it off!)  We will recheck in four weeks to see if it’s back up.

So, there are still days when I struggle with the emotional ups and downs that follow us along our journey.  It’s important to remember we are so blessed to have been selected to receive the grant, we have a doctor and nurse who are supportive and do everything we need to increase our chances, our friends and family are amazing, and Joe Jones is a pretty terrific husband!  

In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, "Eventually all the pieces fall into place...until then laugh  at the confusion, live for the moment, and know that everything happens for a reason."

As always, we are so thankful for the prayers, support, and encouragement!

Sarah & Joe

It is well...

Peace like a river wouldn't be the first phrase I'd think of when thinking about infertility, it fits at times.  Sorrows are far too common when overcoming infertility.  Last week this hymn came to me twice, after some praying and thinking so I figured it was God's way of showing me I'm on track.
Tuesday I submitted the official request for transferring to preschool full time.  Tuesday night, we received tragic news that my sweet "sister" Lauren's wonderful dad had passed away.  We are truly blessed to have known Jim through Job's Daughters and DeMolay.  Lauren became my adopted little sister and 1999 and her whole family is just awesome.  Keep them in your prayers!
Wednesday morning, I got an e-mail that there was an issue with my license so we were going to have to do some work to get me to full time.  I was disappointed, but as I e-mailed and talked to people I started to wonder if I was doing what would be best for me and my munchkins.  Thursday morning, Steph woke up singing It Is Well and so I was singing it to myself all day!  Thanks to Steph for the reminder!  A hymn, good friends, and Ivanhoe's....great way to spend a day!
Friday, I sent another e-mail saying that I would be okay staying in my current position...half preschool and half resource at Allen.  A peace had come over me that maybe staying half and half another year was what would be best for my munchkins and for myself.  If we were to do IVF after school started, that would mean a lot of monitoring appointments that would be out in the morning, which wouldn't be fair to little ones that have special needs to be in and out.  My big munchkins are flexible and Mrs. Lada (my assistant) rocks, so I know if I have to get a sub the Allen crew would be okay.
Saturday, I drove north to be with my Job's Daughters family to say goodbye and honor a wonderful man.  Jim Bailey will be truly missed, but I know he's another angel looking down on us!  Please keep Lauren and her family in your thoughts and prayers!  It was nice to see some of my Job's Daughters friends, but would rather see them under different circumstances.  Love and prayers to the Baileys!
Today I spoke with June, our director, about next year.  We talked about IVF and what the next year may entail, and I told her I was really okay either way.  So, as of today next year I will be between Allen and Special Needs Preschool again.  It really is well with my soul that I'm doing what will be best for me and for the munchkins that I teach!  Another bit of peace came when I received an e-mail from Dr. Camille Hammond and Heidi from the Cade Foundation that not needing ICSI is a non-issue.  Woohoo, this is such a huge blessing...well more than just one blessing!  This removes a portion of our out of pocket cost.  It will bring us one step closer to our IVF cycle!

We hope that you will join us in Chicago for the Illinois Race for the Family!  We are so excited to participate and help give back to the Cade Foundation who has truly blessed us.  Please check it out at http://www.illraceforthefamily.com/!  If you can't join us or participate, please let me know if you want to make a donation!  


Have a wonderful week, tomorrow is my last official contract day!  Woohoo!  
Love,
Sarah & Joe

Worries and blessings

Hysteroscopy was Monday and that went well...I didn't remember updating the blog Monday  night!  Oops.  Tuesday I was home to rest and recover, which meant the DVR, the couch, and the kitties.  I was beginning to worry about how the cost of the surgery was going to impact our make a baby budget.  We no longer have the rock star coverage, so there will be some expenses on our end.  I just was sad, and figured all I could do was pray for peace about it and that I would remember the whole not being anxious about anything.  Wednesday I was back with my munchkins and the craziness of the end of the school year.  By the end of the day, I was beat but I did love the fact they missed Jones for two days!  
Thursday morning I woke up feeling a little more relaxed.  Joe called Dr. Bopp because we hadn't heard anything about his tests.  At one point in the morning, I realized I had a voice mail from Midwest so I zipped to check it.  Wonderful news, things are in the normal range for Joe!  Dr. Bopp feels that with the updated results, we will not need to do ICSI that they will let our stuff fertilize itself...and that saves us about $1300!  It was a definite answer to prayer and a reminder about having faith!  We will have to meet with Dr. Bopp and talk to the Cade Foundation about definite costs for our IVF cycle with this great news.  
Friday morning came with another voice mail from Allison....this one was to report that the pathology report on the polyps came clear.  No cancer!  They weren't too concerned, but they test everything they remove just to be safe.  We ended the week with blessings to be thankful for without a doubt!  Back to Dr. Bopp on June 7 for post-op check in.  In the mean time, we just are thankful for good results and improvements!  
On a side note, Go New Jersey Devils!  Joe has introduced me to the hockey playoffs, and I must say it's pretty fun.  There's a lot of rules that I don't quite get, but Joe is kind enough to relate it to football and things I relate to....anyways, Go Devils!
Five more student days, only three at preschool!  :(  June 5th is the last official contract day, but there are two classrooms to close up this year.  
Thanks to everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and encouragement this week!  It was a week of ups and downs, but this the life of an infertile couple.  We are thankful for great news and look forward to moving ahead!
Love,
Sarah & Joe

Thanks for the prayers and love!

I appreciate all the love and prayers from our friends and family today!

Our journey moved ahead a little more today.  I had my surgery to get rid of the polyps Dr. Bopp found last month.  After making sure things were ready to go for my munchkins, I got to focus on no food or drink after midnight!  Joe, being the awesome husband that he is, suffered without food and drink with me.  He rocks!  We had a pre-op with Dr. Bopp at ten, just to touch base and go over everything.  Since surgery wasn't until one, we got to hang out in the surgery center waiting area for a bit.  (They have a TV, Midwest doesn't.)  I'm really not sure what we did before smart phones to keep occupied in waiting rooms.  Once I got called back, my phone was under my hospital bed and I was having some withdraw!  The nurse was kind enough to let me wear my Colts socks instead of the itchy ones they offered.  After what seemed like eternity, Dr. Bopp came and they wheeled me back.  Joe went up to Midwest while I was out.  Good ol' Dr. Bopp told me to think of a warm vacation spot, they gave me oxygen, and that was that!  Next thing I remember was sipping a diet coke.  :)  We have some nice colored pics of before and after...guessing nobody will line up to see those!  Dr. Bopp said there were a few more polyps than originally thought, but he cleaned house and we are good to go.  He is sending them off to pathology, just to to check.  So, now we just wait for Joe's count update and then it's just a matter of paying our share of the IVF expense.  

Dr. Bopp just called to check in on me, I really appreciated that!  He said he's glad we did the procedure since there were more polyps than we thought and my lining is good to go!

Looking ahead, be sure to join us for the Cade Foundation Race for the Family on June 23 in Chicago.  If you can't join us, but would like to support the Cade Foundation let me know!

So, now it's time just to rest and relax.  Not heading back to the munchkins until Wednesday, so it's the kitties, the DVR, and I until then!

Another step forward....

Before I get into our update for the week, please be sure to check out the Race for the Family coming up in June.  We are looking forward to participating and helping raise $ and awareness for the Cade Foundation!  If you know someone in the area that would like to participate, please share the info.  We want this event to be a huge success, the more money we raise the more families that can be helped overcome infertility!

The book has finally closed on ISTEP!  Oy vey, it is not my favorite aspect of teaching for sure. We have my hysteroscopy (surgery) scheduled for May 21 @ 1:00.  At 10:00 we will meet with Dr. Bopp for our pre-op appointment.  While I'm in surgery, Joe is scheduled for his count update.  It's nice they were able to schedule it all in one trip.  From what I understood at the last ultrasound, the procedure is pretty minor I will just have to be out for it.  The part I am dreading is the whole no food/drink part!  Pray for Joe because I do get whiny when thirsty and hungry!!  I am thankful for our nurse Allison, who calls back quickly and answers all my questions.  :)  Based upon her recommendation, I'm going to take Tuesday off to rest and recover before returning to my munchkins.  Nothing like adding sub plans and a surgery to the end of the year crazy, but this has to be done.  Other than that, nothing new to report from the Jones' front.  Joe is working hard between Walls and Great Sounds and I was able to pick up another tutoring job after school.  Thanks for the continued love and prayers!  Thanks to Steph for finding some new quote pics that fit the blog perfectly!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day and week!  We are heading to Marion to have lunch with Mom after church, Mother's Day isn't always the easiest day for an infertile person but we are so thankful for our mommas!

I'm looking forward to taking my little munchkins to the Fort Wayne Zoo this week.  Hopefully the rain stays away!

   

Sarah and Joe

Happy National Infertility Awareness Week!

This week, Facebook and Twitter have been full of articles and info about infertility.  I just wish people felt comfortable about speaking out, sharing their story, and asking questions.  Tuesday evening I was blessed with the opportunity to join Stacie at the Cade Foundation table at the Fertility and Family Building Fair.  As we visited and shared information about the Cade Foundation and our stories, it really helped me remember how blessed we are to have received the Family Building Grant.  Talking with people about what they've gone through, encouraging them, and letting them know about resources available was really uplifting.  While we still are waiting on the end of our infertility journey, I am thankful that I've got a passion to share with others.  Granted, it has taken me five years to get to this place and there still are days when I struggle.  


Stacie created a Facebook group, please take a second to join or share with someone you know that is struggling with infertility.  Search The Cade Foundation Supporters of Indiana.


Thursday was marked another step towards IVF.  Dr. Bopp wanted to do do an ultrasound to make sure everything was clear in my uterus to maximize our chances for implantation.  Having been poked and prodded, I was figuring this was just a technicality and we'd be clear to move on.  Silly me, there's nothing easy in our journey!  :)  Dr. Bopp found one small polyp that he wants to remove because it could interfere with our chances for success.  Obviously we want to do everything we can to improve our chances, but it wasn't news I received with joy!  Dr. Bopp will do a hysteroscopy which is a "simple, outpatient" surgery to remove the polyp and double check everything.  I have to give them a call in mid-May, we may go ahead and do it before school is out or wait until June.  Dr. Bopp said either way works.  My optimistic and hopeful side is thankful we found it now and it can be removed, but part of me wants to scream...REALLY?!  That's the roller coaster of fertility treatments, emotional ups and downs.  That's where this song comes into play: Somebody's Praying Me Through.

While some days are a challenge, I get through knowing we have amazing friends and family praying us through.  When I have rough days (like Friday), I think back to the Family Building Banquet and the couples who shared their friends and family didn't know what they were going through.  I just can't imagine not having the support system we do!  I am truly blessed with friends who let me text away when I need to vent, hug me when I'm sad, or just check in to see how it is going.  As we look to the future, we have to have faith that our journey will continue to play out and our outcome will be blessed!  Please continue to pray for us as some days it can be scary to think of the financial piece of IVF even with our grant, without we would not be talking IVF at all!  Pray for the "minor" surgery to go smoothly and take place when it needs to and for Joe as he deals with me.  :)


ISTEP starts Monday, so that will be a different stress and worry!  Preschool will be a zoo for the next few weeks, as we learn about the zoo to get ready for our field trip.  Meanwhile, Joe is working between Walls Furniture and Great Sounds.  We're keeping busy at the Jones' house.


Thanks for the love, prayers, and support!  We are truly blessed!
Sarah & Joe

A Friend Who Cares

(Henri Nouwen)

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives

mean the most to us,

we often find that it is those who,

instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures,

have chosen rather to share our pain

and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.

The friend who can be silent with us

in a moment of despair or confusion,

who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement,

who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing

and face with us the reality of our powerlessness,

that is a friend who cares.