So where are we?

Just so we're all on the same page going forward, here are a few stats:

*I have been diagnosed with mild PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).  If you want to know more about PCOS, feel free to google it.  Basically, cysts on my ovaries are causing me to have ovulation trouble, thus causing me to be infertile.  I say "mild" because I don't have any of the physical attributes of the syndrome (other than missing cycles off and on last year), and the missing cycles, as of January of this year, have been brought under control.  My ovaries, depending on the angle, show a few cysts lined up along the perimeter of the ovary in a "string of pearls" like fashion, characteristic of the syndrome itself.  My blood work appears to be on the fence, showing mild elevation on certain hormones that usually are indicative of PCOS, so without doing surgery there is no real way to tell if I have PCOS or not.  Thus I say, mild.

*I take medication for said syndrome called Metformin (500mg) daily.  It's main purpose is to help stabilize my ovulation cycles.

*All of last year, I had inconsistent cycles.  My longest cycle was 85 days.  Yes, you read that right.  85 days.  So, I essentially missed 2 cycles, almost 3, before I was given Provera (progesterone) in December to force a cycle.  After this forced cycle, I had what is referred to as a spontaneous cycle in January, followed by another spontaneous cycle in February.  It was after this 2nd cycle that I began taking a fertility drug called clomid (50mg for 5 days) beginning on day 3 of the cycle...which just happened to be my 25th birthday.  yay.  For those of you who don't know, clomid helps a woman grow eggs to a viable size, viable meaning best suited for fertilization.  I have had two cycle on clomid without success. :(

*I had an HSG done in February which was a process that shot dye into my fallopian tubes and uterus to check for leaks, blockages and/or abnormal shape.  Thankfully, that test came up negative for abnormalities.

*Jason is good to go on his end. :)

*We were denied insurance coverage as soon as I was labeled "infertile" so from February on, this has all been out of pocket.  Just to give you an idea of the cost involved, in the first 2 months alone (beginning February 6th) we spent nearly $3,500.  Mind you, no actual procedures have taken place yet, just doctor's visits, ultrasounds, minor tests, blood work, medication, etc.  

*And lastly, I had an ultrasound this morning (day 4 of my cycle) to check for residual cysts still hanging out from last cycle that might be on my ovaries, and they found one.  They have to check each month before giving me clomid.  Basically, because they found a residual cyst, I am not allowed to take clomid this month and as a result will be having a "natural" cycle instead.  No fertility help.  They cannot give me clomid as this cyst is large enough that it could grow larger with the clomid and could potentially burst, obviously not a safe thing.  Not to worry, they said, residual cysts are common and why they do the checks in the first place.  It should disappear on it's own by my next cycle.  So, clomid month #3 will have to wait until June.    But who knows?  Maybe I won't need month #3.   At least I can hope.

So there you are, all caught up.  You can see why this takes up so much of my time, energy and thoughts.  It's an incredibly involved process, not to mention costly, and at times, can be literally mind-numbing.  I have never known so much about my monthly cycles, never thought there would ever be a reason to know so much and truly wish I didn't HAVE to know what I know, but alas, I need to know and thus, so shall you. :)