Yesterday was a big scare in my little IVF world. Just to recap...
I have been to the RE (Dr. T) every day this week for bloodwork and ultrasound. Even though my dosages have been reduced almost daily, my estrogen level continued to rise. Yesterday the nurse called to let me know that my estrogen was very high and she wanted to prepare me for this cycle to be cancelled. First, we were going to try one night of "coasting." This means that I took only the Lupron- no Gonal F, no Menopur. She gave me a 50/50 chance that this cycle would continue.
This morning I went in for more bloodwork and another ultrasound. My poor arms. They are so bruised from 5 blood draws this week. It is a good thing the weather is still a little chilly and I can wear long sleeves. I have spent the past 24 hours trying to prepare myself for the cancellation of this IVF. I looked at the phone in the middle of church and there was a message from the nurse. I teared up just knowing it was there. I waited until I got home to listen to the message and call her back. And, we received great news. Although my E2 had risen since yesterday it had not skyrocketed to such a high amount that we would have to cancel. We will do the HCG trigger shot tonight and my egg retrieval (originally planned for Thursday) will be on Tuesday morning. I am so happy about this news. I feel like not much with infertility has ever gone my way, but finally this is something.
Tonight is J's first chance to give me an injection and it is a big, important one. He says he is not worried about it. I am worried about giving up this control to him. I would feel better about injecting it myself but I think I think that would be difficult (but not impossible) given the location.
The transfer will be either Friday or Sunday. After yesterday's scare I am back to my usually optimistic self. Just for fun, I went on an IVF due date calculator. If all of this results in pregnancy (and I really hope it does), my due date will be Oct. 20th. Of course I know that this might not work. I might not get pregnant, but for now I can't think about that. This is the closest I have ever been to pregnancy really happening so I am going to enjoy it for now. I have the 2 weeks after the embro transfer to freak out!
“To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping”
-Chinese Proverb
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
IVF Update
Yesterday was my first ultrasound and bloodwork check. I still have a lot of small follicles which is normal for this early on. My estrogen is really high though. From what I know, it should be right over 100 and mine was 751. This has me very concerned. They cut down my Gonal F from 225 to 150. I have another check scheduled for tomorrow. Since tomorrow is Day 6 I am hoping that we might have some measurable follies, but I am not sure if it is still too early. I was really hoping that they might cut out the menopur. I am not exactly sure what menopur does, but it burns and seems to inject sooo slowly!
I am feeling okay, but extremely tired. Today I almost fell asleep during a reading group. I definitely wish that there was a nap time in 2nd grade. I need it now. I am very much looking forward to tomorrow being Friday.
We are also still going by our original IVF calendar which means my egg retrieval will be Jan. 29th. I can't believe that this is less than a week away. It really is so surreal still. I have to get substitute plans ready since I will probably be out Thursday & Friday if all goes as planned.
I am feeling okay, but extremely tired. Today I almost fell asleep during a reading group. I definitely wish that there was a nap time in 2nd grade. I need it now. I am very much looking forward to tomorrow being Friday.
We are also still going by our original IVF calendar which means my egg retrieval will be Jan. 29th. I can't believe that this is less than a week away. It really is so surreal still. I have to get substitute plans ready since I will probably be out Thursday & Friday if all goes as planned.
Monday, January 19, 2009
IVF #1 is On...
Yesterday I got the go ahead to start the stimulation medication. I was worried because the girl doing the ultrasound said there were 2 areas that the doctor would "need to look at." Given my history of cysts and endo this was not good news and I spent the entire day a nervous wreck. It really was the entire day, too. I did not get the go ahead call until 6:00 pm.
I started the injections at my usual 7:30 time slot, but it turned into a 45 minute ordeal. It turns out I did not have the right needle needed for the Menopur injection. After going through my entire box of supplies several times I called the emergency nurse number. It turns out that the size needle that I needed was never ordered. The nurse apologized on the phone for not catching this error. I ended up having to use one of the HUGE needles and inserting it only half way. It really was not too bad once I got over the initial shock of the needle size.
So now I am on 3 injections nightly- Lupron, Gonal F and Menopur. I had me preop appointment for the egg retrieval today. It was uneventful and I was able to pick up the right needles for tonight.
So far giving these injections is going pretty smoothly. It takes awhile because I am double (and sometimes triple) checking the dosages.
My next appointment is on Wednesday. They think I may stim quickly (Yeah!) due to the large number of follicles on my ultrasound yesterday.
Today I also bought J a Valentine's card and then I started thinking that I could be pregnant by Valentine's Day... how exciting!
I started the injections at my usual 7:30 time slot, but it turned into a 45 minute ordeal. It turns out I did not have the right needle needed for the Menopur injection. After going through my entire box of supplies several times I called the emergency nurse number. It turns out that the size needle that I needed was never ordered. The nurse apologized on the phone for not catching this error. I ended up having to use one of the HUGE needles and inserting it only half way. It really was not too bad once I got over the initial shock of the needle size.
So now I am on 3 injections nightly- Lupron, Gonal F and Menopur. I had me preop appointment for the egg retrieval today. It was uneventful and I was able to pick up the right needles for tonight.
So far giving these injections is going pretty smoothly. It takes awhile because I am double (and sometimes triple) checking the dosages.
My next appointment is on Wednesday. They think I may stim quickly (Yeah!) due to the large number of follicles on my ultrasound yesterday.
Today I also bought J a Valentine's card and then I started thinking that I could be pregnant by Valentine's Day... how exciting!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Day 9
I really thought I would be writing a little bit more than this, but I have been really busy recently. I am now on day 9 of Lupron. The first injection was, of course, captured on videotape. I was really scared but I counted to 3 and jabbed that thing in. I did not feel it at all. After 9 days, I have managed to have only 1 bruise. I read somewhere that this is from pushing the medication in too quickly. I have really become quite quick with these little injections. I actually just gave myself one while talking to a friend on the phone. On Sunday, we have an appointment with the Dr. I will be getting bloodwork done and spending some time with the ultrasound wand. I am hoping that we will get the okay to start the stimulation medication. Then I will be up to three injections per day- 1 of lupron, 1 gonal f and 1 menopur. I have been waiting so long for this cycle to get here and I can't believe that I am probably less than two weeks away from an egg retrieval. A month from now (which seems like FOREVER) I could be pregnant!
Overall, I am feeling really positive about this entire process right now. I do envision myself pregnant (hopefully with twins!!) around this time next month. Tomorrow I am going to buy some gatorade and V8. I have recently read that this is good to drink while stimming so I figured why not? I usually don't drink my calories, but I am up for doing anything to help this ivf end with the results I want!
I am also going to try to post more. I started this blog to help others going through infertility and the ivf process. I found reading blogs to be so helpful on this journey and I am hoping that my story might provide some hope, inspiration, or advice to even just one person out there.
Overall, I am feeling really positive about this entire process right now. I do envision myself pregnant (hopefully with twins!!) around this time next month. Tomorrow I am going to buy some gatorade and V8. I have recently read that this is good to drink while stimming so I figured why not? I usually don't drink my calories, but I am up for doing anything to help this ivf end with the results I want!
I am also going to try to post more. I started this blog to help others going through infertility and the ivf process. I found reading blogs to be so helpful on this journey and I am hoping that my story might provide some hope, inspiration, or advice to even just one person out there.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Meds are here
My IVF meds arrived yesterday. It is quite overwhelming, especially the huge bag of needles. I was trying to count the number of shots that I would be giving myself this month. I got up to 53 and then stopped counting. My husband, J, just wanted to know how many of those he would be giving. He is quite excited about his chance to play doctor. I think it is going to take him a long time to get up the nerve to actually jam that needle in. We will see in just a few weeks. When FedEx delivered the meds I wrote with big black marker on the box "BABY IN A BOX. J took a picture. That is definitely one for the scrapbook.
In other news, today was my first day back at work after the winter break. It seems like we were out much longer than 2 weeks. Luckily, the students were still off today so I had time to plan and get everything ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow will also be my last day without injections for awhile. I have waited so long for this IVF cycle to get here. I can't believe it is finally happening.
I wanted to post this yesterday, but did not have time. I hope I continue to get this lucky with IVF:
My meds were ordered around Dec. 15th. The total bill was around $2800. My insurance will not pay for anything infertility related :( On Dec. 18th I received information about the new prescription coverage company my employer is switching to as of 1/1/09. I called the new company and started reading off the list of meds I needed. After each one, she told me it would be covered. I was in shock!! I called the pharmacy and told them to hold off on my order until after the 1st of Jan. The pharmacy called on the 2nd and told me my new total for meds- $130. Happy New Year to me!!! Now if they could have only switched medical insurance companies to one that covers IVF...
I am going to try to end each post with a quote. I have seen this done on other blogs and I always enjoy it.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
-Helen Keller
In other news, today was my first day back at work after the winter break. It seems like we were out much longer than 2 weeks. Luckily, the students were still off today so I had time to plan and get everything ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow will also be my last day without injections for awhile. I have waited so long for this IVF cycle to get here. I can't believe it is finally happening.
I wanted to post this yesterday, but did not have time. I hope I continue to get this lucky with IVF:
My meds were ordered around Dec. 15th. The total bill was around $2800. My insurance will not pay for anything infertility related :( On Dec. 18th I received information about the new prescription coverage company my employer is switching to as of 1/1/09. I called the new company and started reading off the list of meds I needed. After each one, she told me it would be covered. I was in shock!! I called the pharmacy and told them to hold off on my order until after the 1st of Jan. The pharmacy called on the 2nd and told me my new total for meds- $130. Happy New Year to me!!! Now if they could have only switched medical insurance companies to one that covers IVF...
I am going to try to end each post with a quote. I have seen this done on other blogs and I always enjoy it.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
-Helen Keller
Friday, January 2, 2009
So True..
I have seen this on several infertility sites/ message boards. For all of us going through this, I think it is so very true...
You Might Be Infertile If...
...you'll do anything to fight the urge to sneeze because you're afraid your ovaries might explode.
...you're having hot flashes before you're 30.
... you wake up and the first thing you reach for isn’t a cup of coffee but a thermometer.
...your crotch has seen more action from an RE [reproductive endocrinologist] than your DH [dear husband].
...you’ve ever been thankful for having a fat roll, as it makes injections more comfortable.
...when you go to the obgyn you don't have to use the calendar when they ask you the date of your last period.
... you shave your legs for your RE appts but not for your DH.
... you circle the days you have sex on your planner.
... you can't plan anything in advance because it might be CD3.
... you take more medications than your parent or grandparents.
... the thought of the holidays makes you nauseous for fear of inevitable questions and yet another pg announcement.
... you’ve ever shot up in a bathroom stall and it was perfectly legal.
... you refuse to paint the future nursery for fear of jinxing yourself.
... you cried on Halloween seeing all those adorable costumes on the little one's and their pg mothers.
...you’ve ever called something a frosty and you weren’t at W.endy’s.
...you know what ovary likes to ovulate better than your RE and the nurse that does your u/s every month.
...you have more drugs than a heroine addict.
...you have lengthy discussions about the status of your cervical mucus.
...you are frequently violated with a huge plastic wand -- by your nurse.
... you speak to your RE in T-TTC acronyms.
...your husband doesn't think it's weird when you stand on your head after sex because who knows -- this might just be the ONE time you could get pregnant without the help of a team of specialists.
...KY is banned in your household as it kills sperm.
...you have forgotten what spontaneity is.
...your husband is tired of masturbating in clinics and complains about friction burns from having to do it too often
...you actually get excited over shots.
...when someone says what day is it to day and you start to answer CD [cycle day] whatever and have to catch yourself.
...you DH knows more about the your monthly cycle than your primary care Dr.
...everytime you go to the bathroom you check CM [cervical mucus].
...you live you life 2 weeks at a time.
...you met your insurance deductible for the year....in your first month of testing with the RE.
...when you'd rather have an internal u/s RATHER than have bloodwork done.
... if you remember special events by what day of your cycle they fell on!
...when you see the letters IF, you think "infertility" and not "if".
...if you have forgotten a CD is also an actual object containing music, or a type of investment, and not just a date.
...you have a stockpile of pregnancy tests from the dollar store, so you don’t feel guilty for wasting the more expensive ones.
You Might Be Infertile If...
...you'll do anything to fight the urge to sneeze because you're afraid your ovaries might explode.
...you're having hot flashes before you're 30.
... you wake up and the first thing you reach for isn’t a cup of coffee but a thermometer.
...your crotch has seen more action from an RE [reproductive endocrinologist] than your DH [dear husband].
...you’ve ever been thankful for having a fat roll, as it makes injections more comfortable.
...when you go to the obgyn you don't have to use the calendar when they ask you the date of your last period.
... you shave your legs for your RE appts but not for your DH.
... you circle the days you have sex on your planner.
... you can't plan anything in advance because it might be CD3.
... you take more medications than your parent or grandparents.
... the thought of the holidays makes you nauseous for fear of inevitable questions and yet another pg announcement.
... you’ve ever shot up in a bathroom stall and it was perfectly legal.
... you refuse to paint the future nursery for fear of jinxing yourself.
... you cried on Halloween seeing all those adorable costumes on the little one's and their pg mothers.
...you’ve ever called something a frosty and you weren’t at W.endy’s.
...you know what ovary likes to ovulate better than your RE and the nurse that does your u/s every month.
...you have more drugs than a heroine addict.
...you have lengthy discussions about the status of your cervical mucus.
...you are frequently violated with a huge plastic wand -- by your nurse.
... you speak to your RE in T-TTC acronyms.
...your husband doesn't think it's weird when you stand on your head after sex because who knows -- this might just be the ONE time you could get pregnant without the help of a team of specialists.
...KY is banned in your household as it kills sperm.
...you have forgotten what spontaneity is.
...your husband is tired of masturbating in clinics and complains about friction burns from having to do it too often
...you actually get excited over shots.
...when someone says what day is it to day and you start to answer CD [cycle day] whatever and have to catch yourself.
...you DH knows more about the your monthly cycle than your primary care Dr.
...everytime you go to the bathroom you check CM [cervical mucus].
...you live you life 2 weeks at a time.
...you met your insurance deductible for the year....in your first month of testing with the RE.
...when you'd rather have an internal u/s RATHER than have bloodwork done.
... if you remember special events by what day of your cycle they fell on!
...when you see the letters IF, you think "infertility" and not "if".
...if you have forgotten a CD is also an actual object containing music, or a type of investment, and not just a date.
...you have a stockpile of pregnancy tests from the dollar store, so you don’t feel guilty for wasting the more expensive ones.
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