First Appt after Stimulation Today

Today was the first appointment after stimulation today. My Estrodiol level was at 167, way lower than the 476 from my first appointment last month (which is good, by the way).

Doc says everything looks fabulous, and is keeping me on the same dosage (alternating 150, and 75). I go back in on Tuesday.

Everything is looking good!! About 1.5 more weeks to go... Man, it really seems like when I start these, time zips by! I can't believe it is only a few more weeks away.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Baseline Sonogram - A relief

Hey all,

I had my baseline today, and there were NO CYSTS!!!! I was so excited, and thanking God so much. The sono tech says, "everything looks great, and you make my job easy". Oh, man... What a relief.

We saw a lot of little follicles already starting to develop.

Also, I got a free 300 pen from the doc (apparently, all they had right now).

All green lights for another go at this... I need prayers!

7 day long AF finally OVER

Man, AF was weird this month. It was like 7 days of DAY 1 bleeding. It's a wonder I have any blood left! ;)

Basline Sonogram on Monday

Well, Monday is the big sonogram to see if I can proceed with this IVF cycle. If the cysts are small, or gone (praying for gone), then I can proceed with my Gonal-F injections. I am starting out at 150 for the first 3 days.

But throughout all this, I know there is something much bigger than me and my struggles... God controls everything to His plan. I just pray that He uses me as part of that. That has been my daily prayer for the last few months. "God, please use me today".

Ponderings

It seems that every time I give myself a shot in the right side of my stomach it hurts, but on the left I feel nothing.

I wonder if it is all in my head, and by thinking this, it ensures that the same is true each time.

Or maybe I have more "hurty" nerves on the right side?

Just things I think about.... Nothing of real significance. ;)

1 day left on BCP

All, sorry if this is TMI, but just trying to keep track of everything.

Yesterday, AF came, and I was having doubling over cramping. Also, for a few hours yesterday, clotting seemed to be huge (plum-sized). I was wondering if I should call the nurse line, but then it got better today. I wonder if some of my cysts broke, and that caused the extra pain and clotting. That is the only thing I can think. If they were hemorhagic cysts that is certainly possible. I guess I'll find out at the doc appt on Monday.

1 more BCP left!! Wohoo!!!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength. - Phil 4:13. My memory verse for the past month.

Started Lupron today

Well, I started my Lupron shots today. Reminder that these are the ones that supress my ovulation. It is my first of many of these shots. :) I also only have 4 BCP's left, and am really excited.

My next doctor appointment is one week from Monday. They will check and make sure the cysts are getting smaller or gone completely, and make sure I'm ready to start on my Gonal-F (follicle stimulating) injections.

Please pray that cysts are gone or to a point where we can begin the other injections. (I never thought I'd pray that I can do injections).

Back in the saddle again

I went to the doc on Friday, and I had some cysts that were leftover from the previous cycle. They were all really small, and the doc didn't seem too worried, although he wouldn't really give me any information on it.
So, I'm praying that they go away, as they should in normal circumstances. :)

I was a little frustrated, but know it is all in God's hands. So, that gave me comfort.
In all the circumstances in my life right now, I can feel God moving. I know He is here with us, so, why not leave all my worries and frustrations with this in His hands too.

Starting Again....

Well, got a call from the nurse today. We are starting again, and she gave me my new schedule.

I quit BCP on the 23rd, and start my lupron injections on the 19th. I then do my baseline sonogram and start Gonal F on the 28th.

I go back to the Dr. on next Friday... Man, I'm sick of that place.

The doc failed to tell her about the free meds he promised me, but I'll deal with that when it comes closer. I told her to followup with him and get me some free $1000 drugs. :) I have about 450 units and 2-300 pens left.

So, possibly, the retrieval would be on September 10th or so... That is just speculation at this point.

Overall, my optimism is high, and outlook is good. But at this point, I wish I could fast forward through all the injections, emotions, and daily trips to the blood lab. Not that it is too painful, but just a pain.

Oh, well...

But at least this time, I know what to specifically pray for:

• Pray for hormone levels to keep in balance
• Pray for gradual ovary stimulation, and not hyper-stimulation
• Pray for little follicles to grow to desired range
• Pray for uterine lining to reach desired size
• Pray for no complications in egg retrieval
• Pray little eggies fertilize
• Pray for it to STICK!
• Pray for some leftover embryos to freeze for our next child, since this one will work. :)

IVF Cycle Cancelled

Ok, this is a little depressing... But I just found out today that the first cycle will be cancelled. We did have some input into it, but the doc gave low odds that if we went through with it, that it would work.

Today, my estrogen dropped severely by 1/2, and also my follicles didn't grow a whole lot. It could be partially due to the fact that my estrogen was so high at first.

So, he recommended we cancel. He said he now knows how we should do it, and it should be much better next month, since he'll start me on a lower dosage.

So, I guess try again next month. I probably won't post anything for a few weeks.... I start BCP tomorrow.

DH and I prayed about it separately, and both decided that we made the right decision. It is a hard decision to make, but God will carry us through.

Maybe Sunday now

Well, went I went into the doc yesterday, most follicles still weren't big enough, so doc decided to hold off one more day (until today). The only risk of waiting, is that they may have quit growing, which would mean we would need to cancel the cycle.

I'm praying that they grew. I guess I'll find out at my doc appt today. Man, never in my life have I been to the doc every day of the week! Crazy.

I told the lady at the lab that I wouldn't be in for another 2 weeks. We're now on a first name basis, so she said she'd miss me. :) Also, funny that at the lab, they quit checking my id and insurance. They all know me by now.

If I get my hcg shot today, that means a Sunday ER (egg retrieval).

Fun Vote!

Hi everyone... I thought to make it fun, we could have a vote on the right hand side to vote on the number of embryos we should put in.

Since I'm under 35, I have a high chance, so they may want to put in 1. But if they put in 2, the chance is higher, but also higher percentage chance for twins.

Only 2 days left to vote!

Praying for No Pain

All throughout this process, I had prayed for no pain, and stuck to the belief that God would provide that for me. If you haven't read "supernatural childbirth", it is a must read for any Christian woman who is pregnant, or trying to be.

I was talking with the nurse, and she couldn't understand why I wasn't feeling any pain due to the large amount of HUGE eggs that are in my ovaries. Most people with 1/2 or 1/4 the amount are in pain, but I haven't felt any.

Also, during one of the sonograms, I had some pain on my left side. However, I prayed for no pain, and haven't felt any pain in any of the sono's after that, even though the eggs are now bigger, so one would assume the pain would also be more. But NO.

God is so great!

Almost there!

Well,

I should find out today at my sonogram when my ER (egg retrieval) is. They are thinking that I'll get my HCG shot today (this is the trigger shot to simulate ovulation). What that means is.. NO MORE SHOTS (lupron and Gonal, anyways).

If all goes well, the ER will be on Saturday morning. I am praying everything goes smoothly, and God is providing exactly enough eggs for the number of children He wants us to have.

I paid the hospital fees today, and was REALLY excited that most of it is covered by insurance. I don't know what I'd have done without insurance. It has really been a lifesaver.