Good news and bad news

Sorry I haven't posted for a while... Not been feeling well.

Well, the good news is that the IVF worked!!! Finally preggo!

The bad news is that hyperstimulation was worse since I found out last Friday. Was drained on Monday, and got some relief from that. Some of it came back, but I can breathe ok, still. Went to the doc again yesterday, and ovaries are getting a little smaller....

Anyways, so this is probably my last post. I will continue to hang in there and wait out these hyperstimulation symptoms.

Reverted back

Well, I just thought I was getting better. About 1/2 way into my accountibility last night, my stomach started collecting water again.. We went grocery shopping after that, and I barely made it.

Now, today, walking is a difficult thing. I think I'll have to work from home for a while, as I can't walk much.

I hope that my crappy symptoms are a good sign of something better. If so, I'll suffer through.

80% back to my old self

Well, I'm now able to walk and breathe, and sleep fairly comfortable. Most of the water in my tummy is now gone. There is still a little remaining, but it is now like normal AF bloating.

That is a BIG praise!! I do however, pray more that the transfer took, since doc said my symptoms would get worse if I got pregnant, but symptoms are getting better...

I've been having some dull cramping, but not sure if that is a good sign or not.

Going a little crazy until Sunday (my blood test)... Time is going by so slow.

2 embies in the freezer

Well, just found out that out of the 8 we had left, only 2 made it to the final stage, so they froze those two. The remaining six were not viable according to the embryologist.

Well, if this first transfer works, this will be GREAT news! We were wondering what we'd do if we had 8 embryos left. But we were leaving it in God's hands. We didn't know what God had in store for us, but happy to report, it is not 10 children. :)

Here is a breakdown of all the eggs taken out of me:
Total 19 eggs

• 5 eggs not mature enough
• 14 eggs injected with sperm (ICSI)
• 3 eggs not fertilized
• 11 eggs fertilized
• 1 embryo not viable on day 5
• 2 embyros transferred back (my little embies)
• 8 embryos on observation until day 6
• 6 embryos not viable on day 6
• 2 embryos frozen

Transfer and Beyond

Well, transfer was on Friday.. I had 2 blastocysts put back in (day 5 embryos). The process was fairly painless.... After this, I had to bed rest for 2 full days, which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It wasn't complete bed rest, but I just had to take it easy, and not do anything.

However, afterwards, having some more hyperstimulation. My belly is somewhat very extended (equivalent to 5 lbs of water, since I gained 5 lbs). I think it is getting a little better, though. I have been drinking 2 liters of gatorade per day, so I think that might be also helping.

Friday at 12:30pm

My transfer is at 12:30 pm on Friday. We have to arrive at 11:30 am, and I'm getting really excited. When the nurse called today, she said.. "well, your little embryos were too beautiful to put them in on day 3". :) They have a better chance of sticking on day 5 anyways.

We have started the progesterone injections yesterday, and first one was totally fine. The 2nd one today, he didn't warn me, and I jumped. But, other than that, everything going fine.

Transfer on Friday!!!

Hey all...

Well, I went into my appointment today to see if I had the transfer or not.. And NOT... They said I am supposed to come back on Friday for my transfer, so they can find the best quality eggs to transfer! So, Friday it is.. Which is good, since I only have to miss 1 day of work, and not 2.

Be praying!

Also, a little update on my OHSS (hyperstimulation).... I am still really bloated, however, a LOT of the symptoms have went away. I am no longer having trouble walking or breathing. It is still a little uncomfortable when I lie down, and I still look fat, but other than that, I'm fine... I was even able to make it into work today.

Friday or not to Friday, That is the Question

Well, I received a phone call from the on call nurse yesterday, and it appears we have to go in tomorrow (Wednesday) anyways, just in case the transfer is tomorrow. So, they said since I'll be there anyways, they may just go ahead and do it on Wednesday.

So, we'll see what happens, I guess. They will also give me pictures of my little embies. :)

I also went to the doctor today to get examined for my OHSS (hyperstimulation). He says I have a severe case (which means a lot of fluid, and my ovaries are 2x the normal size). But he said that will not stop the transfer. We will go ahead and do it BUT, if I do get pregnant, it will get worse. There is a possibility that they may have to take fluid out of me 1x per month, if I get pregnant (wohoo, fun). He also put me on baby aspirin, to lessen the risk of blood clot.

Eggs fertilized! and HyperStim

Hey all,

Well, I have good news (I think) and bad news.

First the good news (at least I think it's good news). Out of our 19 eggs retrieved, 14 of them were injected. Out of the 14 injected, we have 11 eggs fertilized!! And possibly another 2 that they were unsure about! That is crazy! Anyways, so, this probably means a day 5 transfer, which is on Friday. So, on Friday, probably some of these eggs won't make it to day 5.

Now for the bad news... It seems I'm hyper-stimulated, which basically means fluid is leaking into my abdominal cavity. This is happening due to the excessive amount of eggs and estrogen my body made, and it is supposed to resolve itself. But for now, it is causing shortness of breath, and hard time walking, or laying down. If I sit, I'm fine, however. All day yesterday, I assumed it was gas, but in talking with the nurses, they say I'm definitely hyper-stimmed. So, I will keep monitoring my situation, drink lots of gatorade, and let the doctor know if it gets any worse. I also will probably take some darveset for now to help with the pain, and get as comfortable as possible.

Tomorrow, they won't check the eggs at all, but on Wednesday, they will look at them again. I am supposed to call on Wednesday morning, to see if I have a Wednesday transfer or not. (but 99% chance it will be on Friday).

Pray for no hyper-stim

There is a chance we could get hyper stimulated due to high estrogen numbers. Please pray this doesn't happen as I could be in pain or hospitalized.

IVF Retrieval

Hi, I had my retrieval today, and here's the chain of events.

Yesterday - started fasting at midnight
Today:
8 am - arrived at surgery center - still fasting
8-9 am - filled out paperwork and received IV
9 am - egg retrieval via ultrasound guided needle. I was knocked out during procedure.
9:25 am - back in my room, still knocked out
9:30-10:30 am - still laying there, waking up gradually, and watching Pretty Woman
The embryologist came in and told us my egg count - 19 eggs!!!
10:30 am - tried to put my clothes on, and got nauseous. Nurse brought pill for nausea.
11 am - being wheeled out.
11:30 am - got sick when got home, and laid in bed until 5:30 pm
Also noticed I was bleeding a little, which is normal.

Overall, I'm still in a little pain, but not enough to take a darvesett. My ovaries are tender, and I either have severe gas or bloating. Not sure which. I can't walk really well, or go to the bathroom.

I'm supposed to call tomorrow to get my fertilization report.

Sunday it is!

Well, it's a go for retreival on Sunday!!!! Yes!! I'm really excited, but at the same time a little of me wished it wasn't on Sunday but on Saturday or Monday... So, I will go in at 9am on Sunday morning, which means I will totally miss church. Bummer. :(

I went to the doc today, and saw a different doc, since mine is out of town. The new doc says "well, I think you are good to go, but let's see what your doctor says". Life always has to throw those "maybe it won't happens" in there to keep us relying on God. But I just kept on praying.

My estrodiol level also rose by 1000 with no meds! It is at 4860 today. The doc says I'm at risk for hyperstimulation for sure. They don't seem to understand why my body is so sensitive to these meds. Pray I'm not sick after the procedure. Need prayers on that.

So, the nurse called me today, and says "your ovidril time is 9pm"! (which in IVF language, means your retrieval is Sunday at 9am). :)

Possibly Sunday now

Well, I went to the doc yesterday, and my body wasn't quite ready, which means the retrieval won't be on Saturday. They said it was looking more like Sunday. So, I go in again today to find out.

However, even though I'm on low dosages of Gonal-F, my Estrodiol still doubled in the last 2 days. Yesterday, it was at 3808. The doc said no meds last night, so we'll see where I'm at today.

My follicles were at about 16.5's and 17's. And I have 21! Crazy!

IVF Retrieval date estimate

Had a doc appointment today, and everything still going great! Estrodiol is at 1675, and I have several follicles at 13, 14, and 15. No exact count, yet, but I saw a lot (but not as many as last time). :)

Doc says that ERD (est. retrieval date) is Sunday. However........... I think it will be on Saturday. We have a church plant that has been on God's radar for a LONG time. And I have a feeling that my body will be ready on Saturday, so I can be available for the folks that I've invited opening day. (either that, or I can be done in time to go to service).

God has total control over me, and I'll deal with this either way, but I just pray that everything is done according to God's glory.

Psalm 19:1 - The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Fun Facts about Needles

Since July 15th, I've had to give myself over 60 injections, with more than 60 more to go if I get pregnant! That is a LOT of needles!

Poll says 2 - What do YOU think?

Hey all, if you haven't taken a chance to vote, please do so before this weekend. Right now, the poll says I should put in 2 embryos.

Here are the upsides and downsides of 1 v. 2.

With 1:
Upsides:

• Higher percentage chance for only having 1 baby(although it still could split)
• With my age (26), there is a good chance that 1 would stick

Downsides:

• Not as high as a percentage chance for pregnancy as putting in 2 embryos
• 1 could split and still have twins

With 2:
Upsides:

• Higher total percentage chance for live birth - in about 50% of the time, at least of of the 2 will stick.
• Can see the upside of having twins, especially if I have to go through all this trouple to have 1. (45% chance)
• 2 for the price of 1!! ;-)
• Could save on clothes, toys, crib, etc.

Downsides:

• Chance that both could stick, and 1 could split, resulting in triplets (not as likely, but could happen - maybe 3% chance)
• Twins would mean (twice the crying, diaper changing, etc)

Fast Approaching

Well, I guess I didn't realize how fast everything was coming (maybe since I haven't been to the doc every day this time). ;) However, I am getting really, really close to extraction date (probably less than 7 days away). It is sooo crazy! I can't believe it!

I will ask tomorrow at my appt to find out exactly when he thinks it will be. My follicle sizes were at 10 on Friday, and excited to see where they are now. The end goal is 20.

I've been wrapped in prayer by everyone I know, and I think I've been way more relaxed this time.