Got the call this morning... ET is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
Am running into another meeting -- today is a little crazy at work -- but wanted to let ya'll know the official time.
I am so grateful for your support -- your encouraging words and prayers mean the world to me!
More later~
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Transfer Thursday
Got the call this morning... the ET is set for Day 5, Thursday. No time set yet, but will hopefully know more tomorrow.
The nurse didn't have much info for me, other than the development of the embies "looks good" at this point. --I'm grateful to know that much, though I wish they'd expanded a little more...
I'm still in quite a bit of abdominal discomfort from the ER -- is that normal at this point? My poor belly is still so bloated, I feel like I look 3-4 mos. pregnant already. (NOT good when you're not though!) The Darv.ocet they gave me for pain didn't do a lick of good, so I switched over to extra strength ty.len.ol as of Sunday. It's at least helping.
And for those of you looking forward to your first IVF--- let me clarify: it's a discomfort, kinda like dull, achy cramps, with the additional feeling of enlarged ovaries. It's not out-and-out pain. It's not intolerable! Trust me--really really bad cramps are far worse than this.
Just wanted to make sure you all knew that. ...don't want to scare anyone away from future procedures here! :)
In other news, I was informed this morning that the PFH (see post here for explanation) is ramping back up as of July 6th. And if that's not bad enough -- they're wanting all team leads to sign on for "extended hours" during a 2-3 'workshop' phase they're planning for us... Extended hours that would commence a) an hour earlier than my current start time, and b) extend an hour longer than my current end time.
Now, ya'll know I'm not an early-bird. ...'specially sans caffeine, which is taboo right now. And I've emphasized my love for sleep, and lots of it, many times here.
To say that this is not ideal is an understatement.
I desperately, desperately want to back out of this project. I'm worried that the stress of it will have a significant and negative impact on me, and I don't want to risk anything like that during a potential 2ww or even (God willing) early pregnancy.
The question is, can I back out of it now, without risking my job?
I don't know.
And if not -- would I be willing to do so, even if it did?
...That may be my real question---without an answer, at this point...
The nurse didn't have much info for me, other than the development of the embies "looks good" at this point. --I'm grateful to know that much, though I wish they'd expanded a little more...
I'm still in quite a bit of abdominal discomfort from the ER -- is that normal at this point? My poor belly is still so bloated, I feel like I look 3-4 mos. pregnant already. (NOT good when you're not though!) The Darv.ocet they gave me for pain didn't do a lick of good, so I switched over to extra strength ty.len.ol as of Sunday. It's at least helping.
And for those of you looking forward to your first IVF--- let me clarify: it's a discomfort, kinda like dull, achy cramps, with the additional feeling of enlarged ovaries. It's not out-and-out pain. It's not intolerable! Trust me--really really bad cramps are far worse than this.
Just wanted to make sure you all knew that. ...don't want to scare anyone away from future procedures here! :)
In other news, I was informed this morning that the PFH (see post here for explanation) is ramping back up as of July 6th. And if that's not bad enough -- they're wanting all team leads to sign on for "extended hours" during a 2-3 'workshop' phase they're planning for us... Extended hours that would commence a) an hour earlier than my current start time, and b) extend an hour longer than my current end time.
Now, ya'll know I'm not an early-bird. ...'specially sans caffeine, which is taboo right now. And I've emphasized my love for sleep, and lots of it, many times here.
To say that this is not ideal is an understatement.
I desperately, desperately want to back out of this project. I'm worried that the stress of it will have a significant and negative impact on me, and I don't want to risk anything like that during a potential 2ww or even (God willing) early pregnancy.
The question is, can I back out of it now, without risking my job?
I don't know.
And if not -- would I be willing to do so, even if it did?
...That may be my real question---without an answer, at this point...
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Fert Report
Okay - gotta make this quick--am about to go have my first IM progesterone injection... (yikes)
Today's fertilization report from the nurse:
- Of the 28 eggs retrieved, 27 were mature
- They froze 13 of the mature eggs
- The remaining 14 they fertilized
- Of those 14, 11 eggs actually fertilized... so we have 11 embryos!
I find out more tomorrow about the embryo quality, how they're developing, and whether or not we're shooting for a day 3 or a day 5 transfer.
So it's Tuesday or Thursday.
...Holding my breath 'til then...!
Today's fertilization report from the nurse:
- Of the 28 eggs retrieved, 27 were mature
- They froze 13 of the mature eggs
- The remaining 14 they fertilized
- Of those 14, 11 eggs actually fertilized... so we have 11 embryos!
I find out more tomorrow about the embryo quality, how they're developing, and whether or not we're shooting for a day 3 or a day 5 transfer.
So it's Tuesday or Thursday.
...Holding my breath 'til then...!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
And the number is...
(drum roll, please)
Twenty-eight!
(wheeeew)
Everything went well this morning... the procedure went well, the dr had no trouble retrieving the eggs from my follicles, and I got a nice drug-induced nap out of it, and don't remember a thing. Overall, I'm doing well... A little discomfort in the abdomen, of course, but nothing a little dar.vo.cet can't handle. :)
I am so so SO relieved that a) it's over, and b) we have eggs. I don't know what I would have to done if I had woken up to the same news as last time (see post here). Praise the Lord, this round has been different from the beginning.
Tomorrow I'll find out how fertilization went, and what the egg quality looks like. I know I can't expect all 28 to survive, or to all be Grade A (or however they grade them!), but I am praying for a third to make it, at the very least. ...If we had a good 8-12 solid embies, it would go a long way in reassuring me that not only do we have a shot at this coming ET, but at a few in the future, as well. And what a huge blessing that would be.
As to everyone else's journeys, and your own progress -- I'm lifting you up, as well. I know that faith (whatever yours may be) can be difficult during IF... Wrestling with all the unanswered questions we have for why we're having to go through this in the first place---and more. (I know the questions don't end with just that one.)
Know that even in times that you can't pray for yourself -- whether due to bouts of doubt or anger or bitterness or despair, whatever-- just know that there are others out there praying for you, even when you can't.
I pray for my God to be with each of you. To hear your cries. To see through to your heart, and know your innermost thoughts and desires. To meet you where you are, and bring you comfort and peace. To carry you through this.
I pray for you; I pray for us.
Twenty-eight!
(wheeeew)
Everything went well this morning... the procedure went well, the dr had no trouble retrieving the eggs from my follicles, and I got a nice drug-induced nap out of it, and don't remember a thing. Overall, I'm doing well... A little discomfort in the abdomen, of course, but nothing a little dar.vo.cet can't handle. :)
I am so so SO relieved that a) it's over, and b) we have eggs. I don't know what I would have to done if I had woken up to the same news as last time (see post here). Praise the Lord, this round has been different from the beginning.
Tomorrow I'll find out how fertilization went, and what the egg quality looks like. I know I can't expect all 28 to survive, or to all be Grade A (or however they grade them!), but I am praying for a third to make it, at the very least. ...If we had a good 8-12 solid embies, it would go a long way in reassuring me that not only do we have a shot at this coming ET, but at a few in the future, as well. And what a huge blessing that would be.
As to everyone else's journeys, and your own progress -- I'm lifting you up, as well. I know that faith (whatever yours may be) can be difficult during IF... Wrestling with all the unanswered questions we have for why we're having to go through this in the first place---and more. (I know the questions don't end with just that one.)
Know that even in times that you can't pray for yourself -- whether due to bouts of doubt or anger or bitterness or despair, whatever-- just know that there are others out there praying for you, even when you can't.
I pray for my God to be with each of you. To hear your cries. To see through to your heart, and know your innermost thoughts and desires. To meet you where you are, and bring you comfort and peace. To carry you through this.
I pray for you; I pray for us.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Ready... and nervous
Well, there's nothing more I can do to get ready for this... I've taken the last of my shots, had my trigger shot last night, and I guess there's not much else to do now.
Except be nervous.
I mean, try NOT to be nervous.
Right?
The trigger shot last night went fine -- just a little awkward, breaking both hosts away from the party at 9 to do it. But we managed.
And, thanks to my wonderful RE, who knew that I would be nervous about my trigger shot this go-round, my Dr had me come in this morning for a "confirmation" that the HCG had, indeed, hit my system. ...Thank the good Lord, it had.
So now, I'm trying to relax--about to go see Knight and Day, and see if that succeeds in distracting me from my thoughts.
Have a good night everyone! Will let you know how it went tomorrow~
Except be nervous.
I mean, try NOT to be nervous.
Right?
The trigger shot last night went fine -- just a little awkward, breaking both hosts away from the party at 9 to do it. But we managed.
And, thanks to my wonderful RE, who knew that I would be nervous about my trigger shot this go-round, my Dr had me come in this morning for a "confirmation" that the HCG had, indeed, hit my system. ...Thank the good Lord, it had.
So now, I'm trying to relax--about to go see Knight and Day, and see if that succeeds in distracting me from my thoughts.
Have a good night everyone! Will let you know how it went tomorrow~
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Triggering Tonight!
It's official... The nurse called an hour ago to let me know that I have to take my trigger shot this evening, at 9 pm. ER is set for 9 am on Saturday the 26th, woohoo! I'm so excited to be done with Gon.al-F stim shots and Lu.pron shots for round #2...
Slept like crap again last night -- woke up once again around 3 in the morning... that seems to be the "witching hour" for me these days...! Was hot as blazes, too -- which is quite unlike me (am typically always cold). DH swears that it's the hormones... He's probably right.
Today's report: 34 measurable follies -- 22 on the left, 12 on the right. I think there were 22 mature? And my E2 level stayed below 5,000! (Thank you God) It was 4,521. Even the nurse (to whom I don't believe I've spoken with before) commented on how much better I'm doing this round... what a relief!
Now-- if I can just find some good excuse for pulling my DH away from the grad school graduation party we're hosting tonight for one of his co-workers, so he can administer the shot... (I know, another example of GREAT timing!) Any good ideas?
Acupuncture apptmt tomorrow after work, and then it's just take it easy and relax as much as I can before the retrieval early Saturday...
Thanks for all the sweet comments ladies...The encouragement and support means so much.
Dear Lord - please let me get through this party tonight without freaking out about things... please let us get through the trigger shot without any hiccups or disastrous mistakes or issues like last time... please let me get a full night's sleep tonight, so I won't be a zombie-witch tomorrow to my DH/friends/co-workers... am starting to see them back away slowly from me when I walk up, and it scares me that I'm scaring them away. And please Lord, let the retrieval go well Saturday. Let the dr's get some good eggs, let the fertilization process go well, and please let us have some good strong emby's for the ET next week!
Trusting You...
Slept like crap again last night -- woke up once again around 3 in the morning... that seems to be the "witching hour" for me these days...! Was hot as blazes, too -- which is quite unlike me (am typically always cold). DH swears that it's the hormones... He's probably right.
Today's report: 34 measurable follies -- 22 on the left, 12 on the right. I think there were 22 mature? And my E2 level stayed below 5,000! (Thank you God) It was 4,521. Even the nurse (to whom I don't believe I've spoken with before) commented on how much better I'm doing this round... what a relief!
Now-- if I can just find some good excuse for pulling my DH away from the grad school graduation party we're hosting tonight for one of his co-workers, so he can administer the shot... (I know, another example of GREAT timing!) Any good ideas?
Acupuncture apptmt tomorrow after work, and then it's just take it easy and relax as much as I can before the retrieval early Saturday...
Thanks for all the sweet comments ladies...The encouragement and support means so much.
Dear Lord - please let me get through this party tonight without freaking out about things... please let us get through the trigger shot without any hiccups or disastrous mistakes or issues like last time... please let me get a full night's sleep tonight, so I won't be a zombie-witch tomorrow to my DH/friends/co-workers... am starting to see them back away slowly from me when I walk up, and it scares me that I'm scaring them away. And please Lord, let the retrieval go well Saturday. Let the dr's get some good eggs, let the fertilization process go well, and please let us have some good strong emby's for the ET next week!
Trusting You...
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Coasting...
Today's progress report from the RE: 31 measurable follies -- 20 on the left, and 11 on the right (what a slow poke!). Lab results: E2 level is now at 4,103.
When the nurse called to give me today's report, she said my dr is 99% sure they'll trigger me tomorrow night, for a Saturday morning ER. ...I sure hope so. I have a college friend that will be in town this weekend, and she's planning to spend the day with me on Sunday.
I know, I know---REALLY bad timing, right? Yep--couldn't agree with you more! I am fully aware that baby-making trumps time w/ friends --- I'll just be grateful to have the ER not fall on the same day of her visit. She's one of my best girlfriends, and lives in Raleigh, otherwise I'd have asked to re-schedule. Thankfully, she's fully aware of all my IF treatments, and is ready to spend a day just lounging around the house with me, laying low...which is what I'm expecting to do.
As for tonight's dose-- given that my E2 level is continuing to climb up there, my RE decided to have me coast tonight, in an attempt to avoid any further increase. I think they're hoping to keep me under the 5,000 mark this time. We'll see if that works! I sure hope so.
I'm definitely feeling the heaviness and pressure of 31 follies down there... there's some discomfort when sitting now, that wasn't there before. But it's not bad at all. Very manageable. --I still think that this round of IVF is a breeze compared to how whacked out I felt on clomid!
Last night's support group meeting was SO good. ...If you guys haven't been to one yet, I'd highly recommend it. I know it's intimidating and overwhelming and scary to go--'specially by yourself, without knowing anyone--but definitely well worth it, in the end. I met some amazing women last night. Hearing their stories was a privilege---anytime anyone shares their heart with me, I think it's a privilege. There were 8 of us there, and most of us had all had varying issues, experiences, successes. Some were on the treatment side, others had crossed over to Mommyhood already -- but all were bound by the common thread of IF.
We agreed at the beginning of the meeting to all share our stories, and to try and focus on the positives of IF. --We ALL know that there are days when IF will leave you crushed--mentally, physically, emotionally--but we wanted our time together, as our host so perfectly put it, to be life-giving... not life-sucking.
And so it was.
I was inspired by the courage, perseverance, and heart of the girls surrounding me. By what they have endured and overcome, or by what they are still facing. And I know that there's not much that I can do for them, except pray for them daily, and be there for them, whenever and if ever they need a friend.
Because, as Ecclesiastes so beautifully puts it, "a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Eccl. 4:12b)
Together, we ARE stronger... we have the power to give one other strength and encouragement along this journey-- and those gifts can make all the difference in the world to someone going through a rough day.
...If I wasn't so blogger-challenged, and knew how to put music to a post, I'd have Joe Cocker's "A Little Help from My Friends" playing in the background for this one... ;-)
When the nurse called to give me today's report, she said my dr is 99% sure they'll trigger me tomorrow night, for a Saturday morning ER. ...I sure hope so. I have a college friend that will be in town this weekend, and she's planning to spend the day with me on Sunday.
I know, I know---REALLY bad timing, right? Yep--couldn't agree with you more! I am fully aware that baby-making trumps time w/ friends --- I'll just be grateful to have the ER not fall on the same day of her visit. She's one of my best girlfriends, and lives in Raleigh, otherwise I'd have asked to re-schedule. Thankfully, she's fully aware of all my IF treatments, and is ready to spend a day just lounging around the house with me, laying low...which is what I'm expecting to do.
As for tonight's dose-- given that my E2 level is continuing to climb up there, my RE decided to have me coast tonight, in an attempt to avoid any further increase. I think they're hoping to keep me under the 5,000 mark this time. We'll see if that works! I sure hope so.
I'm definitely feeling the heaviness and pressure of 31 follies down there... there's some discomfort when sitting now, that wasn't there before. But it's not bad at all. Very manageable. --I still think that this round of IVF is a breeze compared to how whacked out I felt on clomid!
Last night's support group meeting was SO good. ...If you guys haven't been to one yet, I'd highly recommend it. I know it's intimidating and overwhelming and scary to go--'specially by yourself, without knowing anyone--but definitely well worth it, in the end. I met some amazing women last night. Hearing their stories was a privilege---anytime anyone shares their heart with me, I think it's a privilege. There were 8 of us there, and most of us had all had varying issues, experiences, successes. Some were on the treatment side, others had crossed over to Mommyhood already -- but all were bound by the common thread of IF.
We agreed at the beginning of the meeting to all share our stories, and to try and focus on the positives of IF. --We ALL know that there are days when IF will leave you crushed--mentally, physically, emotionally--but we wanted our time together, as our host so perfectly put it, to be life-giving... not life-sucking.
And so it was.
I was inspired by the courage, perseverance, and heart of the girls surrounding me. By what they have endured and overcome, or by what they are still facing. And I know that there's not much that I can do for them, except pray for them daily, and be there for them, whenever and if ever they need a friend.
Because, as Ecclesiastes so beautifully puts it, "a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Eccl. 4:12b)
Together, we ARE stronger... we have the power to give one other strength and encouragement along this journey-- and those gifts can make all the difference in the world to someone going through a rough day.
...If I wasn't so blogger-challenged, and knew how to put music to a post, I'd have Joe Cocker's "A Little Help from My Friends" playing in the background for this one... ;-)
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