Test is scheduled!

This'll probably be the last time I update until April 13...but I wanted you to know that our pregnancy test is scheduled for 7 am on April 13. We will get the results back by the end of the day... :)

The only other thing going on is that I'm still having a considerable amount of pain and the doctor's have told me to start the Vicodin again if it continues. Our doctors are telling us that my ovaries are still really swollen and that they will eventually get back to the normal size. So-basically I just have to deal with it... :)

So, hopefully the next thing that will be posted here will be a POSITIVE pregnancy test result!

TRANSFER!!!

The transfer was awesome today. Our doctor called us a few minutes before the procedure to tell us that our embryos were in excellent condition and that he recommended transferring ONE! He said that we would have a 65% chance for success with one, and that the chances for success would not increase with two. He also told us that if we did transfer 2 embryos, we were looking at a 50% chance for twins. He told us he highly recommends transferring 1. Normally, the success rate for 1 embryo is 43%. Normally, the chance for twins in a single transfer is 1.43%.

So, they took us back to the room and the other doctor talked with us for a while. We found out that we had 6 in the blastocyst phase, and a couple that may reach that in the next couple of days. Of those, 2 of them were "Primo IAA". This is the best they can be. The embryo is a double layer. The innermost layer is where the "baby" is. That layer was given a grade of an A because the quality is high. The outer layer contains the placenta and that layer was also given a grade of an A. He told us you couldn't get better than that for an embryo...We have 2 "Primo IAA" embryos!

So, we opted to transfer 1. It could not have gone more perfect. We watched the catheter go in, and watched our little "soon to be baby" shoot right in! The doctor was able to implant it real high so that it was perfect!!! It was incredibly emotional watching this process, knowing that we may have watched our baby start its life!

At the end of the procedure, they gave us a picture of the embryo we transferred! AND, they told us that they were going to be freezing 5 embryos today and that 2-3 more may be frozen on Wednesday! All our embryos are in good shape!!!

Now, I'm on bed rest. Kris got me some yummy lunch and now I'm just going to read some books and enjoy my day!!!

We have an appointment on April 13 to find out if we are pregnant or not. If the test is positive, Kate told me they will mark me as 4 weeks pregnant-at that point. :)

VERY emotional day! :)

Transfer schedule

Shady Grove just called! Our Embryo Transfer is scheduled for Monday at 11. We have to be there by 10:30. She said the procedure will take 5 minutes...5 MINUTES!!!! After ALL this, the most important part will take 5 MINUTES! She also said that I would be on a strict 24 hour bed rest order following the procedure.

She said the worst part will be having to wait 12 days to find out it we are pregnant! :) Everyone say extra prayers for us!!! :)

Transfer is Monday!

Alisa called and said that our 11 fertilized embryos are still hanging on strong and are very good quality! They have scheduled our transfer for Monday! We won't get our time until tomorrow or Sunday...but it WILL be Monday.

I'm still pretty sore, but I did go to school today and did make it through the whole day. As soon as i got home, though-I did take a Vicodin and am re-attached to the heating pad...and now, I'm feeling ok. :)

Pictures from the retrieval. :)

These are two pictures before the retrieval!

information from Alisa regarding retrieval/transfer

Well, I stayed home again today because I was still pretty sore this morning. I'm doing better now, and able to move around more that before. I'm still pretty confined to the bed, though. Thank goodness for this laptop! I've been at least able to catch up on work, and watch this week's episodes of Dancing with the Stars! :) Bye Bye, annoying Denise. :)

Anywho...Alisa called a little while ago to give us our official numbers. They did retrieve 16 embryos. Only 13 were mature, and out of that number only 11 have fertilized. She can't confirm the transfer date until tomorrow because they want to see how many survive the day. If it's a 3 day transfer, it will be on Saturday. If a 5 day transfer, it will be Monday. So...I'll update everyone tomorrow on when it will be. :)

11 is still a really good number for fertilized embryos and we hope that they are excellent quality! We'll find out tomorrow!!!

Stay tuned for more!!

Retrieval went GREAT!!!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Retrieval, Tomorrow!!

Hey guys, Kris here hijacking Jen's blog. Just wanted to let everyone know that the retrieval is tomorrow morning, bright and early at 8:15. We have to be at Shady Grove at 6:00 so tomorrow is going to be a very early and exciting day!! Jen is almost asleep now at 8:30 but I'm sure it will be a restless sleep all night. Wish us luck and we will update tomorrow about how the procedure goes. Talk to you all then!!!!

trigger is DONE!!!

TRIGGER IS CONFIRMED FOR TONIGHT!!!

Alisa just called and confirmed: WE ARE DOING THE TRIGGER SHOT TONIGHT! For those that don't know what this is....here's a quick explanation. All the hormone shots I've been taking were creating follicles in my ovaries, making the follicles mature, and producing estrogen. SO, I'm all crampy and bloated because I have so many mature follicles...the Trigger shot (which is given through the muscle) will force my ovaries to release the follicles. On Wednesday, our fertility doctor will take all those follicles out and make our magic "brew". A couple days later, our doctor will transfer those fertilized eggs back to me...and we wait to see if we are lucky!!! :)

Alisa told me that I had 6 mature follicles on the left and 5 almost mature ones on the right...there are still 10 that are in the maturing process. SO...I don't really know how many they will take out on Wednesday!

MORE GOOD NEWS: My estrogen level shot up to 2037!!!

MORE GOOD NEWS: The ONLY shot I have left to take is this Trigger. NO MORE Lupron, Gonal F or EVIL Menopur. :) :) :) :) So, I just really have to get through this big shot. If you are interested in what is going to happen to me tonight, check out this website (training video for the Trigger shot). http://www.shadygrovefertility.com/ Go to RESOURCES. Go to VIDEOS. Go to the bottom and click on the box that says "Click here for Injection Training from Freedom Fertility Pharmacy." And click on HCG and it will show you the training video. If you're interested in the other shots, we took: Lupron, Gonal F Multi dose and Menopur

I have another acupuncture appointment today, so she'll need to get me all relaxed for this BIG shot.

We'll be getting a call sometime around 6 tonight with our exact time for our Trigger and our Retrieval time for Wednesday! :) I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S HERE!!!!

I'll update more after the Trigger. :)

HOLY ESTROGEN, BATMAN!

Right on track

Shot was alright this morning...it's definitely getting harder to find a spot to give the shot that doesn't already have a hole! :) My tummy is covered with dots from previous shots!

Cramping and bloating are definitely getting more intense...but that means the follicles are growing. Today, we found out that one of my ovaries had 2 follicles that had matured (size 18/19) and at least 4 more that should be mature by morning. The other ovary had 4 that are close to maturation (in the 14/15 range). So, it looks like we are still on track for a retrieval on Thursday/Friday. We are expecting a phone call later today that will confirm the follicle sizes and my estrogen level. But, the doctor said everything looks really good.

From this point, we have to go in for bloodwork/sonogram every day until the retrieval.

still nothing new...

I guess, aside from the incredible cramping and bloating, today was a boring day in our IVF world. :) Shots tonight went very smoothly...even the EVIL Menopur was somewhat kind to me. :)

Will update after tomorrow's appointment!

Thanks for calling to check on me today, Patty! You made me smile! :)

Nothing New

There's nothing new today to report. VERY bloated, VERY crampy. I've been attached to the heating pad just about all day. Though I had some sensitivity at the injection site this morning-my morning shot went alright.

I did go for my monthly facial and that was very relaxing. My esthetician is getting married and we've been chatting about fun wedding stuff. I've been her client for over a year now!

We'll see what the evening shots bring...hopefully all will be well.

Good gracious-someone deflate me!

Seriously...I don't think my pants are going to fit much longer! :) Kris calls me the "Bloated Girl."

Good shot night. The Gonal F was smooth as silk. The EVIL Menopur is still painful, but at least I'm prepared for it now.

Good night everyone!

Feeling like a big fat cow who ate a watermelon big enough to feed a family of 23

So, I am two days into the "feeling like a fat cow" phase of the IVF cycle. I am so bloated and crampy from all the follicles...I am SOOOO uncomfortable.

Well...we did get good news from the doctor today. He said I'm responding very well to the treatments. He said I should be on track for an egg retrieval on Thursday/Friday. At this point, we don't want my body to create any more follicles...he just wants the follicles to get bigger.
The follicle size needs to be 18...and my largest one is 12. He said the cramping and bloating will continue to intensify until the retrieval...so he basically told me I needed to deal with it. :( He did tell me I could take Tylenol and use a heating pad to help...the heating pad does help a little.

The good news continued when Alisa called me. They have reduced the dosage for my two evening shots!!! The EVIL shot was cut in half!!!! :) So...I'm pretty happy about the medication change. In addition, my estrogen level is doing GREAT! It jumped up to 608!!! This is GREAT!

Anyway...we go back for more bloodwork/ultrasound on Sunday.

Thank you GonalF and Menopur

Good shots tonight. Gonal F NO problem. Menopur-it stung a lot, but I was more prepared for it and I pressed through!

The pin cushion is feeling yucky

Well, today was a tough day. I did pretty well with my shot this morning. I didn't have any trouble and I was relieved that there was also minimal pain. The rest of the morning was rough though-I was really nauseous, and I woke up with a major headache. I had a field trip/performance so I had to go to school. Along with the nausea and headache, I have also been very swollen in my lower abdomen and very sore there. I've been struggling all day. I know that my lower ab is swollen and sore because of the follicles...but that doesn't make me feel less miserable today.

I'm hoping that the evening shots go smoothly tonight...we have another bloodwork/ultrasound appointment tomorrow morning. I'll update after the evening round...

Jen, the little pin cushion

So, Mama and Papa Nodi have a new nickname for me: Pin Cushion. VERY creative. I certainly feel like a human pin cushion.

Well, my evening shots are DONE. I tell you what...I'm having a HECK of time with these shots! Tonight, my needle got stuck IN MY belly after I injected the Gonal F. I was trying to pull the needle out AND MY SKIN WAS STICKING TO IT! That did not make me feel very confident on my EVIL shot: Menopur. Well, I managed to keep the needle in for the entire injection. It hurt, and the newest development: I had blood back up into the needle at the end of my Menopur shot. SERIOUSLY-if Menopur was a person, I would punch him/her in the face. I might even push him/her down, pull his/her hair, and kick him/her while he/she was down. I hate this shot.

I forgot to tell you my funny story for the day. It's funny and embarrassing all at the same time. SO...I was sitting in the stirups waiting for my ultrasound. My doctor walks in and says hello. Another doctor walks in and introduces herself as Dr. Soandso. "I'm one of Dr. Widra's fellow's." So, I respond with the first thing that popped into my head: "Well, hello fellow!" :) Did you remember that I'm laying in the stirups waiting for an ultrasound exam, undressed from the waist down? ....I'm an idiot!

one more day closer...

Well, today was an interesting day. I had a MAJOR problem with the Lupron this morning. I picked a bad place to inject this morning. I tried to get the needle in and it hurt, so I pushed harder-then a bad word or two escaped out of my mouth. Then I started bleeding...this is BEFORE I actually gave the shot. So, we had to disinfect everything again before trying the shot again. I did get it in, but it burned. I thought Lupron and I had made friends...so today was extra disappointing.

On top of that, because of my needle problems-we got out of the house late and hit traffic on our way to DC. We made it about 10 minutes late.

Our appointment....good and bad. BAD: They drew my blood and it 1)hurt and 2)bled a lot. GOOD: Our actual doctor did the ultra-sound today and he was really happy with what he saw. My right ovary had 12 follicles and the left had 8. He said that now we have to make sure they grow larger and not keep increasing. Alisa, our nurse coordinator, emailed me this afternoon to tell me that my estrogen level shot up from 53 to 232. This is very good.

I'm waiting for Kris to get home so we can do these two shots last night...but I'm dreading them.

First Protein Shake

Kris made my first protein shake....not bad! We are using Goat Whey protein poweder. He mixed it with fruit punch and bananas. It's a little sweet for me, but it is very yummy! I'm actually looking forward to having it tomorrow morning. :) I think this is something I CAN get used to!

Me and the Menopur are ENEMIES!

Ok...so OFFICIALLY: I detest this Menopur shot. I can't figure out how to give this to myself without hurting! Today, I was done with the GonalF shot in seconds with no problem. When I went onto the Menopur, I got half the dose in before the pain was so bad that I pulled the needle out (quick reaction). Kris had to change the needle head again before we could attempt to give the rest of the dose. But even then-it really hurt. I don't know what's going on what that shot....but it's EVIL.

Tomorrow we have another bloodwork/ultrasound appointment to check my progress. I am anticipating an increase in medication again. I'm hoping that I can get some answers about why I'm struggling with this stupid Menopur shot...

On a health note, our acupuncturist suggested I start drinking protein shakes because I'm not getting enough. So, we'll be sampling our first home made protein shake tonight. I'm hoping they aren't too yucky!! I am going to mix it with fruit juice and some fresh fruit. Perhaps it'll be a yummy treat!

Update from appointment

So, it looks like my estrogen level is rising at a good rate and they are expecting it to come up even more. The follicle count is good and we are headed in the right direction. They only increased dosage to one of my meds (thankfully an easier shot) and we did that tonight with no problems.

The Menopur (the thicker one), on the other hand, is continuing to give me trouble. Today, after I pulled the needle out-there was a bubble of medication just below my skin I had to push and disperse AND there was an unpleasant amount of pain associated with that.

On a non-medication side of things, I had my first acupuncture appointment today. I don't know what to think of it. It was very relaxing and I did feel very dazed when I left. I definitely had lots of tingles for the next hour throughout my body. BUT, within an hour of the treatment-WHILE we were sitting at PF Chang's having dinner-I had an unusual panic attack. It came on real fast and I actually had to take one of my meds. It came out of the blue and was very strange. Since I hadn't had one in some time, I guess I'm assuming the acupuncture may have triggered it?

Anyway, I see her again next Monday, and then once in between our retrieval and transfer.
We're still on track, so far, for a March 26 retrieval.

Jen is a follicle making machine

We had another bloodwork/ultrasound appointment this morning. So, we were up early, got my shot in and out the door by 7! Another great morning with that shot.

Our appointment was good. Apparently, I have 8 follicles in one ovary and 7 in the other! I had 7 and 7 on Friday! Good news!!!

So far, everything is on track and our nurse coordinator, Alisa, is happy with our progress. We are expecting another report this afternoon and anticipate a medicine increase....but I'm going to be alright! :)

I'll update after we have the official results of the tests this morning!

...off for my first acupuncture appointment!

still going strong...

Well, despite the incredible mood swings...I am still feeling pretty ok about these shots. I had a good shot this morning and my 1st of the evening was good. The second shot of the evening...I'm still struggling with. It's a thicker medication so it's harder to push through the syringe...tonight, I put the needle in and had Kris push the stopper. Though that worked well with getting the medication in-there was more pain at the injection site. So...I'm not sure what the best course of action is for that shot. We'll probably try the same method tomorrow.

The best part of all this is that I finally figured out the best way to get the needle in with minimal pain and bruising.

Tomorrow, we go back to the fertility center for more bloodwork and another sonogram. I am anticipating an increase of medication following this appointment. I'm just hoping and praying that it's not yet time for the big shot. My first acupuncture appointment is also tomorrow and I am really looking forward to that.

I'll keep you posted following the appointment tomorrow.

yup...that's right...JEN rocks it!

Look at this face:

This is AFTER the evening shots!!! Today was a GREAT day....I had a great shot this morning, wonderful day hanging out with Kris, good 2 shots tonight, our dinner is well on its way to being amazing and we have a funny movie to watch tonight! We are opening my favorite wine tonight so I can have a glass tonight and tomorrow...and then Jen goes dry. :)

And the victory goes to......JEN!!!!

Ok, so I woke up this morning ready to kick these shots in the butt. So, I came downstairs, washed my hands, prepared my needle, and taught my shot a lesson! In and out all before Kris even realized what I was doing. :) I found a good spot now for these shots...no pain, no burn, no bruise.

Good day for Lupron. :) AND I was rewarded with lots of bear hugs from Kris!!! What a way to start my day! :)

2 more shots

Today was a ROUGH day. I think I spent more of it crying than not. :( The good news is that I have a wonderful husband who does nothing but comfort me and try to make it easier for me and a great friend (Kate K) (who has already been through all of this) who keeps encouraging me!

Today, we were told to add 2 more shots to our regimine. I now have 1 shot in the morning and 2 shots in the evening. This will continue until at least March 26. I was REALLY nervous about doing these shots because of all the trouble I was having with the Lupron (in the morning). Though, it was unpleasant, I was able to inject both shots tonight. Kris had to mix the second shot...but we got it in. I mixed the first shot and accidentally bent the needle....so that shot hurt because it went in crooked and kinda' got caught in my skin. :( But...I did them. So...I hope these next 10 days or so go by quickly!

Appointment today

Well, Lupron was still not my friend this morning. I didn't bruise, but I do have a red mark. :(

We had our Lupron evaluation today, which consisted of blood work (MORE stinkin' needles) and a sonogram. We should find out this afternoon where we are in the cycle and will receive our medicine schedule for all those NEW boxes that arrived yesterday. We did find out that I have approximately 7 follicles in each ovary, which is above average and is more than I had in January! So...that is good news. :)

After our evaluation, Kris and I headed to Starbucks to kill time (2 1/2 hours to be exact). :) Our nurse coordinator, Alisa, walked in and she came to talk with us for a little while. She is really nice and very attentive. We are lucky to have her working with us. :)

After we finished up at Starbucks, we headed back to the center for our injection class. This was a validating experience and an un-nerving one.

I found out that I was injecting the Lupron correctly and that some women describe what I was experiencing. The nurse suggested that I inject below my belly button (where there is a little more fat). She thinks that since I didn't have a lot of fat where I have been injecting, she thinks I might be hitting muscle....causing me pain. :) I'm smiling because she is insinuating I have muscles in my abdomen: the only 6 pack I have is of Corona! :) hee hee hee.... ANYWAY, so I'm going to try the new place tomorrow.

I found that the other 2 shots I have to give are the same size needle as the Lupron (which is very small)...so I feel better about those shots. The other two are mixing shots, so I have to mix fluid with powder. I'm glad we went to the class because now I feel better about that mixing process.

The one I am DREADING is the intramuscular shot that Kris has to give me in my butt/upper hip. This one, he will be mixing and injecting. It's a thicker and longer needle. :( Actually seeing the size of the needle makes me unhappy...but I only have to do that shot once. It's a timed shot, so based on our next sonogram-we will be given an exact time to administer that shot. Our nurse told us that this shot will hurt and it will bruise the muscle. She said that we are tearing the muscle fiber...that's why it will hurt. She said I won't feel the medicine going in....just the needle bruising the muscle.

So....we are almost to the middle of this process. I'll keep you posted.

Bad Lupron BAD!

Today was a bad medicine day. You can watch the video below to see why, if you're interested. I'm trying to stay positive and excited, but am having trouble with that today.

Feeling pretty good

Today is day 5 and I'm feeling pretty good. I'm getting used to these shots and feeling pretty comfortable with the whole process. The only thing that was different today was that I must've been a little rougher than usual with my needle because I actually bled a little today. I don't know if that is normal, so I'll try to be more careful tomorrow. My choir competition was last night so I was unusually exhausted this morning... so I might not have been paying very close attention...probably not good to be handling a needle when I'm not "with it", eh? ;)

We are supposed to receive the rest of our medication tomorrow...so I'll get to see the nasty shots I'm going to have to take. :(

I've also made an acupuncture appointment and go in for my first visit on Monday. I'm really excited about it. We had originally made our appointment for Friday, but had to move it to Monday for scheduling reasons. For some reason, I'm not the least bit worried about the needles my acupuncturist will be using. :)

Nothing new to really report. Just moving through these steps with great hopes!!

MET

Day three...this day was exciting! I had read some blogs on women taking these Lupron injections and were given some tips to help with the burning. SO...I tried a new way to give the injection and it went so much better this morning! The pain I normally felt was significantly less. :) YAY!!!

Then, Kris and I were off for our Mock Embryo Transfer! This procedure will help us when we do our final step towards baby making! They practiced the procedure and figured out what equipment and stuff they would need for me. I was really nervous that it was going to be painful. Everything I read about it mentioned pain...our nurse coordinator even told me to take some pain killers before we came. I was so happy that there was no pain! It was a little uncomfortable...but no pain!

The most painful thing about today was: the Social Security Administration. We have been trying to change my name on my SS card...and we ended up having to actually go to the office. It took us 2 hours to get my name changed. It was INFURIATING!

The next big thing happens on Friday. We go for our Lupron evaluation (where we will check the progress of those injections, and get the schedule and dosage of the other shots), we have an injection class that will teach Kris how to give me the yucky shot (in my hip), and I have my first acupuncture session!

Stay posted!

The meds...in the beginning...

The video below just shows you where the "magic" happens every morning and a little overview of what meds I'm taking right now. :) Don't worry...I'm not going to post video of me actually injecting myself...I'm too much of a wimp to let that go public. ;)

ok...so I am a wimp...

So....today is day two of those silly little shots. I can definitely say that 1) the needle does not bother me at all and 2) the burning sensation of the medication is NOT pleasant. All Kris kept saying was, "oh boy...how are you going to get through the birthing process?" So, I'll admit it-I have no tolerance for this kind of pain. :) I guess I can only hope that the more I do this, the less it hurts. It burns and itches all at the same time. :( I guess the good news is that it only lasts for 5 minutes or so....but still...

I just have to keep thinking about: Evie, Jacob, Lilly, Alayna, Ellie, and all those little babies!

Day One

Well today, I took my first dose of Lupron this morning! I was really nervous about giving myself a shot (in the tummy)...but Kris cheered me on and reminded me of why we were doing this! I was pleasantly suprised that it really didn't hurt once I got the needle in! I definitely felt like a newbie when I couldn't get the stopper to go down...but I figured it out. :) I was surprised a few minutes later when my tummy started to burn-but it did pass within a couple minutes and all is well. :)

In addition, I had to take children's aspirin this morning (and will continue to for some time). It is grape flavored!! It was very yummy...I will enjoy taking those every morning. :)

Thanks Kate K for all your help and chatting with us as we prepared for this first step!! :)