So next steps are a little vague at this point but after going through such a process as IVF, I get the routine.
1. Start birth control again to shut down my system and bring all of my numbers back to 0.
2. Scan/Calendar visit with doctor in about three weeks.
3. Lupron injections for two weeks to suppress the pituitary gland, increase uterine lining and prevent premature ovulation.
4. Vivelle patches again to raise estrogen levels.
5. After Lupron then Progesterone supplements
6. Antibiotics to make sure there is no infection that would prevent implantation
Thankfully our excellent quality frosties save my body from the first half of IVF where my ovaries are ridiculously full and uncomfortable. We even have one frosty that is graded AA, the best grade you can get! We also have one that is AB running a close second!
Last will be the FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer), sometime the beginning of December so Kyle and I have to decide how many embabies to put back in this time. We talked about it last night and he said, "put them all in"! I'm not sure I am ready to put all of my eggs in one basket (HA) for a few reasons. I don't think I can work a full time job and care for quadruplets or more, I don't think my body could handle that many babies and I would like to have a fall back plan if this cycle doesn't work.
The FET is MUCH cheaper than the IVF cycle. We did a quick calculation last night and came up with about $2500 plus medication. Thank goodness our December FET was included with our financed package we are already making payments on.
Friday, September 28, 2012
A new day
First, THANK YOU to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support, we have some great friends and family!
Last night Kyle and I spent some quality time together just being sad. We learned from this process that when I go for beta testing, Kyle will go too. I just needed company in the parking garage and someone with cash at McDonald's! lol
After some time on the couch together our mood lightened after this conversation:
Me: I have a question, and I'm serious
Husband: Ok
Me: If our frosties were "created" in September but we aren't going to use them until December, what will their birthday be?
Husband: I'm pretty sure it will be when you give birth to them.
Me: lol, ok let me rephrase, if they were created in September instead of being 9 months old in the womb will they be 12?
Husband: I don't know, they are frozen!
Kyle and I sat and laughed about such a funny question. I suppose it depends on your moral opinion of when our children were created and what that means in the eyes of the lord.
Last night Kyle and I spent some quality time together just being sad. We learned from this process that when I go for beta testing, Kyle will go too. I just needed company in the parking garage and someone with cash at McDonald's! lol
After some time on the couch together our mood lightened after this conversation:
Me: I have a question, and I'm serious
Husband: Ok
Me: If our frosties were "created" in September but we aren't going to use them until December, what will their birthday be?
Husband: I'm pretty sure it will be when you give birth to them.
Me: lol, ok let me rephrase, if they were created in September instead of being 9 months old in the womb will they be 12?
Husband: I don't know, they are frozen!
Kyle and I sat and laughed about such a funny question. I suppose it depends on your moral opinion of when our children were created and what that means in the eyes of the lord.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Bad News...
Today was Beta day that I was so impatiently waited for. I was not prepared that the dr would have me do a urine test when I got there. After I did my blood work I waited for the dr in the conference room.
I knew what she was going to say unfortunately, I just knew it. She said it was no good. I did so great through the whole IVF process and had such good reports, she really thought it would have worked. You just can't control your body :(
Thankfully we have 4 frosties that are in excellent condition for a frozen transfer in December. Ugh! Another three months :(
I spent the next hour in the parking garage crying followed by a melt down at mcD's when the drive thru lady said they were cash only... Ugh!
I don't just feel like my body let me down but it also let Kyle down as well as our family.
I knew what she was going to say unfortunately, I just knew it. She said it was no good. I did so great through the whole IVF process and had such good reports, she really thought it would have worked. You just can't control your body :(
Thankfully we have 4 frosties that are in excellent condition for a frozen transfer in December. Ugh! Another three months :(
I spent the next hour in the parking garage crying followed by a melt down at mcD's when the drive thru lady said they were cash only... Ugh!
I don't just feel like my body let me down but it also let Kyle down as well as our family.
Monday, September 24, 2012
The dreaded 2 WW
The 2ww is miserable at this point. I am still using the vivelle patches and endometrim suppositories so any sign that you might actually be prego can all be attributed to the progesterone supplements!
I finally broke down and took a test this morning at 9dp3dt. (9 days past a 3 day transfer)
It was negative :( I spent the first five minutes of my morning crying since I know lots of other woman in my situation that got BFPs at this point. I feel a little hopeless but I also know it is still possible to pull one out.
I will just have to wait for BETA on Thursday... UGH! More waiting!
I finally broke down and took a test this morning at 9dp3dt. (9 days past a 3 day transfer)
It was negative :( I spent the first five minutes of my morning crying since I know lots of other woman in my situation that got BFPs at this point. I feel a little hopeless but I also know it is still possible to pull one out.
I will just have to wait for BETA on Thursday... UGH! More waiting!
Snow Angels or Frosties
I received a call at work on Wednesday 9/19 from the Embryologist to let us know we had 4 perfect frosties! (Frozen Embryos)
This is really great news for multiple reasons! We have a back up plan and I don't have to put my poor body through all the injections again for another try!
This is really great news for multiple reasons! We have a back up plan and I don't have to put my poor body through all the injections again for another try!
PUPO & Bed Rest...
Bored! That is all I can say. I laid on the couch for four days and did nothing!
This is the phase that Infertile folks like to call, PUPO. Stands for pregnant until proven otherwise! And I am now PUPO with TWINS! :)
On Saturday night, Sharon and Court came over to visit. I felt bad for Sharon since she is allergic to my furbabies and they wanted to see her SO BAD! She stayed until she just couldn't breath anymore :)
On Sunday, Kyle's car arrived in the am. He was SO EXCITED! A 1965 Mustang thanks to Godmother and Aunt, Kim. So I had a little visit from Joni, Laura and Kim. I watched out the front window to get my only glimpse of the car as the tow truck backed it in our driveway.
Mom, Dad and Todd came over for Lady Lunch. Mom and Todd stayed and kept me company. Karen and David came over too from a few doors down just to see how I was.
On Monday I took a shower and then laid on the couch. Dad brought us lunch from Panera and hung out with me for a while. We watched some court tv, Rachel Ray and some talk tv. That night, Kyle made taco salad for dinner and brought me roses! Such a sweet husband.
On Tuesday, my last day of lock up I did the same routine as Monday but Dad brought Popeyes for us. We watched more tv and I actually took a nap. Janna came by after work and brought us dinner. Very kind! :) Husband made chili for my cook-off at work while I watched more TV!
Finally on Wednesday I got to go back to work and really begin what they like to call the two week wait!
This is the phase that Infertile folks like to call, PUPO. Stands for pregnant until proven otherwise! And I am now PUPO with TWINS! :)
On Saturday night, Sharon and Court came over to visit. I felt bad for Sharon since she is allergic to my furbabies and they wanted to see her SO BAD! She stayed until she just couldn't breath anymore :)
On Sunday, Kyle's car arrived in the am. He was SO EXCITED! A 1965 Mustang thanks to Godmother and Aunt, Kim. So I had a little visit from Joni, Laura and Kim. I watched out the front window to get my only glimpse of the car as the tow truck backed it in our driveway.
Mom, Dad and Todd came over for Lady Lunch. Mom and Todd stayed and kept me company. Karen and David came over too from a few doors down just to see how I was.
On Monday I took a shower and then laid on the couch. Dad brought us lunch from Panera and hung out with me for a while. We watched some court tv, Rachel Ray and some talk tv. That night, Kyle made taco salad for dinner and brought me roses! Such a sweet husband.
On Tuesday, my last day of lock up I did the same routine as Monday but Dad brought Popeyes for us. We watched more tv and I actually took a nap. Janna came by after work and brought us dinner. Very kind! :) Husband made chili for my cook-off at work while I watched more TV!
Finally on Wednesday I got to go back to work and really begin what they like to call the two week wait!
Egg Transfer
Kyle and I were scheduled for egg transfer on Saturday 9/15. We arrived a little early and nurse Donna took me right back. I changed into one of those gorgeous gowns again and husband put on a paper one with some cute booties.
The embryologist, AKA first baby sitter, came in to tell us about our kids. 3 - 8 cell embryos, 3 - 7 cell embryos, 2 - 6 cell embryos, 1 - 5 cell and 1 - 4 cell. The 3 - 8s and the 3 - 7s are great!
Then it was off to the procedure room again for the transfer. Let me say, I didn't remember this room besides seeing it on the tour many weeks before. Lovely to find out that I talked and "helped" Dr. Homm during my egg retrieval in this very room. I don't remember any of it!
Let me also share that this was Kyle's first "female" experience. I think it's good for him but he kept looking for buttons and things to play with while I am exposed!
The whole procedure took about five minutes then I was wheeled back to the recovery area to sit with legs elevated for 30 minutes.
I got to keep pictures of our kids
On the way home we stopped for Rally's and spent the rest of the day doing NOTHING followed by another three days of nothing!
The embryologist, AKA first baby sitter, came in to tell us about our kids. 3 - 8 cell embryos, 3 - 7 cell embryos, 2 - 6 cell embryos, 1 - 5 cell and 1 - 4 cell. The 3 - 8s and the 3 - 7s are great!
Then it was off to the procedure room again for the transfer. Let me say, I didn't remember this room besides seeing it on the tour many weeks before. Lovely to find out that I talked and "helped" Dr. Homm during my egg retrieval in this very room. I don't remember any of it!
Let me also share that this was Kyle's first "female" experience. I think it's good for him but he kept looking for buttons and things to play with while I am exposed!
The whole procedure took about five minutes then I was wheeled back to the recovery area to sit with legs elevated for 30 minutes.
I got to keep pictures of our kids
Fertility Report
Thursday 9/13, I returned to work. I realized when leaving for work that I lost my favorite jean jacket in the ER process. I called mom to ask her if she knew what I did with it but she didn't. On the way to work I stopped to grab some thicker pads to deal with some spotting and Endometrin issues. Feeling mostly fine, we had a food truck event for the United Way in the parking lot for lunch. I went down to wait in line for my pizza when I got the call!
Ms. Devine said out of 11 eggs, 10 were mature and all 10 fertilized! WOW! We have 10 kids!
I haven't been so excited through this process as I was when I got that call. I was surprised at myself actually. I texted Kyle the good news and then called my mom. Another step checked off the IVF list!
Ms. Devine said out of 11 eggs, 10 were mature and all 10 fertilized! WOW! We have 10 kids!
I haven't been so excited through this process as I was when I got that call. I was surprised at myself actually. I texted Kyle the good news and then called my mom. Another step checked off the IVF list!
Egg Retrieval
My appointment was scheduled for Wednesday 9/12 at 11am. Mom picked me up from the house and Kyle met us at the doctor office. They took me back and I changed into a gorgeous gown. Once I was comfortably in bed with a warm blanket they got Kyle. He joined me for a short time while Ms. Devine prepared a "cocktail" as she called it.
She started my IV twice. Once using a spot that had multiple sticks in the previous weeks for my blood work, OUCH! So Ms. Devine took that one out and started one in my hand. She hooked me up to something? and then injected the "cocktail". She said I would really like it :)
I remember Kyle saying "night, night" as I looked over at the blood pressure machine. That was the last thing I remember!
I woke up to Ms. Devine and Dr. Homm standing beside me. My mom came in and sat in the chair beside me. In time for Dr. Homm to tell me he got 11 eggs! GREAT NEWS!
The nurse, Cindy (who mom knew), said they drained my cyst while they were in there and if I had finger print bruises on my abdomin that is why. She had to push down on me to get to it???? Another OUCH!
After ER, I was given some pain meds and got dressed. Mom took me to meet Dad at Famous Daves since I was starving! I remember eating a salad but couldn't tell you what we talked about.
I spent the rest of the day on the couch, a little sore but fine!
She started my IV twice. Once using a spot that had multiple sticks in the previous weeks for my blood work, OUCH! So Ms. Devine took that one out and started one in my hand. She hooked me up to something? and then injected the "cocktail". She said I would really like it :)
I remember Kyle saying "night, night" as I looked over at the blood pressure machine. That was the last thing I remember!
I woke up to Ms. Devine and Dr. Homm standing beside me. My mom came in and sat in the chair beside me. In time for Dr. Homm to tell me he got 11 eggs! GREAT NEWS!
The nurse, Cindy (who mom knew), said they drained my cyst while they were in there and if I had finger print bruises on my abdomin that is why. She had to push down on me to get to it???? Another OUCH!
After ER, I was given some pain meds and got dressed. Mom took me to meet Dad at Famous Daves since I was starving! I remember eating a salad but couldn't tell you what we talked about.
I spent the rest of the day on the couch, a little sore but fine!
Trigger Time!
On my Monday appointment 9/10 I got a great review with lots of follicles! :) It's time to trigger for my retrieval on 9/12.
Ms. Devine went ahead and prepared my shot then put a circle on my rear where the shot was to be placed. I went home with the intention of Kyle giving it to me so I didn't have to drive over to my mom's at midnight! I almost had him convinced to do it until he saw the needle. This one was no joke with about an inch and a half needle on it.
Needless to say I drove to mom's at midnight. I showed her my circle but she didn't like that placement. Guess it's a nurse thing. So she made her own. She had me lay on the bed and before I felt anything it was over! She did a fantastic job! Thanks Mom!
Ms. Devine went ahead and prepared my shot then put a circle on my rear where the shot was to be placed. I went home with the intention of Kyle giving it to me so I didn't have to drive over to my mom's at midnight! I almost had him convinced to do it until he saw the needle. This one was no joke with about an inch and a half needle on it.
Needless to say I drove to mom's at midnight. I showed her my circle but she didn't like that placement. Guess it's a nurse thing. So she made her own. She had me lay on the bed and before I felt anything it was over! She did a fantastic job! Thanks Mom!
Injections x2
Good thing they let you start off with the daily Follistim. It gave me time to get comfortable with my little needle. Well now I get to add the Ganarilex to it and that is a bigger needle. It hurt more and it itched afterward too! But I have to keep telling myself that it will be worth it if this works...
Injection
I made it through the 1st injection with flying colors. I was a bit sore afterward and I must have been squeezing my belly extra hard:
So I shouldn't be a phlebotomist :)
So I shouldn't be a phlebotomist :)
Baseline and Training
I went in for my baseline which was fine. By now I am very used to those awkward ultra sounds. Ms. Devine said I had 5 small follicles hanging out and a cyst on the right side. This was news to me! She said it was fine and it shouldn't cause any issues.
Next I had blood drawn (4 vials). Good thing I knew my blood type or that was another few vials!
Next was training on how to draw my medication up and how to inject myself. I got to practice on a fake belly and was feeling pretty good about it until she pulled out an insulin needle and saline. YUP, she made me shoot myself right there! To my surprise it was a little stick and then I couldn't feel anything pushing the needle on in.
Last I got to go on a tour of the procedure room which was a bit creepy since there was no one in there. Just a bunch of beds and medical equipment. It reminded me of the haunted houses when I was a kid at Waverly Hills! lol
Well all done, time to move on!
Next I had blood drawn (4 vials). Good thing I knew my blood type or that was another few vials!
Next was training on how to draw my medication up and how to inject myself. I got to practice on a fake belly and was feeling pretty good about it until she pulled out an insulin needle and saline. YUP, she made me shoot myself right there! To my surprise it was a little stick and then I couldn't feel anything pushing the needle on in.
Last I got to go on a tour of the procedure room which was a bit creepy since there was no one in there. Just a bunch of beds and medical equipment. It reminded me of the haunted houses when I was a kid at Waverly Hills! lol
Well all done, time to move on!
Calendar Consultation
I went for my calendar consultation July 31st. This includes the calendar of when and what drugs I am to take, egg retrieval, egg transfer, beta test... You will not believe the list of drugs, ready?:
1. Birth Control Pills to put your ovaries into hybrenation.
2. Follistim injections to wake the ovaries up and produce eggs. This will be a daily shot of 250 units.
3. Vivelle patches to increase my estogen. Change these twice a week.
4. Ganirelix injections added a week after Follistim to keep me from ovulating.
5. Pregnyl (HCG) to inject 36 hours before Egg retrieval.
6. Doxycycline antibiotic to prevent infection after Egg retrieval
7. Prednisone to increase implantation
8. Endometrin to suport embryo implantation and support early pregnancy by increasing the progesterone.
Grand Total after my insurance picked up the BCP, Dox and Pred - $2,700.00
Let the games begin on 8/28/2012 with my baseline appointment. This includes an ultra sound and bloodwork. The ultra sound will be to check my uterus lining and my ovaries to see if there are any follicles hanging out already.
1. Birth Control Pills to put your ovaries into hybrenation.
2. Follistim injections to wake the ovaries up and produce eggs. This will be a daily shot of 250 units.
3. Vivelle patches to increase my estogen. Change these twice a week.
4. Ganirelix injections added a week after Follistim to keep me from ovulating.
5. Pregnyl (HCG) to inject 36 hours before Egg retrieval.
6. Doxycycline antibiotic to prevent infection after Egg retrieval
7. Prednisone to increase implantation
8. Endometrin to suport embryo implantation and support early pregnancy by increasing the progesterone.
Grand Total after my insurance picked up the BCP, Dox and Pred - $2,700.00
Let the games begin on 8/28/2012 with my baseline appointment. This includes an ultra sound and bloodwork. The ultra sound will be to check my uterus lining and my ovaries to see if there are any follicles hanging out already.
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