Retrieval Day

My retrieval appointment is at 9:30. We are nearly ready to leave the house. I haven't eaten or drank anything since midnight. My belly feels really full and bloated, though, so it will be good to get this procedure done.

Frank will be with me the entire time. We are both very excited.

Thank you for your positive, fertile thoughts.

xo~

a shot of madness

Tonight was my last shot. I wanted to share the amount of paraphernalia that is used in one night with three shots. There are mixing needles, vials of powder that need to be mixed with the vials of liquid, boxes of medication, and instructions on paperwork to follow. The good news is that tonight was the last night. I will be taking progesterone through suppositories. And just like that, the stress of shots is gone.

Tomorrow is my egg retrieval day. I will be missing work. I will be put under anesthesia for a period of time. I'll recover at home. The appointment is at 9:30 A.M.

Once they take the eggs out of me, they will begin growing in the lab for a few days. It will either be three or five days later when they transfer back the 2 viable embryos.

Think positive, healthy babies!

xo

The view down there...

I must repost this humorous, yet very truthful blog:

Remember the good old days when you had a pap smear and only ONE doctor looked into your lady parts? Those were the days. During your fertility journey, you now have an assortment of doctors, interns, nurses, ultrasound technicians examining your lower region. It’s like a party down there.

As if going for fertility treatments wasn’t awkward enough, why must everyone in your city get to examine your lady parts on a daily basis? As you spread your legs during your ultrasound appointment, a doctor, a nurse, an intern and the person who writes down everything the doctor says, is usually in the room. And don’t expect the doctor to even know your name. You are probably just known as Vagina Number 3004.

The IVF Transfer is no better, except that even more people seem to be in the room, enjoying the view. “Hey, Isn’t that Doogie Howser over there?” “Oh look, even the secretary came by for the show!” For the IVF transfer – the transfer of the fertilized embryo back into the uterus – half the population seems to be in the room. “Hey, isn’t that your Great Aunt Agnes? I’m glad you could make it.” In some clinics, they also shine a bright light directly into your lady parts. Who is the star of the show now? This is not a broadway musical starring your vagina, you know. But you would let the entire cast of Glee come into that ultrasound appointment if it meant it would get you pregnant.

Number of people that have seen your lady parts during your fertility appointments: 10-20
Number of interns that have enjoyed your transvaginal wand show: 15-20
Getting pregnant from a fertility treatments: Priceless

***fingers crossed...legs aren't.***

Getting closer!

I have 20 follicles. That is twice the normal amount of follicles that doctors hope a patient has. The doctor said I'm doing better than they expected. I was relieved to hear this, especially after having 3 shots a night.

The side effects of these shots include bloating and a constant feeling as though I have to go to the bathroom. TMI!

Saturday, I have another appointment - ultrasound and blood test. I'll be sure to update everyone when I hear the results.

I appreciate that you've been following my story. xo.

1...2...3...shots your out!

The protocol has kicked up a notch from one shot to three shots a night. The procedure now takes us about 15 minutes, start to finish to complete the shots. The first shot is the easiest, as we've been doing that one for a week. The second shot uses a pen, and it's OK. The third shot requires mixing and switching a vile of fluid. It's complicated, but we get it now. I still dread the nightly needles at 10, although they're not that painful.

I've also had two estrogen blood tests. Friday's test was 20. 20???? What does it mean? Today's test was 35. I was told that it means that my estrogen has increased since Friday. I hope that the nurse didn't fail that part of the exam - logic and math. "There is no number that we're aiming for since the doctor just wants it to increase."

I bet that the doctor IS looking for a number and I WILL understand it on Thursday when I see the doctor. In this case, ignorance is not bliss.

Just so you know, the soonest that I could have my transfer is Sunday. I'll have 48 hours notice of this procedure.

What a relief

I made it through the nausea. After talking through my status with the doctor, she said that it was likely a side effect of the birth control pills combined with the Lupron injections. Sunday was the last day of the birth control pills, and the nausea wore off by Wednesday morning. I gave the doctor a word of caution - if nausea is only affected by 0.000001% of the population, I'm going to be that person.

Baseline Ultrasound:
Monday's doctor appointment included my first estrogen blood draw and baseline ultrasound.
Estrogen = 20 - perfect number to let them know I'm good candidate for IVF. That's a good thing since we had to pay.
Baseline Ultrasound - examined my uterus lining for cysts, (none), and counted my follicles - 10. They only hope for 3. I'm good.

Medication education:
Lupron - used to suppress two hormones normally used to increase the size of my follicles for ovulation.
Birth Control Pills - used to actively control my cycle.
Follistim and Menopur - the combination of the two are going to help stimulate ALL of my follicles to hopefully produce eggs.

Medication plan for the week:
Lupron shots - every night until further notice. This is my 8th night of Lupron.
Follistim and Menopur - starts on Friday night. These stimulate my follicles to grow, grow, grow.

We're moving right along on the plan. Things look good. My attitude is positive. And I've got lots of love and support.

xo.

Side Effects

The side effects of Lupron have hit me hard. Last night was shot #5. Unfortunately, I've got some serious side effects - nausea and head aches. The doctor's office has a weekend hot line so I was able to confirm that this is normal. Lupron creates a deficiency in estrogen, which can cause nausea and head aches. It's fairly debilitating and I fear what this means for the next few months of my life, if I get pregnant.

We have our baseline ultrasound today. We will also be paying for the IVF procedure today, too. It's a big day in the Leach household.

Jumping for Joy

Today, I jumped out of an airplane. This was on my list as the one thing to do before having kids. Something that I didn't want to have to consider AFTER having kids. I think that I'll be ready to do just about anything else after kids. In fact, I will be encouraging my kids to take such a leap of faith.


FUTURE MOM!

PS: Frank had a good time too.

Injection Preparation

Thursday, Frank & I attended the injection seminar. Two hours of instruction on which needles to use and how to use them. It was a hands on experience, as we each got to practice with a very small needle in our bellies. Here is the grab bag we received during class.

From

I also had to order my medication which I will be taking for the next 5 weeks. It was shipped overnight in a refrigerated box. I will be taking Lupron, Menopur, Progesterone, and a few others. The entire set of medication filled our kitchen table. You can even notice our needle disposal box that was included with the package.

From

Injections of Lupron begin on Wednesday. Thankfully, I'll be back from NYC in time for Frank to assist me!

Check the box

Before receiving the green light for the IVF procedure, every patient is given a long list of things to complete. The list includes blood work, ultrasounds, mammogram, daily vitamins, counseling, orientations for injections and other procedures, and a course of anti-biotics. Today, I checked the box the last item - a saline sonogram. This involves the doctor using a camera to ensure that I have no polyps or cysts in my uterus.

During the procedure, I was examined by the resident while one of the main doctors ensured that the analysis was accurate. Frank sat by my side, as he is actively involved in this entire process. I glanced at the ceiling and counted the moments until it was over. I knew I was clear of any cysts when the doctor stated, "nice cavity."

Seriously? That doctor must've missed the exam on beside manners.

Amazon needs a new category

I found this quote on a very humorous (if you're going through fertility issues) website today:

INSIGHTFUL, LONG LOST FRIEND: "Wow, I didn’t know you were married that long. How many kids do you have?"

ME: "None. They’re on backorder. I ordered them, like, forever ago. I don’t know, they must be out of stock."

I think Amazon needs a new category on their homepage.

And so it begins...

It's day 7 into my cycle. Ironically, I've started taking birth control pills, which are used to control my cycle. From this point forward, my body is completely controlled by the medical professionals at UCSF and the loads of hormones I'll be consuming over the next 8 weeks. I have some understanding of my journey, although it will all be defined after I have my saline sonogram. More on that procedure after I have it.

I'm excited about this leg of the journey, although it took a long time to get to this point. We've spent a lot of money, time and energy on creating a family. I'm hopeful that this procedure is successful.

At one point, I wanted everyone to eat eggs or plant a seed while thinking of me. At this time, it's truly up to you to do something in my honor of creating a family. I'll take whatever I can get...just make me fertile, Myrtle!