How am I feeling?

Well, since I want to chronicle everything (ok, almost everything) I'm going through, I'll give an update. Please note that I am NOT complaining. I just don't ever want to forget everything that I have gone through.

Since Monday, I am nauseous in the morning, and again around 5:00. Nothing horrible, just a little off. I have learned that I feel better after I eat something. My boobs have been constantly hurting, but I know that is from the estrogen (those stopped hurting for about 2 days this entire cycle). I'm also feeling crampy. It isn't constant cramps, and the cramping is worse at night (I know this could also be a result of the PIO). I have gotten up to pee at least once a night (some nights more) every night since the retrieval. Oh, and I have had at least 1 attack of heartburn a day. Oh, and the sides by my hips are sore from the PIO shots.

And now for the humor: The other night I had a very weird dream. I had a dream that I was going to get "intimate" with Steven Sanders from 90210. Now, the intimate part never came to be - but STEVE SANDERS! I know I've been watching a lot of 90210 lately, but sheesh. Out of all the guys on that show I had to pick him? I must be losing my mind!!

And, when I was in the car the other day, I heard "Don't Stop Believing" and did everything I could just to keep it together. It made me think that this is probably the theme song for this cycle. At the ever beginning when we were cancelled, I couldn't believe it. I never gave up hope and look at how far I've come (so far).

I don't know how I'm going make to the Beta test and then hopefully to the ultrasounds. I really want to if all of these unpleasant "symptoms" I have really are symptoms, or if I am just plain crazy and these are all made up.

Another small miracle

I got a call from my doctor's office this morning - we have 1 embryo that made it to freezing. I am in shock and so excited! I was told by one of the embryologists that only about 15% of embryos make it to freezing - the fact that we have 1 is another miracle in this crazy cycle. In the 2 previous IVF cycles we've had, none have made it as far as freezing. In fact, because of my previous history, I completely forgot that today was the deadline for freezing (meaning that the remaining embryos had to continue growing to today to make it). This must be one really strong embryo to make it this far. I hope that the 4 transferred back to me the other day are just as strong.

As for how am I feeling? Nervous. A little crampy (normal from the meds I'm taking). I have sore boobs (that's from the estrogen and "normal" for the meds I'm taking). The sides of by butt are sore from the PIO shots. But, it is all for the greater good (or at least I hope so).

pregnant until proven otherwise

That is basically how I have to treat my body for at least the next couple of weeks.

Yesterday they transferred 4, 8-cell, Grade A embryos. Grade A is the best grade. I think in our previous two ETs I have only had 1 or 2 grade As. So, to have 4 for 1 transfer is amazing. We are feeling very optimistic. Even Frank is starting to show some excitement. He was excited that he got to put on his scrubs to go in the room with me yesterday. What was pretty cool was that the doctor and one of the nurses showed him on the ultrasound screen where they placed the embryos. In hindsight, I should have asked for a printout of that, but I was so nervous at the the time I was shaking.

And, I'm feeling great! I haven't felt this good at this stage of the game for our last two cycles. Even the PIO's aren't bothering me. The last time we did the PIO's I yelped with each shot (they go in the behind). But this time, it isn't that terrible. I might even be able to endure it for the next couple of weeks.

Both yesterday and today I will be on bedrest and the I will be slow moving for another week to give my little embryos a chance to implant and STICK! Also, I have to stick to the rules of pregnancy - food restrictions, no swimming (too cold for that) and no physical activity (at least for the time being). But, it is all for the greater good.

Transfer is today

Well, today is our ET - a Day 3 transfer. As of this morning, there are still 7 embryos still growing, which is GREAT news. The reason why we are doing it today is so they can do assisted hatching (putting a little crack in the outer shell of the embryo to help it grow). So, they are transferring 4 little embryos into my uterus this afternoon.

I am soooo nervous, but so excited! It is going to be 70 degrees today and it is sunny and beautiful. A perfect Spring day - and Spring is the season of blossoming and things fertilizing. A perfect day to get pregnant.

I don't know how much I'm going to post in the next couple of weeks. Frank and I haven't decided how soon we are going to tell people if we are pregnant. We haven't been able to make it past the 2nd Beta test, so I think we are feeling a little superstitious. Once we tell our family and closest friends, then I think I will post our positive or negative results on here.

Fertilization Report

So, out of 13 eggs retrieved, 8 fertilized. I am so very excited. As of now, a Day 3 transfer is still planned, but I won't know for sure until Thursday morning.

Now we have to do the Grow Embryos Grow Dance! If I weren't so sore, I'd have my dancing shoes on.

Lucky 13

At least, I hope 13 is a lucky number and that 3rd times a charm. My doctor retrieved 13 eggs today. That is the most I have ever had. But, I have to wait until late tomorrow morning to see how many were mature and how many fertilized.

I am SOOOO sore though. I have never been this sore. ugh! I am still planning on going to work tomorrow, but I don't expect to be moving around much.

I was told that my ovaries will be sore and I will be bloated for about a week (lucky me!). I know it is all for the greater good.

Tomorrow I start the PIO (progesterone in oil) shots. Those are intramusculare (aka - in the butt). Ouch!

I will update tomorrow when I have any knews. I hope it is good news!!!

Egg Retrieval is on Monday!!

Just a quick update.

ER is on Monday. The doctor today measured 11 good follies today - there was only 1 10, the rest were either 15, 17 or 18. I wish they would grow a little bigger before ER, but beggars can't be choosers. I trigger tonight at 10:00, go in tomorrow morning for one last blood test and get my pre-op instructions.

I am so excited you have no idea. Just one week ago I thought we were cancelled, and now here we are with more follies than I have ever had at this stage before. Everytime I leave the doctor's office I start humming the Rocky theme - Rocky may have been down, but he was never out. This is how I feel. Just the fact that we have gotten to this point is a miracle in itself.

I want to thank everyone for all their prayers and support. But, please keep them coming - it isn't over yet!

We're Improving

Well, things are definitely improving.

My endometrium lining has gone from 6 (on Monday) to 7.6 (Wednesday) to 9.8 (today). Very good sign! The thicker the better.

I have 7 follicles on the right, the largest being a 15. There are 3 smaller ones, so I’m kind of discounting those. On my left I have 6, the largest being a 16.

Unless I hear something different later, I take the same dosage of medicine and go back in tomorrow. IF, all continues to go well, the earliest my retrieval will be in on Tuesday.
I can't believe it. I have gone from none to 13 in less than a week.

Also, there are other "issues" this morning that I don't recall having before. When I asked the nurse about it, she said it was a sign of a good estrogen level. I won't discuss this b/c it really is too much information.

Please keep those vibes and prayers coming. They're working.

Once again, if I hear something different, I'll update this post.

9 follicles

I had 9 follicles measured today. The smallest being a 9, the largest being a 13 (with some 10's, and 11 and 12's in between). Go me!!! LOL There was also a really small one on my left that wasn't even measured.

I was floored. When I said to the doctor, you do realize I have never had 9 follicles this early in the game she said yes, this is a good step. She also said that as long as my follicles continue to grow and my estrogen levels increase accordingly (the estrogen is always the problem) we are still on track for IVF.

I am to continue with the dosage as I have been taking and I go back on Friday.

I guess being hooked up with jumper cables at acupuncture helped!

C'mon follies and estrogen level!!

really cool acupuncture appt. today

Today when I went for my acupuncture appointment, on two of the needles she placed these electrodes (the needles were kinda near where my ovaries). This is supposed to help stimulate my ovaries (don't I need that right about now). It was cool - it almost looked like the machine that is used to jump start your battery. It felt weird too b/c the needle would vibrate. Anyway, whatever it was, I'm starting to feel the discomfort by my ovaries that I am usually feeling right about now.

Of course, I won't know if this actually worked until I go for my next monitoring appointment. Wish me luck!!