The last few days have felt like a blur. Everyone has been so nice to us. Our family has been looking out for us. Friends have called to check on us.
DH and I have decided to go back to looking into adoption. We went to 2 meetings with one agency last year. We also met with another agency yesterday because DH and I had the day off. We know the whole adoption process can be very long, so we're trying to start things. We figure we'll meet with a few agencies and then choose the one we like the best. We will probably look into domestic adoption, but I'm open to international as well. We'll see.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
One More Day...
Tomorrow is our beta blood test.
DH and I both had stressful days. We couldn't help but worry.
DH and I both had stressful days. We couldn't help but worry.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
14 Days Past Retrieval
It's so hard waiting.
Yesterday I had so much to do - I helped organize and run a huge art show for my school district. It was great - I spent the evening talking to students and parents. But here we are again today and I'm back to waiting....
Yesterday I had so much to do - I helped organize and run a huge art show for my school district. It was great - I spent the evening talking to students and parents. But here we are again today and I'm back to waiting....
Saturday, March 15, 2008
11 Days Past Retrieval/Ovulation
I'm not going to lie - I took a pg test yesterday morning and this morning.
Both tests were negative and it's very early to test. It's just that I read about how so many people get early results and I wanted to be one of those people for once. (Who am I kidding - I just want to be one of those people who gets a positive result, early or not.)
I had a blood test done this morning to check on my progesterone and estrogen. I take an estrogen tablet every night and I also have to be given an injection of progesterone each night. I thought that the other shots were not so bad - not a picnic, but not too bad. These shots are something else.
Progesterone shots are intramuscular, so instead of the medicine going just under your skin you are injecting it directly into muscle. The needle is big and long and it hurts going in, while it's in, and as it is being pulled out. The PIO (progesterone in oil) is also very thick - it's the consistency of vegetable oil (I think it's actually in sesame oil, I remember right.) Not the easiest thing to inject into a muscle.
I have also had a lot of pain at the injection site and around it. I think the PIO must move through the muscle as it's absorbed. I am very sore and tend to lean over when I sit to avoid sitting on my bruises.
We found out today that the 5 fragmented embryos we had definitely did not make it to cryopreservation. I knew that the possibility of them making it was not good, but a tiny part of me hoped at least one would survive. We will have to completely start over with a new IVF if this one doesn't work and that probably won't ever happen.
To say I'm sad about this is an understatement.
I'm going to try to keep busy today. I think I need to be distracted for a while.
Both tests were negative and it's very early to test. It's just that I read about how so many people get early results and I wanted to be one of those people for once. (Who am I kidding - I just want to be one of those people who gets a positive result, early or not.)
I had a blood test done this morning to check on my progesterone and estrogen. I take an estrogen tablet every night and I also have to be given an injection of progesterone each night. I thought that the other shots were not so bad - not a picnic, but not too bad. These shots are something else.
Progesterone shots are intramuscular, so instead of the medicine going just under your skin you are injecting it directly into muscle. The needle is big and long and it hurts going in, while it's in, and as it is being pulled out. The PIO (progesterone in oil) is also very thick - it's the consistency of vegetable oil (I think it's actually in sesame oil, I remember right.) Not the easiest thing to inject into a muscle.
I have also had a lot of pain at the injection site and around it. I think the PIO must move through the muscle as it's absorbed. I am very sore and tend to lean over when I sit to avoid sitting on my bruises.
We found out today that the 5 fragmented embryos we had definitely did not make it to cryopreservation. I knew that the possibility of them making it was not good, but a tiny part of me hoped at least one would survive. We will have to completely start over with a new IVF if this one doesn't work and that probably won't ever happen.
To say I'm sad about this is an understatement.
I'm going to try to keep busy today. I think I need to be distracted for a while.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
9 Days Past Retrieval Day
I am 9 days past my retrieval day (or my "ovulation day.") I have been feeling fine all week until today. Had a headache for most of the day and just feel tired. I felt very warm, too, and I have had some cramps.
I want to think that all of the symptoms are a good sign, but I'm not so sure....I'm still keeping my hopes up, but it's kind of hard when you don't feel well.
A friend of mine wrote me an email and said she was sending positive vibes my way....I told her to keep sending them because I needed all that I could get!
I want to think that all of the symptoms are a good sign, but I'm not so sure....I'm still keeping my hopes up, but it's kind of hard when you don't feel well.
A friend of mine wrote me an email and said she was sending positive vibes my way....I told her to keep sending them because I needed all that I could get!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Pictures from our Embryo Transfer
These are pictures from our transfer. The arrow is the ultrasound showing the embryos as they were transferred. The 2nd pic is our 3 grade A blasts.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
There are 3 embryos inside me right now!
Our ET went well today. We had 8 embryos but 5 had fragmented by today. She said that the 5 were probably fragmented because of my age and the eggs being older.
We were left with 3 grade A blastocysts. The doctor recommended putting back all 3. Her reasons had to do with my age and with us doing IVF only once. She also said that it was possible that we could put back 2 and freeze 1. However, that one might not make it to freeze or through the thaw. And then it might not become a viable pregnancy. So the three of us decided that 3 was our best option.
We were fairly calm today. I also did acupuncture before and after the ET,so hopefully that will help. DH has been great - he is making sure that I am truly on bedrest! (I'll be on bedrest for 24 hrs. and I'm taking Mon. and Tuesday off.) Our pregancy beta test is scheduled for Friday, March 21st.
Keep your fingers crossed for us! I'm so excited and nervous! I can't believe we have 3!
We were left with 3 grade A blastocysts. The doctor recommended putting back all 3. Her reasons had to do with my age and with us doing IVF only once. She also said that it was possible that we could put back 2 and freeze 1. However, that one might not make it to freeze or through the thaw. And then it might not become a viable pregnancy. So the three of us decided that 3 was our best option.
We were fairly calm today. I also did acupuncture before and after the ET,so hopefully that will help. DH has been great - he is making sure that I am truly on bedrest! (I'll be on bedrest for 24 hrs. and I'm taking Mon. and Tuesday off.) Our pregancy beta test is scheduled for Friday, March 21st.
Keep your fingers crossed for us! I'm so excited and nervous! I can't believe we have 3!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Embryo Transfer is Tomorrow!
We had a call from the nurse yesterday. Our ET will be on Sunday at noon. We have to be there earlier (11:30am.) The nurse said we still have all 8 embryos! 2 are at 8 cells, 2 are at 7 cells, and the other 4 are at 6 cells. She said that's exactly where they want them for day 3.
I'm getting excited for tomorrow. Wondering how it will all go. We've been so fortunate up to this point - I'm happy with the 8 embryos and happy that they are all growing so well. I hope our luck continues tomorrow.
I'm getting excited for tomorrow. Wondering how it will all go. We've been so fortunate up to this point - I'm happy with the 8 embryos and happy that they are all growing so well. I hope our luck continues tomorrow.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Thursday's Update
The nurse called today to give us our update:
We still have all 8 embryos.
3 are 5-cells (She said this is "fantastic")
4 are 4-cells (She said this is very good.)
1 is 3 cells (She said that is good.)
We're definitely going to have the transfer done on Sunday.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
All 8 Eggs Fertilized!
The nurse called - all eight of the eggs that were retrieved have been fertilized!
One day past Egg Retrieval
Well, yesterday was our big egg retrieval day. We got to the doctor's office at 9:30am. They took us in right away. I had to change into a hospital gown and lay down on a gurney. They went through everything that would be taking place - before, during, and after the procedure. I had an IV put in my left hand. They gave me some type of anesthesia right before the procedure. I just remember things getting blurry and then I was out. When I woke up, they were asking me to move from the table in the ER room back over to the gurney. They wheeled me back into recovery. I was kind of in/out of it for a little bit. Then I felt fine. Steve joined me back in the room. They had me drink some juice and eat a cracker. They also gave me a Darvocet for the pain.
They were able to get 8 eggs! We are waiting to hear about the fertilization report. The nurse said they will call this afternoon.
I'm feeling better today. I was very sore yesterday. Still a bit sore today, but much better. I'm just taking it easy.
They were able to get 8 eggs! We are waiting to hear about the fertilization report. The nurse said they will call this afternoon.
I'm feeling better today. I was very sore yesterday. Still a bit sore today, but much better. I'm just taking it easy.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Friday and Saturday
Well, yesterday I went in for my next ultrasound and bloodwork. Things are "looking good" according to the nurse.
Right 16 14 13 12
Left 15 15 14 13 12
My estrogen was up to 1462!
This morning I went in for my 4th ultrasound and bw for this week. They told me that I have 5 follicles on the right and 5 on the left.
Right 17 16 15 12 10
Left 18 18 18 17 16
My egg retrieval (ER) will be here really soon. I'm getting excited! :) Today the nurse said I was responding "beautifully" to the medication and that things were looking good.
Sunday March 2nd
The doctor's office called. My estrogen is up to 2889. I am supposed to stop the Bravelle, Menopur, and Lupron. I am going to take 2 ovidrel injections at 10pm and have bloodwork done tomorrow at 7am. Our ER is going to be Tuesday morning.
Right 16 14 13 12
Left 15 15 14 13 12
My estrogen was up to 1462!
This morning I went in for my 4th ultrasound and bw for this week. They told me that I have 5 follicles on the right and 5 on the left.
Right 17 16 15 12 10
Left 18 18 18 17 16
My egg retrieval (ER) will be here really soon. I'm getting excited! :) Today the nurse said I was responding "beautifully" to the medication and that things were looking good.
Sunday March 2nd
The doctor's office called. My estrogen is up to 2889. I am supposed to stop the Bravelle, Menopur, and Lupron. I am going to take 2 ovidrel injections at 10pm and have bloodwork done tomorrow at 7am. Our ER is going to be Tuesday morning.
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