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.

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.

Ultrasound #3 (and more bloodwork, too)

My appointment went well.

I was happy for two reasons...1.) The ultrasound tech that I like came back from her vacation! and 2.) She said that I have 8 follies right now plus 5 more small ones!

Left - 12, 12, 11, 10 and 3 <10
Right - 13, 12, 12, 11, and 2<10

It hit me today that about one week from now I will be doing ER. Wow. I'm so glad the day is getting closer!

I go in again on Friday for more bw and another u/s.

Stimming

At this point, I have been on Lupron for 15 days and I have been on Bravelle and Menopur for 5 days. I'm not sure how long I'm going to be stimming for - I guess I'll see how things are progressing at tomorrow's ultrasound.

Friday 2/22 - Everything was suppressed and I started stims.
Monday 2/25 - I had 1 10mm follicle, 3 that were close to 10mm, and maybe a few others that were smaller. (The tech didn't give me too much info on that.)
Wednesday 2/27 - ....we shall see tomorrow. Hopefully I've had some growth!

I'm doing okay. I've had an ongoing headache all day but that's one of the side effects. I went to acupuncture tonight and that seemed to help a bit. I'm also extremely tired and achy - and Steve would say I'm cranky, too!

I'm trying to be optimistic about this whole cycle. A lot of the girls in my buddy groups online have gotten positive betas recently...I keep wondering am I going to be one of them, too?

Hopefully this stimming part will go quickly (or at least feel quick!)

Lupron

I started my Lupron injections on Tuesday night. So far I have done three. They are going really well. I was nervous to start, but it's not a big deal. I haven't had any headaches (yet.) I hear they are pretty common when you take Lupron.

I continue my bcp until Saturday and then I stop that. I think I go in next Friday for bloodwork and an ultrasound. I have to double check my schedule.

I've been doing acupuncture 2x a week. I love it! It helps me feel relaxed and I feel like I'm doing something positive for myself.

I also bought a relaxation cd - I figure if I get anxious about the shots I can use it to calm myself.

Photo of IVF Meds

Here's a picture of all of our IVF meds (I think 2 other boxes were actually in the fridge at the time I took this picture.)

Feeling down

I am really looking forward to trying IVF in March. (Looks like ER and ET will be in early March, not late Feb. as planned.) Really I am. I'm just having a hard time being happy about the whole waiting process and then the whole what-if-it-doesn't-happen part of it.

Days 1-4

I went to the doctor on Saturday (cycle day or "cd" 3.) I had bloodwork and an ultrasound done. The bloodwork came book - my estrogen was at 64.5. I was told that's a good level.

I started birth control pills that night.

On Feb. 12 I will start giving myself Lupron shots. I will continue the pill and add in a baby aspirin.

On Feb 22. I'll have another ultrasound and more bloodwork. I'll start Bravelle 225 (3 vials) and Menopur 75 (1 vial) on that day. Those are more shots.

I'll be back in the office on Feb. 25 for an ultrasound and bloodwork.

Cycle Day 1

I am on Cycle Day (CD) 1 today. I am going in for bloodwork on CD3, Saturday. I will also be starting birth control pills shortly after that. I have to call on Monday and schedule a date for my trial transfer.

The roller coaster ride has begun...