appt. # 2 & 3

Nothing new to report...My follicle are not growing as fast as I would hope. Which means longer on the hormones injections and time to give these follicle.

Baseline appt.

I'm on top of the world!

HEY!

I had my baseline appointment last Thursday morning with my blood work and ultrasound. I wasn't nervous because I didn't think they could tell anything much, but I guess during the ultrasound Dr. Anderson could count up to 19 follicle that could possible produce an egg, and I haven't even started my shot (hormones yet!)
I was just so excited nothing else in my world felt like it could go wrong.

A few days later my pharmacy called me and informed me we have hit out maximum lifetime for infertility medication!!
I had no idea we were even close. After all our maximum is $15,000. So you can just imagine how much these drugs really cost!!!
There is a reason they call is fertility gold....because it cost more than gold itself!!

Pre-Op, IVF appointment # whatever

Today was the worst day of them all.
I woke up to the worst migraine and I had to get to the drs early. I didn't know how I was going to make it, but I thought if I start moving and get my routin I would be okay. 

I grabbed a water and chocolate protien shake and started driving. I was also running late because I was trying to sleep in longer to make my migraine go away. 

As I drove I made myself more and more car sick. As I pulled into the parking lot, grabbed my parking ticket and knew I needed to throw up. I hurried and pulled into the handcap parking spot, got out and ran over to the bushes and threw up my chocolate drink. The worst was getting all over my white shoes and pants. I was so disgusted.

Thankful for baby wipes I cleaned up best I could and headed up to the drs. 

This time they only did blood work and talk to me about my pre op procedure for the next day.

We finished everything up, and although I wasn't feeling nausea at the time, I still wasn't feeling great.

I started driving back home and just a few stop lights in I felt sick again. This time I was the first car stopped at a red in a huge intersection ( crown valley and margarite). 

I had no choice but to open my door and vomit outside. I was so afraid the light would turn green and I'd still be throwing up. Luckily it was a long light and as I started driving  again I knew I had to pull over. I finished throwing up all my breakfast and made it home. Crawled in bed and slept the rest of the day.

Thank heavens I made it through that day, and hope tomorrow is better.

IVF appointment #9

This will never end.....
Today's ultrasound was showing a lot more hope. I was so happy and chatty that I didn't want to keep track of the follicles and sizes. I did notice the 2 Huge follicle on my right side and talked to my Dr. about it later. To sum it up he told me my body is finally responding better and he doesn't care to go under to grab those 2 because he has often found huge follicles can have no egg in them, so our focus is on the other ones that are almost mature and the ones that are already.
So again...we are going on 2 weeks of follistim (IVF drugs). I have been moody, but soo soo grateful we are able to do IVF and I just hope the best for the egg retrieval later this week.

IVF appointment #8

Today was a very hard day.
There was not much progress and to me it even seem like some we're not growing at all. I was bummed about of a lot of things going on and not to mention moody, very very moody.
Thanks IVF
Hope to get all my babies soon!

IVF appointment #7

We were out camping last night with the extended family and I woke up early to be able to drive to the Dr's other location that is open on weekends. 

I got my blood work done, and instructions how to measure out my HCG shot and give it. 

We are getting real close to the retrieval, the follicles are growing nicely, just not anymore. So they say around 7-8, which seems crazy to me but I've come to terms that this is the cards I've been dealt with and it's okay.  

I got the call from the nurse this afternoon that my dr looked at everything and is keeping my dosage up to 250 for follistim and I'm doing another stim tonight. Looks like I'll be triggering tomorrow night and egg retrieval probably Tuesday. 

IVF appointment #6

We are now on daily appointments here.
I went in this morning knowing things were getting closer and the number I have now will be close to the number of mature eggs we get.
Both my Dr and I were very bummed that my ovaries are just not responding well for IVF.
I had 8 measurable follicles.
4 on each side.
I want to be bummed out and say Dr.s want to see 20 or more follicles but I have to once again just stay positive. So here is what I'm telling myself....
these could all be great quality eggs,I do have small ones that could hurry and grow over night and become amazing eggs for us to work with, and they can all survive the brutal freeze and unfreeze of IVF and they can all surpass PGS & PGD testing and come back normal.
Right?

Appointment #5 and more

Since I can't remember what happened during my appointment today, this will be short. I know I had 1-2 more follicles that they were able to measure, nothing really promising though I thought.
After my appt. I was in a lot of pain so I called my Dr and went in for an urine sample because I was pretty positive I had a bladder infection. A few hours later I was right and taking some antibiotics that were helping.
On top of that Brinley spiked a fever in the middle of the day and we have both just been snuggling bums on the couch.
Hope tomorrow is better, just glad it wasn't side effects or OSHH.

IVF appointment # 1-4

So I feel ready to write this all down while I can still remember.
I started my cycle on May 31, so I went in on day 3 to see my Dr. for my baseline apt.
We did an ultrasound and blood work and everything looked normal.
I started that night on only the follistim shots at 225. I was to do this for 3 night then go back in for monitoring.
I went back in Thursday which was CD 6 and even though I thought I was feeling bloating and fatigue already, it was just a fluke. everything looked good at that appt. and I continue what I was doing. Two more nights of follistim at 225 and back in on Saturday, CD 8.
This morning I had 2 measurable follicles on each side and smaller ones showing. I was very discourage thinking I would have a lot more, but I have to keep telling myself we want quality over quantity for sure!
They showed me how to do another shot in the morning that will keep my body from ovulating at all. We kept my follistim the same but added menopur to the mix
Another two days of that and I went back in this morning...
we are now measuring 3 folliciles on one side and 4 on the other. slowly we are progressing here.
My Dr. called me and didn't want to change a thing, he said things are still looking good and to keep it right where it's at. I'll go back in two days from now.

Timeline IVF Cycle-
CD-1 (may 31)- started period
CD-3 (June 2)- Baseline appt. Blood work/ultrasound
CD-6 (June 5)- Blood work/ ultrasound small follicles showing
CD-8 (June 7)- Blood work/ ultrasound measuring 2 follicles on each side plus small ones, started Ganirelix to prevent premature ovulation and added in Menopur for nightly shot with my follistim
CD-10 (June 9)-Blood work/ ultrasound measuring 3 & 4 on each side plus small ones

Vacation needed

We are headed to Hawaii in 5 days and it is much needed.
I went in this morning at 8:30 am to get my blood work. If you didn't know, after I do the IUI I start progesterone shots and this holds in the uterus lining so I won't get my period if I'm not pregnant and we only can tell through the blood work. After the blood work I headed off to Disneyland with my mom and sis and Brinley to distract me until I got the phone call. We had left and getting baby stuff back in the car when I got the phone call. I acted like I knew it was going to be negative when the nurse told me that it did NOT work again. Although I was disappointed, I was also in shock so I just seemed numbed. I had to switch my thinking right away and get excited and pumped to move onto IVF. I know I feel like I said that a few months ago, but we decided then do wait and do the Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy surgery (which I'm still 100% happy I did that first because we found Endometriosis that I never knew I had). So now that IUI #6 hasn't worked I have to stop taking the progesterone shots, wait for my period cycle to show up, then order all my IVF meds and wait for my period cycle to start again. Then we will start harvesting a whole bunch of eggs to retrieve. Once we retrieve them all, more drugs...more drugs then the following cycle we will do a frozen transfer.
So until then...Aloha!

The morning of the dreadful day

Last week I went in for blood work to check my progesterone levels. The dr had me start my progesterone shots the night of my IUI. So when I went in I wasn't worried.
The nurse called me back and my progesterone was well into the 60's which is great. Anything into the 20's can hold a pregnancy and stop any miscarriage.
Fast forward to this morning, it's been 5 days seems I've had a lot of activity. Cramping, migraines- bad ones, hot flashes, more cramping, night sweats, just some stuff I don't usually deal with. If I'm pregnant obviously these were the signs I was, but I'm not pregnant these were again the nasty side effects of fertility drugs.
There is a lot going on in my life with the choice of natural medicine and traditional modern. The more and more I look at it, I am 100, moo 110% all the MD, Dr, prescription meds, this including all my fertility medicine. I don't like to play the guessing game or self diagnosed, I just like good o fashion "I have a headache so I'm taking ibuprofen"
Since I'm on my own blog soap box I want to say I believe whole heartily what trial and disease that come our way aren't always brought on because of us. Yes smoking can lead to lung cancer but I DO NOT believe  anything my mom fed me or exposed me to at a young age brought on my fertility issues. I believe in a loving Heavenly Father  who wants us to return to him, we knew the different trials we would be facing going to earth and gaining a body but knew we wanted to do that. So I believe right now this is our trial to strength us and make us pull closer to Him.  I do not believe that I could have prevented this or lead a perfect life. I do not believe changing my diet only can cure endometriosis but I do believe moderation in all things and changing my diet to healthier will better my life in the long run a and give me more energy.
Since quitting soda last month I have felt an increase in my life, and right now I love it and can handle not having soda. Will I go on the rest of my life without it? Probably not, but for right joe this is good for me.
With that said.... We are off to the dr.

4th Ultrasound and blood work

I came in today and Dr. Anderson was back from vacation. He looked at my chart and came in my room and said "well, it looks like you won't be having twins" commenting on my 1 and only follicle growing. He said I was ready for an IUI because the 1 was grew a lot just overnight. So the nurse gave me the HCG shot and sent me on my way.

3rd Ultrasound and Blood work

Came in for my blood work and ultrasound, the 1 follicle grew a little bit more. Nothing else has been happening.

IUI 5...Progesterone levels

Last Friday I went in for my usual 1 week after IUI blood work to see where my progesterone levels where....I was thrilled to see it at 56!! This number has nothing to do if I am or not pregnant, but means my body is giving it the best chance to convince and thats all I can hope for right now.
I need a vacation!

Round 5: IUI

Happy New Year

2014

We actually had a really nice break from treatment last month and I wasn't focus on what day is what and when to do shots and if I was feeling any symptoms. Perfect to enjoy our holidays. 

Well, I started a new cycle and had my 2nd ultrasound today. We are staying with the follistism shots and upping my dosage. After todays' ultrasound Dr. A decided to keep my dosage up for another few days...I know and understand we are taking a risk trying to have more eggs this time than the usual 2, but we are so willing to do so, and might I add we are under a fantastic Dr and heavily monitored. Don't worry, I know that I won't be the next octomom, and I still may not even get pregnant. This is just the game of infertility. 

Failed IUI round 4

I didn't even come on this blog all last cycle because I'm just getting depressed writing over and over again that things are working. I know someday I will get pregnant again because we will do anything we can and even go into adoption when the time is right, but for down I am really bummed out.
Here's just a recap of our 4th IUI with injectables:
I love love love doing the injectables over taking clomid. I didn't have any side effects and it was more pleasant. I ovulated a lot earlier than any time before and we did the IUI on days CD 10, & 11. Back to back IUI's with great numbers too...everything was looking great! I had 2 follicles, one on each side and they were measuring well over 21mm. In every way possible, again I thought this was the one. I was sending good vibes to everyone and doing seriously ALL I COULD. and maybe that is just it.
This time my Dr had me start progesterone suppositories every morning and every night. They go right up your yang yag. It is not so pleasant at all, but this help keeps the uterus lining strong and not shed (bleed). Therefor I knew no matter what I would go in on Friday, Dec. 13 to do blood work.
I went in this morning and had to bring my daughter with me, which was very quick and easy as they took my blood. I asked her if I could switch to the progesterone oil shots because I liked them better and my insurance still covers that. The nurse was so nice to call it in to the pharmacy. Then later that afternoon, one of my favorite nurses had to call and give me the news I did not want to hear. I was so bummed and still am. She told me my progesterone was not back down to zero so it would be a few days before my period would actually come back.
oh the joys of infertility. Thank you for all your love and support, we will get through this, but I'm sure this next round being over Christmas and New Years I may not do much blogging.

Progesterone levels round 3

I took my progesterone blood work this morning and not to my surprise it came back good, 22. ONE MORE WEEK until HCG blood work!!!! whoo hoo!

Progesterone level

 This morning I went in to get my blood drawn. They can not tell if I'm pregnant because they gave me the HCG shot last week to ovulate and it still can be in my system and give us a false positive.  In case you didn't know, when you pee on a stick or get a blood test they are looking for HCG. I think it's like anything about 10 is your pregnant. Most people have somewhere in the hundreds. Last time I had 17 and we had a fighter, Bryn.
I was asking the nurse what they were looking for when they take my progesterone levels though, She said if it's really low they can start me on progesterone earlier because that is what help your uterus keep the baby inside. If the numbers drop you can miscarry easily.
For example last pregnancy my first numbers were 22 (anything above a 10 is good), but then a week later when they took my progesterone and HCG my progesterone had drop down to a 12 and that's why I took progesterone shots every night my first trimester.
Why can't they see if I'm pregnant or not with progesterone??
   In this early stage the progesterone levels they are measuring can be left over from my follicles and not have anything to do if I'm pregnant or not. So lets say worst case, the eggs did not fertilize I still can have progesterone in my blood from the follicles and have a good level today.
So, I'm waiting for the results and will hear back by the end of the day!

I've patiently waited and got a call after 2pm
So far things are looking just great! My numbers came back at 21 which is just below last pregnancy...again we still don't know for sure if these means I'm pregnant, but that I don't need to take progesterone right now.

2WW

written on : Sep. 20, 2011

Anyone who has every tried to get pregnant and wait to take an at home pregnancy test knows about the
2 Week Wait
Their is nothing you can do now but wait...and see.
It's a hard time. For the past 20 months I have been very anxious during this 2WW, luckily I wasn't until the last week, just days away from finding out.
I started feeling some symptoms
These symptoms are just alike to your period symptoms, so it throws you off every time. Of course one this has been different this time.
Implantation bleeding
Justmommies.com says this: 
After ovulation the egg travels into the uterus and burrows into the lining of the uterus. For some women implantation will cause slight bleeding or spotting. This is called implantation bleeding. This is sometimes confused for an early period.
So far I have not had an early period and we are calling it implatation bleeding!!!
This is great news. I understand Miscarriages can still happen at any given time so I can't be to excited, and I haven't had my dr. confirm the pregnancy, but golly guys things are looking good right now and I'm beaming on the inside.
Just a few more days and we will know!

Blood work time

Written on : Aug. 26, 2011


1st step in our progress is blood work. Going in I didn't think I like getting my blood work, maybe its our situation, but I actually didn't mind at all. I even watched the guy take the tubes out and fill up another. He had about 5 tubes to fill up with my blood. I could see the blood pumping out and although I always thought I hated the sight of blood I was happy to be getting my blood work.