Ultrasound appt 9

Todays appt was great! My Dr. office was completely booked. I took a moment to look around and feel empathy for all these women that are going through their day to day life but there day usually starts here, in hopes to one day have a baby. Infertility effects all types of women, old, young, race. Just looking at some people you would never guess they know exactly how I feel too. I probably look like an egg donor in there being only 28, not going through my 2nd IVF.
The ultrasound show a few more mature follicles, yes we are up to 14 on the ultrasound. Not the same number that they always retrieve, but the higher the number the better chances of more eggs we have. I really thought this would be it, but I just got my call from Dr. Anderson and he says we are going to give follistim and menapour 1 more night!
We did see smaller ones that could defiantly grow. I'm excited to do one more night too since I have about 1 more night of medicine and I want as many as we can get. It just seems like a FOREVER stimming processes. Even Dr. Anderson said today I was a slow grower but that doesn't effect the outcome. Here's to one more night of follisitm shots then onto trigger and more when we do FET next month.

appointment 4,5,6, 7, & 8

I have not been doing a good job at all writing down on the blog about my appointments. I have moved most of my focus this IVF to another form of support I have a separate Instagram account, BecomingRichardsonFam. I have kept only friend on there that are going through infertility right now, which has built in a great support system of women all around the world (some down under and some in the UK) that are going through IVF right now or just did or waiting for there turn.
I've been able to post more and everyone is more aware of the infertility lingo.
The last few appointment I was a little down just wishing I was ready for retrieval right now. Now, that I soooo close to the end I can not wait to see how many more pop up! We are at 12 mature follicle as of today.
I'm so great for a great cycle right now and all of the love and support and many prayers people have offered for us at this time. I want to continue to be a great support for everyone that is continuing there journey to pregnancy.

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!!

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

6th Ultrasound and day on 2:2 IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

The ultrasound this morning showed no more follicle, which means sometime between yesterdays IUI and today I ovulated! This is the best outcome so far. I now have the 2 week wait before I go in for my blood test. The next 3 days I try to lay completely flat and rest as much as possible. Every time you have a failed treatment you get more and more conservative. I have stopped drinking soda and go on bed rest for more like 4 days.

I saw this on youtube.com of a wonderful couple that just had there 1st baby after 2 years of infertility struggles and failed IUI. It's just a great video that might make you cry because all those that go through infertility have the same struggle and may hit you close to home.
Here's there link: Big News

5th Ultrasound and day on 1:2 IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

On IUI days I have to wake up early and get Joe's swimmers to the office at 7am. My mom was nice enough to come with me today while my sister stayed home and babysat Brinley. The ultrasound was first and showed that I have not yet ovulated (great sign for me) so I will come back in tomorrow to have a 2nd IUI.
Joe had great numbers for his sample for him. 24 Million swimmers are now all in me and I am just laying on my bum for as long as I can, thanks to my hubby, mom & sis.

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.

2nd ultrasound and blood work

Sunday morning I drove into Newport Beach to his second office. I still had been taking 150 follistim and felt condfient things were happening.

I was disappoint once again when all the could see was the 1 on the left size that was growing. I know that sounds dumb, but when you are going through treatments you always hope more is better. I had 4 follicles when I had brinley so 1 doesn't always mean 1 baby, or 2 doesn't means twins. 

I was sad again when they wanted me to come back in tomorrow.

Usually when you start going in everyday it's close to your IUI, and I want more follicle to grow before the IUI. 

Oh well, I'll take my meds again tonight and go in tomorrow for another ultrasound and be so glad I have 1 follicle that is growing and hope this works for us.

1st ultrasound

I went in Friday and only had one follicle over 10, it was still small and early on but I was a bit disappoint in my ovaries.

And we are off....

I have read it all over the internet (everyone has the worst painful periods after the Lap/Hys surgery) but I was in such denial that I wouldn't be the same. Well, Sunday morning came and I was hit with what I like to call "Kidney Stone " pains. I was taking my left over pain meds  from the surgery to help but once again I woke up at 4am Monday morning with horrible pain. I woke up my husband to get me some water and ibuprofen and he thankfully brought me that with some crackers.
After calling in to the office and talking with the nurse, I made my first ultrasound appt for this round...always on cycle day (CD) 3. That night you always start the medication too. He put me on 150 of Follistim, which I was happily surprise. Go big or Go home is my thought process this time around.
Follistim is infertility GOLD.
and if you don't have any infertility insurance is cost as much as gold I hear.
**Side note***
2 of the BIGGEST blessings have happened
1. Its only April and we have met our out of pocket for our insurance.
2. When we thought we were going straight to IVF we requested the paper that breaks down our infertility insurance and how much we have used on it....We thought doing IVF would put us close to our $30,000 max lifetime, boy we're we shocked when it said we have only used $500. worth of that amount. Makes me want to have 8 kids just to use every ounce of our insurance because not many people have it and I truly wish I could share that right now with some other loved ones going through this.

Back to my IUI round....
I started my shots on day 3 and will do them for 3 nights at the same time for the same dosage then go back in for the ultrasound and blood work. The ultrasound will start measuring how big the follicles are getting and the blood work looks out my estrogen levels to tract ovulation too.
wait....seriously tell me again how someone gets pregnant on a one night stand, I just don't believe it right now.
We are in the very happy, good days moods now. I love doing the shots and just dreaming about being pregnant again and how everyday Brinley gets old the better of a big sister helper she will be to me.
Did I mention
We are Excited!!

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. 

round 3....IUI's

I don't know why but this time around I just don't feel like writing. Maybe, I don't have any new news to share. It's all been said and done before and by now I'm just sounding like a broken record with no outcome.
Well, we had 2 IUI's back to back this time and I'm just resting away. It the dreaded 2 Week Wait now.

Grow baby grow

Today we went in for the 1st ultrasound after clomid and they can tell a lot by this. My uterus lining looks great and I have 1 perfect follicle and another medium size and a few baby ones. Since 1 looks like its ready to ovulate they decided to give me the HCG shot  today and go back in tomorrow for the 1st IUI. I'm really excited because this was they way my body was handling it when I was able to get pregnant with Brinley so I'm  hoping we can achieve a pregnancy again!

D-day or also know as..... IUI Round 2

IUI Day:
We woke up early to get everything we needed together, Then off to the office at 7 am to bring my husbands swimmers in. As they were washed and prepped I sat back and relaxed.
It was then my time to go in and have an ultrasound. They like to see how the follicles are growing and how close we are to ovulation time. After taking a look they asked if I had a lot of cramping last night and today? I actually was going to ask them, because I had and I was pretty sure it was due to ovulation. They confirmed that I had ovulated all 3 follicles and it was now time for the IUI. So excited that my chances upped having one more on the right side.
I went into the other room where they performed the IUI's. My wonderful high maintenance cervix came out and took the nurse and dr a little bit longer to find it. Once everything was finished I stayed there to relax. Then came home and rested on the couch the next 4 days!
Why 4 days?
That afternoon my mom ran to the grocery store and a family friend came behind her in the check out line. They started chatting and my mom knew I was open about talking about things like this especially with those that are in the same boat or have been. This family friend has gone through this 2 already and told my mom to tell me even if the Dr.'s didn't say, I should be laying down for 4 days to let the body relax and do this thing. Since her husband has gone through medical school as well I thought I might as well try everything. With my last failed iui I was a bit to confident and cocky about it all...I even went hiking the day after. I doubt I took it easy and rested up. So I'm hoping with all this good vibe we will have good results.

HCG shot

I was actually so nervous going in the office today because I thought I had already ovulated and it would screw things up. But come to find out I had better news!
I went into the Ultrasound and to my surprise we checked the right side first and happy to see that little small follicle that I had no hope for was mature and could possible release an egg in there during ovulation. Then, we checked the left side and the 2 follicles that we have been watching where nice and plump. Ready and mature to *hopefully* release and egg in there.
I was very happy to hear about this.
Then I went into the room to have the nurse give me the HCG shot. Everything else went as planned and I came home to rest up for the big days ahead.