WOW! Stimming fast this time.

I had my ultrasound today to check my follicle process after 6 days on stims, and I have 16 follicles that are looking to be mature, with a few lagging behind. I cannot believe it! I am on a lower dose of meds this time and for less days and I have more eggs, who knew!? I think it was the Menopur that screwed me up last time, the Luveris seems to be working much better for me. I go back tomorrow for another ultrasound and I should be triggering tomorrow night and my egg retrieval should be on Thursday. So excited!!

And we are off! AGAIN!

Well, here we go again. I officially stated the Lupron shots a few days ago and the birth control pills has been completed. I go Friday for my baseline ultrasound to see how everything looks. This is our first cycle with our new doctor, so I am excited with the changes in the protocol that have been made.
This IVF is a big secret- we are not telling anyone- not even my mother knows and I would prefer to keep it that way. I hate having to tell everyone what's going on and keep everyone updated. I would just to announce our pregnancy- instead of the entire process that it took to get there.

I feel great- the hot flashes have been minimal, I was a bit concerned considering that it's over 100 degrees everyday here in Vegas, but I am on a smaller dose of Lupron this time so I think that he helping.

Stims start your engines!

As instructed I started my Follistim on day 3 of my cycle, which was yesterday. Again, Follistim is a very small needled that is injected into the tummy area. It doesn't hurt a bit. Follistim is my friend, it's liquid gold (as I call it) it makes the follicles grow, therefore creating lots and lots of eggs.

I call it liquid gold because its VERY expensive, I am so lucky to have insurance coverage for it, otherwise it would run around $3000 for one IVF cycle. The more stimulation you need to get your ovaries going the more drug you need- so some women spend tons of money of these drugs. Other common drugs that are used to stimulate the ovaries, is Gonal F and Bravelle.

I go back to the doctor on Monday, so after 3 days of stims we will see where I am with follicle growth. I am also still taking a small dose of Lupron just to keep my ovaries from ovulating and releasing the eggs before the doctor is ready for them and before they are mature enough. So I am up to two shots per day, but again they are a piece of cake- I never thought I would say that.

I have a mix of emotions right now- I am super excited- we have been waiting for this for over a year- but I am also scared- because it's real! I am just taking it day by day and concentrate on what I have to do today- and not worry about tomorrow.

Baseline = Starting Line

Ready. . . . Set. . . . Go. . . .

Today was the ever important baseline ultrasound and bloodwork and I am happy to report that I passed with flying colors. My ultrasound showed about 11 follicles and my lining was nice and thin, just the way they like it, and no cysts! My doctor said she is expecting around 12 eggs, which is average, and she said that I should be very happy about that. All my bloodwork looked great! They have to make sure that your estrogen is very low and that your body is absorbing the Lurpon so you don't ovulate until the doctor wants you to. So everything looked great, and my FSH was 3.5, that is the lowest it has ever been. So hopefully that means that my eggs will be great quality and make great embroyos. FSH is a basic bloodtest that is done on day 3 of a cycle and it is the first step in assessing ones fertility. Normally the lower the number the better, anything over 10 is usually a reason for concern.
One thing I have to remember is this is a marathon, slow and steady, not a sprint to the finish line.

I did have a mini break down on my way from the doctors office to my office, I was driving and all of a sudden the tears just started flowing. I do feel better after I cry, so that is the upside. Everyone tells me to be positve and optimistic, but it's a lot harder then it sounds. But I take their advice and put on a smiling face and block out the negative thoughts!

Here we go, we are so ready, this has been 2 1/2 years in the making!

Holy Hot Flashes!!!!

Well after 5 days of Lupron I am having EVERY side effect of the drug. Not only am I cranky and moody, but I have the worst hot flashes. It does not help that it is already 85 degrees in Vegas. I have had to turn down the a/c and turn up the fan. It's been an adventure!
Poor John- he needs to wear long underwear and a winter coat to stay warm in our house.

SHG done!

I had my SHG today and it was super duper easy, nothing to it! It was SOOOO much better then the HSG, oh god was that painful, I feel so bad for anyone who was in the waiting room while I was having that done, because I was screaming my head off.
The hardest part of the SHG was having to have a full bladder and holding it. I normally do not wake up and drink two bottles of water. So we are off an running- next time I will be at the RE's office it will be to start Lupron, YEAH!! We are so excited.