Day # 6

Well, the trip over to NJ was uneventful. I only had to wait about 5 minutes to have my blood drawn. I took my seat in the very busy waiting room after signing in for my ultrasound.

I have one decent sized follicle on the right, which is a 14 (not sure what the actual unit of measure is) and a bunch of smaller ones. One the left, i have a 12 and two 10's, and again a bunch of smaller ones. I feel pretty encouraged. I come home and putter around the house for a while.

I get the call from the nursed to review my blood work. I am told that my blood work doesn't match my follicle sizes and I am to increase the Bravelle to 3 units on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Also, I am to start Centrotide (to inhibit ovulation) on Monday and have more bloods and another ultrasound done Monday morning.

So, 3 cc's of Bravelle kind of hurt last night. I am using a 30 gauge needle, which is much better than using a 22 like the other doctor had me doing. No bruising as of yet, but I am sure it will show up, it always does.

I am trying to remain calm for all of this. During a normal cycle, I ovulate on days 14-18. This is only day 6 and everything seems to be happening fast. I know that it is a side effect of stimulation.

So, another day until I get to see what is happening in Ovaryland.

Blood work results from 2/17 are as follows:
Estraidol: 88
Progesterone: 0.6
LH : 2
FSH: 5

Day # 3

Well, Carol from Super RE's office just called with my blood work and ultrasound results.

Estriadol was 58 pg/ml:
Levels on the lower end tend to be better from stimulating
Normal range: 25-75 pg/ml

Progesterone is .8
Normal is <1.5ng/ml

Lutenizing Hormone (LH) is 3mIU/ml
Normal is <7mIU/ml

Follicle Stimulating Cycle (FSH) was 3 mIU/ml
is 3 mIU/ml is normal and Often the gauge for ovarian reserve, in general under 6 is excellent

In addition, I have 12 antral follicles (sleeping follicles).

So, I will be starting my Bravelle this evening. I mix 2 powders with 1 cc of water and inject into my upper leg or my abdomen. I will do this tonight, tomorrow and on Saturday.

I have to get more bloods on Saturday (has to be drawn before 8:45 Saturday morning) in New Jersey. Then, lucky me, I get to sit around and wait until 11:30 for my ultrasound.

Normally, they don't have minimal stimulation cycles start injectables until day 5 of the cycle, but since my bloods look good and I have 12 antral, they are going to start a little early. The sooner the better.

Also, I don't think that it is fair for women to being their babies in to a RE office and flaunt them in front of a bunch of women who are trying like crazy to even become pregnant. Couldn't they hire a babysitter or something?

Cold and Icy

Well, our much anticipated and hyped Winter Storm is winding down. It was quite the adventure getting home from work last night. There is a solid sheet of ice on parked cars and it has been snowing / sleeting/ freezing rain since lunch time yesterday. The doggies can't remember where the grass is and have decided to start doing their business as soon as they get outside.

Working on cleaning up the guest room / future nursery for when Mom comes down to stay after the embryo transplant. I'm doing laundry & look like hell. I don't think that we will be travelling far from home this evening for our Valentine's Dinner. I guess a quiet picnic in the living room would be nice too.

I am not sleeping well. The last 2 weeks or so have been pretty stressful at work and with the baby stuff, my mind is constantly racing. I've downloaded some relaxation music on to the old ipod to listen too as I am attempting to fall asleep. The ear buds really hurt when you sleep on your side.

Called Super RE's billing office and paid for everything but the anesthesia for the egg retrieval. I will go in for blood and ultrasound tomorrow. Hopefully they road crews will have everything cleared and traffic won't be too bad in the morning. I really don't feel much like going off into a ditch because someone didn't bother to clean off the top of their minivan.

Dad is on his way to Pittsburgh in the midst off all of this weather for some reason....no thanks, not this little grey duck!!! I'll stay in my nice cozy house, with my nice cozy dogs, doing my nice cozy laundry waiting for my nice cozy hubby to get home from work.

A New Start

We have changed RE's and are now being seen by SuperRE in New Jersey. Dr. A was actually on the Discovery Health Channel being interviewed about an infertility case. I am not sure that I would ever do that, air my reproductive laundry, but to each her own.

Today is CD # 1. Some cramping, but that is not unusual for me. We have several corporate VP's visiting today, added stress I do not need. Didn't sleep well last night and was up before the hubby this morning.

Have to call super RE's office to schedule bloodwork and ultrasound and to finalize the billing arrangements.

Sent out the first of hopefully several emails to the females in my life. Found this to be a lot let confusing that trying to explain what is happening to the males in my life.

Today is the last day of work for me until this whole deal is complete. That is going to be very weird. SDM said it best, "K doesn't know HOW to stop".

AWOL

Again, our baby is AWOL. Was very hopeful this month but once again. . .
We are off for our first visit to the new doctor on friday and will head up to CT to visit with mom and dad for the weekend.

Post-Labor Day let down

Well, after spending several relaxing and fishing filled days at Camp Connri, we returned home and discovered that again, we are not pregnant. Went in this morning and the nurses were kind enough to supply me with a gonal F pen for my stimulation this month. I figure that we have nothing to lose. Out appointment at the new RE's is not until October 6th. Why waste a month?

and for our final performance

Had another ultrasound and bloods again. This time, they were nice enought to acutally let me see Dr. S. Have one pretty follicle on the left and they triggered me to try again in the morning.

Feeling really down in the dumps.

8 is not a lucky number

so, no go for 8. Are going to give one last shot with this doctor's office and try with someone else. Have to wait until October for appointment but, hell...we are more than a year into this.
Will try our next cycle without any stimulation. Not once, did this office allow my body the opportunity to do it on it's own.

Cannot describe our disappointment this month.

Now at bat....try # 8

Well, we went in this morning for our eigth try at IUI. Took last month off due to a nectarine sized cyst on my left ovary. Started stims last Saturday and the RE office finally did not try to tigger me onthe 10th day. We waited until day 13. Yesterday, the ultrasound revealed that I had 4 really nice follicles and they triggered me yesterday. we went i nthis morning and after the 45 minute waitin the waiting room, the whole deal was done inside of 15 minutes. I am to start progesterone again on the 27th and then 8/8 for blood test to see if we are or not.

This may be our last shot as CC has decided for wahatever reason that she will not help us out financially. She is sending 1/6th of what we actually need but that doesn't realy help much. i don't know what her issue with me is. I feel like I am somethig she would like to scrape off the bottom of her shoe.

Found out that there is an egg donation program within a hour of here. If I donated my eggs, the recipient will pay for all IVF and meds. We split whatever the number of eggs there are and I am only responsible for about 1K. There is also the possibility that we can ICSI. That would be a dream come true.

So once again, we wiat the two excruciating weeks to find out. It feels like the quest for baby is driving every aspect of my life.

speechless

came home from work sick yesterday. felth like death warmed over. once again, nature has left it's cruel mark and we are not pregnant. just got off the phone with the RE. we are going to try a round of clomid this month to rey to save some money. the bravelle is so damn expensive and if we are forced to go the IVF route, we are going to need every dime. so, bloods and another ultrasound in the morning. little vampires. it is a wonder that I am not anemic.

i just feel broken right now. i have undergone every diagnostic procedure and they tell me that everything is fine and yet, here we are 9 months later when i thought that i would be having a baby and we are still stuck in the stirrups. everyone around me (directly or indirectly) are managing to get pregnant and i am getting really afraid that this is really never going to happen for us. maybe i am in that percentage that medical science and technology just can't help.

then what?

Hubby is trying to be supportive but things at work couldn't be worse for him right now.

managed to get out and get some grocery shopping done, what a feeling of accomplishment.

Bad Day Thursday

What a crappy day. DMC was having some issues and called out. Just feeling generally stressed tight now. Hubby was sick yesterday too. So we are 1 week into try #7. Not even sure what to think. It all seems like kind of a haze. I am taking to progesterone like they have instructed but it doesn't seem to do much. I am tired but I have also worked 30 hours in 3 days.

I guess we will wait and see.

Strike 6 for baby

So, we are in Niagara Falls for our 1st anniversary and discover that we will be trying AGAIN! Strike 6! I knew that I wasn't but some little part of your soul holds on when you hit the normal 25 days and your aunt Flow hasn't arrived.

tried to have a nice time despite the cramps.

So Far...So Good

Went in yesterday morning and got my ultrasound and HCG injection. Looks like 3 of the 14 eggs made it. I am sure that I ovulated which allowed me to sleep better last night. Went in this morning and it was a breeze. No cramping, no problems. The office is able to estimate the total number of swimmers (~70 million, with 85% motility). So, here is hoping the 3 smartest ones find their way to where they are supposed to go!

Beautiful day here. Nearly 80 degrees. I am so glad that I changed my day off to today.

6th try for baby

well, ultrasound and bloodwork done yesterday. I have 7 potential eggs on each size!
HOLY CRAP! 14! Last month it was 9.....

Gotta love that Bravelle!

no no no no no

did home test......
NEGATIVE.

Very sad right now.

Dad's birthday today....what a gift that would have been.

The Big Dig

So, hopefully i popped out 3 eggs this month. I had two on the left and once on the right ready to go with the HCG injection. Went in this am for the actual insemination. A little crampy but was able to get to work by 9:30 am.

Beautful weather and I am feeling very calm at the moment.

Off to Mom and Dad's this weekend for Easter. Looking forward to seeing the family and the "Dot" head.

Eggs R Us

Well, I have 5 ready to go on the left side ranging from 7-13 and 4 on the right, with a couple being 13.

I have to do 2 units of Bravelle tonight and tomorrow and then back to the Dr on Saturday AM for another US and FSH level.

We are set up for Monday at 7:30 for the "big dig"!

GO SWIMMERS GO!

(fingers, legs and ankles crossed at this point)

Bravelle, Bravelle, Bravelle

Did my 2nd night of 2 units of Bravelle. Have to go back in on thurs for another ultrasound and FSH level. Lovely thunderstorms to fall aspleep to last night. I am sure Sasha just loved the fact that Mommy and Daddy were nestled safely in their beds upstairs and left the little princess down in her crate to ride out the storm.

Had a great time at the Firshouse with Bones, Deb, Dean and Becky making up really bad names (Amanda Lay, Phil McCracken, etc).

Hubby is already up and at work. I don't have to be in early this morning but my body told me it was time to get up, so here I sit.

No go Again

Went in on thursday for a pregnancy check. Woke up Friday and didn't need the results. Went in this morning for another FSH / Ultrasound and I start my second cycle of Bravelle tomorrow night. They are increasing me to 2 units per day over the next 4 days. back next Thursday for more bloods and another Ultrasound. I feel like I am stuck in loop and slowly becoming a human pin cushion.

Cramping like crazy and going to bed.

Baby Watch # 4

Went in yesterday morning and tried again. Was expecting a lot of cramping and had NONE!
Hubby took the day off of work and rested most of the day. I went grocery shopping and ended up saving $80 dollars between special and coupons. Kind of happy about that considering the $800 for Bravelle that we spent this month.

Trying not to get my hopes up to much because I am getting tired of being diappointed. Mom keeps on telling me to try to kepp calm. Not always such an easy thing for me to do.

St. Patricks's Day today so I must get out my orange to wear. May stop by NWP for the party just to see if Hubby wins the raffle.