IVF Drug Protocol Day 8

Missed posting yesterday...back to school caused total exhaustion and to top it off my raging hormones lead to total meltdown!!! It was not a pretty scene to say the least! Now I am finally back to a semblance of normal. Had another ultrasound and estradiol check this morning. My left ovary and 6 follies showed themselves today after their disappearing act on Sunday. Thank goodness!! Cyst on right ovary is now 33mm....arghhhh! Wish that thing would quit growing. Strangely my pain is located mostly on the left with rare twinges on the right. So, after my u/s the nurse said I was done with Follistim, but called back at noon to let me know I need to continue for at least 2 more days. Guess what?!? I am out, (actually had just enough for today) so I had to call the pharmacy to get a refill and just hope it comes early tomorrow! Still not sure when retrieval will be, I'm guessing early next week.

The nurse also went over all of our pre-op paperwork today and asked when we were doing the MESA procedure. We were told it had to be done after egg retrieval. Guaranteeing at least a $14,0000 bill even if we have no sperm. She called us later and had spoken to the lab. We can do MESA first, so if we have no sperm we can skip egg retrieval!!! This will save us a ton of money if that happens to be the outcome! One small relief in the onslaught of things going on right now!

IVF Drug Protocol Day 6

Today is day 6 of injections and was my first check up since beginning stim shots. Injected Lupron before our trip to the city, had to wait on Follistim until after the blood work and ultrasound. One of the fertility docs tried to pull my blood for the third visit in a row and failed yet again. The nurses are always successful. Just wish he wouldn't move the needle so much in his attempts.
Finally made it into an ultrasound room and got down to business. I finally got to see some of my growing follicles. On the right ovary at least. For some reason my left ovary was MIA. The nurse went to get the doc since she couldn't find it and she found some fluid in my uterus. Doc couldn't find it either, though he tried very hard. He said it should show itself when the follicles get large enough. Since Aunt Flow is still here he said not to worry about the fluid in my uterus, it may just be clots. Though he did find a fibroid, didn't seem concerned about it. I don't even know what that is. Guess I'll be doing some google searching later!

The nurse said to continue the same dosing until my next appointment on Tuesday.

In other news, my DH's grandmother is failing. It will not be long until she is with Jesus. Hubby had a nice afternoon comforting her and healing his heart.

Here is a pic of my follie sizes!

IVF Drug Protocol Day 5

It is Saturday morning, the final weekend of my spring break. This has been my week to do very little. I had big plans, accomplished few.

Up early every morning to do injections, sleeping in has not been on the agenda.  I had big plans to get lots of materials created for my classroom...HAH!  That did not happen, but I am not upset, I have a great student teacher this semester and know that she will be well prepared for Monday. 

Today is Day 5 of my injections.  I have now had 9 Lupron injections, 3 Follistim, and 2 Menopur.  I go in early tomorrow for my first check since the injections began.  Today my symptoms, other than mild menstrual cramps, are frequent stabbing pains in my right lower abdomen.  I am pretty sure it is that right ovary with the enlarged cyst.  I sure hope these meds are not causing it to grow more!  Think I may call the nurses just to make sure everything is okay. 

Zucchini and Carrot Fries!

I found this yummy looking recipe on Pinterest, so I decided to try it out. What do you think?
The Recipe was delicious!  I just seasoned mine with salt, pepper, a tiny bit of cayenne, and cumin. Easy Peasy as my kiddos at school would say! Click the picture to take you to the recipe.

IVF Drug Protocol Day 4

It is day 4 of my IVF drug protocol.  Last night I had my first injection of Menopur which involved several vials and mixing.  It was a larger dose than any of the others and was definitely more painful.  The nurse told me I may get my period after stopping the norethindrone, but after the light bleeding I had earlier this month (12 days of it!!!) I didn't think there was anyway I could bleed more.  I was wrong.  I have had the worst cramps that I have had in months these last two days.  It feels weird to have my period and be taking meds to grow eggs.  Seems counterproductive.  But, I am not an MD and this process is so new to me.  My symptoms with the Lupron have pretty well gone, just a light headache, but that could also be sinus related.  I feel pretty good.  I just hope this keeps up.

No, I am NOT Organized!

I want to be, but I am just not very organized.  For this reason my husband and I enrolled in emeals.com meal planning program.  I get my nicely bundled meal plan sent to me in a happy little email.  All I have to do is print and shop.  Last night was our very first night to test the menu.  I made white bean soup with spinach and tomatoes with a side of cornbread.  I have to say...YUMMM!  On the menu tonight is pork salsa verde served over grits!  Sure hope it is as tasty.

IVF Drug Protocol Day 3

On day three now.  5 Lupron injections done, and just began an a.m. dose of Follistim. Tonight will be Lupron followed by Menopur. This one actually requires mixing and several vials of powdered meds.  I'm scared!  Overall I feel okay.  Mild headache and dizziness compounded with feeling tired, and today my period has begun and I have severe cramps.  Dang!  My biggest side effect to the drugs so far started last night...extreme emotion.  I cried at least 4 times last night and once this morning (while watching a movie preview of a movie I have already seen!) Ridiculous!

IVF Drug Protocol Day 2

It is the morning of day 2.  Three Lupron injections done.  I am not a fan.  Within 30 minutes of the injection I get a throbbing headache, actually my head feels like it is swelling.  I feel tired and lightheaded.  I had difficulty sleeping last night. I am developing a small rash on my tummy.  I am not a fan.  I know that if this all works out and we do have a baby it will be well worth it!  Just not sure if I should worry about these side effects.

Infertility Sucks!

Having fertility issues really can suck.  We have hoped and prayed for a baby for so many years and finally had some financial assistance to help us move on the the next step, IVF.  I have spent many an hour crying, grieving for the child that will be part of each of us.  I have been angry with God, wondering how we could be denied this deep desire when so many around us neglect the many children they are blessed with.  My husband and I have traveled a very long road to get where we are right now. 

This was all supposed to begin last week, but after being on birth control for 36 straight days (due to a doctor having a "vacation" conflict when our egg retrieval should have been...don't even get me started!) I had developed a cyst on each ovary.  I had been having pain in my left side, though it was the smallest cyst at 15 mm.  My right side had a 25 mm cyst.  I don't know if that is big or not, but it sure looked that way on the ultrasound monitor.  It was large enough for the nurse to go get another nurse to look at it.  The tears began to flow as soon as they told us this.  All I could think was will this put us off another month?  We have been waiting for so long, another month felt like eternity.  

Let me just say, I have been an emotional wreck the past few weeks.  It really began when the lovely ice chest arrived filled to the brim with all sorts of vials and needles.

This all would have been a-okay if my estrogen level had not been elevated to 498.  Is that high?  

Anyhow, the nurses at the clinic put me on norethindrone to lower my estrogen level and get me fully suppressed.

It worked! Though the cyst on the right ovary had grown to 29 mm, my estrogen levels are down to 24 as of this morning.  So Lupron begins as does our quest for a precious tiny little miracle.  Today was my first Lupron injection.  I was scared, I am not a fan of needles and was worried that I would not be able to inject myself, but I DID!! And, it wasn't so bad.  In 12 hours I will repeat.