Our 2 embryos are in!
My appointment was yesterday morning at 8:30am. Unfortunately, Jeff is in training right now and was not able to get the day off. So, Jennifer came with me to drive me home after the procedure.
It was a smooth and perfect process.
I was able to see our 2 perfect embryos under the microscope. I was not given specifics, but was told that they were fantastic Blastocysts. Grade A quality. So, I'm thrilled.
Of the 9 eggs that were fertilized, 7 made it to the 5 day Blastocyst stage. They picked the best 2 and are going to freeze the remaining 5 - we will use these if this first round does not work or save them for a year or so and then try again for additional babies. yay!
Jen brought me home and I went straight upstairs to start my 4 days of bed rest. Most of the information that I've read says bed rest for 48 hours but my doctor insists on 4 days. I'm not going to start not listening to him now. He has been nothing but perfect through this process so I'm going to veg-out in bed for 4 days with a smile on my face.
A huge thank you goes out to Jennifer who dropped everything to help us out in this process. She is my nurse, my movie-watching buddy, my babysitter, my maid, etc... she is managing this home while Jeff is working and I'm horizontal. As usual, I owe God a huge thank you for sending Jennifer in to our lives. She has, yet again, saved the day.
Now what - now we wait. 9.Long.Days. But, that's ok. I've got plenty to do to fill my time. I go back to the doctor on Monday for a progesterone and estrogen level blood test. Then I go back on the 29th for the results of the pregnancy test. Funny enough, I found out I was pregnant with Andrew on March 29, 2009. What a fun coincidence if it works out!
Prayers.Prayers.Prayers.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Found a hard part...
I've been skating through this IVF process. It's not been overly difficult for me. My hormonal changes have not rocked our house or made me any crazier than I already am day to day. Don't get me wrong, I've had frustrating weight gain and been poked and prodded by needles left and right, but overall it's been a relatively smooth process thus far.
Until the latest round of shots.
I knew that Intramuscular meant in to my muscle. I knew that the needle for these shots was almost 3 times the length of the other shots. I knew there was a HUGE bag of syringes which meant there would be several of these shots - but none of that really soaked in...until now.
At the appointment before the Egg Retrieval my nurse Andrea drew two circles on my upper butt area. She called them targets, but I preferred "hiney eyes". These were to serve as guides for Jeff at shot giving time.
We do right side in the morning and left side at night. We numb the area with ice and then he gives me a countdown before he injects the Progesterone. Since it is an oil, it does not leave the syringe willingly. The shot ends up in my muscle for a good 8-10 seconds while he forcefully tries to push this oil out without moving the syringe too much. To his credit - he is doing a fantastic job at this. To wrap up, we massage the injection area and leave a heating pad on for about 5 minutes.
The shot only stings. It's really not that bad. The muscle pain and the knots forming from the progesterone are felt all day, every day. But, again - I can live with that. The part that is taking a toll on me is more emotional. Every shot before has been by me. I've had control of the needle and could see everything that was going on. It was a personal event between me and these meds. Now - it feels completely out of my control. Relying on his schedule, face down not able to see anything going on and having him have to deal with my broad range of emotions as we get in to the routine of this process. Some mornings I'm very much at peace while other evenings are full of tears and frustration. He feels terrible and apologizes often - which is not what I wanted to make him go through.
The plus about this process is that we are 1 week in and I can feel myself coming to peace with it. Once that occurs, all emotion will slip away and it will be just another part of this process that we handle and move forward. Much more robotic and driven vs. woe-is-me and boo-hooey.
I was under the impression that I was going to have to take these shots for 10-12 weeks in to the pregnancy - another part of the emotional freak-out...no end in site! However, I was told by my nurse yesterday that, assuming we are pregnant, we have about 4 weeks left before I can switch to a suppository form of progesterone vs. the shots. So, we can make it through 56 more shots.
I told Jeff to use the puncture holes to create a picture or draw his initials - no sense letting a good hiney-eye canvas go to waste.
The end justifies the means.
Until the latest round of shots.
I knew that Intramuscular meant in to my muscle. I knew that the needle for these shots was almost 3 times the length of the other shots. I knew there was a HUGE bag of syringes which meant there would be several of these shots - but none of that really soaked in...until now.
 | ||||||||
Top Needle is what I've used for all other shots.
|
We do right side in the morning and left side at night. We numb the area with ice and then he gives me a countdown before he injects the Progesterone. Since it is an oil, it does not leave the syringe willingly. The shot ends up in my muscle for a good 8-10 seconds while he forcefully tries to push this oil out without moving the syringe too much. To his credit - he is doing a fantastic job at this. To wrap up, we massage the injection area and leave a heating pad on for about 5 minutes.
The shot only stings. It's really not that bad. The muscle pain and the knots forming from the progesterone are felt all day, every day. But, again - I can live with that. The part that is taking a toll on me is more emotional. Every shot before has been by me. I've had control of the needle and could see everything that was going on. It was a personal event between me and these meds. Now - it feels completely out of my control. Relying on his schedule, face down not able to see anything going on and having him have to deal with my broad range of emotions as we get in to the routine of this process. Some mornings I'm very much at peace while other evenings are full of tears and frustration. He feels terrible and apologizes often - which is not what I wanted to make him go through.
The plus about this process is that we are 1 week in and I can feel myself coming to peace with it. Once that occurs, all emotion will slip away and it will be just another part of this process that we handle and move forward. Much more robotic and driven vs. woe-is-me and boo-hooey.
I was under the impression that I was going to have to take these shots for 10-12 weeks in to the pregnancy - another part of the emotional freak-out...no end in site! However, I was told by my nurse yesterday that, assuming we are pregnant, we have about 4 weeks left before I can switch to a suppository form of progesterone vs. the shots. So, we can make it through 56 more shots.
I told Jeff to use the puncture holes to create a picture or draw his initials - no sense letting a good hiney-eye canvas go to waste.
The end justifies the means.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Dr Lilly and The Eggs
We woke up this morning and Jeff made us pancakes while I stared at the phone waiting to hear how the fertilization went. We finally got the call from Dr. Lilly - the Dr. who performs the actual ICSI fertilization.
Here are our results:
13 Eggs Retrieved
1 Degenerated
2 were Immature eggs
10 Were Fertilized with Jeff's Sperm
9 WORKED!!
They have decided to do a 5 day transfer protocol vs. a 3 day transfer. So, we will watch them for 5 days and put the best 2 in my uterus on Wednesday, March 20th.
Dr. Lilly says that on average 50% don't make it all the way to transfer day. So, my hope is to have 2 to transfer and 3 to freeze for future cycles.
I'm THRILLED with these results!!
Now, we just need to pray, pray, pray that these 9 embryos will grow, grow, grow!!
Retrieval Day
I woke up at 4:30am on Friday morning to shower and be ready to leave the house by 5:30am. I begrudgingly weighed to see that I had gained another 2 pounds overnight, bringing total weight gain this week to 4.5 pounds and total weight gain since the beginning to 7 pounds---Aaagghh!!
We arrived a few minutes early for our 6:15am scheduled appointment time. This office was normally full of people and Andrea, our nurse, Jeff and I were the only ones there. I got changed in to my hospital gown and we went through all the meds and discharge information and waited for the Anesthesiologist and Doctor to arrive. By 6:50 am, I had my IV in and was receiving fluids. By 7:05am, I was put under and Dr. Putman went on his way to retrieving my eggs.
Originally, I had 17 sacks - they were able to retrieve 13 eggs. I was awake about an hour later and was promising to bake cookies for all of the people in the operating room. Something about this Estrogen increase has made me want to bake...not to mention, I was still a bit loopy.
While I was under, Jeff had to do his part and provide a new specimen of swimmers. He was also scheduled to work and had not heard back from his boss regarding his need to come in late. So, when I went under, I was expecting him to be gone when I woke up. To my surprise, he was there. He received a last minute OK to be off work and notified my friend Lauren that she was off the hook on bringing me home.
I was being wheeled out of the hospital by 9am. We were told that we would receive a call on Saturday morning with the results of the ICSI procedure. I was also told that I would have minor cramping. Um.. no. I was full blown sore. As the day progressed, I was more uncomfortable. There was no cramping, just full blown soreness. Had to walk a bit hunched over and felt swollen as a blimp.
I could not pout for too long about the soreness - I had a whole new regimen of meds and shots to take for the second half of the IVF process. This new round of shots are the ones in the hiney that Jeff has to give. I'm also on 2 preventative meds right now to help prevent Ovarian HyperStimulation - which basically means your ovaries are freaking out from all the stimulating and the draining/sucking out of eggs. They fill with fluid and cause some havoc on my lady parts.
Current Meds:
z-pack
methylprednisolone
Progesterone Injections
Pre-natal vitamins
tylenol for pain
The retrieval was a success. I was thrilled, worn out and emotionally exhausted. But, all went as planned.
We arrived a few minutes early for our 6:15am scheduled appointment time. This office was normally full of people and Andrea, our nurse, Jeff and I were the only ones there. I got changed in to my hospital gown and we went through all the meds and discharge information and waited for the Anesthesiologist and Doctor to arrive. By 6:50 am, I had my IV in and was receiving fluids. By 7:05am, I was put under and Dr. Putman went on his way to retrieving my eggs.
Originally, I had 17 sacks - they were able to retrieve 13 eggs. I was awake about an hour later and was promising to bake cookies for all of the people in the operating room. Something about this Estrogen increase has made me want to bake...not to mention, I was still a bit loopy.
While I was under, Jeff had to do his part and provide a new specimen of swimmers. He was also scheduled to work and had not heard back from his boss regarding his need to come in late. So, when I went under, I was expecting him to be gone when I woke up. To my surprise, he was there. He received a last minute OK to be off work and notified my friend Lauren that she was off the hook on bringing me home.
I was being wheeled out of the hospital by 9am. We were told that we would receive a call on Saturday morning with the results of the ICSI procedure. I was also told that I would have minor cramping. Um.. no. I was full blown sore. As the day progressed, I was more uncomfortable. There was no cramping, just full blown soreness. Had to walk a bit hunched over and felt swollen as a blimp.
I could not pout for too long about the soreness - I had a whole new regimen of meds and shots to take for the second half of the IVF process. This new round of shots are the ones in the hiney that Jeff has to give. I'm also on 2 preventative meds right now to help prevent Ovarian HyperStimulation - which basically means your ovaries are freaking out from all the stimulating and the draining/sucking out of eggs. They fill with fluid and cause some havoc on my lady parts.
Current Meds:
z-pack
methylprednisolone
Progesterone Injections
Pre-natal vitamins
tylenol for pain
The retrieval was a success. I was thrilled, worn out and emotionally exhausted. But, all went as planned.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Ding! Those Eggs Are Done.
Jeff was off work today so he came with me to the appointment and we received great news - the eggs are ready. Not really sure how many we have that will be viable and fertilize-able, but they feel confident that we are all set.
Tonight at 8:30pm, Jeff will give me the HCG shot in my rump. Then, I'm shot-free all day tomorrow - woohoo! We have to be at the hospital for the retrieval at 6:15am on Friday morning. I'll go under general anesthesia so they can remove my eggs and Jeff will get a cup and a dirty magazine and, well...
Everything is going as planned at this point so I'm very hopeful for a successful retrieval and ICSI fertilization.
WOOHOO!
Tonight at 8:30pm, Jeff will give me the HCG shot in my rump. Then, I'm shot-free all day tomorrow - woohoo! We have to be at the hospital for the retrieval at 6:15am on Friday morning. I'll go under general anesthesia so they can remove my eggs and Jeff will get a cup and a dirty magazine and, well...
Everything is going as planned at this point so I'm very hopeful for a successful retrieval and ICSI fertilization.
WOOHOO!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Change To Schedule
I had my appointment yesterday and they have not seen as much growth in the eggs as they would like. So, they pushed the retrieval date back so we can stimulate (take shots) for an extra day. For now, they think the retrieval will be either Friday or Saturday. We are hoping for Saturday because Jeff is off work. But, it is up to the eggs and their growth progress.
I was supposed to have an appointment today to do the possible HCG injection called the Trigger Shot. They pushed my appointment to Wednesday and they will determine then if we are ready for the shot. It's a delicate balance to get the eggs large enough but not let my progesterone levels get too high. If the progesterone levels are too high - it decreases my chances of the embryo implanting.
I've started reading more about diets that will increase the egg growth. I've cut my sugar, wheat and caffeine drastically and doubled my protein and water intake. I'm hopeful that these changes will help. I'm a bit worried that I did them too late, but there is not much I can do about that for this cycle. That being said, this was advice from random entries in fertility forums and did not come from my doctor. So, it's validity is questionable.
More to come...
I was supposed to have an appointment today to do the possible HCG injection called the Trigger Shot. They pushed my appointment to Wednesday and they will determine then if we are ready for the shot. It's a delicate balance to get the eggs large enough but not let my progesterone levels get too high. If the progesterone levels are too high - it decreases my chances of the embryo implanting.
I've started reading more about diets that will increase the egg growth. I've cut my sugar, wheat and caffeine drastically and doubled my protein and water intake. I'm hopeful that these changes will help. I'm a bit worried that I did them too late, but there is not much I can do about that for this cycle. That being said, this was advice from random entries in fertility forums and did not come from my doctor. So, it's validity is questionable.
More to come...
Thursday, March 7, 2013
IVF Doc Appointments
I've had two doctor's appointments this week and things are progressing nicely.
On Tuesday - they counted approximately 11 eggs that were growing. After getting my blood test back they increased my medication dose. My new meds dosage:
1. .5 Lupron every morning.
2. 225 IU of Follistim in the morning
3. 225 IU of Follistim in the evening
Today's appointment was even better - She counted 17 eggs! My goal and theirs is to retrieve somewhere between 15-20 so this was fantastic news. However, my levels are still off and they have increased my dosage again:
1. .5 Lupron
3. 225 IU of Follistim in the morning
3. 300 IU of follistim in the evening.
The increase in dosage has made my current supply of Follistim run low. I have been going back and forth with Insurance and new Pharmacies to get more overnighted to me. Running out of this is not an option. Looks like the new vials will arrive tomorrow morning - hopefully this will be enough. I don't want to order more than I need because even the co-pay is expensive. Without insurance, we would have to pay $775 per 48 hours of this medicine. We will easily go through 5 vials of this stuff - $3,875 without insurance. With insurance - $800.
At this point, I've given myself over 30 shots in 2 weeks. I've finally hit the point of acceptance and don't even think about it anymore. That being said, I'm running out of "fresh" areas and so I'm bleeding from most of the shots. My skin is a little sensitive right now - but the pain is not bad and the whole process is really fast.
On a very positive note - the headaches have subsided a little bit. My mood remains great and I'm very excited about this entire process.
We are getting so close!!
On Tuesday - they counted approximately 11 eggs that were growing. After getting my blood test back they increased my medication dose. My new meds dosage:
1. .5 Lupron every morning.
2. 225 IU of Follistim in the morning
3. 225 IU of Follistim in the evening
Today's appointment was even better - She counted 17 eggs! My goal and theirs is to retrieve somewhere between 15-20 so this was fantastic news. However, my levels are still off and they have increased my dosage again:
1. .5 Lupron
3. 300 IU of follistim in the evening.
At this point, I've given myself over 30 shots in 2 weeks. I've finally hit the point of acceptance and don't even think about it anymore. That being said, I'm running out of "fresh" areas and so I'm bleeding from most of the shots. My skin is a little sensitive right now - but the pain is not bad and the whole process is really fast.
On a very positive note - the headaches have subsided a little bit. My mood remains great and I'm very excited about this entire process.
We are getting so close!!
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