Transfer Complete!

Yesterday was transfer day! We were scheduled for 12:15. The drive in was a breeze since it was a Saturday. I was anxious to find out how many embryos made it to freeze. Since we were a little early (and hungry) we stopped at McDonald's to grab a quick bite. It wasn't the healthiest choice, but we were pressed for time. My rational, haha. Once we arrived, I emptied by bladder and proceeded to drink ten ounces of water. I was hoping the water made it into my bladder before the transfer!

They took us shortly after we arrived. They introduced me to a nurse and the Dr. who were going to be doing my transfer. They told me that 20 embies made it to freeze! I was beyond excited with that number. I know of those 20, 12 were the highest grade. 6 were the next grade down and the other four I'm not sure. 4 were not high enough quality to freeze. Of the twenty two they put they two best back. The transfer was so easy. It was so cool to meet the embryologist. She said we've been keeping her busy! :) After they transferred two back, they checked the catheter to make sure none were left and they sent us on our way. I was so careful getting dressed. I was paranoid that the embryos could somehow get knocked out of place.

Now that they're in, all we can do it wait. Wait and stare obsessively at the picture they gave us of our two little balls of cells. I'm praying one or both are healthy, they implant and continue to grow. I'm praying if they do implant, they are in the right place and not in my tubes. I can't get too hung up in worrying. I just have to hope for the best. The next two weeks are going to draaaaaaaaag!!

Transfer Day!

Today is my transfer. 12:15. I wonder how I'll feel once those embryos are place inside me? Ten days of wondering what, if anything, is taking place in there.

I got the call on Thursday that of the 32 eggs retreived, 26 fertilized! I haven't had any updates since then. I wonder how many are still growing in that little petri dish in Waltham? I'm excited. I'm not really that nervous. I was more nervous for the egg retrieval. I'm praying that we get some embryos that make it to frosties. I guess I know from now on it's out of my hands. I have no control how things are going to turn out from here on. All I can do is follow my Drs. instructions by taking my progesterone, no caffience or alcohol and resting today. That's it. With every other cycle there was always a little voice in the back of my head telling me we didn't time it right. We were too early, we were too late. They did the IUI too early. This time, we've done all we can do and it's up to the man upstairs...

Retrieval Day!

I had my egg retrieval today. I felt too crappy to post about it until now. They got 32eggs. Yes, that's right 32. It doesn't even seem possible. At last check I had 17 mature follicles. I'm not expecting all of those to be mature, or even close to that. I don't think I'd want 32 mature eggs. AS it is, I can hardly walk I am so sore. The Dr. explained I am at a high risk for ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS). I've been chugging Gatorade to help ward it off.

The retrieval itself was dare I say, easy? We arrived around 9:30 after an hour and a half commute in gridlock, which I was panicking the whole time that we'd miss our appt or I'd ovulate before we got there. Once we arrived my husband did his part. Then we just waited for them to call us. Around 10:00, they brought me to the surgical area to change and start my IV. Around 10:40, they took me back to the operating room (for lack of a better word). Once I was situated on the table, I was given some meds through my IV and was out like a light. The next thing I remember was waking up in recovery with the nicest nurse ever. I kept waiting for her to say, we only got 3 eggs or something awful like that. Whenever she said 32 I just about fell out of my chair. Wow. I hope and pray for a good fertilization report and that I don't develop OHSS. I'll be sitting by that phone tomorrow! For now, I'm hanging on the couch, praying to be get sick. Feeling kind of nauseous.

Tired and anxious

I cannot wait for my egg retrieval tomorrow! It's scheduled for 10:30. We have to arrive at 9:30 for paperwork and vital signs. I'm not that nervous for the procedure, I'm nervous for the outcome. I'm worried (as silly as this seems) that I'll ovulate before they can get the eggs. That CAN happen and my luck, it'll happen to me. I'm worried that my right ovary is still hiding behind my uterus and they won't be able to get to it.

On a positive note...I'm so happy to be done with the nightly injections. I'm happy for the bloat to leave. I'm looking forward to hearing how many eggs they got. Ten would be perfect. I feel positive that we might get some good little embryos and this could actually work!

All in all I can say, so far anyway, IVF hasn't been THAT bad. Sure it's not pleasant. Sure it's all consuming with a roller coaster ride of emotions. Could I do it again? I think so...

What a crazy week!

This week has been full of ups and downs. I had my first follicle check for this IVF on Wednesday. They called me Wednesday afternoon and said I had no measurable follicles yet. However, my estrogen levels were great. I was feeling good about this cycle so far. I was kind of concerned that I still had my period after 4 nights of stims. The nurse said that can happen and it should end soon. Well Thursday I woke up to the worst bleeding of my life and it continued all day long. By the time I left work yesterday I felt lightheaded and sick. I even called my mom to come over and sit with me for a bit which I would never normally do! I put a call in to the Dr. last night and she explained to me when/if would need to go the ER. So we went to bed hoping it would end soon.

Today I braved the snowstorm at 5:30am to get my follies checked. I was there a half an hour before they opened! The good news is I have 9 good follies brewing in there. They range between 11-14mm. I go back Sunday morning for my next and (hopefully last!) follie check. Hopefully I can trigger Sunday or Monday night! This is really happening and it's getting so close! The other good news is my bleeding shut off around 9am this morning. Is my body actually starting to cooperate!?

I don't want to set expectations too high, but I am actually starting to feel hopeful that we have a fighting chance this cycle.

Starting stims!

Today is the day I've been waiting for, I'm finally starting stims (Gonal-f)! I had some bleeding last night. When I called the nurse today, she said it was probably my period trying to start through the lupron. She talked to the Dr. and gave me the go ahead to start the gonal-f tonight!

I have so many mixed feelings. Part of me can't believe that we are actually doing IVF. Me doing IVF... It doesn't seem real. Generally I'm very excited and hopeful. This is the best chance yet we've had. I think our Dr. is great and one of the best. Part of me is very worried. Worried about starting stims before a full period. Worried I'm going to overstimulate. Worried I won't get enough eggs. I think I'm mostly worried I'm setting us up for a boatload of disappointment and hurt. After 2 years of disapointments, what's one more failed cycle? This time is so different. We have alot more vested in this cycle.

I'm going to try and stay positive and think positive! I'm going to do my best to eat as healthy as I can these next two weeks. I want to make sure I'm getting enough protein. Make sure I get my sleep and try not to stress out.

Tonight we're going out to the Capital Grille for a romantic dinner. I'll enjoy a glass or two of my favorite Malbec for at least four weeks, hopefully longer! :)

Lupron and the stomach bug

So today is day 9 of Lupron. I'm still waiting for AF and I have the stomach bug pretty bad. At least I think I have the stomach bug or I guess it could be side effects from the Lupron. I want AF to show. I've been taking pregnancy tests every AM because I have this irrational fear that I'm going to end up pregnant and not know it and Lupron causes birth defects. So far, all negatives! I feel like I should be more excited than I am for this IVF cycle. I feel a little hopeful, but not that excited. I guess I've just seen way too many unhappy endings from the boards/blogs that I frequent. IVF is not a sure thing, not even close. People that think it is drive me CRAZY! My coworker actually said to me, well at least you can pick your due date, how cool is that? I wish it were that easy...

People just don't understand.

Well I'm snowed in and waiting for AF to pay me a visit. I hope she shows up soon!