Today I'm 9dp3dt, and my beta is on Monday, which seems like an eternity away...
I think I've finally got dh on board to use home pregnancy test this weekend. He's against it, saying that there's a reason the RE gives a specific date. He doesn't want me to get upset if I POAS and it's negative because I tested too early. We've talked about it a few times, and he's pretty much agreed to POAS on Sunday (11dp3dt). I rather do it with him by my side than get a call after the beta when he's at work.
I haven't really had any "symptoms" or if I have they can pretty much be explained by the meds/hormones I'm on. I've had a rash on my neck and chest which I believe is from the estrogen (vivelle) patch or possibly the PIO (Progesterone in Oil). I've also had some breast tenderness which is also a s/e of PIO... or it could also be a sign the AF is going to show. When I went in for my P4 blood draw on Monday it came back a bit low at 42, whereas my RE likes to see it around 50. He upped my PIO from 1 cc to 2 cc, and is having me use the progsterone suppository twice a day. Since I've upped my dosage, I've noticed some s/e; occasional shortness of breath, worsening of the rash on my neck, chest, and upper back. Spotting is also a side effect of PIO, s I'm hoping that can explain what I'm seeing.
Right now I'm freaking a bit that AF will show before I even make it to beta... I've had some spotting today which is making me very nervous. It's not much, and it really just a pink tinge, but still... not what I want to see. I'm trying not to freak out too much, by using my IVF meditation CD to calm my nerves, and trying not to dwell on it all too much... the spotting is not helping though. Breath...
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
St. Patty's and ET update - with photos :)
It's been a couple days since my transfer, but I haven't had a chance to update... So here it is:
The night before the transfer:
We decided to go out to Pasadena and spend the night at The Courtyard again. Since it worked out so well before the ER, and we've already spent so much money on IVF, we figured what's another couple hundred dollars for a hotel... It was a great way to relax before the big day. Dh and I chilled in the room, ordered room service, and got our new favorite dessert - chocolate icebox cake. Yum!!!
Morning of the transfer:
Since the transfer wasn't until noon, we had time in the morning to relax and get breakfast. I did cheat and have a half cup of coffee since I've been a little backed up lately. Thank god it did the trick! Then, a little over an hour before we left for the transfer, I took my valium and made sure to drink my pint of water with time to spare.
Transfer time!
The transfer went better than I expected; all eight embryos made it to day 3! We had two 8 cell, one 6 cell, three 5 cells, and two 4 cells. 7 of the 8 embryos were grade 4 (which is the highest grade at my clinic), the other is a grade 3. My RE originally wanted to transfer 4 (due to my age - 36), but we decided on transferring 3. So we transferred the two 8 cells and one 6 cell.
Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of my 3 embies that were transfered, but I did get one of all 8.
Although we didn't get a photo of our 3 embryos pre-transfer, we did get a shot of the screen after the embryos were transferred.The embryos are the black area towards the bottom right... aren't they cute!?!
***ETA - I've been corrected by my dh, the embryos are the white spot toward the top right (oops...)***
Since the transfer ended up being on St. Patty's Day. I got to wear my target "dollar bin special" St. Patty's Day socks!
Signs, signs...
On the drive home from the tansfer, as I was laying flat on my back, I got a sign... at least I'm hoping it's a sign. (a little back story - On Dec. 31st when I was recovering from my lap, I prayed that 2010 was going to be a good year.... ) Well outside the car window as I was laying flat on my back, what should appear in full view of my window, but the Good Year blimp! It's got to be a good omen, right?
Post-ET meal:
I begged dh to stop at In-N-Out on the way home. I thought it would be an excellent first meal for meal for my embies, and I was craving it. It tasted sooo good! It was a bit difficult to eat laying down, but I tried.
St. Patty's Day Dinner
Although I couldn't imbibe in my favorite St. Patty's Day beverage, a Black and Tan, dh did make a delicious corned beef and cabbage dinner. So instead of beer on St. Patty's day, I had Pom juice and pineapple core... but the corn beef and cabbage rocked!
Fast forward to today:
Unfortunately, I got the call today that none of our remaining embryos made it to freeze :( . I was thinking that at least a couple would, so I'm pretty disappointed that none made it to blast. The nurse reminded me that the best ones were transferred. So, now I'm trying to concentrate on the little one's already inside, and that I'm PUPO!
The night before the transfer:
We decided to go out to Pasadena and spend the night at The Courtyard again. Since it worked out so well before the ER, and we've already spent so much money on IVF, we figured what's another couple hundred dollars for a hotel... It was a great way to relax before the big day. Dh and I chilled in the room, ordered room service, and got our new favorite dessert - chocolate icebox cake. Yum!!!
Morning of the transfer:
Since the transfer wasn't until noon, we had time in the morning to relax and get breakfast. I did cheat and have a half cup of coffee since I've been a little backed up lately. Thank god it did the trick! Then, a little over an hour before we left for the transfer, I took my valium and made sure to drink my pint of water with time to spare.
Transfer time!
The transfer went better than I expected; all eight embryos made it to day 3! We had two 8 cell, one 6 cell, three 5 cells, and two 4 cells. 7 of the 8 embryos were grade 4 (which is the highest grade at my clinic), the other is a grade 3. My RE originally wanted to transfer 4 (due to my age - 36), but we decided on transferring 3. So we transferred the two 8 cells and one 6 cell.
Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of my 3 embies that were transfered, but I did get one of all 8.
Although we didn't get a photo of our 3 embryos pre-transfer, we did get a shot of the screen after the embryos were transferred.
***ETA - I've been corrected by my dh, the embryos are the white spot toward the top right (oops...)***
Since the transfer ended up being on St. Patty's Day. I got to wear my target "dollar bin special" St. Patty's Day socks!
Signs, signs...
On the drive home from the tansfer, as I was laying flat on my back, I got a sign... at least I'm hoping it's a sign. (a little back story - On Dec. 31st when I was recovering from my lap, I prayed that 2010 was going to be a good year.... ) Well outside the car window as I was laying flat on my back, what should appear in full view of my window, but the Good Year blimp! It's got to be a good omen, right?
Post-ET meal:
I begged dh to stop at In-N-Out on the way home. I thought it would be an excellent first meal for meal for my embies, and I was craving it. It tasted sooo good! It was a bit difficult to eat laying down, but I tried.
St. Patty's Day Dinner
Although I couldn't imbibe in my favorite St. Patty's Day beverage, a Black and Tan, dh did make a delicious corned beef and cabbage dinner. So instead of beer on St. Patty's day, I had Pom juice and pineapple core... but the corn beef and cabbage rocked!
Fast forward to today:
Unfortunately, I got the call today that none of our remaining embryos made it to freeze :( . I was thinking that at least a couple would, so I'm pretty disappointed that none made it to blast. The nurse reminded me that the best ones were transferred. So, now I'm trying to concentrate on the little one's already inside, and that I'm PUPO!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
ET tomorrow!
I was so rudely awoken by a 4.4 earthquake at 4:04am, and couldn't fall back asleep. So, naturally, I started thinking about my awaiting embryos and my upcoming ET. I can't believe after all these weeks of appointments, injections, and u's that my transfer is finally here!
I haven't updated in a few days, so I'll go back a couple days to my ER...
I got 11 eggs!! The retrieval wasn't bad at all... even for someone who despises IVs. Dh and I decided to spend the night at a hotel the night before since had the first appointment of the morning, after the first night of day light savings - so 7am came very early! This was one of the best decisions we've made. I woke up stress free ( the retrieval center was less than a mile away), and we got there with time to spare. Once I got there and got changed, it all went very quickly (I guess being out for most of the appointment could explain that!). I was so happy that the anesthesiologist was able to put the IV in my upper arm because I can't stand and IV in my hand (it repulses me :-(). He also went over my prescription for vicodin or darvoset, but I declined as they both make me vomit. I was told could take other pain relievers, but I've heard conflicting information on whether (and which) pain meds should be taken after ER. I finally decided not to take anything at all... and I paid the price. I was so crampy and uncomfortable, but I found that keeping the heating pad on my belly and laying down made it bearable.
In my lucky penguin socks at ER
Then yesterday I called and got my fert report...
Out of the 11 eggs they retrieved, 9 were mature enough to use ICSI. Out of those 9, 8 of those fertilized normally. Dh and I were both overjoyed with this first report. He was home working when I called, and gave me a big hug when I told him. After all the ups and downs at the beginning of the cycle, we are extatic to 8 fertilized embies. Now we'll have to wait unttil tomorrow to find out how many of our 8 embies made it to day 3... Grow embies, grow!
I haven't updated in a few days, so I'll go back a couple days to my ER...
I got 11 eggs!! The retrieval wasn't bad at all... even for someone who despises IVs. Dh and I decided to spend the night at a hotel the night before since had the first appointment of the morning, after the first night of day light savings - so 7am came very early! This was one of the best decisions we've made. I woke up stress free ( the retrieval center was less than a mile away), and we got there with time to spare. Once I got there and got changed, it all went very quickly (I guess being out for most of the appointment could explain that!). I was so happy that the anesthesiologist was able to put the IV in my upper arm because I can't stand and IV in my hand (it repulses me :-(). He also went over my prescription for vicodin or darvoset, but I declined as they both make me vomit. I was told could take other pain relievers, but I've heard conflicting information on whether (and which) pain meds should be taken after ER. I finally decided not to take anything at all... and I paid the price. I was so crampy and uncomfortable, but I found that keeping the heating pad on my belly and laying down made it bearable.
Then yesterday I called and got my fert report...
Out of the 11 eggs they retrieved, 9 were mature enough to use ICSI. Out of those 9, 8 of those fertilized normally. Dh and I were both overjoyed with this first report. He was home working when I called, and gave me a big hug when I told him. After all the ups and downs at the beginning of the cycle, we are extatic to 8 fertilized embies. Now we'll have to wait unttil tomorrow to find out how many of our 8 embies made it to day 3... Grow embies, grow!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
ER Date Set
It's been a pretty rocky week, but my ER is now set for Sunday, March 14th.
Since my last post my cycle was almost canceled twice, and I've had 3 different ER dates. Throughout the cycle my RE's favorite term for me is "borderline"; the amount of antral follicles I had to start was "borderline", my lining was "borderline", the number of large follicles I now have is "borderline". I realize he doesn't want me to get my hopes up, but I'm trying to stay positive.... I really wish he was a bit more of a cheerleader at this point.
Here's a brief recap since my last post:
Thurs. Mar 4th: Although I didn't have too many follicles at this point, my E2 levels looked good (63) so my follistim was reduced from 225 to 150 IUs.
Friday Mar 5th: Was my first official monitoring appointment and RE brought up canceling the cycle due to only having 2 developing follicles. He said we could up follistim to 225, and give it a couple more days. My RE was surprised not to see more follies because my E2 level was at 163.... I guess I'm just strange. Also, my lining was only at 3.6 (it need to get to at least 8), so I was prescribed Estradiol to thicken my lining.
Monday Mar 8th: The estradiol worked! My lining was up to 8.5. I still didn't have as many follicles as my RE would like to see, but I a couple decent sized ones (1 at 12, and another at 11, and a few at 8-10). He said I have an abnormal pattern of follie growth. When I asked what that meant, he just said he usually sees a larger number between 9-12 (after 7 days of stims).
Tuesday March 9th: My 3rd monitoring appt. (day 8 of stims) My RE said I was borderline with only 3-4 good sized (12-16) follies. My left ovary only has 1 decent sized follicle. After he asked us what we wanted to do, cancel or move forward. He said that because of my endo removed from my left ovary, this may be just how my ovaries respond to meds. We made the decision to go forward with the hope that we have at least one fighter. We had to order more follistim and pain $900 for 600ius!
Wed. March 10th: RE upped my follistim to 300 with hopes of getting a few more of the "borderline" follicles caught up with the others.
Thurs. March 11th: I was all set to trigger tonight and go in for my ER on Sat, but when I went in for my monitoring appointment my RE said he wants to give it one more day on stims. He reduced my follistim back down to 225. We had to order more Menopur and paid $125 for 1 days worth!
So, it looks like my ER will be on Sunday. As of today's appointment I have 3 follies that are over 17, but he's hoping that some of borderline ones will catch up. I'm really starting to feel the effects of the stims now - bloating, headaches, and just feeling blah! I also have pain where I had my lap near left ovary - I think the stims are making my poor ovary work overtime!
The good news is that it looks like my ET will be on ST Patty's Day, and, being Irish, I see that as a good omen. I have my "lucky" socks ready to go!
Since my last post my cycle was almost canceled twice, and I've had 3 different ER dates. Throughout the cycle my RE's favorite term for me is "borderline"; the amount of antral follicles I had to start was "borderline", my lining was "borderline", the number of large follicles I now have is "borderline". I realize he doesn't want me to get my hopes up, but I'm trying to stay positive.... I really wish he was a bit more of a cheerleader at this point.
Here's a brief recap since my last post:
Thurs. Mar 4th: Although I didn't have too many follicles at this point, my E2 levels looked good (63) so my follistim was reduced from 225 to 150 IUs.
Friday Mar 5th: Was my first official monitoring appointment and RE brought up canceling the cycle due to only having 2 developing follicles. He said we could up follistim to 225, and give it a couple more days. My RE was surprised not to see more follies because my E2 level was at 163.... I guess I'm just strange. Also, my lining was only at 3.6 (it need to get to at least 8), so I was prescribed Estradiol to thicken my lining.
Monday Mar 8th: The estradiol worked! My lining was up to 8.5. I still didn't have as many follicles as my RE would like to see, but I a couple decent sized ones (1 at 12, and another at 11, and a few at 8-10). He said I have an abnormal pattern of follie growth. When I asked what that meant, he just said he usually sees a larger number between 9-12 (after 7 days of stims).
Tuesday March 9th: My 3rd monitoring appt. (day 8 of stims) My RE said I was borderline with only 3-4 good sized (12-16) follies. My left ovary only has 1 decent sized follicle. After he asked us what we wanted to do, cancel or move forward. He said that because of my endo removed from my left ovary, this may be just how my ovaries respond to meds. We made the decision to go forward with the hope that we have at least one fighter. We had to order more follistim and pain $900 for 600ius!
Wed. March 10th: RE upped my follistim to 300 with hopes of getting a few more of the "borderline" follicles caught up with the others.
Thurs. March 11th: I was all set to trigger tonight and go in for my ER on Sat, but when I went in for my monitoring appointment my RE said he wants to give it one more day on stims. He reduced my follistim back down to 225. We had to order more Menopur and paid $125 for 1 days worth!
So, it looks like my ER will be on Sunday. As of today's appointment I have 3 follies that are over 17, but he's hoping that some of borderline ones will catch up. I'm really starting to feel the effects of the stims now - bloating, headaches, and just feeling blah! I also have pain where I had my lap near left ovary - I think the stims are making my poor ovary work overtime!
The good news is that it looks like my ET will be on ST Patty's Day, and, being Irish, I see that as a good omen. I have my "lucky" socks ready to go!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Uterus aspiration
I am on day four of stims (cd9), and I was still bleeding. I don't know if it's from the Lupron, BCPs, or just the end of my period, but I was still bleeding fresh blood. When I was at the RE on Monday he said if it hadn't stopped by today to call him. Well, sure enough this morning there was fresh blood when I went pee. I called my RE's office and the said to come for a uterus aspiration. It ended up being very similar to the mock transfer, just a little more painful. RE inserted a catheter into the uterus, and basically suck out the remaining clots. The nurse was pointing out on the monitor where the cathater was in my uterus, and it hurt like a b!tch when it got to the top of my uterus. It was brief cramping, but ouch! Once he had aspirated, he put the vag cam back in, and viola! Just like that, all the blood was gone! I really hope this does not have a negative effect on my cycle. I have no idea why I was still bleeding, but my RE said not to worry, so that's what I'm trying to do. While he was in there with the wand, he took a look at my eggs, and said some were already starting to show up, but said that my lining still looked thin. Tomorrow I have my first official monitoring appointment; he said if it still looks thin tomorrow he will Rx estrogen. I also had a blood test today to check my levels. I haven't got a call from the nurse, so it looks like I will stay at my current dosage of 150 ius (reduced from 225) of follistim for tonight. After all these injections, I'm hoping to see some follies tomorrow!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Side effects from hormones
So far I haven't had too many side effects, but I do want to keep track of them for any future possible IVFs or other fertility treatments.
BCP: I've had the worst s/e on bcp. I was on Apri for 21 days for IVF, and bled pretty much the entire time (not just break though, actual flow). My RE told me to double up for a couple days, but I still bled. I also had slight nausea in the morning and headaches. Overall Apri just made me feel crappy (moody and bitchy).
Lupron: I had headaches for a couple days while I was on 10 ius, since I reduced to 5 ius I haven't had any headaches. The most annoying s/e has been the hot flashes; now I know what it will be like to go through menopause. I've woken up a few times in the middle of the night dripping in sweat (pretty gross).
Stims (Follistim and Menopur): I've only been on stims for two days, so so far I've only had the sting of injections. Follistim stings a little at the injection site for a few minutes after injecting. Menopur stings while injecting because it's thicker, and needs to be injected slower.
BCP: I've had the worst s/e on bcp. I was on Apri for 21 days for IVF, and bled pretty much the entire time (not just break though, actual flow). My RE told me to double up for a couple days, but I still bled. I also had slight nausea in the morning and headaches. Overall Apri just made me feel crappy (moody and bitchy).
Lupron: I had headaches for a couple days while I was on 10 ius, since I reduced to 5 ius I haven't had any headaches. The most annoying s/e has been the hot flashes; now I know what it will be like to go through menopause. I've woken up a few times in the middle of the night dripping in sweat (pretty gross).
Stims (Follistim and Menopur): I've only been on stims for two days, so so far I've only had the sting of injections. Follistim stings a little at the injection site for a few minutes after injecting. Menopur stings while injecting because it's thicker, and needs to be injected slower.
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