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!

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!