Lovin' from the Oven

The embies are in and hopefully getting all set to begin baking. My transfer was complete a couple of hours ago, and my job now is rest to allow the little babes to latch. The procedure was very quick; in fact, I think I was on the table all of 3 minutes before the doctor was done. That's crazy, right?! C and her mom were there for the procedure. While the doctor didn't allow them in the room (it would have been too small anyway, I think), they were able to view the embryos on the screen as well as watch the procedure from a window into the room. I think we would have both preferred for her to be in the room.

The doctor transferred 2 of C's embryo's. Both embryos were at the blastocyst stage (feel free to google that) and were a grade A. Basically, this means they were the best of the best, and as high of a grade and as developed as they could get. We couldn't have had better embryos. The chance of implantation is 70%, so we are quite hopeful.

My instructions are to rest and lie around the rest of today and through tomorrow as well. After that, I will no longer have to be on bed rest, but I won't be clear to return to my normal activity (read: receiving the cardio high that I live on most days) until after a confirmed pregnancy. In the meantime, I am permitted to get my activity through walking. And since I find the treadmill quite boring, it seems I'll have to take joy-walking trips to Target and the local mall, hehe! I have a blood test for (pregnancy) beta numbers on August 23. I can begin home pregnancy tests earlier, but the blood test will be more accurate.

My plan for the next few days includes trying to relax. That will not be an easy feat for me, but I'm going to give it my best shot. To help me with that, my agency sent a care package to the hotel yesterday:

So, my loot includes a comfy pair of pj's a la Target, chocolates, a novel, a puzzle book, and a magazine. It was so thoughtful of them to think of me like that. I'll also spend time sending the hubby on food runs. :)

Thank you for all the prayers, the thoughts, and the encouragement. I'm now back to another waiting phase, looking forward to a POSITIVE outcome.

Flying, Driving, and Transfers, Oh My!

I'm here! And I'm waiting again. It seems the name of this whole process really is, "hurry up and wait." But hey, I'm waiting in a nice hotel room in beautiful Connecticut with the best weather (79 degress!) I've seen in months, so who's complaining? Not this girl, I'll tell ya.

Our flight out yesterday was actually nice, although I still do not like to fly. We departed a little bit early and landed even earlier. Traffic to the hotel was a bear. we rolled along about 20-30mph for about an hour off and on. I guess that's how we roll, ha!

We spent most of yesterday just relaxing. The hubby and I took in a movie and had ice-cream for dinner. (Shhhh, don't tell me kids!) Today, C and I are going to enjoy some girlie time, so you know that must mean there is a mall trip in our future. I think we're also planning on getting manicures and grabbing a bite to eat. The hubby will stay here and enjoy his ESPN quietly.

C spoke with the embryologist this morning, and we have transfer set for sometime on Saturday. We likely won't find out what time that will take place until Friday. So, until then, C and I will hang out and the hubby and I will hopefully get some good quality time together. (As much quality as a couple can get bring in a nice hotel in a pretty state WHILE being on intimate restriction from one another.) *If that was more than you needed to know, then I assume you did not read this post with my disclaimer regarding TMI; it might also mean that this blog is not for you*

I also feel like I need to share with you all that the mood swings from the progesterone are definitely here, and I almost feel no desire to control them, ha! I'm only kidding -- I'm going to do my best to combat what my body think is it's natural tendencies. Hopefully that won't require too many cupcakes as well, bleck. But thank goodness for the hotel gym, right?!

Come back on Saturday; I will definitely have an update then seeing how I will be on bedrest for 36hours after transfer: just me on the couch with my laptop, books, magazines, and the remote control. See you all then, friends!

Bringing out the big guns!

Good evening, lovelies! I have quite the informative update for you all. Read on...

Today was my first day of the progesterone injection...in my derriere. I will admit that I was quite apprehensive, as you would be too after seeing this ginormous needle that had to be jabbed into my rear. Here, maybe this will help:

(not my photo - thank you, google)

See, I told you it was large. And the kicker of this is: I have to be sure the entire needle is completely "in" before I can plunge the meds. So, after poking around a few times - to see where the needle pricked the least - I found a nice spot and did my business. It wasn't too bad actually. The worst part was plunging the meds since it's progesterone in oil. The oil is thick so I couldn't just plunge quickly like I did with the Lupron belly shots. The challenge will now be to continue finding new places for each dose, as intramuscular shots will bruise more. :( And perhaps another challenge will be the side effects from this particular hormone. Incase you forgot, here's a refresher: bloating, weight gain, and mood swings. Eeek, right?!? But seeing how I was not affected too terribly by the previous hormone set, maybe I can avoid these effects as well. *fingers crossed*

C has spent the last week driving to and from the fertility clinic (a 45min drive for her), almost daily, to have her ovaries monitored for the egg retrieval. Our doctor is very pleased with how her body is responding and he will retrieve her eggs tomorrow morning!!! So, embryo transfer will happen in less than a week. I know, right! My flight leaves very early Wednesday morning; transfer will occur either Thursday or Saturday, depending how the embryos are developing.

It was quite an exciting journey just to get to this point, but I think the real adventure is only beginning.

Everything's Lining Up!

Hello, all you faithful followers -- all 6 of you. ;) I'm sure you're as anxious to read another update as I am to post one, seeing how they are quite the rare gems. So, here ya go:

Earlier this week, I had another check-up to make sure my body is responding to the meds. You'll remember from my previous post that my Lupron dosage was lowered and we introduced Estrace into my system. *Side note: I have felt so much better since that change.* The ultrasound determined that my uterine lining is building up nicely. In fact, I even impressed the tech; she looked at her screen and said, "You have some very pretty endometrium. Oh, this is nice." Initially, such compliments were awkward (I was laying on an exam table afterall) -- then the awkardness gave way to flattery, "Why yes I do have some pretty endometrium, thank you." My husband was not nearly as impressed when I shared this news with him. My lining measured at 12mm; ideal for implantation is between 7mm and 14mm. So, look at me grow. :) And maybe this can explain the slightly oh-my-good-grief-I-can't-button-my-pants bloated feeling in my tummy. I also had a blood draw to measure my progesterone and estradiol levels.
I passed.

C also had a check-up this week, same day as mine I think. All her levels are where they are supposed to be, and she began her (ovary) stimulation injections today. The doctors will begin investigating her ovaries every other day starting next week. At that time, we will have a more definitive date for her egg retrieval and then the transfer.

For now, both C and I are right on track; the fertility clinic is happy with us; we are moving right along. It's almost surreal to think that I will be on a jet plane bound for the transfer in less than 2 weeks. That takes my breath away.

All Stop - Yay!

After having my first ultrasound and lab (with Lukas in tow which I will NEVER do again!):
It's official --my ovaries are NOT producing eggs, yay! Ok, I don't know why anyone would get excited about that, but for me, it means we can move right along in this process....so again, yay!

I'm quite happy about this because it means I can lower my dose of Lupron from 10 units to 5 units AND begin my Estrace pills. The Extrace will put estrogen back into my body, which I've been missing while the Lupron took over my ovaries. During this time, I had slight headaches (well controlled by ibuprofen, yay!) and fatigue. I'm not really used to being a tired type of person, but all I have wanted to do is sleep. I still had the mental energy to move, but my body said, "No thank you, ma'am!" It's been pure exhaustion -- uncharted territory for me. So, I'm hoping the lower dose and the addition of the estrogen will help me get back to normal, whatever that may be for me these days.

The injections are going quite well; cliche as it sounds: I don't feel a thing! I have a bit of bruising on the lower tummy from the injections. My mom tells me it's because I must have hit a capillary. How would I know -- I just squeeze me a big ole hunk o'fat and jab the needle in and go. :) I think it's pretty neat actually, but not one person in this house will willingly watch me shoot myself up. Go figure.

I will have another lab and ultrasound in 2 weeks to be sure my body is still doing what we are telling it to do via the meds. For now, we are still on schedule to head back to CT to transfer 2 embryos during the 2nd week of August. Yay!