Butterflies...

I trigger tonight at 11:30pm and retrieval is set for Thursday morning at 10:00am! I get butterflies just thinking about it.

I went and got a manicure & pedicure so I'm all set...for some reason before any surgery or procedure, I feel the need to have pretty feet.

I can't remember if the nurse told me to start my antibiotic tonight or tomorrow morning...don't guess it would hurt to start tonight. Right?

I really can't think clearly right now so this post is going to be short, sorry.

I'm nervous.

One more day...

Nurse just called....here's the update!

Estradiol - up to 693, still not quite as high as the doc would like. (He said that we need it to be at least in the 800's) Progesterone is at .69. Follicles: 1 (23mm), 2 (17mm), 1 (15mm), 1 (14mm), 1 (13mm), 1 (12mm) and then at least one more that is less than 12mm.

Doc wants me to take the Lupron, Follistim & Menopur for one more day...go in for u/s & b/w tomorrow morning and most likely the trigger shot will be tomorrow evening, making retrieval Thursday!

Thanks to you girls for the warning/advice on the Menopur injection...you're right, it stings!! Ouchy.

I'll update more tomorrow...

Love you all,
Jill

Moving right along...

Was at the doctor's office bright and early this morning...was so weird to be at the doctor's office on a Sunday. Anywho, things seem to be progressing quite nicely!

Here's what we found out: Estradiol level was up to 444...yay! I just love seeing that number rise after the scare of not responding. Progesterone was .46 (he said anything under 2 right now is good). In regards to follicles, I had 1 (18mm), 2 (16mm), 3 (ranging 12-15mm) and 1 (less than 11mm). He said they like for them to be around 19-20mm, so we are going to take the Lupron and Follistim tonight and add one more medication called Menopur. That means 3 injections tonight...oh goody.

I will go back to the office early tomorrow morning and have an ultrasound & bloodwork. He said we could be ready to trigger tomorrow - depending upon what the u/s & b/w say! If not ready to trigger tomorrow, he said by Tuesday. Either way, that puts us retrieving this Wednesday or Thursday.

I can't believe we're to this point...I'm excited, nervous and scared all at the same time!

That's all for now...will update tomorrow after my appointment!

Love you all,
Jill

E2 level update...

Okay, so Estradiol level was up to 156 today! He counted 7 follicles, said there might be an 8th one up there as well, could barely see it though. For sure we had 1 (14mm), 3 (12mm) and 3 (7mm). Looks like I'm definitely responding to the Follistim dosage increase - since I went from 28 to 156 in three days. The doctor's exact words were "you're just a late bloomer". LOL
7 follicles didn't sound like very many to me but he reminded me that I only have one ovary...so I guess this number is normal.

I'm going to stay on the Follistim (450 units) as well as the Lupron (10 units) for two more days and then go in on Sunday for another U/S & Labs. We need these follies to keep growing so they will be ready to retrieve soon. :)

I feel SO MUCH BETTER after receiving the call that my E2 levels are up. Thanks for praying everyone!!

Oh, and can I just say that I have the best husband in the world...I'm so thankful that it's you by my side during all of this. I love you, sweetie.

Love you all,
Jill

Pity Party...

Well, I have to be honest...I spent most of yesterday evening and today feeling sorry for myself. My tummy is bruised all over and hurts to touch, my head and back are killing me, I only have one stinkin' ovary that is letting me down at this moment. I could go on and on...'it's my party and I'll cry if I want to'.

Then I started receiving emails and posts from you all...such encouraging words you all have for me...thank you for that. I really needed it. We appreciate the prayers during this emotional rollercoaster we seem to be on. I realized today that as prepared as we thought we were, I don't know that anything can truly prepare you for an IVF cycle. I'm drained in so many ways and we have only just begun. One minute I'm on top of the world and the next I'm ready to give up...crazy I know...could be the hormones. Regardless, it's our life right now.

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living". Psalm 27:13. God always sends the exact words that I need to hear...thank you for sharing this verse with me, Paula.

We're blessed to have so many family and friends that care about this chapter in our lives. We love you guys.

I'm also thankful for all of the people that I have 'met' since starting this blog....women who are going through the exact same thing, always there to lend an encouraging word...you girls are awesome!

Love you all,
Jill

The fight is over...

The call has finally come...from insurance that is. They say they will pay for our IVF, that I meet all qualifications and that they will pay for my meds as well...80/20 just like my maternity benefits. They will pay a maximum of 15k in a lifetime...that won't take long to spend. :)

An answered prayer...

Love, Jill

Not responding...

I went in today for my first Estradiol blood test since starting the Follistim. I received the call from the nurse this afternoon that I'm not responding to the Follistim as I should. My levels were below 20 before starting the Follistim and are now only up to 28 after being on it for 2 days. They are up'ing my dose to the maximum which is 450 units. I'll do this for the next 3 days and then go back on Friday morning to have blood drawn again. The nurse said that it could be low due to the fact that I have only one ovary.

Pray that this dosage increase works and that my estrogen level will increase...otherwise, they will cancel this cycle and we will have to start over with new protocol.

I'm bummed....