So - here is the rundown of my protocol. I got it today at my injection class. The timing is all approximate, of course. I'll just start with the date I started my BCP's.
3/27 - BCP D1
4/16 - Last Day BCP
4/17 - Blood work & Ultrasound
4/20 Start meds pending BW&US are normal
112.4IU Gonal F Multi-Dose
37.5IU Menopur
At this point, everything is based on my follicle size. I will be going in for monitoring every other day, or every day. Once they are greater than 14mm, they will start me on Ganirelix.
5/1 - approximate trigger date. I will be triggering with Lupron.
5/2 - BW & US
5/3 - Egg Retrieval
5/6 - 5/8 - Egg Transfer. The timing will depend on how the embryos grow and develop.
SO - that's the tentative time frame. yes, I know it's a lot of detailed information, but part of the reason I'm writing this blog is so that perhaps someone reading this will learn from it, or can use it to relate, or just to understand more about IVF. In the upcoming posts, I may become more emotional - happy, or depressed, or indifferent. One thing I have learned is that the range of emotions can vary day to day; even minute to minute. This is because.. the medication.. the underlying feelings, outside influence. There's a multitude of reasons, but I know they are all normal, and I hope that even on a low day, I am able to find the joy and happiness in this journey, and find the positive light that I will need to get through.
Showing posts with label IVF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IVF. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
IVF #1, 4/2008 ER stats
So, as I was going through some old boxes in the basement yesterday, I came across an envelope from SGFC that was never opened, or at least, appeared to never have been opened. I, of course, opened it. It was a copy of our ER stats from the first IVF we did, which resulted in our daughter.
I had 18 eggs retrieved.
I had 8 eggs fertilized normally.
I had 2 eggs fertilized abnormally.
I had 8 unfertilized and discarded.
I requested 2 eggs be transferred.
So - I had, in the end, 8 little eggs, and out of that 8, we put two back. The remaining six, we declined to cryopreserve because we just could not afford it. It made me sad, and even at the time I had heavy feelings in my heart, but the feeling wasn't ad profound as it is now. This time, even if I have to take out a loan, I want to save them.
That's a totally different issue,and we will cross that when we get to that point. The point of this post is - based on those results, I should not have any problem getting eggs this time either, and I am excited to continue with this cycle despite the ongoing and current stress we have in our personal lives. This is a chance we have to take, now. And I know we won't regret it. not one bit.
I had 18 eggs retrieved.
I had 8 eggs fertilized normally.
I had 2 eggs fertilized abnormally.
I had 8 unfertilized and discarded.
I requested 2 eggs be transferred.
So - I had, in the end, 8 little eggs, and out of that 8, we put two back. The remaining six, we declined to cryopreserve because we just could not afford it. It made me sad, and even at the time I had heavy feelings in my heart, but the feeling wasn't ad profound as it is now. This time, even if I have to take out a loan, I want to save them.
That's a totally different issue,and we will cross that when we get to that point. The point of this post is - based on those results, I should not have any problem getting eggs this time either, and I am excited to continue with this cycle despite the ongoing and current stress we have in our personal lives. This is a chance we have to take, now. And I know we won't regret it. not one bit.
BCP D1
Well folks, today I started BCP. So, 21 days of that and then we start Gonal F. I'll get my full protocol once the insurance authorization comes in, which should be within the next week.
Just wanted to update on what is going on!
Just wanted to update on what is going on!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The truth of it all..
This isn't the first time I've dealt with infertility. I'm almost 30, and 3 years, almost 4 years ago, my husband and I began treatments to have a baby. After a HUGE emotional ride, two failed IUI's, numerous medications and shots in the tummy, we achieved our goal of bringing a beautiful baby girl into this world with IVF and ICSI. Our daughter is now 2 years old, and we are going for number two.
I've struggled with many emotions over this.. from feeling like we don't have a right since we already have one healthy child, to are we tempting fate, to this is an opportunity we can't miss. Feelings that i had the first time around are coming back. Even though I have a child, I still feel pain when, what seems like everyone I know, is pregnant. I know it's because, as an Infertile, we become hyper-aware of pregnant women. It also doesn't help with the fact that my circle of friends all consist of healthy young women who are starting or still continuing to grow their families. I'm happy, not spiteful. There are some of 'us' who are spiteful, who can't stand to look at a pregnant woman or a newborn baby, because the pain is too much, because it fuels anger. Anger at ourselves, our bodies, our God.
As a woman, we are supposed to produce healthy children. I know that for me, I have never been the career oriented woman. Having a fast paced, high stress career isn't something i ever wanted. What I did want, from the moment I held my first baby doll, was that I wanted to be a mommy. I knew I wanted to get married and have kids. Live happily ever after. Of course, as I've grown i have realized it's not that easy, in any of thoe areas, but, I got married, to a wonderful guy ( really, who says "i married a awful guy" ??), and relationships take work, and happily ever after doesn't just land in your lap. At least not for most people I know. When I realized we couldn't have a baby naturally, I was upset. I was determined to do what I had to do. I got excited about finally, possibly being able to have a baby, of my own, to hold and love and cuddle.
Then we did our first cycle. And I was SO SURE it just HAD to work. I mean, why wouldn't it? Well, it didn't. And, I was devastated. It was right around Thanksgiving. Then, we did another cycle, and that didn't work.. that put me right into a very dark place. That year I didn't put up any lights. I didn't even put up a tree. I just went through the motions. Needless to say, our second IUI was a failure. Looking back - how could anything positive come from such a negative point in my life. I can honestly say i've never been in a darker place that I was at that point. After the new year, we took a short break, and in March of 2008, I started birth control again, this time for our IVF cycle. Mid April came the egg retrieval and transfer. and on April 3o, our 2 year anniversary, I surprised my husband with an anniversary card that included a picture of a positive pregnancy test. In January of 2009, Our daughter was born.
So, here we are now, and we are going straight into another IVF. As it stands now, tomorrow I go in for Day 3 bloodwork and ulstrasound, and then Sunday I will start my Birth Control Pills. All I can say is that I am going into this with the same attitude as i did with our first IVF - God will take me through this, and it is His will what happens. I will accept the outcome, and move on. I will learn from the experience. I will not get my hopes too high, but I will not be negative about it. I can only do what I can in regards to eating healthy, taking my meds, and following my protocol. Anything beyond that is out of my control, and I can only pray that God will give me what we pray for.
I've struggled with many emotions over this.. from feeling like we don't have a right since we already have one healthy child, to are we tempting fate, to this is an opportunity we can't miss. Feelings that i had the first time around are coming back. Even though I have a child, I still feel pain when, what seems like everyone I know, is pregnant. I know it's because, as an Infertile, we become hyper-aware of pregnant women. It also doesn't help with the fact that my circle of friends all consist of healthy young women who are starting or still continuing to grow their families. I'm happy, not spiteful. There are some of 'us' who are spiteful, who can't stand to look at a pregnant woman or a newborn baby, because the pain is too much, because it fuels anger. Anger at ourselves, our bodies, our God.
As a woman, we are supposed to produce healthy children. I know that for me, I have never been the career oriented woman. Having a fast paced, high stress career isn't something i ever wanted. What I did want, from the moment I held my first baby doll, was that I wanted to be a mommy. I knew I wanted to get married and have kids. Live happily ever after. Of course, as I've grown i have realized it's not that easy, in any of thoe areas, but, I got married, to a wonderful guy ( really, who says "i married a awful guy" ??), and relationships take work, and happily ever after doesn't just land in your lap. At least not for most people I know. When I realized we couldn't have a baby naturally, I was upset. I was determined to do what I had to do. I got excited about finally, possibly being able to have a baby, of my own, to hold and love and cuddle.
Then we did our first cycle. And I was SO SURE it just HAD to work. I mean, why wouldn't it? Well, it didn't. And, I was devastated. It was right around Thanksgiving. Then, we did another cycle, and that didn't work.. that put me right into a very dark place. That year I didn't put up any lights. I didn't even put up a tree. I just went through the motions. Needless to say, our second IUI was a failure. Looking back - how could anything positive come from such a negative point in my life. I can honestly say i've never been in a darker place that I was at that point. After the new year, we took a short break, and in March of 2008, I started birth control again, this time for our IVF cycle. Mid April came the egg retrieval and transfer. and on April 3o, our 2 year anniversary, I surprised my husband with an anniversary card that included a picture of a positive pregnancy test. In January of 2009, Our daughter was born.
So, here we are now, and we are going straight into another IVF. As it stands now, tomorrow I go in for Day 3 bloodwork and ulstrasound, and then Sunday I will start my Birth Control Pills. All I can say is that I am going into this with the same attitude as i did with our first IVF - God will take me through this, and it is His will what happens. I will accept the outcome, and move on. I will learn from the experience. I will not get my hopes too high, but I will not be negative about it. I can only do what I can in regards to eating healthy, taking my meds, and following my protocol. Anything beyond that is out of my control, and I can only pray that God will give me what we pray for.
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