IVF Update #5

Stim day 10

Just for reference: my estradiol levels went from 2522.0 pg/ml on Sept 13 to 4189 pg/ml on Sept 14. No shots tonight. My belly is delighted. I would do a jaunty dance, but I can barely move. So I’ll gesture my hands in excitement.

To-morrow, to-morrow. Egg retrieval Is tomorrow. Is that not how the song goes? Well it does now. Bright and freaking early. 8 am. In order to avoid traffic, we have decided to stay in a hotel. Oh, and so I don’t have to wake up extra early. You might gather that I detest mornings.

You would be correct. J² on the other hand:

How annoying is that? Ha ha! He does get a ton of shit done though. As long as I can sleep, no one gets hurt.

Away we go. If you like me; keep your fingers crossed for us. 

IVF Update #4…..Maximum Overload

See that? It’s the finish line to this part of our journey. About 40 little pre-babies have been growing for about a week. Today, my doctor said they are ready. So tonight we trigger with Lupron. I’ve never been so thrilled to be getting just on injection.

Lupron uses LH instead of HCG to trigger ovulation. I’m using this type to help reduce the chance of OHSS. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is where the ovaries can swell. If it becomes severe, I could end up in the hospital. Dr. G is trying to prevent this. Drinks with electrolytes and food with protein and salt have been known to help decrease the odds.

Tomorrow, I go in for more blood work to check to make sure the Lupron is doing its job. Which makes Friday -- Egg Retrieval Day. It’s here…...almost. Now to prepare for the days following ER.

IVF Update #3

Welcome to stim day 8. I feel like this:

Just roll me around. Literally.

A beached whale would also be an appropriate metaphor. The copious number of eggs have caused my ovaries to touch. My doctor had difficulty seeing where one ended and the other began. No worries….it’s not dangerous. Sitting is a chore. Stretchy waistbands only. Or dresses. Good news is that I only have a couple more days. The official countdown hasn’t begun, yet. That won’t happen until I get the trigger shot. Here’s what tonight round of meds looked like:

                                 

Side note: See what I have circled in red? I cannot tell you how much I love that little thing. It’s called a Q-Cap. Why is it amazing? Let me bring you into the know. Normally, when you are mixing a solution and a powder medication you use a long needle to draw the liquid from one vial and inject into the powder vial. Then, you withdraw the mixture. Finally, you switch to a smaller needle and complete the injection. The Q-Cap eliminates the first two steps. This way you’re not trying to balance the vial while holding the needle and withdrawing the meds. That cute little cap fits over the top and has a tiny needle to puncture the rubber top. Just turn it upside down and pull down the plunger. Voila! Now, the original way is not as formidable as I make it sound. But, I just got excited that something in this process was made easier. Please, just let me have this. Considering my stomach looks like this right now….

Anyway, back to the main update. I still seem to have a rough estimate of 13 follicles on the left and 20ish on the right. Of these 19 are measuring between 13mm – 22mm. My estradiol came back as 2556.1 pg/ml. Progressing nicely. Even my doctor is kind of excited.

So tomorrow I go back for what might be my final scan. It’s getting close. Wow. I still feel like I am I daze that all this is happening. I think by having the days broken up between scans and blood work make it so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. Well, that’s from my perspective.

IVF Update #2

Stim day 6, time for more blood work and a follicle check. Estradiol came back as 1478.1 pg/ml. Almost tripling in two days. Next up, the ultrasound. Now, when I mention ultrasounds I am speaking of the transvaginal kind. You’re exposed and uncomfortable. Honestly, at this point, after everything that has occurred, I possess no modicum of embarrassment in stripping waist down and flinging my feet into stirrups. In general, I am a modest person, but no longer in a medical environment. Log that under interesting tidbit of the day.

What did the scan show today? I have amassed roughly 13 follicles in my left ovary and 20 follicles in my right ovary. Of those, from the few my doctor measured, 16 are between 12mm – 16mm in diameter. Not quite mature, but getting very close. Because they don’t want me to ovulate on my own I was given a dose of Cetrotide in office. I will also start this tonight and use it until I trigger. My doctor also decided to drop the Gonal-F injections and just maintain the Menopur at 150 iu.

Next appointment will be on Tuesday. It is possible egg retrieval will happen before Saturday. Which was the original tentative date. This whole process is flying by…..like I can’t catch a breath. We are excited that my body is responding well.

Symptoms: abdomen is bloated (because of the follicles), bruising from the blood thinner, still tired, breast tenderness, and uncomfortableness due to the bloating. 

IVF update #1

Today marks day 4 of stims and my first estradiol, which is estrogen, level check. The results will give the doctor an idea of how my body is reacting. On my first day (CD3) of stims my estradiol level was at 53.3 pg/ml. A good baseline number. This afternoon my levels were at 504.3 pg/ml. The nurse stated that I was responding well. My Gonal-F measurment was dropped to 75 iu. Below is a chart that displays how estrogen levels increase through an IVF cycle.

Source

I will do this for the next two days. On Sunday, or stim day 6, I go in for more blood work and an ultrasound. Here’s a nice picture of what our nightly ritual consists of:

That yellow-labeled package? Well, that is a fun little addition to this protocol: blood thinner. Since several doctors and I concluded that the birth control pills were the (most likely) culprit for my blood clots, I shouldn’t introduce estrogen into my body without taking blood thinners. Why is it so much fun? Lovenox burns for about a minute after injection. Intensity can vary depending on….magical medication gnomes. Honestly, I don’t know. Some days, it’s not so bad. Other times, it’s as if lava was inserted under you skin. See? Fun. J² seems intent on keeping me alive. He did just drop a fortune for me to carry his love child.

Symptoms: slight bloating feel, twinges probably from growing follicles expanding, exhaustion, and nausea.  

The Craziness Begins

My nerves were just chillin’ until I had to go in for my baseline ultrasound. As I drove to the clinic, my gut twisted and my mind reeled with all the things that could ruin the start of this process. I could have a cyst, or multiple ones. My lining might be too thick or too thin. Would my blood work be okay?

Worries abated. Everything looked good. I have a plethora of tiny follicles, due to PCOS, just waiting to grow. So what does this mean? I get to start stims! The IVF process has begun. The wonderful nurse handed me my tentative schedule. She also gave me instructions on how to properly administer the medications. Although, when I was at home trying to mix it up, I still worried about doing it incorrectly.

And what does that mean? Lots of shots, blood draws, and ultrasounds. Which will continue for about the next week and a half. My first three doses will be 150 IUs of Gonal-F and 150 IUs of Menopur. Medication and timing will be adjusted as needed. It is also possible I may transform into a crazy, hormonal monster. Apologies to those near me. Appeasement can be found be leaving chocolate. Or maybe ice cream. Or food in general.

So, tonight was my first shot. And with this being a team effort, J² had the privilege of playing nurse. He’d look good in a sexy nurse costume for Halloween. 

I am excited and nervous. Doing my best to not have expectations beyond reason. We’ll see if stays that way.