d-2p3dt

Just got the call about fertilization results and I couldn't be more pleased or scared.  We only had 7 eggs, but 6 were mature.  That is way better than we have had in any other cycle.   Also, of the 6, 5 fertilized.

We have no idea yet about the quality of those embryos yet, and this is another stage where we always have some serious trouble, but I am feeling a little hopeful.  Unfortunately that is often the beginning of the big fall. 

D-3p3dt

Well today was the retrieval and things went both better and worse than expected.  H's numbers are much improved which is very very good news.  Unfortunately mine are dropping.  Of the 9 very large follicles there were only 7 eggs.  We don't know anything further yet. 

I hope things go well.

Day 12

Back again for another round of blood and ultrasounds.  Still only found 9, 4 on the right, 5 on the left.  None of the smaller guys caught up.  Still each of the 9 is between 17 and 20 so tonight is the HCG injection.  Unfortunately H is at a work dinner and I need to inject into my butt alone.  I am really no good at this.  I do all the other injections and pills etc, but I really need him to do the butt shot.  I find it to difficult, and the needle is so huge that I freak out about it. 

Still, I am almost done with the first phase of this cycle.  Now it is on to the retrieval. 

Day 8 and 10?????

I started my cycle really late in the day so what is scheduled as day 9 and 11 really seems to be days 8 and 10.

I got my blood and ultrasound on day 8. I was really disappointed and concerned about this cycle. I only had 3 eggs on the right and 1 on the left. My E2 level was 510. I don't know if that is good or not. They were each 12 or 13 mm. Which isn't bad, since they were all at the same size. I always have a bunch that are runaways and they mature long before any of the rest. I went back in today and found that there are now 4 on the right between 14 and 16. I also have 5 on the left that are between 13 and 16 with an E2 of ~930. At least we now can see some hope.

It doesn't seem to make sense, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth??

I thought I would be back tomorrow, but I am not to return until day 12. I don't have enough medicine to get me though till then. I hope I can get an emergency delivery tomorrow.

I do have a video that cheered me up last night. I guess a lot of people have seen this but I hadn't seen it till last night and have been singing it all day. By the way, please don't play this at work, or at least turn down the volume.

Lupron, anyone?

I seem to have two extra boxes of 14-day lupron. They are unexpired and seem to over-down regulate me. If anyone is looking for any meds, let me know.

Spotting to starting

I spoke to my nurse who explained that since I was on such a short first cycle, I might only spot as a period so I went to my US as scheduled.  Well, about 5pm I started REALLY bleeding.  At least I now for sure that I am cleaned out for a new cycle I guess, but there was certainly no spotting.  As I said, I have an entirely new protocol which includes all new medicines.  Most of which I have never taken before.  So I inject one of them this morning into my leg as usual and immediately feel like a bruise.  No big deal, sometimes I bruise, well this proceeded to become actual real pain and difficulty walking.  I thought that a little walk around the neighborhood would be a good idea to get the medicine moving into my body and out of my leg, so I went for a 3 mile walk.  Normally when I go for a walk I try to do around 5 miles, so it feels like 'exercise' but I was in such pain that I had to come home early. 

Great, there are only 10-13 more days of this medicine.  Yay.

Beginning IVF #5

Today the spotting begins.  My cycle is starting and I need to get my first US tomorrow.  I am terribly nervous and a little teary.  I am doubling up on Acupuncture and Massage for the next couple of weeks to help 'calm' me.  I don't know that it works that way but at least while I am there I am allowed to sit in a blank quiet room nothing but a warm lamp on and some light music.  I do find that I get to drift a little during that part, though the last massage has left some significant bruising. 

This is not a joke.  I had trouble sleeping the first night because every time I turned over, I woke myself up with a stabbing pain.  I am hoping that a hot bath and another massage (with some rules set!) might help. 

I am worried about the spotting as I am not really at day 1, but I spoke to the nurse and since I am on a short course of BC and am only 2 weeks into my cycle, she doesn't expect much more than spotting.  I don't know.  This whole cycle is so different from any that we have done previously.  That could be good or not.  I have no idea. 

The old clinic sent a letter recently to say that the Dr who was our guy is no longer with the facility.  Of course there is no 'reason' associated with his leaving, but I would guess that all the bad  press lately couldn't have been helpful.

I don't know what I will do if this is another failed cycle.  I am not sure if I can handle another massive failure.  Even medicated. 

Latest news

Just got an announcement from a friend that she is pregnant, with her third.  I don't think I am dosed appropriately to deal with this.

Scotland review

Here are the photos from our trip. There are around 1100 more but I didn't think you would appreciate that. I tried to post these another way and I am not happy with how it posted. I made them a bit large, so please let me know if this is a problem. Also, please don't click on the thumbnail. It will load a completely different page and that is kind of a pain. I haven't been thrilled with loading to Flickr, so if you can tell me another way to load photos I would greatly appreciate it.

This is only funny to some specific people, but H and I like it!

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This is the William Wallace memorial, in front of it is the ugliest statue of Mel Gibson from Braveheart. It is ridiculous, but absolutely a riot. The memorial is really pretty though.

This castle was under construction and right off the side of the road. It was so cool but we got kicked out really quickly as it was a 'construction site'. This was one of only a few that we could get before getting in trouble.

Here come some of the Highland Games. These were awesome. This is the Caber Toss, which is big stick These are the GIRLS.

These are the men. The Caber is 200 pounds, more or less. There is a goal of getting the pointy end as close to 12 o'clock as possible, but really who cares!!? Just the lifting, grunting, running, and throwing is enough for me!

This is a FIRE PREVENTION DISPLAY. This was done by the firemen to encourage FIRE SAFETY. I am sure that worked. You can't read the note next to the fire, but it says "Next Demonstration 8:30ish".

H is not a little guy, but he looks like a total peanut next to the Games competitors.

Outside of a B&B we stayed at, on one of our last nights.

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It seems that all (most?) of the churches have a wooden roof. Unfortunately this is what happens when that church falls into disrepair. Yes, that is grass where the roof ought to be.

Wedding day, H and I, and the site, inside and out.

Street performers in Edinborough.

Many things are deep fried in Edinbourgh. Including pizza. Or a candy bar that you bought at the convenience store next door. That the guy lets you fry up all by your self! So not the most flattering photo, but it was too amusing not to post.