Trigger Time

Trigger went good last nite (I think). I didn't feel it at all. DH did a good job, except I think he missed the upper outer quadrant. He went more to the upper inside quadrant - or well, right on the centerline between the two, but there is nothing we can do about it now. I'm trying not to obsess about it. The spot is a little sore this morning, but other than that... nada. I was thinking that I felt some egg maturing going on during the nite, but I think it was just gas (as I found out later)... hahahaha. Na, but really, I have been quite tender in that area since yesterday morning, and even more so this morning. I am ripening up! hahaha. Anyway, more about the event...

8:40 pm: I finally decide it is time to go get the syringe, the needle, the alcohol and the trigger vials.

8:45 pm: Table has been rubbed down w/ alcohol, clean paper towel is laid out w/ all shot supplies displayed for me to begin mixing (vials have been swabbed w/ alcohol as well). (a few deep breaths - watch a little tv for a minute or so)

8:50 pm: I begin, now starting to panic (no reason, just nerves). I get the water in the powder and swoosh it around for a minute or two. I look at it and swoosh some more just to make sure. Then I begin to withdraw the medicine into the syringe when I realize that the needle won't reach to the bottom of the vial like it will with the stim vials. Oh no, how do I get it all out. I turn it on it's side, bending the needle a good bit, but still not getting it all. So then I turn the vial upside down, but I'am afraid to pull the needle back. What if I pull it out too far? Anyway, I finally get it all out. I had to carefully pull the needle out to just before pulling it out of the vial (yikes). Ok, so on to changing to the injection needle and getting the air out.

8:55 pm: Shot is ready. DH gets out of his recliner. I pull my pants down to expose my right rump. He rubs it down with the alcohol. We discuss where to do it (or more like, debate where to do it). Finally, I say, "just do it". But then I realize it is only 8:56 pm... "WOAH! STOP! We still have 4 minutes!" DH laughs. I reminded him that they said, "9 pm SHARP", not 8:56 pm. So we stand there for 4 minutes counting down, "3 minutes", "2 minutes - don't go anywhere", "1 minute - come here". Finally, "It's time, It's time!... Do It. I don't care where, just DO IT!"

9:01 pm: It's done. I didn't feel a thing, and the whole time I reassured him that I couldn't feel it (just in case he was worrying that he was hurting me). I remind him to count to 5 real slow before pulling it out and to make sure it's all gone. So, he does and we're done. I rub it in for a few minutes, and I tell him that it still doesn't hurt, I'm just rubbing it in. He's so proud, he did it!

That's it. Done. Now, just ripen up little eggs. Retrieval is tomorrow.

3rd and Final Follicle Count!

Today's appointment went pretty good. Still only 7 follicles, but I didn't really expect any more. I was just hoping they would grow and they did. On the right, we have an 18 and a 13, and on the left, an 18, a 17, 2 - 14's and a 9. So, I am to do one more night of stims (3 Bravelle and 1 Menopur) and then trigger tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 9pm. Retrieval will be 8 am on Friday (we have to be there at 7 am). He said we should get 6 eggs and seemed quite optimistic about it. I guess that's as good as it gets, so I'll take it. I can't believe it is finally here. It is so surreal. Yeaaaa!!

Oh, wanted to mention... funny awkward elevator moment this morning. So I guess it was "Everybody Who Is PG To Go See The Doctor Day." And, of course, they all looked miserable to be in such condition (ARGH - rolling my eyes here). Anyway, there were three waiting w/ lil ole me for the elevator. When it finally arrived, yet another pg gal got off the elevator (looking aggravated as well to be inconvenienced w/ her condition). So, we (me and the 3 pg's) get on the elevator. They all hit the floor numbers that they needed. I hit the one I needed (which the RE's office is the only thing on that floor - so it's known for what it is). So, we all start up in silence (as it usually is on an elevator) me w/ my 7 quiet little follicles and they w/ their protruding bellies, and it stops on a floor below ours. One of the RE's (that I have yet to meet) got on. I guess it was from the surgery floor or something. He looked to hit the floor number and saw that it was already lit up. He then looked at each of the three bellies and then to me and my non-belly. Anyway, one of the pg's started talking to him, b/c I guess she was an infertile too and knew him. He congratulated her as the elevator came to a stop on our floor. He looked at me and then gave me a careful smile as I got off the elevator w/ him. Funny, what do you say at that point? I just smiled w/ my tired, longing eyes and walked down the hallway and into the waiting room. All in all, I guess looks can be deceiving, b/c one of the pg's was actually an infertile.

Edited: I need to add that the pg infertile's face lit up when she started talking to the RE. She was so proud. And inside, I was proud for her...

2nd Follicle Count

Ok, I called the nurse this morning to find out what my E2 was from Friday and to get a re-rundown of my follicles and lining. My E2 was 358 and lining was a 7T (which she said was progressing good). My follicles were, on the right, a 13 and a 7 (don't know what happened to the 3rd one from before - maybe it was hiding), and on the left, a 9, 10, 2 - 8's and a 7. Anyway, I'm feeling better about the number of follicles, because maybe they'll be really good quality and like everyone says, "it only takes one."

Not Too Good

Well, I had relatively high hopes until today. My RE said that I would probably only get about 5 eggs. Which he said was low for my age (35). And that means there probably won't be any to freeze (ya think - HELLO). He upped the Bravelle to 5 and Menopur stays at 1. DAMN IT!!! Apparently, I'm a poor responder and/or my ovarian reserve is running out. Not sure how many follicles in total, I think still around 7 or maybe 8. I'll have to call the nurse Monday for a review. I was in shock as he was measuring b/c it was so quick. On the right, I think there was a 13, and a couple of 8's and on the left a couple of 8's, a 9, and a 10. I am hoping that he is just being conservative so that I won't expect too much at retrieval, which he said will probably be on Thursday. I am trying to keep an open mind that there are still 4 days (injections) before I go back in on Tuesday, and that a lot can happen between now and then. Anyway, he said I could blame heredity on the fact that maybe I wasn't born with as many eggs as some people. And that I could blame it on my Mom (who was sitting right there). That kinda pissed me off b/c the poor woman is a cry waiting to happen type person (me too). But he kinda played it off that there is nothing that can be (or could have been) done about it. It's just the way it is. So, when I got home I had to order more Bravelle. $499.00 plus $10 for Saturday delivery b/c I don't have enough to make it through til Monday. DAMN IT! Ok,,, so here are the remnants of my Friday nite cocktail...


I wish this stuff would give you a buzz. It would be so much more fun.

Fun, fun... :)

There Were Actually 7

I called the nurse to ask her about my E2 and follicle count. I figure what the heck... anyway, my E2 yesterday was 34 and I actually had 7 follicles... on the right 7, 5, 5 mm and on the left 5, 5, 5, 4 mm. She didn't seem to excited or worried about anything. I had to pull info out of her like pulling teeth. She said my E2 would catch up and that it was still early, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, we'll see Friday.

Oh, I was joking this past weekend that I had a $200 a day "habit." But then after my doctor appt. yesterday, I now have a $250 a day "habit." Oh boy, it's mind blowing when you look at it that way. And that's not even counting the Lupron. Heck, it's trivial compared to the Bravelle and Menopur.

Is there any reason to keep the extra vials of sterile water or the Q-caps? Do they recycle any of this stuff? Or is it just added to the land fills? Such a waste.

How Quickly It Goes

I want to say a special thank you to my MIL. It is because of her frugality throughout her whole life that allowed her to save her money so much so that she was able to give us the money for this adventure. And it is so shocking how quickly it goes flying out the window. Here is a quick rundown of costs from the 1st RE consult to the present. Oh, BTW, I just ordered more Bravelle and Menopur for a measly total of $998. Anyway, I'm going to start with that and go back in time...

01/21 Meds - more Bravelle & Menopur 998.00
01/17 IVF Start Appointment 9,560.00
01/08 HIV & Hep Lab & Nurse visit 120.00
01/12 HIV & Hep Lab fees 463.26
01/08 Semen Analysis 95.00
12/18 Meds - Bravelle, Menopur, etc. 1,596.34
12/13 Sono HSG / TT/ Nurse consult 335.00
12/18 Meds - doxycycline for him & BCP's 34.12
_________
Total for IVF $13,201.72

Now, let's go back some more...

09/27 Laparoscopy - hospital fee 4,739.08
RE's fee 2,000.00
Anesthesiologist's fee 492.00
Pathologist's fee 135.00
Pain meds 10.08
09/19 Pre-op 70.00
_________
Total for Lap $7,446.16

09/07 HSG - hospital fee 708.60
RE's fee 250.00
Doxycycline 6.13
_________
Total for HSG $964.73


GRAND TOTAL to DATE $21,612.61

Keep in mind that a lot of these I either paid up front and/or called and asked for a discount. It really works, you'd be surprised. Also, see my "Hardship Letter" post.

Of course, this doesn't include gas (2 hour drive one way), food, prenatal vitamins and other misc expenses, etc, etc. Dang it just flies right out the bank account doesn't it... Geeeees! I'm tired now, headache even worse.... argh.

1st Follicle Count

Everything went well today. I guess I have 6 total follicles. He counted out loud to the nurse... "on the right... we have 7, 5, 5 and on the left... we have 5, 5, 4." I didn't ask any questions. He turned the screen my way to show me what they look like. It's so cool, my body is doing something "super" as in superovulation. Anyway, he upped my Bravelle from 3 to 4 vials and the Menopur will stay the same at 1 vial. Things are about to really get going... woohoo. And I will still do the 10 units of Lupron in the mornings. Next appointment... this Friday 01/25.

Still fighting the headache... Lupron, I guess.