Be advised... Frequent posting ahead...

So we are getting to the end of IVF cycle #1 and so I will have a lot to update since I am going to NRM just about daily now. This morning I had yet another ultrasound and more bloodwork followed by a check in with Dr. Wonderful! The ultrasound still showed LOTS of follicles around 14mm (they need to get to 18) and blood results are pending; I usually get a call in the afternoon. So we meet with Dr. C and he says although this is taking some time, this is looking like a great cycle! MUSIC TO OUR EARS! BUT… (There is always a “but”)... It looking like you are on your way to getting Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS). EEEKKKK! He continues to say that in order to prevent OHSS we aren't going to trigger you with HCG we will use Lupron (ok that’s fine) and instead of putting the embryo right back into your body, we won't be able to do so0 until a month later once the ovaries have calmed down, meaning the embryo’s will be frozen. We were warned of OHSS in our initial consultation but we were like “the percentage of it happening is low, we don't really need to worry about it.” WELL once again our luck curses us. Good thing is that NRM’s freeze rates are high quality and we can prevent OHSS! We have waited this long whats another month! Our health is a priority and I am glad NRM see’s it that way also. SO he mentioned possible extraction THIS WEEKEND!!! Yes I said it, this weekend!!!!! He will confirm as the week goes on. We are thrilled with the progress and hopeful now more than ever!! This is VERY exciting, nerve racking, emotional, ahhh just a bundle of unexplainable emotions!!! Hang on tight, and thanks for being on this ride with us family and friends!!

Anxiously awaiting my appointment this morning...

Well, Nicole from NRM called with the blood results and my estradiol and LH levels rapidly increased which means I am at risk of premature ovulation. She called me and said "Jennifer, we need you to go home and add in the additional injection (cetrotide)and decrease your Menopur and Gonal to 2 vials each... like NOW!" So I cancelled my work training and skedaddled home! This new shot stings a bit after injections and the injection site is sore for a short period of time but nothing that I haven't become used to. I did try to give it myself but again I became nauseous at the thought and said F&$% it... MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Jay wasn't home) I go at 8:15 this morning and expect the news to go one way or the other... cancel or ready or not!! I am hoping for the ready or not of course!!! I don't know if it is all these hormones I am pumping in myself but I am exhausted and can barely stay awake past 8pm! UGH this better all be worth it in the end and then I can get used to the exhaustion right?! :)

It's a GREAT Monday!

In the interest of being cautiously optimistic, this mornings appointment brought great news! Maybe my mom was my lucky charm! :) 2 days ago I had 2 follicles worth measuring... today I had over 10!!! And they are all growing at about the same rate! Finally my ovaries are waking up! Guess they are late bloomers much like myself haha! Maybe we found the magic potion! See my single dosage pic below! HAPPY MONDAY! I go back Wednesday and fingers crossed for even more growth!

Here is a little glimpse inside NRM. Its a comfortable, clean and welcoming place with awesome views. This morning I had ultrasound #1 of 3 for this week. Nothing was really happening with the ovaries which Mel (the tech) said wasn't uncommon with polycystic ovaries. It was a little disappointing but nothing that we haven't experienced before. Hopefully as the week goes on the damn things will start kicking into gear and making lots of follicles!!!

Our "sCARE" package arrived!

We received our box of injections, vaginal inserts, and other 'fun' misc. items on Saturday! Can you say overwhelmed??? Bringing it all to Dr. C Friday so they can go over it all with us. We don't want to mess this up!!! Here is a picture!

IV-F here we come!

So Jay and I had a great consultation with Dr. Casson today! He explained the IVF process, the benefits and of course the risks. It is so interesting to learn about this stuff and we are realizing that there are so many different routes that can be taken to achieve pregnancy/family varying from person to person and situation to situation! I expressed to Dr. C how fortunate we feel to have the support and be in the care of such exceptional nurse, doctors, people!!! So here is what is happening with us... My last birth control pill will be taken on 10/26, then I will go into the office for a baseline ultrasound on 10/29. That day I will begin taking gonadotropins (injections). Later into the cycle I will add 2 other injections, Gonal F (for follicle stimulation) and Menopur (egg stimulation). Looking like beginning of November for the actual egg retrieval procedure where they will put me to sleep and retrieve. Because I am high risk for ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-hyperstimulation-syndrome-ohss/basics/symptoms/con-20033777) which could land me in the hospital for a week Dr. C will be monitoring my ovaries closely to determine if he will do a fresh embryo transfer or frozen. Frozen means waiting for a period of time to make the transfer until my body has recovered. This is a big step for us and it doesn't come without its worries/frustrations. Again, its all part of the process but will hopefully be worth it. I had a discussion with my friend about the emotional affects of "not being able to conceive naturally" and although I got emotional during the conversation, I believe Jay and I came to terms with the fact that a typical "natural" conception isn't in our cards. Not to say it couldn't be someday but in life you play the hand you are dealt. We have managed to push onward and upward many times and this situation won't be any different. Thanks everyone for your prayers and continued hope. Its nice to not be on this rollercoaster alone!!!

The next phase has arrived...

Some of you know that we decided to take a couple months off of fertility treatments because Jay was out of town for work and also to give us an emotional 'breather.' Well, the hubby is now home and we are ready to get things going again in hopes to achieve a little miracle of our own. Friday I went in for bloodwork and originally the plan was to do at least one more round of letrozole and bravelle shots. I came across Dr. Casson in the waiting room on his way to see another patient and he said "ya know I have been thinking... you have great insurance coverage and the triggers were not very successful so why keep banging our heads against the wall.. I think we should just go right to IVF!" Without hesitation I said you are the doctor and I trust your opinion so I am willing to do whatever is needed to get the best results. So, needless to say, the plan quickly changed and I was started on a pack of birth control pills. When I picked up my prescription I was like WTH!!! So of course I googled the crap out of IVF and the process, etc. I had done a little before but my anxiety would kick in so my 'research' would always be cut short. Now that this is the reality we are faced with, that is all I have done is research. There are MANY pros... the success rate is more promising then other things we have tried so we are optimistic and hopeful. We go in 2 weeks for our consultation where we will talk to Dr. Casson sign off on all the paperwork needed and get more clarity around the process. Its also nice to have someone who recently went through IVF reach out and offer hope through their experience. Fingers crossed...