3dp3dt - :0)

Heh, that's the first time I've ever gotten to say that! Well, except for when Nancy and I were texting this morning. Just how cool is that? Three days past three day transfer.

Hubby has been cute. Making sure that I don't over-extend myself. He wasn't too sure that I should go out to lunch yesterday as he didn't want me going up and down the stairs, but I took them slow and easy. It was good to get out, as I was getting a bit stir crazy. Today he asked me to change my shorts, as he thought the ones I was wearing were too tight, even though they weren't.

We were watching the original "Breakfast at Tiffany's" this afternoon and he thought we should name our daughter after the main character. No, not "Holly" but "LuluMay." Ugh, I don't think so!

Yesterday it was so weird, with the nausea, I mean. I felt like that all day, even before I gave myself the booster shot. I think I was just reacting to the PIO, and maybe even the hcg. Who knows?

Tomorrow I'll be going to church. It's the last day of bed rest, but I'll be sure to take it easy. We're having a going away pot luck lunch for a couple in the church who is moving to Denver. I don't want to miss wishing them well.

I've been debating whether to put up a picture of the embryos or not. I feel like I want to keep them to myself right now. We've shown our mothers and one of my friends, but that's about it. I just want to hold them tight for now, if that makes any sense. Plus, we don't have a scanner so I'd have to take a photo of them and post that, so the quality wouldn't be that great.

Hubby and I have been talking about when, and if, we'll test. Our betas aren't until 6/8 & 6/10. I'm having the tests done here in town, but the doc won't get the hormone results (P4 & E2) until the day after, but he'll get the hcg result the same day. Their policy is not to call with the results until after the 2nd test, to see the the beta is properly increasing. So maybe I'll test then, who knows? I've got plenty of time between now and then to change my mind a million times.

Answer to ?: Hcg booster is a shot of 1000 IU hcg that I take 3 times during my 2WW. Its to help the corpus luteum to put out more progesterone.

It's too soon to be feeling effects from HCG ins't it? I feel nauseated and that was even before my hcg booster shot this am. Is it the PIO? <Miss Tori>

''Bed rest'' hasn't been bad. Just taking it easy really. Going to go have lunch out tomorrow. Been feeling some twinges, not sure if ovaries still healing.

I'm PUPO! Transfer went well after my bladder finally filled. Had acupincture both before and after transfer. Going to grab some PF Changs then head home.

After bad traffic in Colorado Springs, we finally get here. However, my bladder isn't cooperating! Get full already! Gonna transfer all 3. Excellent quality.

3 Day Transfer & Protocol Answers

The embryologist called this morning to say that all three embryos are dividing, we have two 3-cells, and one 2-cell. We are on for a 3-day transfer tomorrow. Hubby and I have to make the big decision as to how many to transfer. He's thinking percentages and odds, I'm thinking of avoiding complications of multiples. Hopefully we can come up with a compromise that works all the way around.

A couple commenters asked about the protocol I've been on. I don't know the exact term, as I'm really bad with keeping terms straight, but here are the meds I've been on:

DHEA, 75 mg, since 1/10/09
Bravelle, 300 IU, day 3
Menopur, 300 IU, day 3
Saizen, 0.8 ml, day 3
Ganirelix, 225 IU, day 5
Dexamethasone, day 3
Folic acid, 1 mg, day 1
Multi-vitamin (not prenatal) day 1
Prenatals up to day 1

Since trigger on Friday, I've added:

Medrol, 64 mg (the nastiest tasting pills I've ever taken)
Doxycyclene, 2x day, for 5 days, including day before ER and starting again day after ER
Baby aspirin
Folic acid
Multi-vitamin
PIO, 50 ml in a.m.
HCG booster on 5/26, and 2 other dates I don't have in front of me right now

I hope this helps the other poor responders out there.

100% mature, 100% fertilized

The call came in this morning from S, the embryologist. She first apologized for not being there yesterday, but she was recovering from a head cold and didn't want to take the chance of getting us sick. Which I appreciate.

She said that all three eggs were mature, did they ICSI on them, and all three fertilized! I'm so HAPPY! She said she'd call again tomorrow morning with how they are growing, and to set up the transfer.

Thank you, everyone, for all your well wishes, your good thoughts, your prayers. They are working!

Left ovary was a disappointment

Today went well, for the most part. After I said a last minute prayer asking for calmness, the A guy asked me if I were getting sleepy yet. I said no. He asked me again, and I said a little. Next thing I know, I'm waking up and it's all done.

They were able to retrieve three eggs, which was disappointing to me, since I had at least five good follies going on, with a total of nine follies. It seems that two of the good follies were on my left ovary, which the doctor just couldn't get to. I knew this was a possibility, but it sucks to know that I'm limited to what my right ovary can produce.

Apparently, when they started to drain the first follicle, I must have felt something, because I jerked my leg, and about knocked the poor nurse over. She was being told to do something by the doctor, suck out the follie fluid, or something, and she was trying to, while also trying to put my leg back up. I guess I also was grabbing at the cannula in my nose, though of course, I don't remember this. I guess I'm not that cooperative under sedation.

I do admit to crying some when I came out, mostly because of only getting three eggs. But also because the cramps hurt like a SOB! They brought me some Tylenol, which did kick in after a while. Today's recovery has been pretty good. The ride home was okay as I took my pillow with me and laid my seat back, and slept most of the way. What has been most sore, though, is that each time when I need to pee, my bladder acts like it's over-full, and it hurts. You know, when you've gone to a theater and have just finished watching a 2.5 hour movie after drinking the large soda, because, you know, it's only $0.25 more, and now you have to pee so bad, that it hurts to stand up straight? That kind of hurt. I'm assuming it's all just par for the course.

I do remember when I woke up, looking over in the corner of the room, and seeing Hubby all decked out in his surgical gown, mask and cap. All he needed was a stethoscope around his neck, and he'd be Dr. Hubby.

So I guess while I am disappointed with the results, I am also happy with the results. This was more than my old RE ever was able to get out of me. So that's a definite plus. And assuming that all goes well in the next few days, I will get my chance. And that is all I ever wanted. A chance.

Three eggs. Quite crampy. Forgot my medrol so have to wait til I get back to eat. Almost kicked the nurse with my right leg. Don't remember tho. <Miss Tori>

I'm really nervous. Trying not to let thots of doom and gloom fill my head too much. Calm me, God. <Miss Tori>

Trigger went well. Hardly felt it at all going in. Didn't feel it until a couple minutes later. No other shots til I start PIO on Tuesday.

Trigger tonight at 8:30!!

Oh my goodness! It's really happening. I'll trigger tonight at 8:30, no more meds except my vitamins and the nexium. Retrieval is Sunday morning at 8:30. Wow! Oh wow!

I'm about to cry I'm so happy! Please say a prayer, cross your fingers, think good thoughts that everything goes well and that my follicles have nice plump juicy mature eggs in them and that they accept Hubby's sperm, and grow!

I'm not sure I know what to do with all this excitement! Maybe I need a few more exclamation points!!!!!!!!!

~~~Let's dance~~~

So tired

What a week it's been. My response to this protocol has been great! As of my u/s this morning, I have 9 follies, but 5 of them are of the right size and will be retrieved. I have to wait for the phone call this afternoon, but most likely we'll be triggering tonight and then have the retrieval on Sunday morning. You have no idea how excited I am. Every time I get a good news phone call from the nurse, I do a little dance and have this great big grin on my face.

The hormones have been good to me this time. I haven't been moody or irritable, except for today, just a bit, but only because I am so tired. Three days in one week of getting up at 5:00 or just before 5:00 is taking its toll on me. I am really looking forward to sleeping in on Monday. I won't have to take any shots that morning, so I won't have to be up early.

You know what's been really weird, and I apologize in advance for the TMI, but I have been getting up almost every night since I've started the stims to pee. I rarely have to do this, but this week it's been consistent. Perhaps my swollen ovaries are pushing on my bladder? I'm not sure.

The one thing I forgot to ask today but I'm sure it'll be fine until Sunday's retrieval is for the nurse to mark on my hips where we'll give the PIO shots. I want to make sure we're doing it in the right area. The nurse did give me some needles that I didn't receive with my pregnyl for the trigger and booster shots. They want those done IM, and the only long needles I have are 22 gauge. She gave me 27 gauge, 1 1/4", so that'll be easier to do.

While Hubby and I are very excited about the upcoming retrieval, it did cause us to cancel some plans we had for Sunday. He was to be present at the baby presentation at church for one of his employee's. I was supposed to be the greeter at church. But I'm totally okay with not doing this and doing the retrieval instead. I think God will forgive me.

Seriously? I really don't think he deserves it. Doesn't he remind you of the Hee-Haw donkey??? That's ok, the other one will have more success.

Ganirelix

I add this tonight. I'm to do the shot in my thigh, but I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to do it. Between my boobs and my tummy, it's kind of awkward to do it. I could have Hubby do it, but I need to do it tomorrow night anyway as I'll be at a function, so I need to figure out how I'm going to do it. I tried finding videos online, but wasn't able to.

If anyone has any tips, please share. Thanks!

E2 level is 143, was 49 on 5/15. Triple layer lining. Continue at current doses, may add ganirelix tomorrow or Thursday. May trigger Fri or Sat! ER 2 days later

It went well!

My appointment went well this morning, besides the fact that I was about 10 minutes late due to traffic and trying to give myself the shots before I left.

I had 7 visible follicles, ranging in size from .8 to 1.3. My lining was 7.9. I'll get my E2 level later this afternoon. The tech said it's possible I have more follies that will show up the further we go along.

I'm feeling good about this, but am waiting until I get the call this afternoon before I celebrate too much.

Clarification

I had previously posted that I wasn't cooking in the cook off because of the IVF cycle we're in, and I wasn't planning on it. However, since BIL won on Saturday, he had all the left over ingredients he had purchased to use for Sunday. Once you win, you no longer need to compete in that particular category. So I used his ingredients on Sunday, entered the salsa competition, and lightning struck twice! I have got to ask him where he buys his produce.

Hubby was sad that he didn't win on Sunday. Apparently he doesn't buy his produce at the same place either. lol

On a different note, I go into the doctor in the morning to see how I'm progressing. I've kind of feeling a few twinges, but who knows. I really hope that the DHEA and Saizen are doing their jobs. I didn't ask the nurse when she called what my E2 levels were, and I didn't even ask the tech how many antral follies there were. In fact, she didn't even measure the follies, just looked to see if there were cysts, which there weren't. Tomorrow I'll definitely have to ask.

Ahhhh, who do you think Mike married? Katherine or Susan??? <Miss Tori>

I won 1st place in salsa today! Hubby isn't too happy. But I am!! <Miss Tori>

The C men sweep the salsa!

Today we had a chili cook off here in town, part of the Wild Wild West Fest, sponsored in part by the PBR (Pro Bull Riders). My men swept the salsa division, with my brother in law taking 1st, my Hubby taking 2nd and my father in law taking 3rd.

Only 1st place in salsa got trophy/prize money.

Here's a picture of the trophies.

We'll be doing this again on Sunday. I'm not cooking, since I'm spending all my money on this IVF cycle. But I'll be there, supporting my Hubby, oh, and eating funnel cakes too!

By the way, Sunday I turn 38!

I did the saizen and bravelle shots this morning. They both stung. The saizen bled. It's been two hours and it's still stinging. Here's to growing follies!

Yes!

We're good to go! Start stims tomorrow. Let the games begin!

Day 2

I dragged my butt out of bed this morning at 5:09, so I could hit the road by 6:00. I managed to be on the interstate by about 6:10, so I hauled ass up to Denver for my appointment at 7:45. It never fails to amaze me that I always get there early, no matter how close I think I'm cutting it. I was there by 7:30. I figured that was good so I could be back on the road soon as I had my acupuncture appointment at 10:00.

I go in, get my blood drawn, go upstairs and sign in. The receptionist tells me I have a balance due of almost $7,500! WTF???? I say that this is news to me. I mistakenly thought that since I have insurance, that they would bill the insurance carrier as we go along, the insurance would do their thing, and then I'd get an EOB stating how much I owe. Um, no, that's not how it works.

After a bit of arguing and tears (damn those tears), I got them to agree to only charge me (at this time) what my insurance out of pocket maximum is, which is $3,000. Thank God I had my credit card with me. So, red eyed, streaked face, I go in for my ultra sound, not really looking forward to it.

It was a breeze! My left ovary has never behaved so well! The tech said it was hanging right there, clear as day. That was a welcome change. It normally hides behind my uterus and is painful to find. My lining is nice and thin, they way they want it on day 2. My ovaries are cyst free. So that is good.

Now I'm just waiting for the call back to make sure my blood work is acceptable and that we can get started. I sure hope so, because while I was there, I went ahead and had the nurse mix my Saizen. Heck, if I knew it was going to be that easy, I could have done it myself. She had told me that it had to be mixed into a separate vial, which the pharmacy hadn't provided. All she did was take out 5 ml of the water and dump it out, then mix a little with the powder, and put it back in. Assuming I need to order my second vial, I'll know what to do with that one.

I ended up about 10 minutes late to my acupuncture appointment. When I first laid down, it was nice to relax, but after she inserted the needles, there was no more relaxing. I just couldn't settle down. I tried not to think too much about the money issue, as I didn't want to get upset again. I couldn't really do any visualizing. So I just played a lot with the pillow and the head rest. When she came to take the needles out, she said that three of the four in my ear had reacted, meaning that they bled. She said that my adrenals really reacted. I asked what adrenals were, and she said something to the effect that they help us to get healthier. To be honest, I really didn't get it, even after she explained it. The only thing I could think was that maybe it was the stress of the morning that caused them to react.

Now I just wait. I'll be carrying my cell phone with me where ever I go in the office this afternoon. Don't want to miss the call.

She's here and she's not being very nice. Despite my reluctance, I took some ibuprofen. Tomorrow I go in for baseline bloodwork and ultra sound.

Spoiler alert - dont read if you havent watched AI yet.

bye bye Danny! <Miss Tori>

Hugs to fellow IFers

I hope that my fellow IFers were able to get through yesterday without too much pain and sorrow. Hugs to us who aren't part of the celebration, but have to watch from the sidelines.

Must. Have. Coffee.

This not having any caffeine is for the birds.

I'm cheating today. Probably more than once.

Definitely this morning - stayed up late last night getting laundry ready for this weekend's class reunion trip I'm taking.

Most likely tonight - as I drive back to my hometown. Four hour drive and not leaving until after work at 5:00.

Must. Have. Coffee.

Arguing claims already

ETA: This letter was in response to my consult with the perinatologist claim being paid at the deductible/coinsurance level, rather than at the specialist copay level. The hopspital billed it as outpatient services, rather than as a doctor's visit. That's supposedly how they bill all their doctor visits.

Hi Claims Representative,

Thank you for looking into this for me. Excuse my tainted outlook on this, but it seems to me that the hospital has found a way to bilk not only Insurance Company, but me as well, for all they can get, and then some.

I went to see the perinatologist for an initial consult, to make sure that she or someone in their practice would care for me if I get pregnant. If I do get pregnant, I will be considered high risk and will need to be under their care, as well as my OB/GYN. The closest perinatologist to me, as there are none here in Pueblo where I live, is located at Unnamed Hospital in Colorado Sprigs.

If I see them at least four times, Insurance Company, and I, will be paying for a higher level of service than actually provided. My benefits through my employer state that if I see a specialist, my copay is $30. It is not subject to my deductible or coinsurance.

I understand that Insurance Company is somewhat limited as to what it can do, but I think that it is unethical to charge me a higher amount because of their inability (or their refusal to bill otherwise) to file the claim differently.

Please let me know if this can't be argued further with Unnamed Hospital. If not, then I'd highly recommend that your provider relations people work with Unnamed Hospital so that members like me, who have to use their providers, don't get bilked for more than they are legally responsible for.

Thank you for your time.

Pearl necklaces and ear seeds

I was in a conference meeting, just having arrived back from my acupuncture appointment. I sat beside R, a lady who knows what we are going through. She saw my ear seeds, but didn't say anything.

That afternoon, her and another lady, M, were heading upstairs to get a soda for their afternoon pick me up, when I joined them to get my water (by the way, it sucks not drinking my diet Pepsi's any longer). R asked me if I were doing acupuncture, as she had seen the the ear seeds. I said yes, it was part of the treatment. M, who didn't know what we are going through, asked what I was being treated for by the acupuncturist. I said that she is trying to get me pregnant.

M asked, well, aren't you using the wrong orifice? R and I just busted out laughing. I said, Oh, you mean those pearl necklaces aren't getting the job done either?!? I think it took us a good five minutes to quit laughing and to wipe the tears from our faces.

Happy May Day!

Sorry for not posting my story the other evening like I said I would, life just gets in the way sometimes. I'll try to do it this weekend.

I hope your day today is filled with flowers and sunshine!