So our update yesterday was:
5 embryos at 2 cells
1 at 3 cells
1 at 4 cells
1 at 5 cells
This is great news- they all grew! This is their measure at 48 hours after retrieval. At 48 hours, they want them to be between 2 and 4 cells and they all were! I have been joking that the 5 cell is our little over achiever- Mom said it must be the next Liberace- I think may be a little president!
Waiting for the 72 hour update right now...let you know in a bit!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Golden Retrieval!
So I'll start with the most current news first and then recap the "excitement" of retrieval day...
Just found out that we have 8 eggs that are fertilized! We will be watching these over the next few days to see how they develop and then we'll transfer 2!
Here's how it all started...
Wednesday morning 7:30 a.m.: I swallow my Valium with 1 sip of water (all I've been allowed since midnight the night before) and wonder aloud "will this really do anything?"
7:45 a.m.: Starting to feel a little relaxed we arrive at UMC and head back to the lab. I am weighed and led to the retrieval room (which I am instantly glad that I had declined a tour of before today- it would have most certainly starred in a nightmare or two) I suit up in a lovely mint green gown and hop into the gynocological equivalent of a Lazy Boy (no stirrups but knee holders instead, sorry for the visual). Brad is looking around and asking for the screen to watch- he doesn't want to miss this! I am starting to feel GROOVY as I am getting an IV poked in my arm. Oh, and they cranked up some Van Morrison. I swear, I'm not making this up- I was still coherent at this point.
8:15ish: Dr. Hines and young doctor enter- young doctor turns out to be my pain med dealer. He gives me a hit and I am feeling awesome. (Brad says I kept telling young doctor that I like him.) Screen is wheeled in and I vaguely remember getting a glimpse of one of my ovaries and the black circles (follicles) that could be holding eggs! Then they begin. Dr. Hines tells me that I will feel some Lydocane that he is inserting. He is not lying- it hurts bad so I just go under for a bit...Then I start feeling the action and watch the screen as they insert a needle (I am saying this nicely- Brad says they were just stabbing away) into my ovaries and start sucking out (aspirating if you want a pretty word) follicular fluid. It's running into tubes which they disconnect and pass through a little door in the wall into the lab. The whole procedure lasts about 20-25 minutes. Brad can definitely give a more accurate account...he says that anytime I would cringe (which was a couple times- shockingly this procedure does not feel good!!!) Dr. Hines would instruct young doctor to hit me again...thank you.
They let us know that the lab had found 12 eggs in the follicles. 9 of which looked mature enough to proceed with ICSI (they inject a single sperm into a single egg).
Well, then the fun began. As we know from past experiences, I apparently like to stay anesthetized. The nurse and Dr. Hines were explaining to us, Brad really, what would happen next and I would occasionally get my wits about me and ask an educated question- none of which I was able to stay tuned in for the answer...then they left and Betsy, our nurse, kept checking in until I was fully awake. This would take a normal person about 30 minutes on the amount of anesthesia I was given. It took me almost 2 hours.
11:00 a.m.: I tried to get up at which point I turned white, felt like I was going to throw up and my legs were on fire. There were suddenly 7 people back in my room- stabbing me with another IV, putting cold rags on me, etc... They gave me some fluids and I stayed a little while longer. Take 2 didn't go much better so Vicki, another nurse, gave me some Triscuits. Third time was a charm but I did have to ride in a wheelchair (over several uncomfortable bumps in the halls- careful, watch the ovaries!)
We got home, Brad fed me and I slept until almost 4. It was uncomfortable to walk around and I was having trouble peeing (voiding if you need a pretty word) (you people and your pretty ways of saying things!) Called nurse- she said everything's just a a little swollen and enlarged so it's nothing to worry about. Oh and I can take TYLENOL for pain- wow, how generous of you!!!!! I might as well swallow a Tic Tac for pain- hasn't anyone noticed that Tylenol doesn't do ANYTHING?!
So now I am chugging G2 (low calorie gatorade) for dehydration and cringing every time I have to go to the bathroom!
Slept great last night once I figured out how to lay on my side in comfort... woke this morning to Brad screaming "Bridge, it's the call!!!!!" and running toward our room (dressed in a suit- it was a sight) It turned out to be Betsy checking on us which I thought was nice but Brad said they shouldn't do when people are waiting on "the call of their lives" (this has turned Brad into quite the drama queen).
Anyway, the man was cleaning frantically and I suggested that maybe he should go to work. No- wanted to wait on the call. Then we put a cap on how long he would wait. When his time was up he asked if I would call him with the news?! I might. ;)
They called about 10 minutes after he left- it was Vicki and she said of the 9 eggs they injected 8 fertilized which is GREAT! So over the next few days, they will be watching these 8 to see if they continue to grow. We'll get updates every day so I will, of course, keep you posted. Please start praying for these 8 fertilized eggs to start growing into embryos.
Will start progesterone shots tonight.
Just found out that we have 8 eggs that are fertilized! We will be watching these over the next few days to see how they develop and then we'll transfer 2!
Here's how it all started...
Wednesday morning 7:30 a.m.: I swallow my Valium with 1 sip of water (all I've been allowed since midnight the night before) and wonder aloud "will this really do anything?"
7:45 a.m.: Starting to feel a little relaxed we arrive at UMC and head back to the lab. I am weighed and led to the retrieval room (which I am instantly glad that I had declined a tour of before today- it would have most certainly starred in a nightmare or two) I suit up in a lovely mint green gown and hop into the gynocological equivalent of a Lazy Boy (no stirrups but knee holders instead, sorry for the visual). Brad is looking around and asking for the screen to watch- he doesn't want to miss this! I am starting to feel GROOVY as I am getting an IV poked in my arm. Oh, and they cranked up some Van Morrison. I swear, I'm not making this up- I was still coherent at this point.
8:15ish: Dr. Hines and young doctor enter- young doctor turns out to be my pain med dealer. He gives me a hit and I am feeling awesome. (Brad says I kept telling young doctor that I like him.) Screen is wheeled in and I vaguely remember getting a glimpse of one of my ovaries and the black circles (follicles) that could be holding eggs! Then they begin. Dr. Hines tells me that I will feel some Lydocane that he is inserting. He is not lying- it hurts bad so I just go under for a bit...Then I start feeling the action and watch the screen as they insert a needle (I am saying this nicely- Brad says they were just stabbing away) into my ovaries and start sucking out (aspirating if you want a pretty word) follicular fluid. It's running into tubes which they disconnect and pass through a little door in the wall into the lab. The whole procedure lasts about 20-25 minutes. Brad can definitely give a more accurate account...he says that anytime I would cringe (which was a couple times- shockingly this procedure does not feel good!!!) Dr. Hines would instruct young doctor to hit me again...thank you.
They let us know that the lab had found 12 eggs in the follicles. 9 of which looked mature enough to proceed with ICSI (they inject a single sperm into a single egg).
Well, then the fun began. As we know from past experiences, I apparently like to stay anesthetized. The nurse and Dr. Hines were explaining to us, Brad really, what would happen next and I would occasionally get my wits about me and ask an educated question- none of which I was able to stay tuned in for the answer...then they left and Betsy, our nurse, kept checking in until I was fully awake. This would take a normal person about 30 minutes on the amount of anesthesia I was given. It took me almost 2 hours.
11:00 a.m.: I tried to get up at which point I turned white, felt like I was going to throw up and my legs were on fire. There were suddenly 7 people back in my room- stabbing me with another IV, putting cold rags on me, etc... They gave me some fluids and I stayed a little while longer. Take 2 didn't go much better so Vicki, another nurse, gave me some Triscuits. Third time was a charm but I did have to ride in a wheelchair (over several uncomfortable bumps in the halls- careful, watch the ovaries!)
We got home, Brad fed me and I slept until almost 4. It was uncomfortable to walk around and I was having trouble peeing (voiding if you need a pretty word) (you people and your pretty ways of saying things!) Called nurse- she said everything's just a a little swollen and enlarged so it's nothing to worry about. Oh and I can take TYLENOL for pain- wow, how generous of you!!!!! I might as well swallow a Tic Tac for pain- hasn't anyone noticed that Tylenol doesn't do ANYTHING?!
So now I am chugging G2 (low calorie gatorade) for dehydration and cringing every time I have to go to the bathroom!
Slept great last night once I figured out how to lay on my side in comfort... woke this morning to Brad screaming "Bridge, it's the call!!!!!" and running toward our room (dressed in a suit- it was a sight) It turned out to be Betsy checking on us which I thought was nice but Brad said they shouldn't do when people are waiting on "the call of their lives" (this has turned Brad into quite the drama queen).
Anyway, the man was cleaning frantically and I suggested that maybe he should go to work. No- wanted to wait on the call. Then we put a cap on how long he would wait. When his time was up he asked if I would call him with the news?! I might. ;)
They called about 10 minutes after he left- it was Vicki and she said of the 9 eggs they injected 8 fertilized which is GREAT! So over the next few days, they will be watching these 8 to see if they continue to grow. We'll get updates every day so I will, of course, keep you posted. Please start praying for these 8 fertilized eggs to start growing into embryos.
Will start progesterone shots tonight.
Monday, April 27, 2009
I'm Triggered!
Here we go...the countdown to retrieval has started!
Got my trigger shot in the upper outer quadrant of my rear end promptly at 7:30 p.m. (Thank you, Sharon Brown!) It didn't hurt a bit! It's funny to think of all the medical procedures that have taken place in my kitchen over the past month or so... I don't know who's been doctored more- me or Rudder... I think I may have passed him by now!
Anyway, for 36 hours I don't have to get a shot! Yippee! I do still have to go to acupuncture in the morning for a rescheduled appointment of my last session so I guess a day without needles was just not in the cards!!!
Everyone pray hard...retrieval is big!!! Kinda cool to think our baby may be getting a little sneak peek of the world (just a lab, but still) before he/she gets settled in my comfy uterus (with some nicely lined walls, thank you very much...) We are on track and I am so thankful for how smoothly this has been up to this point.
Thanks to everyone who has been praying, reading the blog, giving me shots and just loving us through this time. You have helped make a wild ride much more tolerable for us! Keep up the prayers...
Got my trigger shot in the upper outer quadrant of my rear end promptly at 7:30 p.m. (Thank you, Sharon Brown!) It didn't hurt a bit! It's funny to think of all the medical procedures that have taken place in my kitchen over the past month or so... I don't know who's been doctored more- me or Rudder... I think I may have passed him by now!
Anyway, for 36 hours I don't have to get a shot! Yippee! I do still have to go to acupuncture in the morning for a rescheduled appointment of my last session so I guess a day without needles was just not in the cards!!!
Everyone pray hard...retrieval is big!!! Kinda cool to think our baby may be getting a little sneak peek of the world (just a lab, but still) before he/she gets settled in my comfy uterus (with some nicely lined walls, thank you very much...) We are on track and I am so thankful for how smoothly this has been up to this point.
Thanks to everyone who has been praying, reading the blog, giving me shots and just loving us through this time. You have helped make a wild ride much more tolerable for us! Keep up the prayers...
What is a trigger shot?
HCG "trigger" shot = injection of a medication called HCG, which causes the eggs to complete the maturation process. This is taken only once in the cycle. Release of the eggs should occur about 36-46 hours after the shot.
We will do this at EXACTLY 7:30 p.m. tonight for our retrieval on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.
We will do this at EXACTLY 7:30 p.m. tonight for our retrieval on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
GRADE A Extra Large Eggs!
They say "misery loves company" and I say when it comes to IVF, company causes misery! Trust me on this one, having 22 follicles of various sizes living in your ovaries is NOT comfortable!
Yes, the doctor measured 22 follicles this morning! They are all at different levels of maturity- some are very tiny and some are ready to go! To be exact we have 5 that are considered fully mature. There are 4 more that are very close to being fully mature so the doctor has recommended going one more day on the Follistim. No matter what size they are, they will be retrieving all of them- you never know who may grow! (We are calling the little guys the runts...)
So our schedule is as follows:
Tonight: Follistim & Lupron as usual
Monday morning: Lupron
Monday @ exactly 7:30 p.m.: hcG trigger shot (to start the release)
Tuesday: NO SHOTS!!! YIPPEE!
Wednesday: 8 am Retrieval
Out of curiosity I asked the doctor how many follicles on average they retrieve from their patients. He said it depends on the age of the patient, but that an average would be 12. So, I feel good that we are above average (for once!)
Anyway, I am bloated to the max and having to watch for dangerous signs of hyperstimulation at this point- we are pushing it to the limit! They have recommended drinking Gatorade and watching for reduced urination and sudden weight gain.
SIDE EFFECT REPORT:
FATIGUE- I am amazingly tired! I have been sleeping like I'm in a coma! I feel asleep at 5:30 on Friday evening- woke up for a few hours to get my shots and eat and then slept until 1 on Saturday afternoon! Today, I slept from 1:30-5:30 and I still feel like I could go to bed early! I did ask the nurse about it and she said this is very normal as a side effect for Follistim.
BRUISING- No 2 piece for me! My tummy is scary! I sent a few of you my glamour shot...Brad thinks it's too gross to post, but I might anyway! It's unbelievable! One night I actually saw it starting to bruise as soon as I finished the shot!!! WEIRD! Glad I'm almost finished with tummy shots- I'm running out of places to poke!
ACUPUNCTURE
Tomorrow is my last session and I am thankful! It's been an interesting experience and for some reason I think it has helped! At least it's made me feel like I am doing something extra to help in this crazy process...
So, I'll keep you posted...
Yes, the doctor measured 22 follicles this morning! They are all at different levels of maturity- some are very tiny and some are ready to go! To be exact we have 5 that are considered fully mature. There are 4 more that are very close to being fully mature so the doctor has recommended going one more day on the Follistim. No matter what size they are, they will be retrieving all of them- you never know who may grow! (We are calling the little guys the runts...)
So our schedule is as follows:
Tonight: Follistim & Lupron as usual
Monday morning: Lupron
Monday @ exactly 7:30 p.m.: hcG trigger shot (to start the release)
Tuesday: NO SHOTS!!! YIPPEE!
Wednesday: 8 am Retrieval
Out of curiosity I asked the doctor how many follicles on average they retrieve from their patients. He said it depends on the age of the patient, but that an average would be 12. So, I feel good that we are above average (for once!)
Anyway, I am bloated to the max and having to watch for dangerous signs of hyperstimulation at this point- we are pushing it to the limit! They have recommended drinking Gatorade and watching for reduced urination and sudden weight gain.
SIDE EFFECT REPORT:
FATIGUE- I am amazingly tired! I have been sleeping like I'm in a coma! I feel asleep at 5:30 on Friday evening- woke up for a few hours to get my shots and eat and then slept until 1 on Saturday afternoon! Today, I slept from 1:30-5:30 and I still feel like I could go to bed early! I did ask the nurse about it and she said this is very normal as a side effect for Follistim.
BRUISING- No 2 piece for me! My tummy is scary! I sent a few of you my glamour shot...Brad thinks it's too gross to post, but I might anyway! It's unbelievable! One night I actually saw it starting to bruise as soon as I finished the shot!!! WEIRD! Glad I'm almost finished with tummy shots- I'm running out of places to poke!
ACUPUNCTURE
Tomorrow is my last session and I am thankful! It's been an interesting experience and for some reason I think it has helped! At least it's made me feel like I am doing something extra to help in this crazy process...
So, I'll keep you posted...
Friday, April 24, 2009
Egg-cellent!
Ultrasound this morning- looking good, ovaries! Right ovary has 6 large (almost mature) follicles and little leftie had 8 big ones! Take that, Octo-mom!
Reagan and Brad came with me to my ultrasound and got to view the "pre-babies." It was really cool to look at those little black spots on the screen and wonder if we were looking at the early beginnings of our baby (or babies). Again I will say, having a baby is a MIRACLE! (I will pause here so you can all go hug your baby or rub your preggers bellies...;)
Several of them were nearing maturation, but the goal is to get as many as possible at the time of retrieval. So, we will check back with an ultrasound and more blood work on Sunday morning. My blood work today showed that I had reached 762. I have no idea what this means but they said it was good and everything was right on track.
Now before you run out and buy us 14 onesies (Take that, John & Kate Plus 8!) let me explain the future of these amazing little follicles...We are thinking that on Tuesday or Wednesday retrieval will occur. This is the big step. A little scary, probably quite uncomfortable but VERY important. They will remove all of the mature follicles. They then go to the lab and get mixed with daddy's contribution (nicest way to say this i think?!) and then we watch. For 5 days we bite our fingernails and get daily reports on who fertilizes, who is growing, etc...
NOT all of them will fertilize and not all will thrive. Of those that do, we will transfer only 2. Ethical standards allow up to 3 to be transferred at a time, but our doctor will only transfer 2 since I am young and healthy. (Other fertilized embryos will be frozen for future transfers.) He reminded us that the best case scenario is for 1 to implant- we're going for a "singleton" because medical complications occur more frequently with multiples...
So- that's where we are- I'll let you know how we look on Sunday...they will tell us then the day of the retrieval...
OH- I have had one brave soul (finally) give me a shot! Go LEXY! She really liked it but I think she wished it was a bigger dosage so it would last longer! So, who's next?
Reagan and Brad came with me to my ultrasound and got to view the "pre-babies." It was really cool to look at those little black spots on the screen and wonder if we were looking at the early beginnings of our baby (or babies). Again I will say, having a baby is a MIRACLE! (I will pause here so you can all go hug your baby or rub your preggers bellies...;)
Several of them were nearing maturation, but the goal is to get as many as possible at the time of retrieval. So, we will check back with an ultrasound and more blood work on Sunday morning. My blood work today showed that I had reached 762. I have no idea what this means but they said it was good and everything was right on track.
Now before you run out and buy us 14 onesies (Take that, John & Kate Plus 8!) let me explain the future of these amazing little follicles...We are thinking that on Tuesday or Wednesday retrieval will occur. This is the big step. A little scary, probably quite uncomfortable but VERY important. They will remove all of the mature follicles. They then go to the lab and get mixed with daddy's contribution (nicest way to say this i think?!) and then we watch. For 5 days we bite our fingernails and get daily reports on who fertilizes, who is growing, etc...
NOT all of them will fertilize and not all will thrive. Of those that do, we will transfer only 2. Ethical standards allow up to 3 to be transferred at a time, but our doctor will only transfer 2 since I am young and healthy. (Other fertilized embryos will be frozen for future transfers.) He reminded us that the best case scenario is for 1 to implant- we're going for a "singleton" because medical complications occur more frequently with multiples...
So- that's where we are- I'll let you know how we look on Sunday...they will tell us then the day of the retrieval...
OH- I have had one brave soul (finally) give me a shot! Go LEXY! She really liked it but I think she wished it was a bigger dosage so it would last longer! So, who's next?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Quick Update!
Bloodwork (to measure estrogen) from this morning came back as 176 which is great- right on track...any higher than 200 and they would have adjusted the meds, but she said we are staying with it for now! We'll check again on Friday and also take a peek at my ovaries by ultrasound...I am fully expecting to see little factories just churning away! They are throbbing so something's going on in there!!!
Acupuncture was the worst ever today- too many needles in my spine!!! I was about to jump off of the table. I screamed more than once to which I received no response! (I actually imagined her smiling and continuing to poke!) Oh well- 2 more sessions!
That's all for now- stay tuned to the continuing saga...
Acupuncture was the worst ever today- too many needles in my spine!!! I was about to jump off of the table. I screamed more than once to which I received no response! (I actually imagined her smiling and continuing to poke!) Oh well- 2 more sessions!
That's all for now- stay tuned to the continuing saga...
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