Today's update arrived and left us feeling a bit more nervous than before...she informed us that both of our lil' Peas are now grade 3 embryo's. We were so hoping that they would hold steady as grade 4's until transfer. So, now they have until 2:00 tomorrow afternoon to hold steady as 3's or to move back up to 4's...we are confidant that they can do it!!! Hardy & I are trying to stay super positive as we pray for our lil' ones to grow, grow, grow!!! We also have been praying for Dr. B....she's got the biggest, most intricate job of all tomorrow...transferring them back to me.
Tomorrow at 8:15 am I will go see Dr. L.B for pre-transfer acupuncture, Dr. B for transfer at 2:00 & then back to Dr. L.B. for post-transfer acupuncture. Fingers & toes crossed for tomorrow to be a "Great" day!
Lord, please be with our tiny peas...they need your miraculous touch now more than ever!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Embryo Update #3
Good News once again!!! As soon as church ended we rushed to the car to get our update. Both babies are still grade 4's!!! They are most definitely staying strong and growing leaps and bounds each day. Hardy read that as of today they are now in the 8 cell stage. Tomorrow, they should jump to 16 cell stage & then on to 32 cell blasts just in time for transfer. Fingers crossed for another great update tomorrow!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Embryo Update #2
Wow, was yesterday a long day! It felt like eternity before hearing our next update. We finally got our message this morning right before 11:00. GREAT NEWS thanks to all the prayers, as of today, both babies are grade 4's!!! They grade them on a scale ranging from 1 to 4...a 4 is the top grade an embryo can receive which means it is forming awesomely without any fragmentation.
Hardy and I are so happy for both of them, but continue to pray for their healthy development. Our two lil' Peas will be in incubators until Tuesday. Dr. B decided to go ahead and wait for the 5 day transfer rather than a 3 day. This means that we have to make it through two more days of morning updates...so nerve racking, but ultimately worth every second if it's best for them!
As we wait we continue to think positive and to pray, pray, pray!
Hardy and I are so happy for both of them, but continue to pray for their healthy development. Our two lil' Peas will be in incubators until Tuesday. Dr. B decided to go ahead and wait for the 5 day transfer rather than a 3 day. This means that we have to make it through two more days of morning updates...so nerve racking, but ultimately worth every second if it's best for them!
As we wait we continue to think positive and to pray, pray, pray!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Embryo Update #1
It's amazing how fast something so good can pull a 160. Yesterdays greatness sure did fade fast. This morning our update was anything, but great....of all 15 eggs, only 2 fertilized...looks like our odds are back to well below average, just like last time & to top it off we're left with no hopes of a back-up plan....we're all in & scared to death. All we can do is pray that God grants our two little embryo's a fighting chance to make it...please God help them to stay strong.
Egg Retrieval Complete!
I would have updated yesterday, but I was kinda out of it...who knows what I would have typed! Yesterday, we met with the anaesthesiologist and then they took me back to the O.R. around 10:00am. The next thing I remember didn't occur until around 1:00. The actual retrieval only took Dr. B a half hour, but for some reason I had trouble waking up in recovery. Hardy told me that I wouldn't talk or open my eyes & I was shaking & my eyes went blood shot. Dr. C (anaesthesiologist) & Dr. B were trying to figure out what was going on. Thomas said they began putting meds through my I.V. to help reverse the other meds, & they gave me sugars thinking it was my blood sugar. Hardy, said at one point he began to get a little bit scared even. But thank goodness, two hours later I began to come to...and this is when I heard the GREAT news!!! You ready for it....here it is....FIFTEEN EGGS!!! Dr. B rocked my world when she told me 15. She was super excited and even said that there must of been an Angel helping her in the O.R.!!!
Dr. B also informed us that my estrogen levels were quite high, so she gave me a prescription for a med that will help with OHSS (ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome). I guess when you put 15 eggs in a house that usually holds 1 it can cause a little mess. Hopefully, the meds work out & fix the problem. So, that ups my pill count to four prescriptions + Dr. L.B.'s meds + the infamous PROGESTERONE shots started last night...oh how I didn't miss those ginormous needles in my rear!!! But, it's all worth it for "Baby Hardy"!
We arrived home from the fertility center around 3:00 and Dr. B called to check on me at 4:00. She wanted to make sure I was doing ok after the crazy weird recovery. She said that it was very, very rare & she's still not sure what caused me to struggle so much. She also told me that of the 15 eggs, she already knew that 8 were mature enough to have a chance at fertilization...so, we're down to 8. She said she's excited to see how many fertilize over night!!! Props to Dr. B today...she was over the top helpful & it was very nice of her to call and check up on me.
So, just a recap:
IVF egg retrieval #1: 5 eggs retrieved, 4/5 mature, 2 fertilized
IVF egg retrieval #2: 15 eggs retrieved, 8/15 mature, (fingers crossed for 8 to fertilize)
So, now the waiting continues...this is the toughest part...knowing our lil' peas are in incubators and we have no clue how they are doing until they call us between 10:00 & 11:00 each morning with an update. All we can do is think positive, hope the time passes quickly, & pray, pray,pray for good news!
Dr. B also informed us that my estrogen levels were quite high, so she gave me a prescription for a med that will help with OHSS (ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome). I guess when you put 15 eggs in a house that usually holds 1 it can cause a little mess. Hopefully, the meds work out & fix the problem. So, that ups my pill count to four prescriptions + Dr. L.B.'s meds + the infamous PROGESTERONE shots started last night...oh how I didn't miss those ginormous needles in my rear!!! But, it's all worth it for "Baby Hardy"!
We arrived home from the fertility center around 3:00 and Dr. B called to check on me at 4:00. She wanted to make sure I was doing ok after the crazy weird recovery. She said that it was very, very rare & she's still not sure what caused me to struggle so much. She also told me that of the 15 eggs, she already knew that 8 were mature enough to have a chance at fertilization...so, we're down to 8. She said she's excited to see how many fertilize over night!!! Props to Dr. B today...she was over the top helpful & it was very nice of her to call and check up on me.
So, just a recap:
IVF egg retrieval #1: 5 eggs retrieved, 4/5 mature, 2 fertilized
IVF egg retrieval #2: 15 eggs retrieved, 8/15 mature, (fingers crossed for 8 to fertilize)
So, now the waiting continues...this is the toughest part...knowing our lil' peas are in incubators and we have no clue how they are doing until they call us between 10:00 & 11:00 each morning with an update. All we can do is think positive, hope the time passes quickly, & pray, pray,pray for good news!
Waiting to be taken back to the O.R.
Once again, I was forced to sport the "sexy" grippy socks & hair net!
Hardy, modeling the net!
In recovery, out for the count!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Day 9 Stim Update
Well, things are moving along...we're getting more & more nervous/excited! This morning my u/s showed that my follicles are very close to being ready for retrieval. The IVF coordinator called my PRN line to tell us to TRIGGER tonight at 12:30 (looks like Hardy & I will be up late & all of my Dr. siblings must keep their phones close just in case we need a lil' help)! Retrieval is also set for Thursday morning at 9:45. So, now we pray for loads of eggs!!! Holy Cow....I'm excited!!! Hoping for a better egg count when I wake up in recovery....no repeats of last cycle...please, no repeats!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Day 8 Stim Update
I went in this morning for yet another monitoring u/s paired with blood work. The follicles are getting bigger and much harder to be measured due to being all jammed in to such a tiny space. I watched the u/s screen until I noticed a good three that were ginormous in size compared to the others....she told me those will probably be "let go" in order to save the rest....at that I turned my head and quit asking questions, so I'm not sure how many more there were, or exact sizes. The large ones I saw were right around 23mm. I chose to look away, hoping that it would be easier to swallow...I knew it would kill me to see more that wouldn't make it to retrieval. I pray that those three were it...no more.
My PRN message said to continue with the same shots, just a different p.m. dosage & to return tomorrow morning for more blood work & another u/s. I'll try my best not to look away, for the sake of a better update...no promises, but I'll give it my best!
My PRN message said to continue with the same shots, just a different p.m. dosage & to return tomorrow morning for more blood work & another u/s. I'll try my best not to look away, for the sake of a better update...no promises, but I'll give it my best!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Day 5 Stim Update
We went to see Dr. B yesterday morning for our first monitoring u/s & blood work. My blood work came back good and the u/s showed a much better result than IVF cycle #1. I had 9 follicles on the left & 6-7 on the right. Apparently my left ovary listened to my threatening pep-talk...I most definitely put it's life on the line this round...haha...give me some good follicles or REMOVAL! The only part that wasn't the best was the size of the follicles. They were once again sporadic in size...ranging from 4-5mm all the way to 18mm...we're hoping that works it's self out before retrieval.
The IVF coordinator left a message on my PRN line informing us to start Ganirelix shots immediately, & to keep administering the same meds/dosages until Monday when we return for our next u/s & blood work.
Current Meds:
Follistim Shot 200iu (a.m.)
Ganirelix Shot (a.m.)
Dexamethason (a.m.)
Dual Pre-Natal
Folic Acid
Menopur 150iu (p.m.)
Dr. L.B fertility meds
My stomach is again beginning to look like "bruise" central & I feel about like the "Michelin Man" when it comes to bloatedness (if that's even a word), but it's all worth it for "Baby Hardy"!!! Hardy & I are staying positive and looking forward to Monday's update!
P.S. My last day of teaching for the year was also yesterday....hello SUMMER BREAK!
The IVF coordinator left a message on my PRN line informing us to start Ganirelix shots immediately, & to keep administering the same meds/dosages until Monday when we return for our next u/s & blood work.
Current Meds:
Follistim Shot 200iu (a.m.)
Ganirelix Shot (a.m.)
Dexamethason (a.m.)
Dual Pre-Natal
Folic Acid
Menopur 150iu (p.m.)
Dr. L.B fertility meds
My stomach is again beginning to look like "bruise" central & I feel about like the "Michelin Man" when it comes to bloatedness (if that's even a word), but it's all worth it for "Baby Hardy"!!! Hardy & I are staying positive and looking forward to Monday's update!
P.S. My last day of teaching for the year was also yesterday....hello SUMMER BREAK!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Let it Begin...Again...Round #2!
Mother Teresa once said, "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much". I'm sure of it that her and I could have been the best of friends...too bad she couldn't have lived a few more decades. I've thought of her quote a lot lately...thanks Mother Teresa for helping a "friend" out...I owe ya one!
I know, I know....it's been a few weeks since my last post, but I've been busy...VERY BUSY! Finishing up the school year, golf, & doctors appointments have consumed the better part of my time, so here's the scoop on my life:
Hardy and I struggled to make our decision about what to do next with our infertility nightmare. We layed it all on the table: IVF round #2 with same RE, IVF round #2 with new RE, acupuncture/herbs, or nothing. We talked out the pros/cons of each option & quickly decided that prior to making a definite decision...we wanted to first get a second opinion with a different RE. We got an appointment with Dr. R in OKC. He was "hands down" awesome. We could tell right away that he was dedicated and completely passionate about his job. He looked over my records and talked with us about options. He first confirmed that he recommended another round of IVF & second that he would use follistim and menopur (same as Dr. B). The only component that he would do differently than Dr. B was Lupron instead of Ganirelex.
We came home from OKC and again went over our options. Although, we both liked Dr. R a lot...financially he was going to cost a considerable amount more than staying with Dr. B. This included cost of treatment paired with multiple 2 hour trips to OKC & hotel stays. We decided the best option for us at this time is to stay with Dr. B. It's nice to know that we have Dr. R as a great back-up plan (fingers crossed that we won't need it). Once, we decided to stay with Dr. B we then had to decide if we wanted to start IVF #2 right away or if we should give acupuncture/herbs more time. Due to my school year time frame, we decided to go with IVF....the cycle starts just as summer begins...meaning I won't have to worry about missing school (I'm running out of sick days).
So, now that your caught up on our decision making process...I'll fill ya in on all the details. I went in for my baseline u/s & blood work on May 12th. I was cyst free and my levels were good to go for the cycle. We start stim shots tomorrow, May 16th. This time she put me on much higher dosages of follistim in the a.m & menopur in the p.m. (This should be interesting for the hormones...poor Thomas!) We then go in on Friday, May 20th for our first monitoring u/s & blood work to see follicle growth...positive thinking for LOTS of follicles on both sides!!! I have been and will continue to see Dr. L.B. once a week for acupuncture and I am also taking fertility meds through her. Her and I were talking last week about round #2...we're hoping that the herbal drugs/acupuncture will only increase our odds for success.
Are we scared, nervous, anxious? Most definitely...more than ever! But on the other hand we are hopeful & as Mother Teresa said it best...we know that God won't give us what we can't handle, so we will keep our faith in God's plan for us...because through the good times and the tough times, we trust that he knows what's best for us.
So...here goes...wish us luck and lots of prayers!!!
I know, I know....it's been a few weeks since my last post, but I've been busy...VERY BUSY! Finishing up the school year, golf, & doctors appointments have consumed the better part of my time, so here's the scoop on my life:
Hardy and I struggled to make our decision about what to do next with our infertility nightmare. We layed it all on the table: IVF round #2 with same RE, IVF round #2 with new RE, acupuncture/herbs, or nothing. We talked out the pros/cons of each option & quickly decided that prior to making a definite decision...we wanted to first get a second opinion with a different RE. We got an appointment with Dr. R in OKC. He was "hands down" awesome. We could tell right away that he was dedicated and completely passionate about his job. He looked over my records and talked with us about options. He first confirmed that he recommended another round of IVF & second that he would use follistim and menopur (same as Dr. B). The only component that he would do differently than Dr. B was Lupron instead of Ganirelex.
We came home from OKC and again went over our options. Although, we both liked Dr. R a lot...financially he was going to cost a considerable amount more than staying with Dr. B. This included cost of treatment paired with multiple 2 hour trips to OKC & hotel stays. We decided the best option for us at this time is to stay with Dr. B. It's nice to know that we have Dr. R as a great back-up plan (fingers crossed that we won't need it). Once, we decided to stay with Dr. B we then had to decide if we wanted to start IVF #2 right away or if we should give acupuncture/herbs more time. Due to my school year time frame, we decided to go with IVF....the cycle starts just as summer begins...meaning I won't have to worry about missing school (I'm running out of sick days).
So, now that your caught up on our decision making process...I'll fill ya in on all the details. I went in for my baseline u/s & blood work on May 12th. I was cyst free and my levels were good to go for the cycle. We start stim shots tomorrow, May 16th. This time she put me on much higher dosages of follistim in the a.m & menopur in the p.m. (This should be interesting for the hormones...poor Thomas!) We then go in on Friday, May 20th for our first monitoring u/s & blood work to see follicle growth...positive thinking for LOTS of follicles on both sides!!! I have been and will continue to see Dr. L.B. once a week for acupuncture and I am also taking fertility meds through her. Her and I were talking last week about round #2...we're hoping that the herbal drugs/acupuncture will only increase our odds for success.
Are we scared, nervous, anxious? Most definitely...more than ever! But on the other hand we are hopeful & as Mother Teresa said it best...we know that God won't give us what we can't handle, so we will keep our faith in God's plan for us...because through the good times and the tough times, we trust that he knows what's best for us.
So...here goes...wish us luck and lots of prayers!!!
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