Of the 17 retrieved, 10 were mature. Of the 10 mature, 8 were fertilized.
I am very happy with this result. Its not perfect, but given my history of pretty dismal, pretty good seems perfect to me.
I find out tomorrow how my 8 are doing. I am nervous. I have never had a great looking embryo. I am hoping there is at least one in there, dividing all prettily, anxious to become my baby. Depending on how things look they'll either have me come in tomorrow, or they will hold off until Tuesday. That I have a chance of making it to a 5 day transfer is definite progress.
If all else fails, I think we have at least found a protocol that gives us a good batch of potential, and I am grateful for that.
Will update tomorrow!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Aspiration
First, I want to say Happy Veterans Day to all who have given service to our country. Your sacrifice makes our country great.
In a small part of the country, we also celebrated Ooctye Aspiration Day! The process went off without a hitch.
I love Ooctye Aspiration Day. I get pampered. I feel proactive. I get to go nu-night with the help of a strapping anesthesiologist. This is the part I love the most. IVF is a process that is all about WAITING. The anxiety and constant pressure of the second hand ticking its way into our subconcious'. But in this moment, a handsome man leans over me and tells me, "You will start to feel Slee.....".
AND then BAM I'm awake again covered in warm blankets. No waiting at all.
After I woke up I had a running mantra in my head. "At least 5, at least 5, at least 5".
And then my lovely nurse peaked around the corner, gives me a huge smile and in a theatrical whisper said "SEVENTEEN".
In a small part of the country, we also celebrated Ooctye Aspiration Day! The process went off without a hitch.
I love Ooctye Aspiration Day. I get pampered. I feel proactive. I get to go nu-night with the help of a strapping anesthesiologist. This is the part I love the most. IVF is a process that is all about WAITING. The anxiety and constant pressure of the second hand ticking its way into our subconcious'. But in this moment, a handsome man leans over me and tells me, "You will start to feel Slee.....".
AND then BAM I'm awake again covered in warm blankets. No waiting at all.
After I woke up I had a running mantra in my head. "At least 5, at least 5, at least 5".
And then my lovely nurse peaked around the corner, gives me a huge smile and in a theatrical whisper said "SEVENTEEN".
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Putting away the black nail polish
My ultrasound this morning looked pretty good. I would say I have at least 5-6 follicles that are ready to go if we trigger today. My nurse is betting that I will trigger today depending on my E2 levels. It was almost under 3000 yesterday, so I am hoping today is the day!
My mood was also immensely improved by my dear husband who brought me home an Orange Crush and a Symphony chocolate bar, which was the perfect snack for watching the premier of Conan (who just makes me giggle like a school girl, i love him!)
I also read a couple of good posts from Dr. Sher on coasting and I think my doc got it exactly right, so I'm not as worried as I have been. Keeping a hopeful mindset for Thursday.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Coasting
Coasting. Brings to mind lazy summers with calm pools of water supporting my weight while cottonwood seeds float around me.
In actuality, it means the my E2 level is so high fluid may cut off my ability to breath, causing severe pain and vomiting.
So, after today's scan one of my follicles has taken off at 18.5, then rest are all below 16, with a large chunk at 11. We finally got a good look at Lefty and discovered she's been hiding due to the shame of only have about 4 measurable follicles. I am worried.
I am worried that the rest of the follicles will not pick up the pace. That again, I will get a batch of mostly immature eggs. Tonight I take my last dose of FSH, then I am cut off completely on Sunday. I didn't even ask for my E2 level. I was a little afraid to know.
Monday will hold more answers.
In actuality, it means the my E2 level is so high fluid may cut off my ability to breath, causing severe pain and vomiting.
So, after today's scan one of my follicles has taken off at 18.5, then rest are all below 16, with a large chunk at 11. We finally got a good look at Lefty and discovered she's been hiding due to the shame of only have about 4 measurable follicles. I am worried.
I am worried that the rest of the follicles will not pick up the pace. That again, I will get a batch of mostly immature eggs. Tonight I take my last dose of FSH, then I am cut off completely on Sunday. I didn't even ask for my E2 level. I was a little afraid to know.
Monday will hold more answers.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Body Snatcher Alert
Day 8 ultrasound was a bit anti-climactic. On the right I had a 15, 14, 13, a couple of 12.5, and a bunch of smaller follices. 13 follicles in all on the right.
My left ovary continued to play hide and seek. She shows up but only when the wand is impaling other organs that I'm pretty sure I need. I actually had to ask Nurse Probby to dial it back a few notches, and I can usually take pain like a champ. What we could see showed a 13.5, and a couple of 12's. She thinks there are more but we couldn't get a good enough look to measure.
My nurse just called and due to my E2 level of 2,100! (color me shocked, I've NEVER had an E2 level of 2100 and I once stimmed for 17 days) has decided to take me off of Menupur and I will only be doing 150ml of Follistim tonight.
I am so confused. I have searched for pods in my basement, just in case I have been invaded by some alien being without my knowledge, but to no avail.
I am now worried about OHSS and my doctor canceling my cycle. My E2 seems way too high for the number of follicles I currently have cooking (though its true we can't see all of Lefty).
On a good note, they want me to come in for a scan tomorrow. My normal office is closed on weekends so I have to drive over 1.5 hours away to get to an open clinic.
For now I just need some hope that my follies will continue to grow without my E2 going crazy, or myself for that matter.
If anyone reads this and has any past experiences or advice, please share. I am in need of reassurances tonight, or a heaping dose of tragic reality if the case may be.
My left ovary continued to play hide and seek. She shows up but only when the wand is impaling other organs that I'm pretty sure I need. I actually had to ask Nurse Probby to dial it back a few notches, and I can usually take pain like a champ. What we could see showed a 13.5, and a couple of 12's. She thinks there are more but we couldn't get a good enough look to measure.
My nurse just called and due to my E2 level of 2,100! (color me shocked, I've NEVER had an E2 level of 2100 and I once stimmed for 17 days) has decided to take me off of Menupur and I will only be doing 150ml of Follistim tonight.
I am so confused. I have searched for pods in my basement, just in case I have been invaded by some alien being without my knowledge, but to no avail.
I am now worried about OHSS and my doctor canceling my cycle. My E2 seems way too high for the number of follicles I currently have cooking (though its true we can't see all of Lefty).
On a good note, they want me to come in for a scan tomorrow. My normal office is closed on weekends so I have to drive over 1.5 hours away to get to an open clinic.
For now I just need some hope that my follies will continue to grow without my E2 going crazy, or myself for that matter.
If anyone reads this and has any past experiences or advice, please share. I am in need of reassurances tonight, or a heaping dose of tragic reality if the case may be.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Revolution 9
Extremely busy week here. I wish I could have planned an IVF cycle where I would have limited outside stressors, but my job makes it pretty hard. November is one of the least busy months, but I still had to give a presentation in front of hundreds of people at our annual conference. I really enjoy my job, so I can't complain too much.
So...maybe just a little complaining? I hate the anxious feeling I get right before I have to make a speech. I get terribly nervous that I will completely lose my train of thought and just stand there with my mouth open...uhhhhhhhh. Luckily, I was able to get through it with a minimal amount of my "space cadetedness" shining through. I'm so relieved that it is over and I can go back to my compulsive IVF obsessing instead...much less stressful. Right?
In ovary news, mine are doing shockingly well as of my first ultrasound on Tuesday. My left ovary tends to be a coy bitch and hide behind my uterus, but Righty was a showstopper! The nurse counted many follies on my right and it went a little something like 12, 10, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9....I kind of loss track after a while. Needless to say I had a lot of 9's. I was very happy in a 'what the hell is going on' kind of way, the surrealism of the moment reminded me of "Revolution 9" by the Beatles. This is pretty much what was going on in my head.
In order to understand this surrealism, you would need to know that in my first IVF my day 5 had barely anything to look at. My Estroidal level came back at 57....after 5 days of stims!
My Estroidal level after 4 days of stims was 920 this time. What the hell is my body thinking? I have never read about such variation, but I guess it goes to show that every cycle really can be completely different.
So, for now I am caustically optimistic. I go in for my 2nd checkup tomorrow.
So...maybe just a little complaining? I hate the anxious feeling I get right before I have to make a speech. I get terribly nervous that I will completely lose my train of thought and just stand there with my mouth open...uhhhhhhhh. Luckily, I was able to get through it with a minimal amount of my "space cadetedness" shining through. I'm so relieved that it is over and I can go back to my compulsive IVF obsessing instead...much less stressful. Right?
In ovary news, mine are doing shockingly well as of my first ultrasound on Tuesday. My left ovary tends to be a coy bitch and hide behind my uterus, but Righty was a showstopper! The nurse counted many follies on my right and it went a little something like 12, 10, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9....I kind of loss track after a while. Needless to say I had a lot of 9's. I was very happy in a 'what the hell is going on' kind of way, the surrealism of the moment reminded me of "Revolution 9" by the Beatles. This is pretty much what was going on in my head.
In order to understand this surrealism, you would need to know that in my first IVF my day 5 had barely anything to look at. My Estroidal level came back at 57....after 5 days of stims!
My Estroidal level after 4 days of stims was 920 this time. What the hell is my body thinking? I have never read about such variation, but I guess it goes to show that every cycle really can be completely different.
So, for now I am caustically optimistic. I go in for my 2nd checkup tomorrow.
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