IVF #4

Busy, hormonal & stressful describes this cycle so far.

I started all my shots the night Abbey died, 150 Follistim AM & PM, 10 Low Dose HCG - AM, 5 Lupron - PM, 30 Saizen - PM. The Saizen was a new addition and caused a few problems. I have developed arthralgia (arthritis without the swelling) which is more uncomfortable that I thought it would be. Of course the other hormones thrown on top have just been up & down with emotions.

I have been stressed with the way the ultrasounds have turned out, not as many eggs as previous cycles, and the left ovary growing eggs quicker than the right. This completely doesn't make sense because the left has been hacked up way more than the right. Just before the trigger shot, Dr Katz said I'd only get 2 mature eggs if we triggered that night - which is what Dr Teaff suggested, trigger. PANIC. This is our last fresh cycle under the shared risk program and I want it to be good.

Anyhow, I had the egg retrieval yesterday. Dr Wing was able to get 6 eggs... its OK, but not as many as I had hoped. I had a lot of difficulty waking up from the anesthesia and the usual nausea. They had me move from the bed to a chair to sit up for a bit at which point there was a lot of blood - more than they would like to see. Andrew said I was looking a little blue. I got an extra injection of nausea meds. They took me back to the operating room and applied more pressure to the puncture wounds in my vaginal wall. Yes, I know its TMI but it was as painful as you could imagine it to be without the anesthesia effect!! Once the bleeding was controlled I did feel much better. They kept me there for awhile longer and we headed home where I slept most of the day. Oh AND apparently I had already ovulated before the retrieval...argh! That makes bleeding more prominent and reduces the egg numbers.

The nurses called this morning to give us the fertilization report. Six of the eggs retrieved were mature - YEAH! We did the conventional method, just drop the sperm on the eggs, and 5 of them fertilized to embryos. I'm extremely pleased with that report as I had fears of only getting 2-3 embryos. They will call again this week to let us know how the 5 are doing and what day to transfer.

Oh, did I mention Jack ? A new roadside rescue puppy we've taken in ? The vet thinks he's about 10 weeks old, a lab puppy with some chow mixed in - the only reason there is possibly chow in him is his purple tongue, he is every bit a Lab in personality and attitude. He's just so sweet and destructive...he needs lots of attention or our house would be chewed to shreds. Luckily the other pups are tolerating him. He has been a huge distraction through all of the ups & downs the last few weeks.

I'm also going back to college....this should ensure I get pregnant this cycle because it would just make things that bit harder, ha! I took my 'Placement' test last week and did very well in the Writing/Reading portion and average in the Math portion. At least I won't have to do the basic classes. Environmental Sciences Technology is the program I'm going to do, I have been told the government will also help pay for the classes/books and help me to get a job afterwards. I really hope that works out! If not, then it will be nice to have a degree and perhaps move away from Accounting (or fall back on it if necessary).

So, yes, Busy & Stressful & Hormonal. This week will be no different - Vet appt for Jack, Mom's Bday, Transfer, and a Coldplay/Elbow concert this week!