After Friday I was scheduled to return 4 days later for a second look at my growing ovaries and the lovely follicles that filled them. The night before my scheduled scan I had intense pinching feeling in my ovaries that only worsened as the night went on especially when I stood. I was so very concerned that this was ovulation cramping. The following morning we drove to see what exactly was going on with our cycle. Thankfully I was wrong! Our follies were growing and my E2 showed I had room for a little more growth. I had to return the next morning for another look-see.
I was aware that my IVF Coordinator would be absent from this appointment the following day. I was kind of surprised in the difference of care between two ladies, and appreciate who I have up until today been coordinated by. It wasn’t that today’s nurse/IVF Coordinator was rude or unprofessional but she was very quick and kind of seemed lost. I have thin veins that they always have a difficult time taking from. This nurse decides to have a phlebotomy student draw my blood. Which I do not mind, however this student decided to use a large needle instead of a butterfly that even the most experienced phlebotomists have to use. While she was getting my arm ready, the student asked the nurse to double check that she was choosing a ‘good vein’. I just looked at the nurse who then looked at me and said “don’t worry you aren’t her first patient”. The student then stuck my arm and went per the nurse “too far” needless to say it hurt quite badly… After showing me how to mix the HCG she was ready to get rid of me. I then explained to the nurse that I have to travel two hours to my appointment and have not had my morning injection, my nurse lets me use a conference room she said okay and left me in the phlebotomy room. Tom and I began mixing the meds and started to inject the Lupron into my leg (pants down around my knees) only to have wallpaper contractor walk in. I don’t think that he saw anything… but I couldn’t believe that she wouldn’t make sure no one came in. She then told me that I might have to come back tomorrow depending on my E2 results and that she would call. She really didn’t seem to want to be ‘bothered’ with us. It was quick and she barely provided any information.
5 hours pass and finally I call to see what is going on. She said that my E2 levels were higher than what they had anticipated (4,428 from 2,312 the previous day) and that I should only take ½ a dose of the HCG and ER would be scheduled for Friday. She didn’t go into detail but from what I gathered from my friend Google the dosage is dropped to hopefully avoid OHSS.
Throughout our IUIs Tom had given me my injections… for some reason during our IVF I had him give me my injection only once. I am not even sure why, as I always thought that him giving me my injections kept him involved in the process. So tonight I had him give me my HCG Trigger shot. We disagreed on the location of where we were told the injection should be. So we ventured onto the computer for Youtube videos and found a couple to remind us the perfect spot. I iced my bottom and felt nothing more than a quick sting, and that was it 36 hours later a doctor would be harvesting the eggs that might one day be ½ of our child.
Tomorrow is my ER. I am excited, nervous, anxious and… scared - not about the procedure itself, but the results. We have waited so long to be here and I almost wish I could ‘pause’ for a little longer before tomorrow. I am so concerned about the quantity and quality of eggs. I have always yearned for an explanation for our infertility… but I will never be ready for bad news regarding our fertility.
CD 39 / CD10
Day 16 of Lupron (10units, subQ injection)
Injection in the office & finished my first vial. I have been given a second vial.
Day 9 of Menopur (75iu, subQ injection) + Bravelle (150iu, subQ injection)
Its working! Today’s scan showed that we are close to our Egg Retrieval.
Day 3 Doxycycline (10mg twice daily)
Oatmeal helped with the morning dose… no nausea!
CD 40 / CD11
Day 17 of Lupron (10units, subQ injection)
A gentleman who was hired to hang wall paper walked in as I had my jeans around my knees in the phlebotomy room… Tom swears he didn’t see anything as he was close to the door. I kind of like that my last Lupron injection went out with a bang LOL.
Day 10 of Menopur (75iu subQ injection) + Bravelle (150iu, subQ injection)
Today is my last day of stims. It is almost like saying “good bye” to a friend… I have gotten so use to giving myself a daily injection it has become part of my morning routine.
Day 4 Doxycycline (10mg twice daily)
I really hate this antibiotic… remind me if I ever get sick in the future to make sure that the doctor doesn’t prescribe me this antibiotic.
Novarel HCG Trigger (1ml, IM injection)
I quickly became accustomed to the shallow subQ shots… and missed them dearly when I saw the 25 gage 1 ½” long needle. We have moved on from the tiny needle placed delicately in my stomach or upper thigh, to the behind, through the skin and into the muscle. The nurse had quickly showed on herself (over her clothes) the optimal spot for this injection. However when it was time… Tom and I disagreed on this spot. Time was quickly approaching so thankfully youtube came to the rescue! I iced my bum and Tom did the injection. I am happy to report that it didn’t really hurt just a little sting.
CD 41 / CD12
Day 5 Doxycycline (10mg twice daily)
Yuck! That is all I have to say!
Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there. You can't see the future, yet you know it will come; you can't see the air, yet you continue to breathe. ~ Claire London
I was aware that my IVF Coordinator would be absent from this appointment the following day. I was kind of surprised in the difference of care between two ladies, and appreciate who I have up until today been coordinated by. It wasn’t that today’s nurse/IVF Coordinator was rude or unprofessional but she was very quick and kind of seemed lost. I have thin veins that they always have a difficult time taking from. This nurse decides to have a phlebotomy student draw my blood. Which I do not mind, however this student decided to use a large needle instead of a butterfly that even the most experienced phlebotomists have to use. While she was getting my arm ready, the student asked the nurse to double check that she was choosing a ‘good vein’. I just looked at the nurse who then looked at me and said “don’t worry you aren’t her first patient”. The student then stuck my arm and went per the nurse “too far” needless to say it hurt quite badly… After showing me how to mix the HCG she was ready to get rid of me. I then explained to the nurse that I have to travel two hours to my appointment and have not had my morning injection, my nurse lets me use a conference room she said okay and left me in the phlebotomy room. Tom and I began mixing the meds and started to inject the Lupron into my leg (pants down around my knees) only to have wallpaper contractor walk in. I don’t think that he saw anything… but I couldn’t believe that she wouldn’t make sure no one came in. She then told me that I might have to come back tomorrow depending on my E2 results and that she would call. She really didn’t seem to want to be ‘bothered’ with us. It was quick and she barely provided any information.
5 hours pass and finally I call to see what is going on. She said that my E2 levels were higher than what they had anticipated (4,428 from 2,312 the previous day) and that I should only take ½ a dose of the HCG and ER would be scheduled for Friday. She didn’t go into detail but from what I gathered from my friend Google the dosage is dropped to hopefully avoid OHSS.
Throughout our IUIs Tom had given me my injections… for some reason during our IVF I had him give me my injection only once. I am not even sure why, as I always thought that him giving me my injections kept him involved in the process. So tonight I had him give me my HCG Trigger shot. We disagreed on the location of where we were told the injection should be. So we ventured onto the computer for Youtube videos and found a couple to remind us the perfect spot. I iced my bottom and felt nothing more than a quick sting, and that was it 36 hours later a doctor would be harvesting the eggs that might one day be ½ of our child.
Tomorrow is my ER. I am excited, nervous, anxious and… scared - not about the procedure itself, but the results. We have waited so long to be here and I almost wish I could ‘pause’ for a little longer before tomorrow. I am so concerned about the quantity and quality of eggs. I have always yearned for an explanation for our infertility… but I will never be ready for bad news regarding our fertility.
CD 39 / CD10
Day 16 of Lupron (10units, subQ injection)
Injection in the office & finished my first vial. I have been given a second vial.
Day 9 of Menopur (75iu, subQ injection) + Bravelle (150iu, subQ injection)
Its working! Today’s scan showed that we are close to our Egg Retrieval.
Day 3 Doxycycline (10mg twice daily)
Oatmeal helped with the morning dose… no nausea!
CD 40 / CD11
Day 17 of Lupron (10units, subQ injection)
A gentleman who was hired to hang wall paper walked in as I had my jeans around my knees in the phlebotomy room… Tom swears he didn’t see anything as he was close to the door. I kind of like that my last Lupron injection went out with a bang LOL.
Day 10 of Menopur (75iu subQ injection) + Bravelle (150iu, subQ injection)
Today is my last day of stims. It is almost like saying “good bye” to a friend… I have gotten so use to giving myself a daily injection it has become part of my morning routine.
Day 4 Doxycycline (10mg twice daily)
I really hate this antibiotic… remind me if I ever get sick in the future to make sure that the doctor doesn’t prescribe me this antibiotic.
Novarel HCG Trigger (1ml, IM injection)
I quickly became accustomed to the shallow subQ shots… and missed them dearly when I saw the 25 gage 1 ½” long needle. We have moved on from the tiny needle placed delicately in my stomach or upper thigh, to the behind, through the skin and into the muscle. The nurse had quickly showed on herself (over her clothes) the optimal spot for this injection. However when it was time… Tom and I disagreed on this spot. Time was quickly approaching so thankfully youtube came to the rescue! I iced my bum and Tom did the injection. I am happy to report that it didn’t really hurt just a little sting.
CD 41 / CD12
Day 5 Doxycycline (10mg twice daily)
Yuck! That is all I have to say!
Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there. You can't see the future, yet you know it will come; you can't see the air, yet you continue to breathe. ~ Claire London
