Finally made it home from the hospital around 2:00 this afternoon. They didn't want to let me go because I have bacteria in my blood and they don't know where the infection is coming from, but I begged and said I wouldn't make it another night in that bed. After 5 days I had had enough!
So, I am still in pain and taking large amounts of antibiotics, but I get to do it from the comfort of my own home!
Dr. Pritts will be calling over the weekend to update us further...
Friday, March 30, 2012
Negative..
The pregnancy test turned out negative... :( :(
The good news is that I am hopefully leaving the hospital this afternoon.
Thank you to everyone who has been thinking about us and praying for us.
The good news is that I am hopefully leaving the hospital this afternoon.
Thank you to everyone who has been thinking about us and praying for us.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Hospital
Sorry I haven't updated! I am in the hospital in Madison and will hopefully be going home tomorrow.
We still have the hCG test tomorrow morning, so I will update as soon as I know the results.
I had endometriomas rupture and bleed into my pelvis on Sunday which resulted in a trip to the ER in Kenosha followed by a trip to Madison ER on Monday and have been in the hospital ever since.
I will try and write the whole story later when I am feeling more up to it!
We still have the hCG test tomorrow morning, so I will update as soon as I know the results.
I had endometriomas rupture and bleed into my pelvis on Sunday which resulted in a trip to the ER in Kenosha followed by a trip to Madison ER on Monday and have been in the hospital ever since.
I will try and write the whole story later when I am feeling more up to it!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Frozen!!
The nurse called yesterday and let us know they were able to freeze the last 2 embryos! This is great news because they didn't think they would be able to. She advised that 1 was good and 1 was less than good and of course we don't know if they would survive the thaw, but good news overall!!
8 days and counting...
8 days and counting...
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Transfer Day...Wait and Pray...
The transfer is done! Dr. Pritts came in and told us that we had only 1 "good" quality embryo and the 4 others were "fair" quality, so she advised that for the best chances of a pregnancy we should transfer 3 embryos! She doesn't think that the remaining 2 embryos will make it until tomorrow to freeze to use for another cycle...so we are ALL in with 3 transferred!
Here are our 3 potential babies!!!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..." Proverbs 3:5
Now we WAIT and PRAY...
Friday March 30, 2012 is the day that we can get the quantitative Beta hCG blood draw.
10 days away...I am praying these days will go by fast.
Thank you for all of your continued prayers!
Don't pray for life to be easy, but pray for yourself to be strong.
-unknown
Monday, March 19, 2012
Making the Grade...
Embryo quality is graded on a 1 to 4 scale, with 1 being the best quality and 4 being poor. Most pregnancies come from grade 1 and 2 embryos! Here's how our embryos are shaping up...
Day 0: 14 eggs were retrieved
Day 1: 10 eggs fertilized to become embryos
Day 2: 9 embryos Grade 1
Day 3: 6 embryos Grade 1
Day 4: 5 embryos Grade 1
Day 5: ???? - Transfer Day
Transfer day is set for tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9:30 am!
We are hoping for 2 great blastocysts to be transferred.
More to come after tomorrow's appointment!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
FAITH...
According to God, we are to walk by FAITH, not by SIGHT...
We are putting all of our FAITH in God that we will have a good outcome from all of this!
Usually I am a worrier. I worry about everything...Jaxston, Randy, our dog Cabella, everyday tasks, being a good mom, and the list goes on and on. God did not intend for us to be worriers! Since deciding to go through with IVF I chose that I would not worry about every detail along the way, but instead put my FAITH in God and the Doctors so that i would not have to carry the burden of WORRY alone! So far through this last month I have felt a weight lifted by putting the worrying aside! Randy said to me today as we were driving home that I have changed from a Worrier to a Warrior! What an awesome compliment! Thank you Randy!
So as we embark on the last couple of weeks of this cycle...we are walking by FAITH!
As far as the egg retrieval, it was pretty straight forward. I think the most complicated part was the nurse not finding a vein for the IV after 3 tries. Finally another nurse was able to come in and get it done. Next, I was wheeled into the O.R. and given the "good stuff"! I don't remember anything after that until waking up to find Randy in the recovery room with me. I felt great laying there and had to stay for about an hour before I could go home. When I got up to get dressed the nausea set in, but I was able to make the ride home without any trouble. Now later in the night I still feel "hung over" from the anesthesia, but nothing too terrible!
Stay tuned...
We are putting all of our FAITH in God that we will have a good outcome from all of this!
Usually I am a worrier. I worry about everything...Jaxston, Randy, our dog Cabella, everyday tasks, being a good mom, and the list goes on and on. God did not intend for us to be worriers! Since deciding to go through with IVF I chose that I would not worry about every detail along the way, but instead put my FAITH in God and the Doctors so that i would not have to carry the burden of WORRY alone! So far through this last month I have felt a weight lifted by putting the worrying aside! Randy said to me today as we were driving home that I have changed from a Worrier to a Warrior! What an awesome compliment! Thank you Randy!
So as we embark on the last couple of weeks of this cycle...we are walking by FAITH!
As far as the egg retrieval, it was pretty straight forward. I think the most complicated part was the nurse not finding a vein for the IV after 3 tries. Finally another nurse was able to come in and get it done. Next, I was wheeled into the O.R. and given the "good stuff"! I don't remember anything after that until waking up to find Randy in the recovery room with me. I felt great laying there and had to stay for about an hour before I could go home. When I got up to get dressed the nausea set in, but I was able to make the ride home without any trouble. Now later in the night I still feel "hung over" from the anesthesia, but nothing too terrible!
14....
That is the number of eggs they were able to get! We are very happy with this! We have faith that a good number will make it to day 5 for transfer. Over the next few days they will call us to let us know how many fertilized and move on to the next stage. We are shooting for Tuesday to be the transfer day!Stay tuned...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
A Tisket, A Tasket...
I have eggs in my Basket! I made it! Injections are DONE! Yay!
Last night at 11:30 pm I did the last 2 shots. They had to be done specifically at this time because 35 hours later Dr. Pritts will do the egg retrieval. Thursday is the day to remove the eggs! I will be put under anesthesia, which is always a little nerve wracking, but I guess better then feeling pain. :( They will then use ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) to fertilize the eggs in a petri dish and we'll be praying that there are good quality embryos that make it to day 5. On day 5 they will transfer them back in and then we wait to see if it turns into a pregnancy!
I am ready!
Let's make a baby...ummmm, a petri dish baby!!
Last night at 11:30 pm I did the last 2 shots. They had to be done specifically at this time because 35 hours later Dr. Pritts will do the egg retrieval. Thursday is the day to remove the eggs! I will be put under anesthesia, which is always a little nerve wracking, but I guess better then feeling pain. :( They will then use ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) to fertilize the eggs in a petri dish and we'll be praying that there are good quality embryos that make it to day 5. On day 5 they will transfer them back in and then we wait to see if it turns into a pregnancy!
I am ready!
Let's make a baby...ummmm, a petri dish baby!!
Monday, March 12, 2012
THANKFUL...
Things are moving along! The visit today went well. Follicles are maturing! Only 1 more night of Follistim injections and then Ganirelix and Ovidrel tomorrow and I am done with the shots! Yay!!! Retrieval day is set for Thursday!
So THANKFUL I didn't have a very hard time with the medication. I was expecting things to be really bad, but I have actually felt better on all of these hormones!?! I asked Dr. Pritts if anyone has ever said that before and she responded "no" (with a tone that implied I might be a bit off my rocker), but whatever! Throughout this process I am taking what I can get and if that means crazy amounts of hormones to make me feel good, then I guess I am a little off my rocker! :)
Dr. Pritts wants to see me again tomorrow, so that means another 4 hours of driving for a 15 minute appointment! Luckily, I don't mind driving. It gives me a sense of peace having the radio blaring and singing songs at the top of lungs. I am sure people are laughing as I pass them dancing away in my SUV!
Seriously though, it gives me time to think. Today during my drive I was thinking about what to write as a blog post besides just an updated status and decided that I am so surprised from all of the comments that people have shared with me. I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who is praying for us and thinking of us during this time in our lives! I guess I didn't really think that much about posting things so personal in my life because I just felt it was the right thing to do to keep people updated...I have received e-mails from people sharing their infertility stories and also comments that I inspire them and that I am a strong person for going through all of this. Me??? Inspiring??? Strong??? WOW! I never expected to hear so many wonderful comments!
So THANKFUL I didn't have a very hard time with the medication. I was expecting things to be really bad, but I have actually felt better on all of these hormones!?! I asked Dr. Pritts if anyone has ever said that before and she responded "no" (with a tone that implied I might be a bit off my rocker), but whatever! Throughout this process I am taking what I can get and if that means crazy amounts of hormones to make me feel good, then I guess I am a little off my rocker! :)
Dr. Pritts wants to see me again tomorrow, so that means another 4 hours of driving for a 15 minute appointment! Luckily, I don't mind driving. It gives me a sense of peace having the radio blaring and singing songs at the top of lungs. I am sure people are laughing as I pass them dancing away in my SUV!
Seriously though, it gives me time to think. Today during my drive I was thinking about what to write as a blog post besides just an updated status and decided that I am so surprised from all of the comments that people have shared with me. I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who is praying for us and thinking of us during this time in our lives! I guess I didn't really think that much about posting things so personal in my life because I just felt it was the right thing to do to keep people updated...I have received e-mails from people sharing their infertility stories and also comments that I inspire them and that I am a strong person for going through all of this. Me??? Inspiring??? Strong??? WOW! I never expected to hear so many wonderful comments!
THANK YOU!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Rock Star
After another 4 hours of driving today things are looking good! According to Dr. Pritts everything is right on track and she is happy with how I am growing follicles! Her exact words were that with a little help from liquid gold, a.k.a Follistim, I am able to produce follicles like a "Rock Star"! Did she really just say "Rock Star"??? Yes, she did! I couldn't help but have a flashback to my college days at a dive bar called Newby's in Memphis. I happened to be fond of a little drink called a "Rock Star" that consisted of a Long Island Iced Tea minus the cola mixed with Red Bull. I think it only took one night of drinking this for me to realize I'm not much of a drinker! Ha! But, thank you Dr. for making me feel young again. Not that 30 is old, but I don't typically use the term "Rock Star"!
Anyway, my estrogen levels are continually increasing and the lead follicles have reached greater than 14mm, which means we add another medication to inject in the morning to keep me from ovulating on my own. Next appointment is on Monday and then the egg retrieval will be Wednesday or Thursday of next week! Counting down the days!
Anyway, my estrogen levels are continually increasing and the lead follicles have reached greater than 14mm, which means we add another medication to inject in the morning to keep me from ovulating on my own. Next appointment is on Monday and then the egg retrieval will be Wednesday or Thursday of next week! Counting down the days!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Yep, I lied about the injections...they HURT!
Not sure what has happened with the injections, but they totally hurt now! The first couple of days weren't so bad, but now it starts to hurt as soon as the needle goes in. Also, I'm getting some lovely bruising going on because these are in my stomach...thankfully there won't be any bikini wearing in Wisconsin in March! Only one more week to go!
Next ultrasound and blood draw are on Thursday!
I am not sure where I first saw this video, but just wanted to share!
Next ultrasound and blood draw are on Thursday!
I am not sure where I first saw this video, but just wanted to share!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Ready, Set, Go...
We are starting IVF!
Meds
I received some of my meds on Wednesday of last week. We only ordered enough to get through the first few days in case Dr. Pritts needs to switch them. This was $3,000.00 worth! I can't believe the crazy amounts of money this is costing!!
Baseline Visit
I had an appointment on Friday for what is called the baseline visit. This consists of a baseline ultrasound examination, baseline serum estrogen determination, a mock embryo transfer, signing consent forms, and let's not forget...the PAYMENT! My parents were in town visiting so my mom was able to make the drive to Middleton with me. It was nice to have company on the 2 hour each way trip!
My appointment went good! Dr. Pritts said everything was just the way it should be and I was ready to start the nightly injections of 450 units of Follistim.
Payment Time
Then is was time to pay. I was nervous and sweating about to pay $18,000.00. I mean, once we do get pregnant and have another child there won't be any money left to feed it, but I guess we'll worry about that when the time comes! :)
I met the financial coordinator to take care of the payment and she asked if Dr. Pritts had approved the option of 2 fresh cycles and anything frozen. Ummm, yes we were told in the consultation that we had qualified for it. The financial coordinator said she needed to check with Dr. Pritts. I knew this couldn't be good. Dr. Pritts came in after a few minutes and said she was sorry, but now we didn't qualify for that option because of my ultrasound results and not having enough follicles. What!?! Dr. Pritts said we could do the option of one fresh cycle and one frozen for $12,000.00. Of course I was breaking down by this point. I said, but you told us we would qualify???? Feeling much like my 4 year old stomping his feet saying, but you said we could do it!!! Then the tears came...we had planned on this option and were excited for the second chance if the first cycle didn't work. I was shocked! I couldn't believe that once again things were not going the way I had planned. This is obviously the theme here. Nothing in fertility treatments go the way you plan for them to go. I called Randy and of course he talked me through my little melt down and said of course this was fine to go ahead with this option. The good thing is that maybe it will only take one time and we will have saved money in the long run. Let's hope! Even though things didn't go as planned on this visit, I really feel like Dr. Pritts was sorry. She said we are going to do everything we can to make a baby and apologized more than once. That is more than I can say for the other Dr. at Aurora. I feel like we definitely made the right choice in choosing Dr. Pritts!! I feel confident that she is on my side throughout this, as much as one can be when they are getting paid so much money. Obviously, people become Dr.'s for the money and I guess to help people a little bit, right?!?
Injection Time
Friday night was the first injection...not too bad! I was SO afraid to have to do these shots on myself, but it has been o.k. It only burns when the medication goes in and then for a while after that, but nothing terrible. So, 3 nights of injections down and about 11 to go!
1st Follicle Count
Today I went to Middleton again for a repeat ultrasound and serum estrogen determination. I have 11 follicles growing! Dr. Pritts says this is great for me not having a lot of follicles to begin with! Yeah!!! A step in the right direction!!! FINALLY!!!
(On a side note, I found a ton of websites that have to do with laughing at infertility. I may post a joke now and then because for Randy and I, if we don't laugh and be sarcastic at this crazy situation we find ourselves in, I don't think we'll make it! Infertility itself is not very funny. It affects many people and I don't make light of the situation that anyone is in, but for me it is easier to laugh to keep my sanity. I hope that you understand! And this might just be the meds talking today. Who knows what kind of crazy mood swings are about to ensue!)
Meds
I received some of my meds on Wednesday of last week. We only ordered enough to get through the first few days in case Dr. Pritts needs to switch them. This was $3,000.00 worth! I can't believe the crazy amounts of money this is costing!!
I had an appointment on Friday for what is called the baseline visit. This consists of a baseline ultrasound examination, baseline serum estrogen determination, a mock embryo transfer, signing consent forms, and let's not forget...the PAYMENT! My parents were in town visiting so my mom was able to make the drive to Middleton with me. It was nice to have company on the 2 hour each way trip!
My appointment went good! Dr. Pritts said everything was just the way it should be and I was ready to start the nightly injections of 450 units of Follistim.
Payment Time
Then is was time to pay. I was nervous and sweating about to pay $18,000.00. I mean, once we do get pregnant and have another child there won't be any money left to feed it, but I guess we'll worry about that when the time comes! :)
I met the financial coordinator to take care of the payment and she asked if Dr. Pritts had approved the option of 2 fresh cycles and anything frozen. Ummm, yes we were told in the consultation that we had qualified for it. The financial coordinator said she needed to check with Dr. Pritts. I knew this couldn't be good. Dr. Pritts came in after a few minutes and said she was sorry, but now we didn't qualify for that option because of my ultrasound results and not having enough follicles. What!?! Dr. Pritts said we could do the option of one fresh cycle and one frozen for $12,000.00. Of course I was breaking down by this point. I said, but you told us we would qualify???? Feeling much like my 4 year old stomping his feet saying, but you said we could do it!!! Then the tears came...we had planned on this option and were excited for the second chance if the first cycle didn't work. I was shocked! I couldn't believe that once again things were not going the way I had planned. This is obviously the theme here. Nothing in fertility treatments go the way you plan for them to go. I called Randy and of course he talked me through my little melt down and said of course this was fine to go ahead with this option. The good thing is that maybe it will only take one time and we will have saved money in the long run. Let's hope! Even though things didn't go as planned on this visit, I really feel like Dr. Pritts was sorry. She said we are going to do everything we can to make a baby and apologized more than once. That is more than I can say for the other Dr. at Aurora. I feel like we definitely made the right choice in choosing Dr. Pritts!! I feel confident that she is on my side throughout this, as much as one can be when they are getting paid so much money. Obviously, people become Dr.'s for the money and I guess to help people a little bit, right?!?
Injection Time
Friday night was the first injection...not too bad! I was SO afraid to have to do these shots on myself, but it has been o.k. It only burns when the medication goes in and then for a while after that, but nothing terrible. So, 3 nights of injections down and about 11 to go!
1st Follicle Count
Today I went to Middleton again for a repeat ultrasound and serum estrogen determination. I have 11 follicles growing! Dr. Pritts says this is great for me not having a lot of follicles to begin with! Yeah!!! A step in the right direction!!! FINALLY!!!
(On a side note, I found a ton of websites that have to do with laughing at infertility. I may post a joke now and then because for Randy and I, if we don't laugh and be sarcastic at this crazy situation we find ourselves in, I don't think we'll make it! Infertility itself is not very funny. It affects many people and I don't make light of the situation that anyone is in, but for me it is easier to laugh to keep my sanity. I hope that you understand! And this might just be the meds talking today. Who knows what kind of crazy mood swings are about to ensue!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)