IVF

So a lot has gone on since I last posted. I was waiting to find out from our RE what she recommended for our next step. Well she recommended IVF. So here is our journey...

On January 14th David and I went in for our pre-IVF bloodwork. They want to make sure you don't have anything blood born that you would pass on so they test for HIV, Hepatitis C and B and also RPR. I also had a cycle day 3 lab draw at the same time to check FSH, Thyroid, E2 and I think something else. I am the worlds worst person to give blood. My veins are like not existent! They have a light they can put on my arm to see the veins and they are like little spider veins and one good one in each arm! If I am lucky they stick me once buy usually I am

Not that lucky. And sometimes I get to go home with matching bruises! I have been stuck for blood more times through this then I have my whole life! Then on January 15 I started birth control (who knew getting pregnant meant preventing it lol). The birth control helps to get my body ready for the medication that is going to he thrown it's way. 

On February 7 I went up for a baseline ultrasound and another blood draw! The lab techs are starting to recognize me and not in a good way! My doctor is the one that typically draws my blood. Everything looked good so I started Follistim 225 a night on February 8-12 and back for another ultrasound and bloodwork on the 13th. Once again everything was looking just as planned. My E2 was 505 which they said was right on course. So I continued the same dose and on the 15th added Ganirelix also. This is to keep me from ovulating on my own and to stop an front runners from getting too far ahead. I went back the 16th for yep you guessed it ultrasound and bloodwork. My E-2 was 1465 or something like that. They called and said to do one more night of both meds then on Monday I would trigger for a Wednesday egg retrieval. 

Egg retrieval February 19!

We had to be at the hospital at 730 for a 830 retrieval. I couldn't eat or drink past midnight and we had to make the nearly 2 hour drive. I survived it better then I thought I would. So I waited around in the preop room for about an hour then they wheeled me over to the OR and I walked in, the embryologist came and checked my wristband and then my doctor helped me up onto the table. I stretched my arms out, they strapped them down, gave me some oxygen and said they were going to put my medicine in my IV. Next thing I know I am waking up in recovery. Shortly they brought David back and I drank some Sierra mist (this is in no way the same as sprite!) and some graham crackers. We were able to leave by 1030 I think it was. I can't remember exactly. I was sore to say the least. Bloated and sore! Oh yeah I almost forgot the exciting part they retrieved 19 eggs! My right ovary had to be pushed over because it wanted to hang out on my uterus so they said I would feel like I had been punched in the gut. They were right! I took Tylenol and rested for most the day. We went to a play that our nephew Dayton was in that evening (which was so good and funny). The next day I felt much better. They called with my fertilization report but not until nearly 2! Out of the 19 eggs 15 were mature. And 14 fertilized! What a huge number! Then Saturday they called and said everything was looking great and we would be doing a 5 day transfer so Monday was the day! They would call with our report on Monday but we had to go ahead and head up because we are a 2 hour drive. Oh and since my retrieval I had to do nightly shots of progesterone in oil. I was so scared after seeing some peoples posts but they weren't that bad! This is to help sustain a pregnancy because it wasn't a natural cycle so generally the body wouldn't produce it. 

Transfer Day February 24!

We hadn't much more then drop Delainee off and were headed out of Tarkio when my doctor called. She said they all had made it to day 5 and we had plenty of beautiful embryos to choose from so we were on! Now the only choice was 1 or 2 embryos. 2 of course! I could eat and had to drink to get my bladder full. We got there, checked in and then moved over to the hospital and waited for about an hour until it was time for transfer. So we (David got to go for this!) went to the operating from. Our babysitter (embryologist) came and checked my band like before and then on the table I went. This time I got to be awake. They started the ultrasound (I drank like 50 oz but must have been dehydrated because my bladder could have been fuller!) and my doctor did a test run with the catheter so she could put the embryos into the perfect spot. Then she said ready! The big tv screen turned on and there they were. Out embryos in the dish waiting to be put into the catheter and then into my uterus where they belonged. After she put them in (I was looking in the wrong spot on the screen but David saw they leave the catheter) they flush the catheter to make sure both came out and they had! Now I was to stay for another hour then home (laying down the seat) and bedrest for 24 hours. I had some pretty good company :) Here is a picture of 6 of our 14 embryos. 

Next is a picture of an embry cycle so you have something to compare to. 

As you can see 5 out of these 6 are at the day 5 stage. So now the wait is on! 8 days!

The results are in. 

So now we are all caught up to today March 4th. We drove up to Omaha, they drew my blood (first try) and we were on our way. The wait was on. They said a couple hours. We did some shopping then we were going to go to lunch but I couldn't even think of food! David grabbed something fast and we headed south. I kept looking at my phone. That wasn't making it ring so I set it down and was just listening to the radio and it started to ring. My heart skipped a beat. I was met with my doctors voice on the other end. Next thing I hear was "I just can't even believe this but I have bad news". My heart sank. My worst fear was happening. Why?! I listened to her as she said she was in complete shock because these were the most beautiful embryos she had seen in a long time. She said this happens sometimes, not often but it does happen. She said they all thought for sure I would be pregnant with twins and she never even considered it coming back negative. She said not to beat myself up too much and that this doesn't mean anything about the figure. We still have 8 beautiful embryos in the freezer and as soon as we are ready we can move forward. Cry and be sad but then we move on. She asked if I had any questions and honestly I didn't. And I couldn't ask them if I did because I was fighting back the tears. I broke down as soon as I hung up. We have tried so hard! For almost 4 years and here we are, still trying. I am certain I am not done crying but I am certain we will keep trying. It doesn't seem fair and I don't feel like I am being impatient but God has a plan. My heart hurts but I have a wonderful husband to hold me and wonderful family and friends to lean on. Prayers are still appreciated when you think about us and our journey. Someday I will have wonderful news to report I just know it! 

PS this is a long post and I have no desire to proofread so please excuse spelling and anything that doesn't flow :)