The clock is ticking

Hello! At the risk of cursing my future commutes, the drive this morning was smooth and quick. Yippee!
I have 13+ follicles on the right and 11+ follicles on the left. My estradiol is 1293, which is good that it's not higher (it allows time for the follicles to grow and mature). You get mature follicles via 3 factors: time, estradiol level and size. I will go back tomorrow for bloodwork and ultrasound and probably trigger Thursday night (a shot of hcg hormone 36 hours before retrieval) and have egg retrieval Saturday morning.
My doctor writes about fertility issues on a site called divinecaroline.com (a site for women, by women) - so check it out if you'd like.
My appt with the hematologist at Emory is Thursday at 11 and I hope to have some answers (maybe more blood tests?) from him about any clotting or blood issues.
Here's a picture of me and my doctor and nurse. Funny story - the lady who was taking the picture had the camera turned backwards and we could see her face on the screen because she had it pointed it right at herself.

Lynn (her husband, her daughter and her husband) along with Johnny Isaacson (spelling?), a Georgia politician, took a prayer quilt to President Bush in April 2007. They had a private meeting with him in the oval office, spent time talking and prayed together. She said it was an incredible experience. Lynn and her daughter make prayer quilts for people.

I've got my day planned out for Saturday - lots of movies, reading, and laying on the couch.

We could have a contest and see who can guess (the closest) how many follicles I'll have on each side after my ultrasound tomorrow. Post your guess on the "comments" and I'll declare a winner tomorrow night.

I'm cooking like crazy

Wow, today was crazy. The increased meds are working because I'm way ahead of schedule. Today is day of cycle (DOC) 7. Today I had 13 follicles on the right and 8 on the left (DOC 7 the first ivf I had 5 and 5). My estradiol was 720 (last ivf this same time it was 334).
So, I go back to Atl Wednesday for bloodwork, ultrasound, and pre-ivf physical. I have to be there at 8:30, normally too early for me because it's when traffic is crazy.
My doctor wants me to consult with the hematologist at Emory whom works a lot with blood disorders (clotting, etc.) related to pregnancy. So, they were able to work me in Thursday and I will consult with him about my low protime level. I'm super impressed they got me in so quickly.
They are estimating my egg retrieval will be Saturday.
I finished my book on CD, The Mermaid Chair, by Sue Kidd Monk. It was good! Finally, a good ending.
I'll keep you posted! Thanks for journeying with me!

Smooth sailing

My trip to Atlanta today was smooth - traffic flowed well. I was there for all of about 15 minutes and then back in the car to Macon. I had to go by the pharmacy for another cartridge of Follistim (follicle stimulating hormone) for the bargain price of $816. One cartridge will last 2 days. This is my 4th one so far. Lynn, the nurse, called this afternoon to let me know that my estradiol (estrogen) level was 720, which is good. So my medication dose will stay the same and I'm back to Atlanta tomorrow for ultrasound and bloodwork.
I've felt very full tonight. It's probably my ovaries cooperating and filling full of lots of ripe eggs (come on ovaries - do your thing!)
Hope you have a great week!

Fun, Fun, Fun

So here's our surprise. Justin and Troy wore vintage tuxedos for the wedding (well, only for the pre-wedding tricks) - they were super cheesy. Scott immediately thought it was cool, the wedding coordinator thought they were serious, and Justice was shocked then laughed! The wedding was a BLAST and beautiful and very classy! We danced and danced and danced. Justice and Scott - what a wonderful weekend. We wish you a rich and fulfilling future together. We love you and are so glad you are our friends!

Tomorrow I start going to Atlanta every day. Each day they will measure my Estradiol (estrogen) blood level and the number and size of the follicles in each ovary. The nurse will call me each day to tell me what dosage of medicine to take.

For right now, I'm taking 2 shots in the morning, 1 shot in the evening, and pills AM & PM.

We have our audit at work May 7 and I'll be working like crazy until then but I'll be sure to make time for my blog to keep you posted each day this week.

Ask and ye shall receive

Hello good people! Well, the bruises are popping up (from the needles/injections) and I'm loving the fact that I am privileged enough to have bruises from being able to go above and beyond for a chance at a baby and family.
Dottie - I will call you for lunch. What day is best?
Suz - I will have lunch with you May 23.
Amy - here's your Hallmark card for "this" http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article1000110051/HallmarkSite/GoldCrownStores/JOURNEYS_OCCASIONS_FAMILYstores. I'll be expecting one soon.
I'm going to look for a Hallmark card for getting the shaft by your wedding reception location. Hey - my sister lives in the Hallmark headquarters city, so maybe she can have an inside track for us. And . . . Dallas is a Hallmark hall of fame member, so she can help too.
I soaked and peeled The Foot tonight and it's looking great (see below).
We are going to the wedding of the century this weekend. It's going to be loads of fun! I will definitely post pictures of the funny business as soon as I get back.
I want my Mom to know we will be thinking about her this weekend. She is going (back) to the cancer retreat she and my Dad went to last fall. They had such a wonderful and profound experience when they went that they planned to volunteer at the retreats in the future. I am very proud of you, Mom, for going. I know it will be a weekend full of emotion. I will be there with you in spirit. I love you!

My drug dealers

Hello everyone! It's official - I'm starting the stimulation protocol this morning. Shots of 225 Follistim (follicle stimulating hormone) twice per day for the next ?12 days.

I start going to Atlanta everyday (bloodwork and ultrasounds) on Monday, April 28.

This picture is of William the pharmacist and Stephanie the tech at Concord Pharmacy. They are in the same building as my ivf docs and I imagine a large part of their business is for ivf, etc.

I was overly cautious this morning about the correct dose, the correct needle, the correct location - 2 shots and 1 antibiotic later I emerged victorious. It looked like my own little medical unit.

Depending on how things go, my procedures may be May 5 and 8.

More later . . .

It might be time . . .

Okay, I go back to Atlanta tomorrow for another supression check. My estradiol (estrogen) level should be down and my follicles should be very small or gone - so we can get the show on the road. So, if all goes well, I'll start the stimulation (FSH) meds.
My nurse, Lynn, has a cool story about President Bush - I'll tell you the whole story later.
Justin had a tire blow out on his little, bitty, toy car this morning on the way to Athens - I'm very glad he is okay!
I started this morning out with a shot in the butt for my friend - who is well on her way on her own special and nerve wracking journey. You're getting there, day by day!
I'm listening to the 80's station - back to the good old days . . . Tears for Fears and Terence Trent D'Arby. And at 9, I'm going to listen to the Oprah/Eckart Tolle webcast re: his book, A New Earth. And then we can all be more aware.
I usually get a book on CD for any out of town trips in my car. Last IVF, I listened to Light on Snow (Anita Shreve), which was about a baby found abandoned in the snow/woods. This time, I checked out The Mermaid Chair (Sue Kidd Monk), which has a pregnant woman in it. Weird, the pregnancy and baby themes (I didn't know this before selecting these books).
I have a funny story, at work today, I was doing a group for 8yo-12yo girls. One of them saw the bottom of my foot (The Foot), and started remarking about it, show I showed everyone, then when group was over I showed everyone the blog picture of The Foot right after surgery. They were all shrieking about how gross it was but they couldn't stop looking and were climbing over each other to get a good look. I'm so proud of them!
I want to send my special thoughts to Jodi and Bryan who lost their first baby (dog), Cody, this past week. I empathize with them because our dogs have been like our children, our family - and it's hard when we lose them.
I hope you all have a great week! Hopefully, good news tomorrow - little Baby Gardners in the making!

Ovaries aren't ready yet

Happy Saturday! I went to Atlanta yesterday for my suppression check. Result: my ovaries aren't ready for the stimulation (FSH) medicine yet. They did blookwork and an ultrasound. My estradiol (estrogen) was 87 and should be 50 or below. The ultrasound measured the follicles in my ovaries. I still have some small follicles in my ovaries, which is bad because if I start the stim meds then those (old follicles) will get stimulated and we'll have a bad result. So, I have to wait for those follicles to go away, my estradiol to go down - maybe 2-3 more days. Then back to Atlanta for another supression check and if all is well then I'll start the new injections (twice daily). I also had to pay the entire cost (gulp!) - I wrote a big fat check. In the end, the whole process may just be delayed a few days (hopefully, that will be all).
I didn't take a picture because my doctor wasn't there - but I will get a photo of me, my nurse and my doc.
Have a good weekend!

Busy, busy, busy

Hi! Holy cow, I've been busy this week.
Shots going well. Good Bye Too Soon group yesterday was particularly emotional/tearful for everyone - but good. I had a consult with my ob/gyn today and it went very well. I have my suppression check in Atlanta on Friday. The Foot will get it's 3 week check up tomorrow - still wearing flip flops. Rufus (or Max?) got into the bathroom toilet paper yesterday - that's a first. We had a stern talking to and it didn't happen again today.
I have a massage in the morning that my wonderful coworkers gave me to get me officially relaxed for IVF - ooh-la-la - thanks very much all you 116 folks!!!

I went to prison today

Hello good people!
I went to prison today with my coworker, Dallas. But we only stayed about 50 minutes and left. Hey - that's another thing to be thankful for - you're not in prison!
My shot didn't want to go in this morning. It was weird. I had to push the needle in really hard.
I had some weird dreams last night and I remember waking up and thinking I needed to write about them in my blog, but now I can't remember them. Can you remember your dreams?
Ooh-la-la, the goodies for the tricky business at the wedding (hee, hee) came in today. It's great! I can't wait to see how it comes off and post pictures for you to see!
I'm getting ready to listen to Oprah.com's webcast of her series on Eckert Tolle's A New Earth. The topic: Finding out who you really are.
I will go to my Goodbye Too Soon group tomorrow. It's for people who've lost babies. I love going and am sad thinking about not being able to go if I get pregnant. I feel a powerful connection to the people there.
Hope your week is starting off great!

What do diarrhea and IVF have in common?

Nothing. But it was funny yesterday when Justin and I were just putting the clean sheets back on our bed and Rufus jumped up and sat down on them - and we noticed a big nasty diarrhea spot wiped from the stuff dripping off his butt. Gross! There would have been a day that I would have been one mad woman about having to rewash the sheets I just took out of the dryer . . . but now I'm just glad my diarrhea dog, his drippy wet butt, my dirty sheets, and I don't live in Iraq! And by the way, this is Rufus' first diarrhea since becoming a Gardner dog a year ago! And . . . Justin made a good point that cleaning Rufus' butt was good practice for diaper duty (an added bonus!).

I don't plan on normally talking about diarrhea on my blog, but I may have to talk about other matters of poo if the constipation rears it's ugly head again during this IVF and hopefully pregnancy process. It's a common problem for pregnancy and with increased progesterone, so I will share the trials and tribulations if it comes to that (in good conscience I don't feel like I could leave anything out!) And it's kind of funny, "Sandra's daily poo report."
I hope your own personal matters of poo are coming out just fine!

How big is your needle?

Hello everyone!

Here are my needles. I'm using the one on the far right now. When I start using progesterone, I'll draw it out with the one on the far left (because it's in oil and thick), and it will go in with the needle in the middle.

The first time Justin ever gave me a progesterone shot, which is with the big needle, I was all geared up and waiting anxiously, I asked him if he was going to do it - and he already had, without me even feeling it! Last IVF, right before it was time to start the progesterone shots, the nurse taught Justin how to administer the shot and drew big circles in magic marker on my butt to "mark the spot." You want to be careful not to hit the sciatic nerve. So, once Justin started giving them, the circle would wash off when I showered, so he would draw them back and he'd make smiley faces, devil's horns and who knows what else since I couldn't really see them. After so many shots, you get needle hole marks (track marks on your butt?) and it's easy to see where to stick it in.

I went to Athens to be with Justin Friday for a party (the birthday girl was born the year Justin graduated from high school HA!). We had an excellent time and headed back to Macon Sat morning.

Has anyone (besides Mom) gotten into Eckart Tolle's A New Earth? If you have, let me know what you think.

Have a great weekend!

Busy with tricks

I didn't post tonight because I was busy preparing for the little prank we are playing on Scott and Justice at their wedding (giggle, giggle) - time got away from me. I'd love to tell you what we are doing, however, I can't because they might be reading, although it's not likely Justice is because she spends every waking moment preparing for the wedding of the century and doesn't have time to read blogs. Anyhow, you'll have to wait until April 27, after the blessed union. I will definitely post pictures (hee, hee).

Blood donation

Hi everyone! I'm feeling a little uninspired tonight and I'm wondering if the good ole Georgia pollen is making my head hurt.
The shot this morning was smooth as a baby's bottom (fitting metaphor).
I saw the perinatologist today, was there 4 hours and 10 minutes - part them and part techincal difficulties because they didn't have all my records. Lesson learned - be your own health care advocate, be proactive, get copies of everything, and don't assume anything.
He ordered lots of tests to rule out possible conditions that could have caused the placental abruption. The lab took 8 vials of blood - a heck of a donation for my own good cause. Thanks to Dallas for the CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation when I fell out later in the day - now that's a good friend!
While I was waiting in his office (there's only so much I can do on my blackberry in 4 hours and 10 minutes), I had fun watching all the activity down below, overlooking the street and front entrance to the emergency room. I saw a man bump the front of my car with his car when he was parking, but it's all good because 1) he is a DAV, I later learned, and 2) at least I'm not living in Iraq!
Holy cow, my coworker Beth, had a procedure done and sent out pictures today. Wow - they are impressive. She got sliced and diced. Hope you feel better and heal quickly Beth!
The Blog Master Amy has taught me how to attach pictures with the blog entry so I'll use it for future pics. I'll leave The Foot pictures at the bottom in case you don't want to see them.
A special I LOVE YOU and lots of hugs and kisses to my Mom!!!

I'm glad I don't live in Iraq!

Well, I think I can say that my shots are old hat now.
I have an appt tomorrow with a perinatologist (a high risk ob/gyn) in Macon. I will see him (plus my regular ob/gyn) if I'm pregnant, but I wanted to see him beforehand to consult about what to prepare for and what I can expect if I'm preggers.
I saw my endocrinologist last week, to check in regarding my hypothyroidism and pregnancy. It looks like we managed my thyroid problems well while I was pregnant the first time and it should be routine to manage in a future pregnancy.
Is there a doctor I haven't seen?
At lunch today, my friend, Betsy, says she knows of a really disgusting public restroom in Butler, GA. Hmmm . . . we'll save it as a back up in case we can't find one in Macon. Please let me know if you know of any nasty restrooms (if it's at your house, you may want to keep that to yourself).
What else today? The Foot continues to heal nicely. Rufus peed on Grandma's gas can. Happy Birthday to Rebecca (Dirty, that is)!!!
I haven't told you about my new motto. I don't know what made me think about this, but after all the recent hardship, I thought a lot about that many things could be worse - and my new motto was born: "I'm just glad I don't live in Iraq!" That gives you something to be thankful for, huh?
I'm glad you don't live in Iraq too!
Love - Sandra

On my way . . .

Warning! Warning! - gross foot pictures attached!!!
Don't scroll to the bottom if you don't want to see.
You asked for it, you got it!! The viewing public has spoken and they want the foot pictures. So - hide your eyes if you don't want to see. It's so gross you can't help but look! Even grosser, Rufus keeps trying to lick it!

Hi everyone! This morning's Lupron was like old times, a needle to the junkie (I promise I won't get addicted to fertility meds). I haven't felt anything from the Lupron, normally you don't have any med side effects at this point.
I didn't sleep well last night because I had a belly ache - and I dreamed that I had to have an appendectomy, and it meant that my IVF process was delayed. I don't normally remember my dreams, but I will keep you abreast of any interesting dreams.
I was at dinner with the girls tonight (bon voyage and good luck Melissa!) and we were reminiscing during my last IVF cycle when Rebecca (Clean Rebecca, not Dirty Rebecca) gave me my shot (the one that comes later on, in the butt muscle) in the bathroom at El Azteca. Then, someone decided (I think it was Dallas' brainchild) that we should search for the most disgusting public restroom in Macon and take a picture there of Rebecca giving me my shot. She is going to wear her patten leather nurses outfit. We'll probably get arrested.
In the future, I'm going to publish some pictures of my needles/medicine/doctor's office, etc.
Thanks for journeying with me!

That Just Happened!

Okay folks, it's done. It was just like getting on a bike after years of being off, that needle slid right in. Justin said I did it extra slowly. I told him (My Personal Pharmacist) that he needed to be present, you know to observe the patient in case they fall out, and he carried out his duties well.
I want to send a special shout out of encouargement and support to my friend, JBS, who is playing her own waiting game. I think about you every day, totally understand what you must be feeling/thinking every minute - and I am always sending positive vibes your way!
I also feel the need to shout out to Warren and Diana, the Brady Bunch (Andrew, Hayley, Owen, Ethan) and my Mom whom are all moving Warren & Bunch into their new house in Albuquerque this weekend. I'm sorry I can't be there to help (but my foot is glad).
And thanks to Amy (a professional blogger) for the TA on getting my site up and running. You're the bomb!
I'm kind of bummed I can't walk. It would be good for both physical and mental state of being. For those of you who haven't seen "the foot", I had a laser procedure done on the bottom of my foot and underestimated the after effects. It's basically a raw, bloody, now scabbing over crater in my foot. It's so disgusting you can't stop looking at it and thinking how gross it is. It's certainly cramped my style. I would post pictures of it if I didn't think it might keep people from visiting me here. But, the whole point of the having the procedure is to get the problem taken care of before I am pregnant, so thinking positive thoughts and assuming that I'm pregnant in the near future, then it's all well worth it.
Even though today is Day 1, there will be another Day 1, that's more official in the IVF world. They start counting (Day of Cycle/DOC) when you start your stimulation meds. Last time I had my last FSH shot on DOC 10 and my egg retrieval procedure on DOC 12. This time the Dr. projects she'll let me go (take more meds) a day longer. So, when I start talking DOC, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Have a good Sunday!

Day 1 is almost official

Hi everyone! Well it's after midnight so that means my first shot is almost here.

I thought I'd give you some more info about the process. I will take the Lupron until about Monday, April 21. I'll start the stimulation hormone drug (FSH) on about Tuesday, April 22. This is the expensive one. I'll take it morning and evening. My Dr. is increasing my dose from last time. I have a pen that I put the cartridge of medication in and I "dial" my dose. On about Sunday, April 27 I will start going to the Dr.'s office in Atlanta every day. (This will be interesting because Justice and Scott's wild and crazy wedding is the night before and we will have partied hardy to celebrate the blessed event - yippee!). I'll have bloodwork and ultrasounds. One big thing the bloodwork is looking at is my Estradiol level (estrogen). The ulstraounds count how many follicles and measure the size of each. Depending on these results each day, my dose of FSH will increase/decrease/or stay the same. It's a timing symphony, to make sure the follicles and estradiol levels are at peak. Then I take a day off and take a shot of the HCG hormone 36 hours prior to egg retrieval. Then egg retrieval procedure, under light sedation (and no they don't give me Percocet afterwards, darnit). They fertilize everything and incubate the embryos, careful to keep them in a warm/stable environment, they won't be moved at all. A nurse will call me each of these 3 days (while my embryos are cooking) and give me a status report - kind of like an expensive babysitter. Next, comes embryo transfer 3 days later. We'll decide how many embryos to transfer (or "put back"). Then I go home and do the hardest part ever, wait.
I don't think I'm going to tell you how many days I'll have to wait before I take the pregnancy test because I'll freak out knowing everyone is waiting to hear the moment I know the news I've been waiting so anxiously for. So, you'll have to be patient and I'll tell you when it's time. Then, assuming I have good news, I'll have to wrap myself around being positively and patiently pregnant (without excessive worry). You can all help me with that!
Whew! I'm tired just talking about all this.
Thanks for joining me on my journey.

In the beginning

Hello everyone!
Well, here I am, preparing to venture again into the world of In Vitro Fertilization. I'm going to blog my ivf experience.
Being our second round of IVF and after a rough past months, I thought it would be good for me to chronicle my thoughts, feelings, etc. I also thought it would be interesting for people to follow along - to go along for the wild ride.
Ok, so I start Lupron shots on Sunday. I'll take 10 units of Lupron every morning for about 2 weeks. It's injected in the stomach or thigh fat (it won't be difficult to find some) using a small needle (like what you use for insulin). The Lupron sort of shuts down your body's normal reproductive cycle.
I will have a suppression check at my doctor's office in Atlanta on Friday, April 18. That will include ultrasound and bloodwork and if all looks good that's when I plunk down the cash.
I hope that you all will accompany me/us on this journey and enjoy experiencing it with me!