liv78

We have a heartbeat!

liv78 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:33:00 GMT

Yesterday, I went in for my 6 week ultrasound, only I was 7 weeks 1 day. I went to a local HRC and a PA came in, introduced herself and performed my U/S. My DH and I saw our baby almost instantly, the PA said everything looked good and pointed out the heartbeat. The baby measured right at 7 weeks. She then measured the HB and we were able to hear it beating away. It was amazing, but It feels a little surreal at the same time. I hope that she continues to grow and thrive and that I have a healthy pregnancy.

Today I recieved the results of my blood work. No more "crotch rockets" ( thanks for the new term gsbabies) and I no longer have to do the delestrogen. I just have five more weeks of PIO!

I already feel so much love for this little girl and I feel so grateful.

betas

liv78 — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:05:00 GMT

My first beta was on scheduled for September 3, I called my IVF nurse and told her that I had been testing and I was getting BFPs. I asked her if I could get in any ealier then the 3rd and she told me to go ahead and go in on the 1st. My beta at 10p5dt was a 79.1. Seemed a little low, but my nurse assured me that I was in a good range. Mty beta three days later at 13dp5dt was 257. When the nurse called she congragulated me and seemed very posative about my number. It made me feel a little at ease (although still nervous). My beta on September 11 was 2568. She directed me to continue all medication and scheduled an ultrasound for the 23. Seems as though it's years away!

I am 5w6d and I have been feeling exhausted for over a week now. The mornings are generally okay but once the afternoon comes I am toast. My sense of smell is hightened. I nearly became sick at the grocery store because of all the gnarly smells. My boobs feel sore especially my (TMI) nipples.

I wish I knew for sure that my DD is thriving inside my puffy belly. I am so afraid that I will get horrible news at my ultrasound appointment. I can't wait for my mind and heart to be put at ease.

Update

liv78 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:47:00 GMT

I haven't posted anything since right before my ER because I was so nervous. I will recap....

Sat. the 15 I went to a monitoring appointment at HRC in Laguna Hills. Cindy saw 14 good size follicles and gave me instructions to trigger that night and I would have my ER on Monday. I was originally supposed to have my ER on Tuesday and for some reason that made me a bit nervous.

Sunday 8/16- Monday 8/17

My DH and I drove out to Laguna Hills and stayed overnight at the Lodge. We live over an hour away and thought that Monday morning traffic would be a nightmare, especially since my DH had to do his part for MS ay 7:30 a.m. and my ER was not until 10:30. At my ER Dr.P retrieved only 10 eggs. I was pretty let down considering my ultrasound a few days earlier. My nurse was Kelley, she was fantastic! The cramping after the procedure was very uncomfortable, but Kelley gave me a shot and a pill and it helped lessen the pain.

Tuesday 8/18

I received a call from Lori today that out of the 10 eggs, 8 were mature and all 8 fertilized. I felt some relief but then agonized over the next few days of how many would make it through PGD. I asked Lori to call me with a repor t on how many made it to day 3 for PGD. I had originally paid for a 5 probe but thought since my numbers were dwindling down that I may opt for a 2 probe.

Wenesday 8/19

I received an email that all 8 made it to PGD but my gut told me to go with the 2 probe. I worried more and was anxious for Saturday to find out the status of my embies.

Saturday 8/22

My DH and I got to HRC and waited for 15-20 minutes, meanwhile I didn't get a bracelet or beta orders. Needless to say, I was freaking out!!!! Finally, the nurse called me in and I asked her if I was going to have a transfer, she answered yes! I felt so much relief. Dr. P came in and shoed me pictures of 6 little embies. Of the 8 that went to PGD 6 were normal and all 6 were girls! We decided to put in two, they were both blasts and both graded B/C. He did say that they were starting to hatch. I l just stared at the picture of my embies, I couldn't believe that my DH could make so many girls. The procedure was similar to a pap smear and took about 5 minutes. We left and headed home for some bedrest.

Thursday 8/27 5dp5dt

I got up early this morning and took a test (FRER) and I first glance it appeared negative. I went back to sleep and when I woke up again I went to the bathroom and took another peak and it looked like a very, very, faint line. I tested later that afternoon and it was a total BFN.

Friday 8/28 6dp5dt

I woke up and took another test (FRER), it looked negative after 5 minutes but after 10 it seemed to have a super faint second line. I showed it to my DH, who was insisting that I stop testing, and he agreed that there was a second line although very faint.

Saturday 8/29 7dp5dt

I woke up tried to take a test but I couldn't get enough pee, the control line never appeared. At 11 am I decided to try again. After 4-5,minutes I saw a faint BFP!!!! I so happy but also trying to remember that it is still very early.

6 days of stims

liv78 — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:54:00 GMT

I went again to HRC Fullerton for monitoring today, they wanted to see me a day early because of my high e2 number. Cynthia said my follicles were growing nicely and that it appeared that I still had 10 on the right and a little less then that on the left. She was not very specfic, but I understand that U/S are not 100%. She called later this afternoon to inform me that my e2 is 1641. Dr. P took me off gonal-f and just has me doing one 75 vial of menapor along w/ the lupron in the morning.

I am feeling fine physically (aside from feeling bloated and crampy), and emotionally I am trying to stay centered, posative, yet a little guarded. I head to Laguna Hills on Saturday for another monitoring. My DH and I decided take the boys and make a nice day of it.

4 days of stims

liv78 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:48:00 GMT

Went to HRC yesterday and had my blood drawn and ultrasound. Cynthia saw about 10 eggs on each side. She assured me it was fine but a little more than normal. I got a call back later in the afternoon to let me know that my e2 was 647. She also told me to decrease gonal-f from 150 to 75. When I asked was this okay she said yes but did say that they like to see numbers at around 400. I have a 3rd monitoring appointment tomorrow morning.

Starting Stims

liv78 — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:05:00 GMT

I have been a lupron for 11 days. Initially, I felt really tired but I think the exhaustation was caused from our traveling. As you all know, traveling with two kids can be anything but relaxing! The lupron injections are fairly simple and if I ice my tummy for a few minutes prior, I don't even feel the needle. I did give myself one horrible looking bruise a few days ago.

Yesterday, I went into HRC for my first monitoring. Cynthia did my bloodwork and ultrasound. My lining was thin and my e2 was 54.5, which she said was great and gave me the go ahead to start gonal -f and menopour tonight. She also reviewed how to mix the two. I know it will be easy in a few days but I am nervous that I'll screw it up!

I am trying very hard to stay calm and take everything day by day. I think the weekly acupunture is helping. I am usually more of a type A personality. I know during this process things may happen and I could be thrown off course so I am also trying to prepare for a situation of that sort.

Started lupron

liv78 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:13:00 GMT

Yesterday, I went to HRC had a meeting with my IVF nurse and she went over lupron, gonal-f and menapor. I paid for a 2 cycle, ICSI, and 5 probe PGD which came to 14,300. I still will have to pay for MS. Depending on how many embies make it to PGD, I may do a 2 probe instead.

I did my lupron shot this morning. It was pretty easy! DH and I also started z-pack.

My boys are done with summer camp and school resumes the last week of August, so I really want to spend quality time with them. I hope that I am able to stay relaxed and occupied so I am not stressing out on my cycle too much.

A month away

liv78 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:28:00 GMT

I am about one month away from my ER. This summer has really flown by! In January, my Dh and I had our first consultation at HRC. At that time we were looking at MS/IUI, but after some research, thought, and countless hours on IG we decided to try IVF/MS/PGD. In May, I had my consult with Dr. P and my DH and I began taking supplements. I have been doing acupuncture since June and have to admit that it really has helped me to relax.

My meds were delivered this week. The total cost came to a little over $1700. My insurance picked up some of it. Opening up that box was overwhelming....I felt some anxiety. Maria (she is an IVF nurse at the Fullerton office where I will do all my monitoring) told me that once we went over it all it wouldn't seem as overwhelming. I am scheduled to start lupron on July 28.