Note to Self...

Note to self:  Keep your phone with you at all times when you are waiting for a call from the Doctor!!!

My wonderful father-in-law came over tonight to fix our car so I wouldn't be stuck anymore.  He did fix it, but while I was outside seeing what was wrong with it, the nurse called with my results.  She did leave a message saying "the levels were reassuring", but I should call tomorrow.  

I may have to go back on the shots.  I'm not sure I can.  It's not the actual shot.  I don't even mind doing them myself.  I just had such a terrible reaction to them almost every time.  Huge knots would form for about 6 days.  They were painful and I had to do shots in my arms, then legs, then rear.  So I couldn't lift my arm for a few days, then could hardly walk for a few days, then sitting or laying on my back was no fun at all.  Not to mention, my nurse friend is leaving for Springs Break and my hubby travels for work.  I can do the leg one, but not the arm or backside.  Maybe I can go into the clinic.  I'm just going to keep praying that everything is fine!

The Crazy Worrying Begins

It's been 2 1/2 weeks since my IVF procedure.  Things have been good.  A little spotting and cramping.  But I woke up today with a feeling I was going to start my period and when I saw some bleeding (more than before) I started to freak out a bit.  My husband is out of town this week and our car stopped working yesterday.  I'm stuck at home alone worrying like crazy!  I told myself just to be calm and wait.  I've heard all the stories of people bleeding and everything is fine.  I also know that at this stage in pregnancy there's nothing to be done if you are miscarrying.  I had to call though.  They said I could go in for another hCG level.   My dear friend Jody drove me to the clinic with her 3 boys in tow.  I wish my husband was home!

The test is done and they'll call tonight or tomorrow with the results.

I guess this is a glimpse at how it might be for the rest of my life as I daily worry about the well being of my children.  All I know to do is pray and be comforted in that.  Worrying will not add one day to my life or the life of my babies.

IVF Update #16

"Come see what the Lord has done!"

"Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" 

                                                                                    Psalm 66:5 and 66:20

So, Wednesday we had an hCG level done that showed levels were within pregnancy range (over 50 is acceptable....we were at 156)! Our hope was the levels would be over double today. The test today was to confirm that they were rising, confirm a pregnancy.  

It's confirmed!  Our number was 387 today!  The nurse said our numbers were "fabulous"!  Andy and I couldn't not be happier or more nervous!  He is still in transit from California.  I don't know how I would have made it through this week without my mom here.  She's on her way home right now.  She stayed until they called this afternoon with the confirmation.  

I am encouraged by the high hCG numbers, but I will be thrilled when the first trimester is through.  Then, happy when a healthy baby or 2 are born! I know it's so early to spread the news, but we have been full of hope through every stage of this journey!  And, it's impossible not to tell when everyone keeps asking!

I have stopped the Prometrium shots.  I was just not reacting well to them.  Lots of pain.  So I've started the vaginal suppositories which aren't bad at all.  I don't know what everyone was talking about with the mess and the constant dripping.  I think they are way better than the shots and no pain!  I do have to take them 3 times a day instead of the one shot, but it's worth it.  I just have to set my alarm!  I continue the Prometrium and the Estrace through the first trimester.

To God be the Glory!!  Andy and I are so blessed to have such amazing friends and family.  And please keep our donor in your prayers.  They told me she was in "limbo" which I took to mean her numbers were low and not rising like they should be.

IVF Update #15: +++++++++

Well, today's test was positive!  Of course, they waited to call until 4:45pm.  Needless to say it was a long day.  I'm so thankful my mom was here!  Friday we'll be even more positive and may have an idea if there are twins!!  They'll do another blood test Friday morning.  I'll let you know.....

Praise the Lord!!!

IVF Update #14

So........ we've been waiting for a little over a week.  It hasn't been too bad.  I've been concentrating on not straining any part of my uterine area.  Alot of sitting around.  My wonderful mother came to visit and is taking good care of me...emptying the dishwasher, doing the laundry, cooking.  We've been doing a little Hawaii planning.  The only really bad thing this last week has been the shots.  My rear was killing me!  I had a huge knot on my right side.  I tried it in my leg and could barely walk the next day.  I thought I'd have to go to the vaginal suppositories...uggg.  You have to do 4 of them throughout the day which was my initial reason for choosing the one shot a day.  We had no problems with the Lupron shots.  Of course, these progesterone shots are InterMuscular and the needle is about 1.5 inches long.  No lie.  Poor Andy can hardly touch me without me saying, "Watch the arm/leg/rear!" and my boobs hurt too.  I asked around about the suppositories and everyone says to stay on the shot.  Apparently, the suppositories are messy and constantly drip, drip, drip.  YUK!   So I'm going to try and stick it out.  We are rotating from arms to legs to rear.  It could be a long 3 months!  The nurse at the Fertility Center also suggested doing them in the morning.  That way the muscle will be moving around more and it does seem to help.  One suggestion I will make to the Center is to give a better information sheet on the shots.  Lots of info on the V.S., but none on the shot.  We mainly looked to YouTube for all our info!

Andy left this morning for a business trip in CA.  He won't be here when we find out.  I can't even guess what the outcome will be.  Maybe I'm afraid to guess.  Only God knows the outcome.  Only God can grow a baby or 2.  I'll leave these important matters to Him.  My sweet mother-in-law has already called to check in.  She's dying to know, but I really shouldn't tell anyone until I tell Andy and he won't call until tonight.  I probably won't know until later this afternoon.  My mom will know before Andy because she is here.  I don't know how I'll react if it's bad news.  Definitely disappointed.  Definitely sad.  If it's good, I may just have to interrupt Andy in a work meeting!

I'm just hoping for the best news.  The very best!  Why hope for anything less!

IVF Update #13: Lazi Daze

Andy did so good the first day (1/2 day really) and made it through Sunday morning, but then he was done.  Not on purpose.  I think women are so much better at taking care of people than men.  Men cannot anticipate your needs so you end up asking and asking and asking.   I hate asking for help.  Funny thing is Andy has no problem with asking.

I had a little breakfast Sunday AM (Andy bought me a decaf coffee)  then he left about 11am for the mall and Best Buy.  He was gone about 3 hours.  It's not that I really needed him, but I was on "strict bed rest" and I was getting hungry.  I kinda thought he might bring something home, but nope.  He got home and right away, started working on the computer.  Finally around 3:15pm I said, "Aren't you getting hungry?"  He says he is, but he wants to finish designing his "skin" for his Kindle he was ordering on our computer.  Really?  I've been waiting since 12:30 to eat.  Maybe I should have just gotten up and made a sandwich or at some cereal, but I'm super protective of the babies growing in my uterus!  We made it through the rest of the night.

Andy left early Monday morning.  I made it through the rest of the "strict bed rest" which ended this afternoon.  Now I'm just on "restricted activity"....no heavy lifting (10 lb or less), limited exercise.  Which means no vacuuming or laundry!  I talked to the nurse today about how limited I should be.  She recommended waiting a week before returning to "normal activity" and resting as much as possible.  So, I'm still trying to just sit.  I feel like every time I walk, I'm holding a fish bowl full of water that I can't slosh around.  Slow and careful.  I hate when I sneeze or cough.  I'll go out tomorrow for acupuncture and to pick-up some prescriptions...and maybe some decaf coffee!

My mom is coming next week!!  I'm sure Andy will be very tired of pampering me by then and will need a respite.  We are still eating the delicious Lasagna from our friends the Cioleks.  My dear friend, Sara came over today with lunch and a movie (thank you, thank you, thank you!)!  Tonight, Aunt Tricia is coming over with dinner and visiting!  I'm definitely being taken care of!  I have to give myself the Progesterone shot tonight.  I'm a little worried about it, but I watched how to give yourself one in the leg (thank goodness for youtube).  Doesn't look too bad...

IVF Update #12: IVF DAY!

Things went great today!  We got there around 10:30 am for a little acupuncture.  They transferred two embryos at 11:15 am.  They showed us this picture of them and said they looked wonderful!  There were only 2 viable embryos.  You could say we put all our eggs in one "basket"!  The procedure was a little uncomfortable, but only lasted about 15 minutes or so.  We literally watched (via ultrasound) the little ones being transferred.  Now that we have seen a picture of our little embryos, we are hoping they both get warm and cozy in my uterine lining!! 

Once we got home, I made myself comfy.  I've been laying flat on my back all day.  They told me after 4 or 5 hours I could sit up.   Andy's been waiting on me hand and foot!  Our friend's made dinner for us tonight.  I'm watching lots of movies!  Andy gave me a Kindle for my birthday so I'll be reading alot in the next week or so.  I feel like I just want to lay down with my feet up for 2 weeks until we find out if we are pregnant.  I'm suppose to be on bed rest for 2 more days.   After that, no heavy lifting or strenuous activity.  We go in for a pregnancy test in about 2 weeks.  Andy gave me the progesterone shot for the first time tonight and he did a great job!  

Now we wait, pray, and hope!