Ready, Set, Go!

Today was the big appointment Kevin and I had been waiting on. During the sonogram we basically had a good report. We did have one cyst on my right ovary that was measuring around 4 mm but Dr. Douglas didn't think it would interupt our round of IVF.

Before our appointment we stopped off at the ART (Artificial Reproductive Technology) Center which is next door to our doctors office. This is where both the egg retrieval and embryo transfer will take place. It took us right at an hour to fill all of the documents and consent forms. We were shocked with a few of the questions it asked about our religious beliefs  and if we needed religious counseling before our procedure.

One part of the form we had to fill out was frozen embryos. If something were to happen to Kevin and/or I they ask what you want to do with the frozen embryos (if you happen to have any left over after your transfer). This was an easy decision for Kevin and I to make. After going through fertility treatments we understand how it feels and how frustrating it can be. We also understand financially how hard it can be on the couple. We decided to donate our embryos if something were to happen to us. Were not even sure we will have any to freeze but we are happy to have that option if we are faced with trying IVF again. The transfer of frozen embryos is half the cost of a normal IVF cycle. Its also a lot easier on your body since you don't have to take all of the FSH (stimulate) medication.

After we paid the hospitals fees and got our instruction packet we headed over to our appointment. After the sonogram our nurse took us to a room to teach us how to mix one of the injection medication (Menopur) and how to give the injection. I will start out taking Follistem and Menopur on Sunday. We will go back to the doctor next Thursday to see what our progress looks like. They expect you to have 10 days of stimulate medication before the follicle is large enough to take an ovulation stimulant. When we go back they will then teach us how to use another injection which we start on the fourth day. I am so thankful we didn't have to learn all the medications at once, it was so much information to take in all at once.

We also went through the process of how the egg retrieval will work. Basically, I will take the Ovidrell injection (ovulation stimulant) 36 hours prior to the ER. That morning I will go in and they will put me in a room. I will have a IV anesthesia and they will take me back to the OR. In the OR Dr. Douglas will use a vaginal sonogram probe to guide his way around to my ovaries. A very long needle is injected from the probe into my ovary and it sucks out a fluid containing the eggs. With my age he expects to get anywhere for 8-15 eggs. I am praying I have just the right amount of eggs and do not get hyper stimulation. Hyper stimulation can make you really sick and can lower the quality of eggs they receive. Once the eggs are removed they will wake me up and put me in recovery. After that I'm free to go home and rest the remainder of the day.

After the procedure they put the eggs and sperm in a dish on an incubator set at 35 degrees and allow them to fertilize. Once fertilized the egg is called an embryo (hence when life begins). They are then monitored every day by the doctor and lab specialist as they grow. They either do egg transfers on day 3 or day 5. They prefer to do them on day 5 because the embryo has formed more cells and is at a better stage. They will call us each day and let us know the progress and when we should expect the transfer to be. I have heard many different answers to what will happen, so we will have to play this one by ear.

Before transfer I will begin really high doses of progesterone injections (the glue that makes the embryo stick to your uterus). When its time for the transfer I will go in to the ARTs Center and will have a procedure very much like a IUI. Basically, they insert a long catheter into the uterus and release the embryos to attach. Because of my age Dr. Douglas will only allow us to insert two, because the high risk of multiples. After the transfer we won't know for two weeks if it worked. We are not allowed to use home pregnancy tests because of the sensitive hormones I will be taking.

Here is a great video of how the IVF process works!

I got really overwhelmed when reading the hospital instructions and had to put it away. I am fearful of three things (which may seem small, but are a really big deal for me). The first thing I am most fearful of is having my blood taken each time. I tend to faint so they have to lay me down, which is super embarrassing. They are so sweet to me and make sure I am comfortable but its still hard to do. Second thing is the IV for the anesthesia, I am terrified of passing out in front of the doctor. The third thing is sometimes when I don't eat and have IV meds it makes me nauseous. I was told they can give me something for that but I am still really nervous about it. Kevin told me to pray and ask God for strength to complete these things and not fear, but sometimes its easier said than done.

I know I have come so far with so many things in my life but some of the little things are hard to beat. Please pray for Kevin and I during this next couple of weeks. Please pray for strength, courage and peace. We have to remember to remain calm so that my body can do all it needs to do. I am so thankful for a loving support system who is praying me through this IVF procedure.

Medications, Appointments and Prayers....

This Thursday is our first appointment back with Dr. Douglas after our month off with the failed IUI. We both are really excited about this upcoming visit which will layout the plan for our IVF. I have tried to stay positive but some days the basket of medications sitting on our kitchen counter looks overwhelming. I feel like we will be more prepared after our appointment and sonogram on Thursday. During that appointment we will be trained on to use the injections and when to use them. We are blessed with the love and prayers from friends and family over the last week.  I'm a true believer in the power of prayer!

I also have a special prayer request for my sweet nephew, Pierson. Next Wednesday he will have surgery on his heart. Please keep him and his parents in your prayers during his procedure and recovery. I am so thankful for wonderful doctors and technology who can fix problems such as Pierson's.

Count your blessings name them one by one......

Last Wednesday we found out that our 2nd IUI was not successful. We were already prepared that this was a possibility and we found ourselves at a peaceful place. We had already decided that we wanted to move forward with IVF if the IUI was unsuccessful but since we were both off work last week (on our staycation) we were able to spend some time to truly think and pray about this decision. We both decided we were ready to do this next step and we aren't letting the money stand in our way.

We know that we have a higher chance for this procedure to fail and even if we do get pregnant we have a higher risk for miscarriage but we are so thankful that God is in control of all of this. We have given it to him and will follow his will for our lives. Please continue to pray for Kevin and I on this new journey. We have already purchased the medications and start the injections on the 30th. For now that’s all we really know, but we will continue to use this blog as a way to update family and friends.

We have tried our best to stay positive with our infertility issues and want to remember our blessings. Thinking about our blessings can make the hard days much easier to handle. I am so thankful to have love and support from family, friends and coworkers. I have been blessed with two sweet friends who have gone through IVF. Their support, advice and prayers have truly meant so much to Kevin and I. We are also thankful for loving and supportive parents. They are there for us when we need advice or just a shoulder to lean on.

I have been beyond blessed to work at a Christian company full of believers and to have understanding and caring supervisors. They have been so supportive and understanding about all of our appointments and procedures. Not many places would be so understanding, and I am very grateful for FMS and its leaders.

Last week Kevin and I both had the week off, which was a true blessing. We stayed busy with painting the exterior of our house, swimming, installing lights at my parents, lunch at Joe T's, Omni Theater, more swimming, BBQ’ing, and just spending time together. I am always thankful for the time we have together and I was glad we decided to stay home for our vacation. We are planning a fun weekend away around our anniversary in November which gives us something to look forward to.

More to come on our adventure with IVF, thank you again for your prayers! God never gives us more than we can handle!

And now we wait.....

Today Kevin and I had our second IUI procedure, which was a lot easier than the first one. Dr. Douglas actually preformed this procedure and told us that everything looked perfect. We had two follicles (21 mm and 18 mm) on the right ovary. We had a third one that was a 13 and they didn't expect that one to release. We used more medications this round than we have ever used. We spent about $1500 at the pharmacy on our injectables but we were happy to see success from that. We are very hopeful that this IUI will work but we continue to know that God is in control. Now we play the waiting game. We won't know anything for a couple weeks if this IUI took or if we will proceed with IVF. Kevin said I need a project to keep me busy during that time to keep me occupied and I completely agree.

Over the last year and a half I have met many other couples that are going through the same issues that we are going through with infertility. There are some great online support groups that have been helpful as well. Infertility is a journey that unless you have taken it personally you can't really understand how it feels, so it has been really comforting to have others to lean on when you need it.

Since I have been on this journey I have found that some people don't know how to express their support for those going through infertility issues. Someone else I know who is going through infertility treatments passed this website along to me on Infertility Etiquette and I totally agree with it. If you know someone that is going through infertility I would urge you to read it, it could help you understand how to be supportive to those going through treatments.

http://www.resolve.org/support-and-services/for-family--friends/infertility-etiquette.html

At first Kevin and I weren't sure how open we wanted to be with what we are going through, it is such a personal walk and somethings are really hard to express to others. But I have really found that talking to others about what we are going through can be therapeutic. I know God has a purpose for choosing Kevin and I to walk this journey, we really just couldn't see at first why this had to happen to us and what we could do for others from this. As time has passed on I realized that we can pass along wisdom and support from our journey to others going through the same issues.

We have been so blessed with a loving circle of friends and family and are so thankful for the love, support and prayers we have felt lately. I can't express to you how thankful we are for the calls, emails, card and visits. God truly does give us the comfort we need, when we need it the most. I am often reminded of a verse that I was taught in church as a child. Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. What a comfort it is to have Jesus on our side and provide us with the strength we need!

 

·         January - March 2010 stopped BC and no AF

·         April 2010- Diagnosed with PCOS by OB

·         June 2010- Round One of Clomid (25 mg for 7 days); No follicles/Cancelled Cycle

·         July/August 2010- Round two of Clomid (25 mg for 7 days); No follicles/Cancelled Cycle

·         September 2010- Round three of Clomid (25 mg for 7 days); No follicles/Cancelled Cycle

·         November/December 2010- Round four with Clomid (150 mg for 7 days). No follicles/cancelled cycle

·         January 2011- Round One with Femera. No follicles/cancelled cycle. Our OB suggested we meet with a specialist

·         February 2011- Consultation with Dr. Douglas (RE) in Plano

·         February/March 2011- 150 mg of Clomid and Femera for 7 days. No follicles big enough, ended in a cancelled cycle

·         March/April 2011- Clomid, Femera, Follistem, and Ovidrell. Two follicles (21 mm and 20 mm). First IUI ended in a BFN

·         May/June 2011- Clomid, Femera, Follistem, and Ovidrell. Two follicles produced and second IUI completed.