Appointments This Week

Monday 8/6/12

4:00am - Awake, barely.  Not ready for this drive to Indy

7:00am - At the doctor's office...finally

7:30am - See my previous post.  It was like getting blood from a turnip.  My wrist is still bruised and very sore.

12:49pm - Voicemail from my nurse.  My Estradiol level is not increasing like it should.  Double my meds.  Buy more Menopur and Follistim.

Wednesday 8/8/12

4:00am - Up and at 'em for the drive to Indy.

7:00am - Arrive and wait, and wait, and wait

7:30am - Follicle ultrasound complete.  Only 5 follicles (where my eggs live) on my right ovary.  No follicles on my left!   None large enough to measure.  Disappointing.  My heart sinks.  But, the good news is the nurse only had to stick me once today.

11:08am - Voicemail from the nurse. Increase meds.

Friday 8/10/12

4:00am - Again

7:00am - What we do best in a waiting room...wait.

7:30am - 2nd follicle ultrasound complete. Just 2 more on my right, but there is 1 large enough to measure, 16mm.  To be considered mature and ready for retrieval they need to be at least 18mm.  I'm getting closer.  Still none on my left.  What's the deal?  Got blood on the first try.  

10:39am - Voicemail from my Megan. Increase meds.  Buy more Menopur.

Saturday 8/11/12

3:30am - Up and grouchy (both of us). We have a 6:30am appointment today.

6:32am - We made it, although late.  I had to stop on the side of the interstate and puke.  And had to stop again 10 minutes later.  Side effect of the medication.  I feel like shit.

7:30am - Finally, it's our turn.  The waiting room was full this morning.  I think they tell everyone to come at the same time.  In fact, I know they do.  Ultrasounds are first come, first served.  Which sucks, in my opinion.  Different tech today (actually I think she was an OB-GYN) with a med student tagging along.  More follicles on my right (1 that measures 18mm) and a small one on my left.  Tortured by 2 nurses this time to get blood.  

9:29am - Call from Megan (my nurse).  Meds to stay the same for now and they will see me again on Monday.  Joy.  I love getting up at 4:00am.

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So, if everything goes well tomorrow (meaning if I have more than 1 mature follicle) I am assuming that my HCG injection will be on Tuesday night followed by the retrieval 36 hours later.  I don't think they will bother with the retrieval if I only have 1 good follicle.  It's a procedure that requires me to be under anesthesia, given pain medication afterwards, and be off work for 2 days.  And I can't even imagine the chances that fertilizing only 1 egg will end up in a pregnancy; very low I am sure.  Especially for me.  

My sister told me the other day not to give up.  She reminded me that nothing in life has come easy for me.  This is true.  Life at times has been harder for me than I ever imagined it would.  Why should this be any different?  I'm not asking for pity.  I am just asking for prayers.  Please.

Appointment #2

Indy again at 7am for bloodwork only. For the first time ever I had to be stuck more than once. The 2nd time was in my wrist. It hurts and I am bruised.
Please give me a new nurse on Wednesday.

Appointment #1

Today was our first of every other day appointments for the next 10 days.  It was at 7am.  In Indianapolis.  Which currently, because of road construction, is a 2 hour drive.  So as I write this I am silently cursing my alarm clock.  4am and I do not get along.  Matt and I at 4am absolutely do not get along.  It has become almost a ritual for us to argue on Indianapolis appointment days.  Today was no different.  Is it a sign?  I don't think so.  We got over it pretty quickly.  I blame it on being up before the roosters.

Before I tell you more about today (because it's oh so exciting!) I should explain the last 12 days in the Fry household.  Almost 2 weeks ago I started my Lupron therapy.  Leuprolide acetate is used to  temporarily suppresses pituitary and ovarian hormone production.  Basically preventing ovulation from occurring.  This is all fine and dandy, but there are side effects.  And I am pretty sure I have had them all.  Hot flashes, dizziness, headaches, hot flashes, nausea or vomiting, hot flashes, and trouble sleeping are just a few.  Did I mention hot flashes?  I think I've experienced as many hot flashes than a menopausal woman.  It's not fun.  I am sympathetic.  Matt is not. 

Back to today.  I had an ultrasound to check for ovarian cysts.  None!  And I had blood work to check my Estradiol levels.  I have not done enough research (so unlike me) to know exactly why this is done.  But, I do know that the goal was less than 35.  Mine was 8.  Perfect, I was told.  What this now means is that I can reduce my Lupron to 10 units and start Follistim tomorrow morning and Menopur tomorrow night.  More injections. Ugh.  Good thing I am a pro at sticking myself now.  I could probably do it with my eyes closed.

Again, please wish us luck.  I need it...well, you know why I need it.  And wish Matt luck too.  Living with me the next couple of weeks could be hell.  Between my hot flashes and the crying for no reason Matt may run far, far away.  He just better be back by retrieval day.  He has an important job to do.  Other than being there for me, that is.