IVF Stim Day #6

Today is Stim Day #6! Time seems to be flying by! I had an ultrasound and blood draw yesterday and again today. There wasn't too much change in today's appointment vs. yesterday. My Estradiol level yesterday was 379 and I had some measurable follicles. I don't know my Estradiol level today, but I had 7 measurable follicles on the right and 6 measurable follicles on the left. That's 13 follicles!! I also have 20+ small ones on each side....but hopefully they stay small and don't start growing and make me overstimulate. Right now, everything is going perfect. The nurses don't believe I will have a problem with this cycle. Best news so far! The nurse did call this afternoon and said Dr. C wants me to start a third injection tomorrow. The third injection is a medication called Cetratide. Cetratide keeps me from ovulating on my own and holds all the follicles in my ovaries until another injection is given to release them. He also wants me to take 50iu of Follistim tomorrow night instead of 75iu. I go back on Sunday morning. Dr. C is following my care this week as Dr. M is on vacation.
I am really starting to feel my ovaries now. Sometimes painful, but most of the time a really "full"/bloating feeling. Not fun, but worth it in the end. Things seem to really be going well and we have only gotten good news so far......could this really be our ticket to success?? Can we really keep getting good news?? I can only hope...but still guarding my heart some. Please keep praying, its working!!

Love, Kristen & Eli

Stim Day 3

Today is Day #3 of Stimulation Medications and so far they are going well. I haven't had any side effects or injection site problems. I had my first blood draw this morning,w hich was a day early. In most IVF cycles Dr. M doesn't have his patients come in until Day #4, but again, because they are watching me closely he had me come in today. My Estradiol level was 156. The nurse called and said that was a perfect level, as they like to see between 100 and 200 on Day #4! She said for now I will continue with the same medication and same amount. My next appointment is Thursday morning, ultrasound and blood draw. Keep praying for good news!
Thanks for all the prayers, encouragement and support from everyone! Your sweet phone calls, messages and caring words help so much! Love you all!

Love, Kristen & Eli

IVF Cycle #1

We have officially started IVF Cycle #1......the first, and hopefully the last of our six potential cycles. Last Thursday I had my baseline ultrasound and was given the 'okay' to start stimulation medications today. The nurse practitioner who performed the ultrasound said my uterine lining looked good and my ovaries looked 'ready'. I took Menopur this morning and Follistim this evening. These injectable medications I have taken before, so I wasn't nervous starting them. Since I will be monitored closely, my first appointment is Tuesday and then almost every other day after that. For now, we just need to wait and pray. Wait for those eggies to grow and pray I don't get too many.
I can't believe this time is already here. I remember when they gave us this start date, seemed like forever away. I feel very blessed to be where I am right now, as I know many people who aren't as fortunate. We are that much closer to a miracle and the thought of that makes me so happy! Hope everyone had a great Christmas! I was going to share with you my favorite gift I received this year, however decided I will make a post about it another day. The gift is from my mom and has so much meaning to me. Hope everyone received a 'favorite' gift this year....

Love, Kristen & Eli

Getting Closer!!

6 DAYS UNTIL I START MY STIM MEDS!!!

Next Sunday, December 26th, I start my first stim meds. We are getting excited and nervous....and this package I received today didn't help my anxiety!

I was overwhelmed to see all this medication I will be using for ONE IVF cycle. I knew it would be a lot, but I got a whole new perspective since it arrived. I am going to have to follow my medication chart closely so I don't forget to take any medication, as most are time and day sensitive. All of this will hopefully be worth it!

One of the reasons I am most worried is that Dr. Malo said that the stimulation process for me would be the hardest part of IVF because of my past with Hyperstimulation. If we start this cycle and it is cancelled as a result of Hyperstimulation it is counted as one of our "tries". I would be devastated. Please pray that things work the way they should and my body responds just right to the medications.

My baseline ultrasound and blood draw is scheduled for this Thursday at 9:00am. Hopefully, things look good and we get the okay to start on Sunday. I also take my last birth control on Thursday, looking forward to that. This is all becoming so surreal as it gets closer, I can't believe its finally here. I am trying to stay positive and not think negative, some days are better then others. I am so used to disappointment in the past, that its hard to stay positive. Please pray I stay strong and send positive energy my way. I start acupuncture tomorrow to help with some relaxation and to stay centered. I will update tomorrow on how it goes.

Hope all is well with everyone and you are getting ready for Christmas! Its coming up fast!

Love, Kristen & Eli

Ready to Move on

21 DAYS UNTIL I START MY STIM MEDS!!!

( Not that I am counting or anything ;-)

People have asked for an update....but there really isn't any new updates at this point. I am still on birth control, which has screwed up my body. It makes me nauseated and have horrible headaches. I also have been constantly bleeding/spotting and cramping since I started taking them....but apparently that is normal ?? Took it for 10 years before and I never had those symptoms, but whatever. Still on Metformin, which makes me sicker then the BC pills. Diarrhea.....diarrhea....and yep more diarrhea....every time I eat. So much fun! It also makes me nauseated and vomit. I told Eli I will be so prepared to be pregnant and have "morning sickness"! Sucks....but I know all of this will be so worth it someday. I have also started taking a Prenatal since the RE nurse suggested it, those too make me nauseated! I feel like its never ending with the nausea.... As a result of all the nausea, diarrhea and vomiting I have felt like I have turned into a "neglecting wife". I never want to eat anymore, and food usually makes me sick so I haven't been making dinner...at all. Eli has noticed, but some days I just can't bear looking at food let alone cook it. I know he is understanding though. He feels bad I have been so sick. On the plus side I have to buy a new belt because mine is on the smallest notch and its too big! Not the best way to diet, but I can't help it. The next 21 days can't come soon enough I am ready to move on. I hope 2011 is going to bring good things ;-)

Love, Kristen & Eli