3dp5dt

Today is 3 days past a 5 day transfer. I am feeling well.......sometimes I think too well. Not feeling pregnant AT ALL. Having my doubts....one minute I think "How can this not work?", next minute "Why would it work?". I bought some pregnancy tests today. Haven't thought about when or IF I am going to pee on them. I am scared. Scared this didn't work....scared it will never work. I am keeping a positive attitude though, but also guarding my heart. I am ready to be done with these IM progesterone shots...Eli has been doing a good job giving them, but my butt hurts!!! Tomorrow I start Vivelle patches. Patches that contain progesterone to keep the uterine lining PERFECT! Actually, the worst part is the side effect of the progesterone shot, constipation. Worst.Feeling.Ever. Maybe its god's way of preparing for pregnancy?? Doesn't hurt to think positive out of something negative! Keep the prayers coming...love you all!! Love, Kristen & Eli

Transfer Part 2

Monday we got to the clinic and met my mom there. She was there for support and I couldn't have imagined her not being there for something so important. Eli got to come back to the procedure room with me, mom didn't. I was feeling pretty nervous but when the Valium took effect I felt a little more relaxed. Eli and I both had our minds made up that we would put two embryos in. When Dr. M came in he had me lay down looked at my ovaries and felt my abdomen. He said my left ovary was still very large and I had some fluid in my abdomen, all signs of OHSS. Then he gave his recommendation of only putting one embryo in. I was devastated.....when you have your mind set and someone tells you otherwise it makes it that much harder. He said he strongly recommends one at this point for these reasons; 1. History of OHSS 2. Size of my ovaries and the fluid in my abdomen 3. The risk to the pregnancy if I develop OHSS He also said he doesn't just want a positive pregnancy test, he wants a healthy baby and a healthy mom. He basically told me he was only willing to put one in for my safety and health. OHSS develops and gets worse with pregnancy. We very much trust his decision and his 32 years of experience. So, we transferred one PERFECT little embryo!!! It was amazing to watch the embryo being transferred to my uterus on the ultrasound. After the transfer I had to lay there for 10 minutes and then they let me empty my bladder and then had me lay down flat for about 40 more minutes. Eli left to go to work and my mom brought me home. I am on "bedrest" until at least tomorrow afternoon. Only able to get up to go to the bathroom, wash face, brush teeth etc. No showering!! Can't wait to take a shower tomorrow, that has been the hardest part for me! Thank you for every one's support. All of you make this hard journey a little more easier. Thank you so very very much! We love you all!! Please continue to pray that this little embryo is sticking, I am ready to have a positive pregnancy test. I now believe I deserve this, we have been through so much. April 6th is my pregnancy test and we will find out what we already know, I'm pregnant :-) Lots of love, Kristen & Eli

Transfer Part 1

The transfer went PERFECT today!!! We decided to transfer one perfect embryo instead of two as a strong recommendation from Dr. M for multiple reasons. I am just resting now. Will update more later or tomorrow. Keep praying that the one little embryo sticks and grows! Love, Kristen & Eli

Still growing!!

The embryologist called this morning and we have a transfer time....11:30AM tomorrow!! Words can't describe how excited I am! She said all but one of the embryos were growing at a perfect rate and were right on track! So, we still have 17!!! Is it crazy to be attached to 17 clusters of cells???!!! Call me crazy but I felt a sigh of relief that my embryos were safe and growing and I felt bad for the little one who probably won't make it. If I sound crazy I blame it on all of the hormones I am on ;-) Ha! We have to arrive at the clinic at 11:00AM. Starting at 10:30AM I need to start drinking water so I have a full bladder for the transfer. I also have to take Valium at that time. Please think of us and PRAY at 11:30AM that things go smoothly and that those little embryos stick! I PROMISE I will take such good care of them....all they have to do is stick! Tomorrow when I update, I will be pregnant....that makes me sooooo happy and excited! Finally! Lots of love, Kristen & Eli

We Have Fertilization!!

I got the call from the embryologist!!! We have 18 little embryos growing!!!!!!!!!!
The embryologist said that of the 27, 26 eggs were mature, 21 fertilized and 18 have started cell division! I am over the moon happy right now....She will call again Sunday for another update and let me know when the transfer will be on Monday. I have a good feeling about this!

*On a side note, I ended up going to the ER last night for hydration. I kept vomiting and was SO dizzy and nauseated. I didn't take that medication today and feel a lot better. I did have one episode of vomiting today, but was able to eat right after. The ER Dr. gave me a prescription for Zofran, an ant-nausea medication which has been helping. I am having a little pain with movement but feel pretty good!!
I will update Sunday after the "babysitter"/embryologist calls :-)

Love, Kristen

Retrieval Update

I want to thank everyone for the sweet messages, texts, calls etc. I have been able to answer some but not others. I haven't been feeling that well and have been on the verge of going to the ER multiple times.

The retrieval went VERY well yesterday. Dr. M wasn't there, but one of his partners Dr. K did the retrieval and he was great. Dr. K and my husband talked about Harley Davidson's for 15 minutes! He made Eli feel better about being there and I thank him for that. Dr. K said he suspected to get anywhere between 10 and 30 eggs. When it was time for me to go back to the OR Eli gave me a kiss and I walked into the room. The anesthesiologist and nurse were very nice and reassuring. They started an IV and I was given Fentanyl and something else to relax. Before I knew it I was sleeping and then waking up in recovery. I think I asked 8 times how many eggs they got....and heard the anesthesiologist tell Eli I will probably keep asking since I am awake but nothing is really registering! Ha!! BUT guess how many they got?!?!

I was in SHOCK!!! 27 is an awesome number!! I know they won't all be mature but that is a good number to start with. Tomorrow sometime the embryologist will call and tell us how many have fertilized. They will then call again Sunday and let us know what time the transfer will be on Monday. I can't wait!!! Please keep praying that our embryos are strong and healthy!!

Now on to why I am not feeling well. Dr. M prescribed a medication for me to take called Cabergoline. The goal of the medication is to prevent and/or minimize Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome and is to be taken for 8 days once a day. I took the first one yesterday and had horrible side effects from it. I was very dizzy, lightheaded, nauseated, vomiting and just felt like crap. Eli called Dr. M last night and he gave me some suggestions on what to do and if I didn't get better I needed to go to the ER. It all eventually passed and I felt better this morning. Dr. M called today and wanted me to give the medication another shot. Bad decision, I got even sicker and once again almost went to the ER. I am finally feeling a little better, but having some pain and still dizzy. Dr. M does not want me to take that medication again and neither do I! Hopefully tomorrow I will feel a lot better and will update after the embryologist calls. Keep saying prayers, they are working!!

Lots of love, Kristen & Eli

Retrieval

I had my last follicle study today for this cycle!!!! My retrieval is scheduled for Wednesday!!! I am over the moon happy. We made it! I am to give myself the HCG shot tonight at 10:30pm exactly. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight on Tuesday and be to the clinic Wednesday morning at 9:30am. I have 11-15 follicles mature and many more potential by Wednesday. I am still in shock, this is actually happening.....I am a little nervous because I will be asleep for the procedure. Please keep praying.....pray for healthy eggs, good fertilization and healthy strong embryos! I will update Wednesday after retrieval.

Love, Kristen & Eli

So far so good! Everything is going well with this cycle. Wednesday was my first ultrasound, there were many follicles, but still small. My estradiol level was 543. Dr. M decreased my medication Wednesday night because of the big increase in my level within the 2 days. Friday I had another ultrasound. Follicles growing at expected rate, but still smaller and not ready. Estradiol level went up despite the decrease in medication, it was around 800. To make sure it keeps rising Dr. M had me go in today just for a blood draw and it was 1137. SO happy it keeps rising!!! Last cycle it fell when we decreased my medication. However, I now do believe the Cetratide is what ruined my cycle last time. I have another ultrasound and blood draw tomorrow at 7:10 am!!! Hopefully my follicles are growing at a good pace and are getting ready to be mature! Please keep praying for us. I have a good feeling about this cycle! Even making it to retrieval is huge progress!

Love, Kristen & Eli

Stim Day 3

The nurse called this afternoon and said my estradiol level was 127. She said to keep all medications at their same dose and come back Wednesday.......
Then Dr. M called from his cell phone and said he wanted to cut my Follistim back......I hesitated.
This is what caused me cycle to be cancelled last time. He understood why I would be worried about it and finally made the decision to just leave my dose the same and see what Wednesday brings. He did say my level was nice and strong, but that at some point he would probably have to back down......I HATED hearing that. Really?? I DO NOT want another repeat of last cycle. Please lord let me make it to retrieval...........Please!

Love, Kristen & Eli

Lupron Protocol

We are back from vacation and on to Cycle #2!! Mexico was a blast and all the relaxing we did was much needed. I started my Lupron injections while in Mexico, 20 units a day. Which by the way, bringing needles on the plane was no big deal, they didn't question me once! Monday I had my baseline ultrasound and Estradiol level checked. Everything looked great on the ultrasound, but my Estradiol level was raised at 46. At this time in my cycle they would expect it to be 0 or less then 12, which it has been in the past. So, instead of decreasing Lupron to 5 units I stayed at 20 units and had my Estradiol level re-checked today. It only decreased to 40, but no one seemed worried because I was given the okay to start stim meds tomorrow!!! I will be taking 5 units of Lupron and 75 of Menopur in the morning and 100 of Follistim in the evening. My next appointment is Monday for an Estradiol only and my first ultrasound is Thursday. Please keep us in your prayers these next couple of weeks. Pray my ovaries cooperate, pray we have a successful retrieval and transfer and most of all pray for a miracle! Thank you!! I will update on Monday when I know my Estradiol level.

Love, Kristen & Eli