Update

A lot has happened since I last updated....
Last Thursday and Friday I had the inseminations done. Following Dr. Kopher said I should expect to be a little sore in my abdomen. Friday night I was starting to feel somewhat bloated and had some pain. Saturday it was a little worse but I didn't think anything of it, just thought the pain was normal and that it would go away. I went to work Saturday night, but could barely walk and was very uncomfortable. Sunday I wasn't feeling well at all and so I called in sick to work, thinking I just needed some more time to rest. At this point I wasn't walking very well at all and was in a lot of pain. I tried everything to help the pain; warm packs, warm baths, Tylenol, resting. Nothing seemed to help. I did finally fall asleep on Sunday night and when I woke up Monday I felt a lot better, or so I thought. Monday evening I started having sharp pains on both sides of my abdomen and started feeling nauseated and vomiting. I called Eli and told him I wasn't feeling okay and that we needed to go to urgent care or the ER. We decided to just go to the closest which was the ER in Hudson. They put an IV in, drew labs, gave me pain meds and did ultrasounds. They came to the conclusion that I had Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome. Basically meaning my ovaries are enlarged and were causing the pain. I was given the option to either stay there overnight or be transferred to Regions to stay overnight. I chose to go to Regions because the OB/GYN doctors are there 24/7 and there isn't one around the clock at Hudson Hospital. We got to drive to Regions instead of be taken by ambulance. I was admitted and given a new IV, labs were taken and another ultrasound done. I slept most of the night with the pain medicine they gave me. The doctors came in the morning and explained more about what was going on. They were worried about things getting worse. Fluid could build up in my abdomen that would need to be drained, I had an increase risk for blood clots and had an increased risk of my electrolytes being off. All things were fine so far, but I needed to be monitored closely. After begging to go home, they let me leave around 12:30. They made me promise to rest and to watch myself closely for any changes. They were a little hesitant to let me leave but trusted I would follow up.
Today I had my first follow up appoiontment at Dr. Kopher's office. Things still looked pretty good. My electrolytes were okay and my abdomen still bloated but not more than before. I had a negative pregnancy test today, but it is still very early for it to show up. I have to do daily weights and measure my abdomen at home and call with any extreme changes. I also have to take some time off work. i have been trying to rest as much as possible. If things do get worse, it can happen in a matter of hours. Things will cerntainly get worse if I am pregnant. I have another appointment with Dr. Kopher on Friday as well as a lab appointment. Please continue to pray that we are pregnant and that things continue to get better over time. Thank you for all of your calls, messages, flowers, cards etc. Everything is very much appreciated. Thank you!

Love, Kristen

Plan for the rest of the cycle

My last ultrasound and blood work was yesterday! Yeah, so glad that is over with! When the doctor called yesterday she said that I had about 4 mature follicles that were growing and would be ready. There were 3 on the right and one on the left. Originally there was 5, but one wasn't continuing to grow. Dr. Kopher wanted them to get a little bigger, but didn't want to wait any longer than 12 hours or so because others are also growing and he didn't want to have eight mature follicles at the time of ovulation. So yesterday was also my last day of Follistim and today I gave myself the Ovidrel injection to release the mature eggs. Tomorrow is insemination #1 at 9:00AM and Friday insemination #2 at 9:30AM. Then the dreaded two week wait! I have no trips planned or things to do to pass the time quickly this month, so I'll have to try hard not to think about it! Please keep praying! Thank you for all of your encouraging words and messages I appreciate each and every one. Its things like that, that keep me positive! Thank you!

Love, Kristen & Eli

Much Needed Update

I have had such a busy schedule lately that I haven't had time to update on my blog! Plus we STILL don't have the Internet at home so it makes it hard to find a computer to update on. Since the last update A LOT has happened. I have had 3 more ultrasounds and blood work done. Friday my level was 328, Sunday my level was 693, Monday my level was 1255! There are about 5 follicles that are growing all together. Three on the right and two on the left. I did ask the doctor who called yesterday if five was too many and she said no but that we could cancel the cycle if Eli and I were not comfortable with it. We talked and have continued to go on with the cycle. The chance of all five fertilizing is not very likely, however the chance of more than one fertilizing is very likely. I had my fourth, and hopefully last, ultrasound and blood work today. I don't have the results, although I know that the follicles were much bigger than yesterday. So, if not tonight, very soon I should be ready to give myself the injection to release the eggs and than follow with two inseminations.
Please continue to pray for us as we go through this for a second time. Please pray that this month will be our month! Thank you.

Love, Kristen & Eli

Utrasound #1

Today was my first ultrasound and blood work. There were some eggs growing, but still many little ones. My estradiol level today was 114. Which is a great start! Last month my estradiol wasn't to that level until the 3rd ultrasound and blood work. So hopefully things are going faster this time! My next appointment at clinic is on Friday. We will see than if there is anymore change.
Please keep praying...although we can't control what god already has planned for us...please pray for strength and courage for Eli and I as we continue on this path of waiting for one of God's Blessings!

Love, Kristen & Eli

Last Monday at my baseline ultrasound I got the okay to go ahead and start round #2. Friday was my first injection. We are going to continue with the same dose as last month. There have been so many people tell me they have been dreaming about me and having a baby/babies. I once again am going into this with a positive attitude, at least trying. We still have decided to give this one more try and than take a break for awhile. But....lets pray this is the last time we even have to think about it....its going to work this month!
My first ultrasound during treatment is Tuesday morning. I will update after that! Please continue to pray for us!

Love, Kristen & Eli

The start of #2

Finally....after 3 LONG dreaded weeks we are going to start try #2 this week! Monday afternoon is my baseline ultrasound with Dr. Kopher. Where he looks to make sure everything is okay and ready to start the injections. I also stop taking birth control tomorrow, which is a relief because I hate taking them. My first injection will be Friday if everything is okay to start. I hope that things happen a little quicker this time, as last time I did injections for over two weeks and was at the doctor's office 12-13 times in those 2 weeks! I hope this second time is a charm.

One more thing I wanted to share...as I have become addicted to the "blogging world". There is a blog that I have been reading called http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ and she has a prayer list and she added me to her prayer list! She prays for those waiting for a child. She is an awesome woman and does wonderful things for others. Check it out if you are interested!
Pray for us, god is listening!

Love, Kristen & Eli Wolfe

Results

Finally after the two week dreaded wait I got my period on Sunday night. We were both devastated. I am so thankful that Eli was still in town that night, as he left for a week the following day. I have come to realize that things don't always work the first time. Eli and I have talked and we will do the injections one more time and then take the summer off. I would much rather be pregnant but if I'm not after the second time there is a summer full of things waiting for me to do. There are 3 trips on the Harley planned that I will not be able to go on if I'm pregnant; as well as some other fun and exciting things. Please continue to pray as I am not giving up, just can't take the hurt and disappointment month after month.
We start the injections again April 3 with the first ultrasound a couple of days later. Thank you for all of your support, prayers and thoughts. Please continue to pray that the second time will be a charm!

Love,
Kristen & Eli