2dp5dt

Well, time is really ticking by slowly...these hormones and medications are making me crazy! I have had some cramping on and off today, I am really hoping that means implantation cramping!!! We are off tonight for the weekend in the mountains. I must admit that it's gonna be a nice distraction for me...these next few days are gonna be looong. I have picked up a good book, and I want to sleep, relax and read.

Transfer Day

So, after two and a half years of trying to make us a family of Four...we had our transfer yesterday. We were sooo nervous regarding the number of embryos to transfer. In fact, I didn't sleep at all the night before. We drove to Jacksonville late Monday night so that we could sleep in a little later the next morning.

When we arrived, the embryologist explained to us that we had two great blastocyst and 3 that were "lagging a little behind". Brad and I then agreed that we would just go ahead and transfer the two, so we wouldn't have to worry about freezing any leftovers.

I then got prepped for the transfer...the nurse kept scanning my belly telling me it was hard to see my bladder. She left and brought the dr in. They were concerned because my ovaries were still enlarged with a large amount of fluid. They called it "mild OHSS". Dr. Lipari then had a nice discussion with the two of us, he really urged us to cancel the transfer and try a Frozen embryo transfer in another month or so. He was afraid that by getting pregnant, the increase in hormones would cause the OHSS to become severe, and land me in the hospital. I was devastated. We convinced him that if we transfered one embryo, that I could be closely monintored at home and if any sign of worsening OHSS, I would go to the nearest ER. So, the transfer took place, and I popped a Valium to relax the rest of the way home.

Now, we wait again. I can technically take a pregnancy test in 9 days...how long can I really wait?? And I am also waiting to hear from the lab regarding the other embryos, I am hoping at least 2 made it to freeze!!!

Transfer is tomorrow...someone hand me a VALIUM! :)

So, we have survived the weekend.I can't believe it's almost here. I made the reservation for our room...a nice 4 star hotel for me and the hubby to get a good night's sleep. Maybe a nice brunch tomorrow as well. I need to be as relaxed as possible for tomorrow!

I couldn't relax or rest all weekend. I finally heard from our nurse yesterday (Sunday, day 3). We had 6 embryos that were 8 cell on day 3...that's the best we could hope for! My little embryos are already over achievers! I am sooo proud. It's also amazing how attached that I already feel to my little "embabies"...how am I going to feel about freezing some of them? I don't know. To me, they are already like 6 of my little "Libby's", and I hope that one day I am able to hug each and every one of them!

Now, the important decision is how many to transfer tomorrow. One or two. I am nervous about the potential impact of twins on my family, especially Libby. Having a new baby is already going to be a HUGE change for her, I don't know how she will cope with two babies. Also, how will I cope with two babies? I have a new job, Brad's leading church music, and we already hae a very busy little princess at home. We have both been praying very hard about this decision, but there are so many things to consider. If I am pregnant with twins, I will have to stop work pretty early, and I know that Brad and I cannot really afford for me to be out of work for that long. However, I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my little family. After all, pregnany is such a short period of time, then we have the rest of our lives to enjoy our babies!! So much to consider. I am just so thankful and blessed that God has brought me, Brad and my babies this far!!

ER DAY!

I didn't sleep a bit on Wednesday night. It didn't help that our hotel wasn't the greatest, the sheets were itchy, the air conditioner wasn't that great, and I was a nervous wreck! I was at the outpatient surgery center at 7 am sharp. They took me back, got my IV started and then we waited... Dr. Lipari finally arrived and it was our turn. I kissed Brad and walked into the OR. They got me situated and it seemed like FOREVER before they finally gave me medication. I was strapped down, in stirrups and I could hear the pulse ox going crazy with my anxiety. I woke up to hear we had 10-15 eggs retrieved. I got dressed and hopped into the car. My nurse called about an hour later and was excited to tell us they had retrieved 13 eggs. I was hoping for at least 15, but I will definitely take 13!!

Last night was a very long night for me. I tossed and turned all night. The thought that my little eggs were waiting to be fertilized...it gnawed on me all night long. So, now, I am at work, waiting. My belly is bloated and sore and I am still a nervous wreck. I am trying to be patient, trying not to worry...PLEASE GOD...let my embryos be okay!!

*edit*

So, got the call from the nurse coordinator. 12 embryos fertilized! 12! I am sooo excited! I know I will sleep much better tonight. I won't hear about my embryos again until Sunday, which will be day 3. Assuming that everything looks good, we will proceed with the day 5 transfer. Now, we have to decide how many embryos to transfer...

TRIGGER TIME!

So, after a very emotional day yesterday, I finally tracked down a kit of Lupron at Walgreens at 8:15 pm last night...45 minutes before I was to take the trigger shot. The DR is concerned that because of my elevated estradiol level, that I may hyperstimulate...which can be very dangerous. So, they decided to trigger me with Lupron instead of Ovidril to try to limit the effects of the overstimulation. My insurance does not cover any fertility medications, and I was not prepared to have to buy the Lupron at the last minute. Walgreens (the only store in town with Lupron in stock) quoted me a cash price of $389. What choice did I have??? However, at the last minute, and after much prayer, the pharmacist realized that the prescription qualified for the Walgreens Savings Club. If I joined for an annual fee of $20, the prescription would cost substantially less. My total was $209! Thank you GOD! So, after work today, Brad, me and mom will load up a rental van and drop Libby off at Aunt Mamie's for a slumber party. We will make the trip to Jacksonville, and I will try to get some rest before the egg retrieval tomorrow morning at 7am! It's finally here!!!!

What a day!!!

Baby Pullen,

Wow...where do I begin?? Today has been one crazy day for sure! When I got to work this morning, the ultrasonographer measured my poor, stuffed little ovaries. Initial measurements indicated I had a follicle over 27mm!! So, my nurse and Dr Lipari were very concerned that I was already ovulating! They wanted STAT labwork drawn, but of course, the local hospital doesn't do STAT estradiol and progesterone. I was lucky enough to be able to get into the office of my last RE, Dr. Butler. The entire trip there,I was praying and begging GOD to give me good news. I heard the song, Blessings, by Laura Story. It's sorta been my theme song for this entire procedure. When I got there, the nurse drew bloodwork and another scan. Thankfully, this scan showed my largest follicle was only around 21mm, and according to the nurse my ovaries and uterus looked "GREAT"! So, I got the bloodwork and waited.

I just got the numbers from the nurse, my estradiol was high at 6,659...which does put me at risk for developing OHSS...which of course makes me a nervous wreck! However, my nurse told me to plan to take the trigger shot tonight at 9 pm and be ready for retrieval on Thursday at 7 am!! It's finally time!

Baby Pullen(s)...I want you to know how much that your daddy, sister and I want you. Please know that you are loved and wanted even before you are here.

Ready...

So, Saturday, Mom, me and Libby piled into the car to drive 4 hours to Jacksonville for an early Sunday morning ultrasound. It was a horrible drive, lots of raining and a pile of traffic which made it into a 5 hour drive. Libby was such a trooper...all she wanted was to get to the hotel and go swimming! By the time we finally arrived in Jacksonville, it was still raining...no swimming.

We woke up and went to the appointment...we were a bit late, considering the outside door was locked, we had to wait for a patient who was leaving to open it for us! We were the last to be seen. I was hoping to have good news and take the trigger shot, and plan to return on Tuesday for the retrieval. However, my little follicles have slowed down a bit, and we have about 12 follicles between 12-15. Dr. Lipari wanted me to stim for two more nights to allow some of the smaller follies to "catch up"...Sigh. I have to admit that I was super bummed! I had the whole week planned with a weekend trip to the beach for Libby before our day five transfer this weekend.

I have to remind myself that this WILL be worth it in the end. This second baby is going to be such a miracle and a blessing to our little family. I think all of the hormones and lack of sleep, along with the emotional and physical toll are finally starting to catch up with me. I am tired, cranky, irritable, sick to my stomach, bloated and just plain uncomfortable. I just keep trying to remind myself that this WILL work and this IS going to be worth it! Please God...let this week go by quickly and let this work, PLEASE God...let me get pregnant. Please help me have a healthy pregnancy and baby. PLEASE GOD!

Day 6 of stims...

So, I had my second ultrasound this morning. Last night, we added in the third injection, Ganirelix, which prevents me from ovulating prematurely. My poor little ovaries are definitely swollen and I am feeling a LOT of pressure, even when sitting. The scan showed around 15 follicles, several were measuring between 12-15mm. The nurse told me to continue the shots for the next two nights and I am an appointment for the final ultrasound check on Sunday morning bright and early. If everything looks good, I will take the trigger shot that day, and my egg retrieval will probably be Tuesday morning. Since it's a 4 hour drive, me, mom and Libby will drive down tomorrow night and spend the night in Jacksonville. Brad and I will make the trip again on Monday night since Tuesday morning will probably be REALLY early! If everything progresses as planned, my embryo transfer will be next Saturday or Sunday. I would REALLY love to be able to do a day 5 transfer. All of the studies that I have read really support the day 5 blastocyst transfer. So, I am praying that my little follicles/eggs/embryo's cooperate!

First Follicle Scan

So, here we are in the middle of the stimming part of the IVF cycle. Had my first ultrasound today after three days of injections. I know my poor little ovaries were sore...I have around 15 follicles measuring between 6mm and 11mm. My endometrial lining looks great at 10mm. Faxed over the report to my Doctor. The nurse just called me to inform me that Dr. Lipari wants to dial my microdose Ovidril down to 60iu a night and 150iu Follistim a night for the next two nights, and then add in Ganirelix starting tomorrow night. We will rescan on Friday and decide what to do from there. I had a feeling that I was going to respond a little better to these meds. I am very excited about what's going on!!! I am praying that this is it and my little follicles grow into beautiful little embryos who grow into beautiful little babies for me and Brad to enjoy!!

Day 3 of Stims

So, I have finally made it the point of injections! It seems like it's been such a long time waiting for this to finally happen. The past two months have seemed to drag by waiting for the right date to start the injections. Well, after a month of birth control pills, a week of testosterone patches and my period, I finally started the injections this past Sunday. I started with 300 iu of Follistim and 80 iu of microdose ovidril, then last night we bumped it down to 225 iu of Follistim and 80 iu of microdose ovidril. Starting tonight it goes down to 150 iu Follistim and 80 iu ovidril. My first ultrasound is tomorrow, and I really don't know what to expect. While stimming for my IUI's, the first few ultrasounds were kinda slow and boring, and didn't pick up until the last two days or so. I am excited to see how my little ovaries are responding. I am praying that this is the LAST time I have to subject my body to these injections and crazy hormones. I am assuming that the large doses of meds are causing me to have headaches, today I woke up with quite a nasty one. I keep reminding myself that it's gonna be worth it in the end.

Last night, Libby told me that she is excited about her baby Sister. She wants to teach her things and even asked if her baby sister could sleep in the bed with her. It was pretty darn cute :)