This morning I took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I really bummed out, I feel like every month it gets harder and harder to continue. Please pray for us that we can find the strength we need to move forward.
CSR
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Day 17
Sorry sorry sorry for not updating as promised! Here's a quick re-cap:
Saturday- We went to the doctor early in the morning for an ultra sound. We had four LARGE follicles and 3 more decent size ones and probably 15-20 small ones. So all in all a good visit. My estradoil blood level was not ready so i still don't know what that was... hmmmm? We did my HCG shot that night and went on with business as usual :)
Monday (Day 14)- We had our IUI done. We got some bad news, although everything with me looked exceptional Patrick's sample was a lot smaller than usual. This was a little heart breaking because just when you think were on the right track BOOM here comes something completely out of left field. Although Patrick does have motility problems his count is always high, really high, doubling or tripling the norm. So we were really bummed out but the nurse told us that it just takes one. Very true! Monday night my mother came to help me with bed rest, I am now doing bed rest after my IUI's to help with the pain and to help my body naturally achieve pregnancy. My mother was a bed rest Nazi and even got snippy with me when I had to tinkle!
Wednesday (Day 16)- Patrick's birthday. We celebrated at home with a Sea Scallop and Steak dinner with roasted asparagus and chocolate dipped strawberries. Yummy! Although I was up moving all day I was still in a great deal of pain and had to lay down a lot. The pain is from my ovaries being stimulated and larger than normal. This pain will go away but if you get pregnant it can be even worse due to the bodies natural production of HCG which will continue to enlarge your ovaries. My right ovary is large than the left so I have been laying on my right side. If I lay on my left I can feel my right ovary hanging down and I am in a tremendous amount of pain.
Today, Day 17, I am doing a lot better! My pain level is going down and I am more awake! We are praying and hoping that this is it! Also today I cannot wait for Thursday night TV. Its my favorite! I think my DVR records something like 8 hours of TV on Thursday nights... crazy I know!
CSR
Saturday- We went to the doctor early in the morning for an ultra sound. We had four LARGE follicles and 3 more decent size ones and probably 15-20 small ones. So all in all a good visit. My estradoil blood level was not ready so i still don't know what that was... hmmmm? We did my HCG shot that night and went on with business as usual :)
Monday (Day 14)- We had our IUI done. We got some bad news, although everything with me looked exceptional Patrick's sample was a lot smaller than usual. This was a little heart breaking because just when you think were on the right track BOOM here comes something completely out of left field. Although Patrick does have motility problems his count is always high, really high, doubling or tripling the norm. So we were really bummed out but the nurse told us that it just takes one. Very true! Monday night my mother came to help me with bed rest, I am now doing bed rest after my IUI's to help with the pain and to help my body naturally achieve pregnancy. My mother was a bed rest Nazi and even got snippy with me when I had to tinkle!
Wednesday (Day 16)- Patrick's birthday. We celebrated at home with a Sea Scallop and Steak dinner with roasted asparagus and chocolate dipped strawberries. Yummy! Although I was up moving all day I was still in a great deal of pain and had to lay down a lot. The pain is from my ovaries being stimulated and larger than normal. This pain will go away but if you get pregnant it can be even worse due to the bodies natural production of HCG which will continue to enlarge your ovaries. My right ovary is large than the left so I have been laying on my right side. If I lay on my left I can feel my right ovary hanging down and I am in a tremendous amount of pain.
Today, Day 17, I am doing a lot better! My pain level is going down and I am more awake! We are praying and hoping that this is it! Also today I cannot wait for Thursday night TV. Its my favorite! I think my DVR records something like 8 hours of TV on Thursday nights... crazy I know!
CSR
Friday, October 15, 2010
Day 11
Today, Day 11 is just an ordinary day of shots. I was really able to give myself the shot in fact I like giving it to myself better than letting Patrick do it. It's kinda gross but it's similar to letting someone else pop a pimple for you, it hurts really really bad, but doing it yourself does not really hurt all that much... The first time was kinda difficult, but I just have to tell myself that this is a means to a terrific end!
Tomorrow is a big day for us. Up bright and early for blood work. When you take Follistim and Femara they test your estradoil level to make sure it is similar to the follicle count. For every follicle that you have that produces an egg you should have 100 estradoil level. The last time it was successful I have an estradoil count of 586 and I had lots of follicles but from that number they could tell that only 6 or so were going to release eggs. Really its just another way of keeping track and responsibly using fertility medication. We are hoping for many large follicles tomorrow! After blood work we go in for an ultrasound and then tomorrow night I get the shot of all shots! Exciting news.
Please keep Patrick and I in your prayers, we could really use them!
Ill let you know tomorrow how it all goes!
CSR
Tomorrow is a big day for us. Up bright and early for blood work. When you take Follistim and Femara they test your estradoil level to make sure it is similar to the follicle count. For every follicle that you have that produces an egg you should have 100 estradoil level. The last time it was successful I have an estradoil count of 586 and I had lots of follicles but from that number they could tell that only 6 or so were going to release eggs. Really its just another way of keeping track and responsibly using fertility medication. We are hoping for many large follicles tomorrow! After blood work we go in for an ultrasound and then tomorrow night I get the shot of all shots! Exciting news.
Please keep Patrick and I in your prayers, we could really use them!
Ill let you know tomorrow how it all goes!
This was the scene around my house last night! I love my little family so much. That's our 150 great dane curled up in the little corner, my 6 foot husband, and our Wheaton all using the same sofa... I think we may need a sectional!
CSR
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Day 8
Today is Day 8 of my cycle, I awoke this morning to find that my stomach looks like a beach ball. Its a good thing though because it means all of the medication is working! We have had two nights of shots so far and they have both went well. Unfortunately, Patrick wont be able to be here tonight so that means I have to give myself a shot. Last night we went through all of the instructions and I was able to give my self the shot for practice tonight.
I let you know how it goes!
CSR
I let you know how it goes!
CSR
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Day 6
Today, Day 6, we begin our injections. Our doctor prefers that we do them at night. For the next 6 days at 9:00 p.m. we will be standing in the kitchen with my shirt pulled up and tucked under my bra, my husband will dial back the correct dose on our Follistim pen/cartridge, hold the pen like a dart, he will aim for the roll of stomach fat I will be holding, inject the needle, push in the dose, count to five, and remove.
All and all not to bad. I am continuing for the next several days to take my oral medication as well. And as for my weight loss last month... here come the pounds. Its a viscous cycle, the month off I loose between 10-12 lbs and the next month with the meds I gain it all back. Oh well, I am willing to do ANYTHING!
From the previews it looks as if the Little Couple on TLC are going to be doing Follistim injections as well, so if you wanna see exactly what they are like tune in!
Ill let you know how they go tomorrow!
CSR
All and all not to bad. I am continuing for the next several days to take my oral medication as well. And as for my weight loss last month... here come the pounds. Its a viscous cycle, the month off I loose between 10-12 lbs and the next month with the meds I gain it all back. Oh well, I am willing to do ANYTHING!
From the previews it looks as if the Little Couple on TLC are going to be doing Follistim injections as well, so if you wanna see exactly what they are like tune in!
Ill let you know how they go tomorrow!
CSR
Friday, October 8, 2010
Day 4
Today is not so exciting. This morning started the five days of my oral medication, Femara. Femara was developed as a drug used for breast cancer, but somehow is now used for fertility. I don't mind taking this medication, it is not nearly as bad as the clomid i was taking for a while. This one only has one side effect that i notice and it's kinda neat...
When I first filled my Femara prescription I wondered why the bottle said may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and do not operate a vehicle until you know how this medication effects you. Ok now I know, about 30 min after I take it I feel like I am drunk, not falling down drunk, but slightly buzzed. Oh well at least I have no where to be. I take it every day at 7am and 7pm. Not too stressful!
And my medication finally came this morning at 9:00. So I am free to leave the house and do things now that it is safely in the freezer. I am so excited because this weekend will be full of fun and relaxation! Pat has worked over 100 hours this week and could really use the time off! We get to go to a fancy dinner and maybe do a quick Target run when we go to Louisville!
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
CSR
When I first filled my Femara prescription I wondered why the bottle said may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and do not operate a vehicle until you know how this medication effects you. Ok now I know, about 30 min after I take it I feel like I am drunk, not falling down drunk, but slightly buzzed. Oh well at least I have no where to be. I take it every day at 7am and 7pm. Not too stressful!
And my medication finally came this morning at 9:00. So I am free to leave the house and do things now that it is safely in the freezer. I am so excited because this weekend will be full of fun and relaxation! Pat has worked over 100 hours this week and could really use the time off! We get to go to a fancy dinner and maybe do a quick Target run when we go to Louisville!
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
CSR
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Day 3
Today is day three of my cycle which means that I got to have a baseline ultrasound. They do this ultrasound to make sure that the ovaries are in working order, no cyst, the proper size, etc (because this medication can cause permanent damage). The ultra sound itself is no big deal and really quick. However, I think every time my husband and I see that X-large ultrasound wand we both flinch! Anyone who has ever had this type of ultrasound knows exactly what I am talking about! haha
My right ovary is slightly enlarged, but we are still clear to go ahead with the medication! I am still waiting on my medication to be delivered. I feel like I am being held hostage by the fed-ex man! I cant leave my house because if I miss this it will sit all night in a truck or a warehouse somewhere and it can go bad. Who knows how long those cold pack and coolers really work??? I don't know what you would do if you had a job, i guess get it delivered to work. Oh well now were just waiting on medication!
CSR
My right ovary is slightly enlarged, but we are still clear to go ahead with the medication! I am still waiting on my medication to be delivered. I feel like I am being held hostage by the fed-ex man! I cant leave my house because if I miss this it will sit all night in a truck or a warehouse somewhere and it can go bad. Who knows how long those cold pack and coolers really work??? I don't know what you would do if you had a job, i guess get it delivered to work. Oh well now were just waiting on medication!
CSR
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Day 1
When you are taking fertility treatments your life becomes all about your cycle. Instead of referring to the day of the month, the 5th, I refer to it as day 1. Today is day 1 because I have started my period this morning. Any given day you could ask me the date and I would have no idea, I could however give you the day of my cycle in a heart beat!
Usually day 1 is filled with sadness and cramps, but for me today is exciting because we get to start another round of fertility medication ( I still have the cramps). This month we are taking Femara and Follistim. Femara is a pill you take for 5 days early in your cycle which help grow the follicles on your ovaries. Follistim is an injection given for 6 days in the second week of your cycle to help grow and mature the follicles even more. I will also be getting an HCG injection to trigger ovulation around day 13. This will be my fourth cycle using these medications, and my 7th IUI (intra-uterine insemination).
We are really excited and hoping that it works this time. It did work last time with this same dose and method, however we were unable to keep the pregnancy. So we know it can work which in the fertility world is huge news! My husband, Patrick, and I have been trying for 23 months now so we are really praying for a miracle!
So our typical day 1 includes making calls to the doctors office, and setting up our intense medicine cycle for the next month. Taking into account our schedule, the doctor's schedule, and the nurse's schedule this can take a while. Then we call Schraft's a specialty mail order pharmacy that deals exclusively with reproductive medication. We the drop a boat load of cash on medication that gets shipped right to our front door in a neat little cooler within about 24 hours. All together that's day 1. Nothing too exciting just slightly time consuming. But, on a funny note Schraft's is located in New Jersey and every time I call there I feel like I'm talking to a cast member from Jersey shore and that makes me laugh.
This is the first of many posts about our day to day, If you have any questions e-mail at cassierice@insightbb.com
CSR
Usually day 1 is filled with sadness and cramps, but for me today is exciting because we get to start another round of fertility medication ( I still have the cramps). This month we are taking Femara and Follistim. Femara is a pill you take for 5 days early in your cycle which help grow the follicles on your ovaries. Follistim is an injection given for 6 days in the second week of your cycle to help grow and mature the follicles even more. I will also be getting an HCG injection to trigger ovulation around day 13. This will be my fourth cycle using these medications, and my 7th IUI (intra-uterine insemination).
We are really excited and hoping that it works this time. It did work last time with this same dose and method, however we were unable to keep the pregnancy. So we know it can work which in the fertility world is huge news! My husband, Patrick, and I have been trying for 23 months now so we are really praying for a miracle!
So our typical day 1 includes making calls to the doctors office, and setting up our intense medicine cycle for the next month. Taking into account our schedule, the doctor's schedule, and the nurse's schedule this can take a while. Then we call Schraft's a specialty mail order pharmacy that deals exclusively with reproductive medication. We the drop a boat load of cash on medication that gets shipped right to our front door in a neat little cooler within about 24 hours. All together that's day 1. Nothing too exciting just slightly time consuming. But, on a funny note Schraft's is located in New Jersey and every time I call there I feel like I'm talking to a cast member from Jersey shore and that makes me laugh.
This is the first of many posts about our day to day, If you have any questions e-mail at cassierice@insightbb.com
CSR
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Quick Update:
This past week was filled with enjoyable, but hard work. I spent four days and three nights packing and moving my dad from his house. It was so much fun because my Aunt came from Nashville and we always have such a good time hanging out!
However, someone needs to call A&E because my dad is a hoarder. He has such a hard time getting rid of things its crazy! We had a ten minute argument about a video camera he and my mother purchased in 1992. It was the large shoulder sitting one that recorded straight onto VHS tapes. The irony of the situation was that he no longer owns a VCR to play the tapes and yet he still would not let it go!! Finally after a long discussion and the realization that Goodwill could sell it for 2.00 he parted ways with his beloved video camera. Some other things he chooses to hold onto:
1.Multiple baking dishes of the same size
2. More pots and pans than one man needs, all remarkably similar in size
3. Kitchen Utensils
4. Any pictures or wall hangings ever given to him
From my dad's new place I went to my mom's house and got to spend some quality time with her parents! It was so much fun to catch up and visit with my grandparents who now split their time between Arizona and Washington. We also got to go to the St. James Art Fair in Louisville... So many beautiful things to look at! And last night my mother and her boyfriend Kevin made a crab boil for dinner! YUMMY! Also my grandma made a blueberry pie special for me!
After a long week I am so happy to be home with my husband and my little monster dogs! We are getting ready to start another cycle of fertility drugs this week and we are very excited, because now we know it can work!
Ill keep everyone posted on the day to day this month what all it entails. I have had several people ask and e-mail what happens day to day with these cycles so I'm going to be very specific this month and keep a detailed diary!
CSR
However, someone needs to call A&E because my dad is a hoarder. He has such a hard time getting rid of things its crazy! We had a ten minute argument about a video camera he and my mother purchased in 1992. It was the large shoulder sitting one that recorded straight onto VHS tapes. The irony of the situation was that he no longer owns a VCR to play the tapes and yet he still would not let it go!! Finally after a long discussion and the realization that Goodwill could sell it for 2.00 he parted ways with his beloved video camera. Some other things he chooses to hold onto:
1.Multiple baking dishes of the same size
2. More pots and pans than one man needs, all remarkably similar in size
3. Kitchen Utensils
4. Any pictures or wall hangings ever given to him
From my dad's new place I went to my mom's house and got to spend some quality time with her parents! It was so much fun to catch up and visit with my grandparents who now split their time between Arizona and Washington. We also got to go to the St. James Art Fair in Louisville... So many beautiful things to look at! And last night my mother and her boyfriend Kevin made a crab boil for dinner! YUMMY! Also my grandma made a blueberry pie special for me!
After a long week I am so happy to be home with my husband and my little monster dogs! We are getting ready to start another cycle of fertility drugs this week and we are very excited, because now we know it can work!
Ill keep everyone posted on the day to day this month what all it entails. I have had several people ask and e-mail what happens day to day with these cycles so I'm going to be very specific this month and keep a detailed diary!
CSR
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