Fertilization Report

Things are still looking pretty good. I got the call with the fertilization report this morning. Of the 12 retrieved, only 8 were mature...of those 8, only 5 fertilized with ICSI. So, we are headed towards a 3-day transfer on Friday morning. I'll know what time our transfer is scheduled this afternoon.

Last time, we transferred two really nice embryos...I'm not sure what we are going to do this time. I think it will depend on their grading, but I need to find out when we can make that decision. Jason and I would consider putting three back, but I'm not sure of Dr. J's thoughts on that. We'll see!

Retrieval

We are home from Indy, and I'm enjoying HGTV for the afternoon! Everything went well this morning even though I didn't sleep the greatest last night. I was probably afraid the alarm wouldn't go off. We got to the hospital at 5:45am (4:45 Illinois time), and didn't get called back until 6:30! Thank goodness I didn't have a full bladder. :-)

Once we were in the room, everything went pretty quickly...papers signed, bp and pulse taken, iv inserted...we just were waiting on Dr. J. I was taken back about 7:15, and we were on the road home by 8:30! The retrieval went well. I do remember a little more than last time like the air in my nose and them positioning my legs, but that's okay. They were able to get 12 eggs!! I was pretty pleased with that but also curious about what happened to #13 that was measured on Saturday. This is double the number retrieved during our first IVF, and I think Dr. J was very pleased with that.

I'll get the call tomorrow morning from the lab to see how many fertilized, and then the call from the nurse to see when the transfer is scheduled. Now, we just need prayers for the fertilization and also that my body would be prepared for the transfer and accept the embryos!

Follie Check #3...

Getting up at 5:00am isn't too bad when you get good news, right? We're still moving along as planned. Today, the nurse measured 13 follicles over 10 plus there were 7 others!!! I have measurements today:

Right ovary - 11, 13, 15, 18, 22, 22 (plus 3 smaller)
Left ovary - 12, 14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 20 (plus 4 smaller)
Endo - 16
E2 - 2,200!!!

I'm just taking lupron tonight and tomorrow (no stims) and my Ovidrel shots tomorrow night. Retrieval is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Indy!!!!!! Transfer will be Friday or Sunday...I'm hoping for Sunday!

I have my plan for the time after the transfer, and it's different than before. I'll be doing estrogen tablets and Estrace in addition to the Endometrin with no Ovidrel boosters. Has anyone else done this?

Follie Check #2...

Everything is moving right along! This morning we had 10 measurable follicles!!! 5 on each ovary...very exciting! I know some of you may be thinking that 10 seems like a lot where others probably think 10 doesn't sound like very many. For our last IVF, we only had 6 retrieved (4 mature) and this time we are going for 10! My doctor is pretty conservative and doesn't want to risk OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). We know it only takes one, but having 10 gives us a good chance of a 5-day transfer and really seeing what these embryos are doing! My E2 or Estradiol is at 1,002! I'm going back on Saturday morning at 7am for more bloodwork and ultrasound, and then we'll see what the plan is. Sounds like retrieval will be either Monday or Tuesday!!

Follie Check #1

My first follie check was this morning. I've definitely been feeling bloated last week, and now we know why! There were three measurable follicles on each ovary - didn't get the measurements, but I think they were all between 10 & 13. There were also 4 more on the right and 8 more on the left that were getting close! Estradiol was at 473. The nurse said this is exactly where Dr. J would like me to be so that was good to hear.

I'll be continuing the 20iu of micro lupron each morning and evening, three bravelle in the morning and three menopur in the evening. We've got another check on Thursday morning.

Stims...

We are on Stim Day #2 at the Patterson household. It's going pretty well so far. I started the micro Lupron on Tuesday morning (20 units, morning and evening), and started the stims (4 Bravelle in the AM and 4 Menopur in the PM) yesterday. That makes four shots per day - 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening, along with taking 5 pills each day - bcp, baby aspirin, and DHEA 3x's. I never thought I would be able to give myself a shot and look at me now! :-) It will all be worth it when we are holding our baby in our arms! Here's the infamous meds picture:
But, once again, I have to appreciate and be so grateful for the insurance we have! The meds were around $8,000 of which we only paid $55! It is so amazing especially since I know there are so many people who have no or very little infertility coverage.

Hudson & Addison

This weekend, I got together with two of my college roommates - Janell and Heather. Janell hadn't met Heather's daughter, Addison, yet. She's 5 months old already! And, I think the last time Heather saw Hudson was last July! I can't believe it has been that long. I get to see both of these ladies quite often, but we rarely are all three together. It was a short visit ... dinner at Cracker Barrel, but it was nice. Heather with Hudson
Janell with Miss Addison
Hudson just wanted to touch her...it was soo cute!

Janell and Hudson stayed with us so it was fun to see him and Kahlua interact. Kahlua did very well. The only real problem is that she tends to bark...A LOT!...hence the raw hide bone she is chewing on. All Hudson wanted to do was stare at Kahlua and try to pet her. I think it might be time for a puppy at their house? ha!

Here is the last photo I have of Hudson and Kahlua (July 08 - 3 months old)...

Kahlua is so protective!