Day 11 - IVF Journey - Retrieval Day

Today was procedure day. Where they go in and retrieve the eggs that have been growing. Because of previous surgeries I only have one ovary. So since my numbers are diminished they hoped to get 4 to 6 eggs - they were actually able to get 7 eggs! This is good news! 

As I walked back to the OR room I asked the nurse if I would be awake when the doc came in... She said no, I would already be asleep. I was 'that' patient. I told her could she please have her come in before they put me under? I just need to see her eyes!!! Please please. She said ok I'll see what I can do. Two seconds later my doc came in the room. I have this fear of the doc not knowing who they are operating on. The one surgery (I've had 10+ over the years) that I didn't see the doctor prior to the surgery was the surgery where the doctor almost killed me. Luckily my doctor today totally 100% understood me and was happy to come in... Even gave me a hug ❤️❤️❤️

The longest part of the procedure was trying to get an IV in me..... I lost count but it was either 10 or 12 sticks... I was totally ready for those meds when he finally got the IV in....

Waking up in recovery was a breeze. My doc came in again and chatted us up. Come to find out this is her day off this week. I was like WHAT!? She said that because of my history there was no way she was not going to be here for me. Day off or not. She was going to be here. Who does that? Who is that kind? She doesn she is great. Compassionate. Caring. Funny. And best of all she is Real. She tells it like it is. No hold backs! 

So today is now day zero. Today they grow sperm and eggs hoping to create as many healthy embryos as they can get   They will transfer ONE embryo back either on day 3 or day 5. I guess stats show that day 4 embryos never take. We hope that we have healthy and strong enough embryos to make it out to day 5. If this is the case then it will be a Tuesday transfer. 

Each day the embryologist will grade the embryos and I will get those results. Not that I really know what any of those results mean .... That's what my IVF friend is for :) 

So until we know when transfer will be it is quite on my end. Starting the Progestrone in oil shots tonight. Have heard they are really painful. Wish me luck! 

Xoxo 

Day 10 - IVF Journey - ignorance is bliss

Ignorance truly is bliss. Otherwise I would of had one of these beauties everyday for the last 10 days.... But since I didn't Know they would help 'ripen things up' 😏 I did not partake in this green deliciousness.... But today. I'm not feeling the best. I'm exhausted. Anxious. A little nervous and my nose and throat hurt. Naturally. 

I've been well for the past 2 months. It would only be fitting for me to get sick today. Ugh

So when I heard wheatgrass can help make things better on the IVF side of things and when I'm sick I usually goto Jamba Juice to get a smoothie I thought I might as well go today! 

When I ordered the shot she asked if I wanted the orange juice chaser. Yes, yes I do. I do not want to puke this right back at ya... Then I wonder to myself. Has anyone ever puked in the store after one of those. I mean you don't usually get a 'togo' wheatgrass shot. Gross gross. 

Speaking of gross the instructions... - ok never mind. I'll spare you. 

But tomorrow is the day! 9:45 they will do the retrieval. I'm looking forward to not feeling like I am carrying a coconut in my body. 😁

I'll leave you today with this wonderful text I got from a dear friend today. 

I really should write a book about all the fun texts I've gotten from people 😜☺️

Thank you again for all the calls/texts/Facebook messages. I do have the best of the best friends. And thanks for following us on this journey 

Xoxo

Day 9 - IVF Journey

I had another early morning doctors appointment today. Blood tests and follicle check. AGAIN my physician came in to do the scan. I told her she scares patients coming in for routine stuff! She laughed. I like her. She gets me. Like totally gets me. 

Was waiting all day for my portal to be updated and got the ever important news it's 'trigger night!' Insert happy dance! 

See when you go down this journey you get introduced to the most random lab values on your 'portal'. 

I sent this screen shot to a friend who has walked this journey before and she goes 'yay! Your lining has good numbers too!' I was like HUH?!!!! She laughed. See she went through this journey without any kids - this was her job. Her only job. And she was GOOD at it. She said ' I love how you are just going with the flow' and that is true. I am just going with the flow - doing what the doc says when they say it and not thinking too much about it. 

She's been checking on me everyday - knowing the process inside and out and honestly it's comforting. I ran into a good friend Sunday at Sam's and got the most wonderful warm hug and good wishes from her. Ran into another two people at target today, lunch with my bestie and multiple calls and texts - all asking how I'm doing excited and wanting to help. 

I am so thankful I didn't make this quiet. 

You know you have good friends when you get this message 

•••This morning I was like... "Ooooh, I wonder how Katie's follicles are?!?!" And then I thought... "That sort of makes me a creeper" •••

Totally not creeper at all. I love it! 

Next update retrevial! 

Day 8 - IVF journey

My current view. 

Started ganerilex this morning. This is the med that tells my GIANT (fourteen full almost mature) follicles not to ovulate. So up until now I've had the honeymoon - this IVF thing is cake walk.... And then I started this med. basically I've got a pissed off ovary right now and I feel like shit. 

Sent an SOS text to two neighbors with my garage code in case I need them. 

My wonderful husband gave me the comforting news when i asked 'Will this last all day or is it just bad because I just took the shot?' He so nicely told me it could quite possibly last the whole day. Yippee! 

Doctors appt in the morning. Hopefully the good news will be I won't be on this med for too much longer. 

Luckily it's a rainy day here - totally makes laying in bed all day do-able. 

Day 7 - IVF journey

Had a Sunday appointment today. The normal blood draw a follicle check.

The fertility office is a strange place. Everyone is there for the same reason yet there is no small talk/eye contact. Taking this picture was totally awkward. Everyone is looking down at their phones or a magazine hoping to not accidentally look at someone in the eye. 

As I waited I couldn't help but think about those who had to do this journey with no kids at home. It's gotta be rough. I've got the distraction of two busy boys with baseball schedules, school and homework to keep me occupied and distracted. I actually forgot about this appointment until late last night. 

Sitting waiting is tough! I use to have small panic attacks when I would go into a room with an ultrasound machine. When you are 19 and they find a 5 pound ovarian cyst it kinda gives you a little PTSD everyone you go in for any ultrasound. Luckily this is my 4th in 2 weeks so I'm not as scared. 

Today I was waiting longer than usual.... And then instead of the tech coming in its my doc doing my scan. I panic. Why is she here! It's Sunday! Is something wrong?! 

Nope - fertility office is open 365 days a year. She had some other procedures today and was just helping out getting some scans done. 

Everything was normal. My follicles are growing just as they should. Have 12 - 14 in just one ovary. That is good! 

Will have an appointment on day 9 to recheck again!