Phase One complete, now onto Phase Two!

Lupron injections started rather ceremoniously as we celebrated my 30th birthday at the Inn at Black Star Farms. I'm sure housekeeping was thrilled with my sharps container and giant ziploc baggie of syringes, meds, and alcohol wipes spread out on the counter. I definitely had several moments of panic when I would start to go for it and then stop at the last second. It's pretty hard to psych yourself up to inflict your own pain! But I got through it and after several days, the side effects of dizziness, lightheadedness and stinging have subsided greatly. However, the bloatedness and weight gain have not.

After over a week of this fun, we're finally able to move onto Phase Two, which starts tomorrow at 6:00am when I get ready to leave for Hurley for my first ultrasound and bloodwork "to make sure my ovaries are quiet". Then we should have the all clear to add in another daily injection; this time the fun is scheduled for evenings.

Jason has given up his weekend cigars and beer in attempt to manufacture olympian swimmers. The combination of tobacco and alcohol has the worst effects on count, motility, and morphology, most specifically on morphology so I am very proud of him for making the necessary sacrifices. However, I should note that in his attempt to learn to relax in other ways, he's driving himself and me crazy. He can't sit still, he's edgy, irritable, and moody. I trust it will get easier as the weeks progress, and for both of our sake, I hope retrieval is pre-Memorial Day weekend!!

I have attempted to follow all the diet recommendations and I began to transition over the weekend. No more ice cream or dairy, chocolate, caffeine, white flour, etc. Instead I'm drinking almond milk, eating lean proteins, lots of vegetables and fruits, and trying to eat and drink everything warm, which is actually a lot harder than it sounds. Also, trying to consume 3 liters of water a day is quite challenging, not to mention the amount of extra time required for more trips to the bathroom. I feel that everything I am doing is totally worth it. My favorite quotes so far:
"Roosevelt will appreciate it" -and-
"Now I know how you feel! Your life is boring!"

While I am very nervous about this next stage, I am anxious to continue moving forward in our quest to be blessed with a baby(s). I feel that my faith and trust in God has grown so much stronger these past few weeks... because I have to put all of my worries in his hands, and trust in Him to guide us and help us make decisions. Thy Will Be Done!

Happy 30th birthday; now here are your fertility meds...

So much has happened since my last post! We met with the new RE team at the new clinic. We passed our mock transfer with flying colors--his exact words were, "You have a textbook uterus! No, really, I'd like to take your film and use it to teach at the college, if that's ok with you!" Well then! At least something is working correctly in my body! Teach away with my beautiful uterus film. All of my hormone levels from Cycle Day 3 all came back normal as well.

And for my 30th birthday, I received $683 worth of meds in a huge box! Progesterone in Oil with the HUGE needles, Lupron 14 day kit, Crinone gel applicators, Ovidrel, tons of syringes and other needles, alcohol swabs, Darvocet, Estrace, and an antibiotic. Awesome! My counter looks like a smalltown pharmacy and I still haven't gotten my Bravelle and Menopur yet from the doctor's office. Yay for my insurance paying for the Lupron, Darvocet, Estrace, and the antibiotic. Boo for not covering any of the expensive items (except the Lupron).

We really are moving forward! My husband and I attended the 2.5 hour injection teaching class a few weeks ago. There was another couple, and two women without their significant others. All in all, a diverse group. Keeping track of everything and how to mix meds is quite a challenge but fortunately the clinic gave us a big binder and I'm still pretty good at note taking. What they didn't mention beforehand was that we would be doing a practice shot that day! Probably a good thing, as I would have freaked out the entire class had I known. I give DH a lot of credit though as he did a good job getting the right spot on my left cheek with not as much pain as I was expecting. I then gave myself a practice one in the stomach, but not until I faked myself out once. How ridiculous! This isn't basketball! No fake moves to the hoop, just shoot!

In my quest to keep the next few weeks as stress-free as possible, I am getting a pedicure tonight with a very pregnant friend, signing up for yoga classes, and making appointments for massages and facials in the coming weeks. I WILL be relaxed and calm through it all!

I am taking comfort in knowing that my first injection of Lupron will happen on Sunday morning, Mother's Day 2010. Hopefully that's a sign!!! God is great!