Our first two week wait ended on June 18. I spent most of the day at the hospital with my mom visiting my grandma, and anxiously checking the time. Around noon I sent Jason an email with "nothing yet" as the subject line. We decided to bet on what time the doctor's office would call--he bet 3pm and I bet 3:30. I also decided if they didn't call by 3:30, I would call there, so that way I would know someone would answer the phone.
At 2:20 my phone rang and thankfully we were outside on the cafeteria patio so I had service. It was Stephanie, my very favorite nurse. I told her I had had a very tough week and I sure hoped she had some good news for me since I never tested at home. Her response: "You never tested at home? I pegged you for a home tester for sure!" I told her that I was always a rule follower and I never did! She then said, "If you never tested at home, then you have no idea you are pregnant do you..." I started jumping up and down and yelling thank you. (Mom: "STOP JUMPING!") It was so exciting. She also informed me that my HCG was 647, so I could be carrying both babies still! I couldn't believe it. Jason was cautiously excited. He was at work so it's not like he could get super loud about it plus he is so nervous something will happen. I understand his concern, and I am scared too. But we waited so long for that moment that I just wanted to be happy and excited.
Now we're waiting for July 7, our first ultrasound, where we will hopefully see one, if not two, heartbeats!! This might even be harder than the first two week wait, plus it's longer. :) It's been nice not having to get blood drawn every couple of days. I also asked about the progesterone injections as I have developed some serious lumps and bruises that don't go away. They have allowed me, for now, to discontinue those shots. It was the next best news next to finding out we're pregnant! I still do daily progesterone suppositories and Estrace tablets though to ensure my lining maintains it's status as a great home for the baby(ies).
It's been so great to tell a few of our close friends and family, but we won't be spreading our good news until August 9th or so when we pass the first trimester mark. We just want to make sure nothing happens in the meantime. We are so incredibly grateful of one and possibly two babies that are growing healthy and strong! We can't wait to see them on the screen in 13 days! God is great!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Onto the waiting game...
The FSH shots (known as stims) went ok once we got into a routine with them. The worst one was the first one, which burned like I've never felt, and it lasted about 10 minutes. I can only equate it to someone holding a match to my skin which really was almost unbearable. The subsequent nights Jason became a pro at making sure he got all the air bubbles out after mixing all three vials of meds together, he let the syringe sit for a few minutes, and we also moved down lower on my stomach. All of these things made a big difference and it got to a point where it was more an inconvenience than anything really painful.
I didn't have too many side effects either except more bloating. As we got closer to retrieval, the bloating intensified until I looked about 4 months pregnant! It turns out on my final ultrasound I had 63 (!!!!) follicles ready though not all were mature. This number is way too high and is indicative of OHSS (aka hyperstim). This is not a good thing at all. I was moving slower and slower just before retrieval as the bloating became more painful.
Finally, we were told to trigger on a Saturday night, just two days prior to Memorial Day. They scheduled my retrieval for the holiday at 9am in the morning. Triggering went much smoother than I expected considering it's a rather large needle that goes in your butt!!! Retrieval itself was very odd; the IV needle was HUGE and went into my forearm. I couldn't look but I did see blood everywhere after the very painful jab into my arm.... enough blood in fact that the nurse had to change her scrubs. Yuck! The pain that caused was about equivalent to the bloodloss. After the sedation, I woke up in the recovery room feeling quite alert and able to remember things; I never asked the same question twice as one would expect. Jason was very happy and relieved to see me so awake and alert after seeing another zombie-like woman practically carried out of the clinic by her husband. I felt great later that day and even wanted to stop for pizza (since I hadn't had it in weeks).
The next day I woke up with a huge abdomen (all over swollen, even up to my ribs) and an incredible amount of pain. It was awful. I realized then that the 63 follicles really were causing me to hyperstim. The next day was about the same and I was thinking that a trip to ER for pain meds and to have all that fluid drained was going to be inevitable. But it was also the first day of Curwood, and I refused to sit home and be miserable so I went anyway even though I could barely walk. I think continuing to move around (and drink an incredible amount of water and gatorade) is what saved me. By Friday I was feeling much better though I was still pretty bloated and showing a big gut still!
They retrieved 16 eggs, and 13 fertilized so we were very excited. They scheduled a five day blastocyst transfer for Saturday. On our way down, I asked Jason if he thought we lost many during the five days. He said he thought so, but he hoped maybe 11 made it since that's his lucky number and was always his jersey number in sports. At transfer, they showed us their report card, and we had lost a few along the way. The doctor then showed us three photos of our best embryos--#2, #6, and #11. He advised they suggested transferring in #6 and #11. We were so excited and grateful for that sign. Transfer was quite easy except for having to have an ultrasound with a very full bladder. They also gave us a photo of the screen right at transfer so hopefully that can go in the baby book for #6 and #11. :)
Now we just wait... and wait... and wait for next Friday's official beta test to see if I really am pregnant. I already had one scary moment when my nurse called to change my meds--Estrace three times a day now, Crinone gel inserts every morning, and those horrid progesterone in oil injections daily. THat part is really bad considering the after effects are like tetanus shot sore muscles. Plus if the wrong spot is hit, it's pretty painful with a 22 gauge needle and 2ccs of oil oozing out. OUCH!
I have been praying fastidiously daily and talking to my babies. I promised them that next year they would get to go to the Curwood parade and actually watch it with eyes!! I've also been eating my daily pineapple hoping that encourages implantation! I really pray this is going to work since I'm already living like I am expecting! God is great!
I didn't have too many side effects either except more bloating. As we got closer to retrieval, the bloating intensified until I looked about 4 months pregnant! It turns out on my final ultrasound I had 63 (!!!!) follicles ready though not all were mature. This number is way too high and is indicative of OHSS (aka hyperstim). This is not a good thing at all. I was moving slower and slower just before retrieval as the bloating became more painful.
Finally, we were told to trigger on a Saturday night, just two days prior to Memorial Day. They scheduled my retrieval for the holiday at 9am in the morning. Triggering went much smoother than I expected considering it's a rather large needle that goes in your butt!!! Retrieval itself was very odd; the IV needle was HUGE and went into my forearm. I couldn't look but I did see blood everywhere after the very painful jab into my arm.... enough blood in fact that the nurse had to change her scrubs. Yuck! The pain that caused was about equivalent to the bloodloss. After the sedation, I woke up in the recovery room feeling quite alert and able to remember things; I never asked the same question twice as one would expect. Jason was very happy and relieved to see me so awake and alert after seeing another zombie-like woman practically carried out of the clinic by her husband. I felt great later that day and even wanted to stop for pizza (since I hadn't had it in weeks).
The next day I woke up with a huge abdomen (all over swollen, even up to my ribs) and an incredible amount of pain. It was awful. I realized then that the 63 follicles really were causing me to hyperstim. The next day was about the same and I was thinking that a trip to ER for pain meds and to have all that fluid drained was going to be inevitable. But it was also the first day of Curwood, and I refused to sit home and be miserable so I went anyway even though I could barely walk. I think continuing to move around (and drink an incredible amount of water and gatorade) is what saved me. By Friday I was feeling much better though I was still pretty bloated and showing a big gut still!
They retrieved 16 eggs, and 13 fertilized so we were very excited. They scheduled a five day blastocyst transfer for Saturday. On our way down, I asked Jason if he thought we lost many during the five days. He said he thought so, but he hoped maybe 11 made it since that's his lucky number and was always his jersey number in sports. At transfer, they showed us their report card, and we had lost a few along the way. The doctor then showed us three photos of our best embryos--#2, #6, and #11. He advised they suggested transferring in #6 and #11. We were so excited and grateful for that sign. Transfer was quite easy except for having to have an ultrasound with a very full bladder. They also gave us a photo of the screen right at transfer so hopefully that can go in the baby book for #6 and #11. :)
Now we just wait... and wait... and wait for next Friday's official beta test to see if I really am pregnant. I already had one scary moment when my nurse called to change my meds--Estrace three times a day now, Crinone gel inserts every morning, and those horrid progesterone in oil injections daily. THat part is really bad considering the after effects are like tetanus shot sore muscles. Plus if the wrong spot is hit, it's pretty painful with a 22 gauge needle and 2ccs of oil oozing out. OUCH!
I have been praying fastidiously daily and talking to my babies. I promised them that next year they would get to go to the Curwood parade and actually watch it with eyes!! I've also been eating my daily pineapple hoping that encourages implantation! I really pray this is going to work since I'm already living like I am expecting! God is great!
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