We Are a Go!

Last Friday we went for my baseline ultrasound and blood work to make sure the Lupron was working and also that there were no cysts.  The doctor said everything looked good! We received a phone call later that afternoon with instructions for the next step.  I am down to 10 units of Lupron and I am now taking a second injection, called Follistim.  I will go in regularly this week for blood tests to monitor my levels.  

I have had a rough last couple of nights with the injections.  On Saturday, the Lupron shot in the morning was the worst shot ever! I actually yelled! That evening we started the Follistim injections.  I have to say that it is the most complicated shot I have ever seen.  This shot didn’t hurt going in, but it hurt pretty bad after the medicine was pushed in.  I’m already starting to feel the side effects from the Follistim, which I guess is a good sign.  I just wish my mood wasn’t altered by all of these drugs! 

I think I have done pretty well so far with everything.  The Lord has given me peace and I have felt comforted knowing I am not alone.  He is always right there with us.

Holy Medicine!

We received all of our medication for our first IVF cycle on February 9^th.  I have to say that it was a little overwhelming looking at all of the syringes, needles, etc.  All of this is going into my body?! Aaaah!  I quickly got over the overwhelming thoughts and started to feel some excitement.  Finally we are getting ready to start this thing!  On February 14^th (Valentine’s Day) we started the Lupron injections.  I have done pretty well with the injections themselves, but the side effects from the medicine, well, that is a whole different story! I have had headaches, mood swings, nausea, and dizziness so far.  Not too bad!!

This Friday will be my first baseline ultrasound.  This is where they check to make sure the Lupron is working (suppressing everything) and that there are no cysts.  If you guys don’t mind, would you pray with us that everything will be as it should? I really don’t want to have to stop this cycle before it even gets going!  Assuming everything is how it should be, I will begin taking a second injection.  I will be up to two injections per day! Just call me a human pin cushion!  

For someone who doesn’t like needles, Jason has been handling giving me the injections pretty well.  There have been a couple times when the needle has not gone all the way through on the first try, but overall everything is going pretty smoothly! 

We will give everyone an update after our appointment on Friday! Until then, thank you for your prayers!

Here is a picture of all the medicine...

Great News

My tubes are completely blocked! It sounds bad, but it's actually great news.  I have hydrosalpinx on both tubes, and the fluid from these can harm an embryo.  The essure procedure that I had in November prevents the fluid from harming any embryos. The test that I had on Friday confirms that the fluid is no longer a threat. Now we can start our first IVF cycle, beginning with our first injections on...Valentine's Day!

Gratitude

The overwhelming gratitude that we feel inside cannot be put into words.  My sister and brother-in-law put together a benefit for us last Friday evening.  So much love, support, and tremendous generosity was shown to us by our friends, family, and even by people we do not know. We cannot tell you how much we appreciate the continued prayers for everything coming up!


Tomorrow, I will go for another HSG test.  This will be done to confirm that the micro-inserts are in the proper place and that both tubes are completely blocked.  It typically takes 3 months for this to occur, but in rare cases, it can take up to 6 months for the Essure procedure to completely block the tubes.  We are hoping and praying that we will get good news and be able to proceed with IVF this month.  We believe all of this is in God's hands and are staying positive.  I will give an update after the procedure tomorrow!