It's been a long weekend for me. With me working all weekend (Thursday through Sunday) and having to go to the clinic right after work, I'm exhausted. But, we got through it!
On Saturday morning, I went in for another ultrasound and I had 4 hopeful eggs waiting to come out. My estradiol levels were 739 which was good.
So, on Sunday we went in and did our first IUI with our favorite doctor at the clinic. Then, the next day, we did another IUI.
As soon as our first IUI was done on Sunday, Mr. Dubyah immediately says, " it's going to work." Just out of the blue. I smile each time I think about it. I sure hope so, love. I sure hope so.
For some reason, we feel it's different this time around because it was with our favorite doctor of the clinic. I must say, he was more gentle and sure made the IUI procedure look as if it was second nature to him.
So, now we wait and I begin my progesterone suppositories.
I was able to view my lab results online through my clinic's patient portal. The result: 439 pg/ml.
If you are a first timer like me to see this number, I had no idea what this meant. Thank you Lord for the internet.
With some research, it looks like I'm right on track giving my cycle day which is numero 8. I stumbled upon this information when researching, "normal values" and came across the fertility community forums -- gah, sometimes I hate those because they make so anxious! Here's what I found:
A Rough Rule-of-Thumb for Good Estradiol Levels.
Exact figures are not possible. As a rough guide, however, a level in the range of 150 to 500 pg/ml is generally considered reasonable for the eighth day of a stimulated cycle. An approximate doubling of this level every 48 hours is considered promising, as a sign of continued good follicle development.
The RN that I sarcastically speaking oh so love, said that if the clinic decides to change my dosage of Gonal-F or needs to talk to me about something then she'll call me by phone. If there are no changes and everything is good, then don't expect a call.
So far, it's been about 5 hours since I've left the clinic and no phone ringing yet. I guess that's a good thing. ** Update** As I was typing this post up, one of the RN's called and said everything looks good and no changes needed to be made. Woohoo!!!!
Cheers to being right on track!
This morning I went into the clinic to get my estradiol blood work drawn. My appointment was for 8:55am and I had the hardest time waking up. How do you day shifters do it day after day? Two snoozes later, I finally dragged myself out of bed to travel 30 minutes away for a 10 minute appointment. F.
I usually don't have any problems with people getting my blood. I pretty much considered myself an "easy stick." But, this time around.... can I say, ouch?
I get the RN that I oh-so love (sarcastically, speaking) and I'm thinking, " ofcourse I would get her." I could tell right away that she was going to have a hard time getting my blood.
Why? Because of our initial conversation:
RN: Do you normally get blood drawn from this arm (left arm)?
ME: Yes, because I'm right handed
RN: Nods head.
Hah, I had a feeling because when I draw blood at work, I do prefer the right arm as I'm right handed. I sorta had a feeling she felt the same way based on our conversation.
Then she proceeds to just tap my veins for a long time and move my arm about for a bit. AND THEN, she finally sticks me but doesn't initially get it. Instead, she has to move it around making it sting so bad!
I was planning on getting some more blood drawn from a different lab as I need some labs renewed but I opted out. I think I've been traumatized for the day, yes?
At least I got a pink band though. :)
It's cycle 7 for me today and my ovaries felt as if they were stretching and throbbing at the same time more than usual.
I was pretty active today as it's my last day off before heading into my work week. I tend to clean the house on my last day off. Not sure why, but I just enjoy coming back to a house that's clean. Makes me feel as if I have some kind of order in my life.
But anyways, as I was doing laundry, cleaning the house, bathrooms, etc, the pain would kinda intensify a bit making me have to take some breaks every now then. Is this normal??? Every time, I feel that uncomfortable pain, I picture my follicles growing like a beanstalk.
Tonight's dinner was yet another vegetarian entree. I made tofu taco's with cilantro rice as a side dish.
The tofu taco's were pretty fabulous. But, the cilantro rice was freakin' fantastic! I'm so glad that I decided to put back that package of Spanish rice on it shelf at the grocery story. I'm usually wary about buying processed food these days and when I saw how much sodium was in that small package of rice alone, I wanted no part of it! It was 660mg!!
So, I decided to look up a recipe and came across this one. Sho' glad that I came across it because I loved it. I did make some adjustments by using organic vegetable broth and cooking it on the stovetop instead of the oven as the recipe calls for. Other reviewers said they cooked theirs on the stovetop, so I figure, eh, why not. Best decision imo.
Well, tomorrow morning, I'm getting my first blood drawn. It's to check my estradiol levels; basically checking to see how my ovaries are responding to the Gonal-F. Wish me luck!
What I'm missing right now is exercise. What helped me get through the 4 month cyst break was exercise and since starting our injections on Saturday morning, I have not stepped foot in the gym.
Right now, I've resorted to walks with Maddie and Mr. Dubyah but I feel as though I'm not getting enough exercise during the day. Mr. Dubyah is not really a " routine type of walker," but he does go with me when I ask him if he wants to take a walk.
What I'm happy that I don't have to stop is eating more vegetarian foods. Lately, I've been on this vegetarian kick. I'm not saying gone are the days of eating a big juicy steak. I do love me a big hunk of meat.
But, I am just trying to incorporate more vegetables in my life. I'm trying so hard that I even committed to purchasing a vegetarian cookbook.
So far, I've made a Saag Peaneer dish. It's an Indian dish and if you love Indian food, it's a pretty good healthy alternative to this normally buttery-cream filled dish.
and Roasted Chickepea Tacos.
Source
Oh, and I can't seem to break away from these yummy roasted green bean fries. They are so addicting!
So far, I'm enjoying the vegetarian recipes. They are super easy to put together and not to mention, so fast! Personally, I think my favorite out of the twoso far is the chickpea taco's.
Mr. Dubyah isn't missing the meat....yet. He says he feels pleasantly full but I do think he compensates the healthy vegetarian meal by indulging in a bowl of ice cream.
This past Saturday was THE day to start my injections. I was pretty excited to finally crank open these babies up.
It's amazing how waiting around for 4 months for the cysts to clear can do to your "fear of needles mentality". I had no fear in the world. In fact, I performed the shot myself! Go me!!! In the back of my mind, I was thinking, that I should try and give the shot myself because 1.) What if Mr. Dubyah isn't at home to give it, then what? 2.) I just need to do it; it's much better than anticipating someone poking you with a needle than yourself, right? RIGHT???
Plus, after actually viewing the needle at the clinic, I didn't think the needle looked all too bad. It's small and very thin.
I chose the time frame 0745-080 to do it since I work night shift and I normally get home around that time frame.
The process is pretty simple. You dial in the dosage that you want. Take off the cap from the pen, screw in the needle, then squeeze your abdomen (below your belly button), and then stick the needle straight in and push the top of the pen so click in the medicine.
The clinic has me on the Gonal-F protocol:
Day 1 and 2: 225 IU of Gonal-F
Day 3-8 150 IU of Gonal-F
In between those days, I go in on Day 7 to take a blood test to see how my ovaries are responding to the Gonal-F medication. Then, on Day 10 I get yet another blood test and an ultrasound to check out how many follicles are present.
I'm pretty excited and at the same time, wondering if the psychic reading that I got awhile back may be true. She did predict September to either conceive or give birth to and September is just around the corner.
Here's to hoping that this cycle will work. Please, oh Please, oh Please!!!!!
These past couple of months have been such an emotional roller coaster. One month, the cysts were ever present and throbbing in its all its glory and the next month--bam, they were gone. Its funny, last month, when I was in the office to get scanned to see if the cysts were still present, I was in a mood to have a " talk" with the doctor about my present state. I was on the verge of leaving the clinic for another one.
But, last month, the cysts were gone. Zip. Nada. I was amazed that they just disappeared. Then, for some reason, the doctor wanted to ensure that the cysts were gone, so he had me come again this month for another scan. I curse myself for not inquiring as to why we couldn't start the fertility tx's and I think the doctor that examined me this month wanted to know why too!
So, as of now, I'm currently cyst free and as soon as I start my AF, I shall be finally starting my fertility tx's. I remember when I first received the injection medicine, I was scared about the whole needle process. Now, I really don't give a rat's ass. Let's start this baby, now!
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