Day #13 - Trigger Day

What a journey!!!  As some of you are aware.....our first cycle ever, circa 2011, we very smoothly.  No issues, stim'ed well and had a beautiful result.  Our second cycle earlier this year did not go so well.  My wife and I both agree that we may have started Ganirelix 24 hours too late.  However, this is in the past.  I mention it though to point out how perspective, relaxation, and taking ownership of your cycle are paramount to getting through.

So tonight I give my wife (1) shot in the arm of Ganirelix, and one in the "you-know-where" as the trigger shot (HCG).  I'll keep you posted.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Day #9

Heard good news today folks!  If you recall the doctor moved us up to 350UI of Follistim as a "tweak".  Well it appeared to do the trick.  E2 number for today was 1087; 300 point jump!!!  My wife is incredible.  She maintained even though she's been dealing with food poisoning for the last 48 hours.  IVF is not for the mentally weak that's for sure!!

Cycle day #8

I apologize a million times....been really caught up with so much going on.

So, we're on day #8 of stims.  All is going well.  My wife's lining is perfect and the estrogen (e2) numbers are right on target.  We were anxious on day 6 when we introduced Ganirelix because during the last cycle we experienced a reversal of the estrogen level (not good) followed by an eventual cancellation

This cycle my wife is leaving all the worrying about numbers up to me.  We decided that I would watch the numbers, as I normally do, but that nurses and doctors would only speak with me regarding daily status numbers and any changes to medications..  We thought it would keep her stress down and give ME something to do.  LOL.

 I can tell you that the headaches she is experiencing are more painful that before (could be the menopur, which wasn't present during our first successful cycle).  We will find out later this afternoon if there needs to be any changes to the dosages.  So far so great!!

Cycle #3....Here we go!!!

Hi all!!

Had an interesting month.  Earlier this week we thought we might be pregnant naturally......it was still fun, but also disappointing.  It wasn't, however, devastating.  I think we both realize we've been so blessed with our two year old, our other beautiful children, and a wonderful marriage.  We agreed that we would try until my wife turned 40.  I definitely think it's important to agree on framework and "soft" deadlines.  It helps you plan and it helps you get on the page with each other.  Above all other things this is a partnership of dedication, commitment, courage, and shared sacrifice.

So we had our day 2 ultrasound.  My wife's lining was very thick and the may delay the stim cycle by a few days.  We will know more this afternoon after the blood tests.

Great Start....but cycle was cancelled.

Hi everyone!

Although we started with a bang with very good e2 numbers, great lining, and wonderful response to the stim meds, things slowed to a crawl on day #7 after we took Ganirelix.  If you are not aware of the significance, ganirelix is started to prevent a woman from ovulating while the follicles continue to grow and the eggs continue to mature.  The e2 number stalled at ~800.  Our IVF staff (I call it that because they apparently make "med tuning" decisions as a committee) increased the Gonal-F to 450 units but kept the Menopur at 350.  The following day the e2 number made it to the 900s but not significant enough to continue the cycle.

Now if you ask me, I believe my wife began ovulating on day #6 and they may have missed the opportunity to catch the eggs before they began to drop.  In other words they may have started the Ganirelix a day too late.  Clearly I'm not a doctor, but you can set your watch to my wife's body.  In our previous cycle we were stimming excellently and began the ganirelix on day #6.  My research supports the fact that ganirelix introduced into too early or too late can cause a problem similar to what we experienced.  We'll never know for sure.

Were we disappointed?...YES!  Did we blame them among ourselves?...YES! 

However, a funny thing happened on the way to the opera.....My wife and I grew even closer and became more determined to end things on our terms.  What did we do?....we had sex like rabbits just in case we could right the ship and get pregnant on our own.  We were unsuccessful but it was awesome trying and even better for our morale.  I really love this woman!!!

We're trying again in the beginning of the year and we WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.  Catch you later.

Day #2 of Injections....

Hi everyone....
So we received our protocol.
For the first 10 days (stim cycle)

1. Gonal-F 300UI daily
2. Menopur 300UI daily
3. aspirin  and prenatal vita

Blood test tomorrow to see how we are progressing.  Mixing the Gonal F and the Menopur has been a serious chemistry experiment.  I'm glad I paid attention in Chem lab.

With respect to medication let me say this.  Get real intimate with the pharmacy component of your health insurance.  I promise I know the entire staff at Escripts and Freedom Fertility pharmacy.  There are ALWAYS alternatives to the way meds are ordered and the way the prescriptions are filled.  Look for a "friend" and make them your primary contact.  Also 

It's a GO!!!!

Hi everyone!!!

So we've gotten started.  The protocol is somewhat different this time.  On my wife's second day of her cycle we started with birth control pills (10 days), dexamethasone ( 1mg/day), DHEA (75mg/day).  Last time we went through this we didn't have to take BC pills.  Word is research has shown better outcomes, on average, by starting this way.  On the 12th or 13th day the STIM cycle should begin.

What we're waiting to here are the specifics on the meds (gonal-F/Follistim, etc.).  Then we will have an idea on the what/when and how we will handle the meds.

Very different feeling this time around.  We are walking in expectancy with far less fear, but just as much excitement.  There is some anxiety but only because there still remain some unknowns.  You'll probably hear from me again around the 3rd or 4th of September.  Be well!!!

Back at it again....(REALLY!)

Hi everybody!!

Sorry for the previous false start.  We are seriously kicking things off once again.  I've received so much feedback about this blog and never expected so many people would respond to it.  Many men, and women, appear to have found value in these posts.  So lets do it again.

Interesting emotions this time around.  For me there are not as many nerves; probably because there aren't as many unknowns and we already have 3 beautiful children, anchored by our "almost" 2 year old princess.  It feels like anything else God grants us is whip cream on a sundae.  We are so ready for this.

Tomorrow we have a saline ultrasound.  For those that are new this is a process......in a saline ultrasound the doctor inserts saline to look at uterus in its expanded state to look for any malformations, cysts, and to make sure the ovaries are "calm and quiet".

After that we're suppose to be given birth control pills to start after my wife's next period......