IVFx4 Update

I should definitely be charged with blog neglect!  I am sorry that I have been lacking in updating as quickly as I usually do, this last weekend was absolutely non-stop and I’m glad it is over!  We decided to have a garage sale on Saturday & Sunday and if you’ve ever had one, then you know how much work they are.  I made about $200 so I was happy with that, but really wish we could’ve agreed to just have it the one day, oh well, just happy it is over!

On Friday I had my doctor’s appointment at 9AM which meant I had to be up and moving and out the door by 7, that actually meant an hour of sleeping in for me which I gladly welcomed and took advantage of.  The hard part about switching doctors is you already have preconceived notions in your head about the way appointments and protocols work, and then you assume they all work that way.  I learned on Friday that is definitely not true!  Nothing major, but still different.  I got to the office, had my blood drawn, then was called into the room right away for the ultrasound.  The doctor was not in the room to perform the ultrasound, the nurse did it, took pictures and measurements, and then sent me on my merry way to be called later that afternoon.  Panic immediately set in, I had no idea if everything that the nurse saw even looked ok!  I texted a friend of mine who sees the same doctor and she said that I wouldn’t hear from them until about 2-3pm in the afternoon and they would call me with the plan.  I pouted for a brief moment and then decided, it is what it is, time to move on!

After my appointment I met up with a fellow TTC sister for breakfast!  I have never actually met anyone in person that I only know online, but it was wonderful!  We talked for several hours a small little café downtown Springfield, had breakfast, and then made plans to meet again as soon as we could.  Her name is Gina and she is so sweet.   Gina and her husband are also treated by Dr. LdM so I was able to confirm with her too the way this was all working out was the way they did things.  It was very reassuring to be able to talk to someone who has already been treated by my new doctor.  Also, much to my husband’s surprise, she was not a Craigslist killer as he suspected she might be.  We found out that we both have appointments on Friday back to back around 10 so we are going to go for lunch afterwards.

So finally around 2:30 in the afternoon they called with the plan.  I have been instructed to continue with a decreased dose of Lupron, 5cc, 50iu of Gonal F, and 75iu of Menopur.  I started Sunday and continue at least through Friday.  So far everything is going well.  I’ve never had to do 3 injections at one time and I had never used Menopur before so that was a little tricky, but I watched a couple videos and feel more confident with it now.  Joe and I are both on Doxycycline as well.  I really have no idea when my potential retrieval will be, but will of course know more on Friday after my follow up appointment.  I would imagine early next week. 

So much about this cycle is different.  I’ve been trying really hard not to base anything on my past cycles because they aren’t really comparable.  They clearly have me on very low doses because of how well my body has responded to the FSH in the past.  Last fresh I was on 200iu of Gonal x day for around 10 days and I had 34 eggs, Dr. LdM only wants to see 10-15 eggs.  Even their ultrasound protocols are different so it isn’t really fair to this clinic or to myself to compare to my past cycles. 

I am still feeling very positive and at peace with everything.  Life really is good and full of many other blessings that we enjoy.  There was a brief upset in the balance for a day or two, but everything is back on track, I am focused on ME and MY cycle only and I have a very good feeling about the outcome.

I do want to share with you guys the link to my featured post for the Online Fertility Conference hosted by Miss Conception Coach.  For day 1 of the conference she featured my post about dealing with pregnancy announcements, a very tough part of infertility, but on that can certainly be dealt with and overcome.  Please check it out!

And lastly I unfortunately have to mention the loss of on our of most inspiring infertility warriors, Kirby, she was not a blogger, but she was huge in our Instagram community of TTC sisters and she unfortunately succumbed to the complications that she had after her lung surgery.  She was in critical condition in a coma and had been unresponsive for quite some time.  She passed on Monday and she will be so missed by so many.  Although I never met her in person, I had an extra soft spot for her in my heart and she was a pug owner, her baby Willow will surely miss her mama as much as her husband and the rest of her family who has to suffer from this loss.  Many prayers to all who have been affected by the loss of Kirby.  She was one of our biggest advocates for infertility awareness leaving notes around her city for anyone to pick up and read, spreading messages of awareness and hope and our entire community has been shaken by this tragic loss.