Day 7 Stim Check

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Good news...everything is going up but its going up slowly and correctly... My estrogen level (E2) was 1,089 and I have 7 good measuring follicles. I know on Wednesdays check up I had 8 but maybe one shrunk...I don't know... I also had the evil U/S tech from the Schaumburg office came to the Naperville office today. I was so looking forward to the other technician. Plus I never get to talk to the nurse I have to call into a voicemail. Something I finding out I don't like. Because when the nurse left my instructions for my medicine protcol she left out what to do Monday morning. But yes my meds have changed too. I'm dropping my follistim down to 75 IUIs tonite and then Sunday night down to 50 IUIs. My menopur stays the same of 2 vials and I still do my 5 units of lupron. I go back in Monday morning for another U/S and bloodwork. I'm hoping this means I go in on Wednesday/Thursday for the ER...I'm hoping I don't know yet.

Other than that...thats it. I'm going to go enjoy the rest of my Halloween night watching scary things on TV and watch SAW after Trick-O-Treating hours are over with...oh and eat some chili...YUMMY!!!

Update: Day 4 Stim

I called my nurse first thing this morning complaining about yesterdays nurse and her brief message that left me hanging for more information.

Here what I have 8 follicles (1 is at 10mm) and a bunch of other small follicles that should be playing catch up the next few days. That all I wanted to know...the other nurse just stated I had a bunch of little follicles. My estrogen levels are right on track and so is my lining. Everything is looking good for this cycle. More information to come on Saturday.

Day 4 Stim Check

Here are my results from my Day 4 Stim Check...

Estrogen Level: 261

Follicles - Small = That's it...that's all they said. No count, no measurements... NOTHING!!! UGH!!

I go back in on Saturday morning for another follicle check and blood work at the Naperville office. Get to see my favorite U/S tech. Yay - one good thing!!

And my medicine protocol stays the same.

Thats it that all the information I get...I'm very frustrated I want to know how many follicles and sizes. Plus they didn't leave the message until 3:47 p.m. thats a long time to wait to know what your protocol is going to be/change or if you need to set up an appointment. I need to keep work in the loop if I was going to be in late or not that type of thing. So now I have to call first thing tomorrow morning to get my appointment in for the Naperville office. Yippee...another Saturday morning of not sleeping in. But its all for a good cause I realize that.

Follistim Pen

I forgot to update my blog last nite about my nightly injection of Follistim Pen. I was very scared at first cause I didn't know if I could control how fast the medicine would go into my body... But I can control it but it burns just a little... Not as bad as the Menopur but still hurts. I'm so proud of myself for giving myself all these injections without Mike's help. Tonight when I was doing my Follistim Pen my youngest almost ran into me... Every one yelled at him to not do that again. He didn't know there was a needle at the end of the pen...oops!! But other than that all is calm. I go in Wednesday morning for a stim check and see how these eggies are growing. Side effects thus far minor hot flashes, little headaches, and tiredness.

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Stims Pictures and Menopur Frustration!!!

Here is the BIG picture of everything!!! LOL :) Well this is my morning cocktail I have one more medication I have to take tonight and that's my Gonal-F pen...more to follow....


I was very frustrated this morning when I had to mix my new medication - Menopur. My nurse had told me to draw up 1 cc of air before I put the Q-cap into the Sodium Chloride...Well all that did was cause more air bubbles and the syringe was moving on its own. It took me 3 tries to get the Sodium Chloride in the needle...then I had to move onto my first vial of Menopur. Same thing I would push in the Sodium Chloride in then the syringe would move on its own and cause air bubbles. When I thought I had figured it out by the second vial and took it out of the second vial there was this HUGE air bubble. I tried to push on the plunger to get it out and the medication came flying out. So there goes the medicine all over the paper towels...well not all of it but some of it... So I started all over again with a new Q-Cap and new vials of Menopur. I feel like I just flushed money down the toilet.... So for future references do NOT put air into the syringe before putting into the Sodium Chloride all that does is cause major air-bubbles.... That’s it... The injections didn't hurt and no blood. The new needle is smaller than my Lupron needle that’s for sure. And I didn't have to go buy more needles for my Lupron...my nurse gave two bags (20) of them for free. She is so AWESOME!!!

Other than that c'mon eggies grow, grow, grow!!!

Suppression Check

This morning I went in for my suppression check. I HATE getting up early on Saturdays / Sundays but for this cause I did it. And I know once I have a little one that will be gone too. BUT till then I'm sleeping in. Oh when I did my shot this morning on my RIGHT side I bled again... I've come to the conclusion my right side does NOT like taking the shot...LOL :)

Back to the suppression check information my estrogen level (E2) was less than 20 anything less than 75 is great; LH level was 8.6; progesterone was .9; and my lining was at a 5.4. My immature egg count is 21 eggs. YIKES!!! But GOOD!!! I do believe so myself!!

So my medicine protocol changes tomorrow dropping my Lupron down to 5 units in the morning, adding Menopur (2 vials) in the morning, and then Follistim Pen (150 units) at night. Plus I will continue taking my Prenatal vitamin and adding Baby Aspirin.

Then Wednesday the 28th I go in for another round of blood work and ultrasound to see how all those eggs are doin. I also start my antibiotic and mike starts his too, 2x's a day.

AF came....

Ha Ha He He Ho Ho.... I knew if I complained enough she would show her evil face. LOL :) Now I wait for my instructions from the nurse...

Day 7 of Lupron

I'm on Day 7 of Lupron. The injects are not hurting at all till today. This morning when I did the inejection I felt the needle more than normal and when I pulled the needle out there was blood. Ouch!! I put a band-aid on it and went on with my normal morning routine. But I hope not to do that again. I don't know if I pinched my skin incorrectly or what... My only S/E's I'm having are some minor hot flashes and tiredness. I have a slight headache when I wake up in the morning but it doesn't last very long...so I don't think thats a S/E.

I'm still waiting for AF to start. I took my last BCP on Sunday and my nurse said it could be any where between 3-7 days after my last BCP to get my AF. I can not move onto stims until I get my AF. So come on AF... That sounds really weird to want AF but I do... LOL :)

IVF Consult, Injection Class, & 1st Injection

Yesterday Mike and I went for our IVF Consult and Injection Class. A LOT of information was given to us. I felt like we were signing for a house with all the paperwork we went over. But in the end instead of key we should be getting a baby. Much cooler I think since I have already done the house thing twice and I'm done buying for awhile. I rather get a baby this time around...LOL. My nurse is awesome, she is very sweet and explained everything very well. We will be doing IVF w/ICSI and possible assisted hatching if need be. All covered under my new insurance THANK YOU GOD!!

My Protocol is Luteal Lupron. I'm on 10 units of Lupron (a.m.) and I take my last BCP on Sunday. Then when I get AF I go in for bloodwork and ultrasound to see when I start stimulation. For my stimulation right now I will be doing 2 vials of Menopar (a.m.) and 150 IUs of Follistim (p.m.). After 4 days of stimulation I go in for more bloodwork and ultrasound to see how things look. I will also be on antibiotics and baby aspirin. This all I know for now.

My 1st injection was yesterday as soon as we got home. So I had to kinda of rush my 1st injection because we had to get to my oldest football game. But I did it. I was shaky at first and it took 3 pokes to get it in but after that it was EASY. I couldn't believe it. Then this morning I woke up and did my 2nd injection all by MYSELF. I'm quite proud of myself... I hope all the injections are this easy. I have a little redness afterwards but within 5 mins its gone.

Below I have posted some pics of me doing the injections and my little set up for the injection.

Blog Award

Rules

1. You Can Only Use One Word!

2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers

3. Alert them that you have given them this award!

4. Have Fun!

The Survey~

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk

2. Your hair? Brown

3. Your mother? Nanny

4. Your father? Retired

5. Your favorite food? Pasta

6. Your dream last night? Snakes

7. Your favorite drink? Milk

8. Your dream/goal? Baby

9. What room are you in? Office

10. Your hobby? Reading

11. Your fear? DEBT

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Mother

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something that you aren’t? Outrageous

15. Muffins? Blueberry

16. Wish list item? I-Pod

17. Where did you grow up? Illinois

18. Last thing you did? Blogging

19. What are you wearing? Underwear

20. Your TV? Vizio

21. Your pets? Dogs

22. Friends? Awesome

23. Your life? STRESSFUL

24. Your mood? Tired

25. Missing someone? Uncle

26. Vehicle? Dodge

27. Something you’re not wearing? PJ's

28. Your favorite store? Kohls

29. Your favorite color? Blue

30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

32. Your best friend? Many...

33. One place that I go to over and over? Work

34. One person who emails me regularly? Dad

35. Favorite place to eat? Chili's

Bloggers I want to past this award on to:

Is it my turn yet?
Gum, 2, 3, 4
Thoughts from the mind of Maydaygirl (private blog)

I don't have 6 Bloggers to pass this onto or don't feel comfortable asking them too...

Sick....

Well I'm not sick, sick...but I'm having all kinds of sinus issues. My sinus's are draining down the back of my throat causing a horrible sore throat. I'm sneezing and my nose is running away. This SUCKS!! I did go to the doctor to make sure it was just Sinus issues and it is.

So...the next couple days I'm going to be taking my Sinus Decongestant and Sinus Allergy pills, completely safe for me to take right now. Eat some chicken noodle soup, drink hot green tea by the gallons, REST and get rid of this before next Friday. I can't be sick for this cycle I really want to get this IVF process going... Yes I will be cautious to make sure I'm the healthiest I can be before I continue on and will let Dr. Miller know about this just in case.

I do; however, have my birthday party this Saturday... :( And I really want to go to my moms and hang out with my family and open gifts and eat chili. I think I'll just skip the part where we all were going to go to the Pumpkin Farm. I rather stay in and stay warm. Other than this, this is all I have to post about. I think over the next week I'll share more on my family and home.

Pharmacy ....

The pharmacy has arrived at my house... As I promised I would post about my IVF drug package. I had the package delivered to my mom and dads house knowing that they would be home to sign for the package. They were completely shocked when they saw how big the package was. As some of you know you have to keep some of the meds refrigerated and mom had to make room in her garage fridge for this huge box. She didn't want to open the package. At lunch time I went to my parents house to go inspect the package. Holy crap! I opened it up and there are drugs, drugs, needles, drugs, needles, etc... You get the point. I couldnt' dig out the ones that needed to be refrigerated so with it being cold outside I left everything in the box/styofoam box stucked it the van and hoped for the best. I did go back to work for the afternoon so they were only in the car for 3-1/2 hrs. When I got home the drugs on the very bottom were still cold and those were the only ones that had the refrigerate sticker on them. I was shocked on how much was in that package and I shouldn't have been as I have read other bloggers responses to opening their own IVF packages. And have seen pictures. Below is some pictures of all the drugs and the list of them all.

• Follistim
• Menopur
• HCG Trigger
• Lupron
• Doxcycline
• Methylpred Tabs (16 mg)
• Endometrin (NO PIO SHOTS---YAY!!!)

That is all the IVF drugs...the package also included needles, follistim pen, needles, antibiotics for DH, more needles, prenatels, syringes, and baby asprin.

Needles....eeek!!!!!!!

Wide View of all the drugs...on the coffee table


Close up!!!

Let the journey begin...

I'm starting this blog now so that in the future I can reflect on this whole IVF experience. The reason I named the blog One More Meatball is that my husband, Mike, is 100% Italian and we are trying to add one more meatball to our sauce. Mike has three children from his previous marriage...Anthony (14), Shelby (13), and Christopher(12).

Mike and I got married July 1, 2006 and in September 2006 I had a melt down. I was ready to be a mom, not a step-mom, but a mom. We threw out the BCP's and said lets see what happens.
Six months into trying I started getting worried and found my wonderful nesties on the TTTC board to vent about my frustrations. Granted I was only 6 months into it and probably could have stayed on the BOTB board but I didn't like the atmosphere. I had a feeling that this was not going to be as easy as the miracle of life video makes it look.

One year rolled around and I was devastated. I went to my annual OB/GYN visit and told my feelings to my OB/GYN. She was wonderful and open minded. She started the testing right away on me and Mike. My hormone level/numbers came back fine but Mike's SA numbers did not. I know everyone is shocked when I tell them we have MFI but that is the case. We don't know if it was all the years in the Army and all those shots they give the soldiers and his age or what it is. We were told to go see an urologist, Dr. G.

Dr. G was very understanding and did all the testing he could. Plus he put Mike on Clomid for 3 months to see if that helped - it did nothing. I was also put on Clomid for 2 cycles and my progesterone approved but it didn't result in a pregnancy of any kind.

So now it's January 2008 and I break down and call an RE office - FCI of Illinois. We went in for our consultation in March 2008 and did all the testing in April 2008. We were at that time totally OOP. Plus we were trying to sell our house and we had already moved in our brand new house. So we had to stop treatments due to money issues.

In May 2008 Mike's grandma passed away. But with this we were left some money...money to help pay for some treatments. So in January 2009 we did our first IUI. I was so excited, nervous, anxious, you name it I was feeling it. But it too resulted in a BFN. Then in February I had a major cyst that made me sit out for a cycle. When March rolled around we had traveling to do...in the beginning of March we went to Canada and the end of March we went on a Cruise to the Bahamas' the most awesome vacation ever! No good time for treatments. In April I found out through my HR manager that my company offers health insurance that covers IF treatments...OMG!!! But I can't sign up for it till July. So now we decided to take a nice long break and get our finances together and wait for the insurance to kick in. I get my Insurance - BCBS of IL - HMO plan. Everything is covered, but FCI of Illinois does not accepted BCBS of IL HMO. So I have to find a new RE. GREAT!!

I find one through my co-worker, Dr. Charles E. Miller and Associates. I set up the appointment in August. Dr. Miller goes over my paperwork and is very disappointed that I did an IUI with Mikes numbers. He suggested right away that we move onto IVF.

So here we are starting our IVF journey. We just finished all of our testing...aka Day 3 B/W and U/S, Mike's repeat SA, and a SHG and an uterus culture. Everything came back normal for me and Mike's numbers are still very low. So we will be proceeding with IVF w/ICSI. My IVF consultation is Friday, October 16th and I get all my drugs tomorrow, October 6th. So I will be posting again with pics of my drugs...LOL.