And Then There Were None

Today was the big day. Our blood pregnancy test was today.
You know it isn't good news when the doctor calls before the window of time I was expecting to get a call in.

Our one little fighter embryo didn't make it. We knew our chances weren't as good having only one to transfer, but we still held on to every bit of hope we had. (And there was a lot of it!)

I can't beat myself up over this. When there is a next time, they'll give me a higher dose of meds from the start. I had as many follicles on IUI cycles as I did this time around. Did they shut me down too much and I couldn't turn things up enough in time to get good production? That's the question for the doctor to answer.

Unfortunately this was our first cycle with the new clinic and we'll have to chalk it up as a very expensive learning experience. In the future, I'll test at home first. I can take seeing a stark white test strip easier than I can take the phone call.

We'll have a conference with the doctor in a few weeks to go over what went wrong this cycle and what they'll do in the future to get better results.

For a fleeting moment, we had life. At least we have a picture of it. Something tangible. That's more than we've gotten in the past.

Just One

Melissa is on bed rest now, so this will be the last update until Thursday.
Of our three embryos only one made it to a stage where it could be transferred.

Transfer Day!

Today is the big day. Our transfer is scheduled in just a couple of hours.

I did not really get an update when they called to schedule us yesterday, but they did say they still all looked really good and pretty equal when they looked at them on Sunday.

Now it's up to their team to select the 2 best looking embryos in hopes of implantation.

I'll be spending the next 48 hours on bedrest so I won't be able to check-in or give any updates.

Thanks again for all the support and well wishes during this process.

Good things come in 3's, right?

I sure hope so, cause that's how many embryos we have! Out of our 7 eggs that were retrieved, 4 were mature and 3 fertilized with ICSI.

Things were on track as of this morning, and all of them were right about equal. We'll get another call on Monday and set up the transfer for sometime on Tuesday.

Tonight was my first PIO shot and I have to say, it really wasn't that bad. I was definitely expecting a lot worse.

Thanks to everyone who's left comments or sent emails in the last few days. I definitely appreciate all the love and support going into this.

Random thoughts during an IVF cycle

(Click to enlarge)

Home and Relaxing

Our ER was at 8:30 this morning. They went in looking for 7 and that's what they came out with. We won't know any more until Saturday.

I had 9 follicles earlier in the week, so I don't know how it turned up that they were only looking for 7, but at least they got them all.

Anyways, the worst part was trying to find a good spot to start the IV. She finally settled on the back of my hand and it was pretty easy going. I woke right up and was holding a conversation on my way back to the recovery room. We hung out for about 1/2 an hour and then I was discharged.

I was given some Tylenol before I left and just now I took some more. I've had only a slight crampy feeling so far, but I want to stay on top of things. I actually feel pretty good.

We did ICSI on all of them, so I'm hoping for good numbers on Saturday!
(I'm borrowing someone else's lucky number here!)

Tonight, in honor of our tradition for important baby related days (and this was a big one!) we will be having Mexican!

Time to pull the trigger!

These little follicles are getting their eviction notice delivered to them tonight at 8:30pm! Time for me to meet "the big guy" as referenced below.

Egg retrieval will be Thursday morning at 8:30am.

As of today, still 9 measurable follicles with plenty of smaller ones tagging along for the ride. I feel really good about those 9 because 9 happens to be my lucky number. And, I'm hoping for quality over quantity.

Of course I'm really anxious with a bit of nerves thrown in the mix too. I've never had an IV and only ever been put under once and that was when I had my Wisdom teeth out. I don't do well with needles, but I have gotten better after what feels like a million blood draws over the last 2 years.

Our clinic calls on day 2 with the fertilization report, so I probably won't know anything until Saturday.

Wish me luck!