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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Beta #3

My third HCG Beta came back at 533.7  It doubled from last time, so the docs are happy with that--and me too of course. Have a wonderful Easter everyone!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Beta #2

Hey y'all in blogland. I got my second hcg beta done and from 150 to 267.8. The nurse said that's a good rise. However, they want to do a third blood test on Friday since the numbers didn't exactly double. She said the doctors are very persnickety about this, and she assured me there is nothing to worry about. I am going to choose to be patient and content with this news. There will be enough to worry about when they're teenagers after all. I'd LOVE the continued prayers though if you think of it!!

Also please pray for a wonderful young lady I know doing IVF that has had a rough time. Her sister is donating her eggs to her, but unfortunately has not responded to the meds as well as they would like. The doctor gave them the choice of cancelling the cycle or moving forward. She is leaning toward taking a leap of faith and moving forward.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Unbelievable Blessing



I'm going to cut to the chase here...we're pregnant. It's a miracle from God!! I'm having a hard time even soaking it in, but I'm trying to live in the moment and enjoy every second.

Before we found out, we had to wait for nine days after the embryo transfer before they could do the blood test. I stayed nice and positive for a week.  I even felt kind of pregnant at times, thinking I tasted the metallic taste in my mouth that I'd read about. I felt strong spiritually, knowing that so many people were praying for us. My mom and dad even put a prayer request in the Wailing Wall for us while they were in the Holy Land.

Well, Sunday morning rolled around and everything went to hell in a hand basket. I saw a little spot of pink and felt like AF was on her way. All the feelings I had from two years ago when we had a failed IVF rushed back. I remembered exactly what it was like to be let down and I knew it was going to be the same this time. I was a mess. We were on the way to church and I just couldn't go. I knew we'd see tons of new-born babies and pregnant moms and that was going to be too much for me. So...we went to breakfast at Subway in down town Vancouver. The bacon, egg and tear sandwich tasted terrible. I saw the sappiest baby go by in his stupid little sunglasses, bobbing along in his dumb Baby Bjorn and I felt like throwing a binkie at him (that was the devil talking in my head at the time of course). Bryan was comforting and managed to stay positive for me thankfully. As the day went on, I felt better. One of my friends was very stern with me about the fact that I did not know that my babies had not implanted! It was kind of like she said "STOP IT" only in a nice, loving way--just what I needed!

I spent the majority of Monday with my friend Gretchen and baby Noella and we really had a nice relaxing day. At 2:30 Bryan and I both got home at the same time. The doctor had called and left a message for us! We played it on speaker and that's when we got the happiest news ever. Our beta was 150 (great) and hormone levels looking good.

Later in the afternoon I got invited to shop for maternity clothes with my life-long friend Dana who's 20 weeks along and her mom Susie. Wow--that actually sounded like FUN (and it was). I couldn't even fathom buying maternity clothes yet, but I did get two little onesies for the babies. Afterwards I went out and bought a home pregnancy test just so I could take the picture at the top.

The next step is our second blood test--tomorrow. They hope to see the numbers double. Then I'll be scheduled for a 6 1/2 week ultra sound. We should be able to tell if there are one or two little guys in there and maybe hear heartbeat(s). I can already tell this is going to be an interesting part of this journey! Hoping my faith can stay a little stronger next time I come across a bumpy part in the road.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Pics from last Weekend

 
My sis-in-law Amy took me to the appointment and was a great support! Bryan was in a class, so he wasn't able to make it to the appointment. I was feeling kind of giggly the whole time, which I've heard is good for implantation. Supposedly there are some clinics that even have clowns come in to make people laugh.I am so happy I had Amy instead of a clown!

I had acupuncture before and after the transfer. Here's a pic of a little needle in the top of my head. Looks like an antenna! After this, Dr. Materi and the embryologist came in and delivered great news. all 5 of our embryos were still growing. They picked the two that looked farthest along to transfer in. After I rested some more, they took me into the "clean room". As they did the procedure, I was able to look up at a screen and see the picture below.

 

And here are the two that were transferred in. They were Grade 2A Blastocysts, which is great. As I posted before, we found out the next day that 2 of the others made it and were put in the freezer for next time. They were grade 4A, which is an even better "score" because they had an extra day to grow in the dish. The embryologist said that they have the cells necessary for making a baby!

And here's my wonderful acupuncturist, Taya, from Hawthorne Wellness! Several of my Hannah's Hope gals have used her services.


After the procedure, I was on bed rest for two days. It was fantastic! I felt like I finally got rid of the stress I'd been having at work the last month. We watched the first season of the show Glee most of the time. Our friends Dana and Jaysun brought us ice cream one night, and Bryan's mom and dad brought us dinner and a gorgeous bleeding heart plant the next night. My mom and dad were in Israel, but we got to talk on the phone for a few minutes and give them the updates! So many friends checked in, and I just felt so blessed!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Totcicles in the Freezer

Just got a call and two of the other embryos made it to blastocyst and are now in the freezer. I am extremely grateful right now--wanting to jump up and down, but I'm still on bedrest,so better contain myself!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Transfer Day

Currently I'm laying on the couch enjoying a day of rest. Today was really amazing. I found out this morning that all five embryos are still growing. They took the best two and transferred them in. Bryan was unable to go, but my sister in law Amy was kind enough to take care of me. I'll post pics when I'm off bedrest!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Day After the Retrieval

This morning I got a call and 5 of the 10 eggs are now fertilized. They plan to do the transfer on Saturday. We won't know how many make it to the 5 day blastocyst stage until then. Just keep praying! Thanks everyone! JR

Monday, April 4, 2011

Egg Retrieval Day

Here I am before the retrieval. I felt excited and ready. In this room, I got my IV and then was taken into the operating room, where the last thing I remember was putting my feet into some stirrups. I was out like a light!Dr. Barbieri did my procedure today since Dr. Bankowski is in Spain for a conference. The nurses, doctor and anesthesiologist were all fantastic. SO nice.


Wow--awful--here I am afterward. Bryan said I asked how many eggs they got 3 times. The number was 10! Out of the 10, there were 5 big ones. Tomorrow we'll find out how many were mature and how many fertilized. It only takes one to make a baby! I also asked him to take this picture twice. I guess I wanted to make sure I was "keepin' it real" on my blog. Don't want anyone to get the idea this is a glamorous process. Now I'm on the couch and feeling a little tender down south, but other than that just fine.  

I'll be updating soon! Thanks for all the prayers.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Almost There!

Hello my dear friends and family~ Here's a brief run-down of my last few days moving toward IVF! I am so grateful for you walking with me during this journey. Thank you so much!!

Friday: Ultrasound--Dr. B recorded 8 large follicles, estrodial was 1342, progesterone was .9 and lining was an 11with a triple pattern. They told me I'm almost there, but should come in Saturday for one more ultrasound and blood draw.

Saturday AM: Ultrasound--Dr. Hesla found the same follicles, plus recorded a couple small ones, estrodial was 1680. He said I'm definitely ready for a trigger shot and retrieval would be Monday morning at 9:00 AM. I looked back at records from my first IVF and my estrodial was only 1453 right before they did the retrieval and my lining was 10. Maybe that's not a big difference, but I'm just glad this protocol seems to be a better fit for me.

Saturday PM: Trigger Shot at 10:15 PM on the dot. I did it subcutaneously (belly) rather than intramuscular (backside) for some reason. Not sure why--didn't ask!

Sunday: No more shots! Tonight we're having 3 of our nieces over for a movie night and I'm going to enjoy the evening without any Follistim. I have all the meds packed away so they don't have to wonder what in the world is going on with all those needles. (:

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