Dec. 29 2009

We saw the Midwife today. She was great with all the humor my husband brought to the OB apt. We heard Ella's heartbeat with the doppler. She poked and prodded so much that Ella was moving quite a bit and that got her heart racing. The first reading was 152 and then another of 165 and another of 198. She is very active!
Because I've had a LEEPS procedure where they cut the tip of my cervix off due to pre-cancer cells, i will be getting ultrasounds of my cervix every 2 weeks. If there is any thinning, then they will stitch my cervix closed.
I was measuring larger for my date. We will just have to wait until Feb. 12 for our BIG ultrasound until we can see what is going on in there:) I have been feeling a lot of flutters that are getting stronger and stronger. John is very excited to feel the baby move, even though that is a ways off.

Dec. 28 2009

Today i am 13 weeks pregnant and entering my second trimester=) I called this a.m. and pushed my OB apt forward to tomorrow so that my parents from Alaska who are visiting can come along. We will hear Ella Elyse's heart beat for the first time by doppler at the appointment. We have heard her heart beat twice already by ultrasound.

Nov. 22 2009

John named our baby Ella Elyse. Ellen is his mother's middle name and it's sort of like Ella. And Elyse is his sisters middle name. So it's final and we are expecting sweet Ella Elyse July 5, 2010!

Nov. 21 2009

Dec. 19 2009

I have 12 more days until my next OB visit. I stopped my progesterone shots 7 days ago and feel human again. No more aching butt and i have had no ovarian pain. I kinda think i was over doing the progesterone and my body was just over loaded. The docs never know who is and who isn't producing enough to support a pregnancy, especially in IVF. So they give everyone the same dose. I'm happy and more at ease to be moving on to my 2nd trimester! It's finally sunk in that this is really happening and John and I will soon be holding a new baby girl=)

John loves my ever growing tummy and will have little conversations with baby. He says "I love coming home from 3 days of work to find you always a little bit bigger.....WE"RE HAVING A BABY (with a goofy smile on his face!" I hope we can agree soon on a name......

Dec. 14 2009

Dec. 8 2009

10 weeks 1 day
I just made my level 2 ultrasound for Feb. 12 2010 @ 2pm. I was quite disappointed when they told me that their policy did not allow children under 16 to come along. This then worried me as to if my children would be able to witness the birth. So i called up OB at Kent General and spoke with a nurse. She said the sign in the front of the hospital recommends no one under 16 in the hospital as a visitor, but is only a recommendation. She said some nurses will support me and some may not and that i need to tell every Doctor that i see my intentions. My children have all witnessed each other's births and we've done IVF/microsort as a family......every one of us has done our part to bring this new one into the world! That calmed me down to hear i can and will have them present at the birth in July.

Dec. 4 2009

Dec. 4 2009           

            Today I had an OB appointment. There are around 7 doctors at my OB clinic. Today I met Dr. Wong and he is such a sweet man. He called me sweet heart just a few hundred times, listened intently, and calmed all my fears. He even brought in the in-office ultrasound, which gave us a fuzzy photo of baby who is healthy and growing. My cysts are shrinking and everything looks good=)  I had all the 1^st routine stuff done like a pap smear, urine sample, blood pressure, weight check (which I have so far gained 2 pounds). We were offered an ultrasound and blood work at week 12 to scan for diseases such as Down syndrome, but we’ve opted out. So I will have another ultrasound, a level 2 that I have to schedual between weeks 15 and 18. I think I’m going to schedual it for 17 weeks so that we can get a 100% on the sex of the baby. I go back for another OB appointment on Dec. 31.

Nov. 30 2009

Nov. 30 2009

I'm still having pain in my ovaries and i'm going to call the doc today. I only have 14 days left of the progesterone injections/shots and then my body gets to take over from there:)

Nov. 24 2009

I'm still having duel aches in my right side and back:( I've been using the heating pad and it relaxes me enough. I called Dr. Chow today to find out the results of my labs, but they were not back yet. I guess i'll just find out more at my apt. on Dec. 4th.

Nov. 24 2009

8 weeks pregnant ~ not a good pic....i need my own personal photographer;p

Nov. 23 2009

Nov. 23 2009

            My pain was minimal yesterday and gone today! I am just going to lay low and not over do anything so I don’t rupture another cyst. So this a.m. while I was injecting progesterone I think I hit a blood vessel, because blood shot across the kitchen floor. 3 more weeks and I’ll be done giving myself shotsJ YAaAa I just wanted to keep you all informed and let you know I’m doing better. Now I just have to decided if I’m going to make the 3 hour trip (on a good day with no traffic) to VA for Thanksgiving.

More info

Hemorrhagic cyst
A third type of functional cyst, which is common, is a Hemorrhagic cyst, which is also called a blood cyst, hematocele, and hematocyst.[2] It occurs when a very small blood vessel in the wall of the cyst breaks, and the blood enters the cyst. Abdominal pain on one side of the body, often the right side, may be present. The bleeding may occur quickly, and rapidly stretch the covering of the ovary, causing pain. As the blood collects within the ovary, clots form which can be seen on a sonogram.[3][4] Occasionally hemorrhagic cysts can rupture, with blood entering the abdominal cavity. No blood is seen out of the vagina. If a cyst ruptures, it is usually very painful. Hemorrhagic cysts that rupture are less common. Most hemorrhagic cysts are self-limiting; some need surgical intervention. Even if a hemorrhagic cyst ruptures, in many cases it resolves without surgery. Patients who don't require surgery will experience pain for 4 - 10 days after, and may require several days rest. Studies have found that women on tetracycline antibiotics recover 25% earlier than the majority of patients, a surprising correlation found in 2004. Sometimes surgery is necessary,[5][6] such as a laparoscopy ("belly-button surgery" that uses small tools inserted through one or more tiny slits in the abdomen).[7]

Nov. 20 2009

Nov. 20 2009

            I had my first visit with my OB doc today. This is the third docs opinion in the past week. Dr. Chow agreed I have large cysts on my ovaries causing me much pain, but as for them leaking into my uterus she does not agree. She believes the blood to be near where the baby has implanted. She wrote down that I am a threatened miscarriage. But I came home and read that at my point in pregnancy the placenta is attaching all it’s vascular connections and can leak blood. So I am holding on to that. It’s very emotional! And after a month of pain I’m really not holding up as well. My next OB visit is Dec. 4^th. Oh I forgot to mention that she  had my labs done, all 23 tubes of blood to check everything in the book. I can call on Tuesday to see how everything checks out, but if something is wrong, then they will call me.

Nov. 19 2009

The doc from the OB clinic called me this a.m. and said he wants to see me tomorrow instead of waiting until Monday.

More info i found:

Cysts are generally tricky, but nothing can be trickier than cysts on ovaries during pregnancy. This is because, not one, but two lives are on the line - the mother's and the baby's. However, by knowing the nitty-gritty and the risks involved when cysts on ovaries during pregnancy are involved, you'll find that it's not really as bad as it sounds.

A Bundle With Your Bundle

The formation of cysts in your ovaries is part of your regular menstrual cycle. In essence, a fluid-filled sac builds up on the inside or on the surface of your ovaries. This is the egg that is starting to mature. When the egg has fully matured, the sac will burst and the fluid, along with the mature egg, will then enter the fallopian tube to wait for fertilization. These are called functional cysts, and are rarely found during pregnancy.

The cysts on ovaries during pregnancy which should be of concern are the large, solid, or semi-solid masses that form not out of the regular bodily processes, such as dermoid cysts. The problem with cysts on ovaries during pregnancy, regardless of size and whether they're benign or not, is that these cysts may rupture and cause sepsis, or torque (twist on themselves). Needless to say, this will cause a lot of pain.

A cyst is considered large when it exceeds six to eight centimeters. These types of cysts on ovaries during pregnancy will not only place the woman in significant pain, they can also put pressure on the developing fetus, considering the fact they are in the same general area and are essentially competing for space. One can only imagine how cramped it can get in there with the presence of cysts on ovaries during pregnancy.

Treatment and Removal

The removal of cysts on ovaries during pregnancy is not a new procedure and is often necessary to save both the mother and the child. In fact, a vast majority of the procedures for the removal of cysts on ovaries during pregnancy have led to successful deliveries. But before the removal of cysts on ovaries during pregnancy, an ultrasound must be performed to determine the best course of action, seeing as how two lives will be affected by any treatment - surgery or otherwise.

If surgery is warranted, the best time to remove cysts on ovaries during pregnancy would be sometime in the second trimester - that is to say, between the fourth and sixth month of pregnancy - when the child is well into its development. Very rarely do cysts on ovaries during pregnancy turn out to be cancerous (the odds are around 1 in 25,000), but they do have to be removed as they pose a danger for miscarriage or pre-term labor.

While surgery may be needed to remove cysts on ovaries during pregnancy, which may include a large and open incision, most of the time, all that is needed is a laparotomy - a procedure that's not as invasive, but one that easily takes care of the problem.

by Werner Wichmann from http://www.cure-cysts-on-ovaries.com helps numerous women around the world who struggle with cysts on ovaries and cannot find any relief from drugs prescribed by doctors and face the scary prospect of surgery often not necessary or successful.

Nov. 18 2009

Nov. 18 2009

            After yesterday’s ultrasound and no explanation to why I had been cramping for over 2 weeks and why I had blood in my uterus, I decided to go to ER. I did a urine sample; hopping maybe I just had a kidney/bladder infection. Nope it was fine. Then they drew blood to check my liver function, white blood cell count, and if the HCG levels were rising. Liver fine, white blood cells fine, and a perfect HCG level of 14,000. So then I had an ultrasound. I got to see baby who was comfortably oblivious to it allJ After the doc saw the images it all made perfect sense, like why couldn’t I figure that out. I have Hemorrhagic Cysts on both ovaries. So the cramping and pain I’ve had is due to that and they are leaking blood into my uterus. I found this on line about Hemorrhagic cysts:

Hemorrhagic Cysts

An ovarian cyst is a collection of fluid within the ovary that is surrounded by a thin wall. Many types of ovarian cysts exist, and many do not exhibit any symptoms. Ovarian cysts can be small or large in size but usually range from pea-sized to grapefruit-sized.

Most ovarian cysts, about 95 percent, are harmless and benign. They can occur in women of any age but most often affect women who are in their childbearing years. Some ovarian cysts can rupture, bleed or cause pain and may need to be removed through surgery.

One common type of ovarian cyst is the hemorrhagic cyst. Hemorrhagic cysts are also known as blood cysts, hematoceles and hematocysts. Hemorrhagic cysts occur when a blood vessel in the wall of a cyst breaks, causing blood to enter into the cyst.

Hemorrhagic cysts are a type of functional cyst, meaning that they occur normally during the course of the female menstruation process. Functional cysts, also known as simple cysts, have nothing to do with disease. They can be treated normally and often resolve themselves without the need for treatment or any type of surgery.

Hemorrhagic Ovarian Cyst Symptoms

Generally, hemorrhagic cysts will cause abdominal pain, usually just on one side of they body and they may also cause bleeding and the rapid stretching of the wall of the ovary, which will also cause pain. Blood clots will generally form in the ovary and can be seen using a sonogram.

Hemorrhagic cysts can sometimes rupture and release blood into the abdominal region. This will cause severe pain for the woman, but rupturing hemorrhagic cysts are far less common. Most often, hemorrhagic cysts will regulate themselves. They may, however, require surgical removal. In some cases, even hemorrhagic cysts that rupture can resolve themselves without the need for surgery.

For minor pain and symptoms of hemorrhagic cysts or other types of ovarian cysts, medication or pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can be prescribed. Narcotics and prescription pain medications may also be prescribed by a medical professional.

Heating pads, hot water bottles and ice packs can also be helpful for hemorrhagic cyst symptoms and can release tension and stimulate circulation, as can certain herbal teas, vitamin supplements and avoiding caffeine.

Women who have hemorrhagic cysts or any type of ovarian cyst that lasts longer than two or three menstrual cycles and women with a family history of ovarian cancer should speak to a medical professional about their symptoms and treatment options to avoid more serious problems in the future.

I have my 1^st apt with my OB doc on Monday. One of the docs from the OB clinic was there tonight. The doc said I’d be observed carefully and have more ultrasounds so see if the cyst are growing or getting better. Oh the reason I have these cyst is due to Hyper stimulation of the drugs I was on to produce multiple follicles/eggs and grow them. I just can’t wait to have the weeks go on so we can get out of the woods. This is a bit nerve rattlingL

Nov. 17 2009

Nov. 17 2009

            Today was bitter sweet! One of our babies did not make it. We had our ultrasound today and saw our little bean’s heart beat at a healthy 125 beats per minute. There is a BUTL I have a lot of bleeding in my uterus and we’re not sure why. So far it posses no threat to the baby, but it does explain my painful stabbing cramp’s I’ve been having for 2 weeks. The doctor wants to do another ultrasound in a week and a half, the day before Thanksgiving to see if my body has absorbed the blood. This does scare me, because at 6 months gestation with my last child I had 50% abruption. I am hopping our little bean is a fighter! Baby is measuring smaller than my estimated due date. This is normal in IVF pregnancy’s because she may have been a late implanter. I had a lot of things on my calendar the next few days, but it looks like I’ll be in bed with my feet up.

Nov. 14 2009

6 weeks and 5 days. And to think i was so thin less than two months ago:)

$$$

I have no words to thank my parents for the gift they have given us. They are truly the most amazing grandparents and dote over the four grand children they already have. THANK YOU MOM AND DAD!
I'm posting this to help other's know all the hidden financial costs. We did not expect a few.


Single IVF Cycle = $8,900 but they are giving us a 25% military discount

Micro sort consultation = $150
IVF consultation = $300
IVF = $6,675
Micro sort = $3,500
Prescriptions = $3,017.66
Hystosonigram = $998
ICSI = $1,850

For a grad total of = $16,490.66

Growing

Make a pregnancy ticker

Nov. 10 2009

Nov. 10 2009

            I drove to VA this a.m. for a blood draw. The nurse just called and said my Beta HCG levels were great at 2,500. I believe this is 19 days after our transfer. We schedualed the ultrasound for Nov. 17. We are all so excited!!!

Nov. 7 2009

Today is my birthday and I am 30 =o I just wanted to update a bit. I drive to VA again for another blood draw on Tuesday. I will have my ultrasound a week from then. I have been having pains in my lower side. I experienced this with my second child 10 years ago, so i'm not to worried. It's said to be my ligaments or uterus stretching. It happens when i'm over doing it, like cleaning the house. Anywhos i'm still trying to comprehend that i'm pregnant. Seems to good to be true! I can not wait to have that growing reminder on the front of me:) LOL Here's a photo that only shows the 10 extra pounds i gained while on progesterone and the bloated feeling. My hubby wants to do monthly photos as my tummy grows. So this is the first one.....today i am 4 weeks and 6 days. BUT if you go off the 1st day of my last period like every doc does, then i am 6 weeks pregnant.

Nov. 3 2009

Nov. 3 2009

            I had a positive Beta HCG blood test of 123 today and I am 4 weeks and 1 day pregnant. We’ll go in and have another blood draw a week from today. So today I decided to bless someone els with $700 in prescriptions I did not use and gave them to the nurse to give to the appropriate person. It’s a hefty price tag, we had not figured in the  $2,900 in prescriptions for this IVF process. So if I can help someone out with giving them un-used meds…I’d love to help them on their journeyJ Anywhos we can’t be more excited and blessed and just on cloud 9! Thank you all for your prayers!!!

For future reference: The 18 gage needles i was inserting into my body were not the correct ones:( OUCH! The pharmacy forgot to give me the other needle heads to switch out after i drew up the meds. When the nurse found out she was mad and said she was going to give them an ear full. The needles i've been using i could have pierced my belly button with all over again;p

Oct. 30 2009

I"M PREGGERS! I took a pregnancy test today=)

Oct. 26 2009

Oct. 26 2009

            I am the human pin cushion! My bum is really hurtingL

Oct. 25 2009

Oct. 25. 2009

            I found this on line and thought it helpful in understanding what is taking place right with the babies:

 


3-Day Transfer
Days Past
Transfer (DPT)     Embryo Development
 One    The embryo continues to grow and develop, turning from a 6-8 cell embryo into a morula
 Two    The cells of the morula continue to divide, developing into a blastocyst
 Three    The blastocyst begins to hatch out of its shell
 Four    The blastocyst continues to hatch out of its shell and begins to attach itself to the uterus
 Five    The blastocyst attaches deeper into the uterine lining, beginning implantation
 Six    Implantation continues
 Seven    Implantation is complete, cells that will eventually become the placenta and fetus have begun to develop
 Eight    Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) starts to enter the blood stream
 Nine    Fetal development continues and hCG continues to be secreted
 Ten    Fetal development continues and hCG continues to be secreted 
 Eleven    Levels of hCG are now high enough to detect a pregnancy

Oct. 24 2009

Oct. 24 2009

            John has been so funny the past few days. He keeps me in bed, makes me bfast, lunch, and dinner and chases me back to bed if he finds me up even to pee. He talks to the babies and has even prayed over my belly. Well I am being sent back to bed. But one last thing, our pregnancy test is for Nov. 3^rd. If it looks good we’ll have an ultrasound two weeks later! GNight

Oct. 22 2009

Oct. 22. 2009

            We spoke to the doc about the embryo transfer that was about to take place. He said that one of the three embryo’s stop growing, but that they had  two, 8 cell embryos that were perfect. On a scale to measure the quality with their perfect number being 2.0 they graded our two embryo’s at 2.1. After he talked a bit more and answered some last minute questions, we went to the other room to get set up for the transfer. John was at my head and watching the flat screen TV of the procedure as we watched them lead the catheter up and find a nice place to put the babies. They used the ultrasound probe on my belly to help guide the whole thing.  Once we were done they told me to lay there with my bum up to heaven as they tilted the bed backwards. Then they presented us with a photo of our 8 cel dixi babies and an ultra sound photo. Babies first two photosJ 15 min. later we were told we could go home and we hurried to the SUV where John made a bed for me to lay flat the 3 hour drive home.

Oct. 20 2009

Oct. 20 2009

            We got the call from the nurse today. 2 of the 6 eggs were no good and a 3^rd one didn’t make it. So today we have 3 one-cell embryos. It’s kind of crazy to think we’ve really created life, what ever the out come. The doc said do to the limit numbers of embryos that he’d like to do a 3-day transfer. So Thursday at 10:30 am they will be putting the babies inside me. They like to put 3 in on 3-day transfers as apposed to 2 on 5-day transfers. There is no guarantee that the 3 we have will make it and hold out two more days. We are trusting God and praying. I did not want to have 10 embryos and have to pick and choose who I’d keep and I believe God is in control!

Oct. 19 2009

Oct. 19 2009

            Today was egg retrieval day. John gave his seman sample and then I went in for surgery. They retrieved 6 eggs. I have cramping and spotting, but it should go away in about two days. They will call us tomorrow and tell us how our dixi babies are doing.

Oct. 17 2009

Oct. 17 2009

            I did my final monitoring trip to VA with all the kids this a.m. We were really scared driving in the rain and hydroplaning the whole 3 hours. But we made it there and back safe and sound! Today I am measuring right on with most of the follicles at 22-24. I asked the doc how big that is, when not on the flat screen TV. He said about an inch. With me having about 10 large follicles and 6 other small ones.  I have over 10 inches of follicles in my fallopian tubes and that is the reason for all the pain and pressure. BUT first thing on Monday morning I’ll be going in for surgery to retrieve the eggs. At this time John will be giving his sperm sample and then Microsort will separate them for the female. Then they will choose one sperm and inject it into the egg. The following day they will call us and tell us how our little bean is doing. I was happy to hear that I won’t have to drive to VA tomorrow a.m. So the kids and I are going to just relax and SLEEP! Tonight I have to give myself  a new shot of  HCG and NOT the other shots I’ve been taking. The HCG is to be given 36 hours before they are to retrieve the eggs. Anywhos we are at the finish line now!  BTW I look like a pincushion! It took 3 different nurses and 5 sticks before they hit blood today.

Oct. 16 2009

Oct. 16 2009

            Did the 4:30 a.m. drive again to VA and will be doing this daily. Things are progressing well. We are still hoping to do the egg retrieval on Monday! I just cleaned and bleached my whole house from top to bottom in preparation of my being laid up in the near future. I feel like I’m nesting……it’s exciting!

Oct. 14 2009

Oct. 14 2009

            Just got back from VA. Blood work and ultrasound were performed again. My eggs are growing fast. One measured 18.5 and the other nice sized ones are around 14. I am increasing my meds the Gonal @300 mixed with 2 vials of Menopur.  I have to order more meds before tonight! We will see how Friday’s apt. goes and then set a date for egg retrieval. I’m so ready to do this!

Oct. 12 2009

Oct. 12 2009

            We drove to VA this a.m. again. I had blood work done and am awaiting another phone call. My ultrasound was great and I am responding to the drugs well and quite fast. I had 6 follicles in my right fallopian tube and 4 on the left. With one large one on the left side. I have been giving myself shots of Gonal @225 for the past 4 nights. Tonight I will start the Ganirelic. I will also give myself the Gonal mixed with Menopur. So 3 drugs and 2 shots. The new ones are to keep me from ovulating on my own. The doctor said we may be harvesting my eggs sooner, like THIS WEEKJ             

Oct. 11 2009

Oct.  11 2009

            Well i've been doing my IVF shots for 3 days now and boy do they hurt! NOt the shot, but the after effects. I can feel everything and it feels like my ovaries are being stabbed with a knife and i'll wake in the middle of the night with massive pain. I go back to VA on Monday and have another ultrasound and blood work. I am hopping i'm doing better than they expect so they can lower the dose. Since we started all of this, I’ve lost a LOT of weight and am about 138 pounds right now! 

Oct. 8 2009

Oct. 8 2009

            We woke up at 3:30 a.m. and left the house at 4 something. It was a peaceful 3 hour drive and I loved watching the sun come up. We arrived at the clinic and they drew my blood and did an ultrasound. They will do these two things every time I visit. The ultrasound was good, overaies looked good and my lining was thin which is right where it should be since I just ended my period. I am awaiting a phone call about my blood work. Then I spoke with a nurse and we practiced mixing meds and giving shots. I have such a large box of drugs that I was trying to write it all down. But for now I will only be giving myself one shot for the next four days at 8pm. Then on Monday I will go in for more blood work and an ultrasound and they will tell me what med to take next. We drove 3 hours back home and are very tired today. But the kids have a four day weekendJ

Oct. 6 2009

Oct. 6 2009

            I got all my IVF med’s delivered to the house today from Fedx. I will bring them all with me, as well as the kids on Oct.8^th to my apt. We will have to leave the house at 4:30 a.m. to be there in time in VA at 8 a.m.

Oct. 2 2009

Oct. 2 2009

            Okay I’m a LOT over whelmed right now =0 I start my IVF cycle on October 8^th when I have to be in VA at 8a.m. and it’s a 3 hour drive! Then I have to be back in VA on Oct. 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 26. John has to come on the 21^st, retrieval day and on the 26^th when they put the embryos back inJ Is it crazy that my biggest concern is my almost 5 year old and having to reschedule his bday? LOL Looks like I’m going to be spending 6 hours a day in my SUV.

            Freedom pharmacy just called and my IVF meds will arrive on Tuesday. I am hopping that insurance will pick up some of the coast, because the grand total for this expense is $2,339.66!

Sep. 31 2009

Sep. 31 2009

            I started my period.

Sep. 30 2009

Sep. 30 2009

            I’m getting worried, because my period should have happened 2 and a half days ago.  Yes I’m that regular! LOL But since they started me on a birth control I still have not started. I called the nurse today and she said normal women’s periods are 28 days apart, where as mine have always been 21 days apart and 7 days long. She said that I should start around Oct. 4^th or 5^th and that it’s okay. But if I don’t start then they’ll do some lab work and then some how make me start and then once I have my period we’ll start all the drugs and conceive two weeks later. I’m getting impatientL I know that stress and what not can factor into things…..so I’m just staying calm and waiting. Today I re painted my living room! LOL

Sep. 25 2009

Sep. 25 2009

            Today we signed all the paperwork to go forth with the IVF cycle!

Sep. 22 2009

            The nurse called today and said everything is A O K to go and that they need payment and then they’ll call in all my meds, send a video to teach me to mix the shoots, and we’ll be prego in OCTJ  I do have a lot of driving to do in the next few weeks, they have to do about 4-6 ultrasounds to make sure my body is responding to the meds. I’m a bit nervous about driving the 6 hours in one day…..but I think it will be fine.

            I just received an email from the executive assistant at GIVF and they wanted a fax of my pharmacy and insurance. So I’m working on faxing those off right now.

Sep. 21 2009

Our phone meeting with Dr. Jones was at 4pm today. We went over all my labs I had drawn, the hystosonogram, and other testing. We had already heard that the Hysto was perfect and I had a lovely uterus. LOL Well when Dr. Jones was looking in the computer over my labs he said “PERFECT, 9.4 is perfect!” and then repeated perfect over four more times. I have to remember it’s rare they see good numbers due to them being an IVF center who have people who have problems conceiving coming to them. Dr. Jones said great we are ready to get pregnant and the nurse will be calling us tomorrow to give us the time line based on my cycle. Now we are in phase 3!

Sep. 11 2009

Sep. 11 2009

            John got his last lab and I faxed it over today. Now everything is in. We are driving to Virginia tonight. 

Sep. 8 2009

Microsort



Sep. 8 2009

            We did the 3 hour drive to VA this a.m. for my Hystosonigram. Basically it was an ultrasound…..via vaginal. I have a totally perfectly normal utarious! Yaya LOL The doctor inserted a catheter into my uterus and released some fluid where they could take a closer look. I saw everything on the flat screen TV on the wall, even my egg follicles. This entire 30 min. procedure was $998.00. The doctor is on vacation next week so we will have a follow up consultation and next set of instructions on Sep. 21. We drive to VA to spend a 3 day weekend with John’s parents this Friday; we’ll at that time share our adventures and what’s to come with them.

Sep. 6 2009

Sep. 6 2009

            I started my Reclipsen birth control pills at 8pm and will take them every night until told to do other wiseJ

Sep. 4 2009

Sep. 4 2009

            Today I have my labs drawn for Menstrual cycle day 3 orders. They will draw the following tests:

FSH ~ Estradiol (E2) ~ Prolactin ~ TSH ~ CBC, platelets with differential ~ HIV -1 ~ Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ~ Hepatitis C Antibody ~ Varicella Ab IgG ~ Rubella Ab IgG ~ Blood Group and Rh ~ Cystic Fibrosis screening ~ hemoglobin electrophoresis ~ Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing (urine DNA)

Sep. 2 2009

Sep. 2 2009

            We picked up John’s labs and faxed them, only one was still pending. I called the nurse and set up my apointments. I will have my blood drawn on Sept. 4^th to see if I’m base line. On Sept. 6^th I start my birth control pills. And on Sept. 8^th we will drive to VA and @ 1:15 I have an apt. for a hysterosonogram (HYS). Then due to the doctor being out of town the following week, we will wait until Sep. 21^st to have a phone meeting to go over the results and find out the next phase and meds. 

Sep. 1 2009

Sep. 1 2009

            6:18pm I started my period right on schedualJ I will call the nurse first thing tomorrow a.m.

Aug. 31 2009

Aug. 31 2009

            I spoke with Micro Sort this a.m. and set up our second phone apt. I also printed off the second packet of paper work to fill out and mail to them on the day of our apt; on Aug. 2 2009.  I also left a message with the IVF billing dept. to set up payment, but they are out of the office until tomorrow. 

Aug. 29 2009

Aug. 29 2009

            I picked up my birth control pills and more prenatals. On Sept 1st I should start my menses and then I will call the nurse immediately for my next set of instructions, which are to have my blood drawn on day 2 or 3. I already have the lab sheet to do this. We are still waiting on John’s blood work to come back; it’s taken quite a while! But they have mine and the semen analysis and that checked out great!

Aug. 28 2009

Aug. 28 2009

            In the mail was a large Manuel from Genetics and IVF about all the steps and procedures.  

Aug. 26 2009

Aug. 26 2009

            I’ve just spoken with the Nurse and she’s emailing me a large to do list. I just faxed her my children’s birth certificates. I need to call her the moment my period starts and then the process begins. I’ll have blood work drawn the 2^nd or 3^rd day of my menstrual. I will be put on a birth control once my period ends. Then I will schedual a hystosonogram. She said there’s quite a bit to do, but I’m so on top of it all that we could do an egg retrieval possibly in October. 

Aug. 25 2009

Aug. 25 2009

            We had our IVF consultation today. Dr. Jones went over our options with Micro Sort and the IVF. We  did not want to uses PGD, this is where they scrape a cell off the embryo to test and make sure it’s the desired DNA. We do not agree with that, but we do agree in tilting the scales of favor. So we have decided to use Micro Sort to separate the sperm giving us a 90% chance of having a girl and using IVF. The nurse will be contacting us tomorrow to start my ultrasounds, labs, work up and meds. I will be monitored for one cycle and then if we choose we can go forth with the IVF in Octorber.J

Aug. 24 2009

Aug. 24 2009

            John’s seaman analysis is in and we are just waiting on the results to be faxed to the docs. 

Aug. 20 2009

Aug. 20 2009

            Today John did his blood work, but the DAFB does not do seamen analysis. So we drove to the Dover Hospital where they gave us the cup and told us to stay abstinent for 3 days and then bring it back with in 15 min. John works a three day weekend as of tomorrow, so we’ll get to that first thing on Monday. I also received my lab results back today and everything checked out. I was more than happy about the perfect pap, after having issues with that in Alaska. I really do believe that the Alaskan water is making people ill! I’m so happy the kids and I are where we are!

Aug. 19 2009

Aug. 19 2009

            John spoke with Micro Sort this a.m. Then we printed off the IVF paper work and I am currently faxing it all back. We are just waiting on the labs fax and then John will go over to Medical and have his labs drawn.

            I have the faxes and we will go in tomorrow a.m. to have them drawn.

Aug. 18 2009

Aug. 18 2009

            Micro Sort is not FDA approved and is a voluntary program that John and I have just been approved for towards it’s ending period. We feel so blessed that we are having this opertunity and the timing couldn’t be more perfect! Due to not many openings and John’s work schedual I had the phone consultation today at 10:30 a.m. with out him. He will call them tomorrow and answer a few questions.  We will also receive a fax for John’s labs, saving him a trip to the docs. I schedualed a phone consultation with the IVF department for Aug 25 2009 at 3:15 and put down a $300 deposit. 

Aug. 17 2009

Aug. 17 2009

            Today I had my labs drawn for Micro Sort. I was so excited about the whole process starting I forgot to drink anything this morning. So it took the phlebotomist a few pokes before he hit blood! The results will be back in two weeks. They also gave me prenatale vitamins. 

Aug. 15 2009

“As my wise grandmother has often said....there is never a good time to have a baby.....there will never be the right time in your career, a big enough house, enough money......but, babies take up as much space as you give them and are as expensive as you make them!
”           unknown

            Our Micro Sort  Story

Aug. 15 2009

            We’ve started the process to become pregnant. After finding out that The Assosiates Of Reproductive in DE was not a collabberator with Mircro Sort we had to make a quick decision to either go with DE and the sex of our child would be unknown or to go with Micro Sort and choose the sex and drive a lot further for apointments. We have choosen Micro Sort.