FET #1 CD 22: Transfer is Scheduled!

It's a go!

I got my instructions this afternoon. The transfer is scheduled for Monday 8/5. I am relieved and excited and thrilled.

My medication instructions are as follows:

• Continue injectable estrogen every 3 days
• Start progesterone injections on Wednesday 
• Start doxy on Wednesday and take for 4 days

In one week I will hopefully be resting on my couch with my embies!

FET #1 CD 22: Good News!

This morning I had an ultrasound and blood work and I honestly had no idea what to expect. Last time I went in, my lining was at a dismal 3 point something. I didn't know what would be considered good news today-- anything over 3, something in the 6-7 mm range?

I was excited and nervous on the way to the clinic. I was hoping that it would be good news. The technician was doing her thing and she said to me, "Write 8.1 on line 3." My mind raced, what's line 3, what the hell is line 3?? I looked at my sheet and it was next to the line that says "Endometrium." I repeated outloud, "Did you say 8.1?" She said yes. I then proceeded to freak out in excitement internally.

HOLY CRAP, the injections seriously worked. In five days I added about 5mm to my lining. Hallluljia. I am still waiting to hear back from my doctor, so hopefully my labwork is fine and we can schedule the transfer.

I'm so excited! This is really happening. Get ready frozen babies, Mama is almost ready for you.

FET#1 CD17: Spotting, Panic and Hope

If I could personally give every person who has ever suffered from fertility a hug and kiss and have this be 1. not creepy and 2. physically possible, I would absolutely do it.

Even when you think that you've got things under control, you don't. Even when you have all the positive thoughts in the world, you can still expect a roller coaster ride.

I had an ultrasound on Sunday and was completely sure that everything would look great. The original plan was that I'd have the ultrasound to confirm that my lining was at least 8mm and then schedule my transfer for this Saturday. I went in for my ultrasound and the technician told me that my lining was at 6.0mm. No bueno. I had a mini meltdown because I just can't wait anyfreakinglonger.

I got my instructions to increase my estrace from 2x a day to 3x a day. They wanted me to come in for a repeat ultrasound this Friday. Cue me whining.

I should have just been happy with this neutral news because on Monday I started spotting. I called the clinic and they told me that it wasn't a big deal because it can happen when you increase estrogen. OK, no biggie.

Yesterday I woke up and I had something between spotting and a full blown period, which caused me curse my uterus for clearly not getting the correct memo. Hey Ute, can you get your act together please?

I called the clinic again to inform them of this development. The nurse said, "OK, we will talk to a doctor and figure out a plan." Roger that. What felt like 27 hours later, they called me to let me know that I should come in for an ultrasound on Wednesday to assess the lining. If the lining had increased, they wouldn't worry about the bleeding.

Fast forward to this morning. My eyes fly open and I immediately try to figure out if I'm still bleeding. I turn over, nothing. I get up to let the dogs out to pee, nothing. I'm feeling pretty good. I continue back to bed when I feel it. Yup. There is no way my lining is going to be OK.

I drive to the clinic literally talking out loud to myself. "It will be fine, maybe everything is OK? It's fine. What's another month?"

I get my bloodwork done (which, as a side note, can I just ask if it's some sort of cosmic joke that the only "small" body part that I have are my veins? What gives?) and then head into the ultrasound. Luckily I got my favorite technician so I was happy that at least I'd get the news from a kind soul. She gave me the number-- my lining is 3.8mm. Yikes.

I leave feeling deflated.  And here folks, is where you have to pay attention. Not to sound cliche, but you really do have to keep the faith. I ignored my one biggest rule- ONLY WORRY WHEN YOU HAVE TO WORRY. I figured that this cycle was a complete wash and that we'd have to start all over again.

A few hours later I got a voicemail on my phone. It was Dr. V and as soon as I heard her voice I felt better. She called to say that she knew I was having some issues with bleeding but that she was going to have her team order injectable estrace for me. She said that once the bleeding stopped I should be in "good shape" and hopefully my lining will build back up. I have to go in for an ultrasound on Monday, July 29th.

SEE. No reason to worry. Now I have no idea if this will work or not and it's very possible that my FET cycle will be cancelled if my lining decides to take a vacation, BUT-- and it's a big but-- it is also possible that this will work and I'll have my frozen babies transferred in the next few weeks.

Hope.

It is a wonderful thing.

FET #1 CD 6: The Crazy Begins

Hello.

My name is Stefanie and I have a problem.

No matter how many times I tell myself that "this time I'm going to play it cool", it just doesn't happen. I tell myself that I'm not going to search for baby names or plan my maternity wardrobe, that this time I'm just going to wait until I'm actually pregnant to make lists, plan things, etc.

You'd think that after almost two years of trying for a baby that I'd get a freaking clue and cut it out.

But no. Apparently I like pain.

Sitting on my desk at this very moment is a list. What kind of list, you might ask? A list with dates that correspond with my week and day in pregnancy.

For example:

Columbus Day: 14 Weeks + 0 Days
Halloween: 16 Weeks + 3 Days
Thanksgiving 2013: 20 Weeks + 3 Days
Mom's Birthday: 26 Weeks + 6 Days

S
E
N
D

help!

FET #1 CD5: The Plan

On Tuesday I had my baseline ultrasound and lab work. That afternoon I heard from the clinic and they advised me to start taking 1mg of estrace two times a day. On Monday I'm increasing that dose to 2mg two times a day. I have my next ultrasound next Sunday (the 21st) and if my lining looks good then I will start my progesterone shots and have my transfer on Saturday the 27th.

Holy cow. Here we go again!

I'm getting more excited each day. To know that two weeks from tomorrow I could possibly be pregnant with our future child(ren?) is amazing.

FET #1 CD2: Bigfoot Sighting

Today I went in to get my baseline ultrasound and blood work done. Nothing too exciting, I'm a pro at this part now.

The technician came in to do my ultrasound and after having me jot down my uterus and right ovary measurements, we moved on to my ever elusive left ovary. I gave her my usual warning to technicians-- that my left ovary is nearly impossible to locate. The technician was so sweet and she said that she was determined to get a good view of it. We tried massaging from the outside, changing all of these settings on the machine and basically just fishing around for it. I'd say that my left ovary is a pain in the ass, but I think saying that it's a pain in my vagina would be more accurate.

After a few minutes she said that she was going to go find the attachment so she could take a look at it externally. Praise baby Jesus. She found my ovary immediately and had me take down the measurements. I often find myself trying to prove my ovary's existence.... It's just shy!... I promise it's there.... It just  likes to be difficult. I've even had a technician once ask me, "So has anyone ever actually seen your left ovary?" It's like Big Foot. You never know when you are going to get a sighting.

 But today, we had a sighting. I will have to wait to hear from my doctor to see if I am all clear to start the estrogen pills, but the technician said everything looked great.

So here we are again. Another beginning, another possibility. In 18-ish days we could have our transfer and hopefully put back two beautiful embryos. I'm feeling good about this time. Like always though, one step at a time.