As of my OHSS (ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome) check on Friday, I'm down six pounds and several inches. I have another check on Monday. I'm feeling sooo much better, despite not having been able to work out in two weeks. I think I'll head to the gym for the first time tomorrow. No running is allowed, yet, but I'll get my walk on!
Sorry, the updates will get boring again until May. I just have to wait for my period to start taking the pill for a couple of weeks. After that I will be on lupron (ovarian suppresant, makes your body think you are menopausal) and estrogen (to build up my endometrial lining again). They estimate we will be able to transfer some time in May. I'm hoping it's May 1!! I doubt it. Oh well. April is just a couple days away, then I can say we are doing the embryo transfer 'next month'. Argh.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
OHSS Update
Today I went back in for an OHSS check (after my ET cancellation yesterday because of OHSS). Yes, I still had it...and with a vengeance. I had gained two pounds and over an inch in my waist since yesterday(so I'm officially up ten pounds and over seven inches from normal). I felt like I would explode with even the tiniest bit of water. My back was even swelling because the fluid had no place to go. My RE gave me the option of draining the fluid, and I BEGGED him to do it. I couldn't breathe, drink, eat sleep or move without feeling like I would explode. He warned me that they would have to put me under again. BIG FREAKIN DEAL MAN!!! Anesthetics don't bother me. I don't get nauseous or anything, so I was all for it. If nothing else, being under would put me out of my misery!
He agreed to drain the fluid. He got 3.5 liters out of me!! I'm still a little bloated, but I feel anorexic compared to what I was. Mark brought me home, I took a three-hour nap and I feel fantastic! I'm now only allowed to drink Gatorade, no water, nothing. I'll go back on Friday for another check. My RE thinks I'm on the down slide since my HCG shot (trigger shot/hormone that agitates OHSS) was a week ago today. I can only pray for more relief. The treadmill at the club is calling my name and good foods are something I've been dreaming of since my diet has consisted of protein shakes and Gatorade. I can't wait to get my body in prime condition for our
May FET (frozen embryo transfer). So that's it for me. I wouldn't wish OHSS on my worst enemy!
Oh, and we officially have 9 frozen blastocysts (the stage right before embryos implant). We were a little bummed at first because we had five yesterday and they were still watching 19, but I think nine will give us a good chance at a pregnancy! Hopefully those nine will give us a couple of kids and we (meaning I) won't have to go through this again. One can only hope and pray!
He agreed to drain the fluid. He got 3.5 liters out of me!! I'm still a little bloated, but I feel anorexic compared to what I was. Mark brought me home, I took a three-hour nap and I feel fantastic! I'm now only allowed to drink Gatorade, no water, nothing. I'll go back on Friday for another check. My RE thinks I'm on the down slide since my HCG shot (trigger shot/hormone that agitates OHSS) was a week ago today. I can only pray for more relief. The treadmill at the club is calling my name and good foods are something I've been dreaming of since my diet has consisted of protein shakes and Gatorade. I can't wait to get my body in prime condition for our
May FET (frozen embryo transfer). So that's it for me. I wouldn't wish OHSS on my worst enemy!
Oh, and we officially have 9 frozen blastocysts (the stage right before embryos implant). We were a little bummed at first because we had five yesterday and they were still watching 19, but I think nine will give us a good chance at a pregnancy! Hopefully those nine will give us a couple of kids and we (meaning I) won't have to go through this again. One can only hope and pray!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Embryo Photo
OK, so everyone gets to show off their kids...so here's my first chance. These are the two embryos (blastocysts) that were going to be transferred to me today. Because of the OHSS, they are now frozen. But...they are fully conceived. You can see that the one on the upper left was starting to hatch in the lower right corner. Ah, they're gorgeous aren't they? :)
Bad news, my ET was cancelled due to OHSS. The doctor said it would be irresponsible for him to do the transfer with all the fluid in my abdomen and all the problems I have been having. I jumped up two pounds from yesterday and had an additional two inches around my waist. My blood pressure and hemoglobin are up making me short of breath and prone to fainting. I had to run from the shower with shampoo in my hair to lay down this morning because my eyesight starting going blurring and my ears were ringing. I think I would have passed out in the shower if I hadn't. I'm very miserable.
I had already taken my Valium at the doctor's office, so I'm feeling hung over from that. We were in the transfer room with my naked bottom half when they decided it wouldn't be a good idea. I can't describe my disappointment. We will do an frozen embryo transfer (FET) after I get my period, go on the BCP for two weeks, take lupron for ten days and take estrogen. He is estimating it will be May. I've cried, now I'm numb.
On a better note, we finally got our fertilization report. Of the 29 follies retrieved, 27 were mature and 25 fertilized. We had five blasts (last stage before implantation..aka awesome...one of which was beginning to hatch) as of today and they were still watching 19 (one isn't going to make for sure so far). They froze five today and we'll see what happens for the rest. I go back in tomorrow to see if I improve at all. If not, they will put me under and drain some of the fluid from my abdomen. I would post a photo so you could see how truly heinous my stomach is...but I'll spare you that.
I prayed to God last night. I thanked him for the patience he has given me through this process. I'm not exactly what you would consider a patient person. I've learned more about myself, Mark and our true priorities. I thanked Him for that. I guess I'm not done learning. All I know, is that by the end of this I will truly be a better person. Sigh. Until then, I think I'm going to go cry for awhile! Thanks for your thoughts and support!
I had already taken my Valium at the doctor's office, so I'm feeling hung over from that. We were in the transfer room with my naked bottom half when they decided it wouldn't be a good idea. I can't describe my disappointment. We will do an frozen embryo transfer (FET) after I get my period, go on the BCP for two weeks, take lupron for ten days and take estrogen. He is estimating it will be May. I've cried, now I'm numb.
On a better note, we finally got our fertilization report. Of the 29 follies retrieved, 27 were mature and 25 fertilized. We had five blasts (last stage before implantation..aka awesome...one of which was beginning to hatch) as of today and they were still watching 19 (one isn't going to make for sure so far). They froze five today and we'll see what happens for the rest. I go back in tomorrow to see if I improve at all. If not, they will put me under and drain some of the fluid from my abdomen. I would post a photo so you could see how truly heinous my stomach is...but I'll spare you that.
I prayed to God last night. I thanked him for the patience he has given me through this process. I'm not exactly what you would consider a patient person. I've learned more about myself, Mark and our true priorities. I thanked Him for that. I guess I'm not done learning. All I know, is that by the end of this I will truly be a better person. Sigh. Until then, I think I'm going to go cry for awhile! Thanks for your thoughts and support!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Day Before Embryo Transfer (aka ET)
I had another ovarian hyper stimulation check (OHSS) today and got to talk to my doctor. I have lost two of the seven pounds I had gained per my weigh-in on Saturday. I have also lost two of the six inches I had gained per my girth check on Saturday. So, I'm feeling a little better. I actually have a pair of my jeans on right now!
The doctor said he doesn't think I'm suffering from OHSS...so that is good. He did say that I should expect to gain a little more girth if I do become pregnant. Of course I'll gain A LOT more girth if I become pregnant...but he means right away. The hormone HCG, present during pregnancy, causing the bloating to worsen before it gets better. Oh well, it's a small price to pay for an actual pregnancy!
That's about it for an update. My mom is my guardian for ET tomorrow. Mark took Thursday, Friday and this morning off so my mom volunteered to take the Tuesday shift. I haven't needed a babysitter for years, this is so humbling! ET is scheduled for 9:45 with another OHSS exam at 8:45. Then I will be on bedrest for two days. Fun, fun!
I'm now cramming to get everything done for the next three days today. I think I'll have it covered. I'll have my wireless internet and laptop in bed with me. I'm sure I'll get plenty of work done via email, the internet and phone. I just can't move. I'll also watch some shows online. I managed to occupy my time in bed after the egg retrieval, so I'm sure I'll do the same after ET. Yay!! We've gotten this far...let's just hope we can make it to the end. They will be transfering two embryos tomorrow. Please pray for our delicate little embryos to implant and make a home for the next 8.5 months!
The doctor said he doesn't think I'm suffering from OHSS...so that is good. He did say that I should expect to gain a little more girth if I do become pregnant. Of course I'll gain A LOT more girth if I become pregnant...but he means right away. The hormone HCG, present during pregnancy, causing the bloating to worsen before it gets better. Oh well, it's a small price to pay for an actual pregnancy!
That's about it for an update. My mom is my guardian for ET tomorrow. Mark took Thursday, Friday and this morning off so my mom volunteered to take the Tuesday shift. I haven't needed a babysitter for years, this is so humbling! ET is scheduled for 9:45 with another OHSS exam at 8:45. Then I will be on bedrest for two days. Fun, fun!
I'm now cramming to get everything done for the next three days today. I think I'll have it covered. I'll have my wireless internet and laptop in bed with me. I'm sure I'll get plenty of work done via email, the internet and phone. I just can't move. I'll also watch some shows online. I managed to occupy my time in bed after the egg retrieval, so I'm sure I'll do the same after ET. Yay!! We've gotten this far...let's just hope we can make it to the end. They will be transfering two embryos tomorrow. Please pray for our delicate little embryos to implant and make a home for the next 8.5 months!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Embryo Transfer Scheduled!
I went in to the RE's (reproductive endocrinologist) office this morning for my OHSS (ovarian hyper stimulation) check. I have it, but all is going well. I mostly just have pain and bloating in my abdomen. They aren't concerned. I've gained 7 pounds since starting the stimulation drugs and my waist has gained about six inches. Wow, do I feel sexy! My hemoglobin was good, so they aren't concerned. I just have to stay on my Gatorade and protein diet.
At the appointment this morning I was also given the time for our embryo transfer! It is Tuesday at 9:45. So it is a five-day transfer. Like I mentioned in a previous post, there are two options for transfers: three day and five day. They generally have you do a three-day transfer if it is obvious which two embryos are the best right away. They usually do a five-day transfer when there are too many to decide which are the best two. With the number of eggs they were able to retrieve, I'm guessing there are at least a few that are doing well. We don't get our fertilization report until right before the transfer. That will tell us how many fertilized, how many are still going, the quality of those that are still progressing and how many they think we will have to freeze. Everyone is different, so it is hard to venture a guess...but we are hoping to be able to freeze some. An ideal situation would be to achieve a pregnancy this time around and have a few for our next pregnancy...but beggars can't be choosers.
Now back to watching more shows on abc.com. I feel pretty good as long as I don't move much!
At the appointment this morning I was also given the time for our embryo transfer! It is Tuesday at 9:45. So it is a five-day transfer. Like I mentioned in a previous post, there are two options for transfers: three day and five day. They generally have you do a three-day transfer if it is obvious which two embryos are the best right away. They usually do a five-day transfer when there are too many to decide which are the best two. With the number of eggs they were able to retrieve, I'm guessing there are at least a few that are doing well. We don't get our fertilization report until right before the transfer. That will tell us how many fertilized, how many are still going, the quality of those that are still progressing and how many they think we will have to freeze. Everyone is different, so it is hard to venture a guess...but we are hoping to be able to freeze some. An ideal situation would be to achieve a pregnancy this time around and have a few for our next pregnancy...but beggars can't be choosers.
Now back to watching more shows on abc.com. I feel pretty good as long as I don't move much!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Gatorade, My Saviour...Oh, and Mark too
Well, yesterday went from bad to worse. After my fainting episode I stayed in bed unless I had to use the rest room. I never passed out again, but the fluid in my abdomen started rising into my back. By the end of the night, my back was so full that when I laughed at something Mark said, there were shooting pains up my back and my back got stiff like a charlie horse.
I was instructed not to lay flat, and figured out why. Whenever I would start, all the fluid would float further up my back and the pain was paralyzing. I spent the night in my office chair that has an ottoman. It is an over-sized chair, so Mark stuffed pillows on either side of me so I was wedged in. He then moved everything close so that I wouldn't have to get up. He was so cute. I couldn't fall asleep right away so I was playing on the laptop, like I am right now. I set/threw the laptop on my side table when I was done. It sounded a bit like a crash because I didn't have any ab or back muscles to soften the landing. Mark came running in to see if I was OK. He is a good nursemaid. Luckily I was actually able to fall asleep last night, even though I was in pain. I woke up this morning feeling 50% better. Now the pain is just in my abdomen, as it should be!
The instructions on how to ward off ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome are: drink one liter of Gatorade per day, eat plenty of protein, and get lots of fluids. After two liters of Gatorade and a protein shake for dinner, my body started recovering. I've already started my two liters of Gatorade for today!
I was instructed not to lay flat, and figured out why. Whenever I would start, all the fluid would float further up my back and the pain was paralyzing. I spent the night in my office chair that has an ottoman. It is an over-sized chair, so Mark stuffed pillows on either side of me so I was wedged in. He then moved everything close so that I wouldn't have to get up. He was so cute. I couldn't fall asleep right away so I was playing on the laptop, like I am right now. I set/threw the laptop on my side table when I was done. It sounded a bit like a crash because I didn't have any ab or back muscles to soften the landing. Mark came running in to see if I was OK. He is a good nursemaid. Luckily I was actually able to fall asleep last night, even though I was in pain. I woke up this morning feeling 50% better. Now the pain is just in my abdomen, as it should be!
The instructions on how to ward off ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome are: drink one liter of Gatorade per day, eat plenty of protein, and get lots of fluids. After two liters of Gatorade and a protein shake for dinner, my body started recovering. I've already started my two liters of Gatorade for today!
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