Bible verses of HOPE

Hebrews 11:11 ~ “It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.”

Luke 1:37 ~ “For with God NOTHING shall be impossible.”

Psalms 113:9 ~ He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

First PIO Injection Done

This morning started my progesterone in oil shots. In the past I always did the crinone vaginal cream for my progesterone but Dr. Kwak-Kim prefers the shots feels they are better so this time we are following her advice. They have to be given in the upper part of my hip so my husband is giving them to me. I measured it all out for him. 2cc in the morning. He did a great job administering it, we did it with me laying down on my side. The pin prick was not bad but it is sore after. I am sure not looking forward to him doing one each morning but you do what it takes to overcome this disease. I will also be doing oral progesterone at night.

 

Progesterone in an FET cycle

Once the uterine lining has been thickened sufficiently, progesterone is added. Once the progesterone is added, the Lupron may be stopped. Progesterone matures the uterine lining and makes it receptive to an embryo to implant. Once the progesterone is begun, there is a certain “window of implantation” during which the embryo must be transferred. The stage of the embryo must match the stage of development of the uterus. Therefore, the only factor that locks the patient into performing the transfer on a certain day is starting the progesterone. Once the progesterone is begun, if the embryo transfer is not performed on a certain day, the cycle must be canceled and a new preparation with hormones must be begun after allowing a period to occur. In my case we are doing transfer on the 6th day after progesterone is begun.

First Intralipid IV Treatment

Intralipids went good, the nurse was very nice and I got snacks lol. We got the IV in one poke. My bp was a little elevated 140/90 but I was pretty nervous. I was also pissed at myself that I gained 8lbs from the predisone UGH!! The lipids are cold and look like milk going in your arm. Lowered my body temp from 98 to 88. Make me really tired from my body working hard to process it all but other than that no real side effects. Read my book and talked with the nurse to pass the time. Was there around 3 hours (arrived around 1:30pm left clinic a little before 5pm) so we got home late think 8pm. The next one we may do on a Sat. so my husband won't have to take the day off. Hopefully we get a positive beta so I can do the next one!

So thankful these 3 days are over. My husband was sweet and found a health food store while he was out bumming and I was sitting in the infusion clinic and got some raspberry leaf tea for me as the acupuncturist said it was a good thing to add in yet, 3 cups a day.

Thank you for your prayers now to rest and relax for a bit till transfer day on August 5th. Right now I got it set up for acupunture from 9am-10am, then I have to drink and fill my bladder (as it has to be full for the u/s) and then transfer will happen of 2 embryo's at 11:30am. that day. 6 day countdown!!

Today was also my last day of Lupron to supress and tomorrow will be my first ever Progesterone in oil shot (which my husband is going to do in my hip) YIKES!! I got it all measured out so he can do it before he goes to work at 3:30am but I am freaking about the needle and him doing it to me. This is the part I was not looking forward to. Praying I survive it! 

RI Apt.

Finally home after a never ending long trip to IL. Up early to get ready and out the door by 9am. Made it there in time to stop for a salad for lunch which I was very thankful for since my apt went LONG as it always does. Was at the RI office from 11:15 to 2:35pm. First we did a ultrasound did several measurements of my lining. It was not as thick as my RE has it (9.36) They measured it at 7.7mm averaged. Was a little surprised in the difference but I know their u/s machine is way more high tech then the one my RE uses. They assured me that anything over 7 is good and that I still have almost a week to continue to grow it. Next we did blood flow measurements. My bf is greatly improved. Where I had 0 in Zone 3 I now have 2 which is what she wanted to see at minimum. The first time I did this u/s I scored a 6/21 and was told my uterus had a 0% of conception. With there help I am now at a 14/21 and have a 60% chance of conception. It's not as good as I would of liked to have seen it but like they told me it's over 50% better and now I have a chance.

 

My ultrasound report - from a 6 to a 14 :)

Second part was meeting with Dr. Kwak-Kim's assistant Margaret. Went over the results and I asked her my list of questions. We are going to re-test the NK Cells next week, draw blood with my RE on the 5th and overnight fedex it to them again. Make sure the predisone and intralipids are doing the job or they may up my predisone to 30 from 20mg during the 2ww.  Confirmed I have to do 2cc not 1cc of progesterone shots each morning. The Lovenox they want me to skip a dose the night before transfer then do 1 the night of transfer and then day after transfer we are going to 2x day. If all works as planned they will keep up with me on testing and will want to see me back in IL for another u/s etc. 2-3 weeks after pregnancy.

The nurse today was so nice to me she came and talked to me about her experiences that I should try not to stress she knows what it's like to mc and go through infertility but it can have a happy ending you just got to keep looking up. Gave me some much needed encouragement after a long tiring day.

Tonight I sent off the results to my RE clinic. I am not happy my RE is gone and I got the other RE now as she is not up to speed on my case and I really needed his help to monitor this all so I am just praying this works with him out. I will have to call the IVF coordinator tomorrow before we leave for Milwaukee for my Intralipids to see if I can make the apt. for transfer day times on August 5th as I want to also have the acupuncture before and after at the clinic so that has to be scheduled in with them too. 

All in all I am a big puddle of nerves, knowing this is only the beginning of what could be a long 9 months. I've done everything I can to get my body prepared for this to do the medical work, diet, exercise, I've given God my best to work with and all I can do is lay it at his feet and trust him to complete a good work in me and my husbands life.

Praying for some rest tonight my neck is not feeling the best from 2 days of in the car and one more day of travel to go. Intralipids IV, getting my book packed so I have something to do while sitting there.

Please continue to pray with us. Thank you!

RE Apt.

RE apt went great. Lining is multi-layered and 9.36. Was a little surprised when my RE told me he was going to be gone for a few weeks. He tore his acl and needs knee surgery. His wife the other RE Dr. Pritts will do my transfer instead. He's done my other 3 so kinda feels weird him not being there for it and I hope she will do as good.

Tomorrow I see what my RI in IL says about the lining and blood flow and if she agrees I call my RE office and set up date of transfer for Aug. 5th or whatever day my RI thinks it should be if she wants me to wait.

Acupuncture was awesome, enjoyed it so much. We did cupping on my shoulder to help the pain and it sure did, although it's going to leave some nice bruising for a few weeks lol. Then we did a bunch of points on the belly, legs and arms. Followed by Moxa heat session which is so relaxing and warm. Then they showed me how I can do the Moxa at home light it and go over my belly and a few other points to continue to bring warmth and stimulate blood flow. Think I was there 2hrs. Got a few supplies from them Moxa sticks you light and hold over areas to warm and Mugwort salve to also rub on my belly to increase blood flow continue to help the clotting issue. Told my dh he can play Doctor - he he he ;)

Very tired now going to relax catch up on FB and go to bed so I can be ready for the long day tomorrow.

My cupping marks - going to have some nice bruises for awhile but it sure helps the pain

Rub on belly, wrists, ankles help increase blood flow

Moxa sticks to light and go over my belly to also increase warmth and flow of blood

Thoughts along the way ...

7/17 - Little strange that we are suppressing my ovaries with lupron but today I had a ton of egg white cm like I would be ovulating - not sure how this suppressing then adding back in hormones works since it's my first FET - On 3 pills a day of estrogen since Sunday - I can say I like it that I am not bloated with eggs that part is so much better than a fresh IVF. Got my apt for intralipids IV set up today for July 30th got to be at the Coram infusion center in New Berlin, WI between 1-2pm. Bought a good book to read while sitting there for 2-3 hrs. 

7/18 - Was hard to get down all 4 liters of water today. Been adding in some powdered gatorade to help but making it weak as to not get so much sugar. Tried to find coconut water last shopping trip and didn't see it will have to look again this weekend. 

7/19 - Today I start in on Lovenox blood thinners. Will be doing two shots a day now. So far belly is not too bruised up yet. I know when I do acupuncture it's weird to have the needles in my belly too and lie there showing all my shot marks lol. Still very fatiqued. Continuing to do my hemp protein powder, dynamic greens, flax seed drinks to help.  

Green Drink Stuff - just add to juice and blend

 

7/21 -

  

Fertility Acupuncture today. We did quite a few spots from feet to belly to ears and followed with more of the moxi heat to keep blood flowing. She said my pulse was less muffled today so the meds for the clotting must be kicking in. She takes her time so I was there almost hour and 1/2. Very relaxing. She also gave me some cream to put on after I do my shot of Lovenox to help the bruising and bump it leaves. Hope it helps as I am bruising up a lot now.

Weird metallic taste in my mouth after my lovenox shot - also been craving red sweet onions of all things, I never usually like onions but had them on salad etc and keep wanting more lol. 

7/23 - All kinds of crampy today not felt right since last night - doing my follow up chem panel tomorrow hope it comes back ok this time around been doing my best to drink more fluids - last time they said I was dehydrated - just wish I didn't feel so blah

7/ 24 - Was a busy day. Did my blood work up for thyroid and chemistry panel. The lovenox has to be kicking in as we had to do a compression wrap on my arm to get the poke from the blood draw to stop bleeding. Kinda makes me think I better be careful not to cut myself right now. I did run into something and hit my ankle and it's turning a nice shade of purple. EWCM is increasing much more than any IVF cycle so the estrogen must be doing it's job of making a healthy lining. Will find out Sunday if it's getting where it needs to be when I see my RE. Also had a upper back/neck massage stretch today to loosen up. Been having so much pain in my left shoulder from the damage of a car accident. Did a chiropractor adjustment to and one on Friday to help push it in place, don't want anything to be blocking good healthy blood flow and energy flow. The Lovenox bruises are getting bigger and more painful I really dread that shot every day. PIO is coming up soon too oh the joy of what I got to go through to conceive and overcome this disease. Getting closer to the goal. After almost 2yrs of planning for this and working hard to get here it's almost time. 

Lovenox bruising only the beginning too

7/25 - End of another day - made it a week of doing Lovenox shots. If this all works I only got 9 more months to go lol. Got to keep swimming I can do it.

so pretty - NOT!

7/26 - Had a nice day with my mom doing errands. Got my new glasses picked up, new look as I've never had one's without frame part on the bottom. Had to go back to the chiropractor been having some bad pain in my left shoulder old car accident injuries, did some more adjusting and massage on it to try and help. Tonight I survived my lovenox shot better, I think I've been doing them too close together so going to try and space them out more see if I get less bruising in one spot.

New glasses :)

7/27 - 8am tomorrow is RE apt. so nervous that my lining is ok and estrogen levels where they want them - have to be up at 4am so we can leave by 6ish. Acupuncture at 11:30 in the same town. Then plan is to come home and get ready for trip to IL on Monday need to leave by 9am at the latest. We are going to forgo the hotel I guess Scott feels paying the $106 for one night is not going to save us much on gas, figures gas be only $50 it would of saved us 3hrs of drive time so I don't know if I agree with him all the way but.... Tues. we go to the infusion clinic leave in the morning and that will take a few hours and then hope to do dinner with my HS friend who lives close to the infusion clinic. Going to be a long few days hope this shoulder of mine behaves as it's been acting up again. UGH! Keep us in prayers for safe travels and that my RE and RI think everything is good to go.

Upcoming Dr. Apt's

Organizing for our Dr. trips. 

Have my RE Dr. Olive (about 2hr one way trip) on Sunday followed by acupuncture in Madison WI. Monday we go do see my RI Dr. Kwak-kim (3-3 1/2hr one way trip) in Vernon hills IL. then Tuesday I have to be at the infusion center for Intralipids IV (1 1/2hr one way trip) near Milwaukee WI. Been contemplating a hotel for Monday night to help cut down on the driving to chicago area one day then next day driving 1/2 way down again but so far hotels are so expensive all in that area that not sure if it would even save us to do so, except it be nice to sit in a hot tub and relax a bit. All this travel is going to make for one very tired out me. Hoping it all goes well and no delays for our tentative transfer day of August 5th.

A good link with info on the Intralipids IV