IVF Cycle: Day 1

So it's official! Today is the documented start day for our IVF cycle! I was greeted by the friendly staff at SGFC at 9:00 this morning. The blood work nurse saw me as she came out to bring another patient back. As a result, she called my name and told me to come back too. It feels kind of good that they already know and remember my name there (without having to look at a chart). In addition, when I went for my mock embryo transfer last week, Dr. Timerick (our doctor) asked me if I had gotten my hair cut since the last time I had been in. It's things like this that make me feel extra safe, or cared for, if you will. I'd like to think that this means I'm a special patient, however, in reality, I think it's really because of James! During our first appointment, the front desk staff and this nurse, in particular, all asked James if he was a professional football player. Every time I go back, the nurse makes a reference to my football playing husband... this is probably the real reason why I am remembered so well! Oh well- as long as I'm being taken care of, I am not going to complain!!!

Cycle Day 1: The Appointment
So first I had blood drawn. The reason for th is was to make sure my estrogen levels were accurate and that I was not pregnant (that's funny). The nurse normally does an excellent job, but for the first time, the needle hurt a little more than usual today. Another nurse came back to ask her a question and when she looked away, I think she shifted the needed. As a result, I bled and now am bruised! I guess I'll be switching arms next week.

The ultrasound was next and allowed the technician to check out my resting follicles and to make sure I didn't have any cysts (which I didn't). I was a bit disappointed to hear that she saw 12 follicles, rather than the 13 that she saw during my first appointment in October. I guess 13 can only be a lucky number for so long.

After the ultrasound I met with a different nurse, Cassidy, since my nurse, Joy is on vacation. Cassidy explained that I would receive a phone call this afternoon with dosing instructions for my medications. If everything looked ok, I would be told to start the evening stimulation medications, Gonal-f and Menopur. I began to panic when I hadn't received a call by 4:05 p.m. being that the Columbia office closed at 4. So I called the office and the nurse and left messages. About 15 minutes later I was called by the Rockville office with my results. Everything looked good and I was told to begin dosing tonight. In addition, I was told to decrease my morning Lupron injection from 20 units to 5. For the math people, that is a 75% reduction in dose. This is what was expected.

My next appointment is the first of the day, 7:15 on Monday morning. I will once again have bloodwork and an ultrasound. My estrogen level and the growth of my follicles will be monitored until they are big enough to be retrieved! While I wish the timing was better (Monday is our first day back to school), I'll deal! Before break I made some arrangements, just in case... I am having a teammate cover my homeroom and a 7th grade teacher (who teaches the same courses I do) to cover my first period class (which begins at 7:46) until I am able to get there. If she has to end up covering more than 5 - 10 minutes, she will just teach the entire class while I teach her 8th period class. I'm very lucky to have such flexible and caring colleagues, as well as, a supportive principal who are willing to cover for me. If not, I'd have to take a lot of time off!

At this point, it looks like I'll have to go back in on Wednesday morning and then possibly every morning thereafter. Everything really depends on how my body is responding to the treatment. There is still a lot of unknowns and more time to wait, however, the fact that the cycle is now official has me smiling ear to ear! I'm still scared, but am more cautiously optimistic! I'm going to go do a follicle growth dance and say a couple of prayers! Until next time...