IVF Cycle: Living Day by Day!

Before December 4, 2008, I was living my life month to month. Well, anywhere from 33 - 46 days to 33 - 46 days. December 4th, however, was the first day of my "last" naturally occuring period. While I was extremely disappointed that our "last month of trying on our own" was not a success, I allowed myself 3 days, exactly, to feel sorry for myself (thanks to my sister for suggesting so). After that, I had more important things to worry about... starting the IVF cycle!

Saturday, December 6: I began taking my 24 days worth of, none other than, birth control pills. Crazy, right?!!! Doctor's orders so that my hormones, etc. can be manipulated for the IVF (or something like that)!

So, for 21 days, the only medicine I had to take, besides my pre-natal vitamin, was the pill. During that time, I had a mock-embryo transfer and James and I took an injection class.

Monday, December 22
Mock Embryo Transfer: This basically gave my doctor a chance to simulate and record (through ultrasound pictures) what will take place when my fertilized egg(s), or embryos are tranferred back to me. This procedure wasn't really painful. I felt a short cramping sensation, however, was more interested in watching the ultrasound screen.

Tuesday, December 23
Injection class: The injection class was about an hour long and taught both James and I how to adminster my injectable medications. We even got to practice- on me!!! While I was scared, at first, I soon learned that the injections aren't as bad as the anticipation of them. I also was reminded of how funny my husband is. He felt it necessary to tell the husband of another couple, who was waiting for their practice injection session, to "make sure he really pushed that needle down hard because it will get stuck (like it had for us)". He went on to explain to both the husband and wife, "how wierd it was to feel the muscle shredding and how he wasn't expecting that!" Sounds a lot worse than it was.... that is why I pulled him out of the room before he could say anything else to the poor couple!!!

Saturday, December 27
First Injection: I could not believe the day had arrived. Right after James and I woke up, we went downstairs to get everything ready for my first injection, 20 units of Lupron. We made sure everything was sterile. I pulled out the injection booklet from class and administered the first shot into my tummy without incident. James took a picture to document the official start of the IVF cycle! Since then, each morning thereafter, has been pretty much the same. I sterilize the counter, pull out my meds, take my pre-natal vitamin, one child's aspirin, alcholol swab my belly and the vial, draw the medicine, tap the air bubbles out and inject myself. I feel really lucky that this process started while on winter break so I've had time to get used to the routine.

Wednesday, December 28
Day 1 of Menses: Doesn't that sound so eloquent? Basically- I got my period, just as my nurse had predicted. For the first time in 2008, my period came on time, and, I started two periods in one month. As instructed, I called my nurse and set up my Lupron Evaluation appointment. I go in tomorrow, Friday, January 2 for an ultrasound and bloodwork. I will receive a call tomorrow afternoon with dosing instructions for Lupron and for the two other medications I will take in the evenings.

After tomorrow, I will be going back in for ultrasound and bloodwork about every other day for a few days, and eventually every day so that they can monitor my hormone levels and my follicle growth. This will continue until my eggs are ready to be retrieved.

I can't believe this is really happening! I'm trying not to look too far ahead and am just looking forward to tomorrow!