OMG!!!

All 6 embryos are STILL developing!!!

Here's the 411:

Four are at the compaction stage (this is 2 stages before the blastocyst stage where there are too many cells to count and they are sticking together)

Two are at the early compaction stage (you can deduct what that means)

Joy called me around 10:50 a.m. and Dr. Timerick actually called me at 11:36 a.m. when I was handing out a quiz. I hated having to ask if I could call her back in 3 minutes after I went over the instructions- but I had too. She offered to call me back in 3 minutes instead. It ended up being 4 minutes... but close enough! Between the two phone calls this is what I learned:

My transfer is tomorrow at 1:00 p.m! Dr. Timerick (my doctor) will actually be performing the transfer!!! James and I have to arrive at 12:30 and I have to have a moderately full bladder (I will have to drink 20 - 32 oz of water on the way to Rockville- which will NOT be a problem for me!). I don't have any food restrictions and was told to get a good night's sleep tonight. This will come after last night's 8.5 hours of total sleep as I passed out at 8:30 p.m. (missing Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice... I MUST have been tired!). James had to wake me at 10:30 for my shot and I ended up back asleep by 10:50.

At the time of the transfer, the embryologists will take another snapshot of the embryos. James and I can ask for a picture- and you better believe we will! The embryos will be graded. The grading system works like this (in descending order): AA, AB, AC, BA, BB, BC, CA, CB, CC... They grade their embryos on two things but I don't really know what. I just want high grades (and I tell my students not to worry about their grades... as long as they are working hard! HA!) At this time, we will discuss our transfer options with the doctor. She will give us her recommendation. James and I will ultimately have the final say.

Here are a couple of things that Dr. Timerick discussed with me.

• At the time of the snapshot today, none of our embryos have begun to slow down in development.
• Due to (above), James and I need to start thinking about the possibility of 1 or 2 embryos to transfer. (We already have!!!)
  

I reminded Dr. Timerick of one of our early discussions when she explained that the goal of SGFC is for a single embryo transfer, however if James and I asked for two, she wouldn't arm-wrestle me. She explained that this was true and still the case. I then explained that we wished to have two embryos transferred, however, if she strongly disagreed, we'd go with her recommendation. At this point she told me that she could see no reason why she would. So as long as all goes well... we could possibly have two embryos transferred tomorrow.

• After transfer, the remaining embryos will be monitored over the next 2 or so days to see if their development continues and if they are strong enough to be cryopreserved. There is a good possibility that we will have this option- but we won't know for sure until a few days after the transfer.
  
• The stage that the four "lead" embryos are in is 2 stages before the blastocyst stage. I forget what Dr. Timerick called the next stage.
  
• We should feel great as things are looking "very good"... and we DO!!! James cannot believe that all 6 are still with us- and I know the extreme case scenario is looming in back of his mind. I figure we'll cross that bridge if and when we have to! Put it this way, I'd much rather be on this side of the possibilities than the other!

I think that about sums it up! I am in a very good place emotionally (still very nervous and anxious, but so, so hopeful!!!). Physically, I woke up feeling great. I couldn't believe it! I mean, there is constantly a dull throb in both sides of my butt- but it is nowhere near what it was on Wednesday- and I am actually getting used to it!

We are about 60% of the way through the cycle... I hope and pray the final 40% of this process is just as successful! We need your prayers more than ever! Thank you so much for everything you've done for us and being a part of our journey!

Until next time...