July 16, 2014: Egg Retrieval Day!

                                                 TODAY IS THE DAYYY!! 

   It is egg retrieval day!!!  We have come so far and this is beyond exciting.  I am completely nervous and have no idea what the end result will be, but it is all in God's hands.  He is in full control.  For this part of the IVF process, they put you to sleep, because you have to be 100% still.  During this procedure, a needle is passed through the top of the vagina, under ultrasound guidance.  They aspirate fluid through the needle, and basically suck the eggs out of the ovary.  Once they have removed all of the eggs that have properly matured, they send them to the lab to be identified, placed in culture dishes, and incubated.  After a specific amount of time, the sperm and egg come together for the fertilization process, while the woman recovers at home.  The eggs are then being closely monitored by the Embryologist for fertilization. 

     My procedure felt very, very quick.  I remember waking up feeling quite groggy, tired, and hungry.  I was so excited, that I didn't really care how I felt.  My eggs were on their way to get fertilized. :)

                       With that being said.... we had SEVENTEEN eggs removed!!!!!!!
                                                                     17

Now, I await for the Embryologist to call me with my little babies update first thing in the morning, with their progress.  

July 14, 2014: Tonight We Trigger!!!

     The trigger shot is the final stage for the eggs maturation during the InVitro process.  They must complete their growth and development, before they can be retrieved.  This is done with an injection that contains hCG.  The timing of this shot is VITAL.  If it is given too early, the eggs will not be mature enough, and if it is given too late, they will be too old.  This can cause issues with the fertilizaion process, which soon follows the trigger.  This is the exact reason why towards these final stages of the IVF process, you go to the doctor every single day for bloodwork and ultrasounds for monitoring.  With that being said, timing is everything.   Once the shot is administered, the ovaries release the matured eggs within approximately 36 hours from the time the injection is given.

      Well the time has come!!!! It was time for me to finally get my trigger shot.  I had always been so nervous to actually reach this point in the process.  I knew everything had to go just right.  We had to trigger at the exact time given to us.  8pm.  The injection must be done in the hip.  It hurt a little bit, because that needle was quite larger than all my other ones.  But it wasn't so bad.  It was over before I knew it.  That was it.  The injection stage was finally over.  It all went by so fast..
 

July 14, 2014: The Retrieval is Scheduled!

I am so nervous, and excited and anxious, all rolled into one!!!  We will be retrieving in just 2 days!!! Eeekkk!! :) :)  I feel like I have been cruising pretty calmly up to this point.  Now my nerves are really starting to kick in.  Will the trigger shot hurt?  Will it make me feel funny?  Will it work?  Will I do it properly?  Will I have enough eggs?  It is all in His hands, and I just need to KEEP GOING!!!!

 

July 12, 2014: The Stimming Phase

Now that we are in the stimming phase, it seems so surreal.  I am icing my abdomen to help with the burning of my injections.  Some burn so bad, and others, you don't feel a bit.  I am also icing my veins for tomorrow's appointment.  Oh you know, just some more bloodwork!  I am hoping that this is the last night of stims and we will be able to trigger tomorrow.  The retrieval is getting so close!

 

July 9, 2014: Cleared to Continue!

I had my bloodwork and follicle scan done this morning.  I was cleared to do three injections tonight!  Tomorrow, I will be heading back to the doctor for more labs to be drawn.  I'm not sure which veins they are going to use.  My poor arms are bruised with track marks.  Anxiety is kicking in, and I'm becoming an emotional mess as all this is happening so fast.  Or so it seems.  At the end of the day, I am looking up and thinking positive.  :)  With IVF, you have to be closely monitored.  I go to the doctor just about every day for bloodwork and ultrasounds.  You have to trigger at the perfect time, and ensure that you do not get over stimulated and end up in the hospital.  Tip:  Lots of protein and SmartWater!

It is crazy to see what modern medicine can do for us and our bodies.  It can literally make dreams come true.  You just have to believe.  Never give up hope.  Especially when it is all you have left.  

A day in the life.... IVF

This is a normal view for an IVF'er.  Needles, needles, and more needles.  After a while, you sort of get used to the routine.  The poking.  The injection of the medication burning.  The bruising.  You take your meds with you wherever you may go.  Keep them in cold packs, and inject whenever it is time, wherever you may be.  Each one has a specific time it needs to be administered.  One time, while on a road trip, my husband did one of my injections in a gas station parking lot.  Eww.  :) 

Daily Motivation #21

Halfway through this cycle.  Feeling hopeful and praying hard.  Nothing but positive vibes.