Shots Shots Shots!

Shots Shots Shots!

I was glad that Paul and I had watched the videos last night.  But we decided to watch them and do the steps along with the videos.  (Which is exactly how I learned to prep my nails and put on Jamberry Nail Wraps!) We had a little hiccup because the video mentioned two of the drugs I had to be used for one shot.  We figured it out, thank goodness for my email to Stephanie yesterday to get clarification! 

So for the next couple of days, I take two pills and two shots. We decided that we would follow the videos with me prepping the meds and then handing Paul the needle.  Paul did an amazing job, both times!  He said "You didn't even flinch! You made those shots your B****!!"   I love this man!!  

Since tonight was the first night we celebrated with ice cream but we cant do that every night.  So Paul and I are going to rock out every night to this after he gives me my meds.  I have to say the song brings back lots of memories of our early relationship and our northern friends.  

Just A Squirrel!

Just A Squirrel!

On Thursday, my good friend told me this could just be a squirrel in the road that I need to slow down and dodge.  Not even a speed bump.  

Earlier today I was talking to her and she reminded me that this could still be a squirrel and I told her I hoped it wasn't a dead elephant that took two weeks for animal control to figure out what to do with it!   

Not even 20 minutes after that conversation...WE GOT THE CALL :)  I am cleared to start taking medications tonight! 

Last night we started watching the injection videos...and the model...oh she needs help with her nails! Someone has put acrylics on her, and done them in french tip (way to big for her nails) and left the polish on her cuticles. It's so distracting I can hardly concentrate on what it is I am supposed to do! I really want to send her a card with Jamberry in them!!! Just in case you want to see it for yourself.  http://www.freedommedteach.com/eng/videos.html?play=lo_dose_hcg

Tonight, Paul and I will attempt to give me two shots.  If you live nearby and hear screams, don't worry:)  I have to take two pills and two shots daily.  On Wednesday I go back into the office for more blood work and an ultrasound.  From there they will tell me whats next, but from looking in my fridge, I am guessing more shots and medications!

Today I am thanking God, family and friends for loving me through my crazy and all my emotions!

Medicines Finally Arrived

Medicines Finally Arrived

Last night was not my finest moment. I am usually very kind and understanding when dealing with customer service reps. I still stand with my earlier comment, I do not regret my words or actions. The woman lied to me, didn't send tracking information like she said she would and never once offered to make it up to me. I am in sales myself and whenever there is an issue, not only do I try to make it right but I also send them something to try to make it right.

The woman told me my package would arrive this am at 10:30. So I could still have gone out of town with my friend.  But because of my emotions and having  no trust that my meds would get here and having to do blood work tomorrow am, I chose not to go. I'm not happy I didn't go, but am glad that I didn't hold my friend back.  My meds didn't get here till about 1:30pm. Three hours later...but here none the less.

All meds are here and accounted for..lots of needles of all different shapes and sizes. I have been able to sort the needles with the correct medicines. Everything is in the fridge and ready to go, hopefully for tomorrow! 

Here is a picture that an amazing friend sent me....thinking I should be posting this on my door:)

Bundle of.....Part 2

Bundle of.....Part 2

This morning was frustrating for sure.  And I did shed some tears.  But it was nothing compared to my afternoon.  My team of two nurses and the doctor at one point surrounding me and giving me a pep talk..I am super lucky!  I went to school to try to get some work done, some got done, some did not.  Came home around 2 because I didn't want the medicines sitting out in the hot warm sun.  

 Of course when I came home there were no medicines.  I decided to give it some time...sometimes UPS and Fedex come later in the day. So it's almost 3pm...I figure I better call the pharmacy in Miami....thats where the day just goes all downhill!  After a call, and hour of waiting for someone to call me back, a call and an email to my IVF team and then me calling back to the pharmacy....they didn't send my medicines!  You know the ones I am supposed to take tomorrow!!!

I reamed out one lady and then her supervisor...language was flying, accusations, tears, screams...it all came out.  I am not sorry for any of my words or actions.  Their job was to send me my medications and they drastically failed.  According to their notes, I, the patient was supposed to ask my dr. for approval on medications....UMMMMM, really?! In all my years of dealing with pharmacies and drs.....drs send the pharmacy a prescription and they fill it.  Forget the fact that when I talked to them over a week ago..maybe even two weeks ago, no one told me it was my job to do their job.  We left it as, my meds would be here the 9th.  So apparently, my meds will be shipped out and I should get them tomorrow.  Guess what happens when they aren't here??  Yup I get to call back and talk to my favorite lying supervisor of the pharmacy...aren't you glad you don't have to be her!!  

The other heartbreaking news is that my hormone level is too elevated (shocked aren't you??) to start the medications, that are still in a warehouse in FL.  So I have to have another blood test done on Saturday morning...which would be no big deal, but I was supposed to be out of town with a friend.  

Okay so let's review: 

1. Someone didn't do their job and I have no medications.
2. That cyst is making my hormone levels too high to do medications.
3. I let down one of my favorite people in the whole world.

Another dear friend sent me this and it explains so much of today, I just had to share!

So what happens next?  Well we have two options. On Saturday they will do more blood work.

• The levels are still high, then they will trigger shot me, and my period will start in about 2 weeks. Then we will start with the medications right away. (this is not a speed bump, this is a flipping road block with a detour involved)
• The levels have lowered, then I will start the medications on Saturday. (this would be a speed bump)

Thank you for reading, sending positive thoughts, prayers and funny pictures.  Please continue to do all the above!!

A bundle of emotions

A Bundle of Emotions

Today was supposed to be an exciting one with an easy blood work and ultrasound check. But instead I woke up to what looked like the beginning of my period. UUUGGGHHH! Last cycle was 40 days and this one is 21?? Really?!  I'm not even supposed to be getting a period during this time frame. 

So, I email Stephanie as I am freaking out. If you are just joining us, here is a post about our amazing Stephanie. And of course she has emailed me back before I even get out of the shower. She is so wonderful!  She told me not to worry (think she knows me?) And to come in and we would proceed as planned. 

Apparently bleeding can occur after stopping the birth control. Makes sense right, people take birth control to regulate cycles. With this being my body's first experience to birth control I am sure it was very confused!  During the two weeks of taking birth control, I noticed more emotions in the beginning and also after stopping it. I also had some breakouts around my chin, on cheeks and in cleavage area.

Because I'm still on spring break I decided to sleep in a bit...big mistake!  the traffic was horrible. No accidents that I ever saw just lots of people on the road. Glad I don't have this commute every day, but if I did I would be leaving early!  Blood work went well and then I found out I was supposed to be here before 8:30...I was super late. I had to wait around a bit for Dr. Katz to be available, but that's not an issue I just worked on this blog post!

During the ultrasound he found a cyst. Darn those birth control pills!!  So the cyst could be producing estrogen.  If it is we will have to wait for it to stop before we can proceed with the next phase. We will know this afternoon when they call me back with the blood work results. Dr. Katz calls this a speed bump..which he is totally right, and the rational side of me totally gets this and the reasoning and the process.  The emotional side of me who has been trying to get pregnant for over a year just takes control of it all.  

So to all my fellow couples who have been trying and trying and getting upset every month when you find out you are not pregnant..I totally understand!  We may not have tried for years and years, but any amount of time of waiting and trying and waiting some more is just heart breaking. Maybe you have a doctor who isn't listening to you and tells you to just keep trying....GO FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR!  LoL, I only advise that because had it not been for my incredibly listening doctors I would have had to wait much longer.  

Praying and consuming myself with work until I hear about my blood work results!

Dress rehearsal, Check!

Dress rehearsal, Check!

Friday, I went to have my trial transfer completed. At school we have been calling this a "dress rehearsal" because that's basically what it was.  My co-workers were telling me to break a leg, remember to smile and to breathe...I love those crazy ladies!

It was a quick and easy procedure but man oh man did I have to pee!!  You have to go in with a full bladder, and I was so afraid I was going to have an accident right there on the table. Luckily I made it through the procedure without an accidents.

Stephanie and Dr. Katz were wonderful!  You know the feeling you get when you meet someone and that you feel they are supposed to be your friend? Yup that's how I feel about those two!  Dr. Katz is a funny guy who listens to his patients, jokes around, even when he is working down there, and clearly loves his job. Stephanie and I hug, she appreciates the cupcakes I bring her, and listens to my concerns, questions and knows when to tell me to breath. I'm one lucky girl to have these two in my corner.

My family has also been such a blessing!  My parents and my husband's parents and our siblings are an amazing support team I don't know how we would be able to have this journey without them! :) For the next week I will be on birth control. Next step will on the 9th for ultrasound and blood work. Thank you for your prayers, well wishes and comments. They keep me going :)

Mid-Week Update!

Mid-Week Update!

I am happy to report my cycle finally begun last Friday!  I was beginning to think the stress of everything was going to  make me miss my cycle! And yes when I called to announce the beginning of my cycle to my IVF team, my face totally looked like this! If you are just joining this adventure, you can check out this post to see the steps we are taking.

              

Sunday morning I pulled into the parking lot at 7:15 am for my blood work and ultrasound. Saturday afternoon I drank over 100 oz of water because giving blood is such a process for me.  (deep veins in arms..they usually end up taking from my hand)  I was in for a pleasant surprise...I only had to give 1 vial of blood!! The ultrasound was just to see how many eggs I have forming currently and their size.  The on-call IVF team was great, very kind and super thorough on  making sure I had a prescription of birth control.  I am not lying when I say between Friday afternoon-Sunday afternoon I was asked 10 times if I had my birth control filled.  

Sunday evening I got the phone call to start taking birth control!  We are on our way! Stephanie, our IVF nurse, called me Monday to make sure I was taking the birth control and to schedule my next appointment for ultrasound, trial transfer and to talk about the next medicines.  

So with that being said....our next step is this Friday!!  I will be heading in with a full bladder for this thing called a trial transfer.  So in this quick appointment, they will be checking to see exactly where they will be placing our embryos.  They don't want to be fumbling around on the actual day of implantation, so they do this mock one to know the lay of the land.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.  I love hearing from everyone but most of all I love to know that you care....that sounds wrong to say, but I decided when I started writing this blog, that it was mine and I was going to say my feelings...and not hold back!