Better than the Original!

This cover is definitely better than LMAFO's original!

I survived.

I survived Mother's day.   The day involved lots of junk food, netflix and burying my head in the sand.   This year was particularly hard because I had hoped to be doing an IUI this weekend, instead it looks as though this cycle will be cancelled again.   Even so, this year had a glimmer of maybe attached to it that we have never had before.  I took my last dose of gonal-f this morning as well as a single dose of bravelle.  Tomorrow brings two vials of bravelle and the next day we will have another ultrasound!  I am expecting that Tuesday will produce no new follicle growth and for the cycle to be cancelled.  I do have to admit that I am trying to be hopeful...so much so that I have been buying into several of the old wives tales, such as using hot packs, drinking lots of whole milk and propping my feet up against a wall.   I feel silly doing these things, but I'm getting desperate!

Cycle day 14

I had yet another ultrasound today.   Unfortunately, there has been no more follicle growth.   We are still farther ahead than we were at this point last cycle, so we are not giving up yet!   In fact, we are adding a new drug to the mix....Gonal F.   I go back Tuesday for another follicle check.   I wonder if people with a poor response to Bravelle get better responses from Gonal?

$$$$$

It feels as though our checking account has been hemorrhaging lately.   In the last twelve days we have:

1. Made an expensive trip to the aviary, buying both lunch and dinner out.   It was a rare treat for us and we needed the diversion.
2. Realized that both of our window unit air conditioners needed replaced......so had central air installed instead.  This was a huge splurge, but I just couldn't imagine a hot Utah summer with inefficient air conditioning and hot flashes from fertility drugs!
3. Had new attic insulation blown in.  This was part of an energy conservation rebate program, and we will get 85% of the cost back from our power and gas companies in a few weeks.  It will save us money in the long run, but for now the money is gone.
4. Spent a thousand or so on fertility treatments, with plans and hopes to spend even more if we get to the IUI.   
5. Paid a ridiculous amount of money at the gas pumps to fill both vehicles' tanks.   This was a shock for me because I rarely let my SUV get below a half tank but this time I was nearly empty and the price made me cringe.   Good thing I only fill up about once a month!

It's times like this that make me grateful for the job opportunities that Mark has had this year.   It is really hard having him work away from home four days a week, but the pay is worth it.   I doubt we would be pursuing treatments without it.   I am amazed every time that I pay for an ultrasound, or another batch of drugs at how much things just fell into place for us once we decided to pursue treatments.  It makes me think that we are on the right path, and that this will be it...that we will be successful, and then I think of our last cycle being cancelled.   I refuse to worry this time around.  I will just go with the flow and everything will be golden......right?

it's better.....

This morning, I had my first follicle check for this cycle and things look much better than last time.  In fact, they are already better than they were at the end of last cycle!   Today I had two larger follicles on the right side measuring 8.8 and 7.8 mm.  On the left side I had one measuring 6.7.  At this point last cycle, I had no measurable follicles.   In fact, last cycle, my largest follicle was just 8 mm and that was not achieved until cycle day 15.   I am already out pacing myself.  I am doing three more days of Bravelle, two vials at a time, and then I go back for another ultrasound on cycle day 14. 

I am so glad that today brought good news!  I had been getting really mired down with all the emotional muck of pursuing treatments   Today felt like I was seeing a little glimmer of the maybe someday.  I am going to be crossing my fingers and toes,and holding my breathe until Friday.  Oh! just let them continue to grow!

Tracy aviary!

We visited tracy aviary last weekend with a few friends and the trip was totally worth it!  We even got to hand feed some of the birds which was a blast!

 

Here we go again!

We are well into the process of a second attempt at an IUI cycle.   I take my last dose of clomid tonight and begin injections in the morning!

I am apprehensive about this cycle because it feels as though there has not been as many changes to my protocol as I would like.  The clomid was upped to 100 mg a day from 50.   We are also doing double doses of bravelle from the very beginning so hopefully we will have some follicle growth this time.