Suppression Check Passed

We had our suppression check this morning.  Great News: 

I PASSED!

Overall, it was a quick appointment today.  They did the necessary bloodwork and sent me for my ultrasound.  My cyst was still evident on the screen, but it had shrunk in size to 1.6cm.  (Previously, it measured 2.35cm).

Our NP gave me 1200IU of Follistim that had been saved for me since my cancelled cycle in January.  We have not been actively TTC since January.  Wow!  It just occurred to me that it's been that long since we were cycling.  I have no idea how I have made it this long.  And here goes my crazy lady Lupron rant:

Since January I have definitely received much unwanted and unwarranted advice.  I am glad that I chose to make my journey public, but sometimes I wish that people would stop trying to give us advice.  Don't get me wrong, I love when people talk to us about overcoming infertility.  I met a lady from church last week who introduced me to her twins conceived via IUI.  I knew that those two boys were truly a miracle!  Lately, people automatically assume that I'm just distraught; or that I need to relax.  Surprisingly enough, I think that I've been as relaxed as possible.  Yes, I want a baby more than anything.  BUT if I have to hear "in God's time" from one more person I may strangle them.  =)   Did they have to wait for a baby?  Did they have to have numerous procedures and timed intercourse?  If you have not battled Infertility, don't tell someone that it's all a part of God's plan and that it will happen in His timing.  Believe me,  I know this, and do NOT need you to tell me! **Rant over!  This is probably the Lupron talking...  My moods have been swinging!  

We also had to hand over payment for the cycle.  All I can say is that God provides!

Our payment receipt

Janet called and left message on my patient voice mail around 1:30pm saying that everything looked wonderful.  She instructed me to follow my calendar protocol and begin stims on Sunday.  I can't believe it's all happening!

Don't forget to visit my pages for more info:
Lingo
IVF Schedule
The Cost

IVF Protocol

Last week started the beginning of our IVF cycle. 

On Tuesday, I had my baseline ultrasound and bloodwork. On Thursday, I met with Dr. Allemand to discuss the IVF checklist. Brandon was out of town, so Joy came with me. We had discussed much at length about IVF with Dr.A previously, so the office visit with him was not too stressful. He did discuss each step of the IVF process at length, and answered the few questions that I had.

My antral follicle count was 14 at my baseline ultrasound. Dr. A thinks that I'm a great candidate for IVF, and that I should produce many healthy eggs. As of now, our plan is to transfer two embryos. If for some reason I have poor quality embryos, we will access whether to transfer more then.

My IVF calendar arrived in the mail on Saturday.  The next few months are going to be crazy for us!  I will write a post later describing the process of IVF for all my friends reading who are not familiar with all of the terms.

The Calendar

Court's IVF S3 Protocol

5-5:  CD 1
5-8:  Baseline appointment; Start BCP
5-10:  IVF Checklist with Dr.A
5-29:  Precycle visit with Janet (IVF nurse) at 9am; begin 10 units of Lupron daily (injectable)
6-1:  Take last BCP
6-6:  Office Visit/ Suppression Check; Cycle payment due; Signed consents due to office
6-10:  Reduce Lupron to 5 units daily (injectable); Begin stims:  Follistim 225 units (injectable, Menopur 75 units (injectable)
6-14:  Office Visit
6-15:  Possible Office Visit
6-16:  Possible Office Visit; abstain from intercourse for the duration
6-17:  Possible Office Visit; begin antibiotic
6-18:  Possible Office Visit
6-19:  Possible Office Visit
6-20-6-21:  Tentative Egg Retrieval (ER); ER will determine Embryo Transfer (ET) and Beta (if we're pregnant or not)

Like I said above, I will post more later about the specifics.  We will not know the actual date of the ER and ET until I have began my stimulation medications.  Please continue to pray for us!  The next months will be exhausting mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Baseline and IVF

I had my baseline ultrasound this morning.  My cyst did grow and measured at 2.7cm this morning.  Neicey (my NP today) seemed to think that starting BCP for the IVF would make the cyst go away.  Before leaving, I scheduled my appointments with Dr. Allemand for Thursday at 11am, and Janet on May 29 at 9am.  We've already went over much information about IVF, but Dr. A will be more detailed on Thursday.  Unfortunately,  Brandon will be gone, but I am trying to find someone else to accompany me this week. 

Brandon has been tobacco free for 4 weeks today.  He's done such a great job!  He has not complained one bit!

*Update*
I just checked my patient voicemail and Janet (IVF nurse) left me a message.

• Estradiol:  42 (normal range)
• FSH:  5.9 (normal range)

WoW!  I begin taking my BCP today.  This means that we are moving forward with IVF!! Janet is mailing me my calendar, and I meet with her on May 29th to go over my protocol.  I start Lupron injections on May 28th and will take 10 IU per day for about a week or so.  (I will know more once I receive my calendar.)

Right now I am still in shock that we are beginning the IVF process.  I had anticipated waiting at least two more weeks to take Provera and start my period.  God had other plans.  I am nervous, happy, terrified, and excited all at the same time.  God is so good.

More Instagram & Baseline Appointment

Well, AF arrived sooner than expected.  I had planned to call the nurse at ART today to ask for Provera.  God decided otherwise (probably with some help from the supermoon).  I noticed some spotting Friday afternoon and "she" showed up in full force on Saturday.  I was extremely confused and even called Kayla to try and figure out my wonky cycle.  During this previous cycle, I never ovulated or had a clear pattern.  I had some strange mid-cycle spotting and felt all over the place.

Previous cycle's BBT chart

I only spotted yesterday and seem to be doing the same today.  My baseline appointment is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9:15am. This starts my 19th cycle TTC. I am hopeful that the 2.35cm cyst from my past two cycles is gone.  God, I know you are hearing this.  If it is your will, let the cyst be gone. 

Tomorrow will only be 4 weeks since Brandon began his fast from Skoal.  I am in hopes that they will go ahead and allow me to begin taking BCP in preparation for IVF.  I don't feel ready.  I was still planning on having 2 more weeks, but God's timing is always the best timing.

Here are a few more of my photos from the May Photo Challenge. These pictures aren't as pretty as the ones in my first post.  I promise to try harder with the next batch!  Enjoy!

May 5- Bird - from the Mother Daughter Banquet

May 6- Me- Laying out in the backyard

May 7- Someone that inspires you- My husband works so hard to provide for me.

AF and onward to another cycle of TTC

AF arrived yesterday at 16dpo. That's a pretty long LP for me, but at least I started.  =)  I had crazy, killer cramps yesterday.  I guess they're always bad, but I don't have periods that often.  My cycle now is only the 9th since I stopped taking birth control back in July 2010.

I went in to the RE early this morning at 7am for my CD3 (really CD2) bloodwork.  It took me an hour to get there due to traffic & construction on I65!!  They got me in quickly, so I was able to go and sit with Aunt Penny until time to go to work.  She looked good.  She's trying to talk, but the trach makes it difficult.  She seems agitated about being in the hospital and not remembering all that happened.

I picked up my Rx for Femara yesterday.  Thankfully there's a generic form, Letrozol.  It only cost me $10!!  I start taking it tomorrow for 5 days.  I am scheduled for the HSG on Wednesday next week, and then an ultrasound on Monday-6/13.  Maybe I'll get some good follies for my anniversary!! =)