HOT #1
Last week, Derek was out of town and I didn't sleep very well. By Wednesday evening, I was feeling quite run down. On Thursday, I realized it wasn't just the fact that my husband wasn't sleeping in our bed with me...I was running a low grade fever. I typically run about a 97.4, so 99.3 is pretty high for me. I ended up coming home from work early on Thursday and resting. Friday - still had a fever (went to work anyway), Saturday - still fever (didn't slow me down), Sunday - still fever (realized perhaps I should rest, spent the day napping on the couch and in my PJ's), Monday - still fever (stayed home from work), Tuesday - still fever (went to work because I felt like a wuss for staying out longer), Wednesday - still fever but slightly lower. Typically it was higher at night than in the mornings, and tonight it was finally less than 99...I am not going to say anything for fear that it would jinx any progress I am making.
I did this last year around this time of year as well. That time, the unexplained fever lasted for a month. When I went to the GP, he drew some blood and came to the conclusion that I was fighting off a virus. Since I just finished my required round of antibiotics for the FET, I determined that whatever I am fighting off must be viral. (Similar to a Dr Google diagnosis, just in case you were wondering).
I think I will ask the IVF nurse on Friday to make sure that a low grade fever isn't anything to worry about in regards to the FET. I wouldn't want to have to move out our transfer even further, but I want for us to have the best chance possible.
HOT #2
Get HOT before you get Pregnant Fat (aka Weight Loss Update). Week #2 I lost 1.6 pounds. That brings me up at a grand total of 3 AND back to my weight prior to our first FET and prior to IVF. Anything above and beyond this is icing on the cake. Week # 3 is almost halfway over and has been going pretty well. I am still having a few bouts of hunger every now and then when I don't make wise choices. But overall, I would say it is going great. I actually put on a pair of pants that were quite tight 2 1/2 weeks ago and they were baggy in all the right places. It really does feel great to see progress.
HOT #3
A break in the Heat. If you haven't been to Georgia, this place is freakin' HOT in the summer. Hot and Humid. I am talking about heat where you walk outside and you begin to sweat immediately. Finally, as October is only a couple of days away, we have gotten our first taste of Fall. It has been delightful. Today it was almost chilly. I really hope this cooler weather will stick around for a while. I am so ready for long sleeved shirts and sweatshirts.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
A Slight Change in Plans
Yesterday, while I was at work, I got an interesting call from my nurse at my RE's office with some not so great news. Apparently when she scheduled my transfer, she wasn't looking at the calendar correctly (or the RE just wanted to add a couple of vacation days to her scheduled conference - but the outcome is the same regardless). Our transfer won't be on Wednesday October 20 (with results on Friday October 29) as we had on our original schedule.
The good news is that it isn't cancelled and it isn't pushed back by much. It is now scheduled for Thursday October 28 (with BETA on Monday November 8).
The bad news is that due to the way the meds were started in anticipation of the October 20 transfer, I will now have a few extra days of Lupron only. And just in case you don't recall, THIS is when I get migraine headaches. I can't tell you just how super excited I am about adding a few extra of those fun filled days to my cycle.
Yesterday I was a bit bummed about this. It still isn't the ideal situation, but it is what it is. And I have to focus on the positives of this process.
What else? Hmmm...
In case anyone missed it, Alie had a great suggestion for where to donate your unused syringes in the comments of my last post (your local veterinarian's office). Thanks Alie!
Oh, yeah! Weight loss...On my first weigh in, I lost 1.4 lbs. And that was after the horrible dinner in Atlanta that broke all the rules. I have really behaved this week and haven't dipped into the flex points for the week yet. So I am hoping that next week's results will be better.
I don't know if it is the antibiotic that I am taking or the diet or the fact that I started taking prenatal vitamins again, but things having been moving (you know, down there) too well lately and I amfarting so much that a spark might blow our house up feeling a bit gassy.
In addition, I feel like the Lupron fog has settled in around me. Yesterday I was trying to describe an item that I should be able to easily name. The best I could do was "You know, the thing in the bathroom that the sink sits on top of!!!". I was meaning the cabinet. I wonder if this stuff has a cumulative effect and that the more often you take it, the stupider you feel. I seriously feel like I can feel the brain cells evaporating out of my head.
I hear that pregnancy does the same thing. So, I guess I won't complain too much about the loss of brain cells. I will take being dumber any day.
The good news is that it isn't cancelled and it isn't pushed back by much. It is now scheduled for Thursday October 28 (with BETA on Monday November 8).
The bad news is that due to the way the meds were started in anticipation of the October 20 transfer, I will now have a few extra days of Lupron only. And just in case you don't recall, THIS is when I get migraine headaches. I can't tell you just how super excited I am about adding a few extra of those fun filled days to my cycle.
Yesterday I was a bit bummed about this. It still isn't the ideal situation, but it is what it is. And I have to focus on the positives of this process.
What else? Hmmm...
In case anyone missed it, Alie had a great suggestion for where to donate your unused syringes in the comments of my last post (your local veterinarian's office). Thanks Alie!
Oh, yeah! Weight loss...On my first weigh in, I lost 1.4 lbs. And that was after the horrible dinner in Atlanta that broke all the rules. I have really behaved this week and haven't dipped into the flex points for the week yet. So I am hoping that next week's results will be better.
I don't know if it is the antibiotic that I am taking or the diet or the fact that I started taking prenatal vitamins again, but things having been moving (you know, down there) too well lately and I am
In addition, I feel like the Lupron fog has settled in around me. Yesterday I was trying to describe an item that I should be able to easily name. The best I could do was "You know, the thing in the bathroom that the sink sits on top of!!!". I was meaning the cabinet. I wonder if this stuff has a cumulative effect and that the more often you take it, the stupider you feel. I seriously feel like I can feel the brain cells evaporating out of my head.
I hear that pregnancy does the same thing. So, I guess I won't complain too much about the loss of brain cells. I will take being dumber any day.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Where to Hide My Stash
Tonight was my first nightly dose of Lupron. For the first few seconds after wiping the injection site, I hesitated. I guess that since it has been almost a year since my last injection, I was a bit timid about the first stick. Would it hurt more or less than I remembered? Well - the verdict is that, just like the last time, it wasn't that bad.
But, on to the title of this post. The strangest part about this round of meds has been where to "stash" them. The last time we did any sort of ART, our house wasn't on the market. I stored all my meds (even the ones that I wasn't currently taking) and my sharps container in the kitchen on a designated cabinet shelf. It was quite convenient that way.
But this time our house is on the market. There is a chance, no matter how slight, that they will show our house and the potential buyer will open the *right* cabinet door to reveal my plethora of drugs and sharps container.
I am fairly certain that the typical fertile home buyer probably wouldn't know that we were pursuing infertility treatments just by looking in that cabinet. And it isn't like I haven't been very open about our infertility and treatments with people we know.
But there was just something that didn't settle well with me about having my used needles and my progesterone vaginal inserts in a place that strangers may see. It isn't just because I don't want the potential buyer to picture me with my feet in the stirrups. And it isn't just because I don't want for someone to open that cabinet door and think "what kind of people ARE these???" Maybe it is a combination of both, combined with the lack of privacy you have when your home could be shown to a stranger any given day.
So, for now, I have the meds that aren't currently being taken in a non-descript box in the hall closet. (Actually, the one I originally "Packed My Infertility In" several months ago). There is an overflow box of just unused syringes. So hiding everything in the non-descript box isn't really an option unless I buy either a bigger box or I take a 3rd box and put it in the closet. I am not really happy with either of those options.
The meds that I am currently taking are all either injectable or in pill format. So, I have my sharps container and syringes in the bathroom in a cabinet. I am hoping that perhaps the lack of the other drugs will make someone think that perhaps I am diabetic or something.
And, if that lucky couple happens to also open a specific drawer in the bathroom, they will find my birth control pills and my prenatal vitamins (which I am sure would raise a few eyebrows...). But at least it isn't coupled with the vaginal inserts, right???
Hey, does anyone know what I can do with all of these unused syringes?
But, on to the title of this post. The strangest part about this round of meds has been where to "stash" them. The last time we did any sort of ART, our house wasn't on the market. I stored all my meds (even the ones that I wasn't currently taking) and my sharps container in the kitchen on a designated cabinet shelf. It was quite convenient that way.
But this time our house is on the market. There is a chance, no matter how slight, that they will show our house and the potential buyer will open the *right* cabinet door to reveal my plethora of drugs and sharps container.
I am fairly certain that the typical fertile home buyer probably wouldn't know that we were pursuing infertility treatments just by looking in that cabinet. And it isn't like I haven't been very open about our infertility and treatments with people we know.
But there was just something that didn't settle well with me about having my used needles and my progesterone vaginal inserts in a place that strangers may see. It isn't just because I don't want the potential buyer to picture me with my feet in the stirrups. And it isn't just because I don't want for someone to open that cabinet door and think "what kind of people ARE these???" Maybe it is a combination of both, combined with the lack of privacy you have when your home could be shown to a stranger any given day.
So, for now, I have the meds that aren't currently being taken in a non-descript box in the hall closet. (Actually, the one I originally "Packed My Infertility In" several months ago). There is an overflow box of just unused syringes. So hiding everything in the non-descript box isn't really an option unless I buy either a bigger box or I take a 3rd box and put it in the closet. I am not really happy with either of those options.
The meds that I am currently taking are all either injectable or in pill format. So, I have my sharps container and syringes in the bathroom in a cabinet. I am hoping that perhaps the lack of the other drugs will make someone think that perhaps I am diabetic or something.
And, if that lucky couple happens to also open a specific drawer in the bathroom, they will find my birth control pills and my prenatal vitamins (which I am sure would raise a few eyebrows...). But at least it isn't coupled with the vaginal inserts, right???
Hey, does anyone know what I can do with all of these unused syringes?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weekend In Review
After an extremely busy week, we were really looking forward to the weekend. Friday at 5 couldn't come soon enough.
My meds arrived on Friday. I begin my Lupron Injections on Monday and my last BCP will be the 24th. Everything is all organized and ready to go.
Friday night we drove into Atlanta to have dinner with some of Derek's coworkers. We went to a place we had never been before and will probably never return there. The food wasn't terrible and the atmosphere was OK, but they spilled steak juice all down Derek's back and didn't even offer to give him a free beer. And the place was SLOW. Our reservation was at 9, they didn't seat us till 9:30 and we didn't get out of there until after midnight. Granted, it was a large party, but still...When you have more than an hour's drive home and you have had a long week, it made it all the more frustrating.
Adding to that, there wasn't really a single healthy item on the menu. The only chicken entree was fried. And, I didn't post about it in advance (just in case I lost my motivation and didn't actually move forward with it), but I started going back to the gym this week and also started a diet. I had only gained 3 lbs since our FET last October, but I decided I wanted to lose that 3 lbs and however many more that I could before we actually had the transfer. BUT, not having any healthy choices AND eating dinner at almost midnight is not conducive to loosing weight. Tomorrow is my weigh in day, so hopefully it wasn't too detrimental. (Wish me luck!!!)
After our late night, we had to get up early and head BACK to Atlanta for our required 1 1/2 hour counselling appointment on Saturday. We were supposed to meet the Dr. at 10:30. Derek has the Tom Tom App on his iPhone and it doesn't do too well in Atlanta. We had planned to stop for coffee and breakfast, but Tom's terrible directions a few miles into downtown Atlanta onto our journey didn't allow it. So, we got to her office about 15 minutes early. We had were at the address that she had given me over the phone, but her name wasn't on the sign outside the building. We were worried that we were not in the right place - even though she said she wouldn't be there before 10:30 and the building would be empty and locked until she got there. As I tried to call the Dr, Derek went over to door to see if he could see in. He did what ANYONE would do and pulled on the door handle. It wasn't locked and the door pulled open.
UNFORTUNATELY the alarm was set, AND IT WENT OFF. We stood outside the building, siren blaring, leaning against the car and waited for the police. We laughed and discussed that if her first impression of us was that of us in handcuffs, it probably wouldn't bode well for the resulting psychological evaluation. Luckily, she arrived before the police did and we escaped the humiliation of the handcuffs.
The good Dr. was pretty nice and easy to talk to. And she didn't really ask us any really tough questions. In the first couple of minutes, she was aware that we had already been planning to adopt when the EA became an option so the question of whether or not we would go postal and take out our RE's office wasn't going to be an issue. Or at least that was my take on the evaluation. Her report may say otherwise.
After the Dr's appointment, we headed for some lunch, go the oil changed in my car and went home. I had a terrible headache - I guess both from the small amount of sleep and also from the lack of breakfast. I napped on the couch, watched some college football, and then went to bed.
Today I cleaned the house and did some laundry. We went to the park and took a nice long walk. We also got the pool table set up today and Derek and I played some rousing rounds of pool. I am so AWESOME at pool that the only games I won were the ones that Derek scratched as he sank the 8 ball.
And another exciting week begins tomorrow...
My meds arrived on Friday. I begin my Lupron Injections on Monday and my last BCP will be the 24th. Everything is all organized and ready to go.
Friday night we drove into Atlanta to have dinner with some of Derek's coworkers. We went to a place we had never been before and will probably never return there. The food wasn't terrible and the atmosphere was OK, but they spilled steak juice all down Derek's back and didn't even offer to give him a free beer. And the place was SLOW. Our reservation was at 9, they didn't seat us till 9:30 and we didn't get out of there until after midnight. Granted, it was a large party, but still...When you have more than an hour's drive home and you have had a long week, it made it all the more frustrating.
Adding to that, there wasn't really a single healthy item on the menu. The only chicken entree was fried. And, I didn't post about it in advance (just in case I lost my motivation and didn't actually move forward with it), but I started going back to the gym this week and also started a diet. I had only gained 3 lbs since our FET last October, but I decided I wanted to lose that 3 lbs and however many more that I could before we actually had the transfer. BUT, not having any healthy choices AND eating dinner at almost midnight is not conducive to loosing weight. Tomorrow is my weigh in day, so hopefully it wasn't too detrimental. (Wish me luck!!!)
After our late night, we had to get up early and head BACK to Atlanta for our required 1 1/2 hour counselling appointment on Saturday. We were supposed to meet the Dr. at 10:30. Derek has the Tom Tom App on his iPhone and it doesn't do too well in Atlanta. We had planned to stop for coffee and breakfast, but Tom's terrible directions a few miles into downtown Atlanta onto our journey didn't allow it. So, we got to her office about 15 minutes early. We had were at the address that she had given me over the phone, but her name wasn't on the sign outside the building. We were worried that we were not in the right place - even though she said she wouldn't be there before 10:30 and the building would be empty and locked until she got there. As I tried to call the Dr, Derek went over to door to see if he could see in. He did what ANYONE would do and pulled on the door handle. It wasn't locked and the door pulled open.
UNFORTUNATELY the alarm was set, AND IT WENT OFF. We stood outside the building, siren blaring, leaning against the car and waited for the police. We laughed and discussed that if her first impression of us was that of us in handcuffs, it probably wouldn't bode well for the resulting psychological evaluation. Luckily, she arrived before the police did and we escaped the humiliation of the handcuffs.
The good Dr. was pretty nice and easy to talk to. And she didn't really ask us any really tough questions. In the first couple of minutes, she was aware that we had already been planning to adopt when the EA became an option so the question of whether or not we would go postal and take out our RE's office wasn't going to be an issue. Or at least that was my take on the evaluation. Her report may say otherwise.
After the Dr's appointment, we headed for some lunch, go the oil changed in my car and went home. I had a terrible headache - I guess both from the small amount of sleep and also from the lack of breakfast. I napped on the couch, watched some college football, and then went to bed.
Today I cleaned the house and did some laundry. We went to the park and took a nice long walk. We also got the pool table set up today and Derek and I played some rousing rounds of pool. I am so AWESOME at pool that the only games I won were the ones that Derek scratched as he sank the 8 ball.
And another exciting week begins tomorrow...
Saturday, September 11, 2010
September News
So far, September is shaping up pretty well for us.
Last weekend, I had the best intentions to post about our Labor Day Weekend. But I was just too blasted tired. The post was going to let you all know that we have officially finished remodelling our house!!! The basement is DONE. Finished. Complete. The only remaining item on the punch list are a small amount of touch up paint on a door. I can't believe it is finally done. I really don't know what we are going to do with ourselves, but I am really looking forward to figuring it out. So far, we spent some time watching a couple of movies, I have read a couple of books, we have watched some good football games...Ahhh, bliss.
We haven't had any offers on our house yet, but we have had a good bit of traffic and lots of positive feedback. The last couple who looked seemed pretty interested, but we haven't heard anything from them after their showing.
The biggest news - AF arrived on Tuesday. I called my IVF nurse because she had said I would need to start BCPs when my cycle started. She called in the prescription and faxed me over my calendar. For some reason, I thought that I would be on the BCP for a month or so. I don't know why, but I did.
I was wrong. I started the BCPs on the 9th. I start Lupron injections on the 20th. Did you catch that? The 20th??? 9 days from now! This is really happening! And you know how time starts to really fly when you start the shots...
My baseline will be October 1 and as long as all goes well, the transfer will be on the 20th of October, just a little over a month from now. And the results will be known on October 29th. It seems almost surreal.
Let's get this party started.
Last weekend, I had the best intentions to post about our Labor Day Weekend. But I was just too blasted tired. The post was going to let you all know that we have officially finished remodelling our house!!! The basement is DONE. Finished. Complete. The only remaining item on the punch list are a small amount of touch up paint on a door. I can't believe it is finally done. I really don't know what we are going to do with ourselves, but I am really looking forward to figuring it out. So far, we spent some time watching a couple of movies, I have read a couple of books, we have watched some good football games...Ahhh, bliss.
We haven't had any offers on our house yet, but we have had a good bit of traffic and lots of positive feedback. The last couple who looked seemed pretty interested, but we haven't heard anything from them after their showing.
The biggest news - AF arrived on Tuesday. I called my IVF nurse because she had said I would need to start BCPs when my cycle started. She called in the prescription and faxed me over my calendar. For some reason, I thought that I would be on the BCP for a month or so. I don't know why, but I did.
I was wrong. I started the BCPs on the 9th. I start Lupron injections on the 20th. Did you catch that? The 20th??? 9 days from now! This is really happening! And you know how time starts to really fly when you start the shots...
My baseline will be October 1 and as long as all goes well, the transfer will be on the 20th of October, just a little over a month from now. And the results will be known on October 29th. It seems almost surreal.
Let's get this party started.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Thanks, Welcome, More Thanks
My first "THANKS" is to Katie over at From IF to When for linking over to my Eat, Pray, Love Post. Katie is an excellent blogger and has a ton of followers. By her linking to my blog post, the passage in the book that touched me so much was also able to touch so many others. So, Katie, thanks for sharing this with your group. Love you girl!
In addition to allowing my words (and more specifically Elizabeth Gilbert's words) to reach many others, Katie's link to my post apparently spawned an increase in followers. Holy Moly! To those of you who are new to my blog, welcome and thanks for joining me.
My second "THANKS" is to Lacie for posting about these meditation podcasts. I have never looked at the iTunes section that encompasses podcasts until she mentioned these. Her post inspired me to look into podcasts today when I got home. Not only did I find the meditations podcasts she was talking about, I also found ones on Yoga and Infertility and ... well, you get the picture. Possibly stemming from the "Pray" portion of Eat, Pray, Love, meditation and yoga have recently become something I am interested in learning more about and practicing more. Until now, my only exposure has been through a class at the YMCA and I just can't get into it there. After downloading the podcast, I listened to the first one. I truly felt so much more relaxed than I did before I listened to it. I am thinking THIS may be something I will be using as we prepare for our EA transfer. So, Lacey, Thanks for turning me on to this podcast!
In addition to allowing my words (and more specifically Elizabeth Gilbert's words) to reach many others, Katie's link to my post apparently spawned an increase in followers. Holy Moly! To those of you who are new to my blog, welcome and thanks for joining me.
My second "THANKS" is to Lacie for posting about these meditation podcasts. I have never looked at the iTunes section that encompasses podcasts until she mentioned these. Her post inspired me to look into podcasts today when I got home. Not only did I find the meditations podcasts she was talking about, I also found ones on Yoga and Infertility and ... well, you get the picture. Possibly stemming from the "Pray" portion of Eat, Pray, Love, meditation and yoga have recently become something I am interested in learning more about and practicing more. Until now, my only exposure has been through a class at the YMCA and I just can't get into it there. After downloading the podcast, I listened to the first one. I truly felt so much more relaxed than I did before I listened to it. I am thinking THIS may be something I will be using as we prepare for our EA transfer. So, Lacey, Thanks for turning me on to this podcast!
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