February 27th, yesterday - took a home pregnancy test and failed it. It came up negative and then I got my period an hour later, so I guess it was accurate, lol!
We're staying positive since it's only the first try. I can't help but be a little disappointed. I kept thinking that because they are fertility specialists, and as far as I know I am not really infertile, that it would work right away. I guess I was wrong! The doctor told us that it could take three or four cycles before it would work.
So... We're going to call on Monday to start the process over again with a new ovary check. We'll see how things go this time. :)
Steps in the process:
1.) Get period
2.) Go for ovary check on day 3
3.) Take Letrozole for 5 days
4.) Go for Follicle Scan on day 11
5.) Take injection of Ovidrel on day 11
6.) Insemination on day 14
7.) Go for Progesterone level check on day 21
8.) Hope like hell that it took
9.) Take home preggo test on day 25
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Feb 22, 2010: P4 Blood Work
So this process is an educational one. We didn't fully understand what the P4 test would be telling us. What they are looking for is the level of Progesterone in her system. Based on this level they can tell if Bobby-Jo ovulated. We had our appointment this morning at 8 am. Does anyone out there understand how difficult it is to be up that early with no job, or nowhere to be? Yeah, not very hard cuz we were soooooo excited.
I sat and waited in the waiting room while she went back with the phlebotomist. Sounds like I missed quite the conversation. She asked Bobby-Jo how she was doing, how she was feeling. Everything she said, the phlebotomist said, "that's a good sign" "that is something you want to be feeling". Very positive and a great person this woman! We are very lucky. The Center is a wonderful group of individuals that understand why we are there, what our ultimate goal is. They are so, so positive and always have something nice to say.
They said that we would hear today what the results were. Didn't hear all day... we grew very impatient. Bobby-Jo called a little after 5 and it went right to voice mail. Darn won't hear until Tuesday. WRONG!! At 6 the phone rang!!!
They said the progesterone level in her blood was 20, which is a good number. So Bobby-Jo asked, "what next?" The nurse asked when we inseminated and told us to start peeing on a stick on Friday based on that. So we will start our own Olympic Sport "Pee-on-a-stick", lol. Where do I come up with these?
I sat and waited in the waiting room while she went back with the phlebotomist. Sounds like I missed quite the conversation. She asked Bobby-Jo how she was doing, how she was feeling. Everything she said, the phlebotomist said, "that's a good sign" "that is something you want to be feeling". Very positive and a great person this woman! We are very lucky. The Center is a wonderful group of individuals that understand why we are there, what our ultimate goal is. They are so, so positive and always have something nice to say.
They said that we would hear today what the results were. Didn't hear all day... we grew very impatient. Bobby-Jo called a little after 5 and it went right to voice mail. Darn won't hear until Tuesday. WRONG!! At 6 the phone rang!!!
They said the progesterone level in her blood was 20, which is a good number. So Bobby-Jo asked, "what next?" The nurse asked when we inseminated and told us to start peeing on a stick on Friday based on that. So we will start our own Olympic Sport "Pee-on-a-stick", lol. Where do I come up with these?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
P4 Test Tomorrow
We go to the Clinic tomorrow for our 1st P4 test to see if the insemination from 2/14worked or not. We had two follicles don't forget, so our chances are double that it will take. I don't know exactly what the success rate of IUI insemination really is, I have looked and looked. But Dr Jaffe said that it usually take 2 to 3 cycles. I am going with her numbers that if it doesn't work this time, it will probably work next time.
We are going to fix up both spare rooms and have bought paint for what will be the spare/guest room. We decided to paint it a light blue grey so it will be a closer match to the duvet cover we already have. Gotta clear out the room today or tomorrow so we can do that. I have never painted an entire room before. Bobby-Jo has so at least one of us has experience in this, lol. We are not going to do a whole lot to that room really, just paint and get a little nicer TV stand for in there and oh yeah, we have to pick up a Queen bed frame somewhere for the mattresses from the old spare room furniture.
Every day I think about something else I want to do, fix up, change. Every day I tell myself to just be patient. Don't want to get too far ahead of myself with us not knowing for sure. Maybe tomorrow we will find out...
We are going to fix up both spare rooms and have bought paint for what will be the spare/guest room. We decided to paint it a light blue grey so it will be a closer match to the duvet cover we already have. Gotta clear out the room today or tomorrow so we can do that. I have never painted an entire room before. Bobby-Jo has so at least one of us has experience in this, lol. We are not going to do a whole lot to that room really, just paint and get a little nicer TV stand for in there and oh yeah, we have to pick up a Queen bed frame somewhere for the mattresses from the old spare room furniture.
Every day I think about something else I want to do, fix up, change. Every day I tell myself to just be patient. Don't want to get too far ahead of myself with us not knowing for sure. Maybe tomorrow we will find out...
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14th, 2010: Insemination
Our appointment this morning was at 10:15. We showed up to find 2 other couples sitting in the waiting room. I was pleasantly surprised to see other families in there for what I can only assume was insemination. I mean Dr. Jaffe wouldn't have normal office hours on the weekends for just normal visits.
Anyway, we were called back and escorted to what seemed like the very back of the office. The nurse asked us to wait and told us Dr. Jaffe would be in momentarily. Before she left she asked Bobby-Jo to indentify herself and also to make sure she had the correct vial.
When Dr. Jaffe came into the office, she asked what the donor number was. Bobby-Jo of course pipped right up. Me? I had no idea, go figure. Good thing she knows what's going on, lol. Dr. Jaffe told us the motility rate of the vial we were using was 68%. I don't really know if that exceptionally good, but based on other sources I have read, most Sperm Banks gurantee 35% or better. She then asked if we had any questions. We asked about the potential of multiples simply based on the ultrasound from Friday. She said, yes, of course it increases the chances, but she said it most likely doubled our chances of getting one egg fertilized.
A few moments later Dr. Jaffe was finished. We then stayed in the exam room for about 15 or 20 minutes so the swimmers could start working thier way toward the egg and "doing thier job". I stood and held Bobby-Jo's hand the whole time. What a surreal experience for me. I mean, this whole time I have kind of been the wing man, you know, there to help interpret what the Dr. said, keep straight the next steps in the process. It was very emotional for me to know that we could be parents before the end of the year.
Anyway, we were called back and escorted to what seemed like the very back of the office. The nurse asked us to wait and told us Dr. Jaffe would be in momentarily. Before she left she asked Bobby-Jo to indentify herself and also to make sure she had the correct vial.
When Dr. Jaffe came into the office, she asked what the donor number was. Bobby-Jo of course pipped right up. Me? I had no idea, go figure. Good thing she knows what's going on, lol. Dr. Jaffe told us the motility rate of the vial we were using was 68%. I don't really know if that exceptionally good, but based on other sources I have read, most Sperm Banks gurantee 35% or better. She then asked if we had any questions. We asked about the potential of multiples simply based on the ultrasound from Friday. She said, yes, of course it increases the chances, but she said it most likely doubled our chances of getting one egg fertilized.
A few moments later Dr. Jaffe was finished. We then stayed in the exam room for about 15 or 20 minutes so the swimmers could start working thier way toward the egg and "doing thier job". I stood and held Bobby-Jo's hand the whole time. What a surreal experience for me. I mean, this whole time I have kind of been the wing man, you know, there to help interpret what the Dr. said, keep straight the next steps in the process. It was very emotional for me to know that we could be parents before the end of the year.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
2nd Ovary Check 2/12/10
I took the day off on Friday the 12th because I wanted to go with Bobby-Jo to Dr. Jaffe's office for the Follicle Check. Our appointment was at 9:30. As usual we couldn't get up and were almost late, lol.
Shortly after we arrived, they called us back to take some blood. They wanted to check the estrogen levels. They were looking for 100, Bobby-Jo was like a 380 or something! Way to go! But I am getting ahead of myself. We were then asked to go back into the waiting room until they were ready to do the ultrasound. Just a couple minutes later, Amanda called us back.
We saw the uterus first and Amanda also showed us the lining of the uterus which she said looked very good, "nice and thick" she said. She looked at Bobby-Jo's right ovary first. She saw a small follicle she said was about 8 to 9 millimeters, but she wanted something bigger. She said she wanted to see one 18 to 19 millimeters so she moved over to look at the left ovary. The follicle on the right looked like a small black marble when I saw it on the monitor. But as soon as she moved to the left ovary two large black images appeared. Two very large follicles are developing on the left ovary. She measured them both between 18 and 19 millimeters. Two on one ovary! We asked if this was normal and she said if we were taking meds to simulate follicle development then yes it was possible. We both just looked at each other, knowing what could possibly happen...
So we asked what next steps were. She said that as soon as the blood test came back they would call. Our regular nurse, Lauren, called about 1 pm on Friday to tell us the estrogen levels were good (you already knew that). Next step was to give Bobby-Jo the shot of Ovidrel to make those follicles release the eggs. She wanted me to give Bobby-Jo the shot between 6 and 8 pm that night, Friday night. She then said that we have an appointment with Dr. Jaffe on Sunday, February 14th at 10:15 am for the IUI! We get to inseminate on Valentine's Day!!!!
I gave Bobby-Jo the shot and we are hoping it is/has done it's job. In less than 12 hours the insemination will be completed. And two follicles, TWO?!? Only time will tell if it will work on our first try. We'll let you know how the insemination goes tomorrow.
Shortly after we arrived, they called us back to take some blood. They wanted to check the estrogen levels. They were looking for 100, Bobby-Jo was like a 380 or something! Way to go! But I am getting ahead of myself. We were then asked to go back into the waiting room until they were ready to do the ultrasound. Just a couple minutes later, Amanda called us back.
We saw the uterus first and Amanda also showed us the lining of the uterus which she said looked very good, "nice and thick" she said. She looked at Bobby-Jo's right ovary first. She saw a small follicle she said was about 8 to 9 millimeters, but she wanted something bigger. She said she wanted to see one 18 to 19 millimeters so she moved over to look at the left ovary. The follicle on the right looked like a small black marble when I saw it on the monitor. But as soon as she moved to the left ovary two large black images appeared. Two very large follicles are developing on the left ovary. She measured them both between 18 and 19 millimeters. Two on one ovary! We asked if this was normal and she said if we were taking meds to simulate follicle development then yes it was possible. We both just looked at each other, knowing what could possibly happen...
So we asked what next steps were. She said that as soon as the blood test came back they would call. Our regular nurse, Lauren, called about 1 pm on Friday to tell us the estrogen levels were good (you already knew that). Next step was to give Bobby-Jo the shot of Ovidrel to make those follicles release the eggs. She wanted me to give Bobby-Jo the shot between 6 and 8 pm that night, Friday night. She then said that we have an appointment with Dr. Jaffe on Sunday, February 14th at 10:15 am for the IUI! We get to inseminate on Valentine's Day!!!!
I gave Bobby-Jo the shot and we are hoping it is/has done it's job. In less than 12 hours the insemination will be completed. And two follicles, TWO?!? Only time will tell if it will work on our first try. We'll let you know how the insemination goes tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ovary Check #1 - Check!
So today was the "Ovary Check." It was an internal ultrasound to have a look at my ovaries and the lining of the uterus to make sure that everything is doing what it's supposed to be doing. The nurse said that my ovaries looked just great! She did say that one was bigger than the other, but that has nothing to do with anything. I just thought it was funny! It was pretty cool to see my big empty uterus on the screen and imagine a baby in there. :)
So, she prescribed a medicine called Letrozole. Basically, this med tells my ovaries to make a big, strong follicle that will support the one teeny, tiny, fragile egg that I will release in a couple of weeks. I take the medication starting tomorrow for five days.
On day eleven, which is next Friday, the 12th, I go back for another check. This one is called a "Follicle Scan." They will do another ultrasound and have a look at the follicle and make sure that it's big and strong. They'll also be doing some bloodwork. If everything looks good, then I'll be told when Casey can stick my leg with the injection of Ovidrel. Then, the following day we'll go in for "the procedure." :)
More in a week or so...
~Bobby-Jo
So, she prescribed a medicine called Letrozole. Basically, this med tells my ovaries to make a big, strong follicle that will support the one teeny, tiny, fragile egg that I will release in a couple of weeks. I take the medication starting tomorrow for five days.
On day eleven, which is next Friday, the 12th, I go back for another check. This one is called a "Follicle Scan." They will do another ultrasound and have a look at the follicle and make sure that it's big and strong. They'll also be doing some bloodwork. If everything looks good, then I'll be told when Casey can stick my leg with the injection of Ovidrel. Then, the following day we'll go in for "the procedure." :)
More in a week or so...
~Bobby-Jo
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