The Transfer

Yesterday was another big day. The embryo transfer! We ended up with 2 embryos that were of excellent quality, so we opted to transfer one and freeze the other for later. There are 2 others that don't look like they will make it to the right stage but we'll find out for sure on Monday. Yesterday we drove down to the center where the procedure was done. Our doctor called in the morning to talk about the embryo quality and discuss how many to transfer (they really don't like to do 2 unless they're lower quality embryos) then another doc did the deed. All of the doctors we've met are amazing. Perfect bedside manner, which I can't imagine is easy in their line of work. And our embryologist? I swear we must have been on a hidden camera. She was gorgeous and so sweet.

So we were put in this room, like any other procedure room - table for me, chair for hubbs, monitor for the doc and one for us.  It was really cool that we both got to see it. The procedure itself was quick and painless. About as invasive as a regular yearly exam. We got to watch on the ultrasound monitor where the doctor placed the embryo. While the embryo itself is too small to see, you could see on the screen where the liquid was released that had the lil one in it. They looped it for us so we could keep watching. Then the embryologist takes the tool back under magnification to make sure it wasn't stuck in there and it wasn't! So hopefully it went where it needed to and is currently getting comfortable! The doc left and the embryologist came back with a little gift: a magnified photo of our embryo. They gave it to us in this cardboard folder with the name of the center on the front. Kind of like one you get to commemorate your ride on a roller-coaster. Obviously, this was cooler.

Everyone wished us lots of luck and we got to go home where I'm on "limited activity" for the next few days, then easing into some things with others still of limits. You can imagine how disappointed I was to learn no running or kickboxing for the next few weeks. And if you can't imagine, I'll just tell you that while I'm not obese, my body is definitely built for comfort, not for speed ;)

It will be two weeks until we know whether it worked. In the meantime, I'm still on some meds that are making me tired and sore, all of which are normal. Now to not think about it for 2 weeks...

Embryo Watch 2015

So they were able to retrieve 8 mature eggs. They turned into 5 embryos! Our update for today is that one of the five hasn't further developed, but may still by Friday. Tomorrow, they spend the day in the incubator. No check ins tomorrow. Kind of like not opening the oven too much to check on your cake or it won't cook like it should. Friday is transfer day. This Friday. Then we wait 2 weeks to find out whether it worked. Lots of hurry up and wait coming! I am excited, but still anxious and nervous. We aren't done yet, but it is out of our control. So now we wait, and hope and dream...

Egg Retrieval!

"I'm so tired but I can't sleep//Standing on the edge of something much too deep"

These Sarah McLaughlin lyrics popped into my head this morning, when I wanted to sleep in but couldn't. This perfectly describes how I've been feeling the last few weeks. Now I'm laying in my hospital gown and a fresh IV getting ready for my 1230 egg retrieval. I'm scared and excited all at once. Today we will know how many eggs, and tomorrow we will know how many, if any, fertilized. In my lifetime, this is certainly one of the more minor procedures I've had, but arguably the most important. I'll try to check in later if I'm not too hopped up on the anesthesia ☺

Day 12

So I started a post this morning at my monitoring appointment. It didn't save which is really a good thing because I was whiny. I'm achy and sore and my morning shot was really itchy and uncomfortable.

Then this afternoon I got my results. We are on for Sunday for egg retrieval!! So only one more shot (granted, it's a big one) and then nothing to do tomorrow. Next Friday will be the embryo transfer,  assuming everything is good. So, three weeks from today we will know whether this cycle was truly successful.

I don't know if it was the sunshine today, but driving around and day dreaming I felt like I could practically hold our baby. I can see her (or him). I can feel her skin and kiss her face. This feels so much more real than it has before.

We are getting ice cream to celebrate. My big shot is at 1230am so ice cream first :)

Getting closer...

We have almost one week of injections in.  Our estimated date for egg retrieval is Friday.  This Friday!  I can't believe how quickly this is going.  Every night, I take 2 injections in my belly and I have regular blood work and ultrasounds, which now have increased to every other day.  I've had my dosages increased twice this week, which means now I have to watch my medications really closely because I may need to order more for this cycle.  I did great all week, until Friday when I hit the wrong spot and bruised myself pretty good.  Doesn't hurt, but it sure looks like it does!  The injections sites are sore right afterward, but mostly don't bother me too much.  In the ultrasounds, they check both of my ovaries for follicles and measure their growth.  The eggs grow inside the follicles.  Or they should.  There are still so many things that can go wrong, so we're not quite smooth sailing just yet.

Last night, a great friend organized a paint night type fundraiser for us.  We had a blast with friends, and strangers, and made some pretty nice landscape paintings!  Some days, it's hard to stay positive and thankful.  I am grateful for moments like those to give me strength and perspective.  We are lucky to have such an amazing support system.  We are surrounded by amazing friends and family.  We are so appreciative of the support (which sometimes comes in the form of letting me be completely vulnerable and kind of a mess) and love, there are no words to properly say thank you.  <3