One more try! :)

Well ladies and gents, I've been neglecting you for a while.  Two negative cycles after always having positives the first try has been rough.  I can't even begin to imagine how IM has been feeling after going through so many more herself before moving onto surrogacy.

We have been gearing up and are now in the midst of our third and final cycle.  Third time's the charm, right?

So far all is going well!  I had my 2nd u/s & bloodwork  yesterday - Lining was a nice 8.4mm and estrogen was slightly low at 85. I added some oral estrogen to my regimen and feel confident that things are moving along nicely!

One more u/s & bloodwork check next week and the the transfer is Dec 14!!  Wish us luck!

In odd news - I received a new Lupron box with meds for this cycle. For the first time in 5 cycles (the 1st & 2nd surrogacies plus the 2 failed cycles ) I have different lupron needles.  They look completely the same on the outside, but the actual needle is shorter.  WEIRD!

Top is the new needle, lower is the normal old needle.

Let's try this again...

So I never updated because I suck.. lol.

Our first cycle was negative.

NEGATIVE.

I know..  I guess there's a first for everything :(  I was pretty bummed to say the least.  I went thru the various - omg what did I do wrong? Should we have transferred 2?  How did this happen?   But in the end, I was reminded that it's never a guarantee. I've just been super lucky in the past.

And so we have regrouped and with some pestering to the clinic from my lovely IM, we are already cycling again!!  I started Lupron this week, I get to quit my bcps over the weekend and the first u/s & b/w is next Weds!

We have switched back to transferring  2 embies and fingers crossed that it will take this time :)

Getting patchy :)

Hey guys!   It's been a week- not a lot new here right now.  The lovely lupron has been giving a few lovely lupron headaches. BLECK.   But so far nothing too bad.  I started my Favorite med (Not) the estrogen patches.

Maybe it's just me but taking a patch that is meant to stay on for 1 week, sticking it onto your body (I do my thighs) and then ripping it off again on the 2nd day to replace it with 2 new ones ... just not fun.  Last time I had to stop them towards the end (when I was up to 4 patches every other day) b/c I was breaking out in a rash like crazy from them.. So this time the nurse has me doing neosporin when I change ect.

My IM is super sweet and sent me some Bath & Body Works lotion & body wash. Yum! :)

So that's really it here. Nothing new. Next lining check is on Monday! :)

Medications so far this cycle : 

 Tons of BCPs
14 Lupron shots
4 estrogen patches

1st Lining Check - #Surrogacy #ThirdJourney

Today was the first lining check for this cycle.  I admit that I was the slightest hint of a bit nervous.

You see, I started Lupron a day early last week because my body did not like being on bcps past the normal time and decided that despite the bcps telling everything "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" it was time to start shedding that useless lining anyway. ARGH.   So spotting for a week makes one the tiniest hint of a bit nervous. lol  There's a first time for everything.  As my nurse coordinator said, my body was just ready to GO GO GO!! lol.

I'm still monitoring at the clinic 45mins away :) They are super duper nice there!  I showed up 30 mins early and the waiting room had one couple and another woman sitting there.  I signed in and settled down to play some games on my phone to pass the time. Didn't even get a game loaded before they called me back. LOL!  Sorry waiting peeps, apparently I get first class service - frequent flier and all :)

Right into the lining check first off - they got a new machine since last time and that means no mashing my body trying to find stubborn hidden ovaries!  Both ovaries showed up for pictures and were appropriately suppressed :)  Lining was nice and thin - which is what we want.  I asked the ultrasound tech what the lining measurement was and she printed me off a little sheet! Lol! Naturally I compared to my last journey! lol !

Then off to the vampire.  Today's vampire was named Brook and she was great! We discussed the merits of Costco & Sam's Club (she has memberships to both, I just have Sam's but am thinking of jumping ship.. lol). She got me on the first poke and then did the best thing EVER. She offered me my choice of tape, a bandaid  OR a wrap.  OMG! I felt like a little kid getting a wrap but I hate the tape and my skin always breaks out. So wrap for me :)  She gave me blue to match my shirt. lol!

Excuse the hair, it was drizzling rain :(

So now, I'm just waiting on the call from FCI to let me know that my bloodwork came back fine and the first step is done!  

Medications so far this cycle : 

 Tons of BCPs
7 Lupron shots

Medications begin!

As I left off last time, we had just finished up contracts in time for me to start medications.  Now technically, I've been on birth control pills for about two months which for me is starting medications because I don't normally take them.. However, when I said 'start medications'  I meant injectable medications.   ie. shots   *shudder*

Lupron- aka the drug that shuts down your ovaries and makes your body think you are now in menopause at a much too young age.  Expect: hot flashes, headaches, irritability

Each box comes complete with a vial of Lupron, lots of alcohol swabs & some lovely little needles.   They are so cute.  Completely harmless :)

Ignore the ugly comforter in the background, it was laundry day and my pretty stuff was unavailable.   One alcohol swab for the vial o' menopause, one alcohol swab for the lovely belly.

I'm skipping some pictures here..  My 17yo may have over- documented the first shot.  Let's just sum it up :  Wipe the top of the vial with your alcohol swab,  draw up as much air in your syringe as you plan to draw up lupron (20), shoot the air into the lupron vial (this makes it easier to draw the liquid out) and then draw up your 20units of medication.  Check for air bubbles.  Clean your tummy with the 2nd alcohol swab and then insert the needle.

I won't lie.  This last step (inserting the needle) probably took me a good five minutes. It's not that it really hurts, it doesn't.  It's the mental aspect of stabbing myself with a needle.  We can all clearly see that no one will ever have to worry about me committing suicide when I can't even poke myself with a tiny needle without first psyching myself up about it.. lol!

*Ignore the stretch marks*  And this is what happens when you hesitate when giving yourself a shot..  A lovely bruise to show off.. lol.

1 down, only 24 more to go (of Lupron.. ha).