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 :)

Final Liniing check & bloodwork #3rdSurrogacy #IVF

Friday was my final lining check & bloodwork :)

Lining was 9.5 - basically same as before and anything over 8 is good :)
Estrogen was up to 260!  Yep, just throw a few pills at me and it goes up nicely! Lol!

So everything looks great for transfer on Sunday!   Woot ! Woot!

Last night was my very last Lupron.  Ohh how I'll miss the fake menopause.  Okay, no not really. lol.  I did fairly good giving myself those tiny shots (I hate needles with a passion) and only got 3-4 bruises total.  Yay me!   If you want to know more about Lupron or giving those shots, I wrote about it during my last surrogacy - here.   You are welcome. lol.

Today I started the crazy list of meds . It is so crazy that I put it all into my phone calendar so I don't accidentally forget one of the zillions of meds I'm taking throughout the day. lol! 

Medrol  Medrol is a steroid which is used for it's anti-inflammatory to keep everything happy in the uterus for  transfer.  My instructions say  4xday but the dosage I got sent is only 1 x day - works for me!! My IVF nurse says different clinics do a different way but it's ultimately the same dosage so it's fine. I'm thinking why in the world would we NOT do just one pill per day vs 4 different timed out dosages if we can?! lol

Doxycylin  Doxy is an antibiotic which is used to decrease the chance of infection from the IVF process. It could also treat any early infection that you aren't showing signs of yet, again helping increase your chance of becoming pregnant.  I take this twice per day - not so tough, one in the morning & one at night.)

Endometrin  Endometrin is a form of progesterone. Progesterone is a natural hormone that is often used to help your uterine lining receive & nourish an embryo.  In a normal pregnancy your body produces enough progesterone on it's own. During IVF, your body is a blank slate and the drs give medication to make your levels be where they should until your body realizes HEY I'm pregnant and takes over :)   During my 1st surrogacy, I only did the PIO (progesterone in oil) shots. 2nd pregnancy I was informed that between 1 & 2 the clinic had done away with PIO and went to only vaginal inserted progesterone but due to clients freaking out at a lower progesterone # in bloodwork, they added PIO back in.  *sigh* lucky me.   So my instructions are to do these three times per day. Fun times people ... fun times.  I will say that last time I had the Crinone Gel which these tablets seem a bit less ... messy.? lol.    Click here to read about my experience with the Crinone gel. 

PIO shots PIO = progesterone in oil.  Same reason as above only it's a vicious needle eager to make lumps on my bum.. lol.   Just one per night - Thank God!!)


Meds I'm already on :

Estradoil  patches    Estrace & Estradoil help build the lining of the uterus. You  might recall that last time I had the minivelle patches which are round and I could make cute patterns like Mickey Mouse.. These are rectangular and lack the ability to make cute things. lol I'm currently up to 4 patches every other day.

Estrace Pills ( more estrogen)
Baby Aspirin 
Prenatal Vitamins (yay folic acid!)

And that my dears is just about it for now!  I'll update again after transfer.  Keep everything crossed for us on Sunday!! :)

2nd Lining Check #3rdSurrogacy #IVF

Hey ladies ... and gentlemen ( although I kinda doubt I have any guy readers over here. lol)

I've been crazy busy so haven't even turned on my laptop this week. lol.  If you knew me at all, you'd realize how crazy that means! lol!

So I had my 2nd lining check on Monday (7/20) and all is looking good !

Lining was 9.7 ! The u/s tech was impressed :)

Bloodwork went well. I had a different vampire phlebotomist but she got me first stick :) We discussed my tattoo (semicolon on my wrist) and she gave me matching wrap for my arm. Matching again? I am GOOD!

Now I just have to remember to wear green on Friday and I'll be set for the last color they have. lol!

Click here if you are anything like me and want to compare how things are going this cycle vs the one with the twins (who are going to be ONE in exactly ONE week! omg omg omg!! )

Medications so far this cycle : 

 Tons of BCPs
21 Lupron shots
10 Estrogen patches (Minivelle 0.10 mg)
9 Baby Aspirin
3 Estradiol tablets (2mg)

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

4 days til Transfer !!

Hello my friends !!

Not a whole lot new going on here. I  have no new lining checks or bloodwork since I was looking fabulous last time. Now I just wait for the transfer (4 days!!).

In the meantime, I did add some meds, quit some meds and up the dosage of some meds.

My vivelle patches have increased twice since we last 'talked'.  I had two days (1 application) of 3 patches.. Which quite frankly disappointed me because 3 patches you can make into cute designs..

Ta Da- Mickey Mouse head!! 

Have we really talked about the vivelle patches?  

 

You see they are meant to be left on for 1 week.  Instead, I must change them every other day.  So pulling those little boogers off is quite the accomplishment!  I am beginning to look a bit like a leopard with all my 'spots'.  My oldest happened to be in my bedroom last night after I had changed patches (and yes I was walking around in my undies, sorry- it was bedtime!) and immediately asked me why I didn't wash all those marks off.  Believe me child, I try. You have to scrub and scrub and pick and scrub some more to get them off.. ARGH!!  

Anyhoo, I had one change of the cute 3 patches to make my Mickey Mouse head (yes I'm a Disney freak!) , and then since then I've been on 4 patches which really only makes a square or diamond shape.  Blah.  BORING..

On Friday (12/13/2013), I was able to do my final lupron shot!  While I celebrate briefly, I was quickly reminded that stopping Lupron meant I would be starting Progesterone. Eek!

On Saturday (12/14), I got to start a whole new slew of meds - such a timetable that I downloaded a new app to help remind me! ha! 

At this point, I am now on a Zpack (antibiotics) as well as Medrol  several times a day.  I started the lovely Crinone gel - a first for me , my last surrogacy we only did the PIO shots.  Instead I have this lovely vaginal suppository to do twice a day. 

Our nurse coordinator actually informed me that until recently they had stopped the PIO shots and were only doing the Crinone gel.  However, patients were a little leary of not seeing nice high progesterone levels in their blood (being a vaginal suppository, obviously it's being applied directly to your cervix and not needing to go thru your bloodstream like PIO), and so sadly even though they felt the gel was plenty of progesterone, they added the PIO back in.. Joy for me.

Last night was my very first PIO shot.  The Husband gave it to me because #1. No way could I shoot myself up with that big ass needle #2. I am not a contortionist and can't reach well to shoot myself in the butt..   I will admit that I am a wimp and asked for the Emla cream (numbing cream) to use prior to it.. I did indeed use it, then got the PIO ready (drawn up with one needle, then switch out for a slightly smaller needle) and called The Husband in to give it to me.  Quite honestly, it really didn't hurt much.  I just stress myself out over needles.  There may have been tears (mine) and laughter (his) over my over dramatic reaction to a shot that I am committed to giving myself for weeks and weeks.   Hey, one down- too many to go, right?!   I will have to take a picture of the needle to share with you.. I'm probably just a big wimp but at least I admit it.

Meds Taken So Far :

2 ish months of BCPs
21 lupron shots
25 vivelle patches (estrogen)
17 baby aspirin (to prevent clots since estrogen can cause it)
17 prenatal vitamins 
11 Estrogen pills
3  Z-Pack pills
6  Medrol
4 2 ish months of BCPs
17 lupron shots
13 vivelle patches (estrogen)
11 baby aspirin (to prevent clots since estrogen can cause it)
11 prenatal vitamins
5 Estrogen pills
4  Crinone Gel ( progesterone in the form of vaginal suppository)
2 PIO 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).