FET #3- Done!

Well, it was done yesterday, but I pretty much slept the day away thanks to the Valium!

I got a call around 9 from my RE. He said they had only thawed 2 embies and they looked great, but he would have them thaw the 3rd if we wanted. He said the embryologist recommended that we just go with the 2 b/c sometimes they just don't attach, and what if that has been our problem? He agreed w/ her, but also said that he didn't think it was a terrible decision (after 3 failed cycles w/ 2 transferred) to go ahead and do 3. I didn't even hesitate, we were transferring all 3. I felt comfortable with the decision.

We got to the lab around 11, and the embryologist said that all 3 embies looked great. We got the "triplets talk" from her and my RE and had to sign some form that we had discussed all options in case of high order multiples. You would think that would have freaked me out, but honestly, I'm ready for whatever God wants to bless us with! I just want one of these little ones to stick, and if more than one does, well, lucky us!!

Everything went well with the transfer. It was the easiest and quickest transfer by far, which was comforting! As usual, it was so neat to watch the embryos as they were placed into the uterus! So cool! After the procedure, I usually lay there for 25 minutes, but this time Dr. L had me lay there for 33--his lucky number! I thought that was pretty sweet and funny! My nurse joked that if this worked, all the patients from here on out were going to have to lay there for 33 minutes. Those poor ladies and their full bladders are not going to be fond of that! :)

While I was laying there, waiting, thinking about anything other than how badly I needed to pee, the embryologist came in and gave us some pictures of our embies. She did assisted hatching on the 2 that were first thawed. The 3rd was actually thawed for my last FET, and wasn't doing well, but they watched it and it perked back up and was able to be refrozen! B/c assisted hatching was done on it last time, it looked completely different than the other two. The embryologist said that if that one was going to attach it could be within 24 hours! Crazy!

All is well and I'm home resting with my feet up! This morning I woke up and had some crazy intense cramps for about 5 minutes. They were so sharp and strong that at one point I let out a cry of pain and woke Jordan up! Scared him to death!! I've been cramping a little today, but nothing as intense as earlier. I'm trying not to read into anything. I'm just going to stay hopeful and distract myself with movies, books, and DVRed shows!! So, now I wait...for 14 l-o-n-g days!!

P.S. I may not update too much on here about what goes on over the next 2 weeks. For my IRL friends, I'd love to be able to share great news with you NOT on the internet! To my other internet friends, you know where to find me ;)

Clearly I'm Pregnant

I have all the tell-tale signs: sore & swollen boobs, exhaustion, nausea, heightened sense of smell, and headaches! Only one problem-I haven't transferred any embryos yet. Clearly I'm NOT Pregnant.

Dang you phantom PIO symptoms!! :P

Edited to add: Just because I feel like sharing something gross--I puked in my trashcan at work today. Yuck! Doxycycline and fruit are apparently not a good mixture...

Pain in the Butt

Literally!

I started my PIO injections on Saturday morning. Blah. Thankfully, they haven't really hurt (so far), but I am getting 2 a day, so I'm sure the pain will catch up! I guess I can thank the extra layer of padding that has decided to take residence on my butt since my last FET. Stressful eater? Yes :( (Although, I haven't been in the past. I've always liked to exercise when stressed. That would have been a much better route...)

Even worse than physical pain is the flat out pain of having to have 2 shots a day within the same time period each day. I'm not a morning person. 99% of the time I am flying out the door just in time to get to work at 8:30. Jordan has no job. He is not a fan of being woken up. Put these 2 together (with a needle involved, might I add), and it is not a pretty picture. It's my own fault that I don't get up when my alarm goes off the first time, but the whole shot thing is another 10-15 minutes out of my morning! Ugh! And then we have to do it again at night. Which isn't too terribly bad-unless you want to go somewhere. Or someone isn't home (b/c I'm NOT giving myself a shot, that's a promise!). Scheduling life around 2 shots is a PAIN!

But I'm praying it will all be worth it in the end... :)

It's On Like Donkey Kong!

Seriously, where did that saying come from?? ;)

Doesn't matter! What does matter is that FET #3 is one week away! My lining looked good this morning, and we will be transferring our last 3 embies (assuming they survive the thaw) on Friday, 1/23!! Luke, Bo, & Daisy better be getting ready to snuggle in tight!

For my previous two FETs, my lining was not thick enough on the first check, and I was sent home for a couple of days of more estrogen. I was expecting to hear, "come back Monday and we'll check again." BUT, this time I was ready to go at the first lining check! Yay! I'm taking that as a great sign! :)

I'm excited!!

Easy is a relative term

I'm 10 days into my crazy pills, erm, Estrace, and so far so good. I think I've been very nice and able to handle my emotions well...I can't really say the same thing about the last 2 FET cycles! I've only cried at a few makeovers on What Not to Wear, Gossip Girl had me hunting down tissues, & well, I got a little misty-eyed when Barney looked so lovingly at Robin at the end of How I Met Your Mother (although, for the record, I think Ted and Robin belong together!). Seriously? I know! I also cried at Grey's and Private Practice last week, but, c'mon, they had dying kids on BOTH shows--it was warranted! Point being: a.) I watch way too much T.V. :) & 2.) I'm keeping my emotions intact...at least in public!

My friend "t.bird" made a comment in my previous post about haw much easier FETs are. And, I agree, in a way. All I have to do is pop some pills for a few weeks, get some b/w done and a lining check or two, start the PIO shot, and go have the embryos transferred. Yes-less shots, so fewer visits to the office, definitely not as bad on the wallet, but other things, not so easy. I have found myself to be so much more terrified this time around. I am hopeful, but the fact that a FET hasn't worked 2 previous times makes my heart pound harder and my stomach flip. The emotional part of the FET, to me, is much harder. Especially multiple cycles. My body has failed-3 times. That fact is hard to just brush aside! I was so hopeful and positive with my fresh IVF. I had no reason not to be! But, as I get ready for my fourth embryo transfer, I just get a sinking feeling. I think about it often, though I've tried to distract myself with the aforementioned T.V. shows, but the boob tube can only keep the thoughts away for so long. I know that God hears my cries, and all I can do is wait.

Sorry to be so down in the dumps, but that's how it is. It's hard. I want a baby so bad it hurts. Off to work on my patience... :) I'll leave you with a great verse I read this week. I'm working on really applying this thinking to my life!

"I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." Philippians 4:12-13

Get this party started!

FET #3 is a go! I started the crazy pills (a.k.a. Estrace) yesterday. Yay!

I don't really know how I feel right now. I'm excited. I'm hopeful.

I'm scared. Out.of.my.mind.

'08 in a Nutshell

January
-Initial blood tests for IVF

February
-Start BCPs for IVF #1
-Valentine's Day: dinner and a movie at home with Jord-We're such an exciting couple!

March
-Jordan's 26th b-day
-IVF #1 completed

April
-First ever BFP!
-Early Miscarriage :(

May
-Cruise with the BIL & SIL

June
-Married 3 years :)
-FET #1

July
-More IF tests done
-Started my oh-so-exciting blog (by the way-Thanks for reading!)

August
-Hilton Head with the fam

September
-Beach trip with the girls
-FET #2

October
-Happy 25th b-day to me!

November
-Redecorated the guest room
-Thanksgiving in Nashville

December
-Christmas in Augusta and Jesup

Well, it's been a pretty uneventful, eventful year. Ha! 2008 revolved around IF, unfortunately, but I did have many happy days in between. I know that God has taken the trials from this past year to make me stronger and cling more to Him than ever. Also, it has strengthened my marriage. I know that IF can take a huge toll on a relationship, but I am so glad that is not the case with us. I continue to pray each day that not my will, but His, be done. (Luke 22:42)

So, with a quick wave and a slammed door I bid adieu to 2008. I hope things take a turn for the better with 2009.

Happy New Year y'all...a few days late :)