As we continue forward, we learn that this process is much more complex than what most people think. We are learning that each case is so unique that the general process is tweaked to be matched to each patient. Patience is key to IVF. IVF is an art....no two cases are the same!
As you all know we have our 5 embryos waiting for us. We love knowing our babies are already all genetically created and are just waiting for a home to grow in for nine months to become little human beings. I can not wait until we get to see them in the lab! I know they will be microscopically small, but still, they are our babies. The whole idea is a miracle. We will get to see them implant them inside me on an ultrasound monitor. We will get to see our little ones from the very beginning! Some say they compare this experience as the same feeling as watching Neil Armstrong take his first steps on the moon. We were told we will be in complete scientific awe. I am so glad that they will let Patrick in the lab with me to hold my hand. They treat this as a minor "surgical procedure". We will both have to wear scrubs with pre and post care instructions. I was told it will not be painful, other than some mild cramping.
Presently, after doing so many trials with my body to understand me well, my doctor has matched me with a different medicine protocal than previous cycles to see if it will maximize optimal results. My doctor wants my uterine lining to be above average by the time we put those little ones inside! I love that she will settle for nothing less than perfect. I am eager to try these new stim meds! Patrick has been reading in medical journals at his school, Rush University, to read all the studies conducted on this protocal in the entire world. We love the results! Hopefully, it will be perfect for us as stated in the medical journals! :)
For those familiar with the medicine protocals here is my list of drugs I have been prescribed for our cycle after several trials of different meds:
Valerate .25mg in the PM every 3 days (injection)
Estrace 2mg everyday at bedtime
Pentoxifylline 400mg twice daily
Viagra 25mg 4x daily
Vitamin E 400mg 2x dailyBaby Aspirin 81mg 1 daily
PIO - 1ml everyday (injection) using 25gauge needle
Endometrin - 3x daily
Sound like fun? haha I can't wait to see and feel the results!
Another amazing part of this journey is that we know dates. Of course they are tentative, but still I LOVE having dates! At this moment, we know the day I am going to the lab for my transfer and our potential due date! It is amazing! We are going to keep the "conception" date secret for now, but it is going to be the greatest day! Also, we know our potential DUE DATE! Just hearing these things makes it more surreal...it makes us want it even more!
In addition, we still are on the fence about how may embryos we will want to transfer. We think we know what we are going to do, but are not sure yet! I am sure we will know the right decision as the situation approaches us!
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark on our journey! ....and The rollercoaster ride of emotions continues! We are almost there! :)
hi katie, i have been following your story basically from the get-go both as an FCI IVF patient (and now mommy) and a friend of a friend. i work with christine ranos, who i believe knows you or a friend of yours from high school. anyways, IVF is the hardest and best thing i've ever done in life. it allowed me to become a mom to the most amazing child, and i am now preparing to go back for baby number 2 and IVF #4. i wish you luck in your journey. everyone's road is so different, but i absolutely believe that everyone who wants it and fights hard enough for it, will get their baby in the end! i like to say that we have the child(ren) we are meant to have, so if your first cycle does not work, don't despair. just know that someday you WILL look in the face of the baby you are meant to hold. best wishes!!
ReplyDeleteoh and ps: with the PIO, ice it first. get your butt REAL numb, do the shot quickly, massage the area, and then sit on a heating pad. it works every time!! feel free to message me thru my blog with any questions. i'm a pro at IF & IVF. :)