The Egg Drop Post

‘Tis the Season to be Fertile, Fa La La La Laa, La, La, La, La!”

This is the jingle I’ve been singing around our house since last Friday’s IUI. It was actually a very good experience, even better than my last IUI at the new clinic and I have to admit I was a bit surprised. Everyone was so nice and the nurse who did the IUI was so pleasant. The sperm count was hearty and after the procedure, I was able to rest and listen to a meditation tape for 30 uninterrupted minutes, which was a personal best! When I left the snowflakes were just beginning to fall, and even though I don’t usually love the snow, the effect made me feel like something magical was happening. Let’s hope so.

All in all, it was a good year. I made some new friends in the blogosphere, changed my doctor, and fell deeper in love with my wife. I’m looking forward to next year, when there will be more pregnancies, babies, and awards.

Tomorrow, Nadia and I are blasting off to her South American homeland. I can’t wait. It will be a wonderful distraction from the TWW jitters and what lies ahead for me if this natural cycle IUI doesn’t work.

Happy Holidays everyone. See you next year!

Today was a really special day. I had an ultrasound, mammogram, and a massage.

Okay, first for the ultrasound.  When I got there the waiting room was completely empty. What? It was empty because I guess they suspend IVF for the month of December so I was whisked right in. I have one left follie that was ready to pop, so they triggered me. Tomorrow, I go in for my last IUI.

Oddy, I’m excited. I guess I’m one of those gals who  believes that miracles can happen, especially around Christmastime. Maybe the stars are aligned and I won’t have to do another IVF. That would be magic!

Okay, then I shot across town for my mammogram. The last time I had a mammogram, sometime last year, it was just a few weeks after a failed medicated IUI cycle. That was the worst kind of pain. I don’t recommend having a mammogram anywhere near a medicated IUI cycle. Even though the actual length of the pain was brief, the pain itself rivaled my the intense pain after my fibroid surgery. Take heed, ladies!

Lastly, on to the massage. My last employer (it wasn’t all bad) gave me a gift certificate to a great spa downtown. I decided to schedule the massage today, after my mammogram, because I was anticipating a great need for some TLC. Well, let me tell you, it was quite special. I got there early and was able to bask in the water works: jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. After being nicely soothed, I was led into a dimly lit room for an aromatherapy massage. I love lavender and it was adeptly rubbed all over my body. I tell you by the time I was done, I felt like a cozy wet noodle.

I only hope that these warm and fuzzy vibes triggered by my lavender embrace carry me through tomorrow’s IUI.

Well, this afternoon, I went to my old RE’s office. Not for the typical wanding experience but to pick up some blood results for my new RE. I saw a lot of old faces and some new faces but despite the familiarity of it all, it didn’t feel like home. I am really happy to be out of there. To be honest with you, I almost had a panic attack walking to his office from the subway. As I was walking there, I just keep thinking about this past year’s painful memories, especially my recent failed IVF Cycle. I did a lot of self talk and kept putting one foot in front of the other and then, suddenly, it was over.  I picked up with the lab results and scooted out of there in a quickly.

 Tomorrow at 7:30 A.M, I have an appointment for an 11-day ultrasound at my new RE for this final ‘natural’ IUI.  I’m leaving my house at 6:30 tomorrow morning.I’m nervous, relieved and bored with this journey all at the same time.

As always, I’ll keep you posted. xo

Today is 5dpo and I really don’t have anything remarkable to report. I don’t feel anything. Oneofhismoms says that she felt pain during days 6, 7 and 8 of the injectible cycle she got pregnant, so there is still plenty of hope.

I am trying not to obsess about every minor twinge or pang. And I’ve decided that I won’t do an early test.

I am learning a lot about patience this cycle and, remarkably, I feel calm. Maybe it is the aromatherapy?

Goodbye, Menopur! Hello, Ovidrel!

I went in today for my ultrasound. It turns out that I have six mature egg follicles. I am happy to write that I am done with menopur for this cycle and, hopefully, forever.

Tonight I am doing a trigger shot and my IUIs will be tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday am.

I am feeling cautiously optimistic.

Yesterday, I went to the doctor for what I thought would be a routine sonogram and confirmation. I was expecting my doctor, Dr. Feelgood, to confirm what he had already told me on Saturday—that I everything was fine and that I would have my IUIs on Wednesday and Thursday.

When I arrived there, things didn’t go according to my plan. Firstly, I discovered that my doctor, Dr. Feelgood was off and that I would have to contend with his partner, Dr. No-Bedside-Manner, who will henceforth be referred as Dr. Killjoy. Needless to say, he is very cold and condescending as usual. When I am being examined by him I feel very vulnerable and I don’t feel as if I can ask question and when I do, it’s just not that helpful.

It turns out that I have too many maturing follicles for an IUI cycle. In fact, I have 10. Dr. Killjoy cut my dosage of Menopur in half and told me to come back on Wednesday to see him since Dr. Feelgood would still be out. When I asked him when he thought I would be inseminated, he predicted Friday and Saturday, but emphasized the fact that he really couldn’t know for sure.

So we are now playing a game of wait and see. I do hope I will have my IUIs this week, but right now the risk of having multiples is a little scary.

I am trying to remain positive and embrace the fact that it’s a new year. A lot of wonderful things happened to me and all of you last year, so I am keeping the faith.

Tomorrow is another day….and the day that I will find out if and when I am going to have IUIs this cycle.

Okay, so today was the second of two IUIs. And, as you know, it rained cats and dogs in New York City last night. Nadia left early with the car, before we realized that there was no public transportation.

Once it dawned on me that I might miss my chance, I fell into a panic: How the heck was I going to get to the drs to have my IUI?

I have been on injectable medication for 9 nine days. This was my fourth round of IUIs and a lot is riding on this one. If this doesn’t work, I have to have surgery to remove a worrisome fibroid.

Talk about egg drop drama!

I was supposed to get to the office by 9am and it was 8:40am. The streets were teaming with folks who wanted to get to work. The buses, when they did come, were filled to the brim and there was no way I was going to make it on time.

Suddenly, I spotted my neighbor in the crowd, and by chance I asked her how she was planning to get to work. She said that she was just offered ride to mid-town, which was exactly where I needed to go.

“I’ll take it!” I exclaimed.

“Excuse me?” she said.

I stammered, “Um, I mean, can I get a ride with you?”

She softened and introduced me to her new friend, Allison.

Allison and her husband had just moved here from North Carolina, so they were still pretty friendly. They had yet to develop that New York ‘tude we are famous for. “Where do you work?” Allison asked. “Well, I work in Chelsea but I have a doctor’s appointment in mid-down.” She encouraged me to jump right in to their luxurious toyota corolla. The ride was quick and painless. Virtually perfect!

My North Carolina angels smiled sweetly as they dropped me at my doctor’s doorstep. When I walked into the office, Imagine by Lennon was playing. I got there right on time. Everything seemed to be falling into place.

Despite the tornados and flooding, I had my IUI right as scheduled. The doctor said that my donor’s sperm count was 45 million (oh my!).

About an hour later, I had the most horrible cramps ever! And they are still going strong. I hope it’s a good sign. No matter what happens, this is definitely an IUI experience, I will never forget.
But, let me keep it real, I do want to have my baby.

My donor # this cycle consists of four numbers that add up to the number 7. I was never into numerology before, but trying to conceive (ttc) has broadened my horizons.

The number seven has magical powers. Afterall, it is the number of the gods, featured prominently in Roman and Greek mythology and the Holy Bible. Also, let’s not forget that the number seven can be found throughout popular culture, ranging from Prince’s seminal classic Seven to cartoons such as The Seven Dwarfs. Last but not least, in the gambling world, Lucky 7 images are derived from the game of craps, where rolling 7 wins.

This week, I will have two IUIs and Nadia will be by my side. I have a good feeling about this cycle. Despite feeling bloating and perpetually tired, I feel relaxed and open to the possibilities.

I recently met some other women who can relate to my trials and tribulations. And in spite of their own egg drop drama, they are still standing.

I’m feeling lucky.

I went back in for an ultrasound today and introduced the dr no bedside manner to my partner. He was polite.

Trigger shot tomorrow night and then two subsequent days of IUI.

I hope this works.

Okay so the pee stick has two pink lines which means I am ovulating. I called the dr. and I am going in tomorrow for another round of inseminations. Then I am off to Canada. Nadia and I are eloping.