Shots Update

Last Thursday I started Lupron 2x a day then Saturday added Menopur and Gonal F pen- so I am taking 2 shots in the morning and 2 at night. The shots have to be at the same time everyday and preferably 12 hours apart.  So, I decided that 6:30am/pm would work best- it gives me enough time to hit snooze once or twice in the morning and I am easily able to be home by 6:30pm.  Overall, the schedule has worked pretty well I was really mad about waking up at 6ish Saturday morning...in fact I am pretty sure I was half way asleep since I thought I messed up on mixing some of the meds and ended up throwing out a full dosage...this is probably what led me to having a slight cry session that morning. Oh! and I was planning on going to the Ranger game but then I found out they changed the start time to 6:05....I guess it's for the better since they are playing awful right now, ha! 

Back to the shots, they really are not that bad. In fact, I can hardly feel anything when I am inserting the needle.  This has been a HUGE relief; the lovenox shot I took during my last pregnancy and will end up taking again is a bigger needle and the medication stings going in so needless to say it makes the shots I am taking now seem like a piece of cake!  Now, I will say I am feeling/noticing some side effects.  I am a little more on edge.....meaning people are really getting on my nerves quickly, ha!  So here is your warning if I am short I am sorry.  Next, after I take the Gonal F I feel really loopy- like I just downed a glass of wine but it only last about 20 minutes then I am fine. In fact, it might be calming me a little bit b/c I have been pretty mellow the last two nights.  Finally, I am noticing some bloating nothing too crazy but a little bit; I hear it can get pretty intense so I have saved all of my sun dresses for this week:)

Tomorrow I go to the doctor for blood work so I will update you once I hear back on that! 

A Letter to Friends and Family

Dear Family & Friends

Today starts a new chapter in my journey to have a baby/family.  I took my first shot of stimulating drugs for the IVF process and it actually wasn’t that bad! I didn’t really even feel it- I hope all of them are like this (wishful thinking).

As you know this has been a long road for Brad and me and I know that thanks to everyone’s love, support, prayers, being there to listen, and of course God’s grace we were able to have the courage to try again.  Brad and I are super excited and feel really good about this time.   I totally believe in the power prayer- it is truly through Him that  has brought me peace and strength I never knew existed over the last 2.5 years.  I hate to even ask this ( since everyone has already been so supportive) but if you could over the next few weeks please keep us in your prayers.  I will be praying for peace (try my hardest not to stress) , strength (emotionally and physically), guidance, and of course that this works so we can finally have a family….

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

I sent this as a personal/FB message to some of you. Even though FB is the most personal I just wanted to at least try;)

Love you all!

Amanda

The Lord will guide you always

Brad and I volunteer in the 3 year olds class at church every other Sunday; it has been such a fun and somewhat eye opening experience.   I mean I have been reminding that "everybody poops", some kids REALLY do not like being dropped off, and what a blessing children are. I am so happy we did it.  

Every week we teach the lady over the department sends out our lesson plans and words of encouragement.  This week she sent in regards to her own career change she is making but I found it fitting for my life as well.  It's such an amazing feeling to feel the Lord speaking to me through other people......I think if everyone opens their heart up to the Lord and ask for guidance, peace, strength- things I have been praying about lately- he will respond.

"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and He will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail... and you will be called "Repairer of Broken Walls"." Isaiah 58:11,12

Calendar

Yesterday's appointment went well- I had my hysteroscopy and everything looked good.  I also got my calendar for the next month leading up to getting me pregnant, which hopefully leads to me staying pregnant. And we went over all the fun shots I will get to take!

Here is just a snap shot of the shots:

Thursday July 25th-  August 4th or 5th - Morning and evening shot of Lupron in leg

Saturday July 27th- August 4th or 5th- Morning shot of Menopur in stomach below belly button

Saturday July 27th- August 4th or 5th- Evening shot of Gonal-F in  stomach below belly button

August 5th- HCG- Trigger shot- I can't remember with this one is.....I think butt area:)

August 8th- hopefully 10wks- Progestrone shot in hip/butt.  Brad will give me this shot

August 8th- hopefully  40 weeks- Lovenox- in stomach

August 8th- hopefully  40 weeks- baby aspirin

 Retrieval is tentatively scheduled for August 7th

Transfer- 8/10 or 8/12

Pregnancy Test- 8/21

I should get my huge box of these medications Tuesday!!

Brad and I are really feeling good about this!! We both are praying very hard that this works and gives me a better shot of not miscarrying again!!

AMH Levels

I got a call this week about my AMH levels.  The nurse called and said my level was .56 which is low but Dr. Lee feels "okay" with continuing IVF....needless to say I was discouraged that my level was so low and that the nurse felt she had to tell me the doctor was okay with me continuing the process.  Didn't I have a meeting a few weeks ago where the doctor said I am good candidate for IVF?  Could this test be telling me I don't have a chance?  The normal range for AMH level is 1.0 and .2 is considered menopausal.  Naturally, I thought GREAT, I am closer to being menopausal than fertile. UGH. I immediately got a sick feeling and had a slight freak out moment.  Why did we have to wait so long to start trying....we could have swung law school and a baby, right??

Finally, I did end up calling the nurse back and she was much more calming this time and said they see this level all the time with patients so not to be worried!

So, I am feeling much better now.  I will update again after my Tuesday appointment.

Oh, also this past week/weekend I was at Disney World...It is so much fun!  I felt like a big kid and it was a nice distraction from all my IVF stuff.

IVF- Update

The first steps of the IVF process have begun.  Monday I started birth control and I guess will stay on it until I am told to stop.  My next appointment is July 16th where I will have another hysteroscopy, which I AM not looking forward to- it is so painful!  But after that procedure we will get our calendar with dates of all the next fun stuff, i.e. injections!

Meanwhile, Happy 4th of July! I am heading to Disney World!

IVF- Here we come!

Yesterday Brad and I met with my fertility specialist to discuss my next (and what I feel final) attempt at getting and staying pregnant.  The doctor agreed with my gut feeling that IVF will give us the best possible chance for a successful pregnancy.  So, at the end of this month I begin IV- I cannot believe how much is involved in this process. I have a packet full of "what comes next" and "to dos" .  Right now the next step is just wait until my next menstrual cycle and start birth control (for timing purposes). Luckily, I have great insurance that will cover most of cost  so financially it was not a hard decision.  In fact, I am feeling pretty good about this!

I just pray it works and that I stay sane.....