Already Losing Steam

Yesterday was my baseline ultrasound and blood work.  The ultrasound went really well, they were looking to make sure that I had several follicles (little sacs that hold eggs) and that the lining of my uterus was nice and thin.  They called today with the results from the blood test and all of my hormone levels are exactly where they should be.  Also, today was acupuncture appointment number 8 of 12.  I'm already weary of appointments and I haven't even gotten into the meat of the IVF process yet.

Tomorrow, I begin what is known as stimulation.  It adds two more injections to my once daily injection regimen.  These injections are hormones that help eggs to form and develop.  Normally, each month, a lady only has enough fuel in her body to allow one egg in one ovary to develop.  With stimulation, all of the eggs in both ovaries will develop.  From what I understand, this is supposed to make my ovaries feel "full and heavy" and I may even have some visible swelling in my abdominal area.  

The medications I begin tomorrow are called Follistim and Menopur.  They both help the follicles in my ovaries to develop, but while Follistim contains only FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) which helps stimulate egg production, Menopur contains both FSH and LH (Luteinizing Hormone) which helps the eggs to mature and release.  I'm not so worried about the Follistim.  It's a subcutaneous injection in the stomach just like the Lupron that I've been taking.  I've kind of gotten used to that.  However, I'm terrified of the Menopur that I will be taking in the evenings.  It is a serum that I mix myself with a powder and a liquid and I inject it intramuscularly into my bottom.  And, for my dental friends who can visualize this easily, I will be using a 25 gauge  1 1/2 inch long needle and I have to bury it to the hub.  Scary.  

The Menopur I have to mix myself before I inject it my bum.  Here is a YouTube Video of how that works.  Menopur Mixing Video .  Tomorrow I'll include some actual pics of the mixing process and the needles that I'll be using.  

So, my schedule has been updated some: 

Thursday, August 2nd:  Stimulation Start

Saturday, August 4th @ 8:00:  Blood Labs

Monday, August 6th @ 8:00:  Blood Labs and Ultrasound

Monday, August 6th @ 4:30:  IVF Protocol #8 (Acupuncture)

Wednesday, August 8th @ 8:00:  Blood Labs and Ultrasound

Wednesday, August 8th @ 4:30:  IVF Protocol #9 (Acupuncture)

Friday, August 10th @ 8:00:  Blood Labs and Ultrasound

Saturday, August 11th @ 8:00:  Blood Labs and Ultrasound

Monday, August 13th @ 7:00:  Egg Retrieval

Saturday, August 18th @7:00:  Embryo Transfer

August 18th-August 22nd:  Bed Rest

August 28th:  Pregnancy Blood Test

August 30th:  Pregnancy Blood Test Recheck (if positive)

The list is looking much more manageable.  However, I get more and more tired every day.  The medications are really starting to take their toll.  I dread the next two full days of work.  I'm like a zombie at the office.  A crying zombie.