OHSS Symptoms Going Away

It seems my OHSS symptoms are finally going away, slowly, but surely. I am not feeling the swelling and bloatedness so much in my abdomen area, but I can definitely still see it. I am so swollen I am ashamed. Just a few weeks ago I looked nothing like this, and now almost 10 pounds later, I feel and look like a pig! So much for wearing my bathing suit during my vacation. I will do a fresh veggies/fruit juice cleanse tomorrow and hopefully that will help reduce some of this. I still have some bruising from the injections and so I don't know how I'll be covering that up. The only problem is that nothing fits except for about three things! What am I to do?

Other than that, not much going on. It has been raining here for 15 straight days and we are expecting another 7 days of rain. In one place south of here it rained a little over 19 inches in the last 24 hours and so many places have become flooded...people have lost their homes...their personal belongings...their family. It is just so sad!

5 Days Past Egg Retrieval

Today, Stephanie, the embryologist called to give me the update on my little embryos. It seems we have 12 embryos that made it to the blastocyst stage that are ready to freeze. She said they are all quality 1 or 2, but most of them are quality 2. She said they will freeze them in groups of 2 so that when we thaw them, we can have them ready. She also said they will wait until tomorrow to see if any will make it to day 6, and if so, they will let me know.

Today should have been my egg transfer day if I had not gotten OHSS as bad as I did. I am still feeling the symptoms and have been on bed rest forever it seems. Yesterday, I told DH I needed to get out, so we went to Academy. It was awful. I couldn't take it anymore. I was so tired and my lower abdomen was beginning to hurt so we came home and back to bed I went.

I e-mailed my RE to see how much longer of this it will be and he said it could last up to 2 weeks. Great! And we're going on vacation on Saturday. I am so bloated and swollen, I look awful! Plus, nothing fits! I'm pretty okay with the fact that we have to wait until september and have not felt down or anything so that is a good thing. I'm looking forward to my vacation and I am definitely going to enjoy it. I will not schedule my LAc appointment until I come back because I decided I am taking a couple of weeks off.

Embryos at 3 Days

RE called this morning to tell me that we have 17 embryos that have made it to this point. Wow! That's a big difference--from 43 down to 17! Not that I'm complaining, I'm just glad we had plenty to start off with. I have been on bedrest, per RE's orders, and I'm still feeling really, really bloated. I try to eat, but it's bearly. I have been keeping hydrated with Gatorade, so I know that won't be a problem. I'm just ready to get up and go. Doesn't too much bed rest affect me too? I think a little going out tomorrow might just be okay.

2 days after Egg Retrieval

Today it has been 2 days since my eggs were retrieved and I am feeling sooooooo bloated I can't even eat. RE's office called me in the morning to give me time of ET: Monday, June 25 at 9:00 am. I should be there by 8:45. I told Angie I need an acupuncture session before and she said to call LAc and see if she can come in to office to do one. I never knew they did that. Also told her to have Jodiann call me back regarding OHSS symptoms.

I called LAc and she said she would see me at 7:30 am in her office. How wonderful of her is that. So I called Angie and let her know everything would be okay.

A little later Jodiann called me and I was telling her how I had been feeling and if there was anything that I could do or take to feel better. She said not really, but if I wanted I could go in and have RE check me to make sure I'm not hyperstimulating. She said it was up to me, but since it was Friday it would be best if I went so I did.

RE checked me on sonogram and found lots of fluid in my ovaries. He said he strongly recommends that I cancel this cycle. Otherwise, if I get pregnant it will only trigger OHSS even more. He said he'd like to let my ovaries rest about a month (leaving me out of July transfer and not cycling in August) and then FET in September. He said lots of bed rest. Better As much as I hate waiting so long, I'd rather be safe than sorry, so we will wait until September. I know this is happening for a reason and God knows exactly what he is doing so I am not questioning it and just accepting it.

LAc called me later and I told her the situation. She said that it's good we're waiting because the risks of OHSS are very high. Plus, like I told her, the hard part is already done, so I will continue seeing her every 2 weeks as before beginning next Thursday.

This will just allow me to not be too cautious on my vacation.

Fertilization Report

Today was the day after egg retrieval. I feel sooooo bloated. I can't even eat too much because I feel the distention in my stomach area (above belly button, mostly). I am trying to rest and not do too much, but it is getting really boring. Here is the fertilization report from RE:

• 43 eggs retrieved
• 38 good eggs
• 28 embryos (fertilized)

RE says I should have enough for two genearations. I don't know about that. He said by saturday he would know which ones are of good quality and would call me to let me know. Everyone is amazed at how many eggs were fertilized. I really hope we get pregnant with the first round of this, but if not, we have plenty left for backup. I don't know about 28 kids! I have been trying to drink gatorade because water makes me feel more bloated. I think tomorrow I am only going to eat liquid food to see if that makes it feel better. I know that OHSS usually doesn't kick in until about 3-5 days after but I already feel it. I also found this:

OHSS develops rapidly; therefore, patients should be followed for at least
two weeks after hCG administration. Most often, OHSS occurs after treatment has
been discontinued and reaches its maximum at aboutseven to ten days following
treatment. Usually, OHSS resolves spontaneously with the onset of menses.

A friend told me her RE recommended tomato juice and another lady said she was:

...was told it is the shift in fluid that they are so worried about. I
could not drink water it made it 1000% times worse. My RE said do not drink
water only drink gatorade. The Gatorade is supposed to help bring the shift of
fluid back in order. When your cells become dehydrated you loose all the
electrolytes, the gatorade or even powerade will help to put back these lost
electrolytes in order o bring balance back.

I'm not sure how true this is. When I asked RE he said there is nothing to help with it. I am having some difficulty breathing at times because it hurts, but I don't think its that bad. Well, I guess I'll wait for tomorrow to see how I feel.

Egg Retrieval

Today was my ER. 43 eggs were retrieved and I'm feeling the bloating. The procedure took longer than expected and I was the one that ever had the most at my RE's office. That's really pretty scary. I was in over an hour. Nurse said I went in a little after 9:00 and when I came out it was about 10:15. I was in recovery about 30 minutes and then allowed to go home. Embryologist said they would check follices and within 3 hours would know which were good and which were not. At that time they would also begin ICSI. She said they would give report to RE and he will call me tomorrow.

I came home ate and went to sleep until about 5:30ish. I am feeling bloated but not as bad as I would have thought. I am to start PIO shot today. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Egg Retrieval

I can not believe how fast time has gone by and how well everything has turned out. Tomorrow, finally, is my Egg Retrieval and I am so excited. Here are my egg retrival pre-operative instructions:

• the day before ER: DON'T EAT/DRINK ANYTHING after midnight. You may brush your teeth the morning of ER.
• don't wear jewelry. notify anesthesiologist if you are wearing dentures/contact lenses.
• wear comfortable clothing.
• be at SIRM 45 minutes before your scheduled ER. bring the consent forms, already reveiwed, and be prepared to sign in front of SIRM staff.
• a fresh sperm sample will be neede if your partner's sperm is to be sued, unless otherwise noted.
• expect to be at SIRM between 2 and 2 1/2 hours.
• because of the IV sedation, you will not be allowed to drive after the procedure. please arrange to have a ride home.

DH will take 1/2 day off and then DM will come over to take care of me until DH comes come in the evening. I pray that RE gets lots of healthy follicles and that I don't get OHSS. I look forward to my ET on Monday, if all goes well.

hCG Trigger Shot!

YAY! I am so excited. My E2 went down to 2778 today. That means that I will finally trigger tonight at exactly 10:30 pm. I am to discontinue Lupron, Heparin and baby aspirin until further notice. I am to begin and/or continue on the following:

• hCG 10,000 units once tonight
• Zithromax, once tonight, and then twice a day thereafter (with food)
• folic acid 3mg daily
• dexamethasone 0.75 mg daily
• prenatal vitamins

I am so excited! Did I say that already. Thank you God for making this all work out. If my E2 levels would not have gone down then we would have to have cancelled the entire thing. I pray that my ER (on wednesday) and my ET (5 days later, possibly on monday) will both have great success. I know that there are many and many people that have prayed, that are praying and will be praying for us and I also pray that being a mommy will finally become a dream come true!

So, my egg retrieval (ER) is officially set for wednesday, June 20 at 9:00 am. I am to arrive at 8:15. Instructions are: nothing to eat after midnight the night before. Brushing teeth will be okay. I am to wear absolutely no jewelry and wear comfortable clothes. DH will also need to be there sometime between 9:00 and 11:00 am to give a fresh sample. They are giving him a hard time at work so I don't want him to miss too much time unless he has to.

I have to add that yesterday DH did so well with administering hCG shot to me. I iced it and then he gave it and I didn't even feel it. Good job! That was a great start, so hopefully the PIO shots will go just as smoothly.

Day 2 of Prolonged Coasting

I went in for yet another E2 today. The results: a decrease to 8138. DH and I had a chance to speak with Dr. Saleh. He explained the pros and cons of prolonged coasting.

• Coasting means the stim meds are stopped and the follicles allowed to slow down before hCG administered. Usually does not affect egg quality if less than 3-4 days.
• Sometimes coasting doesn't necessarily mean E2 will go down, it could always go up.
• If E2 continues to increase, then the cycle will be automatically cancelled. The next cycle I could do would be in September so my ovaries can take a break. July would be too soon and there is no cycle in August.
• If E2 decreases (it could take a while) then cycle can continue and HCG shot administered.
• If after HCG is administered and OHSS symptoms are really bad, then follicles will be fertilized, left to grow to blasts and then frozen. If they grow to blasts it already means they are good follicles. These can be transferred at next round of cyclers and due to vitrification process (bypass crysalization step and no risk in losing any at thawing), the success rate of pregnancy is the exact same as a fresh cycle.
• It is really up to us if we want to cancel cycle, but just because we used 2 amps this cycle and produced tons of follicles, at next cycle I can be reduced to use 1 amp and produce absolutely nothing. This is a risk that we will be taking.

So the plan is this. I am to continue on Lupron and Heparin shots, along with ASA, Prenatal, Folic Acid and dexamethasone. My next E2 will be on Monday along with another U/S.

I just have to add that we went to a private party at the Dallas Petroleum Club yesterday. It was DH's boss' 50th Wedding Anniversary Party. It was a surprise party he threw for his wife. It was so great. They are wonderful people. Anyway, the Dallas Petroluem Club is a the premier private city club in Texas with national recognition (one of the top twenty in the entire nation). All I can say is WOW! I was speechless. I had O'Dourves and drank Don Perier. I had to go shopping for this one and find something that would make me fit right in. I thought I looked pretty good, but according to DH, he said I looked like "Marilyn Monroe!" What a compliment. He had never complimented me in this way! He was proud to be showing me off to his friends this time! I got so many compliments from everyone. I will try to put up a picture later. This was a very memorable ocassion.

Hyperstimulating! Begin Prolonged Coasting!

E2 is 9522! Yikes! Per nurse I am to stop all stims (Gonal-F and Menopur) and begin prolonged coasting. I should go in again tomorrow for another E2 and I will get further instructions then.

I am trying not to come to any conclusions but I can't help it.

I talked to one of the other RE's and he explained prolonged coasting to me. As it turns out he said:

At hCG we like the E2 to be between 1200 and 3000. It correlates about 150-200
per mature follicle.

Since my follicles at yesterday's appointment for not at least 1/2 at 14mm or more, my RE just reduced my dose (actually I stopped one of the stims) so that they wouldn't all grow too fast or at the same time or as he put it:

At this point your follicles aren't ready. We need half to be 14-15 mm before we
can start coasting. It is reasonable to lower the dose, but you have to keep
going for now.

When I questioned him ab0ut the E2 being so high and coasting he said:

I think the timing is pretty good. We sometimes do have to let the level rise
high before we start in order for the follilces to be mature. I bet today it
will be around 10,000, tomorrow 11,000 and then it will start to drop. It can
drop fast. You will probably be ready for hCG in about 3 days.

Now that I understand prolonged coasting (PC) I feel so much better about this entire thing. I was really worried. I also asked about the fertilization rate of the eggs, since it says in the pamphlets that it appears to be reduced by using this method, but the actual pregnancy rate does not appear to be compromised. He said:

We find the fertilization rate is fine, if the eggs are mature, but you will
need ICSI.

Then I asked about how I had read that men that are TTC and were a result themselves of ICSI can have difficulty conceiving. He answered:

There are not many men conceived through ICSI that have reached reproductive
age, since the procedure was invented in 1993. This a potential concern.

I don't want to worry about this, but it does concern me. I hate to say we'll have to cross that path when we get there, but for now I guess that's what I'll have to settle for.

We'll see what happens tomorrow. I had the most beautiful dream today when I took a nap. I put on my relaxation CD and I fell into a deep sleep, like always. Well, I dreamt that I had this beautiful blonde baby with blonde hair. I remember I was holding him but I kept asking mom my if she was sure he was mine. She would tell me to just look at him because he looked just like me. When I looked at him in my dream he was the same face and I didn't doubt for a second that he was really mine. It was the best dream I've ever had, yet so real.

Day 11 of Stims 2nd U/S & E2

I went in again today for my 2nd U/S and E2. Things were looking A-Okay. RE said I had lots of follies and said that in order to trigger at least half of them have to be at leas 14mm and we're not quite there yet. He measured 15 follicles (right: 15, 14 x 2, 12 x 3, 12++ (nurse said ++ means they are higher than 12 but not quite 13), 11; left: 16.5, 15.5, 13 x 3, 14 x 2).

He said he doesn't want to put the brakes on too soon because then I will have them collapse and/or become/stay immature just like when you take a cake out of the oven too soon. What a great analogy!

When I left, Jodiann said to continue on the same dose and to see him again on Saturday morning for a 3rd U/S and E2. Otherwise, everything looked good but if not careful I could hyperstimulate and I could get OHSS.

Well, Jodiann had called and left me two messages to call her (silly me I still had my phone on vibrate). When I finally called her around 3:30 pm, she said that my E2 was over 8,000! Oh my! I knew at the time that it was way too high! She said to stop Gonal-F and continue with the Menopur and everything else the same.

Well, I e-mail RE and he said:

Your risks of hyperstim are real. Maybe 10%. But that has not occurred. We
have to be careful mot to lose the eggs while avoiding hyperstim at the same
time. That will depend on how your ovaries respond. I have enclosed a pamphlet
to explain.

He also said:

The repeat was 6000. You are certainly sensitive to the meds as you were on only
2 amps.

Then I asked some other RE's on the message boards and these were the responses I got from two of them:

I think the timing is pretty good. We sometimes do have to let the level
rise high before we start in order for the follilces to be mauture. You will
probably be ready for hCG in about 3 days. --Jeffrey Fisch, MD

The level of E2 when the coast begins is not important but it MUST be <300
when the trigger shot of hCG is given.--Geoff Sher

I guess I just overanalyze things. I am trying so hard to keep faith and pray as much as I can that this will be it, but those doubts still terrify me. I really want this to work b/c this will be our last try at this, so when I hear bad news I can't help it.

My meds are the same I'm just dropping the Gonal-F:

• Lupron 5U SQ QAM
• .75 mg dexamethasone
• Heparin 5000 units BID
• Menopur 1 vial PM (FSH/LH)

Day 10 of Stims

Today I received my E2 levels from my RE. I am on the L5 protocol. I was told my baseline (5/30) E2 was less than 20. I'm not sure if there are there any specific optimum ranges that SIRM prefers at baseline. I e-mailed RE to find out if it can be too low or if having a real low E2 at baseline correspond with how fast/slow you’ll respond or if having a high E2 be a sign of PCOS?

I started stims on 6/4 and on 6/11 (7 days later) at my CD9 appointment, E2 was 2135. I'm intersted in knowing what the optimum range for E2 at CD9 is. I heard that it depend on how many follicles your ovaries are producing. Since RE told me my ovaries had produced too many follicles (he said they were 10++--not sure what this means) and he was afraid of hyperstimulating me so he reduced my dose of Gonal-F. I wonder if coasting like this affect the follicles’ quality. I have sent out these questions to RE's at SIRM. I look forward to hearing a response soon.

Also, I have another U/S and E2 level appointment tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers and praying that all will be well.

Sometimes I wonder if asking too many questions just tends to worry me more, but I also think that knowing exactly what is going on is very important.

Here are my meds for today:

• Lupron 5U SQ QAM
• .75 mg dexamethasone
• Gonal-F 75 units PM
• Heparin 5000 units BID
• Menopur 1 vial PM (FSH/LH)

Today was another day at home....very boring!

Day 9 of Stims

Today was the longest day ever. I decided I would take my acupuncturist's recommendation and stay home and relax. What a boring day I had. I woke up early to give my shots, had my veggie juice for breakfast and watched TV until lunchtime. Then, I had lunch, took out some food to cook for dinner and watched TV the rest of the afternoon. Around 3:00 pm, I decided I didn't want to cook anymore, so I was bad and ordered a pizza. Then I watched TV the rest of the day. It was awful. I had absolutely nothing to do. I think tomorrow I might just go to the movies or something. I hate it that all of my friends are working during the day. Here were my meds for the day:

• Lupron 5U SQ QAM
• .75 mg dexamethasone
• Gonal-F 75 units PM
• Heparin 5000 units BID
• Menopur 1 vial PM (FSH/LH)

Day 8 of Stims & CD 9 for IVF #2

Today is day 8 of my stimulating medications. I also had my CD 9 appointment with Dr. Saleh for the U/S and E2. It is looking really good, he said, but he needs to keep a close eye on me. My lining is 12.9, with a triple line/layer, which he said is great! The only thing of concern is that my ovaries are producing lots of follies. He said 10++ on both ovaries, which I really am not sure exactly what that means. He did say that he does not want to overstimulate me, so he will reduce the meds to avoid OHSS and all of them growing at the same time. He said my problem is definitely not proding eggs! I talked to Kylie and she gave me the new instructions to the meds as follows:

• Lupron 5 units QAM
• Gonal-F 75U QPM (lower dose)
• Folica Acid 3mg QD
• Dexamethasone 0.75 mg QD
• Heparin 5000U BID
• Menopur 1 vial QPM
• Prentatal vitamins 1 QD

This is for today, tomorrow, wednesday and thursday morning. It looks like I will be "coasting," like she said. Therefore, my ER will more than likely not take place until early next week rather than the end of this week.

I also went and saw my LAc and told her what was going on. She did my session and put the needles on my back again with the electrodes on them. She said the excess follies are a result of PCOS but there is no need of concern.

Day 6 of Stims

Yesterday was my IVIg Infusion. I slept for a really long time since even before they started the IVIG. Kylie said I was low in something and she had to pre-medicate me while still on the Dextrose with Benadryl, which literally knocked me out as she was injecting it in my IV, and also some steroid and something else that I can't remember. I couldn't even keep my eyes open, and I couldn't even understand what I was saying since the words wouldn't come out right. I was finally finished around 1:30 with the IVIG, but she still did another 100 mL of Dextrose. I think I was out of there around 2:00 pm. So I came home, slept (my mom made dinner for me), woke up and ate, watched some TV and dosed off again until almost 10:00 pm. Watched some more TV and fell asleep again until the next morning around 9:00 am and I still had a hard time getting up.

I have been bruising so bad from the Heparin! I don't remember having OHSS the last time at least not too bad except after ER. Lately, though, I've felt lots of bloating and everytime my bladder fills up (which has been a lot lately since Kylie said to drink 4 liters of water daily), my left ovary hurts and I feel a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen. I was told to eat pineapples, especially the core, around ET to help with implantation. I had never heard this before. Also, Dr. Zhou mentioned somthing in regards to this, but I'm not sure if it was her. I will ask her mondya when I see her.

The needles in my ears for the cravings were great. They really calmed my cravings. I think I will ask Dr. Zhou if I can get them again this week. She had me remove them today. I guess they can only be on there a certain amount of time. I don't think ate too much this weekend, but I feel that I have gained so much weight! I am appalled! I don't know where it came from or where it's at on my, but it is just outrageous! I remember Kylie saying that usually we can gain about 5 pounds from IVIG, but then I have some extra!

Dr. Zhou told me to save my energy and not to even spend my days driving around, but rather stay home and rest. I am such a busy bee that it seems really hard for me. Dr. Saleh was in Italy this past week? Probably enjoying himself with our $$$! BTW, they told me at his office yesterday that they were going to try to submit the "infusion" using another code to the insurance instead of infertilty to see if they would cover it.

I had a wonderful experience today that I want to share. Earlier in the week, my husband told me he commented to his boss' wife about us TTC via IVF. Well, she said she would like for her husband (my husband's boss) to lay hands on us and say a prayer for us to conceive. I didn't know this but he is a minister. I was very surprised, yet so excited at the same time to know of all the people that care. Well, his boss called him Friday to see if we could meet them for lunch yesterday. We went to their house and they showed us around a little and then, Jan (the wife), said that we should get to praying. I became teary eyed and hope that I would be able to make it through without making a scene. Well, we sat on the couch, and as Jay (the boss) began talking about how they had problems conceiving and then began praying, she came over to me and layed her hands on my abdomen and held my hands as she prayed. It was something that was so emotional and so powerful, in a sense, that tears just started coming down my face, and as hard as I tried, they were uncontrollable. I could not believe how much such a beautiful and wonderful prayer affected me. Well, as soon as we finished praying, we went out to our car to drive to the restaurant and it began raining, but it was a rain that was so different to me (or at least I saw it and felt it that way) that I felt as if God was giving an answer to the prayer.

It is getting so close!

Day 5 of Stimulating Meds

Today there were my meds:

Lupron 5U SQ QAM / .75 mg dexamethasone / Gonal-F 150 units PM / Heparin 5000 units BID / Menopur 1 vial PM (FSH/LH) / IVIG Infusion (30gm/250 mL)

Today was my IVIG Infusion. I think it went well. I got there at 8:00 am, but they didn't see me until almost 9:00 am. They started the 5% Dextrose and premedicated me with (1) Benadryl (since she said I had something too low that could make me have an allergic reaction to the IVIG), (2) a steroid, (3) something else I can't remember. Finally at 9:25 they started the actual IVIG infusion. Since it took about 4 hours I didn't leave until almost 2:00 pm.

I got to meet Kathleen today at Dr. Saleh's office. That was nice. I wish I would have had more time to chat with her, but I'm sure we will get together on another day. She is also cycling in June.

When I got home I began to get a bit of a headache so I took some Tylenol gelcaps and took a nap. My mom was over and she made some beef stew so I woke up and ate some. Afterwards, they left and I started watching TV, but dose off again. I later woke up, went to the restroom and went to the bedroom and didn't get up until about 9:00 pm. I didn't have a headache anymore, but I took some Tylenol anyway.

Day 4 of Stimulating Meds

The shots seemed a little easier for me today. I told myself that I was just going to do it and stop making such a big deal over it. It helped. I have just been making it hard on myself and it was making it really difficult, but today I put my foot down! Here were my meds for today:

• Lupron 5 units AM
• Heparin 5000 units twice a day
• Gonal F 150 units PM (change in dose from 375 units for 2 previous days)
• Menopur 1 vial PM

I was able to mix the Gonal-F and the Menopur into one shot so that was one less shot.

This morning I saw the acupuncturist and she put the needles on my back. That is such a sensitive area. I just jump even before she puts the needle in. I told her it's probably because I can't see what she's doing, besides that it's a very sensitive are. She also put the vibrating wires and I listened to my meditation CD as I lied on my belly. I was very anxious the entire time and I know it was because of the place the needles were in. She told me to go home and do nothing but relax. It was impossible today since I had to take my truck to get fixed. It was in the shop for the longest time. I think it was about 3 1/2 hours. Luckily, one of my aunts lives next to the shop I took it to so I called her and she went to pick me up.

Other than that, there is not much else going on. Tomorrow is my IVIG so I will need to be at my RE's office at 8:00 am. My mom will be coming with me since I do not want DH to miss too many days. I'd rather him take off on the ER and ET.

Day 3 of Stimulating Meds

I have made it through 3 days of stimulating meds. Today these were my meds:

• Lupron 5 units AM
• Heparin 5000 units twice a day
• Gonal F 150 units PM (change in dose from 375 units for 2 previous days)
• Menopur 1 vial PM

This has not been easy. First of all, I got the problem with the Gonal F all straightened out. I don't know why they didn't just send me 2 Gonal F pens if they knew I would need 2, instead of giving me a refill! So they were able to send it out today. The problem was that I went to a state park and I was not able to give the Gonal F & Menopur shots until almost 10:30 pm.

Day 2 of Stimulating Meds

Well, I have made it through day 2 of my stimulating meds. It just seems to get harder every day. Here is today's schedule:

• Lupron 5 units AM
• Heparin 5000 units twice a day
• Gonal F 375 units PM

Last night I could not go to sleep because I got the worst headache/migraine ever. I also felt very nauseated. Yesterday I started the Gonal F and the Heparin so I know it has to be one of those. I also have bruises from the Heparin. I decided I will use this one on my upper thighs since I think I'm running out of room on my abdomen area.

I saw my acupuncturist this morning and we talked. She placed extra needles on my forehead for the headaches and some needles in my ears for the cravings. I told her I have been eating so much it is beginning to worry me and I just can't seem to stop. She also used the vibration machine on my ovaries and said that on Thursday she will do it again, but on my back. She said no exercising, not even walking at a fast pace, which is what I had been doing, and no Elliptical either. Before I left, she placed some tiny little needles for the cravings in my ears and said she would take them of on Thursday when I returned. She told me that she was glad I started using Heparin on my upper thighs because then I wouldn't leave her any room to place her needles. Funny!

I am really concerned because like I said above, I just began Gonal-F yesterday, as it says on the schedule. The problem is that I primed it yesterday (37.5 units) then I used the 375 units last night and 375 units tonight. Well, now the pen only has 112.5 units left and I need 150 units for tomorrow night and everyday thereafter until Sunday. The pen says it is 900 units. Am I calculating this right? Why wasn't I sent out enough medication? I'm just concerned since I will be going out of town on a trip tomorrow and won't be back until the evening and it takes IVP Care a day/night to send it out. How will I get the medication? I have e-mailed my RE and hopefully this will get straightened out.

Start of Stimulating Medications

I was a little anxious about all of the shots I had to give myself beginning today, but I already did 2 of them this morning (Lupron & Heparin) and it was not that bad. I have 2 more to go this evening (Heparin & Gonal-F). I am really excited about this moving along so fast. Here are the dosages:

• Lupron 5 units AM
• Heparin 5000 units twice a day
• Gonal F 375 units PM

I went to my GYN appointment and it went rather well. I had my annual and CBC and asked them to expedite the results since my RE's office needs them ASAP. He said he would and for me to call him on Thursday to get the results. Then he will fax them over to my RE's office. He told me to keep him informed on how my treatment goes and that he hopes nothing but the best for me. Dora, the nurse, said the same thing and she said she would pray that this would be it for us. I feel very lucky!

On the downside, I went to my aunt's house today and saw that she had a Virgin Mary Statute sitting on an altar with other things. I commented on how beautiful it was and she began talking about the Bible and God... We had such a great converstation that I figured she would be a great person to tell we're doing in vitro so that she can pray for us. Well, I finally got the nerve to tell her and she just burst my bubble! She, never having had kids, said that her life was fully satisfied without any since she was able to give all her love to all of those children she babysat her entire life. She said she would never go against God's will and do something he would not be willing to support. Well that just made me feel fine and dandy. I have to say that this was not what I expected to hear from her. I know that deep down she regrets not having had any kids and she is just trying to find excuses, but because her husband never supported her (or because he just can't have any, according to her) she was trying to make me feel bad. I was feeling down for a little bit, but since I thought about it, I feel sorry for her and do not blame her for making me feel so awful.

Shots Anxiety!

I have had a pretty good weekend, but now I'm getting anxious because tomorrow I start my Stimulating Medications and I feel very anxious. I'm freaking out about all of the injections I have to give myself. I was already used to the Lupron, but tomorrow instead of 1 shot daily it will be 4 total!
I had been really calm until now. It's going to be tough for me!
1 Lupron, 2 Heparin, 1 Gonal F! Is it really going to be that bad or am I just thinking about it too much?