Cycle Day 15: Retrieval Day

I was a mess last night. I was freaking out that I'd ovulate before the procedure, that I'd twisted an ovary with the walking through the caves on Tuesday (I was soooo bloated), that there would be nothing in the follicles. After Aidan did the assigned acupressure points, he did the happy spot on the top of my head to calm me down. Boy did it work. We watched 2 episodes of season 5 (I think) of Ballykissangel with him pressing the spot on my head. I slept like a baby and only work up once during the night.

This morning Aidan had cereal in our room as I could not eat or drink before the procedure. We headed out at 7.15 to check-in at 7.30 on the third floor of the clinic. They took our paperwork and took us back to our room. It was a room for 4, painted a golden yellow with Anne Geddes prints on the wall. The beds had brightly coloured pillows and comforters. My bed had a window that looked out on the forest. I was asked to change into my pajamas (a long top in my case) and I climbed in bed to read while I waited.

At 8am they took Aidan to do his part (he said the room was well furnished - posters, magazines and DVD player already loaded) and at 8.20 or so I was walked across the hall to the procedure room. It was bright and modern and well equipped. They got me settled and my doctor was cheery and said it would be a quick procedure. The anesthesiologist was quick and I was out in moments. When I awoke they transferred me to my bed covered me with the comforter and told me to rest. Aidan was in the room when I got back.

I was in some pain. My right ovary, who had been playing hide-n-seek during each u/s was throbbing. I did the guided visualization exercise for the time between retrieval and transfer and was able to breather through most of the soreness but that ovary was driving me nuts. Aidan did the happy spot on my head for a while and I zoned out for about an hour or so, napping and such. The doctor came in to tell us that he had retrieved 19 eggs and that the embryologist would be down shortly to talk about Aidan's sample. He was also going to check to see if everything was ok and decide whether I needed the shot of pain medication.

The embryologist was very nice and said that the eggs were good quality but the sperm sample made her decide to use ICSI. She said they would begin the process at 12 noon and for us to call our coordinator, Petra, tomorrow at 1pm to see how many fertilized. We'd talk later about freezing because we had already decided that we'll transfer 2 embryos in a 5 day transfer on Monday, Sept 7.

We were then visited a few more times by the nurses and my doctor. My examination went well and I was then given the pain meds injection on my Bottom. Boy, did that sting. It smarted for a while and then it was fine. I dressed slowly and then after checking out we went to the pharmacy to get the progesterone gel suppositories that I'll be using instead of PIO (they don't want to take any risks with my allergies).

The rest of the day I took it slow and napped a lot. I wanted McDonalds for lunch so Aidan and my mom made it happen.  I'm still a bit sore but I feel much better than I did earlier. Thanks everyone for the kind words. I truly appreciate it and you bring a smile to my face often. The next few days are a numbers game and, yes, we've started a Novena to St. Gerard because we need all the help we can get... :)

She's OK

Hi - It's Aidan. Marisa asked that I come online to say that she's ok. She was in pain when she woke up from the procedure so they gave her a shot of pain medication. They retrieved 19 eggs and ICSI took place at 12 noon Czech time. We'll be told at 1pm tomorrow how many embryos have resulted.

Cycle Day 13 - Day 11 of Stims and Trigger Night

I was more than a little paranoid going to today's appointment. I was so bloated that I was thanking God that I brought all elastic waistband and drawstring pants on the trip, save one pair of low rise jeans. I did not have to have blood drawn so we had to be there for 10am. The waiting room was crowded but we only had a half-hour wait. Aidan played on his DS while I read an english language issue of Hello magazine that someone had left in the waiting room.

The u/s was good. We counted 17-18 follicles that were measuring at 18-20mm. There might be one or two more as my right ovary didn't want to cooperate. Both ovaries are about 7cm in diameter at the moment. That explains why I feel so bloated. My endometrium was considered optimal.

I was given a reduced amount of Gonal F and the last Ganirelix shot by the nurse. I was also given the HCG shot that we'll have to deliver tonight at 8.20pm. Retrieval is scheduled for 8.20am on Wednesday. Aidan has to check in at the same time for his sample. We'll be told the number of eggs retrieved at the clinic as I am required to stay for 1.5-2 hours afterwards to recover from the anesthetic. Our coordinator will tell us on Thursday how many fertilized. We're tentatively scheduled for Transfer next Monday at 1pm.

After the appointment I went to the thai massage place. I was scheduled for an hour long back massage. She started at my feet and worked her way to my head. It was amazing! The knots in my shoulders were a mess though and she has to use tiger balm to work them out. I can honestly say that I feel much better today than I did yesterday. I am scared to death about Wednesday but I am also feeling pretty positive about retrieval.

Cycle Day 12 - Day 10 of Stims

This is my "I feel like crap' post. I've had a headache throughout the last 10 days - some days it is a dull ache and some days it is a throbbing bass drum. I finally relented and went to have a Thai Head Massage on Friday and as I guessed, my neck and shoulders were knotted. It was the most hellish and most satisfying massage that I have ever had. I am going back tomorrow because I am just too tense.

I am also bloated like I have never been bloated. Yesterday, when we were in our amazing B&B room in Prague's Old Town, I felt fine about being bloated - in my drawstring pants I felt good and thought I looked good (great hair day, perhaps). This morning, after the Gonal F shot and a horrible Ganirelix shot that left a bruise, I just felt tired of it all. I hate feeling my ovaries right now. I used to relish being able to feel them during ovulation time. Now, it's old. They ache. Aidan says they're producing little hamster eggs. It was cute on day three of stims - it's not anymore.

I just want this process to be over and it's nowhere near finished. I am dreading each stage because I just want it to work. Sure, tomorrow I'll be my optimistic self and will see the whole experience as amazing. Right now, I think it's horrible to be going through this.... sigh.

Cycle Day 10 - Day 8 of Stims

Today's appointment went smoother than previous appointments. We arrived at 8am and I quickly was taken back for my blood test. We were in our doctor's office as soon as the results were available. The follicles were measuring between 14 & 16mm so I will probably have one last stim shot (lower dosage) on Aug 31 and the HCG shot that night at 8pm for retrieval on Sept 2. Transfer would be set for Sept 7th.

We discussed my intramural fibroid today. It has not grown due to the stims which is good. I've been put on extrimax because even though my endometrium growth is good thus far, he wants it to build up particularly in the area of the fibroid. He, like the RE in NJ, is fine with the fibroid but said that if I get pg this cycle, to have it removed once I give birth. He also advised to have it removed if I am not successful for peace of mind going through the next cycle, which I am fine with as well.

In any case, all is going well and I am contemplating making an appointment for a thai massage - I need to relax more.....

Cycle Day 7: Day 5 of Stims

The last few days have been interesting. I was pretty relaxed on Sunday when we visited Spilberk Castle in Bruno. Yesterday I was a mess. We visited the Zlin Zoo, Luhacovice and Uhersky Brod and while it was fascinating, I was getting more and more nervous about today's appointment. Aidan was not any better - when he posts on our vacation blog, you'll see how he was yesterday....

Anyhow, I slept relatively well last night. We have started watching True Blood so we saw two episodes before turning in and thankfully the second episode was pretty funny and helped with the feeling of stress. We got up this morning and the first thing that I did was put all of my meds in a little purple case that they gave me and then put that in my Lindos Bermudiana Shopping bag - It didn't make sense to my to carry everything in a plastic bag like I've seen everyone else do at the clinic. We went down and had breakfast and we're able to talk with Jenny & Issac again. We also met a couple from Japan.

We were making 9am and literally ran out of the door. At the bottom of the hill I realized that I left the meds - so we went back and somehow managed to get to the clinic at 9am. I had my blood test by 9.30 and then we sat and waited. We knew we'd have to wait 90 minutes for the test results and the clinic was busy as usual. We were prepared this time. Aidan had his DS and I read Women & Home (UK) and a Stephanie Plum novel (I'm on book 8).

When we were finally called I was ushered into the ultrasound room and Aidan was taken into the doctor's office. No hospital gowns here but I was warned - I had on a long sweater to cover my lower half when I ran from the bathroom to the table. My nervousness went away as the doctor showed me each ovary and began measuring the follicles. I dressed and went to the office. The doctor was telling Aidan that he was very happy with my response to the Gonal F. I had at least 16 follicles that he counted during the ultrasound and most were measuring at 8mm. Additionally, my estrogen levels were excellent. I have to continue theGonal F and then on Thursday I'll add Ganirelix. My next appointment is on Friday and he believes I'll be ready for retrieval on Tuesday.

So right now we're feeling pretty good and will hopefully be relaxed through Friday. My mom flies in on Thursday so we will be driving to Vienna to pick her up. Not looking forward to the second shot though... thankfully it is pre-prepared but the needle looks scarier - and the injection site will be my thigh.

Cycle Day 5: Day 3 of Stims

Welcome ICLWers! Sorry, no proper intro this month. I planned to do the A,B,Cs of me but time just got away from me. Please see my timeline on the side and I welcome you to follow along on our adventure.

I think I am fighting a head cold. I am also having trouble getting used to being 5 hours ahead. Other than that, all things are well. Yesterday, DH did injection #2 for me. We didn't let the alcohol dry before the needle went in so it stung a bit. I did the injection on my own today and it didn't sting at all. I did look at the needle for the next stage (Ganirelix)and that needle looks like it may hurt a bit. By lower tummy is a bit sore when I stretch but it's not too bad. I just want my period to end...

Every evening I either soak my feet in hot water or put them on a heating pad. Then, DH works on the acupressure points for this phase of the cycle. t is quite relaxing. I plan to do the guided visualisation this evening. I can't believe we're going back to the doctor in 2 days time - I guess that's what happens when a weekend is in the midst of treatment.

Vacation is going well. We're about to go for a walk and then will take a drive to Brno. We need to go to the grocery store as well - I ate all of the blueberries for extra vit c yesterday to get through this had cold. We're loving our little studio apartment. We have eaten here for the last 2 nights, making half of dinner ourselves. DH has purchased a potted blue hydrangea for the main room and potted lavender for the bathroom. I love both and am so thankful that I have a thoughtful husband.