On Your Mark....Get Set....Go!!

We felt like the hare today! Not the turtle for once! Today's appointment went just as we wanted! YIPPEE!!

Here was our checkoff list as we went to every station.

They want my estrogen level below 90 and it was 24.6. CHECK!

They wanted my uterus to be free and clear of any cysts, polyps, fibroids, etc and it was clean as a whistle! CHECK!

They wanted my ovaries to have more than 5 follicles combined and I had 20!! 8 on the right and 12 on the left! CHECK!

The follicle sac is where the eggs live and thrive. More could grow or shrink with the drugs, but they said 20 total is a solid number to play with as they start to stimulate the eggs/follicles. I felt like we had a checkoff list and kept getting the smile of approval at every stop! It was a good feeling!

I'll be doing 1 shot of Follistim/Menapure (combined) in the AM and then another at night alongwith 5 units of Lupron which will prevent me from ovulating until they think I'm ready. If you did the math, like I did, that is THREE SHOTS A DAY! GULP!! Last time it was 2x a day, but it changed to 3 with the Lupron addition this cycle. All in my abdomen. She said if I run out of room, I can move the thigh. RUN OUT OF ROOM!?!?(big eyes) How many shots are there where I'll run out of room? I feel like a human pin cushion already!

I'll go back for bloodwork and ultrasound on Tuesday to see how I'm responding to the meds. Thank goodness I can do that in Naples! It's more expensive over here, but I save on gas and time driving back and forth just for bloodwork and ultrasound.
She said I'll probably be on stimulation the same amount of time as last time so that puts me around 7/12 for the egg retrieval (Allison's bday) and implantation around 7/15 (colleen's bday). If I got pg, then I'd be due around 4/8/08 (Jen's bday) Do you see a pattern? Lots of lucky days coming up!!

I inquired about acupuncture before/after implantation and she said it's $300!! 2 sessions for $300!?!? GULP!! My regular sessions run about $60-80 a pop so this was surprising, but they said they get lots of success rates and since we're this far, we might as well do it, but that is going to be a painful check to write! GULP! But, as David says, "it is what it is" and we'll get through it!

Thanks for caring and reading!! Thanks for your love and prayers! We need them to be a little louder in these upcoming weeks!! :) We love you all and couldnt do any of this without you!!

Start Stimulation Shots Tomorrow....

Tomorrow is our big appt where they'll check my estrogen level and ultrasound to make sure we're ready to begin! I think everything will go as planned, but you never know when you're on this roller coaster!

We had a scare today as the ivf clinic called me in a panic telling me they were missing some important lab results they needed by tomorrow or we could not start stimulation!! I had the tests done 6-8 weeks ago so I knew they were completed, but had to put fire under some booties in the records department to get them to fax them today. So I'm leaving messages all over town waiting for someone to call me back. I was worried they were lost bc the place I had them done was not the best place, but I learned that after the fact. I had Maxson fax me another prescription for the tests as a backup plan and wouldve had them run here at 7am before we left, but after many calls, using the fire extinguisher to try to put out the fire, hours of nail biting, the receptionist called to confirm that she found them and had faxed them. (I wanted to lecture on the importance of doing it 6-8 weeks ago when they came in, but I bit my tongue) I called Maxson and they confirmed they received it!! PHEW! Oh my last minute batman! That's not how I work best!! I hate putting out fires! My fire extinguisher is tired!!

I love my new acupuncturist!!! Her english is a little broken, but she puts in almost triple the amount of needles as the previous lady which I love! The more the merrier! She said she's worked with patients going thru IVF and warned us about "fins"!! I looked at her confused bc I didnt want fins growing on our baby and then she held up two fingers and said, "you may have fins" and I realized she was telling me we could have TWINS!! LOL!!

I'll post after our appt tomorrow! Sorry I havent posted more....it was hard to write at home bc we were on "dial up" (stop snickering) and we just got hooked up with cable internet! I cant believe the difference in speed!! I feel like someone just greased my slow, antiquated bike and now im whizzing around the neighborhood! I can barely keep up with the pedaling!! sooooooooooooooooooo fast!! WOWSA!! It's like our puter is on speed!!!

Here's me on my new computer....

Inspiration in your Inbox...

The Rev Run quotes are extremely popular amongst our readers (ha ha, like I'm a columnist) so here's how to sign up for the Rev Run quotes...it says it's only a trial membership, but I signed up months ago and havent been asked to pay yet, but would pay if need be - they are just the best!! http://www.revswordsofwisdom.com/

I also get "The Daily Word by Joel Osteen" and they are fabulous!! http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_devotional
It's a great way to start off your day!

I started the suppression shots of Lupron last night. They are small needles so they don't hurt, but it was a mixture of emotions starting it all over again! It brought me back to feeling inspired, nervous, hopeful and excited all at once!! I feel like I just gave my ticket to the carnival man/woman and they opened the gate to allow David and I onto the roller coaster. We're not at stimulation yet so we're just sitting in the cart as they're about to pull down the seatbelts and press the "GO" button!! Hold on to your hats!!!!!!! This will be a wild ride!!

Love...

I get these quote daily and love them all! I could have a blog of just these quotes!! ha ha

God morning. The dictionary says the word Practice means to perform or
work at repeatedly so as to become proficient... (Remember this!) Loving
people does not come automatically. We are made kind by being kind.
PRACTICE LOVE.... :) :) :)
God is Love
Rev Run

Cruisin...

My acupuncturist had some "news" for me today. She informed me that she was going on a cruise! I said, "Oh, that's great! You deserve it for how hard you work. Is it a 3 day, 4 day or a week long cruise?" (secretly & selfishly hoping she'd be back in time for when the stimulation began) and she says, "Oh no, not really. I'll be gone for FOUR MONTHS and I leave next week!!!!" She's going to live on a ship and work as an acupuncturist travelling the world for FOUR MONTHS! She's nervous and excited about this big move. She may continue to do it longer if she likes, but is going to give it a try. My mouth was on the floor, but she quickly assured me that she is sending me to her mentor/teacher and 2nd generation acupuncturist, Dr. Cen. I asked lots of questions about her and looked her up online and have her advertisements. Her parents and grandparents mastered acupuncture as well and knows her stuff! http://www.floridahealthacademynaples.com/AcupunctureCenter.html
I have an appointment next Thursday and I'm excited to meet her and hear what she has to teach me. pssssst.....I secretly like that she is chinese. tee hee

I just got this email from Rev Run (he's on Mtv) and absolutely LOOOOOVE the last line!! I work on this everyday!!!

Good morning. Live for today. Multitudes of people have failed to live
for today... What they have had within their grasp today they have
missed entirely, because only the future has intrigued them...
We steal... If we touch tomorrow. Its Gods... :) :)
God is Love
Rev Run

Party Starting...

I start supression shots(lupron) on Monday, 6/18!! I'm on those for 2 weeks and then start the big daddies, ie stimulation drugs on Friday, 6/29!! Those drugs are the expensive ones that make me produce some nice plump, ripe eggs!! I should be on those for approx 2 weeks, then the egg retrieval, then the implantation 3 days later!! WOW! As much work as it is, it does happen relatively fast! Thank goodness I'm off for summer so I can run to and fro appointments with ease! I'm off to acupuncture now...love you all!!

PS I'm sleeping soundly EVERY NIGHT for the past 2 weeks! YES!!

The Journey Continues...

I started ovulating yesterday so the wheels are moving! YAAA!! I have a call into my doctor to confirm, but I believe I start the Lupron shots in 8 days which is next Monday! WOW! Not really sure what Lupron does, but I do those shots for 2 weeks, then start the stimulation shots for 2 weeks, then implantation, then we get pregnant and 9 mos later we all get to meet and hold the MUCH AWAITED Baby Hutcheson!! That's the timeline as I see it. Any questions? Ha ha. I'm glad I'm ovulating bc that means my body is back to normal and working properly on its own.

I have been struggling with insomnia off and on for the last 3-5 years so I thought it was time to go and see a sleep doctor. He's helped immensely! I didn't want to take any drugs bc it's not recommended while pg and dont know how it'd interact with the IVF drugs so he helping me sleep soundly on my own. So far so good! He put me on a sleep schedule called "Sleep Restructure Therapy" where he actually rebooted my system as I was only allowed 5.5 hours for 2 nights, then 6 hours for 2 nights, then 6.5 hours for 2 nights and so on building up in increments of 30 minutes each night. No naps either. It was VERY tough and I'm up to 6.5 hours tonight and can not wait to get in the 8 hour range. Im going to sleep with a heart/breathing monitor on my finger next monday night at home and if he sees anything unusual, then he'll have me sleep over in their clinic. That would be bizarre!!

The thought behind this technique is that my body does not trust itself to sleep so he's teaching it how to crave, need, and get confident in sleeping. He also suggested a great book "Say Goodnight to Insomnia" that has helped IMMENSELY! Reviews a lot of natural relaxation techniques that have already helped me! I know it sounds crazy for all of you good sleepers out there, but if anyone has struggled with sleep you'll know how awful it can be! I really want this taken care of and "put to bed" for IVF and when I'm pg.

I'm continuing my acupuncture 1x per week and started seeing a chiropractor for some minor neck pain. Nothing serious, probably just stress related, but he's helping to get my body aligned and ready for IVF as well. Through him, I'm starting weekly massages(covered by insurance - YES!) so I can be in the best mind, body, spirit connection for this next round of IVF. I'm even thinking about taking Yoga at my gym.

No, I'm not a hypochondriac, but I'm just trying to do EVERYTHING POSSIBLE I can think of to help me be in the best shape for this next round. I have time off work so I'm taking FULL ADVANTAGE of the endless dr. appointments. I have one almost everyday. I dont mind at all. It's actually kind of fun to learn and educate myself on how to be a better person.

Thanks for caring and loving us! I'll be hearing from the doctor today. Hopefully with some dates for our datebook!! :)

As I Look Into My Crystal Ball...

Many friends and family know the ball is rolling, but want to know what comes next. As I look into my crystal ball, this is what I see:

I'm on CD 7 today waiting to ovulate - once I ovulate (using a ovulator predictor kit), I will call the dr. and they will start me on Lupron suppression shots approx. 8 days after - then I'll get another period and start stimulation. If I had to guess (not that I've analzyed my calendar or anything- ha ha), this is what I think...

Ovulate - 6/10
Lupron Suppression Shots - Begin 6/18
Next Period 6/25
Stimulation Shots Begin - 6/29
Egg Retrieval - 7/11
Implantation 7/15 (bedrest to follow)
Pg Test -8/1

These dates are just a rough estimate using our first IVF cycle as a guide. All dates are guesses and just the big dates - there are going to be LOTS AND LOTS of doctor appointments before, during and after these dates! Thank goodness I don't have to work during it all! This will turn into my summer job - too bad I'm not getting paid for it! If we get pg, that'll be the best summer job I've ever had!!! wow! what a summer it'll be!!!! Thanks for caring and praying!!