The embryologist called with the report - the two poor quality embryos stopped developing altogether, and one of the two remaining average quality made it through the freeze, and she says it looks perfect! So we have one little guy waiting for us if we need him. Good news!!
The couch is good too.....I finished the first season of Downton Abbey and I'm hooked.
So now the real waiting begins!! Praying for patience :)
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Stick little embryos!
Overall, today has been a really good day. For once, we didn't have to be in Frisco at the crack of dawn, so we slept in till 8, did a little housework, made some carrot cake breakfast cookies to have throughout the week, and ate breakfast together. I actually cooked a lot of food last night so Seth would have options to easily throw together while I'm temporarily incapacitated.
I had to check in at 11:45 with a full bladder, which meant that I was lucky enough to get to chug 32 ounces of water in the span of 20 minutes. I think I would rather be NPO for 8 hours than have to drink that much in so little time! I was nauseous by the time we got there, but thankfully we had enough distractions for that feeling to get pushed to the wayside. The nurse had me take a Valium once I got changed into a gown. I've never taken that before, but honestly I didn't feel any of the effects of it till we got home and fell asleep! But that is fine - the point is to be as relaxed as possible today so I guess it's working!
The embryologist came in and talked to us about the health of our embyros. She gave us a picture of the two they were going to put in (and yes, they are hanging on our fridge now. I'm not smart enough to figure out how to upload them to the blog or else I would show you.) It was really great to hear her explanation of all the cells and what each one would eventually develop into. She said they look very healthy!
After all that, I was dying to use the bathroom. The nurse said if I really felt like I couldn't hold it anymore, I could pee into a little cup but no more than that. I was scared that I would mess things up if I peed too much, so I only did half a cup. That was a bad idea!! As soon as I got back into bed I had to go even worse!! I tried to hold it longer, but eventually I had Seth ask if it was ok for me to go again. The sonographer (who has been absolutely wonderful throughout last 3 weeks) laughed at me and told me to pee a whole cup this time. I felt MUCH better after that. (Keep in mind that it had been an hour and a half since I drank all that water - I was hurting!!!)
The doctor came in right after that, reiterated what the embryologist had said about the quality of the embryos, and expressed his amazement that we made it to transfer. From that point on things moved very quickly. Seth, decked out in a hospital gown, bouffant hat, mask, and shoe covers, was allowed to go back to the procedure room to hold my hand during the process. It was ultrasound guided, and they had a screen that we could see every move the doctor made. We were able to see the catheter, and then a little flash when he dropped off the embryos - it was pretty cool! The embryologist then checked the catheter under a microscope to make sure both embryos had been deposited, gave the ok, and everyone cheered! The doctor didn't want me to move at all after that, so he and Seth pulled me back up in the bed, and we went to recovery. I had to lay flat for ten minutes before I was allowed to use the bathroom. Let me just say that was the best pee of my life. Ha! After another 30 minutes of laying flat, we were free to go!
Seth is taking great care of me. He has been so amazingly supportive and encouraging and even-keeled during all this, which has really helped to keep me grounded. Now the bedrest continues tomorrow and Thursday, then back to work on Friday. We are praying and so hopeful that these little guys (or girls!) are extra sticky and attach to the uterine wall. We'll do a blood test in 8 days to see if it worked. I've already decided that I will not do an at-home pregnancy test before then because I think that would be even more torture! No matter what the outcome is, God is in control and knows what's best. We have learned a lot, both spiritually and medically, during this round that it will be positive experience no matter what.
Everyone's support today has been overwhelming. I can't say thank you enough! I'll be back tomorrow to give the report of the remaining embryos.
I had to check in at 11:45 with a full bladder, which meant that I was lucky enough to get to chug 32 ounces of water in the span of 20 minutes. I think I would rather be NPO for 8 hours than have to drink that much in so little time! I was nauseous by the time we got there, but thankfully we had enough distractions for that feeling to get pushed to the wayside. The nurse had me take a Valium once I got changed into a gown. I've never taken that before, but honestly I didn't feel any of the effects of it till we got home and fell asleep! But that is fine - the point is to be as relaxed as possible today so I guess it's working!
The embryologist came in and talked to us about the health of our embyros. She gave us a picture of the two they were going to put in (and yes, they are hanging on our fridge now. I'm not smart enough to figure out how to upload them to the blog or else I would show you.) It was really great to hear her explanation of all the cells and what each one would eventually develop into. She said they look very healthy!
After all that, I was dying to use the bathroom. The nurse said if I really felt like I couldn't hold it anymore, I could pee into a little cup but no more than that. I was scared that I would mess things up if I peed too much, so I only did half a cup. That was a bad idea!! As soon as I got back into bed I had to go even worse!! I tried to hold it longer, but eventually I had Seth ask if it was ok for me to go again. The sonographer (who has been absolutely wonderful throughout last 3 weeks) laughed at me and told me to pee a whole cup this time. I felt MUCH better after that. (Keep in mind that it had been an hour and a half since I drank all that water - I was hurting!!!)
The doctor came in right after that, reiterated what the embryologist had said about the quality of the embryos, and expressed his amazement that we made it to transfer. From that point on things moved very quickly. Seth, decked out in a hospital gown, bouffant hat, mask, and shoe covers, was allowed to go back to the procedure room to hold my hand during the process. It was ultrasound guided, and they had a screen that we could see every move the doctor made. We were able to see the catheter, and then a little flash when he dropped off the embryos - it was pretty cool! The embryologist then checked the catheter under a microscope to make sure both embryos had been deposited, gave the ok, and everyone cheered! The doctor didn't want me to move at all after that, so he and Seth pulled me back up in the bed, and we went to recovery. I had to lay flat for ten minutes before I was allowed to use the bathroom. Let me just say that was the best pee of my life. Ha! After another 30 minutes of laying flat, we were free to go!
Seth is taking great care of me. He has been so amazingly supportive and encouraging and even-keeled during all this, which has really helped to keep me grounded. Now the bedrest continues tomorrow and Thursday, then back to work on Friday. We are praying and so hopeful that these little guys (or girls!) are extra sticky and attach to the uterine wall. We'll do a blood test in 8 days to see if it worked. I've already decided that I will not do an at-home pregnancy test before then because I think that would be even more torture! No matter what the outcome is, God is in control and knows what's best. We have learned a lot, both spiritually and medically, during this round that it will be positive experience no matter what.
Everyone's support today has been overwhelming. I can't say thank you enough! I'll be back tomorrow to give the report of the remaining embryos.
Monday, January 28, 2013
It's actually happening
Tomorrow is the big day! We made it to embryo transfer......I still can't believe it. We should have two good embryos to put in, and God willing they will take!!! I am excited, nervous, don't want to get too excited until I have a positive pregnancy test, etc, but I am so thankful that we even have this opportunity. To have been told it wasn't possible, that the odds are against us, and to be at this point of actually having a real chance is just incredible.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the prayers and encouraging words. They have gotten me through these last couple weeks! I will post about the whole thing tomorrow once I'm home and settled in on the couch.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the prayers and encouraging words. They have gotten me through these last couple weeks! I will post about the whole thing tomorrow once I'm home and settled in on the couch.
Friday, January 25, 2013
I have embryos!
Six of them!! Of the nine eggs retrieved, six fertilized into little tiny embryo babies. I can't believe it. After the doctor called this morning, I was shaking for a good twenty minutes! This is so much better than we were expecting. Now they will watch them grow over the next couple of days and call me on Sunday with a report. I know it is normal for some to drop off and not mature correctly, but I want so badly for them all to make it.
Please keep up the prayers! We need all we can get!
Please keep up the prayers! We need all we can get!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
And now we wait!
I'm home now from egg retrieval and my stomach is full from yummy french toast and a mocha latte. The morning started very early for us - we had to be in Frisco at 7am - and I was starving from the minute I woke up! Seth mom's went with us to the procedure and she's been taking care good care of me since we got home.
On the way to the surgery center I was nervous and a little tearful. Listening to praise and worship music has been one of the major things that has helped me through all of this, so we put on Hillsong and The Village Church's live EP (which is awesome if you haven't heard it yet). When we checked in, all of the nurses were so nice and reassuring - it really is a great group. The whole thing was super quick, only took 20 minutes and then I was in recovery for about an hour. Let me just say I love anesthesia....I'm a little sad that I might not need it anymore after this. Ha! Just kidding....kind of. :)
The great news is that the doctor was able to get nine follicles! They will combine them with the little swimmers today, and by tomorrow afternoon I will get a call from the embryologist to let me know how many fertilized. The general rule is that about half will fertilize, but my brother said that Dr. God is able to make them all fertilize! That would be amazing. I will be happy with anything at this point.
That's all I know for now. Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers.
"Oh look and see our God, and celebrate the power of the cross and the empty grave. And now we're free, let the redeeemed lift up your heads. Oh look and see our God!"
On the way to the surgery center I was nervous and a little tearful. Listening to praise and worship music has been one of the major things that has helped me through all of this, so we put on Hillsong and The Village Church's live EP (which is awesome if you haven't heard it yet). When we checked in, all of the nurses were so nice and reassuring - it really is a great group. The whole thing was super quick, only took 20 minutes and then I was in recovery for about an hour. Let me just say I love anesthesia....I'm a little sad that I might not need it anymore after this. Ha! Just kidding....kind of. :)
The great news is that the doctor was able to get nine follicles! They will combine them with the little swimmers today, and by tomorrow afternoon I will get a call from the embryologist to let me know how many fertilized. The general rule is that about half will fertilize, but my brother said that Dr. God is able to make them all fertilize! That would be amazing. I will be happy with anything at this point.
That's all I know for now. Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers.
"Oh look and see our God, and celebrate the power of the cross and the empty grave. And now we're free, let the redeeemed lift up your heads. Oh look and see our God!"
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
We've pulled the trigger
And there's no going back....not that I want to! The fact that I can even say that is a complete miracle. 13 days ago we started the IVF process, and it has been an uphill battle the entire way. I thought about updating you all earlier on, but it has been so touch and go that I didn't know what to say. The few friends and family that were in on the updates were probably confused by my twice a day texts that would completely contradict each other! But they were so supportive and encouraging each time - I could not have made it through this week without them. All I can say about this is that God has been faithful. Every sonogram I had, we didn't know if I would progress to the next one. I have prayed more, cried more, wrestled with God more in the last week than in my entire life. And He has come through with answered prayer each time we needed it.
To break down the specifics, I needed four good sized follicles for the doctor to proceed with doing an egg retrieval. On Tuesday, if I didn't have those follicles, he would cancel this cycle. By the grace of God my body came through for me, and last night I gave myself a "trigger shot" to prepare for egg retrieval, which will happen tomorrow morning. (I had about six other follicles that weren't quite big enough, but we are praying that they mature as well before tomorrow.) We were so excited to reach that milestone!! Last time around I only had two tiny follicles, so this is a great improvement! I had Seth pull up songs entitled "Trigger" and I was dancing in the kitchen! They were all mostly completely awful songs, but it was such a relief to just be happy for a night after all the stress of the last couple of weeks.
Now we need PRAYER for healthy eggs to be retrieved, to fertilize, and to grow into healthy embryos. If that happens, we will do the embryo transfer next week. I am trying to take it one step at a time, which is literally all we've been able to do so far. I am believing God for a miracle. If not this month, then next month, and if not then, to know and trust that He is good. My brother prayed for me at Christmas that we would see the goodness of the Lord this January, and if not, that we would STILL see the goodness of the Lord. That has been my cry.
I'll give an update tomorrow to let you all know how things went.
To break down the specifics, I needed four good sized follicles for the doctor to proceed with doing an egg retrieval. On Tuesday, if I didn't have those follicles, he would cancel this cycle. By the grace of God my body came through for me, and last night I gave myself a "trigger shot" to prepare for egg retrieval, which will happen tomorrow morning. (I had about six other follicles that weren't quite big enough, but we are praying that they mature as well before tomorrow.) We were so excited to reach that milestone!! Last time around I only had two tiny follicles, so this is a great improvement! I had Seth pull up songs entitled "Trigger" and I was dancing in the kitchen! They were all mostly completely awful songs, but it was such a relief to just be happy for a night after all the stress of the last couple of weeks.
Now we need PRAYER for healthy eggs to be retrieved, to fertilize, and to grow into healthy embryos. If that happens, we will do the embryo transfer next week. I am trying to take it one step at a time, which is literally all we've been able to do so far. I am believing God for a miracle. If not this month, then next month, and if not then, to know and trust that He is good. My brother prayed for me at Christmas that we would see the goodness of the Lord this January, and if not, that we would STILL see the goodness of the Lord. That has been my cry.
I'll give an update tomorrow to let you all know how things went.
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