LONG LUTEAL LUPRON PROTOCOL
12/24/2010: Cycle Day 1
12/27/2010: Start Birth Control
I've never been on birth control before so I never knew how AMAZING it is! I feel great and my husband actually enjoys
me! Where did those awful hormones go? Weeee!
2/3/2011: Begin oral Dexamethasone, low dose aspirin and start daily injections of Lupron (10 units) me! Where did those awful hormones go? Weeee!
The only side effects I've experienced are strange headaches
(from the Lupron) and bruising from the injections. This is all
going great so far!
2/8/2011: Last BC pill
2/16/2011: First suppression scan and trial embryo catheter measurement (OUCH!)
My ovaries are nice and suppressed. The medication doses seem
accurate.
2/20/2011: Making Eggs! 375 units of Gonal-F, 10 units of low dose HCG, and continue the 10 units of Lupron
Ug…three shots every day is tough! I’ve been able to give the
Lupron to myself, but the Gonal needle is bigger. I made myself
bleed the first time with the Gonal-F needle so the dude stepped
in and stabbed me. The 2nd day we were at the airport, though,
so I had no choice but to do it myself. I think I ended up being
in the airport bathroom for 30 minutes but dangit I did it!
Ouch, ovaries, ouch! I never thought I would be able to actually
feel my ovaries but they are nice and swollen from the Gonal.
2/22/2011: Estradiol and Progesterone blood test
The results were good. We can continue our cycle!
2/25/2011: 1st ultrasound to check my ovaries and see the growing follicles.
She found 11 follicles ranging from 8-16 mm. Seven in my
right ovary and four in my left. She seemed pleased and said
they like to see at least 10.
2/28/2011: 2nd ultrasound to check my follicles again.
8 mature follicles ranging from 11-22 mm. I discontinue
the Gonal-F, Lupron, and low-dose HCG. My Ovidrel
trigger shot is tonight at 11:30 (to complete the egg
maturation process.)
3/2/2011: Egg Retrieval Day!!!
Checked in at 9:15, sat naked in a thin gown with a needle
shoved in my vein for the next hour waiting on the Doctor.
Apparently there was an influx of ready-egged women that
morning. Finally got the "relaxing" drug (which was only
supposed to relax me BEFORE I got the actual anethesia...but
seeing as I'm the size of a peanut, it put me out completely.) I
only remember being wheeled away from my cozy curtained
area and then waking up desperately wanting Sprite. The pain
is manageable and I've only taken one pain pill so far. I'm not a
fan of the way it makes me feel so I'm going to attempt to go
without it.
But most importantly: They got 8 eggs. It's not the best but it
sure isn't bad!
3/3/2011: Embryo Report
Out of the 8 retrieved, only 4 were mature. BUT all 4 fertilized
successfully. Keep your fingers crossed that 2 can be frozen!
3/4/2011: Embryo Report & New Meds
All 4 embryos have multiplied! My sweet little munchkins are
growing up so fast. I already feel attached to them..I have four
babies! What an amazing day. Tonight, we shall celebrate by
going to Borders and getting some new books. Hooray!
On a not-so-good note, tonight I start my progesterone
injections. I kid you not, the needle is HUGE. It's like 2 inches
long and has to be administered IN MY BUTT. It's possible I
could have to continue this 2 inch shot IN MY BUTT for up
to 10 weeks. EEEEK! I'm willing to do almost anything for these
four little bubbles, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it.
3/5/2011: Embryo Report
4 embryos still multiplying! Hip-Hip-Hooray!
3/6/2011: Embryo Report
Well, we lost one overnight. The other three are still rapidly
growing, though, so cheers to them!
3/7/2011: Egg Transfer Day
Took my valium at 11:45, checked in at 12:00 p.m., sat and
waited for a hazy drugged hour before seeing this glorious site:
My five day old little pumpkin. Unfortunately they flash up so
quickly that we couldn't get a picture of the second embryo. But,
you know, they are twinsies so they look pretty much the same.
We find out tomorrow if the other two can be frozen. It turns out
the embryo I thought we lost just turned out to be a slow
developer and could possibly be caught up enough by tomorrow
to be frozen.
And now the LONGEST WEEK IN HISTORY begins. 8 days has never felt and will never feel so long.
3/15/2011: Pregnancy Blood test...HOLY CRAP!
Well, it was positive. My HCG was 20. The Dude and I
celebrated with dinner and wine (milk for me) and a visit to
Babies-R-Us. I started working on my unicorn/cake/glitter BFP
promise from this post: Seriously, what did you just say?, but
then things took a swift turn.
3/17/2011: 2nd HCG blood test
My HCG level was only 23. It should technically double every
24-48 hours so based on the 20 it was two days ago, it should
have been well over 40. I'm supposed to "stay calm over the
weekend and do another test on Monday". Man, these nurses
have some really good advice, huh?
3/21/2011: 3rd HCG blood test
HCG is a 4. The pregnancy is over. There's nothing more to say.
Well, it was positive. My HCG was 20. The Dude and I
celebrated with dinner and wine (milk for me) and a visit to
Babies-R-Us. I started working on my unicorn/cake/glitter BFP
promise from this post: Seriously, what did you just say?, but
then things took a swift turn.
3/17/2011: 2nd HCG blood test
My HCG level was only 23. It should technically double every
24-48 hours so based on the 20 it was two days ago, it should
have been well over 40. I'm supposed to "stay calm over the
weekend and do another test on Monday". Man, these nurses
have some really good advice, huh?
3/21/2011: 3rd HCG blood test
HCG is a 4. The pregnancy is over. There's nothing more to say.
I love you.
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