Ovary Eating a Cheeseburger

Last IVF cycle, I told my husband that my ovaries felt fat, and he made the comment "like they ate cheeseburgers?" So, we kept saying through the cycle that I had "fat little cheeseburger ovaries." Because we are stupid like that. So, I told him I was going to draw a picture of a fat little cheeseburger ovary, but I never got to it.

But you don't have to wait any longer! This is what they feel like right NOW:

IVF 2: Bloodwork on CD 4/Day 4 of Stims

I was hoping today that they would give me an ultrasound, since I can already feel my ovaries plumping up, and I don't remember being able to feel it this early the last IVF cycle I went through. I went back and looked through my blog and found where it said I was feeling "bloated" but this is less of a "bloated" feeling, and more of an uncomfortable awareness that my ovaries are floating around, all fat and stuff.

But, no ultrasound. Just some blood work. I called back for my results, and Sharon the Nurse told me that I'm responding really well, that my e2 (estrogen) level is at 472, and that we are going to lower the Gonal-F from 150 to 75.

I think my first round of blood work the last time, my levels were in the 700s, but I can't remember how far into the shots I was, so maybe I shouldn't compare. I hope the numbers come up a little bit, as that means I have more follicles growing, and thus, more eggs.

I go back in on Thursday for more blood work and definitely an ultrasound. I guess we will find out then!

Hungry, Hungry Hippo

Today, I woke up with the goal of getting my ass on the treadmill. I need to cut out this apathy and get moving again. So, after I did my writing for the day (and my napping), I walked for 40 minutes on the treadmill, and I feel proud of myself! Yay!

Also, this IVF cycle I've been experiencing hunger like no one's business. After I finish eating, I'm hungry again in like thirty minutes. And I don't mean I'm hungry because I'm bored or anything, I mean that my stomach is actually rumbling and I am legit hungry. I don't remember this from last time, and I'm wondering if maybe it's the Lupron? Since that's the only thing that has changed between cycles so far? But God, am I hungry.

So, I need to keep walking, or I'm going to put on a million pounds.

Ready, Set, Stims!

Here we go again! Tonight was my first night of stims (stimulation drugs). This is a picture of all the crap that I need to mix my shots, and this is not including everything, either. There are needles in the box on the right, and the long needle on the left is for the vials in the box on the left.

I am glad I kept my instructions from the first IVF cycle, because I totally forgot how to mix all the vials, and what went with what and blah blah blah. But, I figured it out, and everything has been injected. I'm sure I'll have a bruise where I used the needle with the Menopur and Gonal-F in it because I left too much air in the syringe, and it didn't exactly go in very fluidly.

Just nine more days of stabbing myself in the stomach with 2-3 needles a day. Then I get to stab myself in the butt with the annoying, long, hurty needles filled with progesterone-in-oil.

The Tentative Schedule

Well, the beta was negative. Dur.

Anyway, for Saturday, Sunday and Monday, I am injecting 10 units of Lupron, 150 units of Gonal-F and 75 units of Menopur. Then I go back in on Tuesday (and probably every day after Tuesday) for more blood work and ultrasounds. @Whee. This is the not-so-fun part of IVF.

The First of Many Appointments

I had my blood work and an ultrasound done today. My u/s looked fine (no cysts!), and I will find out about my b/w around noon.

The nurses managed to fill me with false hope too. The one who was doing my b/w asked me when I got my period after my birth control pills. I told her that I didn't get my period, and I didn't get a period the last time either. She sorta looked at me for a moment and then said, "Well, we'll have to run another test, then." Soooo, I was like...okaaaay.

So, while I was on my way to the examination room, another nurse stopped me and asked me when I got my period. I told her that I didn't get my period, and she also stared at me a moment and then said, "Well, we will run a hcg test too." Blah. Fine. 


There have been times in the last couple of weeks where I questioned if I was pregnant or not. I've been hungry right after eating, and some mornings I wake up and I feel sick. I've been super emotional. So...I came home and I took the last pregnancy test that I have in the house. It came up negative. Silly nurses and their false hope. :< 

I call them back at noon to see if my blood work is good. If all is okay, I will start stimming tomorrow. Then, about ten days after that, I will have my egg retrieval, and three days after that, I will have my transfer. 

Let's get this right this time, okay? 

The Lupron Begins

Today started my injections of Lupron. Also, I have to take baby aspirin from here on out, like I did last time. The injection went over well. I feel like I'm an old hat at this now. I just want to press fast forward and get all the shots over with, though.

We were watching Gene Simmons' Family Jewels, and on the show, his wife's sister is going through IVF for her second time. Granted, I think it has been eight years between when she had her last kid through IVF and this one. Still, it showed her struggling through the hormones, just to get to the doctor, who tells her that her lining wasn't thick enough and she'll have to wait a month and do it all over again. She was so upset. I couldn't help but to feel for her. I think I'd completely break down if I was told that I had to start all over again. I mean, I /am/ starting all over again now...but it's not the same when you've managed to get through the whole process.

Here's hoping that doesn't happen to me.