Ultrasound - Later Date

Had to reschedule the ultrasound for next week since our health insurance is changing on December 1.

Pregnany Update - 14 weeks

Saw my OB today and was able to listen to the heartbeat. It was going strong at 147 bpm. So far, everything is still progressing as it should. I have my next ultrasound scheduled the week of Thanksgiving where they will take all the measurements and we find out the gender. Mike has us all convinced it will be a boy so we shall see.

OB Ultrasound - 10 weeks

Had a great appointment yesterday at Seattle Reproductive Medicine. The baby is still going strong and I was discharged from their care. Meaning, I can now go to a regular OB/GYN. They even handed me a little graduation gift on my way out. I was hoping it would be a big fat check but alas, it was some lotions and some other small trinkets.

And my ovaries are finally measuring smaller so I was cleared to do some light exercise. Happy day!

Here is a little sneak peak of our baby. He/She was moving its tiny little arms and legs the whole time. These ultrasounds always amaze me.

What a process! I thought it would be fun to have a summary of all that I went through at Seattle Reproductive Medicine during this IVF cycle, so here are some numbers:

• Injections = 22 in 9 days
• Appointments = 19
• Ultrasounds/Surgery/Transfer = 14
• Prescribed Medications = 12
• Blood Draws = 9
• Duration = 5 months (from initial consultation to being discharged from their care)

Of course, this was only on my side. Michael had to go through a lot as well and this journey started a lot longer than 5 months ago. Just feeling grateful for modern-day technology that has given us this chance to be parents again.

OB Ultrasound

Just got back from my OB Ultrasound. I could see the heartbeat. Everything is measuring right on schedule at 7 weeks and the heartbeat is strong at 133 hbpm. Seems a bit surreal. Just all the pain, stress and emotions getting to this point. I have been cautiously optimistic trying to not get my hopes up, but I couldn't help but smile as I was looking at that fast-beating tiny heart today. Oh, if only you knew how difficult this journey has been little one. I realize I have a long ways to go, but today I am happy.

They also took measurements of my ovaries since they are still very large. My left ovary seems to be shrinking a tad but my right one is still measuring the same as previous weeks. They want to take measurements again in a few weeks but there is really nothing that can be done. It will just take lots of time before my ovaries go back to their regular size. Which sadly means no exercise for me and having to be careful doing pretty much everything it seems.

Good news on my thyroid level. My TSH level is at 1.55 which is great so I will continue the same dosage.

Relief

I feel so much better this week. My stomach is starting to go down and I can tell the excess fluid is starting to get out of my body. If I could do a happy dance I would. So. Much. Better.

OHSS & hCG Results

Good news is that my hCG level rose to 1,089 today so I am still pregnant. I am between 4-5 weeks pregnant today and don't have to go back in until August 25. At that time, they will do an OB ultrasound.

Bad news is my body is suffering from complications of OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). Since I am pregnant, my stomach is abnormally distended and filled with lots of fluid. I look about 5 months pregnant already because of all that fluid. They did another ultrasound today and found that my ovaries are still very large. In fact, the tech said my ovaries have not gone down since my post operation.

So, lots of pain still and very uncomfortable. I have a hard time walking straight and can feel every step I take. I was told to rest, keep my body hydrated with electrolytes and to load up on protein.

Looks like I will have these symptoms for many more weeks, but I am keeping my spirits high and am hoping I get some relief soon.

And my Thyroid levels are still too high at 5.77 so they are now upping my dose to 75 mcg.

Pregnancy Test & hCG Results

My nurse called this afternoon with my blood results and they were positive. I have an hCG level of 290.

We are cautiously optimistic at this point because although I have cleared one hurdle, there are still a few more to go. That happens a lot with this whole IVF process.

In 3 days, they will again measure my hCG level and they are expecting it to double. If the levels do not rise appropriately, this could be an indication of an early miscarriage.

My stomach is still very bloated. Pretty sure my body is still recovering from the surgery and OHSS. Not to mention that the positive pregnancy result is probably making it worse. 

I am thinking that if this doesn't punch my golden ticket to get into heaven, I don't know what will because quite frankly, my body has been put through A LOT (understatement of the century).

Test Scheduled

I have my pregnancy test scheduled for next Tuesday, August 4 in Tacoma. Until then, we will just keep waiting.

I feel a lot better today and am starting to walk with less pain.  My stomach is still very distended so if the pregnancy does take I guess I will just grow into it.

Frozen Embryos

I was just told that a total of 4 of our embryos made it and are being frozen. Great news because if I don't get pregnant this round, I can use those frozen embryos at a later date. As of now, I just keep wondering if that little embryo inside me is growing or not.

Embryo Transfer

Mike and I just got back from our embryo transfer in Seattle. We had planned on doing two but they highly recommended doing only 1 because my body has not been recovering very well and has signs of ovarian hyper stimulation.

They told us that the embryo they implanted into my uterus looked perfect so now we just wait. And in the meantime, let my body rest and heal. They will freeze another embryo today and check on the 5 we still have growing tomorrow if we can freeze any of those as well.

They will give me a pregnancy test in about 2 weeks.

Embryology Report

Nurse called us this morning and reported that all 11 of our embryos were still growing. They give them a good, fair and poor rating based on certain growing factors and criteria.

So of the 11, 7 were rated good, 3 were rated fair and 1 was rated poor. She also told me I qualified for a Day 5 transfer so if our embryos make it a few more days, they will be implanted into my uterus on Sunday.

I started Progesterone today too which helps my uterine lining. Mike is doing better from the surgery but I am still in a lot of pain. My abdomen is really sore and bloated. Hopefully, I will feel a lot better before the Sunday transfer.

Surgery and Fertilization Results

Mike and I are at home resting. Yesterday was pretty crazy as we woke up at 4 am and got to the Seattle office at 5:30 am. They took Mike back first while I waited in the waiting room. His procedure took about an hour and half and then they took me back while he was recovering to get me ready. Apparently, our case is a rare one where both husband and wife go back-to-back into surgery. Our anesthesiologist told me it was not very common. My parents were supposed to be there at 9:00 am but they ended up getting there about 10:45 am because of traffic. Save that for another story.

Mike's doctor was able to retrieve some sperm out of Michael and when I woke up they told me they had gotten 32 eggs out of me. They also made sure to tell me to watch for symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation since if I get it, it can delay the implantation date.

We just got an update about 2 hours ago that 20 out of my 32 eggs were mature and that they were able to fertilize 11 of them. Tomorrow they will give me another update on the fertilized eggs progress Hopefully, a lot will survive and we will be strong enough to make it back into my body.

We are both still in a lot of pain but luckily Mike has the rest of the week off and Alyssa is having a blast with her Aunt Jill.

Day 10 - Pregnancy Test from Trigger Shot

The pregnancy test was positive today so my body absorbed the HCG so we are scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning. I am taking Alyssa to Jill's house today and my mom and dad will be driving Mike and I home after our surgeries.

Day 9 - Trigger Shot

I went to Seattle again today and they measured my follicles and did bloodwork. Got a call around 3:00 pm and they told me they wanted me to take my Trigger shot at exactly 9:00 pm. I immediately called my sister Jill who is an RN and she kindly drove up to my house to administer the shot. She put it in like a boss and I got a nice Sesame street band-aid on my bum.

Tomorrow I have to take a pregnancy test to make sure my body absorbed the HCG from the shot. If it is positive, both Mike and I are good to go for our surgeries on Tuesday morning. His will be at 6:00 am and mine will be at 9:00 am.

Day 8 - Bloodwork & Ultrasound

They measured my eggs again today and took my blood. My Estrogen level is now 1,597. My right ovary is an overachiever according to the tech because she counted 18 developing eggs while my left ovary has 7.

They want to see me again tomorrow to check on my egg growth and it is possible they might have me take my Trigger shot Sunday evening. The tech told me they typically do the trigger if you have 4 eggs measuring 14 (or above) or 2 eggs measuring 18 (or above). If that happens, we will have the surgery Tuesday morning because it is 36 hours from when the trigger is given.
 

Day 7 - Ganirelix, Follistim and Menopur

Injected Ganirelix this morning. Not a big fan. The needle isn't as sharp as the ones I am used to so I really had to jab that sucker into my skin. Ganirelix is the medication that stops my ovulation. Timing is critical on every single thing so I have to inject this every morning until the trigger injection.

And I just finished doing my Follistim and Menopur injections about 10 minutes ago. I have been doing those at 8:00 pm every night. That way, Mike can keep a very curious Alyssa away from my injection lab...at least that is what I am calling my bathroom counter. I decided to crack some tunes tonight to make it easier. Busted out an old U2 CD I had and listened to "It's A Beautiful Day."

Tomorrow is my Day 8 check in Seattle so hopefully we can get some more specifics on our timeline. We know our egg and sperm retrieval are happening next week, but don't have the exact date yet.

Day 6 - Injections

Just finished my Day 6 injections. Did three pokes today since my Follistim medication ran out again and I had to open another cartridge. I hit a blood vessel on my last poke. It bleeds a lot after you hit a vessel so you just have to apply longer pressure with the gauze. And it leaves a nice purple mark which takes longer to go away rather than the small red marks. My stomach is starting to look like a war zone.

And I get to start taking the Ganirelix injection tomorrow morning. Just add it to my list.

I called my sister Karen to vent today. It felt really good since I am feeling the "mood swings" side effects. I will leave it at that for now. I hope my eggs will be ready sooner rather than later.

Day 5 - Bloodwork & Ultrasound

My nurse called with my bloodwork results and right now my Estrogen level is at 400 and my ultrasound showed that I have 28 follicles developing. So now she told me perhaps I won't have to take two trigger shots. It all depends on the results I get when I go back in on Saturday.

Overall, my numbers look good. No medication changes so I will still have to do my regular injections tonight. I will start a new medication called Ganirelix on Friday (Day 7) that I will have to give myself in the morning from 9-10 am. Ganirelix prevents ovulation until my eggs are ready to be retrieved.

So, it looks like we are on track for Mike's surgery and my egg retrieval early next week.

Day 4 - More Injections

Just had to do 2 injections today since my Follistim was reloaded yesterday. I have an ultrasound and more bloodwork scheduled tomorrow morning. They should be checking out my eggs to see how they measure up and my nurse will call with the results.

Day 3 - Bloodwork

Got my hormone levels measured and received word from the nurse that they wanted to increase my thyroid medication dosage because my levels are still high. Sort of frustrating since I have been on this medication since April and my levels went up. They want it at a 2.5 level or under since a higher level is linked to miscarriage. She told me they would follow up with it again in two weeks because it takes that long to see if the medication takes effect. My Estrogen level was 147.9.

My nurse also told me that she was going to order an additional trigger shot for me since she thinks I will overstimulate (meaning my ovaries will produce too many eggs). More on that later.

I had to give myself 3 injections since the medication ran out in my Follistim pen and I had to load another cartridge.

It is only the third day but I am already counting the days until this process is over. It has been difficult for me and I am pumped full of hormones right now that make me feel irritable, large and bloated.

Day 2 - Injections

Injections went 100% better. I am getting smarter and tried some different techniques. I put the needles in faster, got the medication in faster, and pulled the needles out better. Follistim is a very easy shot to give, but Menopur stings going in as you push down on the syringe plunger. So I mixed up my Menopur shot and let it sit for about 10 minutes which seemed to lessen the burn a little. I have an appointment tomorrow so they can check my blood hormone levels. I should be getting a call from my nurse in the afternoon with the results.

Day 1 - Injections Begin (July 11)

I am starting off with two injections a day. I am supposed to give them in my stomach every day from 7-9 pm.

I was able to get through my first two injections yesterday. I am hoping the next ones will get better because I was so worried about doing it correctly and it took me longer than I wanted.

It was not a very pleasant experience but I will just keep thinking about the end goal to get me through it. Maybe I will put on some soothing music tonight.

Suppression Check - July 7

I had my ultrasound today to check my uterine lining and check my ovaries for cysts. The technician told me that everything looked good so I met with a nurse one more time to review my calendar for the month. I start my injections Saturday. At first, I am doing two injections each day. One is Follistim and the other is Menopur. Here we go.

Infertility - Part 2

October 2014

The soonest we could get in to see Dr. Walsh at Seattle Reproductive Medicine was in October. He has a very demanding schedule and travels a lot but Mike felt that he was the Doctor he needed to see. As we sat in his office and he was reviewing all of Mike's test results, he eventually looked up and told us that we shouldn't lose hope yet because In-Vitro might be a possibility. But, of course, this required a procedure called a Bilateral FNA. Basically, a fine needle is inserted into 12 different locations on Mike's testis in order to determine if any sperm could be found at all. Also, a very expensive procedure. And this was just to see if we could even attempt to do In-Vitro. Since we have a Health Savings Account, we decided we needed to build up some funds before we could get this done.

March 2015

My mom gave me some good advice in Spring that it was better to just know than to sit around and wait. So, I talked to Mike and we agreed to just get it done and hope for the best. Better than all this waiting and wondering. I also felt an urgency that we needed to get things moving.

Mike called in early March and asked for the Bilateral FNA appointment. The office told him that Dr. Walsh wasn't available until August 2015. Mike told me that and I was not happy. Seriously, five months away. I told him to call back and check to see if anyone else was available. The second time he called, the scheduler told him that an appointment had just become available in a week. Of course we took it and we scrambled to get Mike ready for his surgery. Then all we could do was wait for the results.

A few days later, Dr. Walsh left us a voicemail. My husband put it on speaker and we listened carefully as he said that he had actually found some sperm in some of the sites that were tested and that we could try In-Vitro. I have to admit I was kind of shocked. We had received so much bad news and finally something good. Finally. I called my mom again and cried through giving her the positive news.

Dr. Walsh told us the next step was for me to schedule an appointment to start the process on my side. I called that same day and got an appointment set up in April.

April 2015
I met Dr. Lynn Davis on April 22 for my consultation. She explained the whole IVF process. She also let me know that the timing would be tricky for us due to the fact that Dr. Walsh recommended that we do a live sperm transfer. Which means, both Mike and I will be having surgery on the same day. Usually, a partner can give a semen sample but the only way to retrieve Mike's semen is by doing a MicroTESE, biopsy of the testicular tissue. So they have to go in and surgically remove his sperm. The recovery time for this is a week. A week. Brutal. This same day they will be retrieving my eggs and will have to inject Mike's sperm into each viable egg that gets retrieved.

I met with my nurse after that and she gave me a bunch of paperwork and reviewed with me all the tests I needed to get done before Mike and I could go through an In-Vitro cycle. I got my blood tests done the next week. My thyroid levels were not where they needed to be so they started me on some medication. Did I mention that I hate taking pills.

May 2015
I completed lots of tests on my checklist. One was a hysteroscopy where they found a fibroid in my uterus. They were able to remove it, which is good because it was located close to where they implant the embryos. The doctor said he saved me surgery. I also got to experience a trial embryo transfer where they practice placing mock embryos in my uterus. Another test was an Antral Follicle Count Ultrasound where they counted the eggs in my ovaries. The nurse found 20 on one side and 15 on another. Good numbers...so I'm told. And finally, they started me on birth control pills. I haven't taken these bad boys in years and they make me kind of...well, grumpy. So I should be a real delight when I start giving myself all those hormone injections.

June 2015
And now we come to June. Mike and I met with a doctor and signed our lives away pretty much. They told us all the possible risks and then we signed on all the dotted lines. This is the first appointment I got a little nervous. I guess it finally hit me that we are about to go through the process and there are some very real problems that can occur. But I keep feeling good about it so we are moving forward.

We have injection training scheduled on June 25. Not sure how I am going to handle giving myself shots. I have never had to stick myself with anything so I might have to get some backup helpers. All I have left is what they call a suppression check ultrasound on July 7. This is the final test where they check my uterine lining and check my ovaries for any cysts prior to the start of my IVF cycle. If no cysts are found, we are good to go and are given the green light. Butterflies in my stomach as I type this.

My next update will be July 7. Here is hoping I get the all clear.

Infertility Update - Part 1

How it All Began

Not sure where to start.  I guess I just want an outlet to express what is going on in my head and heart during this process to keep me sane.  I also want to keep those that have generously donated to our cause in the loop about any updates. Your contributions mean a lot and I can't thank all of you enough. Finally, I think it will be a great way to look back (whether it works or not) to recognize the Lord's hand in our lives and in the lives of others during this struggle.

Brief disclaimer:  This is not an easy thing for me. Let's be real, I grew up in a family that has dismal communication skills. And the communication gets even worse when we are trying to talk about our feelings.

As you may or may not know, we are going through the IVF process right now. To understand that, I first have to give a little background.

At the age of 29, my husband Mike was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I was 8 months pregnant with Alyssa (our only child) when we got that news. That, in itself, was horrible. Thankfully, Mike had an emergency surgery and every test he has taken after that has shown his body to be cancer free. That was 6 years ago.

Our daughter was born in 2010 and eventually I got back to normalcy and we wanted to have more children. Month after month would pass by and I was not getting pregnant.

Finally, I was able to convince Mike to go get tested. I knew there was a possibility that his cancer had affected our ability to conceive. So, in 2014, he got some tests done to check his sperm count and hormone levels.

He called me when the results came in and told me that it was Azoospermia. Azoospermia is defined as the complete lack of sperm in the ejaculate. I was devastated. I called my Mom who was at my sister's house and I bawled. You know, the kind of crying you only do a few times in your life when you are completely heartbroken. I knew something was obviously wrong, but to get this diagnosis meant that Mike and I could never have any more children without the help of a doctor.

Mike's doctor did a few more tests just to make sure and they got the same results. We were then told that a next step would be to see a male infertility specialist at a reproductive medicine clinic.

At this time, I started frantically researching adoption. I knew IVF was extremely expensive and knew it would not be covered under our health insurance plan. I also knew that it was a very painful and emotional process from a friend I knew while we lived in California. So, I called up my sister-in-law who has adopted two children to understand the adoption process better. She told me about the church's adoption website so I looked it up and decided to call them for more information. 

The very same day I called LDS Family Services is the very same day they announced they were no longer operating as an adoption agency. My heart sank again. It was the only truly affordable adoption agency since they charged a maximum fee of $10,000.  Other agencies typically charge anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000.

I took that as a sign that we should go the other route. So I contacted Seattle Reproductive Medicine and set up our consultation with Dr. Walsh.