The HCG shot

More proof that my husband is a dork.

We're getting ready for the HCG shot. I can tell Mark is really nervous. It was actually cute how he was so nervous about it. :) In the typical Mark fashion, he asks me to take my pants and shirt off because it's "easier"....sure Mark.

So, I'm standing there naked, ready to get this HUGE needle poked in me and this is what Mark says:

"You're not going to fart on me, are you?"

I turn around and look at him "I'm about to get the biggest needle God ever invented into my skinny little behind and all you can think about is YOU getting farted on?"

Mark says "Well, think about it, Tammy. Your butt is right here! Wouldn't you be a little concerned?"

He's got a good point.

Fatigue answers

I want this blog to be as informative as possible and to hopefully help someone in the process. :) So, I thought I would post some of the answers from fellow IVF'ers to the fatigue question I had:

From twicejess: Jess was tired too, but she thought it was just from the stress of it all. She didn't sleep real well during either IVF cycle. I don't think she ever thought it was the meds.

From s&j&j: I was very tired and uncomfortable. It takes a lot of energy to grow so many eggs. I kept saying that I am doing a year's worth of work in one month. It's a bit crazy, but yes, VERY emotional and tiring! The hormones go crazy and it sounds like you have some extra stress on top of everything. You just have to take it easy best you can to help your body do what it needs to and heal as fast as it can to be ready for baby growing afterwards.

From Rajen: The drugs you're being pumped with is primarily increasing your estrogen (E2) which is a "happy" 'drug' that runs through our endocrine system. So that's probably not why you're tired or emotional. The process (IVF) itself, however, combined with the emotional strains of managing that plus Mark's health issues can definitely wear you down. Just try and rest and take care of yourself along the way!

From Samantha: I was fatigued and it could have been from the meds but I also had a drive of 1 1/2 hours without traffic but up to 3 plus hours with traffic for my monitoring so I attributed my fatigue to that and the fact that I have CFS. But I would imagine with the stress you are going through with Mark and the IVF on top of the meds it would be strange if you weren't tired.

From Jackie: It's totally normal to feel fatigued. There is a lot happening inside there, not to mention the meds, and the anticipation, etc..I think that emotional affects of the meds, also cause people to feel tired.

The schedule

Tonight we do the HCG at 9:30 p.m. The actual egg retrieval is set for 9:30 Thursday morning. :)

Pretty exciting! :)

Egg retrieval is on Thursday!

Everything is really coming together! There were quite a few eggs today. We could have as many as 11 mature eggs, that's a big "could". :) I have to go down for another blood draw tomorrow, but the retrieval will definitely be Thursday.

How exciting huh? :)

Question for all the IVF'ers. I've noticed I'm exhausted. I'm so tired. Is that from the meds? I was thinking maybe it was from all the driving and Mark's heart issues and maybe I just wasn't sleeping real good. I'm emotional and crying over every little thing...which I know is probably from the meds....but just not sure about the fatigue part.

Here are pictures of our biggest Flintstone Follies:

Sunday ultrasound

Once again, everything looks great and coming along. :) There were quite a few more that popped up today from yesterday. My lining has jumped up to 14, too. So, we're going back tomorrow and we'll see how things look. They may decide to do the HCG on Monday, making the retrieval Wednesday, or may want to wait another day to see if they want to wait for the ones found on today's ultrasound. I guess we'll find out more tomorrow. :)

I did have 2 really big ones. When the tech was measuring, Mark said "Wow. Those are really big. They have to be Fred and Barney."

I just shook my head and rolled my eyes. I think the tech was trying to look like she hadn't heard him. :) I don't blame her. Mark can be a geek. :)

The clinic was really busy today. The waiting room was packed. We were sitting next to a woman who told me "I guess we're all on the same cycle." I smiled and nodded. On the way home, Mark brought that up and said "I was so excited that maybe she was talking about my kind of cycle. I wanted to ask her if she meant a Harley or a Honda!"

I'm telling ya, he's a geek. :)

And of course, a picture of the Flintstone Follies :)

Saturday ultrasound

Everything looks great! The largest ones were 20 mm and then there were a total of 8 that were 14 mm. My lining is at 11 which is great. We get to go back down tomorrow for another ultrasound and blood work. They are thinking the HCG shot might be either tomorrow or Monday. Therefore the retrieval will be Tuesday or Wednesday.

Wow. :) Pretty exciting! I wasn't able to get a picture this time. :( I was really bumming...but I'm definitely going to get one tomorrow. :)

Thursday ultrasound

Everything is looking good. :) We had 8 follicles over 10 mm. The largest one was 16 mm. Right now, they are predicting we may have 5 mature ones but that's not for sure and just a guess. But, everything is going very well!

My mom was able to go which was really special for me. I was glad she was able to be a part of it. Peyton also came which was fun. :) The nurses were so good to her. When the nurse found out Peyton was our niece, she said "We gotta get you some cousins!". :) The nurses asked Peyton how old she was and Peyton said "2. I've got big girl underwear on!" She is just soooo cute. :)

It was really special to have that experience with my mom and Peyton. Mark was there, too, of course. :)

Wlk nicknamed our follicles the "Flintstone Follicles" which we thought was pretty cool and we've been calling them that. Thanks Faith!

I've been having some burning and pain and feeling bloated, kind of like I've gained 20 pounds. I feel like someone has put 2 bowling balls in my stomach. But, I love it. :) Granted, yeah, it's not fun, but I know this is happening because of our babies, so it's worth everything to me. :)

We have another ultrasound on Saturday and I'm thinking the retrieval should be early next week.

Here is a picture of our "Flintstone Follicles". Aren't they the cutest thing you've ever seen? :)