Today was our first BETA. We were so excited to see what our number was. The waiting is always the hardest part. I'm so glad I have been super busy at work, so that I didn't have all day to obsess about it.
Got an email from the clinic a little after 3pm that said they had just gotten the results and needed to call C first. C called me as soon as she got off the phone with our NC and sadly, it wasn't what we were hoping to hear. Hcg was only a 5. : ( Typically, they like to see this number closer to 50 (or even more in some cases). There have been cases where numbers are low and still double appropriately, so that is what we are hoping and praying for at this time. Maybe this little embryo was slow to implant or grow. I will go back for a second blood draw on Wed and hopefully, we will see it double. I think we are all just a bit in shock.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
The Big Day!!!
Today was the big day.....TRANSFER!!
I slept really well last night thank goodness, because today was a big day. I ended up waking up before my alarm around 6:30am, which is still an hour after I would normally wake up during the week. I took my meds, watched a little TV and then started getting ready. C had a work call at 9am and W had some work to finish up, so I was just going to eat breakfast downstairs and C would pick me up after her call to head to the clinic. My acupuncture appointment was scheduled at 11:15am. I was pretty excited for that part, as I've always been fascinated by it, but just never had the opportunity to actually do it. After I got ready, I headed downstairs for breakfast and they had a great buffet. They even had some pineapple! Yea! Pineapple is a tradition for a lot of surros since it has an enzyme, Bromelain, that is said to help with implantation. I love pineapple, so it works out just fine for me. I had some other fruit and an omelet too with spinach and mushrooms. It was a really good breakfast.
After breakfast, I headed upstairs to my room to hang out while waiting for C to finish up at work. It was a very relaxing morning. C called a little after 10 and was finished up and heading to pick me up. They only live about 5 minutes from the hotel and about 15 minutes or so from the clinic. We headed to the clinic and absent minded me, realized as we were about to pull into the parking lot, that I had left my new patient paperwork on the desk at the hotel. Luckily when we arrived, they were able to print new forms and they were really quick to fill out. It's great that the acupuncturist is actually connected to the IVF clinic, so I just had to walk across the hall when I was finished. I went back for my appointment and C waited for me in the lobby. The acupuncture was very relaxing. They use all individually wrapped needles and swab the area to put the needles with alcohol prior to inserting them. They are really teeny tiny things and a couple of them, I felt a small sting when she put a couple of them in (which she warned me about), but once they were in, I couldn't even feel them at all. She placed one or two on the top of each of my feet, one on each wrist and arm, one on my head and a couple in each ear. She placed the first set of needles and then left me to relax for about 10 minutes then came back in, made a few adjustments and left for another 15 minutes. She had some very relaxing music/water sounds playing and turned out all the lights. Once I was finished, I went back to the lobby and W had arrived. We all walked over to the IVF clinic and checked in. We didn't have to wait very long at all. I went back for blood work first and then shortly after, they came out to get us to head back for transfer. I had wondered if I had enough water to drink because I asked the nurse as I was walking back for my blood work how much I really needed to drink and she asked how much I had already. I told her and she made it seem like I was way under where I should've been. I did feel like I was starting to get the feeling that I would need to go pee soon, so I really think I was fine. She told me I should've had 32-40oz of water. Wow, that sounds a bit excessive to me. She said it takes an hour for it to get from my mouth to my bladder. I had a glass of water and orange juice with breakfast too.
When we got back to the prep area for transfer, I asked the nurse there too. (Different answer too - Crazy) At this point, I knew I had enough to drink and would be fine. I changed into the gowns and then the nurse came in with C & W to go over paperwork. She was so nice. After we all signed the consent paperwork, I took my Valium, we waited a few more minutes and then headed back to the transfer room. W had a prior commitment that he couldn't miss, so he headed out. C and I got settled in the transfer room and all the nurses were bustling around getting everything ready. The embryologist came in and asked my name, last 4 of my social, my DOB, who I was transferring for, etc. She confirmed that we were transferring one embryo. Yes, that is correct, only 1! The nurse checked my bladder to make sure that it was full enough (and it was). Shortly after that, Dr. M came in and got ready for the transfer. The embryologist came in around the same time, wheeling the embryo in with her in an incubator. C got to go over and see it under the microscope too. I made sure to ask for a picture of the embryo too, so that C would have a copy. Dr. M started the transfer and explained everything as she went. It was amazing to watch the catheter go in and actually see where she was placing the embryo. She said that my uterus looked great and that the embryo looked great too. Now we are PUPO (Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise). BETA for pregnancy confirmation is scheduled for 4/14, which is a Sunday, so I'm thinking they will push it to Monday. Now the dreaded 2WW begins.....
After I changed back into my clothes, I headed back over for my second acupuncture treatment. I actually fell asleep during the 2nd one. It was so relaxing. The Dr. actually left 2 needles in each ear and said to remove them on Monday. I can't even feel them though, so that's great.
After acupuncture, C and I took a picture in front of the beautiful fountain at the clinic and then headed to grab some lunch. We both really like Panera, so that's where we headed. We had great conversation. After lunch, she took me back to the hotel, so that I could rest and we planned on an early dinner. When I got back, I threw on my sweatpants and watched a little TV. After a few minutes, I decided to go ahead and take a nap. I slept for a good 3 hours. When I woke up, I called C to see if they were still up for dinner. They planned to pick me up at 6:45 and head to dinner. I also had an email from the clinic with my blood work results. She said everything looked good. My Estrogen was at 994 and Progesterone was 9.8.
We went to a little restaurant pretty close to the hotel and the food was great. I had a pecan crusted baked chicken with a risotto and sauteed spinach. I grabbed a piece of key lime pie to eat later because I was stuffed and there was no way I could eat another bite while we were there. Dinner was great and I had such a wonderful time visiting with both of them. The conversation comes so easily with them and it makes the whole journey that much better. I'm so glad that we got to spend some more time together during this visit. Stay tuned.
I slept really well last night thank goodness, because today was a big day. I ended up waking up before my alarm around 6:30am, which is still an hour after I would normally wake up during the week. I took my meds, watched a little TV and then started getting ready. C had a work call at 9am and W had some work to finish up, so I was just going to eat breakfast downstairs and C would pick me up after her call to head to the clinic. My acupuncture appointment was scheduled at 11:15am. I was pretty excited for that part, as I've always been fascinated by it, but just never had the opportunity to actually do it. After I got ready, I headed downstairs for breakfast and they had a great buffet. They even had some pineapple! Yea! Pineapple is a tradition for a lot of surros since it has an enzyme, Bromelain, that is said to help with implantation. I love pineapple, so it works out just fine for me. I had some other fruit and an omelet too with spinach and mushrooms. It was a really good breakfast.
After breakfast, I headed upstairs to my room to hang out while waiting for C to finish up at work. It was a very relaxing morning. C called a little after 10 and was finished up and heading to pick me up. They only live about 5 minutes from the hotel and about 15 minutes or so from the clinic. We headed to the clinic and absent minded me, realized as we were about to pull into the parking lot, that I had left my new patient paperwork on the desk at the hotel. Luckily when we arrived, they were able to print new forms and they were really quick to fill out. It's great that the acupuncturist is actually connected to the IVF clinic, so I just had to walk across the hall when I was finished. I went back for my appointment and C waited for me in the lobby. The acupuncture was very relaxing. They use all individually wrapped needles and swab the area to put the needles with alcohol prior to inserting them. They are really teeny tiny things and a couple of them, I felt a small sting when she put a couple of them in (which she warned me about), but once they were in, I couldn't even feel them at all. She placed one or two on the top of each of my feet, one on each wrist and arm, one on my head and a couple in each ear. She placed the first set of needles and then left me to relax for about 10 minutes then came back in, made a few adjustments and left for another 15 minutes. She had some very relaxing music/water sounds playing and turned out all the lights. Once I was finished, I went back to the lobby and W had arrived. We all walked over to the IVF clinic and checked in. We didn't have to wait very long at all. I went back for blood work first and then shortly after, they came out to get us to head back for transfer. I had wondered if I had enough water to drink because I asked the nurse as I was walking back for my blood work how much I really needed to drink and she asked how much I had already. I told her and she made it seem like I was way under where I should've been. I did feel like I was starting to get the feeling that I would need to go pee soon, so I really think I was fine. She told me I should've had 32-40oz of water. Wow, that sounds a bit excessive to me. She said it takes an hour for it to get from my mouth to my bladder. I had a glass of water and orange juice with breakfast too.
When we got back to the prep area for transfer, I asked the nurse there too. (Different answer too - Crazy) At this point, I knew I had enough to drink and would be fine. I changed into the gowns and then the nurse came in with C & W to go over paperwork. She was so nice. After we all signed the consent paperwork, I took my Valium, we waited a few more minutes and then headed back to the transfer room. W had a prior commitment that he couldn't miss, so he headed out. C and I got settled in the transfer room and all the nurses were bustling around getting everything ready. The embryologist came in and asked my name, last 4 of my social, my DOB, who I was transferring for, etc. She confirmed that we were transferring one embryo. Yes, that is correct, only 1! The nurse checked my bladder to make sure that it was full enough (and it was). Shortly after that, Dr. M came in and got ready for the transfer. The embryologist came in around the same time, wheeling the embryo in with her in an incubator. C got to go over and see it under the microscope too. I made sure to ask for a picture of the embryo too, so that C would have a copy. Dr. M started the transfer and explained everything as she went. It was amazing to watch the catheter go in and actually see where she was placing the embryo. She said that my uterus looked great and that the embryo looked great too. Now we are PUPO (Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise). BETA for pregnancy confirmation is scheduled for 4/14, which is a Sunday, so I'm thinking they will push it to Monday. Now the dreaded 2WW begins.....
After I changed back into my clothes, I headed back over for my second acupuncture treatment. I actually fell asleep during the 2nd one. It was so relaxing. The Dr. actually left 2 needles in each ear and said to remove them on Monday. I can't even feel them though, so that's great.
After acupuncture, C and I took a picture in front of the beautiful fountain at the clinic and then headed to grab some lunch. We both really like Panera, so that's where we headed. We had great conversation. After lunch, she took me back to the hotel, so that I could rest and we planned on an early dinner. When I got back, I threw on my sweatpants and watched a little TV. After a few minutes, I decided to go ahead and take a nap. I slept for a good 3 hours. When I woke up, I called C to see if they were still up for dinner. They planned to pick me up at 6:45 and head to dinner. I also had an email from the clinic with my blood work results. She said everything looked good. My Estrogen was at 994 and Progesterone was 9.8.
We went to a little restaurant pretty close to the hotel and the food was great. I had a pecan crusted baked chicken with a risotto and sauteed spinach. I grabbed a piece of key lime pie to eat later because I was stuffed and there was no way I could eat another bite while we were there. Dinner was great and I had such a wonderful time visiting with both of them. The conversation comes so easily with them and it makes the whole journey that much better. I'm so glad that we got to spend some more time together during this visit. Stay tuned.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The day is almost here.
Oh wow, I'm so tired. It's been a very busy and long day. I wish I had taken the day off, but it all worked out just fine. Worked today (luckily I left on time at 4:30pm) and then headed straight to the airport. My flight was scheduled for 7pm, so I was there in plenty of time. When I arrived, I noticed there was a 6:30pm flight as well, so went to the desk to see about getting on stand-by for that flight. I parked my butt in a chair and waited for them to start boarding. After a little while, I was glad that I had gotten on the standby list, as the 6:30pm was showing delayed to 6:40 and the 7pm flight I had a seat on was delayed to 7:10pm. They had called 3 other stand-by names prior to mine, so I really wondered if I was going to make it. Finally, they called my name and I got in line to board.
Then came the fun part. I was walking down the ramp to board and I see people checking their bags. I knew why when I saw them doing it. The flight was completely booked and all the overhead storage was already full. Ugh!! All I kept thinking was, "I can't check my bag", "shit, I'm not checking this". I get up to the flight attendant and he asked me my final destination. I told him Houston, but that I couldn't check my bag. I explained that, "I have a lot of medication in my bag" and that I couldn't check it. Not only that, I had my camera in there too and I really didn't want to hassle with taking all that out and then checking it. I asked if I could go back and keep my seat on the 7pm flight I was on originally and he explained that I would have to go up and check with the desk. I head on back up the ramp and go up to the desk. The desk agent said that he had just closed the flight, but he was going to see what he could do. As he tells me that I need to go to the gate agent and let her know to remove me from the flight, she is coming up the ramp and tells me to come back down. They found some space for my bag. Yea!!! I was so thankful.
When I arrived in Houston, C & W were there to pick me up. The actual pick up area at Hobby can be crazy, so they told me to just go out through ticketing and they would pick me up there. I think that ended up being so much faster too. We had planned on going to dinner before having them take me to the hotel, so that's where we headed. We went to a wonderful Italian place with great ambiance. It was pretty packed too and the food was great! There seemed to be several celebrations and one of the coolest things was how they celebrated birthdays. With cotton candy! It was so neat. They brought out a glass container that looked like a vase full of cotton candy and a sparkler in the middle. I wish I would have taken a picture. C said that we should tell them it's our birthday just so we could get one because we both love cotton candy. I had a great time visiting with them. After dinner, they took me to the hotel and I got all settled. Before going to bed, I did take some time to paint my nails. Green for luck and to match my shirt.
Then came the fun part. I was walking down the ramp to board and I see people checking their bags. I knew why when I saw them doing it. The flight was completely booked and all the overhead storage was already full. Ugh!! All I kept thinking was, "I can't check my bag", "shit, I'm not checking this". I get up to the flight attendant and he asked me my final destination. I told him Houston, but that I couldn't check my bag. I explained that, "I have a lot of medication in my bag" and that I couldn't check it. Not only that, I had my camera in there too and I really didn't want to hassle with taking all that out and then checking it. I asked if I could go back and keep my seat on the 7pm flight I was on originally and he explained that I would have to go up and check with the desk. I head on back up the ramp and go up to the desk. The desk agent said that he had just closed the flight, but he was going to see what he could do. As he tells me that I need to go to the gate agent and let her know to remove me from the flight, she is coming up the ramp and tells me to come back down. They found some space for my bag. Yea!!! I was so thankful.
When I arrived in Houston, C & W were there to pick me up. The actual pick up area at Hobby can be crazy, so they told me to just go out through ticketing and they would pick me up there. I think that ended up being so much faster too. We had planned on going to dinner before having them take me to the hotel, so that's where we headed. We went to a wonderful Italian place with great ambiance. It was pretty packed too and the food was great! There seemed to be several celebrations and one of the coolest things was how they celebrated birthdays. With cotton candy! It was so neat. They brought out a glass container that looked like a vase full of cotton candy and a sparkler in the middle. I wish I would have taken a picture. C said that we should tell them it's our birthday just so we could get one because we both love cotton candy. I had a great time visiting with them. After dinner, they took me to the hotel and I got all settled. Before going to bed, I did take some time to paint my nails. Green for luck and to match my shirt.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Whirlwind Trip
Wow, what a day. I have had the busiest couple of days off in a long time. I'm glad I kept Thursday off too, because it was just as busy as Friday. I had to run tons of errands, then we had family pics with my favorite photog for Spring. Plus, I wanted to get a family picture before I'm pregnant again. After pictures, I had a band booster meeting at oldest DS's school. I finally got home and got to get ready for my trip to Houston today. It was definitely a whirlwind trip. My flight out was at 9am for an ultrasound appointment at 11:45am. Unfortunately C & W had to work in the AM, but C was going to meet me at the clinic at around 11:30am for the appointment. I'm so glad that she wants to be so involved. I do want them to be as involved in the entire process as they are comfortable with.
The surrogacy community is so large and I have been so blessed to have met several surro-sisters in different cities. I know of 2 in Houston that I have met before and I was so lucky that Denise volunteered to pick me up at the airport and get me to the clinic. It was a nice drive and we had some time to catch up. I got to the medical center and hung out in the lobby for a little while since I was pretty early. About 11:25, I went ahead and headed up to the clinic and checked in. Right after I checked in, C walked in. We didn't have to wait very long before they called me back. I went back for blood work first (as always) and then we headed to the room for the ultrasound. We sat and chatted while we waited for the nurse to come in to complete the procedure. It's funny that when the nurse came in, she had mentioned again that they want it to be over a 7. Really?! Is it 7 or 8?! Oh well, either way, I was already there. She took all the measurements and said that it was a 7.9. I was just hoping that would be sufficient for them to move forward and not have to push the transfer again. After the appointment, we had them page our NC so that we could confirm that the US results were acceptable and that they weren't going to need me to come back again the next day since I was scheduled to fly out that afternoon at 4:30pm. The NC came out and said that everything looked good and we would still transfer next Friday. Yea!!! Such great news.
We left the clinic and then headed out to meet W for lunch. The weather was great, so we ate outside at Cafe Express. I really enjoy talking to them and getting to know them even more each time we get together. They have been through so much and both have such a wonderful and hopeful outlook on everything. The conversation always seems so easy with them and I love that. I was a little self conscious at first because I was afraid that maybe C and I would talk more and that W wouldn't feel included, but the conversation seemed to flow well between all 3 of us. After we finished lunch, W headed out to play golf and C took me to the airport. I gave C her gift and I'm so glad she liked it. It was an Origami Owl locket that I selected each element for. She put it on right there. Made me so happy.
We headed to the airport and I was quite early, so when I checked in, it gave me the option to change my flight. I was able to get a flight out an hour earlier. Yea for not sitting at the airport forever.
The surrogacy community is so large and I have been so blessed to have met several surro-sisters in different cities. I know of 2 in Houston that I have met before and I was so lucky that Denise volunteered to pick me up at the airport and get me to the clinic. It was a nice drive and we had some time to catch up. I got to the medical center and hung out in the lobby for a little while since I was pretty early. About 11:25, I went ahead and headed up to the clinic and checked in. Right after I checked in, C walked in. We didn't have to wait very long before they called me back. I went back for blood work first (as always) and then we headed to the room for the ultrasound. We sat and chatted while we waited for the nurse to come in to complete the procedure. It's funny that when the nurse came in, she had mentioned again that they want it to be over a 7. Really?! Is it 7 or 8?! Oh well, either way, I was already there. She took all the measurements and said that it was a 7.9. I was just hoping that would be sufficient for them to move forward and not have to push the transfer again. After the appointment, we had them page our NC so that we could confirm that the US results were acceptable and that they weren't going to need me to come back again the next day since I was scheduled to fly out that afternoon at 4:30pm. The NC came out and said that everything looked good and we would still transfer next Friday. Yea!!! Such great news.
We left the clinic and then headed out to meet W for lunch. The weather was great, so we ate outside at Cafe Express. I really enjoy talking to them and getting to know them even more each time we get together. They have been through so much and both have such a wonderful and hopeful outlook on everything. The conversation always seems so easy with them and I love that. I was a little self conscious at first because I was afraid that maybe C and I would talk more and that W wouldn't feel included, but the conversation seemed to flow well between all 3 of us. After we finished lunch, W headed out to play golf and C took me to the airport. I gave C her gift and I'm so glad she liked it. It was an Origami Owl locket that I selected each element for. She put it on right there. Made me so happy.
 |
| Good luck charm for transfer. The pink charm says "hope" for a cure, the ring is for C & W's marriage, a "faith" charm, the yellow stone for fertility and the green stone for luck. |
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Ultrasound Update
Today was the ultrasound at the local clinic and it seemed to go well. I stopped by the clinic on my way in (at 7:30am) to have my blood drawn and then went back at 1:15pm for my ultrasound. I have had a couple of surro-sisters that have used this clinic and I've always heard good things. The RE was so nice and she took several measurements. A couple of the measurements were over 8 and the remainder were all over 7 with triple stripe. She said everything looked great and she would send the results to the clinic in Houston.
I headed back to work to wait for a call from the clinic. I got a call late in the afternoon and it wasn't what I wanted or hoped to hear. She told me that it did look a lot better, but that it was still not to an 8. I asked if they were looking for it to be a 7 or an 8. She said that over 7 is good, but 8 is "ideal". She said that since it wasn't an 8 yet, that they want me to have another ultrasound on Friday in Houston so that we can ensure there aren't any discrepancies with the measurements. She also said to go ahead and add a single vaginal Estrace in the evening. This will help build the lining more as well.
Well, I guess it's good that I kept my days off and we're closed on Friday. Still just a little frustrated since this means more money that C&W will have to pay and another trip to Houston for me. At least I will get to see C & W again and we are getting closer to where we need to be. One step closer to transfer.
I headed back to work to wait for a call from the clinic. I got a call late in the afternoon and it wasn't what I wanted or hoped to hear. She told me that it did look a lot better, but that it was still not to an 8. I asked if they were looking for it to be a 7 or an 8. She said that over 7 is good, but 8 is "ideal". She said that since it wasn't an 8 yet, that they want me to have another ultrasound on Friday in Houston so that we can ensure there aren't any discrepancies with the measurements. She also said to go ahead and add a single vaginal Estrace in the evening. This will help build the lining more as well.
Well, I guess it's good that I kept my days off and we're closed on Friday. Still just a little frustrated since this means more money that C&W will have to pay and another trip to Houston for me. At least I will get to see C & W again and we are getting closer to where we need to be. One step closer to transfer.
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