Into the Unknown

Ok guys, bear with me, this will be a little long. A lot has happened since my last post.

We were able talk to the doctor who did our genetic testing on our 2 embryos. Their lab is located in Miami, Florida. It took quite a while for us to get an appointment due to the holiday. When she called on our scheduled appointment time, I totally faded her call because I thought it was spam! I thought, who would be calling me from Miami? Then it hit me! It was already 7:00pm but luckily when I called back, she answered. Basically, she said the same thing our doctor told us, it’s common and it was just bad luck. The chances of our embryos having the same results are very rare. Not saying other deficiencies cannot occur, but those exact same results will not happen again. She was very sweet. She stopped the conversation and asked “how are you doing”. It was just the way she said, it was so genuine. She also wished me a happy birthday so 10/10 for Igenomix! Given our first cycle results, we will be doing the genetic testing again for round 2.

I started my second round of injections on Friday, 1/8 but before that happened, there was a potential bump in the road (literally). When I went in for my baseline scan on 1/7, they did an ultrasound and my lining was a little light. My doctor thought I could possibly have a cyst. But she wouldn’t know until my blood work came back the next day. If a cyst was present, I would have to stop the process for up to 2 months until my body was back to normal. When I tell you this process is so mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting – I am not exaggerating one bit! I waited until I got the message the next day; blood work came back good, go ahead and start your injections on Friday! Phew, crisis diverted! Side note: every time I get a message alert from my doctor, a little piece of my heart just drops. I literally have to mentally prepare myself to open these messages. I usually do a countdown in my head before I open.

The usual suspects were there for the start of the party. This magical cocktail consists of:

• Follistim – Dialed to 150 (first round was a 225 dial)
• Menopur – 1 diluent + 2 powders (first round was 1 diluent + 1 powder). If you’ll recall, this one was my least favorite shot but now I have a new one!
• Vitamins/Pills: Prenatal, baby aspirin, and Dexamethasone (helps maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy to allow the embryo to attach and grow – miscarriage prevention). Added to help with egg quality: Vitamin D3, COQ10, Tru Nigen, Pterostilbene

I went for my mid-cycle scan on 1/14. I am progressing nicely and my doctor said it looks like I am responding better this time. But shortly after, she said she suspects I may have Endometriosis. I am not sure if this was a lingering problem prior to IVF or if the medicine caused this. From what I have read, IVF can cause it to flare but not sure if it’s something that is solely developed by the process. Endometriosis has never been brought up until this appointment. It can affect the layer of tissue lining my uterus where the egg implants itself. At my next appointment, I plan to ask my doctor to give me a little more detail so TBD. She didn’t seem too considered so at this time, I will not let it destroy me. I think If I do have it, it’s minimal to mild. I have had a regular cycle my whole life, periods have never hurt beyond what is normal and sex never was uncomfortable. This is just my professional, medical opinion 🙂 If I do have, it would explain a lot.

Old friend

• Ganirelix – 5 doses / 1 dose/injection each day started on 1/14. This medicine helps prevent premature ovulation. This one is super easy, it already comes premixed. All I have to do is inject. No mixing, no measuring. Easy peasy. Before I started this one, I had to wait to hear from my doctor’s office to make sure my blood work was good.
• Story: My sister and I planned to take my 2 nieces to get their haircuts then go to dinner afterwards. I had to wait to take this shot until I heard from doctor to do so. I thought since the shot does not have to be refrigerated that I would just pack it up in my purse and when I got the go ahead, I would just take it wherever I was. Well, my doctor messaged me right before I left. It was like clockwork, I got everything ready and injected. Injecting a shot in my stomach so quickly and effortlessly then carrying on with my day. No big deal. After I was done and got in the car, I paused. This is my new normal.

New to the party:

• After my appointment yesterday, I got the word to start Omnitrope. This injection helps to mature follicles and helps stimulate the ovulation process. I do also believe this may help with my egg quality. This has taken the lead as my least favorite shot! I have to mix this one before I inject. I hate doing that! I never know if I am doing it right which then puts me into going down the rabbit hole of, “it won’t work”! Anxiety to the max!
• I will also eventually take my trigger shot, Lupron. After I am instructed to take this shot, 36 hours exactly will be my retrieval surgery. I am on track to have that done next week (do not have an exact date quite yet).

In total, I will have 11 days + 1 trigger day of injections + 7 pills daily. I am on day 8 now.

To be completely honest with you, this time is different. I am more mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. I am a little jaded and cautious. I was so sure last time that I didn’t even think that I would be at this point right now. But here we are. I am still hopeful but also trying to mentally prepare myself for whatever the outcome may be. On the positive, we are unbelievably fortunate to be the recipient of Samantha’s Gift of Hope grant which financially takes care of the IVF process under the guaranteed program. It is one less strain on us. IVF is hard, sure, the needles, bloating (body changes), your hormones all over the place, the doctor appointments. But that doesn’t even come close to the waiting, the unknown.