I slacked big time in keeping up to date on this last cycle we went through. It was a combination of being completely exhausted pretty much the whole time (which only seems to be getting worse), having a lot of other stuff going on, and kind of emotionally enjoying flying under the radar with this one. Still, I need to make sure it gets documented.
We started our second IVF cycle on July 15. Things went along pretty much the same as last time, with nearly the same doses of medications. The only difference was we had a different doctor involved with Dr. S this time. Dr. Blauer was the one who was scheduled in the Sandy clinic for our weekend monitoring appointments, and also did both our retrieval and transfer. Dr. S really wanted to be the one to do them, but I didn't end up falling on his days, so it ended up being Dr. B. I liked him pretty well, but Austin says he likes Dr. Hatasaka the best. There is only one more doctor at the clinic that we haven't met yet. Needless to say, I'm getting more comfortable with everyone and their assistants in the room while my legs are up in the air.
Anyway, this time, we used the same protocol and nearly the same dosages, but only retrieved 3 eggs. (Recall, our numbers from last time were 10 eggs, 9 mature, 6 fertilized, and 2 "excellents" implanted...none to freeze). I was kind of thinking I wouldn't be surprised if we got nothing to implant, because something just kind of seemed off about this cycle. I tried not to voice my negative opinions, but I told Austin I didn't feel like this was the one. However, the next day they called to tell us that all 3 of the eggs they retrieved were mature and fertilized normally. That was somewhat encouraging. They planned a 3-day transfer, which fell on Monday the 29th. When we got down there, they told us the grading of the embryos was one 12-cell good+, one 9-cell fair+, and an 8-cell fair to fair+. Dr. B let us decide how many of the 3 we wanted to implant. He said he wouldn't recommend implanting all 3, but that since the last time didn't work, he wouldn't think it would be TOO high risk. In the end, we decided we would give all 3 a chance. I didn't want to go through a frozen cycle for one embryo that might not even make it to unfreeze, so I just said, let's go for it!
The 2-week wait has been exhausting. I have been so tired the whole time, but other than that, I didn't get any of the pregnancy symptoms I did last time. Last time, I was starving ALL the time, and sick to my stomach anytime I wasn't eating. This time I don't feel the same way. Then, on Wednesday, I started bleeding quite a bit, but it only lasted for about 10 minutes. I thought, well that's that, its over...on to round 3. The sporadic bleeding is probably related to the progesterone. I told Austin and he was upset, but he already knew I didn't think this one would work, so he kind of let it go.
Then, when I told him I never started bleeding again, he started getting his hopes up. I didn't want him to get crushed when we went to get the blood work on Monday, so I went to the store and got one of those dollar pregnancy tests just to prove to him that there was nothing to be hopeful about. I peed on the thing and handed it to him and said see! Not pregnant. But he was like, it looks like a plus to me! So I looked at it again, and sure enough, I could see a plus sign too. I told him we were probably imagining it though, so we went back to the store and bought the digital kind. They are way more definite. Pregnant or not pregnant. None of this "do I see a line or not???" Anyway, I brought it home and peed on that one. Sure enough, it said pregnant too.
Well, I guess my plan to prove Austin wrong backfired. Oh well! I'll take it. Now, we're anxiously awaiting Monday to get the blood test and see if it is really going to stick this time or if we're going to have a repeat of last time. I am trying not to get my hopes up, but its hard to wait until its "safe" to get excited.
I am so grateful for all of the people who are fasting and praying for us. I know there are a LOT! I really realize how many people care about me now. I have tons of family rooting for us, of course, but I also have neighbors, ward friends, and other friends who have all told us about family fasts and praying they have been doing for us. Its kind of overwhelming. I am sure that helps more than anything I do alone. My emotions and faith are on a roller coaster right now, so its nice to have a strong backup of people who remind me to have faith in the Lord's plan.
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