Movers and Shakers

That's what my clinic should be re-named: they are on top of it.

It being this next IVF cycle and all the bits and pieces that go along with getting started. I'm not the least bit disappointed, just feeling a bit...overwhelmed? But in a good way-it's just all happening a bit fast-and it's revving up that four letter word: hope.

So without a doubt, cycle day 1 ended up being on Monday. She came in with a force too! My theory is that the spotting may have been due to the not-trying-to-make-a-baby-sex we enjoyed this past month--ooo I know, you are probably blushing: but hey--those are the facts, Jack :0)

We are back from the land of relaxation--and can you hear my sigh of restfulness from here? It was lovely-and great timing too since I was able to get in for day three blood work this morning!

I got my results back before lunch from the Movers and Shakers and here are the results:

FSH: 5.4
LH: 2.15
Prolactin: 6.3
TSH: 0.57

I am well aware that these are good (if not great) results. I have to be honest and say my heart started racing a bit faster when she told me the FSH--because less than a year ago it was 4.9
I immediately asked her if this was bad-to which she said, "Time is the enemy here" So again reinforcing in my mind that while I am grateful for the results I got, I know we need to get on the wagon and get moving.

My LH last year was 3.3, my Prolactin was 13.3 (quite a change here). I don't have my TSH results from last year in front of me--Ill have to look tonight.

Tomorrow Mook goes in for his big round of testing: a repeat semen analysis, the infectious disease panel, repeat hormone tests, karyotyping and I have some other questions for him to ask. I have a little cheat sheet all ready to go-I know he's going to love saying "My wife told me I had to ask all this crap..." So please keep Mook in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow--I know he's a bit anxious.

Even though we have known for quite some time that we are dealing with male factor, I know that it will still be hard for him to get these results back. We will have to wait about two weeks for the karyotype results to come back-and hopefully we will get the other results back in a few days.

In the meantime, I start birth control tonight (always the strangest part for me) and I already know what medicine I will be on--I don't have the protocol yet, but the Movers and Shakers have already analyzed my test results and they are putting a game plan together while we wait for Mook's results.

I will be on slightly different medicine this time: no sniffing the Synarel. I'm happy because this means no taste of hairspray in my mouth and nose for weeks. But that also means I will start shots earlier since I will be on Lupron this time--which I have never used before. Other meds I will be on: Menopur and Bravelle (same as last time) and Ovidrel, which is a new one for me.

And this whole loot of activities will all come down to Mook's test results: we will have some big decisions to make if the karyotyping gives us certain results--or any of the other tests. So I'll stay on BC pills until then, and if all goes according to plan I will start stimming on May 31st.

So here's the part where I look at you all with big puppy dog eyes. I get a bit miffed when someone says they could use help, but don't ask for it-so I'm going to ask for it. All you can do is tell me no, right? Our insurance continues to laugh in our face when we ask for assistance...

Last year the lovely Sarah and Jamie so willingly gave me some left-over meds, and I am forever grateful to them. If anyone has any leftovers that won't expire before the end of June, would you be willing to share? I promise to compensate you in whatever way I can--I'll come clean for you, cook for you (that's not the best choice), give you a back rub, etc.

I'm going to finish up the cheat sheet for Mook, and just continue to hope that we can move forward!


P.S. Old and New Bunchers: Im working on e-mail for you--I've not forgotten you!