I had my first monitoring appointment yesterday morning. Before showing up for my early-bird appointment, I had to get my hair-did (thanks LeeAnn!) so that I'd be stylin' for my hottie RE. Actually, I was just in desperate need of a trim...so now my hair is healthy!
My date with the stirrups and probe showed a new lining forming and some follies cookin'. Like last time, my left ovary is the superstar while my right is lagging behind. The technician was able to measure 6-7 on the left, and only 2 on the right. I asked, "Are you sure there aren't any more?" She said there are some smaller ones she is pretty sure will catch up, but I left the u/s room a little bummed--just wasn't feeling the warm fuzzies. But I guess those fuzzies have been lacking overall this time. I had to wait awhile to give my blood sample-poor girl before me passed out! Thank goodness, I did not.
Before I drove away from the clinic, I said a quick prayer asking for good results and a sense of peace--and no cheek chewing! As I looked up to drive away, this was happening right in front of my car:
I think I'll take this as a good sign that it will be healthy for me document those "Kodak Moments" What a neat picture for me to have as a reminder that you see signs of life everywhere...So yesterday afternoon (I didn't chew all day!) I got the phone call with the news that my estradiol levels are "very healthy" at 452, after 4 days of stims. Maybe there are some other follies hiding somewhere? I am to stay on 2 vials of Bravelle and 2 vials of Menopur for the time being-I go back tomorrow for the 2nd monitoring appointment. I am definitely starting to "feel" my ovaries!
Along with my physical health, I want to remain in good mental health through this process-I have mentioned before that I have this thing called control issues...not good to have when dealing with infertility. I am focusing on doing what I can to keep those peaceful thoughts flowing, and cheek chewing to a minimum.
Playing a big part in maintaining my mental health, are the wonderful connections I have made in this community. So in keeping with my new Kodak frame of mind (ha! I just re-read this and caught the "frame" pun...ok, sorry for the distraction), let me share something that is keeping me at peace:
I received this beautiful charm (horseshoe with a four leaf clover) from Mel for my birthday, and it has been hanging around my neck ever since. This definitely gives me warm fuzzies, and I am so grateful for the hope and support that came bursting out when I opened the box. :thank you:So let the record show that on Thursday, June 5th: JJ feels healthy and dare I say....hopeful.
Many thanks to each and every one of you for holding my hand through this...
Great news on the blood test results, and your follies too! I hope your right catches up to your left quickly!
ReplyDeleteThat picture is worth a thousand words, most defitinitely. Perfect timing. The world does occasionally hear us, and present us with signs that the hope that has been carrying us through has been worth every moment.
This is a post full of good stuff! Hooray! I am glad things are going so well. My fingers have been crossed for you this whole time.
ReplyDeleteJJ - I just got chills.
ReplyDeleteSee, back when we did our cycle, the third beta did not double. I was in agony over whether to do a fourth beta or not. My RE left the choice up to me. I decided that a fourth beta wouldn't really tell us anything and that we would have to wait for the six week u/s.
One morning, the waiting got to be so hard, that I asked for a sign that all was well with the pregnancy. And as I drove out of my neighborhood just a few minutes later, a family of ducks - with babies, in JANUARY - waddled out in front of my car. I took that as a sign.
I think it's a fabulous sign for you as well.
Sounds like things are cooking as they should - rooting for you this cycle!
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear you're feeling healthy and hopeful!
ReplyDeletewow those duckies! Too cute.
ReplyDeleteHopefully is a good feeling. It's so hard, the control issues thingy, I suffer from that too. Apparently it's because we are succesful women, we have issues that we are not all around successful in everything we touch, or some stuff like that.
Regardless, I do meditation and yoga, because it gives me the illusion of having control ( yes it's the meditation that makes the follies grow, not all those drugs!).
take care
Glad to see things are going well! Keeping my hopes up for you!
ReplyDeleteOh JJ, I'm crossing every single thing I can think of that this goes well.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful charm and what a great picture! Yes, I definitely think you need to keep documenting!
ReplyDeleteYay on the good estradiol number!
JJ, this all sounds really great to me! Keep up this hopeful thinking!!
ReplyDeleteThank you sharing. I need to invest in my mental health a little more. If is so hard staying positive.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of the whole brood crossing the street. It is great. Glad everything is getting HEALTHY. It is nice when all things come together.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful necklace! I love it!
ReplyDeleteAwesome for the Estradiol levels!:) I'm cheerin' on those follies to grow, grow, grow. After all, I thought I'd only have 1 possible, and then overnight my ovaries exploded with all kinds. I hope this happens with you!!
I love the duck picture. I have my own story about birds in general and when they're around that means things are gonna be okay and I find peace. So, I see that pic as a good sign. There's more to the story, but that's the most important part.
Good for being healthy (and hopeful) today.
Yay for good news! Don't worry about the number of follies - I only had four and you know how that went! Sending all good thoughts, and hoping my good luck came along w/ the drugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad everything is health and you are feeling hopeful. What a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteThis cycle seems to be coming along just swimmingly. I'm so glad for you, my friend...
ReplyDeleteI tagged you for a 6 word memoir. Head to my blog for the instructions. I look forward to this A BUNCH.
It all sounds great. I love the pic of the geese crossing the road.
ReplyDeleteKeeping those follies growing! I know how emotionally tough the stim phase is - it's so easy to second guess and double think everything that's going on. I'm glad you're keeping calm as best you can.
ReplyDeleteEverything sounds wonderful. And I'm rooting for several more follies to catch up! Wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteThe truckers are going to LOVE that necklace ;-).
ReplyDeleteHere's to mama ducks everywhere. Those with ducklings and those with ducklings-to-be.
that's quacking good news. LOL. Fingers crossed for this cycle
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like good things are going on with you :-) I like the idea of "Kodak moments"... I'm going to keep that in mind for the next couple of weeks.
ReplyDelete(Here via NCLM)
Sounds like things are going well! I think the baby duckies are a good omen. :)
ReplyDeleteI am glad that everything is coming back so healthy! I am crossing my fingers for you!
ReplyDeleteI love your necklace. A little good luck never hurt anyone. ;) My sister made me a beautiful fertiliyt bracelet that I promptly broke and lost. Symbolism anyone? I have been going nuts the past few days trying to find it so she can restring it for me!
I got your mail today. Thanks so much for the card. It really brightened my day.
How weird is it that I typed the words "warm fuzzy" into my blog and then came to see yours and you had it too. I haven't used those words in years!!
That ducky image is brilliant! I would def take it as a sign if I were you!
ReplyDeleteAnd good news on the blood test too!
I'm keeping things crossed for you! xoxo
I thonk the picture of mama and papa Canada Goose with their 3 goslings is the perfect sign! Maybe, just maybe you're going to have triplets!
ReplyDeleteYay hopeful. Yay ducks and baby ducks in the middle of the road. Yay, yay for no cheek chewing. You are doing great...staying positive, upbeat and hopeful. Yay again!
ReplyDeleteI'll take that as a good sign! Exactly a year ago I was beginning the cycle that worked for me and I just have very, very good vibes about this cycle for you!
ReplyDeleteGlad the blood work looked good. Hopefully rightie just got off to a slow start or something.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah for good mental health and no cheek chewing ;)
Good to hear the stims are going smoothly. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteJ
glad you are feeling so great and things are looking great for you!
ReplyDeleteand what a great picture...
I think that they are all good signs! We have lots of duck families at the Johnson Space Center and they are so cute!!
ReplyDeleteThat is great news!! I love your necklace--Mel is such a good egg as are you!! That picture is adorable. I can hear the parents now, "Kids stay in line. We're almost across the street." It reminds of the statue of Make Way for Ducklings in Boston.
ReplyDeleteMy left ovary is also the superstar in the group. Always making more than the right. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the duck picture, so cute! I've never come across that before, only seen it online.
Good luck with everything!
(here from NCLM)
love the ducks and the clover. all good signs! wishing you all the best, jj!
ReplyDeleteGreat news! I'm so happy that things are going well and the necklace is very pretty :-) I would definitely take peace in seeing things like the cute momma ducks and baby ducks. You just never know where those little ducks, or follicles are hiding :-)
ReplyDeletePlease know that I am definitely holding your hand through this journey! And, I'm absolutely giddy that you are hopeful!
ReplyDeleteI am sending good vibes and positive thoughts and prayers to your ovaries!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, healthy news. :) ha ha.
ReplyDeleteWe had that happen to us the other day. On a busy road. At rush hour. I laughed, but there were two groups, each crossing from a different end, each blocking several lanes of traffic. :)
I'll keep you in my prayers!
I've been reading the last 3 posts wondering where you are at in your cycle and I'm so happy to read my answer! I'm so glad you are getting good results! On top of that and the family and your beautiful necklace (that Mel is just the best!) it sounds like things are coming your way! You know I'm rooting for you and all those future kids of yours! Love you JJ!
ReplyDeleteIt's all sounding good my dear!
ReplyDeleteKeep on growing - like those little duckies.
I've everything crossed for you xx