Round 3

Acupunture

I stopped this. While certainly relaxing it didn't seem to make a bit of difference in my failed Round 2. The study I read where this was proven to help was based on treatment immediately pre and post transfer. Which if I get to that step, I will do.

Medicine

Days one through four:

225 900 Follistim each night

1 Menopur each night

4 Clomid pills each night (two at dinner, two at bed)

Day five onward:

225 900 Follistim each morning and night

1 Menopur each morning and night

No Clomid

Add Ganorelix
HCG Trigger (last stim dose is no Follistim, 4 Menopur)

Clomid causes the lining to thin. This isn't a concern in my case because we know we are not doing a fresh transfer (transer of unfrozen embryos shortly after retrieval).

The Great Ganorelix Incident of 2016

Morning shots before work. I have mixed the Follistim and Menopur and am preparing the Garorelix. How does this even happen-it falls out of my hand. Drops a few inches to the counter top and bounces on the paper towel I have laid out. What I *should have done* is open and use my last Ganorelix and just get a new one that night from the pharmacy for the next morning. But of course good ideas have a way of hiding amid a crisis. So I inspect the needle tip, decide it looks the same, wipe it with an alcohol swab, and have Chris inject me. I never look as he gives me shots. I prepare the area, point to where I want it, then look away. So I know it isn't good when I hear, "Oh God oh God oh God." I look down and I have this tiny fluidy welt. The needle didn't go all the way in and while he did inject all the medicine this is definitley not right. I immediately call the clinic, which I know doesn't open until 7am. I leave a calm message, pack up my additional Ganorelix, and head to the train. Chris and I ride to work in silence. I am so angry it is hard to hold in the tears. Like, hormonal/not like me angry. I am angry at myself for dropping the needle. I am angry at Chris for not pushing the needle in all the way. Ultimately I am angry that we may have just effed this entire cycle because everything is about timing. It turns out all is fine. The medicine went in, it dissolved. No harm done.

Trigger

Today's follow-up Nurse Rachel draws us a happy face target (: We trigger tonight, Sunday. It is the first time Chris is with me to receive the Pre-Retrieval Instructions and feel that emotional jolt-that high where you are like ok here it is, this is what we've been working for! Let's do this! (high five, chest bump)

Plus, I don't have to give myself my last round of shots!

Last Follow-Up Appointment Stats
Lining: 8.5
Right: 8, 18, 10
Left: 12, 15, 16, 18

Retrieval
Dr. retrieves 4 eggs.

Day 1 Update

Of the 4 eggs retrieved, 3 were successfully ICSI. Of the 3, one fertilized normally. They will keep their eye on the other two.

Day 3 Update

Embryologist tells us we have one "really nice" Grade A, 8-cell embryo.

Day 5 Update

Today is Mother's Day and what a gift: Our embryo made it! He/She has been biopsied and frozen. One in the bank!

Let's move to round 4!

Waiting for my period.