Jumbo Blue Crabs and no Trigger in sight

Well I thought I was going to get to trigger tonight...but I was wrong. Here are my follicle counts for the last several days.

9/25
E 7b
R 6 9 9 8 7
L 6 8 7 8 6

9/27
E 8A
R 9 8 6 6 9 7 8 5 7
L 6 5 5 8 8 8 5 6 9 6

9/29
E. 9A
R. 9 12 15 8 10 12 9
L. 10 13 11 9

9/30
E. 10b
R. 7 10 10 10 11 17 14
L. 7 14 9 11 8 7

I am a little bit worried because they didn't seem to really grow and in fact some of them looked smaller than yesterday, but the doctor said it was variations in person measuring. HOPEFULLY, I will get to trigger tomorrow night, but it is possible it will be Tuesday night. So, I am a bit frustrated and a bit uncomfortable. My stomach is much more bloated and my ovaries are starting to make themselves known. So, we went to eat some crabs...gotta boost that protein!

This was the first time we ever had jumbo crabs and they were incredible...huge and full of meat. It was a great distraction. Then, we went out and got shakes from Baskin Robbins. I am getting pretty bored just hanging out not exercising. BORED!

My mom is doing a bit better...eating and a bit less pain. She has walked a bit so things, if my dad is telling me the truth, are getting better.

I go for yet another ultrasound tomorrow. Another 5am start to the day....I am so over that!

Later....

Best Park Job Ever!

Come on...this has to be the funniest parking job ever. Taken at our local Giant store....no one in the car...they just left it like this! I laughed my ass off. Perfect for a blog.

Feeling pretty decent. Allergies seem a little worse today. But, I can deal. My next ultrasound is tomorrow morning. My E2 was 400 on day 6 which I think is fine. Not much going on. Mom is in a lot of pain but got up today.

Later.....

My mom made it through surgery!

Today is a very exciting day. My mom successfully made it through surgery. She is going to be in a lot of pain, but it sounds like it was a success and she may get up and start moving tomorrow.

My ultrasound went well. Had Dr. Larsen...really like him..he has a great bedside manner. I have about 10 follicles all between 6-9 so it is looking good. I should trigger Sunday or Monday night with ER on Tues or Wed. Well took a benadryl so I am going to sleep.

Later...

Hoping for a good outcome

My mom is going into surgery tomorrow morning. I am very nervous because this is going to be very difficult for her. She was unfortunately diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis in May and it has been a real struggle for her. She had her knees operated on 5 times in the last year and needs another knee surgery tomorrow because her right knee is dislocated again. I hope with everything I have that she comes out of this ok. I am very concerned but optimistic. If this works she will be able to actually make a full recovery, unlike all these other times when she couldn't trust her knee to support her. So...


I am just going to make this blog about my mom. Mom, I love you. I'm thinking about you, and I pray that you will pull through this operation without any further damage to your liver. Please make it through.....I love you. Jen

CD4 I'm a boring blogger

Well, CD4 has come and gone. Nothing to crazy happened today. The docs did not seem to concerned about the breathing issues. I am beginning to feel like it might be bad allergies because of the new bedroom furniture that smells musty.

I had bloodwork today, but no ultrasound. I didn't receive a call to change my meds so I guess I continue on the same track till Tuesday. Tuesday, I should find out how many follicles I have. I also found out that I want ER on the weekdays cause then I would get IV painkillers afterwards...otherwise just pills and it hurts alot more. Took some benadryl tonight hoping that it would help me breathe.

My stomach is starting to bloat and I have felt some twinges in my stomach but overall still no really crappy symptoms. Pretty bored...I haven't been doing much since this all started. I feel pretty lazy. Anyway, I'll write more tomorrow.

Later...

CD3 Stims make me feel weird

Well, it is day 3 of stims. I still have AF:( and I have an ultrasound tomorrow morning so that should be gross.

I have been having a weird reaction to the stims I think. I feel a bit like my throat is getting tight. Today, I am doing an experiment to see if it is the meds or the new furniture downstairs making me have trouble breathing.

My mom is having another knee surgery on Tuesday. It better go well. I am trying my hardest not to get stressed but it is not easy.

I don't really want to tell the nurse about my weird reaction cause I am afraid they will cancel me. Hopefully, it isn't the stims and it is the furniture.

Stims=Ouch!

This is supposed to be my blog from last night because I was too lazy to blog last night. I started stims today...Bravelle and Menopur and it stings..all the way in. Yuck! Even sticking the needle in hurts cause the medicine gets on the tip so it burns when in the skin.

Pretty uneventful day. Taught just two lessons and did my shots. Did some work for the job.

Side effects? Felt like my upper chest and throat were tight and had trouble with breathing a bit...also embouchure felt pretty messed up, felt like I was having an allergic reaction.

Mom is having extreme difficulty with insurance not wanting to pay the rehab center bills. Not this again. I wish it weren't happening cause it just stresses me out. Seems to have resolved this morning.

So CD2 has begun...gained almost 2 lbs today already but still feel fine.

Later....

First day of IVF Injections

Today was my first day of shots. It didn't go as well as I had hoped. I was quite a big chicken and the first time I tried to put the needle in I freaked and it bounced off my skin. I couldn't jab it in for the life of me. I ended up pushing it in and it didn't feel all that good.

I learned that I need to pull out more than 20ml's so that I can get rid of the air pocket. So my first day of "Loopy Lupron" wasn't that great. Tomorrow, I start stims so hopefully I will do better tomorrow.

My mom is back in the hospital. Her knee is all messed up again. Tonight, she was in quite a bit of pain and didn't want to talk. Hopefully, it will get better for her.

Well, on to tomorrow!

Later....

Day of Rest

Well not really, but I didn't have to take any medicine for IVF today so it was like a day of rest. Tomorrow I start Lupron...or Loopy Lupron as my IVF cycle buddies call it. I have the day off because I can't march in the tattoo because of the IVF stuff so I am going to take it easy. The sheets the doc gave me said no exercise except light walking during the stim phase. Maybe I could go for a bike ride tomorrow.

I rode my bent today around Burke Lake twice. That prly wasn't a very good idea. I did not remember that the trail was relatively narrow and I was a bit shaky riding around people. I didn't kill anyone though.

Well....here comes Loopy Lupron!!!

Later....

My IVF Meds!! All Shots:(

Today was my baseline ultrasound for IVF#1. What a day. I thought I would understand so much more than I really do. The day started with a 4:45 wake up call to travel to Walter Reed around the beltway arriving at 6:15 am. Even though I was early, I was still 7th in line.

First, they drew blood and then I had my initial ultrasound in which I have no idea how many follicles they found:( I didn't really understand any of the numbers which was rather unfortunate. So, I have to wait till Sunday to find out how I am doing.

Next, I went to the pharmacy where I received all the meds you see in the picture. I have to give myself two shots twice per day. After the pharmacy fiasco where I waited forever for my meds, we had the injection class. The injection class where I promptly proceeded to get behind in the instructions and missed important information. They talked about it so fast that I was really confused. Luckily, John was there to listen and he heard everything that was important. At the end of the injection class, each couple had to go in individually and give two shots. One with the Lupron small needle and one big gray needle which is used for HCG and PIO. Even though I am a big chicken, I wanted to give the shots to myself so that I could do it when John goes on tour and.......

I did it. I think I am overly proud of myself for doing it, but oh well. It is a big deal to me. So, still a bit confused but over all feel in charge of my life. Shots don't start till Wed, so I can relax tomorrow!

My legs hurt so bad from the metric century!!!!

Later...

Backroads Metric Century 65 Miles!!!!

What a day!!! I officially finished my first metric century. Then, I came home and ate leftover crabs.

The ride was fun and hard. The beginning was pretty decent the hills were quite easy and it felt mostly flat. I started to get a little cocky thinking the ride would be cake, but I was very wrong. Around the 15 mile marker, it started to get pretty difficult...the rolling hills got alot more steep and you couldn't use the momentum of the previous hill to get you over the next one. I definitely suffered more than everyone else with my double while everyone else had a triple chainring. So the middle section pretty much sucked, and I began to wonder if I could stay with my group. The group was Josh, Anne(his wife), and Chris.

The first rest stop was ok. I guess I would have been more impressed if I hadn't had egg sandwiches and fresh orange slices and strawberries at Indian Head the week previously. But, the second rest stop at mile 44 was great. They served there famous tomato sandwiches, which I though I would hate but I actually found very refreshing. It was tomato, cucumber, Hellmann's and salt and pepper. Great crunch and fresh taste! While we were there a whole table of tomato sandwiches blew onto several bikers...it must have sucked to have that happen but it certainly was a shock!

So it got a little easier for a while and I started figuring that I could even do 30 more miles if I had to....but then it got really hard again. After descending on this awesome hill in which I reached 42 miles per hour!!! we crested another large hill on momentum alone, but the hills kept coming. Finally, 10 miles from the end, we hit what I thought was the hardest climb of the day. It certainly hurt the worst for me. I though I might fall over, just because I was pedaling so slowly. We crested that final awful hill and Josh said that there wasn't anything bad left, but it all felt bad at that point. It wasn't flat and it hurt and seemed to be forever till we turned into the school 10 miles later. Luckily, they served hot dogs, bbq, chips, and snow cones at the end, so I felt much better. AFter all, it's all about the food isn't it? I burned 2199 calories on the ride and my legs are at times excrutiatingly painful.....but I finished with a 14 mph average speed so I couldn't be happier. Well...I would have been happier if it had been flat:)

Later..........

My new Bent!!

I bought a new bike! Well not really new. It is a 2004 Burley Limbo. I bought it at a local bike store and am very pleased with my purchase. It retails for 1400 and I got it for 450! It rides very nicely, just has some rust on it that needs to be cleaned off and I need to add some padding to the seat. Ouch!

I spent all day trying bikes. I rode the Rans Rocket and the Burley Canto as well. Sunday I ride in the Berryville metric century. I hope I don't have to quit because it is too hard for me.

Not much going on. I have my baseline ultrasound on Monday so that is when the craziness will start. I am pretty nervous about it. Before I was just excited to start, but now I think I am realizing what a big deal this will be with all the shots and feeling crappy etc. Monday I get my big bag of needles and supplies and learn how to shoot up.

Tomorrow, we are having a big crab feast at the house to celebrate the stuff that is going on and as kind of a last hurrah. I don't plan on eating crab during the cycle.

Later...

Indianhead 29 Mile Ride

I did the Indianhead 29 miler today with Chris. It was awful getting up at 6:45 am after not going to bed till after 2:00 am. Yuck! I was very worried when I started that the ride would be too hard for me but it ended up being ok. There was a bunch of climbing but the hills were all doable and there was a lot of flat rodes to make up for it.

The rest stop was awesome. They had fresh fruit, PB+J sandwiches, egg sandwiches and lots of other good stuff. I ate so much I got cramps:)

So, I am gearing up for the Berryville metric century and I am pretty worried about it. If it is hilly, I will be doomed. I would be much better off with a triple chainring, then my legs wouldn't get so tired. I may have to quit early and that will be moderately embarrassing:)

Not much on the IVF front. One more week till I have my baseline and nothing to report until then.

Later...

9/11 Memorial 5K

I volunteered at the 9/11 memorial 5k today. I have always wanted to do that so I am glad I got the opportunity. This is a picture of the long sleeve shirts we got for running...well walking. John and I walked the event. I have some nice pics of him being all grouchy.

Tomorrow, I am going to do a 29 mile ride to see if i will be ready for the Berryville metric century. I'll let you know how that goes tomorrow

Later...

How out of shape am I:(

Wow, I went on a 18 mile bike ride today and it hurt! I felt pretty off even before we went riding, but I started to get dizzy and everything while on the ride. We went on the Mount Vernon trail and the Custis Trail. The Custis Trail kicked my ass!!!!

I feel pretty lame. I am supposed to do a 60 mile ride next week but I am seriously wondering if I can handle it. Tomorrow, I am volunteering for a 9/11 race and then walking the 5k with John:) I don't think he particularly cares about doing it, but it will be fun to do something like this with him. Then Sunday, Chris and I are supposed to do a 29 mile ride. Don't know if I can do it. I suck!

Not much on the IVF front. Just waiting till the baseline appointment on the 17th.
Later....

Ok Apple...I'm not mad at you anymore...but I am mad at my dentist!

Well, Apple did a very nice thing and is going to give all the early adopters of the IPhone a 100 dollar credit to the Apple Store. Logically, I knew they didn't have to, but I really felt they should do something or have some seriously pissed off customers. So, I am 100 percent happy. Not many companies would do something like that.

I do have a bone to pick with my dentist. They had to numb me 3 different times because it didn't work and then I still felt the filling on the right side... My face swelled up for a day and a half and I still don't feel right. I keep getting pains in my teeth near the fillings.I HATE the dentist. I wish they would just put me to sleep.

Day 3 of BCP's. Very uneventful..I feel slightly nauseous every morning, but nothing too bad. Bad skin breakout.

Started teaching lessons again today. Not too bad..just three. We need the money so it makes it a little easier to deal with. Tomorrow, I am going on a bike ride and hopefully Saturday I will run in the 9/11 memorial run. Then Sunday, a 29 mile organized ride.

Later.....

Apple- I am very mad at you!

Today, I found out that they dropped the price of the Iphone 200 bucks since it came out two months ago. I am so pissed. We are out 400 dollars just because we bought it when it came out. Things like this happen all the time, but not this quickly:(

So Apple...I am mad at you. This will be the last time, I buy one of your products when it comes out. I'll wait and make sure you don't screw me again.

Day 2 of BCP's. Nothing much to report.

I had an awful dental appt. today. They gave me novocaine 3 different times and it still didn't work that well. My tooth still kind of hurts. My jaw is swollen and the filling feels all gritty:( Hopefully, it won't hurt when I wake up in the morning.
Hopefully, I can sleep tonight:(

Later...

The countdown begins...

So this is cd2 and I started BCP's today. So, I am officially underway. These two weeks until my baseline are going to crawl. I am trying to be more motivated and get more things done during the day. I need to stop taking naps!

Today, I did practice and wash dishes so at least I did something productive. Tomorrow is the dreaded dental appointment to get 4 fillings due to my teeth clenching. I don't know what I am stressed about (sarcasm). We are going through fertility treatments, my mom has non-alcoholic cirrhosis, and we have way too much debt right now. Bleh!

Mom is doing better. She hasn't had any episodes of confusion. I still don't know if she will be able to go on our October vacation. Not sure she is going to be strong enough.

Work is starting to settle down. It is not nearly as busy as it has been all summer. I am pretty much over working ceremonies. They are just so hard on your body. I honestly wish I could join the concert band but DH needs to for his health.

Not too stressed today. I did have a long conversation with a work colleague that has gone through IVF. She was very pessimistic and said things like...you are going to be so stressed...every step of the way...and even if it does work..half of pregnancies end in miscarriage...Nice! I don't think I will be having any heartfelt conversations with her in the future.

Later!

IVF#1 is a go!

Well this is either a very exciting time or a very crazy time, depending on how you look at it. I am starting my first IVF cycle tomorrow. On Cd2 I start BCP's and on the 17th of September, I will have my baseline ultrasound where I will get further info on my schedule of injections...yuck!

I am scared and nervous. It will be really hard to take if this doesn't work. I have high hopes, but nothing has worked so far do I am very scared. I don't know if there is something wrong with me and this will never work or maybe I have just been unlucky thus far.

My work schedule is pretty much taken care of and I moved my vacation with my mom, so I don't have any extra stressors during the cycle...just the stress of actually going through it:)

I am going to exercise like a freak before this starts cause once it gets underway I am going to stop pretty much everything so I don't kill myself by accident:) I really hope this works....and don't tell anyone...but I am hoping for twins. Mostly, so I dont' have to go through this again.

I am going to try to up my protein intake to build better eggs and stop taking all prescription meds and caffeine. Lets hope this works!!!1