Day 39/ Last post before Retrieval

We have decided to drive to Cincinnati Monday after work and spend the night so this will be my last chance to post before the retrieval.

I did have a volunteer shooter on Saturday, but our schedule got too hectic and we couldn't get together. I'm so sorry Nikki!

Starting Friday, I've become a little run down. During the day I could feel myself slowing down, just feeling like I had little energy. Friday night I started developing this bloating and burning feeling in my lower abdomen (it's definitely not from crunches!) and it hasn't gone away. These are all effects of the final shots. My dosage did go down after my appointment last week but I'm sure this is how it should feel at this stage. It's like I can feel all 15 of my eggs floating around, pushing at my stomach waiting to come out! Just hang on babies one more day...

I'm just a little uncomfortable right now but I can't complain. I have had ZERO side effects this entire time. Just one more way that God's hand is in this.

I would especially appreciate everyones prayers for us on Tuesday morning. I would like prayers for our doctors and nurses that our procedure will be routine for them and will go smoothly. Prayers for Steve and I that we will have such a peace on this day, knowing that this might not be the "traditional" way for a family to begin, but that it is our way. Prayers for my Mom, she is accompanying us for backup, that she too will have peace on this day and Prayers for our parents at home who won't be with us.

I have to take a Valium about 30 minutes before we arrive at the clinic which will be 7:15am. I am only to assume that I will be good for nothing after I take this. I am very sensitive to medication and it doesn't take much for it to have an effect on me. I can picture myself now stumbling into the clinic.....I hope I won't have to fill out any paperwork:)

About 8:00 is when my retrieval will begin. I will have an IV with a mild anesthetic for the procedure. I have only had anesthesia one other time when I had my wisdom teeth removed. The oral surgeon told me that people react different ways to the medicine. I remember waking up in the middle of my surgery screaming and kicking my legs and a nurse had to sit on me to keep me still. NICE. Fortunately, this procedure will only last 15 minutes so surely I can hold it together for that long!

I will then have to stay in recovery for about an hour before they will release us. I have to come home and stay on bed rest the remainder of the day. What a shame....

Tonight will be my last shot and I have decided to do this one myself. This shot is to finally release my eggs so I only felt it appropriate for me to be the one to let them go. I have had to let go so much of myself in order to do this and, no matter what the outcome, I don't regret any moment of it. There is no price I wouldn't pay. We grew this child in our hearts long before it will ever grow in my body.

And I know that God doesn't always get the Glory if it's easy.

Day 36/Update

Shooter #13 is.............



JEREMY!
(affectionately known as "Remy")

Jeremy almost chickened out but he forged on and ended up giving me one of the best Follistim shots I've had. That pen is really awkward and uncomfortable and I know it hasn't been easy for anyone who has used it so far.

**********BIG NEWS UPDATE***********

I had another appointment today at the clinic. I had more bloodwork and another ultrasound. This time my Mom got to go with me and see our little "eggies". The doctor said he saw about 15 eggs and that everything look exactly how he wanted it to (Kudos to everyone who gave shots!).

He said he planned on implanting 2 eggs and that he didn't plan on making me an "Octomom".

collective sigh of relief

Although I'm not having the retrieval this weekend like I had hoped, I am scheduled Tuesday morning! That isn't very much longer so I can handle that. The bad news is that we have to be there at 7:15 am. Since it is a 2 hour drive from here, we will probably be spending the night in Cincinatti instead of driving in that morning.

The transfer of the embryos is tentative for the following Friday but we won't know for sure until a couple days after the retrieval when they can moniter them to see how they do.

It was so exciting to sit down with the nurse today and get my final instructions and really plan things out. When I think that it has been 36 days since we started this cycle that seems so long but now that we're nearing the end, it seems like it has flown by at the same time. Does that make sense? The excitement is probably clouding my memory:)

I only have 2 more shots left so if anyone wants to volunteer for Friday or Saturday, speak now or forever hold your peace! Last chance........

Day 35

Shooter #12 is..........



DALE!

Tonight we got to visit with my Aunt Marion, my cousins Barbara & Dale and their kids Megan and Emilee. Thanks again for the dinner & pie!

We had a fiasco trying to take these pictures tonight. The #3 fell off my sign and we couldn't find it anywhere. It finally turned up on the bottom of Dale's shoe. Ha!

It has been a blast visiting with everyone and turning what could have been a drawn out, irritating experience into something fun and hopeful. That being said, I just have to ask "Are we done yet?"!!! I'm ready to go!

I have an early appointment at the clinic Thursday morning so I'm hoping to get good news that we'll be ready for retrieval by this weekend.

Here is one last shot with me and Emilee (I'm taller than someone again, yay)........enjoy!

Day 32/Update

Shooter #11 is........



TASHA!

I also got a visit from........



My big brother, CHRIS!

I thought Chris was going to be the first one in line to "shoot" me but ironically he was the only one who said he didn't want to because he was afraid to hurt me...aaaaaaahhhhhhhh.

Nobody else seemed to have that problem. Ha!

I went to have more bloodwork today and the clinic called to tell me that they were not going to change my dosage and they need me to come back Thursday.

I only have enough medicine for 4 more shots and the fact that they want me to come in Thursday without changing my dose leads me to believe that things are progressing rapidly now. Hopefully we'll be able to do the retrieval as early as this weekend!

As always, I'll keep you posted!

Day 31

Shooter #10 is.........



LESLIE!

This was the first time that Leslie & Michael got to meet Elly so we were so excited to show her off. I busted out the sling and everything! Of course Elly took right to them and showed her own self off. She is excited to have two new friends:)

Leslie was nervous about giving the shot at first but she did a really good job! I have to remind everyone that I have NEVER stuck anyone with a needle so you all have a one up on me. I would be nervous too:)

This new shot is a little trickier than the first one. This device is shaped like an oversized ink pen.



You take the cap off and insert the needle into the end



It has a cartridge that contains the medicine that stays loaded in the pen so you just have to change it when it runs out. The tricky part is that you have to push the end of the "pen" to inject the medicine, but while you are pushing it, it is also turning so it makes it a little awkward to hold the needle in and push steady at the same time. The good news is that I can't really feel the needle after it's in so it doesn't hurt. You also have to leave this shot in for 5 seconds after you've injected the medicine to make sure it all stays in.

Day 32 will have a brand new shooter so stay tuned.....

Day 30

Shooter #9 is............



SANDY!

Sandy also has plenty of practice giving shots. She has an assembly line of people she gives allergy shots to, including herself . Thankfully I haven't had to give myself any shots yet. I don't know if I would like that at all.

We got together last night to cheer the Cards to victory!! Since I don't have another horse in the race, I dusted off my old U of L shirt and now I am officially a Louisville fan for the NCAA tournament.. GASP! I'm still rooting for UK in the Not In Tournament.

We have 3 more new shooters this weekend all right in a row so be sure to check back so you don't miss anybody!

Day 28 -UPDATE

I went to the clinic today to have an ultrasound and some bloodwork.

My doctor had to do a retrieval when I got there so I got to see his partner instead. Sheri made the trip with me so she got to sit in on the ultrasound and see our little "eggies". He showed us where my eggs were positioned, waiting to be released, and he checked out my uterus to make sure everything looked ok. I got a good report!

I take my last Lupron shot tonight and I start my new shot, Follistim, tomorrow. The Follistim is going to stimulate the eggs now that they are all lined up at the same time. I will take this shot for 8-10 days and then we'll be ready for retrieval. I asked the doctor if he will be able to give me an exact day for retrieval and he said HA!. Evidently that is a last minute decision so we'll have to wait on that one.

I am supposed to take the determined dosage of Follistim through this Sunday and Monday go get blood drawn again to determine a new dosage. I will take that through the end of next week and then I have to go back to the clinic for bloodwork and another ultrasound maybe Thursday or Friday.

So we're in the home stretch! We should have the retrieval in less than two weeks! I'm getting pretty anxious now. I'm ready to be done with shots!!!

By the way, at the clinic they have a "wall of fame" where there are pictures of all their "miracles". My doctor told Sheri that there was plenty of room for a picture of her new grandbaby.........aaaaahhhh...

Day 26

Today was a joint effort

The 7th & 8th shooters are.............



MOM, DAD, & ELLY!

While Elly didn't actually help, she is always around as an observer. I don't think she likes it when I get a shot because she always jumps and scratches my leg while I'm getting it. Mom says it's because I'm getting all the attention and she's jealous:)

I had a bit of a scare today. I assumed that the medication in the shots was going to stop me from having another cycle but I was mistaken. When I realized today that I was in fact starting a new cycle I panicked and called the clinic and Penny said "Yep, you're right on schedule". That would have been good to know ahead of time. I'm still scheduled for bloodwork and an ultrasound Wednesday so I guess they know what they're getting into! Meanwhile, I had to cancel my appointment with my new obgyn.

Never a dull moment....

Day 25

The 6th shooter is........



STEPHANIE!

I also had a guest observer....AUNT TRISH! Please forgive me, I completely forgot to get a picture! She did, however, call dibs on being the namesake for my firstborn so she had a productive visit:)

It looks like I was right the first time, My picture with Candice is going to be the only one where I'm taller. Stephanie has about a 1/2" on me. Even with my curly hair! (maybe I should have teased it up a little higher...maybe not)

We'll have a long overdue, new shooter tomorrow. See you then!

Day 23

Shooter #5 is............



CANDICE! (aka: Muffin)

Note: This may be the only time I am actually taller than someone else in the picture. Well, maybe. Check in on Monday and see.

Candice has a bit of a learning curve on everyone since she is in nursing school. She had her own alcohol pads and Steve allowed her to fill the syringe, Whoo Whoo:)

I think it's time for a little update. I take my last birth control pill today and I have an appointment at the clinic next Wednesday. They are going to give me an ultrasound to check out my eggs and do some bloodwork to determine if I need to adjust the dosage on my shots. Hopefully they will be able to give me an exact day for the retrieval but I'm not sure. After this visit, I am supposed to get bloodwork one more time so I might have to wait for that to know for sure.
I also have an appointment next Tuesday with my new OBGYN.

So next week will be a busy week and I have several new shooters lined up so keep checking back!

Day 22

Enough mushy stuff!

Our 4th shooter is .............



GRANDMA!

Grandma is a pro at giving shots so today was smooth sailing.

We'll have 2 new shooters this weekend. I bet you can't guess who they are....

Day 21

I have to let you all know that the last post was a complete surprise to me! I had no idea that Steve had posted until Wednesday evening and by that time most of you had already read it. I do have to say that Steve got way more comments than I usually do so he might be stealing my job;)

If I can say anything about this process so far, it would be that Steve and I have learned to lean on each other in a way that we might not necessarily had learned to do otherwise. He has really stepped up and taken control of some situations when I've been in no position to do so (for instance, the shots!). We're a great team and who could ask for more than that?

A lot of times good can come out of difficult situations and I think that having to lean on each other in this capacity has a been a good thing for us and I am grateful for that.

God always has a plan for us even when we can't see beyond what's right in front of us. We can only pray that He would open our eyes and show us His purpose.

So I also want to say "Thank You" to my husband for showing me compassion while I'm getting "shot" on a daily basis and was oh so nervous to do so, for giving me the strength to go through with it, and for reminding me that I would walk across fire time and again just to be able to have a family with you.

It's My First Post, Day 20!!!!

Hello everyone, it's my first post so bear with me. I thought it would be time for me to post a few of my thoughts and feelings. I would like to first start off by saying how proud of my wife I am. She's a very strong willed but soft hearted person. She needs encouragement on a daily basis and I'd like to think that I try to do that but sometimes it doesn't show. I would like to take this time to let her know how much I love her and how I think she is such a wonderful and caring person. She has not once complained about going through this entire process and she has been nothing but positive and upbeat and is my source for inspiration. Thank you Baby!!

Second I would like to thank everyone who continues to read this blog and offer their love and support to us. It is a very difficult thing for a couple to go through but it has made it somewhat easier to know we have the support of so many of the people we love. For this I will be forever grateful. Thank You!!

Other than that we are just a few weeks away from our couple of big days. I can't wait. BTW all the comments that people have left have been wonderful. All the encouragement we have received has been a true blessing for us.

Thank you again!

Steve

Day 19

And the next shooter is...............



Rebecca!

So far, this has been my BEST shot so beware everyone, the bar has been raised!


I wanted to show off my latest "crafty" project I worked on last weekend. I made these baby hats for my cousins baby shower and they turned out really cute.


I hope I will be making more of these soon.......

Day 18

Shot number 2 went to....



My wonderful Mother in Law, Sheri!

Everything went good with this shot except for the giggle fit I got myself into right when she went to stick the needle in. That adds an extra level of difficulty. I finally pulled myself together with Steve's great coaching.

On a different note, I have allowed to have anonymous posters in the comments so that you guys wouldn't have to sign up for a google account but remember that we won't know who you are unless you put your name in your comment.

In response to my anonymous poster from yesterday, I do have to take the shots between 6 & 7 every night. Send me another message and remember to leave your name and we'll see what we can work out:)

And the next shooter is........

Day 17

First shot day!





Everything went pretty good with my first shot. I had a small panic attack seeing Steve come at me with a needle but he did EXCELLENT! I also haven't had any side effects:)

I have come to the conclusion that I don't think I will be able to do these myself so thankfully I won't have to.

I already have 6 people on my schedule so let me know if you want to be added on....

Check in tomorrow for our next shooter!

Day 15

Well we've officially made it longer through this cycle than we did last time! Yay!

Guess what else happened today...
Our medicine came!


It really is a lot of stuff to keep up with


It feels a little more real now that we are actually doing this.

Steve just informed me that he is a little upset that the sacred spot in the refrigerator that holds our traditional weekend cinnamon rolls, is now replaced with medication. Sorry honey:(

Looks like we'll be getting this show on the road Saturday. I will be working all weekend at the Home Garden & Remodeling Show at the fairgrounds so if anyone is going, stop by and see me!

Day 11

Here's the big reveal you've all been waiting for.....


I've had so many volunteers who said they would help me with my shots, I decided- why not? So starting this Saturday the 7th, I will begin taking my first series of shots called Lupron. I will take the Lupron for at least 15 days. Steve gets the honor of giving me the first shot but after that, I'm fair game. I am planning on taking my shot every night between 6 & 7. I can vary within an hour or so but I need to keep it as constant as I can.

So if anyone wants to sign up to finally get the chance to stick it to me, let me know and I will put you on my schedule. I know this time slot falls into the dinner hours so if it's more convenient for you, Steve and I will gladly stop by your place during dinner;)

You will also get great publicity because you will get to have your picture taken with the "I Shot Sara" sign and be posted on the blog! Yay You! This is just another way of including all of you on our journey as well as letting us visit with everyone. You can leave me a comment or email me and let us know what day is good for you.

Even if you've never given a shot before (I sure haven't) but still want to participate - don't worry. I have an instructional handout and video that I will want you to look at first. I pretty much will make everybody do that. Not that I have trust issues or anything! Ha!

After I've completed the Lupron, I begin another series of shots called Follistim. These shots will continue until the egg retrieval which is tentative to be March 30. So I've got PLENTY of days to choose from for everyone.

I also found out that I don't have to go to Alabama so I don't have to worry about smuggling needles. That's good news for everyone...