It's a Royal kind of day

So it was all over the TV for weeks, and I laughed every time people talked about waking up early enough to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton.  But, I now have to admit that I was one of the early risers and watched the event.  This week has brought on new pregnancy symptoms, sleepiness.  I can not get enough sleep.  I wish I was able to take naps during the day instead of working all week. 

I woke up to say goodbye to my hubby who leave for work by 4 am, then I couldn't fall back asleep.  I turned on the TV, and rememeber the Royal wedding was today.  I flipped between E and CNN, and from the moment I started, couldn't peel my eyes away.

Watching Kate with such grace and calmness as she made her way to Prince William.  I was feeling all of those butterflies I felt the day I married my love too. 

Today I had my 3rd follow up on blood work with my doctor, since I found out I was pregnant.  My HCG and progesterone are rising wonderfully.  It brings great comfort to hear this.  Next friday I get to have my first ultrasound.  I will see if there is just one little miracle or more.  I am pretty anxious!!!

Our IUI

Today was such an amazing day.  Gorgeous sunrise, gorgeous weather, and my first IUI!!

Even though the day started out early and I didn't get much sleep, because of anticipation for today's appointment, it went perfect!  You can read about the procedure, IUI (intra-uterine insemination), and hear about people's experiences with it, but to really do it yourself... It's indescribable.

In route to Chicago, I enjoyed my breakfast of champions!  A carrot cupcake from The Latest Crave, and some fresh strawberries.  Can we say yum!!

We made quick time, and didn't hit much traffic.  Hello Chicago!!

We even found quick parking, with the huge garage for the 900 N. Kingsbury location.  Then the hunt was on for the office.

The office was hidden along the most peaceful riverwalk.

The office was decorated very nice, I loved these photos that welcomed us. I think they can really be interrupted in many different ways. I look at them as, life. New life... with help from the Fertility Centers of Illinois. What do you see in them?

Once we were all checked in.  We waited in a room filled with people, it was so busy.  But truth be told, your "cycle" doesn't always hold off for the weekdays.  Unfortunately, due to the location, we had to get the goods at the office.  We were lead to a Collection room.

Yes, they really are called that!  We couldn't help but giggle at the set-up inside, a TV with DVD player.  We were not sure how to take the artwork.  I wondered who picked it!

What fun would the TV be without a source of entertainment!  Not to worry, there is magazines if you'd perfer.  he he  What a way to make it romantic!

 

A nice comfy chair! 

 

 

 

And some lovely containers!!! 

 

 

After you are done, you have to wait around for about 1 and 1/2 hours.  They "wash" the sperm and get it ready to insemination.  To kill some time, we walked to a local coffee shop.  The hubby loves his coffee.  

 

 

The procedure itself was pretty quick.  We have great odds, my husbands sperm count was in the 93 percentile.  They like it to be over 50%, so we were golden!  We also had 6 follicles ready for ovulation, as of Friday.  That part makes me a bit nervous, we had to sign consents for things like this.  There is the possibility of too many eggs taking, and then you are advised to have a reduction.  Reduction = abortion in my eyes.  I could never even imagine such a thing!  For as long as I can remember I have been against it.  So fingers crossed, for a good outcome with all of this... I don't know I could make that decision if it comes.

 

Tomorrow we will be headed to my normal office for a 2nd IUI.  Wish us luck!!!

Miracles can happen

This morning I had a follow up appointment.  I was anxious to see how the new medication, Follistim Pen Injections 375 UI was working and what my future held.  Just after my ultrasound, I was sitting in the lab room waiting to get my blood drawn.  Sally Ann, my nurse looked at my and said "4"... 4 follicles are 11-12 mm!  I left the office on cloud nine.  I have been waiting for a medication that would show me things can happen.

Houston, looks like we've found it! 

She called me later in the day as well, to let me know that my estrogen levels went from 74 on Monday to 461.  Yikes!  I had to start another medication, Ganirelix Acetate Injections tonight as well, to help keep me from ovulating too early and allow these little follicles to get up to 18mm hopefully.   Holy hell, it hurt.  I don't know how I will keep doing this many injections a day to get my doses & needed medications.  Happy thoughts!!! 

From the looks of it, I will be having an IUI by Sunday or Monday.  I have another appointment on Friday and will find out more then... keep you posted!

The Injection & Photo Challenge Day Three

Today I had a doctors appointment with the Fertility centers of Illinois.  I am on day 4 of my cycle, and got the go ahead to start injections tonight.  The morning appointment brought such a high to my day.  I felt like I was walking on air.  Back to work the day flew by, and I was ready to be home.

How does one prepare themselves for an injection?  I went over the "steps" on mixing the Bravelle and also how it should be injected.  I also watched the help videos on their website.  I felt ready, ready to mix that is but, not ready to stick myself with a needle.  Joe was more than willing to help.  He was too cute, joking with me about what could happen if he tripped with the sharp needle.  Wondering what the doctor would say if he called and asked if the medication had the same affect if he used it on himself.  The joke he thought was the funniest was if he tripped and it got shot into one of my Chihuahua's (note to animal lovers he was joking) instead.  It was good to see him finding this so much fun!!

The aftermath wasn't painful.  I was scared and worried for nothing.  Although, I did keep wondering, did we do it in the right spot.  So many what ifs.

Also I can't forget...
Photo Challenge Day Three - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

My favorite Show had to be the Ghost Whisperer.  Although I have to admit, I never knew about it till after it was cancelled.  Which is so sad.  Why on earth would they ever want to stop making these amazing episodes?

Life goes on!

Well it's a Friday.  Who doesn't love a Friday?  That last day of the week before freedom.  Well, that is unless you have to work on some Saturdays like me. BOOOO.

Today was a special day at work.  We celebrated to soon-to-be birth of "Baby" Zimmerman.  We can all hardly wait to meet the little guy.  What better way to congrats the Mommy than with a pot luck at work. 

What's a Baby Shower without gifts & a cake too?

Sorry for the horrible coloring on the cake.  I really need to get my editor back working. I had a virus that wiped out most of the things on my computer.  Thank goodness for back ups and the original hardware disc's.  But what a task to put back on so many programs.

Onto an update about me.  I had another visit with my fertility specialist in Hoffman Estates.  It looks like we are going to try another route next month.  I will move to injectable medications since the oral Clomid didn't help me ovulate.  Not so sure yet how excited I am about sticking myself with a needle in the stomach.  On the other hand, I've gotten a lot of volunteer's at work that wanna stick me with sharp objects.

What a bummer it is to have to wait almost an entire month to try anything again.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Just Another Cold Day in January

It was snowing when I woke up. 

I had 3 dogs to take care of today, My husband had to leave by 4:30 a.m. for work.  I needed to be out the door by 6:30 in order to make the long trek to Hoffman Estates.  Country roads to busy roads... which lead to highways and more roads filled with traffic.

After Fridays appointment I didn't set my hopes as high.  I felt it, that bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I'm lucky enough to have a close parking spot today.  There are usually people circling the parking lot like vultures.  Waiting for a spot to open.  Even the nearby lots are packed.  It always seems so busy.

Inside the waiting room is empty today.

I got here early today, and get to go right into the Ultrasounds appointment.  I know the routine by now... And I lay there waiting for the results.  My follicles are still not large.  It is time to move on.  Time to try another medication, and more tests. 

I leave the Fertility Center empty hearted again.  Time to try and make a happy face.  I still have the rest of the day full of things to do and place to go.  A Co-Worker of mine is having a shower on Friday and I needed to get a gift still.  Considering I'm working mostly opening to close the next few days I need to go now.  How horrible is that... needing to get a baby gift while experiencing this today. 

I have actually been getting quite a few invitations for baby Showers.  So many blessed friends in my life!  Please god let me be that person one day... soon!

Heartbreak already this year?

Alright I was ready! I got off the next few days from work. I was excited to be preparing for my procedure this weekend.  We were going to have an IUI done.  For those of you who don't know what this procedure is, according to Fertility Plus, IUI stands for intrauterine insemination.  It is preformed by threading a very thin flexible catheter through the cervix and injecting washed sperm directly into the uterus.

I should have known it was going to be a bad day.

Sitting at the doctors office I can feel my heart beating.  I'm waiting for the ultrasound tech to say something positive for once.  Something that gives me more hope that my body is moving in the right direction.  One ray of sunshine in this dark tunnel I've been traveling in.

Instead more heartbreak.  "Your follicles are not getting larger"  Really?  What does that mean exactly? It means that I am not going to ovulate. Yet another month.  I go back into the waiting room.  Another blood draw needs to be done.  Then schedule a new appointment for Monday.  They want to see if anything improves within 4 days.

Leaving the Fertility Centers of Illinois I grab my phone and try to get a hold of my husband.  He is working in Indiana right now and it's impossible for him to be at all my appointments unless his "warriors" are needed for it.  I manage to spill out the words; "I'm not ready"... I stagger in between tears, "I mean my body is not ready".  He tires to calm me through the phone, I can hear it in his voice too.  It hurts.

Friends & Strangers with Infertility.

I walk into the waiting room and look around.  So many faces, all there for the same reason.  We are all the same person, yet we have many different circumstances.  I feel the tug at my emotions when I see someone sitting with a child, or when I look at the pictures on the wall with babies.  It is possible, things do work out.  But still many of us are just waiting, patiently of course.  So much is unknown. How will we juggle our appointments and our job? How many injections will I need? Will I get pregnant?

Today was another hurdle, I went to see Dr. Nani for a check in to see what our next step would be.  It's an emotional process.... filled with ups and downs.  It is not always easy to see that light at the end of the tunnel.  Amazingly, everytime I am at the Fertility Centers of Illinois, to see Dr. Nani, her staff and the doctor are so positive.  They always have a smile on their face and are making sure you have all your questions answered. 

We set up the new game plan.  I am hopeful for the outcome.  I was presented with a list of medications I will need to do during my cycle, more drugs than I have ever had to take in my life. I have no idea why I need them, what they do or how much they will cost.

Since I have begun sharing my experiences of infertility, I have been blessed to meet such great people.  There are also many other blogs which people are sharing their experinces on.  One you should check out is: http://thehopefuljourney.blogspot.com/.