Well tonight was my first stimulation injection. It's the same medicine I used for our last IUI, only a lot higher dose. This time, instead of giving the shot to myself, Matthew gave it to me.
Before he gave me the shot I made him practice. We had some medicine left over from the IUI in January. It's not good any longer, and it has to be thrown away, so I decided to let Matthew get used to the feel of the pen injector. I now have 3 different FOllistim pens. The original one was given to me for our first IUI, the 2nd came with a bunch of unused needles and things from our neighbor, and the 3rd came with the meds this time around. So since we have a few extras, I used one with the old medicine, and a spare needle, loaded everything up, dialed the right dosage and handed it to Matthew. He decided he wanted to stick something, not just squirt the medicine into the sink, so he got out a potato. I'm glad we practiced ahead of time, because the top of the pen twists back down. He was a little surprised by the feel of the twisting, so practicing was definitely a good thing!
After he practiced on the potato, I removed the needle, took the bad medicine back out and put it into my sharps container, and then prepped myself for the real shot. I attached the needle, swabbed my stomach with an alcohol wipe, dialed up the dosage and handed it over to Matthew. Just like our morning routine with the Lupron shots, I sat down, pinched, and he stuck. I couldn't feel a thing. He did great! He's definitely becoming more and more comforable with giving me the shots, which is great! I'm glad that he can be a part of everything in some way besides just jizzing in a cup. As hesitant as he was about giving me the shots, I think he's glad he's more than just a sperm donor too.
We're on the downhill slide now! Stims have begun, the finish line is in sight!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Matthew's New Job
Up to now, Matthew has been quite happy watching me inject myself with the meds. Ok maybe not happy...but he was perfectly fine with not having any part in it. Even in my last IUI cycle, he watched as I gave myself the injection, night after night. He always told me he didn't think that he could do that to me, hurt me and stick a needle into me, which I found thoughtful and endearing. The problem is, in a couple of weeks he doesn't have a choice. After our retrieval the Progesterone shots (PIO) that I will have to be given need to be done in my rear end. I don't even want to consider attempting to reach back there with a 2 1/2 in long needle and try to get it in the right spot! Matthew has known for a long time that he will be the person giving me these shots, but that hasn't made him any less nervous.
Last weekend I decided the best way for him to become more comfortable with the PIO is to start practicing with smaller injections. The feel is a little different, since the shots right now are subcutaneous (under the skin) and not intramuscular, but it's a start. I showed him how to sterilize everything, draw up the medicine, and get read for the injection. Now even though he knows how to do all the prep, I still do it all. It's one of those control things ya know... ;o) Once I have everything ready I hand him the syringe, (He found out the hard way that you NEVER set the syringe down until the injection is given.) I sit on the toilet, pinch my skin and he sticks. We were both pleasantly surprised at how well he did the first time!
His confidence is definitely building. He's not nearly as nervous any more. Like most things, it's the fear of the unknown and the anticipation that's worse than the actual event. I am glad that he's agreed to do them for me. While I can do them on my own, it's actually less painful if he does them for me. It allows me to pinch more skin and pinch harder, resulting in a painless injection. I think it's also helping him feel a little more involved in the whole process. Men tend to feel like nothing more than a sperm factory when going through infertility treatments. I can't say that I blame them. There really isn't anything else that they can really do besides provide moral support, so it's nice that he's been able to give me the injection. It's more of a combined effort now, and not just me!
Last weekend I decided the best way for him to become more comfortable with the PIO is to start practicing with smaller injections. The feel is a little different, since the shots right now are subcutaneous (under the skin) and not intramuscular, but it's a start. I showed him how to sterilize everything, draw up the medicine, and get read for the injection. Now even though he knows how to do all the prep, I still do it all. It's one of those control things ya know... ;o) Once I have everything ready I hand him the syringe, (He found out the hard way that you NEVER set the syringe down until the injection is given.) I sit on the toilet, pinch my skin and he sticks. We were both pleasantly surprised at how well he did the first time!
His confidence is definitely building. He's not nearly as nervous any more. Like most things, it's the fear of the unknown and the anticipation that's worse than the actual event. I am glad that he's agreed to do them for me. While I can do them on my own, it's actually less painful if he does them for me. It allows me to pinch more skin and pinch harder, resulting in a painless injection. I think it's also helping him feel a little more involved in the whole process. Men tend to feel like nothing more than a sperm factory when going through infertility treatments. I can't say that I blame them. There really isn't anything else that they can really do besides provide moral support, so it's nice that he's been able to give me the injection. It's more of a combined effort now, and not just me!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Yea! GO DAWGS!
Sorry for OT post #2 in the same week, but there hasn't been any change in our IVF routine lately, so I'll continue to blog about my Bulldogs instead :o)
Last night they beat Wisconsin in the Sweet 16 to advance to take on Florida in the Elite 8 tomorrow afternoon! The game was great again. Thankfully it didn't send my blood pressure through the roof like last time!
Florida...oooohh Florida. This game is personal. Florida has beaten us twice in the tournament in the last several years. Once was a first round game, and the second was in the Sweet 16 a few years ago. I think that was the last time Florida won the title, but don't quote me on it. Anway, my best friend and I were at that Sweet 16 game, and boy did it sting and burn when they lost. It's time for the Gators to be on the losing end of this match up!
It's been incredible to actually hear all the tv announcers and talking heads give Butler credit and praise their style of play. There was a time that I didn't think anyone outside of Butler supporters would ever do that! Looks like they have shown eveyone (well everyone but Charles Barkley...what a dumbass) just how much they truly deserve to be where they are!
One of my coworkers is so sweet. Last year during Butler's amazing Final Four run she made me a poster for my classroom door, and she's done it again! I do have to say, I am incredibly fortunate to work with wonderful people! Here is the poster she made to support my team!
Last night they beat Wisconsin in the Sweet 16 to advance to take on Florida in the Elite 8 tomorrow afternoon! The game was great again. Thankfully it didn't send my blood pressure through the roof like last time!
Florida...oooohh Florida. This game is personal. Florida has beaten us twice in the tournament in the last several years. Once was a first round game, and the second was in the Sweet 16 a few years ago. I think that was the last time Florida won the title, but don't quote me on it. Anway, my best friend and I were at that Sweet 16 game, and boy did it sting and burn when they lost. It's time for the Gators to be on the losing end of this match up!
It's been incredible to actually hear all the tv announcers and talking heads give Butler credit and praise their style of play. There was a time that I didn't think anyone outside of Butler supporters would ever do that! Looks like they have shown eveyone (well everyone but Charles Barkley...what a dumbass) just how much they truly deserve to be where they are!
One of my coworkers is so sweet. Last year during Butler's amazing Final Four run she made me a poster for my classroom door, and she's done it again! I do have to say, I am incredibly fortunate to work with wonderful people! Here is the poster she made to support my team!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Happy Distraction
Since there hasn't been any major changes in our cycle yet, today's post is another off topic post.
Thank goodness for March Madness! My Bulldogs are making another run, hopfully deep, into the NCAA tourney and bustin everyone's brackets along the way! That's the way we roll :o) I wasn't able to watch their first round match up against ODU because they played during the day, and it's highly frowned upon to stop teaching children to watch basketball...although I don't know why! ha! So I had to periodically check the game score while my kids were working and playing in centers. I think it's a good thing I couldn't watch it though. Buzzer beaters are always fun but they send my blood pressure through the roof!
The second round match up against Pitt was sure to be a great game. I can't even count the number of times I heard TV announcers and talking heads not giving Butler a chance, but obviously they haven't learned from the past. You NEVER count Butler out, #1 seed opponent or not! We didn't get to watch the whole game, but we were able to see the most important and crucial part of the game. The last 7 seconds that seemed to last all night long! What a crazy ending! I'll spare you all the details, but wow. It took probably half an hour for my BP to go back to normal! My heart was about to beat out of my chest. I had 7 or 8 people sending me texts at the end of the game and I could barely keep up with all of them! What a game! So glad I didn't miss it! We were watching at a friend's house so I actually had to behave myself. Had we been at home I would've been screaming at the TV and probably jumping around on the couch. Instead, I sat with my head buried in my hands and mouth gaping open unable to believe what was unfolding in front of me.
So at least for now we have a wonderful distraction from IVF. Thursday night is going to be tough. Wisconsin isn't going to be easy, but I'm confident it's going to be another AMAZING game! GO DAWGS!
Thank goodness for March Madness! My Bulldogs are making another run, hopfully deep, into the NCAA tourney and bustin everyone's brackets along the way! That's the way we roll :o) I wasn't able to watch their first round match up against ODU because they played during the day, and it's highly frowned upon to stop teaching children to watch basketball...although I don't know why! ha! So I had to periodically check the game score while my kids were working and playing in centers. I think it's a good thing I couldn't watch it though. Buzzer beaters are always fun but they send my blood pressure through the roof!
The second round match up against Pitt was sure to be a great game. I can't even count the number of times I heard TV announcers and talking heads not giving Butler a chance, but obviously they haven't learned from the past. You NEVER count Butler out, #1 seed opponent or not! We didn't get to watch the whole game, but we were able to see the most important and crucial part of the game. The last 7 seconds that seemed to last all night long! What a crazy ending! I'll spare you all the details, but wow. It took probably half an hour for my BP to go back to normal! My heart was about to beat out of my chest. I had 7 or 8 people sending me texts at the end of the game and I could barely keep up with all of them! What a game! So glad I didn't miss it! We were watching at a friend's house so I actually had to behave myself. Had we been at home I would've been screaming at the TV and probably jumping around on the couch. Instead, I sat with my head buried in my hands and mouth gaping open unable to believe what was unfolding in front of me.
So at least for now we have a wonderful distraction from IVF. Thursday night is going to be tough. Wisconsin isn't going to be easy, but I'm confident it's going to be another AMAZING game! GO DAWGS!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Morning routine...for now
Today will be short and sweet. Just thought I'd post a pic of my morning med routine. The injection is Lupron, for now it's 10 units a day, it will drop to 5 in about a week. The pills are birth control, baby aspirin, prenatal vitamin, steroid, Metformin (2), and Vitamin C.
With all the germs and stomach flu that has been going around school lately, I'm praying the Vitamin C does its job! KEEP ME HEALTHY PLEEEEEEAAAASE!!!!! I don't even want to imagine what it could do to my cycle if I wind up with the stomach flu. Do injected meds come back out if you get sick? Let's hope I don't have to find out!
With all the germs and stomach flu that has been going around school lately, I'm praying the Vitamin C does its job! KEEP ME HEALTHY PLEEEEEEAAAASE!!!!! I don't even want to imagine what it could do to my cycle if I wind up with the stomach flu. Do injected meds come back out if you get sick? Let's hope I don't have to find out!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
1 Down...40 more to go...
Wow, that's really sad. I just counted up the number of injections I have left, and by the time I reach my retrieval I will have done around 40 of them! I guess I should follow the title of my blog and remind myself just to take it one day at a time, or in this case, one shot at a time. If only it were the GOOD kind of shots. You know, the kind we all did in college??? ;o) I just have to keep thinking of the end result. These injections are (hopefully) leading to our baby.
The shots begin with Lupron. Lupron supresses the hormones produced in the Pituitary gland in order to prevent the ovaries from producing follicles and eggs. We don't want my body to do anything on it's own. That's what all the meds are for! If I would start producing follicles and ovulate on my own (and because my body LOVES to be tempermental, I'm sure THIS would be the time I actually would ovulate on my own)it would mess up the entire IVF cycle. We DON'T want that to happen. So the birth control and Lupron are now taking care of my hormones, making sure they don't do their real jobs.
All in all, the shot wasn't too bad. The medicine didn't burn at all, but the needle did a bit. I have to draw up the correct dosage into the syringe and then stick. The needle is small, so I'm not really sure why it stung so bad, but it did. At least I know what I'm in for from now on!
I know IVF isn't a guarantee. Many people have to go through two, three, or even four rounds before they finally achieve a successful pregnancy, but for some reason, I have a really good feeling about all of this. I was never real confident that the IUIs were going to work. Maybe that was the problem, there is something to be said for the power of positive thinking. Deep down, I think I always knew we would need to go the IVF route. I have my moments when I'm overwhelmed by it, but for the most part, I'm very at ease with everything that I have to do. I wasn't nervous about the injection this morning. Even though I know that in two weeks I'll be giving myself three injections a day, I'm still not that scared. I really feel like this is going to be the answer we need. Now the scary part about feeling so good about this, is I will be absolutely devestated if it doesn't work, but for now I can't focus on that. I'm at ease with everything, and plugging away towards the retrieval and transfer! Everything happens for a reason, and God does have a plan for us and our baby. I just have to pray and keep the faith that THIS is His plan.
We have so many people praying for us and this cycle. I am overwhelmed by all the support we've received. It makes me wonder why so many people choose to keep their infertility a secret. Then I realize though, that not everyone has the amazing support system that Matthew and I have. I am eternally grateful to all of our family and friends who know about and support our decision. I can't wait to share the amazing news with them in a few months, that all of our blood, sweat, and tears (literally) finally paid off. See...there's that positive thinking again!
The shots begin with Lupron. Lupron supresses the hormones produced in the Pituitary gland in order to prevent the ovaries from producing follicles and eggs. We don't want my body to do anything on it's own. That's what all the meds are for! If I would start producing follicles and ovulate on my own (and because my body LOVES to be tempermental, I'm sure THIS would be the time I actually would ovulate on my own)it would mess up the entire IVF cycle. We DON'T want that to happen. So the birth control and Lupron are now taking care of my hormones, making sure they don't do their real jobs.
All in all, the shot wasn't too bad. The medicine didn't burn at all, but the needle did a bit. I have to draw up the correct dosage into the syringe and then stick. The needle is small, so I'm not really sure why it stung so bad, but it did. At least I know what I'm in for from now on!
I know IVF isn't a guarantee. Many people have to go through two, three, or even four rounds before they finally achieve a successful pregnancy, but for some reason, I have a really good feeling about all of this. I was never real confident that the IUIs were going to work. Maybe that was the problem, there is something to be said for the power of positive thinking. Deep down, I think I always knew we would need to go the IVF route. I have my moments when I'm overwhelmed by it, but for the most part, I'm very at ease with everything that I have to do. I wasn't nervous about the injection this morning. Even though I know that in two weeks I'll be giving myself three injections a day, I'm still not that scared. I really feel like this is going to be the answer we need. Now the scary part about feeling so good about this, is I will be absolutely devestated if it doesn't work, but for now I can't focus on that. I'm at ease with everything, and plugging away towards the retrieval and transfer! Everything happens for a reason, and God does have a plan for us and our baby. I just have to pray and keep the faith that THIS is His plan.
We have so many people praying for us and this cycle. I am overwhelmed by all the support we've received. It makes me wonder why so many people choose to keep their infertility a secret. Then I realize though, that not everyone has the amazing support system that Matthew and I have. I am eternally grateful to all of our family and friends who know about and support our decision. I can't wait to share the amazing news with them in a few months, that all of our blood, sweat, and tears (literally) finally paid off. See...there's that positive thinking again!
Monday, March 14, 2011
AMAZING Surprise!
Well my day just got a WHOLE lot better! I was getting incredibly frustrated with the pharmacy about my stimulation meds. I STILL hadn't heard back from Triessent on what the cost would be. I was getting incredibly close to saying screw it, I'll just go with Braun in Chicago. Boy am I glad I called back today!
My stims through Braun were going to cost over $700. I knew that they were going to be expensive, but that price did kind of surprise me a bit. It didn't surprise me at all like the quote from Triessent! For the same meds, it is only costing us $100! Yes, ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS! I was so excited I practically danced around my classroom! I called Matthew right away to give him the amazing news. Needless to say he was more than thrilled as well! I thought it might be $50-100 less than the quote from Braun but I NEVER expected it to be $100 total! My afternoon is definitely looking up!
My stims through Braun were going to cost over $700. I knew that they were going to be expensive, but that price did kind of surprise me a bit. It didn't surprise me at all like the quote from Triessent! For the same meds, it is only costing us $100! Yes, ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS! I was so excited I practically danced around my classroom! I called Matthew right away to give him the amazing news. Needless to say he was more than thrilled as well! I thought it might be $50-100 less than the quote from Braun but I NEVER expected it to be $100 total! My afternoon is definitely looking up!
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