Wednesday, June 26, 2013

A minor delay

So I know that with everything that is planned there are generally a set back or two at some point. But my journey was going so smoothly. Until now. . .

Well I found out yesterday that due to my TSH being 5.323 we might have to delay the transfer a month :( (this broke my heart. The IM and myself was so excited that the transfer was coming so quickly) The IVF physician said that she wants the level to be under 2.5 before we transfer. So the plan is continue to take my Synthroid for 4 weeks (Remember we increased it last week) and at the end of 4 weeks retest my labs and if my TSH is 2.5 or below then we can continue as scheduled. If not then we have to wait another month and retest. Its slightly frustrating because I feel like there is something that I should be doing to lower it and I can't do anything but take the medication and hope that my body cooperates. So everyone please say a prayer that the medication works and my levels are perfect.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Endometrial Biospy . . . . Check

So today was the Endometrial Biopsy that I have so nervously awaited. The official ending of the mock cycle. I've asked many people what I am going to expect. All everyone said was "some abdominal cramping" So I took Ibuprofen 600mg before the appointment and headed upstairs. When I was called back to the room and was told "undress from the waist down". Then procedure was not near as bad as I had made it in my head. It felt very similar to a pap smear except when the took the sample of the endometrial lining. That was a odd pressure/ cramping feeling. But not bad at all.

So the procedure is complete as with the mock cycle. Now onto better things. . . the Real Cycle and baby making time.

Oh yeah the Thyroid results. I received the TSH results. They started around 9 and now they are down to 5.323. Which is a good thing but we still need them to be lower. So my Synthroid was increased to 88mcg daily. So we will recheck labs in 4 weeks and keep your fingers crossed that they will be within normal range.

Monday, June 24, 2013

And the Grand total is. . . . . . . . . .

I am having trouble getting going this morning on my blog for some reason. I guess after working the last 3 days doing 12 hour shifts has wore me out. So as the Mock cycle comes to an end I have been looking back to when it started. . . . Over the cycle I have completed the following and I have to say it really wasn't that bad.

-27 subcutaneous shots (the belly shots)
-34 hormone patches
-21 vaginal pills-These cause thick white discharge :(
-10 IM injections(the butt shots in the butt)
-3 vaginal ultrasounds- To check my uterine lining.
-2 blood draws

I have grew so much over the past 7 weeks and I am very proud of myself. When I started this journey I had never given myself any injection and really didn't receive any other than the yearly flu shot. I am so excited to see what the future holds. I do my Endometrial Biopsy Tuesday morning. Then after the Biopsy we just wait on my "monthly friend" to come visit and I contact the nurse from the IVF clinic and start my BCP. That is when the real cycle officially starts:)I believe then we will know a kind of not exact date for the transfer. EEK can you believe it's already here. When I started this journey I knew that there would be people who would support me and people that would judge me. But I have to say that I am so happy with all the support that I have received from not only my family, but also my co-workers. I would like to say Thank you so much to everyone for your support.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Thyroid levels

Ok so I know that I have already posted a blog today but I promised to updated the blog every time something new or exciting happens and today just happen to be two things :)

So if you remember from before. After I had my medical screening in Boston I learning that my thyroid level was elevated at 9. The goal is to have you thyroid level 3 or below. So when I came home I had my level rechecked and it was even more elevated at 9.3. So I was started on Synthroid 50mcg daily. I have had no side effects from the medication. I can even tell a difference I'm not sleepy all the time like I was before starting the medication. Well I have been on the medication for 1 month and 2 days. I went back to the doctor today to have my blood redrawn. I will not have the results until Tuesday but please everyone say a prayer for me that it is within the normal range. We cannot do the transfer as scheduled if it is still elevated.

Reality Check



 
So over the past few months I have been on all the medications needed for an IVF transfer, I've had multiple ultrasounds to make sure my uterine lining was right on track, I have went through many steps to be a surrogate. I know with all my heart that I want to be a surrogate more than anything. . . Even more so that I've met my IPs. They are the sweetest most deserving people I know. But today I went and bought my first bottle of prenatal vitamins and it made everything so real. I know  I know that might sound crazy and I know that our ending goal is a normal, healthy pregnancy but OMG we are getting so close and I am so excited that I can't even describe it.
 
 
So as I stand there yesterday in the vitamin isle trying to decide which prenatal vitamin to buy (there was ALOT of different ones) I was able to decrease my choice in half because I don't like gummy anything so those were off my list. My next thing was which one of these are NOT going to make me sick. So I went with these. They are gel capsule and have 800mcg of folic acid (which is VERY important). I ate dinner last night and took one. And NO nausea. YEAH looks like I picked the right one the first time.  So if anyone is looking for a prenatal vitamin this one gets two thumbs up from me :)

Monday, June 17, 2013

As the Mock cycle comes to an End.


Wow it's been almost a month since I have last blogged. I am so sorry I have just been busy with life. So as you know we have been doing a mock cycle before the real cycle to make sure that my body is adjusting to the medication correctly. It seems like I just started that mock cycle. But realistically it is almost over.

To recap my mock cycle. I started takes Birth control pills May 4th, Started the Lupron injections on May 19th. Stopped the Lupron injections on June 15th. Started my Vivelle patches on May 28th and I am continuing those for now. I started my Progesterone injections and Endometrin vaginal pills on June 15. So that's my quick recap now for a more in depth update.

I just recently started the Progesterone in oil injections on June 15th. These injections must go into a large muscle. Like your backside which also requires a larger needle than the Lupron. Now if you remember correctly the Lupron injections took me a while to administer for the first time. So no surprise to everyone the anxiety over the Progesterone that I built up caused the first injection even longer. My husband was supportive and has been giving me my injections. His statement was "I have given shots to the goats, and horses so you will be fine" Which made me feel so much better. . . . . . . NOT!!!! But they have been going ok. I have noticed a VERY sore buttocks though and some strange dreams. :(. I know it might sound crazy but it almost feels like my uterus is heavy.

The same day I started the progesterone I also started the Endometrin vaginal pills. I guess I was expecting a small pill. Boy was I way off. It is about the size of a dime just different shape. I will take a picture tonight. BUT it doesn't bother me at all because it doesn't require a needle :)

I go in on June 25th for my Endometrial biopsy. I am so nervous about this because the name by itself just sounds painful. I have been told to take ibuprofen and expect some cramping. Which is ok I can deal with cramping. Although the procedure I am not looking forward to. I cannot wait for that day because that means we are officially DONE with the mock cycle and we can move onto the real cycle (as long as everything looks good) I am so excited to get the real cycle going.

I cannot wait to have the privilege to give a very special couple a baby or babies. So that is my updated. I will try to post more often. Please keep me and my IPs in your prayers.