Today I bought all the meds for donor egg IVF #2. This time around so far I feel less excitement build up around the whole process. Don't get me wrong, I am so hopeful and happy to have the opportunity...but this time I'm more aware of what can go wrong. Maybe I'll feel different when we start the injectables.
Husband and I leave on Tuesday for a two week trip to France––a much needed vacation before jumping back into the whirlwind of an IVF cycle. I have vin rouge and pain au chocolat to look forward to! My doctor told me to have a glass of red for her. I told her I'd have two!! We start our next cycle around May 25th.
Showing posts with label sister donation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sister donation. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Some Good News!
After a couple days of sadness grieving for dreams that could have been, I just got some good news. My sister J would like to cycle again very soon! I left it up to her to decide the 'when', as I am just so grateful to have her offer a second time. I am surprised, happy, and my heart feels a little fullness and lightness that has been been missing since Monday.
We are both traveling out of the country next month with separate but much needed vacations, so it might take a bit of clever coordination at the hand of my doctor, but it seems like we should start the stim part of the cycle in very early June.
My biggest feeling right now is hope.
We are both traveling out of the country next month with separate but much needed vacations, so it might take a bit of clever coordination at the hand of my doctor, but it seems like we should start the stim part of the cycle in very early June.
My biggest feeling right now is hope.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Moving On
I feel like my heart is a little broken. After getting a BFP on a test, it's natural to build dreams, and begin to visualize what the future will hold. For us, I know in my heart the future still holds parenthood,but that it will come just a little later than expected.
My doctor told me that we should be fine to try another cycle as soon as AF arrives. J is on board to do another cycle. In fact, her response to the chemical pregnancy was, "Don't worry, we'll try again." *Tear*
The doctor said chemical pregnancies occur for the same reasons as other miscarriages--usually a chromosomal abnormality, and that it's just a matter of finding the right embryo. And I know it's easier on the heart to miscarry at this early stage, than to miscarry weeks later into pregnancy when so much hope and attachment has developed.
I hope that we can cycle again very soon. Even though it lasted just a few days, I was pregnant. I know that it can happen again. And I have to believe that next time we will be on the right side of the odds.
My doctor told me that we should be fine to try another cycle as soon as AF arrives. J is on board to do another cycle. In fact, her response to the chemical pregnancy was, "Don't worry, we'll try again." *Tear*
The doctor said chemical pregnancies occur for the same reasons as other miscarriages--usually a chromosomal abnormality, and that it's just a matter of finding the right embryo. And I know it's easier on the heart to miscarry at this early stage, than to miscarry weeks later into pregnancy when so much hope and attachment has developed.
I hope that we can cycle again very soon. Even though it lasted just a few days, I was pregnant. I know that it can happen again. And I have to believe that next time we will be on the right side of the odds.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
It's Official!
I braved a digital test this morning to get a concrete answer.
No faint lines again, just a YES or NO answer. And at 9dp5dt, it's official!
I cannot believe it's true. I know it's still early, and that many things can happen in 9 months, but I'm forcing myself to live in the moment. I'm pregnant, and donor egg ivf works. I could not have done this without my sister, who is so excited to be an auntie.
Today is also the 1st anniversary of marriage to my dear husband. I could not have asked for a more special gift.
No faint lines again, just a YES or NO answer. And at 9dp5dt, it's official!
Today is also the 1st anniversary of marriage to my dear husband. I could not have asked for a more special gift.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Whirlwind Weekend
Been a busy few days here! The retrieval went great! My sister is recovering very well, with only a few cramps to speak of. 14 eggs were retrieved, 10 of great quality. And my doctor just called reporting that all 10 fertilized! So as of now, hubby and I have 10 little ones in Westwood, CA. I wonder if my love for them can take the freeway to get there?
The trigger shot was pretty hilarious. Celebrating J's birthday at a restaurant Friday night, my phone alarm goes off saying it's time. We go to the bathroom to do the shot in a handicapped stall. I push the plunger to get rid of air in the syringe, and put the cap back on. Apparently when I did that I bent the needle slightly, because when I went to inject in her belly the needle would NOT GO IN! We both were like, "oh, @#$%!." I decided, "I'm going to make this thing work, no matter what," and with that as gently as I could pushed it into her thigh area...And it worked!!
I really can't believe we are finished with this chapter of our journey. It's amazing how perfect the timing was for my family. And midway into the cycle, J got the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico and the Carribean for 10 days in May––a vacation so well deserved! I will be grateful to her forever.
Our 5 day transfer is scheduled for this Friday. They do not peek at the embryos until then, so as not to disturb. My heart will be with them. In other great news, my husband injected me last night! Good to know I won't have to shoot myself up every night.
The trigger shot was pretty hilarious. Celebrating J's birthday at a restaurant Friday night, my phone alarm goes off saying it's time. We go to the bathroom to do the shot in a handicapped stall. I push the plunger to get rid of air in the syringe, and put the cap back on. Apparently when I did that I bent the needle slightly, because when I went to inject in her belly the needle would NOT GO IN! We both were like, "oh, @#$%!." I decided, "I'm going to make this thing work, no matter what," and with that as gently as I could pushed it into her thigh area...And it worked!!
I really can't believe we are finished with this chapter of our journey. It's amazing how perfect the timing was for my family. And midway into the cycle, J got the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico and the Carribean for 10 days in May––a vacation so well deserved! I will be grateful to her forever.
Our 5 day transfer is scheduled for this Friday. They do not peek at the embryos until then, so as not to disturb. My heart will be with them. In other great news, my husband injected me last night! Good to know I won't have to shoot myself up every night.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Countdown
Appointment went well today. Phenomenal, even. The doctor's first words were, "Wow, there's lots of eggs in there!". WHEWWW! She said by the time of retrieval there will be 18 eggs–far more than we expected after the first ultrasound, months ago.
J is responding so well to the stims that the retrieval has been moved up from midweek next week, to this Sunday! As in four days from now! And my transfer will be five days after that! All I'm hoping for is a few good embabies. One to implant this cycle, and a couple more ice-siblings for our little one, down the road.
Feeling much gratitude, right now...
J is responding so well to the stims that the retrieval has been moved up from midweek next week, to this Sunday! As in four days from now! And my transfer will be five days after that! All I'm hoping for is a few good embabies. One to implant this cycle, and a couple more ice-siblings for our little one, down the road.
Feeling much gratitude, right now...
Thursday, March 24, 2011
A Birthday Trip
My sister J will be celebrating her birthday next Thursday, less than a week before the expected egg retrieval. Because we'll practically be attached at the hip (so I can give her medications), I promised to do something special for her on her birthday. We are taking the Amtrak down to San Diego for the day. That keeps me from driving more than I have to, and I'll get to give her stim shots on a train...goody! I'm actually looking forward to breathing the fresh ocean air and enjoying some sun, as Southern California has had torrential rain as of late. I think a day-cation will do us both some good prior to the egg retrieval!
Things are moving fast here, and I feel like the days just fly by! J starts stims tomorrow, and has her first ovary-check next Wednesday. I had some last minute nerves when attempting to give myself the first E2V shot––there were at least two pricks prior to actual success. One day I'll be able to say to my child, "Hey, I gave myself shots in the ass, and I did it for YOU!" (not really!)
Things are moving fast here, and I feel like the days just fly by! J starts stims tomorrow, and has her first ovary-check next Wednesday. I had some last minute nerves when attempting to give myself the first E2V shot––there were at least two pricks prior to actual success. One day I'll be able to say to my child, "Hey, I gave myself shots in the ass, and I did it for YOU!" (not really!)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
All Systems Are A Go!!
Great news is that we both received good results on our tests today. J's hormone levels and ovaries look great. My levels were good, and lining is at 7. We are all set for J to start stims this Friday!
I will give myself the first e2v injection later this evening. I teased my loving husband, a needle phobe, that I wanted him to watch...To freak him out just a little.
On another note, I am loving the nurses and staff at our fertility clinic. Whenever J and I go in––which is often these days––the nurses always seem genuinely happy to see us, and greet us with a kind word or funny joke. Someone's getting a really large box of See's Candies when this journey is through!!
I will give myself the first e2v injection later this evening. I teased my loving husband, a needle phobe, that I wanted him to watch...To freak him out just a little.
On another note, I am loving the nurses and staff at our fertility clinic. Whenever J and I go in––which is often these days––the nurses always seem genuinely happy to see us, and greet us with a kind word or funny joke. Someone's getting a really large box of See's Candies when this journey is through!!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sister, sister!
Since the process started, my sister and I have been spending more free time together than we have in the past 10 years. For my family, this situation has brought us closer. We needed assistance expanding the family, and my sister was willing to help. Any children resulting from this will be loved in a very special way, since it took so much love (and $$!) to bring them into this world.
When my parents heard that sister agreed to do it, my Dad–a generally unemotional guy–shed tears. A few weeks into the process my sister told me how excited she was to become a "special auntie", and spoil a little one rotten!
We have only informed immediate family about my sister donating to us. My husband and I told close friends that we are doing IVF, but are keeping the timing and details of it to ourselves. Friends kept asking, "So...when are you guys going to start a family?" It's funny how simple questions like that can be hurtful when there's an infertility problem...Even when those asking have the very best intentions.
If any kids come out of this, we will tell them how they came into this world, and that story will be theirs to tell if they choose to.
When my parents heard that sister agreed to do it, my Dad–a generally unemotional guy–shed tears. A few weeks into the process my sister told me how excited she was to become a "special auntie", and spoil a little one rotten!
We have only informed immediate family about my sister donating to us. My husband and I told close friends that we are doing IVF, but are keeping the timing and details of it to ourselves. Friends kept asking, "So...when are you guys going to start a family?" It's funny how simple questions like that can be hurtful when there's an infertility problem...Even when those asking have the very best intentions.
If any kids come out of this, we will tell them how they came into this world, and that story will be theirs to tell if they choose to.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Here goes nothing...
I've started this blog in an attempt to maintain a modicum of sanity throughout this donor egg/ ivf process. Let's hope it works! Wheee!
Let's get the history out of the way:
I'm 29 years old and married the love of my life in April 2010. We wanted to start a family IMMEDIATELY, but discovered I had a fibroid that should be removed before embarking on the baby journey. After losing an ovary years ago due to an emergency surgery, I was disappointed to wait (to say the least.) Last June, days after our honeymoon, I had the successful myo to remove the fibroid. Then waited two months to recover.
And waited. And waited. After stopping birth control, NOTHING HAPPENED. Two months, and no AF. After insisting on getting tested to see what was going on, I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure. Crushed.
The doctor suggested donor eggs. Crushed again. Suggested I ask a sister, or cousin. My younger sister is afraid of needles and regularly poo-poo's motherhood and pregnancy, so that didn't seem an option. The thought of using an anonymous donor was very hard on me as I am from a mixed ethnic background, and no one, I repeat...NO ONE has the same features and ethnic make-up as my family. But I'd do an anon donor egg in a heartbeat if it would bring me a healthy child.
This brings me to the conversation. The one where I tell my sister that the doctor said I have no eggs, and need to use an egg donor. The words "EGG DONOR" were barely out of my mouth when my sister interrupted with, "You can have my eggs! I'm not using them!" And then I think she followed with something like, "Anonymous donor, WHO?"
Funny I thought she would never consider it. People show you their true hearts when you are in real need. I also have an older half-sister. She is 45, and after I told her our younger sister would do it, she said she had previously wondered if she was still young enough to donate to me if needed. Wow...
Fast-forward to today. Pre-testing done, legal done, and everything lined up. My RE should be doing the calendars tomorrow, and she gave a ballpark retrieval date for 5 weeks from now. Seems like this might really happen, and boy am I ready!
Let's get the history out of the way:
I'm 29 years old and married the love of my life in April 2010. We wanted to start a family IMMEDIATELY, but discovered I had a fibroid that should be removed before embarking on the baby journey. After losing an ovary years ago due to an emergency surgery, I was disappointed to wait (to say the least.) Last June, days after our honeymoon, I had the successful myo to remove the fibroid. Then waited two months to recover.
And waited. And waited. After stopping birth control, NOTHING HAPPENED. Two months, and no AF. After insisting on getting tested to see what was going on, I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure. Crushed.
The doctor suggested donor eggs. Crushed again. Suggested I ask a sister, or cousin. My younger sister is afraid of needles and regularly poo-poo's motherhood and pregnancy, so that didn't seem an option. The thought of using an anonymous donor was very hard on me as I am from a mixed ethnic background, and no one, I repeat...NO ONE has the same features and ethnic make-up as my family. But I'd do an anon donor egg in a heartbeat if it would bring me a healthy child.
This brings me to the conversation. The one where I tell my sister that the doctor said I have no eggs, and need to use an egg donor. The words "EGG DONOR" were barely out of my mouth when my sister interrupted with, "You can have my eggs! I'm not using them!" And then I think she followed with something like, "Anonymous donor, WHO?"
Funny I thought she would never consider it. People show you their true hearts when you are in real need. I also have an older half-sister. She is 45, and after I told her our younger sister would do it, she said she had previously wondered if she was still young enough to donate to me if needed. Wow...
Fast-forward to today. Pre-testing done, legal done, and everything lined up. My RE should be doing the calendars tomorrow, and she gave a ballpark retrieval date for 5 weeks from now. Seems like this might really happen, and boy am I ready!
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