Follicles & Eggs

I can definitely feel the physical difference between my regular stomach and my hormone injected, swollen ovary belly.  My ovaries irritatingly ached the entire day.

The Importance of the Mini Muffin Top

Each morning before my micro dose of Lupron, per the doctor’s orders, I take a low dose of aspirin (81 mg).  It helps thin my blood, which allows the hormones to travel more quickly through my body.

Back in Business

My body has reset and we're back in business!  This morning's visit to the fertility clinic showed that I have five follicles on the right and ten on the left.  The ultrasound also revealed that the size of each of my follicles is under the size of ten, which is good.  This means my body is calm and my estrogen has leveled out.  

I start shots on Thursday the 26th.   Gonal F (225 cc), Menopur (75 cc) and a new one has been added.  It's a microdose (20 cc) of Lupron twice a day.  Lupron is used to help balance ovarian stimulation.  I will take it once in the morning and then again 12 hours later.

Are You Kidding Me?

Hilari accompanied me to the clinic this morning to film.  During the ultrasound, the doctor noticed one of my follicles was larger than those surrounding it.  Ideally at this point, follicles should be around or below the size of 10.  This particular follicle is a size 14 meaning one of two things.  One, the follicle is growing faster than the others while allowing them access to the hormones.  Two, it's growing larger because it's absorbing all the hormones and denying it to the other follicles.  The best scenario is the first one, but I'll have to wait and see my blood work to get a full picture. 

Day Two of Shots

Second day of giving myself hormone shots.  The Gonal-F was simple to administer.  I removed the dosage and injected it as instructed one-inch from my belly button with the small syringe.  I’m still at the dose of 225. 

Decision Time

To make sure my hormone levels and follicles are in check before I start the shots, I went to the clinic to get an ultrasound and my blood drawn.  While at the office, I explained to the nurse what was going on with my grandfather.

Learning to Give Myself Shots

This morning Hilari and I went to the fertility clinic. The nurse taught me how to give myself hormone shots and handed me a box of full of meds shipped directly from the pharmacy (pic on the right). A bonus about filming this documentary - if I can't remember the instructions given, I can always go back and watch the tapes.

We made our way back to the nurse's office and she closed the door. I was relieved to see just the three of us together in that tiny room. I've heard horror stories of single women finding themselves in a classroom full of couples (participating in IVF), feeling alienated for attending the instruction without a "partner". I was happy to realize this wasn't the case for me today.

Fertility Meds - Paid in Full

I paid for my fertility meds today. The total was $2,300. Yes, I know; it’s a lot of money. 

First Visit to the Fertility Clinic

Today was my first visit to the USC Fertility Clinic…fertility clinic. I never imagined I'd be saying those words. I rolled up to a sweet parking space in front of the building (Thank you parking angels!) and headed to the 14th floor for my 8:40am appointment.  

I'm Freezing My Eggs!

I want have a family one day. To be honest, I never imagined that I wouldn't have a family by now; I'm 35. Don't misunderstand me, I'm grateful for the path my life has taken. I'm just not where I thought I'd be, which isn't good or bad, it just IS.