Close to Half Way There

Week 1 of the IVF retrieval process is just about done. We had another ultrasound today and Dr. Amols said everything was looking good. We have 8 growing follicles on one side and 6 on the other with the largest being 10mm. Since the follicles need to be around 18ish mm we are about half way there assuming everything keeps growing right. I am also thrilled to announce that we didn’t have to do any blood work today! That was something I was not looking forward to. Dr. Amols said that since I don’t handle needles well and stress can make this whole thing work not as well we are only going to do blood draws near the very end to make sure everything is good to go and if the ultrasound isn’t clear and he can’t figure out what is going on. I have now done 9 injections, with the 10 happening tonight just before bed. I truly am feeling like a pin cushion. I have at least gotten a system down where for 2 days I do the injections on the right side and then 2 days on the left and so on to give each side a chance to recover from all of the needle sticks. I had noticed recently that the injections were hurting more than normal so I looked at the expiration date on the numbing cream, and sure enough it had expired a few months ago. I probably should have thought about that sooner since medications tend to only last for about a year. We got a new prescription for it so I have working numbing cream again, which is nice. I don’t know if it means anything, but I’ve been really tired lately, though I suppose growing 14 eggs can be tiring. I’m really glad my work is so flexible regarding my doctor’s appointments and doing the injection at work. We found a storage room that isn’t used very often for me to do my injection at work so I have a private space to set everything up in. My boss has also been awesome at giving me time off in the mornings that I have my appointments so I don’t have to stress about trying to make them super early. I am still not looking forward to the retrieval, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to make this happen.

We want to again thank everyone for their prayers and continued support. There are times where I start to feel like this is all just a waste of time and money, but then I remember all of the doors God has opened to make this happen. We truly are blessed to have found such a wonderful doctor and to have such amazing friends and family during this time.