First IVIG ~ DONE!

I had my first IVIG yesterday and let me tell you, I was super nervous. We drove to Chicago on Tuesday evening and stayed the night. My appt. was for 9:00 on Wednesday and the hotel we stayed in this time was less than 5 minutes away, so it was perfect. I didn't sleep well because I was thinking about the IVIG. Would it make me sick, would I have a reaction? (I had a reaction when I had a blood transfusion years ago and it was REALLY bad). They told me when I got there that I might have a headache and that a lot of people do, so I expected that.
I might have had a little headache while I was getting it, but other than that, NOTHING!! I was thrilled. (Of course then later, part of me thought, was it bad that I didn't have any effects? I just need to slap myself!)
I was tired for the rest of the day and I'm tired today, but I'm not sure if that is from the IVIG or the lack of sleep/car ride.
For those wondering what happens during IVIG, it is simple. They take your blood pressure, temp and check your pulse. Then, they hook up the IV, mine went in my hand, and you're good to go. They have really comfy chairs to sit in and they make you drink water, which helps so you don't get a headache. You can eat, read, do whatever you want really while getting the IVIG. They recommended bringing a blanket because it feels kind of cool while going in and many people get cold. (Their office is pretty cold too). I didn't need one, even though I brought it, but others I know have needed it. They also recommend a book or a DVD player, because you are sitting there for 2 hours. I brought magazines, but they have some there in case you don't. The time went by very quickly. Whew! SO happy that it went well.
I went in for an ultrasound afterward and my blood flow is better. It was a .63 last time (they like to see it below .6), so I am taking Lovenox, and now it is at a .5. Yay! She told me that it is important for me to come again after I get pregnant, because at that time, it should be a .45 or lower and they may have to adjust medication. She said if you don't, it's like having a plant and not watering it.

Oh my, I know this is a long post! My doctor decided to continue meds so I have more follicles! Yay! Still not a lot, but about 6. Better! I am feeling good right now. (Well my boobs are SUPER sore and I feel full, but other than that, I feel good.) I think trigger will be tonight and transfer on Saturday, but I might have one more day of stims. I'll find out later.

:) Andrea

Only 3 follicles?

I went in for my ultrasound this morning (Day 7 of stims) and was sad to see that I only have 3 follicles that are a good size. I have one that's 19, two 17s and the rest are 12 or lower. I have never responded like this before! I'm so upset considering that I'm getting IVIG this week for this cycle.
I've been googling IVF with 3 follicles like crazy trying to find success stories.
What if none of them fertilize?
Uhhh! What a day!

:( Andrea

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IVF + IVIG It's go time, finally!

Finally, I started!!!!! We went on vacation last week, hoping to relax a little before this IVF. Yeah, right. I spotted a little early in the week and had really bad cramps. Then I started freaking out because usually if I spot at all, the full flow is coming that day. Since we were in FL and we drove, I thought I might have to fly back! So I worried about it for the rest of the trip and prayed that AF would stay away. It did, luckily, but then when I returned from vacation, it didn't start either. I knew I wasn't pregnant, but I took a test because, well, that always makes it come! It didn't work. Well, it's 3 days later and I finally start. So today is Day 1 of this IVF cycle with IVIG.
I did have a good vacation, but I'm such a worrier. I wish I wasn't. I wish I could just calm down, chill out. How do you do that? I've always been this way. My counselor used to tell me to get a massage. Well, a massage is like $60 and I would have to get one every day! Same with acupuncture. And with the cost of this IVIG, I can't afford ANYTHING!
I go to the doctor tomorrow and hopefully will figure out when I can go to Chicago to get the IVIG. We'll see.

:) Andrea

Okay, I'm going to do it

I met with my doctor today and for those who said I shouldn't have stuck with him for this long - you're wrong. He is a kind man who will try whatever we want and always tries to help. I told him that we wanted to try IVF and IVIG one time. That's about all we can do. IVF is expensive in itself and each time I get IVIG it will be over $2100. I've gained weight since we last checked, so it's probably closer to $2500. So I have to get IVIG during the conception cycle, once I get a positive pregnancy test and then possibly every 3 weeks after that. I keep thinking/praying about how we're going to pay for it, but I don't have an answer yet. I just know that it's summer and I have some time off. I need to try this now. I am anxious (by nature I think) and so I'm SUPER nervous, but it's now or never.

I'll be 34 in August. Time is ticking away. My doctor looked at me today and said, "So there's NO ONE that could be a surrogate?"
My answer was no. I don't have anyone. I wish I did, but I don't. It's me or no one.

So, he's having his nurse call me tomorrow. He said he'll do everything he can to give me a discounted rate so that I can put any extra money toward the IVIG, which I appreciate.

He also said that he has seen many more cycles with IVIG fail than succeed. He wasn't saying it to be negative, but honest. I appreciate his honesty, but I feel that we have to try it. I will regret it if I don't.

So finally, I asked how many embryos he'd be willing to transfer. He said it's up to us as long as we're aware of the risks. This summer marks our 6th year of trying. We're aware of the risks and quite frankly, I'm not too worried about it. I'm worried about a lot of things, but that is not one of them.

I'm excited, but very anxious. I'm really trying to be positive because I know that's what's best, but it's so hard. If you pray, please say a prayer for me. I could use all of the prayers I can get to help me through this.

:) Andrea

My Journey

That's the car I'm getting. I like to lease so we went looking today and the Journey was the best price. I always get GM cars, so this is a big change, but I like it! Hopefully, this infertility "journey" will be over soon and I can have a baby to put in the back of my new car! It's funny because whenever I get a new car, I get it thinking about our family. I've been driving a "family" type car for 6 years now, but when it happens, I'll be ready. I meet with my doctor in late June to see what's next. In the meantime, I've been reading a lot of your blogs and not getting overly emotional, which is good!

In other news, my husband and I celebrated our 10-year anniversary 2 days ago. :) And in other news, I only have 5 days left and then school's out for summer! Woo-hoo!

:) Andrea

Blogger keeps signing me out

It won't let me comment on posts. It just signs me out right when I try to go to my page. Weird!