We're gonna do what when!

Ok it's time for the husbands installment once again on this journey we've embarked on.  Many things have happened since I last posted but Christen has done a fantastic job of keeping ya'll up to speed.  It has been amazing to watch the way that Christen has handled herself throughout the IVF process. She has had to give herself shots, take medicines and drive back and forth to numerous doctors appointments.  Christen has done all of this without complaining.  She has endured and carried on despite being extremely tired and bruised up (literally).  If  had ever lost sight of what an incredible woman God has allowed me to spend my life with, this journey has simply solidified and re-focused me to how truly blessed I am to have Christen.  All the while Christen was preparing her body for the retrieval date, I was also preparing..for a bike race that is.  I have been training extremely hard to finish out my season on a high note at the state championships.  Couple our jobs with having to be at different places at different times and what you get is Christen and I not getting to spend a whole lot of time together.  This feeling of separation has worn on us in the last few weeks and I am glad to say that I am officially in off-season mode!  As I crossed the line on Sunday, the last race of the season, my mind quickly forwarded to what lied ahead for me.  After the soreness and dehydration wore off, I couldn't help but have a big smile on my face because we are almost there!  I think about us starting a family daily, but it has always been amongst thoughts of cycling and work and other things.  After this weekend, Christen and I's journey became what has consumed my thoughts!  It's been one of those things where you don't really want to start thinking about the end product too soon because it seems a long ways off.  Luckily our business has us standing at the front door even though I feel like we had our initial consult with the doctor yesterday!  Tomorrow is a huge day for Christen and I.  We will be visiting the doctor and providing the eggs and semen needed to hopefully create a life!  It's my turn at 9:30 and Christen's at 10:30, so I ask that you be praying for us at that time if possible.  Thanks for reading and allowing us to share our thoughts and feeling with ya'll! 

Cruisin for a Bruisin

Last Wednesday I had another appointment for a sono and then immediately following my annual exam with Dr. Daum. I showed up in Arlington for my 9 a.m. appointment where they drew some more blood and took a sono. Everything looked good. Progesterone level was right where it needed to be, so they informed me to keep on with my calendar. My calendar told me to start my stim meds that Saturday. Well, I had been waiting and waiting and waiting for my Flex Plan Credit card to come into the mail so I could order all my meds through that but it hadn't come in. So I starting getting a little antsy, especially when the doc said "you haven't ordered your meds yet??" Oops! So on my way to the next appt I told myself that I would call the insurance people as soon as I got to the office since I would have about 20 to spare. Well, I was about to turn on to the road to Daum's office when they called and cancelled on me. GREAT. I have to have this done before the trial transfer date I told them sounding frustrated. So anyhow, they scheduled me for that next day at 4:15.

Now that I had some time on my hands (since I didn't have to be back at work until 11:45) I went back home and got on the phone with the Flex Plan people. They informed me that my card should be in the mail either that day or the next. I couldn't wait any longer for the card so I went ahead and ordered the rest of my meds that I would be starting 3 days later. Now I'll have to send in the invoice of $2400 to the Flex Plan peeps so they can send me a check in the mail, since I had to put in on my credit card.

Thursday, right after school I rushed over to Daum's for my pap (the one they cancelled the day before) and sure enough as soon as they call me back the doc gets a call to go deliver a baby. Just my luck:) Surprisingly, he was back within 15 minutes. CRAZY! He came in to the room and said "It was a Boy". After the exam I got back home to see the huge box with my medicine sitting on the porch. I went through all of it to make sure it was all there. Check. Good to go.

Last night was my first night having to mix 5 different things together into one syringe. It was a complete and utter disaster! I ended up spilling meds all over the counter. It was not good. So I wasted a whole day's worth of vials. Finally after another 20 minutes I mastered it (well kind of). The syringe is pretty thick but the needle is really small, which means it takes some time squeezing all the meds in you once the needle is in your stomach. Let me tell you...not fun! And to make it even better, I hit a vein. Yup, a vein! So if you have a weak stomach, don't read any further!!! I stuck myself which this time made me jump a little bit, then started squeezing all the juice in. Well, I guess after all of the meds were gone and I started taking the needle out, I let go of the "button" (not sure what it's called). This caused the syringe to start filling with blood. Yes nasty, I know. I honestly started flipping out a little bc that had never happened to me. I was already flustered from the whole mixing experience. I called my mom who is a nurse. She is the one who told me I hit a vein. I must say though, tonight was a completely different story. I mixed everything without spilling a drop! It was amazing. The shots do not feel to great anymore but it's okay I can take it:) I am bummed though about the bruises that are beginning to form. I was determined NOT to bruise. I have even been marking my spot with a sharpie after each stick just so I don't hit the same place twice and cause bruising. Oh well, I guess my goal now will be to see how many bruises I can get...jk ;)

Tomorrow in the morning I have to go to Arlington again for more blood work. No sono this time just more blood. Needles are becoming my best friend. Afterwards I am seeing my new Family Doctor, Dr. Vick. I am going to find out about this aerosinusitis that I have when I fly in an airplane! Then, back to school!

The Retrieval day is still set for September 29th (give or take a day). We are literally a week and a half out. Time is flying by. We are so ready! Hope everyone has a great week...off to do my Daniel study!

Mario turnes 32

Yesterday Mario turned 32.I still remember being newlyweds at 22 and 26. I thought 26 was old then but now I'm passed that! Crazy! I came home from work with Mario passed out upstairs. I'm glad he got to enjoy a little nap. When he awoke, we quickly scrambled around getting ready to head to Arlington with some friends. Some friends of ours from church went to BJ's brewery with us for some Delicious pizza. Afterwards we headed to some coffee shop to watch our friends friends play the fiddle and sing. We had a nice relaxing time hanging out and visiting.

Nothing real new with the whole IVF process. Last Tuesday I took off work for the Trial Transfer and more bloodwork. I can't remember if I already blogged about this but it was a nice easy procedure. They just wanted to make sure that my uterus was clear from polyps and to find a good place to implant the eggs when the "real" time comes. All they had to do was take a tiny catheter and insert it all the way up and squirt a saline mixture up. It was not painful at all. They had given me a tylenol and antibiotic beforehand for some cramping I might experience but it wasn't bad. He said everything looked great. I only have 4 more days of taking birthcontrol and 7 more days of the lupron injections. YAH! After the lupron injections comes the stim meds. This means were getting super close! I'm a little nervous about having to mix all the stim meds together everyday. When I went in to learn how to do it, I was squirting the medicine everywhere! It was embarrassing. The hardest part about it, is making sure you hold the syringe in place bc of the pressure it will want to squirt the meds out. I'm sure it will be fine! So far every sample prenatal vitamin that I have taken has been great...so far no nausea! I think that's about it, nothing too exciting:)

I did it!

Yesterday after church we headed North to Denton for my Dad's 50 birthday, my Aunt Kathy's 46th, and Mario's 32nd! We had a great time playing with the dogs, wrestling, eating, eating, visiting, and eating:) It was so good to see all my family. Some times I miss the Big D (aka Denton). I love love love living down here in Waxahachie but I miss being with the fam.

At 8:00 last night it was time for my first injection. I feel horrible about the whole thing because I didn't realize that Mario wanted to watch me. I literally was shaking and so I grabbed the medicine and headed to the back bedroom. My cousin Drew who is 10 and my other cousin who is 4 followed me bc they wanted to watch. No one else knew I was about to stick myself and I didn't want to say anything bc I was nervous. I was telling Drew and Jack, "I'm so nervous". Drew's response was "just do it, pretend like it's a dart and stick it in", so I said ok and sticked myself. I honestly did not even feel it. Now the medicine burns! Not for just a couple of minutes, but it burned for almost an hour. Crazy strong serum. Afterwards, I ran in there and said "I did it, I gave myself the shot". Everyone was excited except for Mario who wanted to watch. Don't worry, I apologized and told him that he could watch the next one...which is tonight:)

Hope everyone had a great restful Labor Day weekend! Off to do my Daniel Study!!!!!!

Package arrives

Well my first box arrived with 30 syringes and the Luphron. I won't lie, it's a little creepy having a bunch a needles and the red box sitting at our house. This morning I met with a nurse to learn how to give myself injections and how to mix the medicine together. I practiced putting the needles into this fake squishy stomach, which was kind of entertaining. Now tomorrow when I get to stick myself might be a little different:) Maybe not so entertaining! I also got to look at my calendar of exactly when everything will take place. They are anticipating the egg retrieval date is going to take place September 29th. Yes, that's this month! This last week was a little rough starting on the pill. Definitely got my hormones going and my stomach upset. I started feeling better towards the middle of the week. Only cried once:)  

This last Wednesday, I started a Daniel study. I am very excited about studying this book. It will take a whole year to work through but I'm ready! God's word is so amazing.

Tomorrow, we are heading up to Denton after church to celebrate my dad's 50th birthday with the family. Granny wants me to bring the dogs and stay the night which would be fun, but my granny's dog would be like a scooby snack for Abbie and Wade:) That might not be good ending. So, I think we'll head back and then spend some time with friends on Labor Day.

I'll let everyone know how my first prick goes tomorrow!