God is Good

     I have some great news!!! I know, I know. It's a little late, but I wanted to give Anne a chance to tell everyone she wanted to first.

WE ARE PREGNANT!!!!

     The blood tests on Monday and Wednesday came back with awesome results. The call came in on Monday with Dave home from lunch and Anne sitting there with him. It was the best timing with the best news. Everyone is very excited (to say the least).

The next step is an appointment we have at the fertility center on June 7. They will be doing an ultrasound to see if both embryos took, or just one. Now that things are a little more of a reality, maybe Anne will make a guest appearance on the blog.

As for me, the pregnancy feels quite normal. I need naps in the afternoon and I have some strange hunger cravings. It does feel a little different. Just knowing this baby isn't mine keeps me a little disconnected. But I think that's normal and probably a good thing.

Thanks for all of your prayers. Please pray that everything goes smoothly for the next couple of months especially- and throughout the pregnancy.

Still Waiting

I wanted to give you guys a heads up as to what is happening soon.

I have orders to get blood tests done on Monday and Wednesday. If I go in early enough, we should know the same day.

On a positive note, my chiropractor knows about the procedure and this is what he had to say on Wednesday.
"I predict that it took the first time from what I see here" (As he was feeling my back) "I believe you'll have good news on Monday" 

!!!!!!!!!!!!

But we will see. Still trying to remain neutral.....but it's so hard.
Never thought of myself as a positive person....but maybe I am.
Or maybe someone with a lot of FAITH!

Stay tuned!

All is Well So Far

I'm nearing the end of my sentence. Bed rest is not fun when you feel fine. I was a little tired, but that is about it. I've been catching up on my Google Reader, email, random internet surfing, and magazines.

The procedure was great. Other than the fact that my bladder was so full I thought I would pee on the doctor while he was working. And of course, the nurse had to put the ultrasound thing right on top of my bladder and push down! It only took a few minutes and they were done with the transfer. Then they used a catheter to help ease my discomfort. OUCH!

The doctor didn't give precise grades for the embryos, but instead said that 4 of the 5 were excellent. The fifth was okay. So they put in two of the excellent ones and we'll know more in a week or so.

Thanks for all your prayers!

Anne has pictures of me in my hospital garb and some of her from her procedure. Maybe she'll post them for all of you.

T-Day T Minus 12 hours (approximately)

That's right, Transfer Day is tomorrow. At 11:45- so that all of you can be praying.

Anne's egg retrieval went good on Tuesday. They got seven eggs. They deposited Dave's deposit (tee-hee).

We received word today that 5 of the 7 eggs were mature. So they made 5 embryos. They give grades to the embryos- One being perfect and Four being poor. We will find out tomorrow how theirs are graded. Two will be used right away.

Then they will do the TRANSFER!

I'll be out of commission for the whole day. I have to take a happy pill (valium) and lay on my back for the whole day.

Pray everything goes smoothly and that the eggs take right away.
Pray that I will be able to relax and stay in bed- Doctor's orders!

We'll update when we can!

3 Days and Counting

Big things are happening. This is the week. T-Day is in sight.

I had an appointment on Thursday where they had to do another ultrasound.
Yes, that's right. They had to use the probe.
I've talked about it previously. There's a photo if you really want to see.

I thought I'd include another photo in this post. This photo is of the "probe cover" , as they call it.

Here it is.

Doesn't the "probe cover" look suspiciously like an item with a different name?
And do you know what the "probe cover" does? It covers the probe when they use it.
True story. This is the real deal, here.

I got to poke Anne with a gigantic needle yesterday. It was a little frightening. But we did it.
I don't have a photo, but Dave took some pictures of it. Maybe they will post them.
It had to be done at precisely 9pm. Right after the very disappointing 'Amazing Race' that we watched.

It was preparation for tomorrow. It is harvest day for Anne tomorrow.

Please be in prayer for Anne that everything goes smoothly and they get the eggs that they need.
Please be in prayer for Dave and Anne as they have to make an important decision about how many embryos to make.
Please be in prayer for everyone because Transfer Day is Thursday!

I will check back in when I'm able to keep you up to date.

Good News

I have good news to report. Anne went in for an appointment today and things looked much better. They were able to see at least 8 eggs and new growth happening. Things are on track and looking positive! Thanks for praying!

    Today I start taking three estrogen pills a day. I have an appointment tomorrow to make sure I am on track. Anne has another appointment on Friday to check the follicle growth and make sure there are plenty of eggs.

T-Day is approaching quickly. (Transfer Day)

Another thing to keep in your prayers- How many embryos to do? Dave and Anne have to make the decision on how many embryos to make. It would be good to have more than the 2 we plan on implanting. That way, if pregnancy doesn't happen this time we have some embryos waiting to try again. If pregnancy does happen, Dave and Anne have to decide what to do with the frozen embryos. We consider embryos to be life and need to be treated as such.

So please pray for Dave and Anne in this decision they have to make.

Getting caught up

     The second blood test turned out good. My estradiol levels were where they should be. So Christine gave me the instructions for the next phase- Take less Lupron and start taking the Estrogen pills. This helps to start the thickening of the uterus walls so they are ready to accept the transfer. I started with one pill a day and then went to two pills a day. Tomorrow I start taking three a day and I have an appointment for Thursday morning. They will check my uterine lining, I guess.

     Anne has had to take different drugs than me.  She actually has to mix stuff together and then use a needle to shoot it into herself. I believe (but not positive) it is to help boost the growth of follicles so that she will have more eggs available.

     For those that read this blog, please be in constant prayer.  Anne had an appointment with Dr. Young to check on follicle growth. It did not go well. She only had two eggs on one side and the other side couldn't be located. I am not sure yet what that means to the whole process. Anne said that Dr. Young did not seem hopeful. It would be devastating to come this far, only to be let down and not continue. Pray for more follicle growth. Pray for the other ovary to be located. Pray for Dave and Anne and whatever may come next.

Thank you for your support.

I'll give you an update as soon as I know anything.