Showing posts with label FET. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FET. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2015
Thursday, September 8, 2011
On not working
Thanks Linda for the post topic! She was wondering about my decision to leave my job for our latest cycle. This came after the decision to take an unpaid leave of absence for my fresh cycle last November, which I think helped me then. (see "what we did" post from December) I apologize in advance that this is long and rambling, but as you can see it wasn't a decision that we came to quickly or without a lot a crap going down first.
Back when we were planning to cycle last Sept/Oct (after my last septum/lap surgery and before my FIL passed away unexpectedly delaying our cycle to Oct/Nov), I had spoken with my boss about what we were doing and that I'd like to take some time off to focus on our cycle. He was very supportive, having a brother who with his wife had been through the IVF process as well (they now have twins). I then had to spend a lot of time with HR to try to figure out how to make it work. They wanted me to apply for STD, which I knew I wouldn't, and didn't, qualify for, as my RE would only write me out of work for ER and ET (two days). I finally ended up taking a personal leave, when we got to cycling in November. I gave up those weeks of my salary and that portion of the year's bonus, but I didn't have to use any of my PTO time, which I cashed out when I left the company. After doing some research, I also requested that it not count against my 12 weeks of guaranteed time for FMLA, since it was obviously our plan to get pg and need that time for maternity leave, which would have been paid through STD and my saved PTO.
I found out I was pg over Thanksgiving and returned to work the next week. I worked for just over a month before we lost that pregnancy. My boss was then very understanding and let me take a week off (off the books) and then I came back to work partial days for the next. After DH returned from India, we began our recovery and planned for our next/FET cycle with our two remaining embryos from our cycle, it became increasingly apparent to me/us that we needed to focus our energies even more on what we doing.
Originally, I was meant to be on the road for work from late Jan-April (my 2nd tri for my 1st pg, which I thought would work out, though the pg didn't), but then in December found out that this would be delayed. After I returned to work in January after our loss, it turned out that the powers that be were considering delaying the roadshow launch even further. I had an honest discussion with my boss, my former boss (who was still leading the project, but was now on a new team), and my boss's boss about how our plans to cycle again would be our priority and that I would need to have someone fill in for me on the road if I needed to be home for appointments on certain days. They were supportive, but honestly the project was so unstable at that point, that I think they were just agreeing to whatever I was saying because they needed me to stick around and help get it off the ground whenever that time came.
I don't remember exactly when DH and I started talking about me leaving my FT job completely. I think I brought it up sometime after the new year. I had been unhappy for some time and a lot had happened since I had started there in the fall of 2009, which was when we began our first treatment cycle. I had completed a mini-MBA program in Feb 2010, which my employer had helped to pay for, so I was obligated to stay on for one year after that, to avoid having to repay those funds. I was also looking forward to collecting my annual bonus at the end of March, which I was definitely sticking around for. So this became our new target. Sometime in late winter, they decided to cancel the roadshow for my project completely, which was somewhat of a relief, but also upset me given I'd devoted 18 months of my life to this project, and it was pretty clear that they were screwing up the launch. I made it known that I didn't agree with this decision and at some point a new, scaled back launch plan was suggested. I again reminded everyone that I would be available only to the extent that whatever schedule they came up with didn't interfere with what we were doing.
It wasn't until mid-March that we were able to begin meds for our FET, given the time required post-m/c to regulate and get back on track. By this time, I was counting down the days. At the end of the month, I got my evaluation, bonus and raise, and after leading the training session that was to replace most of our roadshow, gave my two week notice. I worked until mid-April, two weeks before our transfer. Another reason why I was comfortable leaving without another job lined up, was that the consulting firm I had worked for before I went over the corporate side in 2005, said that they had work for me to do. I did my first, and what has turned out to be only, project for them immediately after I left my FT job. This was the intense project in Vegas that almost cause me to miss my grandfather's funeral in April. After this and getting pg w/twins from our cycle, I have opted not to do much in the way of work which is good now that I'm totally out of commission, though I have been networking, with another consulting firm adding me to their roster of contractors.
We had used the rest of our $15K lifetime max for infertility treatments, through DH's work, on our fresh cycle, so we knew we'd be OOP for whatever came next, unless/until I found a new job with IF benefits. We had saved up enough to do several cycles OOP, if that became necessary. I also did a ridiculous amount of research and even applied to work for companies where IF benefits were available. Given our age, history, focus on having a family (not having kids has never been a viable option for either us, and we have discussed adoption at length), and ability to live on one salary since we live below our means, while we figure out what is going to happen, it made sense for us.
Though long term given my earning ability, which is significantly more than the cost of having someone else care for two kids while I work, I will likely go back to work in some capacity by the time the kids are two/in pre-school in order to help provide the comfortable lifestyle that we'd like to provide for our family. Those 529s don't fully fund themselves unfortunately... And unlike someone I was reading the other day in response to determining their family size, I won't expect my kids to just be thankful to be alive, even though there is no plan/ability to take care of them adequately. This might be the single most ridiculous and irresponsible thing I've ever read, and I know all about this first hand. They should expect some support from their parents in making something of themselves. I don't expect them to start working at 12 or work three jobs through college, like I did. But unless we have a family, the money really means nothing and the things that it can buy (besides IF treatments, of course) can wait. But my biological clock doesn't stop ticking...
Now that I'm on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy, I (and all my Drs.) are very glad that I'm not having to deal with an employer.
Back when we were planning to cycle last Sept/Oct (after my last septum/lap surgery and before my FIL passed away unexpectedly delaying our cycle to Oct/Nov), I had spoken with my boss about what we were doing and that I'd like to take some time off to focus on our cycle. He was very supportive, having a brother who with his wife had been through the IVF process as well (they now have twins). I then had to spend a lot of time with HR to try to figure out how to make it work. They wanted me to apply for STD, which I knew I wouldn't, and didn't, qualify for, as my RE would only write me out of work for ER and ET (two days). I finally ended up taking a personal leave, when we got to cycling in November. I gave up those weeks of my salary and that portion of the year's bonus, but I didn't have to use any of my PTO time, which I cashed out when I left the company. After doing some research, I also requested that it not count against my 12 weeks of guaranteed time for FMLA, since it was obviously our plan to get pg and need that time for maternity leave, which would have been paid through STD and my saved PTO.
I found out I was pg over Thanksgiving and returned to work the next week. I worked for just over a month before we lost that pregnancy. My boss was then very understanding and let me take a week off (off the books) and then I came back to work partial days for the next. After DH returned from India, we began our recovery and planned for our next/FET cycle with our two remaining embryos from our cycle, it became increasingly apparent to me/us that we needed to focus our energies even more on what we doing.
Originally, I was meant to be on the road for work from late Jan-April (my 2nd tri for my 1st pg, which I thought would work out, though the pg didn't), but then in December found out that this would be delayed. After I returned to work in January after our loss, it turned out that the powers that be were considering delaying the roadshow launch even further. I had an honest discussion with my boss, my former boss (who was still leading the project, but was now on a new team), and my boss's boss about how our plans to cycle again would be our priority and that I would need to have someone fill in for me on the road if I needed to be home for appointments on certain days. They were supportive, but honestly the project was so unstable at that point, that I think they were just agreeing to whatever I was saying because they needed me to stick around and help get it off the ground whenever that time came.
I don't remember exactly when DH and I started talking about me leaving my FT job completely. I think I brought it up sometime after the new year. I had been unhappy for some time and a lot had happened since I had started there in the fall of 2009, which was when we began our first treatment cycle. I had completed a mini-MBA program in Feb 2010, which my employer had helped to pay for, so I was obligated to stay on for one year after that, to avoid having to repay those funds. I was also looking forward to collecting my annual bonus at the end of March, which I was definitely sticking around for. So this became our new target. Sometime in late winter, they decided to cancel the roadshow for my project completely, which was somewhat of a relief, but also upset me given I'd devoted 18 months of my life to this project, and it was pretty clear that they were screwing up the launch. I made it known that I didn't agree with this decision and at some point a new, scaled back launch plan was suggested. I again reminded everyone that I would be available only to the extent that whatever schedule they came up with didn't interfere with what we were doing.
It wasn't until mid-March that we were able to begin meds for our FET, given the time required post-m/c to regulate and get back on track. By this time, I was counting down the days. At the end of the month, I got my evaluation, bonus and raise, and after leading the training session that was to replace most of our roadshow, gave my two week notice. I worked until mid-April, two weeks before our transfer. Another reason why I was comfortable leaving without another job lined up, was that the consulting firm I had worked for before I went over the corporate side in 2005, said that they had work for me to do. I did my first, and what has turned out to be only, project for them immediately after I left my FT job. This was the intense project in Vegas that almost cause me to miss my grandfather's funeral in April. After this and getting pg w/twins from our cycle, I have opted not to do much in the way of work which is good now that I'm totally out of commission, though I have been networking, with another consulting firm adding me to their roster of contractors.
We had used the rest of our $15K lifetime max for infertility treatments, through DH's work, on our fresh cycle, so we knew we'd be OOP for whatever came next, unless/until I found a new job with IF benefits. We had saved up enough to do several cycles OOP, if that became necessary. I also did a ridiculous amount of research and even applied to work for companies where IF benefits were available. Given our age, history, focus on having a family (not having kids has never been a viable option for either us, and we have discussed adoption at length), and ability to live on one salary since we live below our means, while we figure out what is going to happen, it made sense for us.
Though long term given my earning ability, which is significantly more than the cost of having someone else care for two kids while I work, I will likely go back to work in some capacity by the time the kids are two/in pre-school in order to help provide the comfortable lifestyle that we'd like to provide for our family. Those 529s don't fully fund themselves unfortunately... And unlike someone I was reading the other day in response to determining their family size, I won't expect my kids to just be thankful to be alive, even though there is no plan/ability to take care of them adequately. This might be the single most ridiculous and irresponsible thing I've ever read, and I know all about this first hand. They should expect some support from their parents in making something of themselves. I don't expect them to start working at 12 or work three jobs through college, like I did. But unless we have a family, the money really means nothing and the things that it can buy (besides IF treatments, of course) can wait. But my biological clock doesn't stop ticking...
Now that I'm on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy, I (and all my Drs.) are very glad that I'm not having to deal with an employer.
Friday, July 8, 2011
13 weeks!
I still can't believe we are 13 weeks along. Bye bye 1st tri! I took off my very last E2 patch today (OMG!) after being on them (and up to four at one point) since the 1st of April (after starting BCP in March!). That was a very long time ago and I think it will take awhile for the skin on my stomach to go back to normal. It looks like I had the Olympic rings tattooed down there. I'm looking forward to being able to tend to my skin appropriately again.
I also get to start weaning off of my PIO tonight (from 1.5cc nightly since April 21st, to 1cc for a week, then .5cc for another week). Only two more weeks of meds to go... My butt can't wait. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that an FET is easier or shorter or whatever than a fresh cycle. Hogwash. We spent nearly as much on four months of maintenance meds for our FET as we did for our stims for a fresh cycle.
Finally went to the new chiropractor today. She is really nice and even though I've been feeling pretty good, my spine is completely wacky. She adjusted me today and I go back twice next week, once the next and then I'll go in every other week. Very thankful we have chiropractic coverage, I almost forgot how good it feels.
Prenatal yoga starts up again on the 23rd. Sadly, the wonderful instructor I had for fertility yoga and prenatal last time has moved to MN for her husband's job and there will be a new instructor. I miss Jen. :'( I could also go into the city and do it several places there, but I've got five pre-paid classes at PDTM from my last pregnancy, so I'm going to start there and see how it goes.
In other exciting news, I finally broke down and bought a new, bigger, and wireless bra. I'm in heaven. I also discovered the wonder of panel pants. Thank you God! I've got several great summer dresses to wear, but sometimes you want to be able to throw on some capri pants and a cute summer top. Victory!
I also get to start weaning off of my PIO tonight (from 1.5cc nightly since April 21st, to 1cc for a week, then .5cc for another week). Only two more weeks of meds to go... My butt can't wait. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that an FET is easier or shorter or whatever than a fresh cycle. Hogwash. We spent nearly as much on four months of maintenance meds for our FET as we did for our stims for a fresh cycle.
Finally went to the new chiropractor today. She is really nice and even though I've been feeling pretty good, my spine is completely wacky. She adjusted me today and I go back twice next week, once the next and then I'll go in every other week. Very thankful we have chiropractic coverage, I almost forgot how good it feels.
Prenatal yoga starts up again on the 23rd. Sadly, the wonderful instructor I had for fertility yoga and prenatal last time has moved to MN for her husband's job and there will be a new instructor. I miss Jen. :'( I could also go into the city and do it several places there, but I've got five pre-paid classes at PDTM from my last pregnancy, so I'm going to start there and see how it goes.
In other exciting news, I finally broke down and bought a new, bigger, and wireless bra. I'm in heaven. I also discovered the wonder of panel pants. Thank you God! I've got several great summer dresses to wear, but sometimes you want to be able to throw on some capri pants and a cute summer top. Victory!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Twins!
We had our first ultrasound this morning @ 6w4d and we're pregnant w/twins! It was nearly impossible to get them at all on the same screen, as they are still very small, but we have two sacs, yolk sacs, and LOs w/heartbeats!
We are very excited, though of course that is tempered by the reality (which our RE reminded us of) that there is an even higher rate of m/c since we have two and obviously the rate of complications, if both continue to thrive, will likely be higher. But we'll take it! :)
We are very excited, though of course that is tempered by the reality (which our RE reminded us of) that there is an even higher rate of m/c since we have two and obviously the rate of complications, if both continue to thrive, will likely be higher. But we'll take it! :)
Monday, May 16, 2011
FET beta #3
7078!!! Holy crap!!! I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to have nice strong number today, as it seriously puts my mind at ease as we enter our last week of waiting before our first u/s, which is next Tuesday.
The funny thing is that my beta actually and thankfully picked up speed from last Monday, which is unusual, with a doubling time of less than two days.
Just for comparison, my betas at 14dpo, 17dpo, and 24dpo last time were: 104, 490, and 3764 (all slightly above the beta base median for a singleton (which are 102, 296, and 3408, respectively)).
This time for the same days my betas were: 197, 480, 7078 (bumping right along the median for twins :), which are 206, 582, and 6842...).
The funny thing is that my beta actually and thankfully picked up speed from last Monday, which is unusual, with a doubling time of less than two days.
Just for comparison, my betas at 14dpo, 17dpo, and 24dpo last time were: 104, 490, and 3764 (all slightly above the beta base median for a singleton (which are 102, 296, and 3408, respectively)).
This time for the same days my betas were: 197, 480, 7078 (bumping right along the median for twins :), which are 206, 582, and 6842...).
Monday, May 9, 2011
FET beta #2
Came back at 480. Honestly, I was hoping for it to be higher. Last time I went from 104 to 490 in the same three days, and we know how that ended. That's a doubling time of 56 hours, which is definitely on the slow end (it was 32 hours last time). They said it was in the range of normal, so I'm trying not to completely freak out. Hoping slow and steady (our turtle(s)) wins this race...
I am done w/beta tests now, unless I want to have another, which I may next week. My first u/s is booked for May 24th, two weeks from tomorrow, when I'll be 6 1/2 weeks. I know it makes no difference in the viability of the pregnancy, but I'm dying to know what it looks like in there and to get my first OB appt. scheduled ASAP.
I will be on E2 patches and PIO until 13 and 15 weeks, respectively. Man, that feels like a really long time, and that stuff is not cheap, at all. Again, FETs suck big time.
I am done w/beta tests now, unless I want to have another, which I may next week. My first u/s is booked for May 24th, two weeks from tomorrow, when I'll be 6 1/2 weeks. I know it makes no difference in the viability of the pregnancy, but I'm dying to know what it looks like in there and to get my first OB appt. scheduled ASAP.
I will be on E2 patches and PIO until 13 and 15 weeks, respectively. Man, that feels like a really long time, and that stuff is not cheap, at all. Again, FETs suck big time.
Friday, May 6, 2011
FET beta #1 :)
197!!! Holy cow! That's nearly 2x what it was last time at 14dpo (104). They like to see it >50. My P4 was >40 (when they stop measuring apparently, they like this >20) and my E2 was "perfect" (the nurse was so excited she didn't get the number out before she said this :) ). She told me this morning when she saw my super high hormone levels from the transfer day, she totally knew I was going to get pg.
We are very excited and thankful. Beta #2 is Monday. Thanks so much for all your support.
French tulips from the Green City Market
We are very excited and thankful. Beta #2 is Monday. Thanks so much for all your support.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Chinese gender prediction?
So I went to back to my acupuncturist today for the first time since my post-transfer treatment last Thursday. She is very excited. She checked my pulse once she had me on the table and then went on to explain that Chinese medicine says that you can predict the gender of your child through the pulse. Since my left wrist was stronger, she predicted that we are having a boy. Unfortunately, she didn't do this little exercise last time, so I have no idea if she would have said I was pregnant with a girl. Not sure what happens if you are having twins of each gender. Anyways, hope we get to find out in about three more months for real. :)
I know these are getting really gratuitous at this point, but you know after years of seeing negatives, I never tire of seeing that magic word... Pregnant...
I know these are getting really gratuitous at this point, but you know after years of seeing negatives, I never tire of seeing that magic word... Pregnant...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Reassurance
We're just taking it one day at a time over here. I had exactly enough tests to take one per day the rest of this week, which is good since the lines on my first two tests are now completely gone and the digital already died (WTH!). Fortunately the test lines are getting darker. Tomorrow is another digital (and acupuncture! :) ), then beta on Friday. Eek!
Monday, May 2, 2011
5dp5dt
We are obviously excited, but very cautious. Beta isn't until Friday, and I'm not sure we'll be able to relax until we have a baby/ies at home. DH's cousin and his wife (who were married since we were in India last fall) just lost their first baby yesterday and they were in the second trimester.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Happy May Day!
Our earliest flowers have just started popping up in the last few days!
I am just eating up the sunshine after we had a very wet and gray April. Loving having the windows open in the house and having my sunroof open as I tool around town. But considering I got exhausted on a quick trip to Whole Foods and Target this afternoon, it was a short day out for me. I had all sorts of ute lightning yesterday (starting right after I posted that I hadn't had any yet) and today I'm pooped. I tested this morning and got nothing, stark white. But after my slump this afternoon and a nice long nap, I decided to try it again. You can't really see it in this picture, but there is definitely something there. Dying to test again tomorrow morning. :)
I am just eating up the sunshine after we had a very wet and gray April. Loving having the windows open in the house and having my sunroof open as I tool around town. But considering I got exhausted on a quick trip to Whole Foods and Target this afternoon, it was a short day out for me. I had all sorts of ute lightning yesterday (starting right after I posted that I hadn't had any yet) and today I'm pooped. I tested this morning and got nothing, stark white. But after my slump this afternoon and a nice long nap, I decided to try it again. You can't really see it in this picture, but there is definitely something there. Dying to test again tomorrow morning. :)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
3dp5dt
Even though time is still crawling, I love a 5dt for its relative speed. The two week wait becomes more like a one week wait. I can't decide when I will start testing, as my faux trigger hCG is gone. I've been feeling nothing in the ute (I had lots of lightning last time), but I am still feeling uncomfortable from the trauma of the transfer/drain.
1dpt....Blastocyst hatches out of shell on this day
2dpt.. Blastocyst attaches to a site on the uterine lining
3dpt.. Implantation begins as the blastocyst begins to bury in the lining
4dpt.. Implantation process continues and morula buries deeper in the lining
5dpt.. Morula is completely implanted in the lining and has placenta cells & fetal cells
6dpt...Placenta cells begin to secret hCG in the blood
7dpt...More hCG is produced as fetus develops
8dpt...More hCG is produced as fetus develops
9dpt...hCG levels are now high enough to be immediately detected on HPT (beta)
1dpt....Blastocyst hatches out of shell on this day
2dpt.. Blastocyst attaches to a site on the uterine lining
3dpt.. Implantation begins as the blastocyst begins to bury in the lining
4dpt.. Implantation process continues and morula buries deeper in the lining
5dpt.. Morula is completely implanted in the lining and has placenta cells & fetal cells
6dpt...Placenta cells begin to secret hCG in the blood
7dpt...More hCG is produced as fetus develops
8dpt...More hCG is produced as fetus develops
9dpt...hCG levels are now high enough to be immediately detected on HPT (beta)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
All aboard!
Our embies are finally out of the freezer and where they belong. My RE explained that the top one had bounced back and expanded already after the thaw and the one at the bottom was still compacted. I'm not sure exactly what this means for them, but he didn't seem concerned. I apparently still don't have the full bladder thing down yet. I drank a lot of water, but I had also eaten since our transfer was mid-day, so it took a few extra minutes while I drank some more and we waited for my kidneys to do their thing. They ended up cooperating.
The only other hiccup was after the transfer, the nurse asked me if I wanted to empty my bladder and I said yes. She promptly assaulted me with a catheter, which was horrific going in, during the emptying, and then again coming out. Then she instructed me to keep pushing liquids to help keep a UTI at bay, since they couldn't use betadyne or give me anything. Won't make that mistake again, I would have rather wet my pants. Chilling out on bedrest for the rest of the day. Beta is next Friday, May 6th. :)
The only other hiccup was after the transfer, the nurse asked me if I wanted to empty my bladder and I said yes. She promptly assaulted me with a catheter, which was horrific going in, during the emptying, and then again coming out. Then she instructed me to keep pushing liquids to help keep a UTI at bay, since they couldn't use betadyne or give me anything. Won't make that mistake again, I would have rather wet my pants. Chilling out on bedrest for the rest of the day. Beta is next Friday, May 6th. :)
Monday, April 25, 2011
FET week!
I can not believe that we are finally here, just two days to transfer. It's been a crazy long four months. And it is difficult for me to express the mixture of emotions that I have right now. Excitement - that it is finally here. Gratitude - that we have our two embryos. Sadness - that we are not still pg from last year and celebrating 25 weeks. Anxiety - that we will not get pg again or heaven forbid miscarry again. Fatigue - with this whole process. Etc., etc...
We had a great Easter. It was a tough week with all the travel, getting sick and my grandfather's funeral. But we went to church yesterday, then had an amazing brunch, and spent a quiet evening at home. As DH put it... Pray, Eat, Love. ;) It was wild to think that this time next year, if we are lucky, we could have a baby(-ies) and our families in tow as we celebrate Easter/Spring/their baptism.
Time seems to have taken on a strange pacing, as we've been at this for so long, but now we are focused on this being our time to really/finally make things happen. I'm hoping it doesn't actually turn into the "summer of IVF" having to cycle repeatedly, but we are ready for it if that is what it takes. On that note, even though I had decided not to work full-time right now, I am entertaining a phone interview with GE Healthcare this afternoon. They are nearby and offer IF benefits. We shall see...
We had a great Easter. It was a tough week with all the travel, getting sick and my grandfather's funeral. But we went to church yesterday, then had an amazing brunch, and spent a quiet evening at home. As DH put it... Pray, Eat, Love. ;) It was wild to think that this time next year, if we are lucky, we could have a baby(-ies) and our families in tow as we celebrate Easter/Spring/their baptism.
Time seems to have taken on a strange pacing, as we've been at this for so long, but now we are focused on this being our time to really/finally make things happen. I'm hoping it doesn't actually turn into the "summer of IVF" having to cycle repeatedly, but we are ready for it if that is what it takes. On that note, even though I had decided not to work full-time right now, I am entertaining a phone interview with GE Healthcare this afternoon. They are nearby and offer IF benefits. We shall see...
Friday, April 15, 2011
T minus 12 days to FET
Well it looks like we are on track for our transfer on the 27th. I am so excited! My lining check this morning was great, it was 10.4 which is really good especially since we still have so much time left to go. The wonderful ladies at AF (who are also really excited) went out of their way to look up and tell me our two embryos were frozen at 4AB and 3AB. For the in depth description, from AF's site, on what all this grading means, click here.
The Gardner blastocyst grading system assigns 3 separate quality scores to each blastocyst embryo:
1.Blastocyst development stage - expansion and hatching status
2.Inner cell mass (ICM) score, or quality
3.Trophectoderm (TE) score, or quality
Expansion grade Blastocyst development and stage status
1 Blastocoel cavity less than half the volume of the embryo
2 Blastocoel cavity more than half the volume of the embryo
3 Full blastocyst, cavity completely filling the embryo
4 Expanded blastocyst, cavity larger than the embryo, with thinning of the shell
5 Hatching out of the shell
6 Hatched out of the shell
ICM grade Inner cell mass quality:
A Many cells, tightly packed
B Several cells, loosely grouped
C Very few cells
TE grade Trophectoderm quality:
A Many cells, forming a cohesive layer
B Few cells, forming a loose epithelium
C Very few large cells
Example of a 4AB blastocyst...
Those eggs/embryos are just about ready to hatch, almost in time for Easter. ;)
I have to stay on the Lupron through Wednesday and continue with the patches, tapering them down to two beginning next week. I will switch out the Lupron for my PIO shots and hCG trigger next Thursday. I have acu next Thursday again and am working on my pre and post ET acu scheduling.
The Gardner blastocyst grading system assigns 3 separate quality scores to each blastocyst embryo:
1.Blastocyst development stage - expansion and hatching status
2.Inner cell mass (ICM) score, or quality
3.Trophectoderm (TE) score, or quality
Expansion grade Blastocyst development and stage status
1 Blastocoel cavity less than half the volume of the embryo
2 Blastocoel cavity more than half the volume of the embryo
3 Full blastocyst, cavity completely filling the embryo
4 Expanded blastocyst, cavity larger than the embryo, with thinning of the shell
5 Hatching out of the shell
6 Hatched out of the shell
ICM grade Inner cell mass quality:
A Many cells, tightly packed
B Several cells, loosely grouped
C Very few cells
TE grade Trophectoderm quality:
A Many cells, forming a cohesive layer
B Few cells, forming a loose epithelium
C Very few large cells
Example of a 4AB blastocyst...
Those eggs/embryos are just about ready to hatch, almost in time for Easter. ;)
I have to stay on the Lupron through Wednesday and continue with the patches, tapering them down to two beginning next week. I will switch out the Lupron for my PIO shots and hCG trigger next Thursday. I have acu next Thursday again and am working on my pre and post ET acu scheduling.
Monday, April 11, 2011
It's finally Spring!
Though it feels like we skipped right to summer. What a glorious weekend it was here! It was in the 60's on Saturday and well into the 80's yesterday, the warmest weather of the year so far. Amazing! I had an big burst of energy, so I got a lot done. It was a good weekend to have all the windows (and doors) open so I did some spring cleaning and finally got to some painting (our second living room end table, the trim in the powder room and guest bath, and the back door).
This Wednesday is my last day at work. It is a little weird. It's the first time I've quit my job without another FT one lined up in almost ten years. But we've got a ton going on, so it's not like I'll be sitting around. I leave this Sunday for the Vegas project.
The last two weeks I've been to the acupuncturist, she's been doing the "Swedish Protocol" on me. Unlike the last year and half when I've laid on my back and she's put needles in my head/face, stomach, arms/hands, legs/feet, she's put me on my stomach and used just a few in my upper (for anxiety) and lower (for my ute) back, to which she attached the little charger so I felt/looked like a middle school science project. This is supposed to be pumping up my lining, and I believe that it is because I can actually feel my ute twitching during and after. Totally bizarre. I'm going again on Thursday to get in another session before my lining check on Friday morning. Though this has never been an issue for me before, we aren't leaving anything that would potentially delay our transfer to chance.
If all is good this Friday, then I just have a P4 check a week from Thursday, and the transfer on the 27th.
Since there are so many things that could go wrong with this cycle, I'm starting to look into where we would want to cycle again if for any reason this FET doesn't work out. I don't know anything about our embies, so we've probably got a roughly 50/50 shot. Our intention is to keep cycling until either we get a take home baby or we decide we just can't do it anymore. It should be an interesting summer... ;)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Documenting silence @ the mid-point of FET
Not much going on here, but I'm going to make a bold statement. FETs suck worse than a fresh IVF cycle. I am four weeks in and I'm longing for the structure and relative speed of suppress, stim, retrieve. I've done two weeks of BCP and two more of Lupron and will continue Lupron until at least my lining check, which is next Friday. I've gone through my first two rounds of patches. Your body is not able to stay on it's normal cycle w/an FET, so my s/e are weird. I am finally not spotting now for the first time since I started a month ago. It will be another month before I know if it worked, then best case cue 2+ months of anxiety.
I have to figure out where I'm going to put four estrogen patches on my belly tonight. I've obviously never wanted to be heavy, but it would come in handy right about now. I've tried them higher up and on my back hip before, but they don't last anywhere that bends. I've wasted one already by putting it too high this week. That leaves the space below my waist and between my pelvic bones, oh and ideally not where the last two were or where the next four will be. And then I have to find somewhere in there to keep doing my Lupron shots. This should be interesting.
I would otherwise be getting AF soon (and have the cramps to remind me), but since I've started the patches I'm having discharge like I'm ovulating. My body is wondering what the hell is going on.
I'm in my last few days at work and besides the occasional silent freak out, I am happily riding things out. Plans are coming together for the Vegas consulting project and I think I'm going to take at least a few weeks off after. We close on the refi on Saturday and we are finally getting our taxes finalized, so this money is flowing out the door...
I have to figure out where I'm going to put four estrogen patches on my belly tonight. I've obviously never wanted to be heavy, but it would come in handy right about now. I've tried them higher up and on my back hip before, but they don't last anywhere that bends. I've wasted one already by putting it too high this week. That leaves the space below my waist and between my pelvic bones, oh and ideally not where the last two were or where the next four will be. And then I have to find somewhere in there to keep doing my Lupron shots. This should be interesting.
I would otherwise be getting AF soon (and have the cramps to remind me), but since I've started the patches I'm having discharge like I'm ovulating. My body is wondering what the hell is going on.
I'm in my last few days at work and besides the occasional silent freak out, I am happily riding things out. Plans are coming together for the Vegas consulting project and I think I'm going to take at least a few weeks off after. We close on the refi on Saturday and we are finally getting our taxes finalized, so this money is flowing out the door...
Friday, April 1, 2011
FET baseline
I went in this morning for my FET baselines (u/s and b/w) after the longest gap in visits (6 wks) in many months, and they went and redecorated the clinic. It looks great! I noticed some new furniture in the waiting room, but then all the exam rooms have new paint and wallpaper (in a lovely soothing slate blue, one of my all time fave colors) and art. Good work AF!
Speaking of the other AF, I'm tiring of her. She came three weeks ago (which started our FET prep), but then I spotted for the whole two weeks I was on BCP. Then after the BCP were done, she came again (as she was supposed to). But I'm ready to be done with her, as this is a little too much like my post-m/c never ending bleeding for me.
They said the u/s looked good and the b/w too. I start E2 patches today and get to lower my Lupron to 5. :) I go back again in two weeks...
After the last several weekends out of town, I go back to acu tomorrow. Can't wait! I always feel so great after I see her, and I'm needing that right now, badly. Haven't decided yet whether I'm getting up and out early enough tomorrow morning to go my support group, which now meets in the city. It's somehow been three months since I've been, so we'll see. I'm already sleeping a little better after my big work event and giving notice this week. Onward and upward!
Speaking of the other AF, I'm tiring of her. She came three weeks ago (which started our FET prep), but then I spotted for the whole two weeks I was on BCP. Then after the BCP were done, she came again (as she was supposed to). But I'm ready to be done with her, as this is a little too much like my post-m/c never ending bleeding for me.
They said the u/s looked good and the b/w too. I start E2 patches today and get to lower my Lupron to 5. :) I go back again in two weeks...
After the last several weekends out of town, I go back to acu tomorrow. Can't wait! I always feel so great after I see her, and I'm needing that right now, badly. Haven't decided yet whether I'm getting up and out early enough tomorrow morning to go my support group, which now meets in the city. It's somehow been three months since I've been, so we'll see. I'm already sleeping a little better after my big work event and giving notice this week. Onward and upward!
Friday, March 25, 2011
BCP done!
I realize this isn't the most exciting milestone ever, but I've gotta take 'em where I can. FET cycles are long and boring. My baseline isn't until next Friday, and then I start the E2 patches.
I was on BCP for the decade before we got married, initially to help regulate my wacky cycles. I stayed on them for so long because I was happy as a clam on them, which now I realize is likely because my hormones were out of whack and they helped give me the hormone boost I needed. But the last two weeks I've felt really weird, which I assume is due to taking the BCP. I've been ridiculously starving on them and I'm still spotting. Yeah, it's CD14, so it's getting really old. Anybody have these side effects?
And I've been having the weird right calf pain that I had during my IVF cycle, though I wasn't on BCP for that. Anywho, glad to be done. I'm on day 3 of Lupron and no problems yet, but I can only guess they are coming. Only 4 1/2 weeks until we bring the babes home! I am so excited!
I was on BCP for the decade before we got married, initially to help regulate my wacky cycles. I stayed on them for so long because I was happy as a clam on them, which now I realize is likely because my hormones were out of whack and they helped give me the hormone boost I needed. But the last two weeks I've felt really weird, which I assume is due to taking the BCP. I've been ridiculously starving on them and I'm still spotting. Yeah, it's CD14, so it's getting really old. Anybody have these side effects?
And I've been having the weird right calf pain that I had during my IVF cycle, though I wasn't on BCP for that. Anywho, glad to be done. I'm on day 3 of Lupron and no problems yet, but I can only guess they are coming. Only 4 1/2 weeks until we bring the babes home! I am so excited!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
I'm just burning doin' the (Lupron) dance
Thank you Pointer Sisters for giving us many of the soundtracks of the 80's. Sorry if you aren't old enough to know what I'm talking about. Trust me, it was good. ;)
I don't want to take it anymore
I'll just stay here locked behind the door
Just no time to stop and get away
'Cause I work so hard to make it everyday
Whoo oooh
Whoo oooh
There's no money falling from the sky
'Cause a man took my heart and robbed me blind
Someone stole my brand new Chevrolet
And the rent is due, I got no place to stay
Whoo oooh
Whoo oooh
(chorus)
And it's hard to say
Just how some things never change
And it's hard to find
Any strength to draw the line
I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance
I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance
Industry don't pay a price that's fair
All the common people breathing filthy air
Roof caved in on all the simple dreams
And to get ahead your heart starts pumping schemes
(chorus)
Whoo oooh
Whoo oooh
I'm on fire
I'm on fire
(chorus)
I know there's a pot of gold for me
All I got to do is just believe
I'm so happy doin' the neutron dance
And I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance
I'm so happy doin' the neutron dance
I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance
I don't want to take it anymore
I'll just stay here locked behind the door
Just no time to stop and get away
'Cause I work so hard to make it everyday
Whoo oooh
Whoo oooh
There's no money falling from the sky
'Cause a man took my heart and robbed me blind
Someone stole my brand new Chevrolet
And the rent is due, I got no place to stay
Whoo oooh
Whoo oooh
(chorus)
And it's hard to say
Just how some things never change
And it's hard to find
Any strength to draw the line
I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance
I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance
Industry don't pay a price that's fair
All the common people breathing filthy air
Roof caved in on all the simple dreams
And to get ahead your heart starts pumping schemes
(chorus)
Whoo oooh
Whoo oooh
I'm on fire
I'm on fire
(chorus)
I know there's a pot of gold for me
All I got to do is just believe
I'm so happy doin' the neutron dance
And I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance
I'm so happy doin' the neutron dance
I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance
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