Egg Retrieval Medications - IVF

I started birth control last Wednesday and will take my last pill on my birthday this Sunday (what a wonderful present!). Last Tuesday night, I thought about how the birth control pill I'd take the following morning was going to signify the beginning of our IVF process. It was going to be the first day of many where I'd be putting something into my body that I normally wouldn't. It was going to be the day that I would start my positive outlook and acceptance of taking medication. I envisioned being mindful of taking the pill, and thought maybe I'd even take a picture of this meaningful moment. But, come Tuesday morning, I woke up to Betty, our almost one year old golden doodle, throwing up a little grass. She's a sensitive girl, so the throwing up wasn't really a concern, but it definitely wasn't how I had envisioned starting that morning. After cleaning the mess up (and doting on Betty Boo), I went to feed the girls and continue on with my morning, planning on being so very mindful of taking my first pill. Right after I had put the food bowls down, Betty started acting like she was going to throw up again. I tried to get her out the backdoor so she'd make a mess outside instead of inside, but she didn't make it. When I ran back into the kitchen to get a towel, Bailey, our 10 year old labradoodle, was eating Betty's food! Needless to say, things were not going as planned and all of the extra happenings that morning had put me behind schedule of getting ready for work. I grabbed my vitamins and first birth control pill, put them in my mouth, took a swig of water, swallowed, and got dressed for work.

It wasn't until that evening that I realized I hadn't been mindful of taking my pill. No, it wasn't the magical, special moment I had envisioned, but it was okay. No regrets. No feelings of a lost picture opportunity. Apparently, a picture wasn't supposed to happen and I was supposed to get another lesson, an ever so gentle reminder, that I can not plan this path ahead of me. The only thing I have control of are my thoughts, but even those got away from me last Wednesday morning.

Brad and I went and saw Dr. Norion last Thursday. We were given a rough time line of things to come. We also talked about our carrier screening results and genetic testing. Brad's carrier screening results were great. He's not a carrier of any of the 106 diseases that we were tested for.  Mine came back with three things I'm a carrier for. Since Brad isn't a carrier of the things I am, we don't need to genetically test the embryo searching for anything specific. I'm a firm believer in the saying that I'm only subject to that with which I hold in mind, so I'm choosing to not put any further thought into the three things I'm a carrier for.

In regards to the time line we were given, Brad and I get to go back to HRC on the 27th. We'll be taught about how to administer the injections and I'll start those on that same day. I'm actually really looking forward to starting the injections, and who knows, maybe I'll even get a picture this time. Ha! Since I have accepted that I'll be taking medication for IVF, I'm choosing to only think about how they'll be benefiting me in the long run. I am choosing to not look at any possible side effects of the medications, and plan on taking one day at a time. I'll also have blood work and an ultra sound on the 27th. I was able to get my wonderful sub (I just found out yesterday that some students call her Ms. Wonderful) that morning, so that worked out "wonder"fully. In addition to the 27th, I will go back on May 1st for another round of blood work and an ultra sound. At that appointment, I'll find out if the potential May 3rd and May 5th dates I was given are accurate or not. I was able to get Ms. Wonderful for the 1st, too. Yay! The May 3rd and May 5th appointments will be just like the one on the 1st (blood work and ultra sound). They'll be looking to see how my body reacts to the medication. If the dates all stay the same, I could end up having the egg retrieval on May 8th or 9th. Brad and I are going to get a hotel the night before the retrieval because the retrieval is done at the HRC in Pasadena and we don't want to worry about traffic.

The May 3rd appointment, if it happens, will be a little tricky. I am taking my kinders to the bowling alley that morning. The blood work must be done in the AM. I'm going to try my very best to get back from HRC by 8:15 a.m. (they will be open at 7:30 a.m. that morning), but that will be pushing it.  I asked my Franny and Aunt Lorie to go on the field trip (they volunteer and read with my students every single week and my students adore them!) and then I'll meet them at the bowling alley if I'm not back in time before the bus leaves. Franny and Aunt Lorie know all about our journey and they are willing to help me in any way. It worked out perfectly that they're both available and willing to help out on the 3rd. I think I'm going to tell the kinder families (I only have six kinders this year), that I have blood work that must be done, but I'm not going to share the IVF part of it. Honestly, missing some time from work is the part I'm the most uncomfortable with, but I feel like I've waited long enough for IVF, and I don't want to wait another month. Plus, I feel like this is the right time for us.

All the meds!

I received all the medications for the egg retrieval today. Someone had to sign for the box, so I had it sent to my dad's work. I'm his lil'girlis, and I knew he'd take his job of helping me out seriously. Sure enough, I received text messages from him throughout the day today keeping me posted, and when the box arrived, he sent me a picture of it in the shop's fridge. He's one of my biggest cheerleaders for sure, and knows every detail of our journey. I went and picked up the box this afternoon, and when I got it home, I was pretty shocked by its contents! I feel like I have a mini-pharmacy in my house right now!

Well, I feel ready for the 27th. I'm looking forward to the next step and will continue to be mindful of every step of the process. There's more to IVF than I had anticipated, but I don't feel overwhelmed by any of it. I feel calm, excited, optimistic, and confident that I'm staying on the perfect path for Brad and I. Whatever the outcome, it will all be okay because it will play out the way that it's intended. I'm sure I have many more lessons to learn throughout this process, but I'm okay with that, too. The lessons will only make me stronger, and will open up new doors. I'm ready.