Our In-Vitro Journey
Welcome to Michael and Sherry's In-Vitro (IVF) adventure! This has been a long way coming. Select the links below to get quickly to the section of your choice. Thanks for visiting.
History Sherry's IVF Journal Sherry's IVF Schedule
Twins Pregnancy Journal Lynn & Liz's Journal Email Me
Our Family Expansion History
For a quick background on where we've been, it all started when we found out we were pregnant 8/2001. This means that the sterilization Sherry had in 1994 failed. This came as good news to us as we wanted another child. Unfortunately we found out within a couple of days that the pregnancy was not viable, so it was ended at 7 weeks.
We learned in November 2001 that Sherry's right tube was completely open. Laparoscopic surgery in March 2002 showed the tube was intact. The doctor could not even tell where the scarring was from the tube growing back. We continue trying on our own with no luck.
Further blood work in April 2002 determined that Sherry's insulin level was extremely high, meaning she has Insulin Resistance (IR). This probably explains the 40 pounds she gained after the miscarriage. She began taking medication (Metformin) that made her really ill. It made no difference. Apparently, it was supposed to lower the insulin level and hopefully help with weight loss. There was no weight loss. Sherry was never given diet restrictions or much information regarding IR.
We had increased hope in July 2002 when we started going through Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) process along with taking Clomid to increase egg production. We went through three cycles of this with no success.
After the IUI failure, we were given a referral to a specialist out of Indianapolis. We met with him for the first time in October 2002. Sherry has a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS with Insulin Resistance). This is more than likely something she's had since puberty and she never knew it. He gave Sherry a specific diet to follow. High protein, low carbohydrate, and as little sugar as possible. Sherry tried Glucophage, but discontinued it due to it making her feel worse than the Metformin did. She stayed on the diet though. She had to take in some of the slow acting carbs due to it lowering her blood sugar. She had to start monitoring her blood sugar, but does well at controlling it.
So far, Sherry has lost 12 pounds (which is not much to write home about and quite discouraging). Michael has lost over 30 pounds which is fantastic. He looks great! We went through one holiday without gaining weight. We actually stayed steady and kind of hit a temporary plateau. We had a recheck in December to determine when we would start our IVF cycle. Well, here we are! A time for increased hope and anticipation.
OK, I guess that wasn't all that quick. A year and a half in a nutshell!
Below is Sherry's journal.
December 16, 2002:
Started taking 10 units Lupron injections every evening in the upper thigh. This suppresses the ovaries let them rest a bit.
December 30, 2002:
Appointment with the RN at the satellite office for bloodwork and ultrasound. Estradiol (E2) level is 35, which we're told was great. Got the go ahead to continue. Yippee! Will begin ovarian stimulating on 1/3/03. Our next appointment is 1/8/03 at 7:30 am to monitor my progress.
December 31, 2002:
We decided to stay home this New Years Eve. I had a horrible headache all day. Barely made it to welcome the new year. The headache is a side effect of the Lupron.
January 1, 2003:
Happy New Year to me. I woke up congested. Great, I've got a cold. I hope this doesn't hurt anything. I stayed in bed all day.
January 2, 2003:
Full blown cold. Stayed home from work. Stayed in bed, close to the humidifier. Filled out all the prescriptions we'll need for the cycle. Thank goodness for insurance! Went through an ordeal with Walgreen's and the insurance company over the copay issue and then found out Walgreen's shorted us out of some medication.
January 3, 2003:
Started Gonal F injections this morning. Stimulation day 1! We decided to do these injections in the abdomen. I was told that it wouldn't hurt much. It hurt. Hopefully I'll get used to it. Finally worked out the ordeal with Walgreen's. They had to call around to other pharmacies since they neglected to order any more. We picked up 20 amps. We should have the rest on Monday. Still dealing with the cold. I'm not trying to use much medication and trying to push a lot of fluids.
January 4, 2003:
Stimulation day 2. All is well. The cold is improving. Started moving around a bit more. Getting used to the injections. Michael is such a sweetheart. He gets the injections ready. I do the Lupron in the leg and Michael does the Gonal-F injection in the abdomen.
January 5, 2003:
Stimulation day 3. Beginning to feel the ovaries working. I know the feeling from when I was on Clomid last summer/fall. I finally felt well enough to take Christmas decorations down and to do some house cleaning. Michael started coughing today, so I'm making sure he takes his vitamins, increases vitamin C and stays hydrated. Mitzi has also come down with it.
January 6, 2003:
Stimulation day 4. So far, so good. The injections are going well (as well as they can). Today is my regular day off. I'm just trying to relax and all I have left of my cold it a little cough. I get to go back to work tomorrow :(. I'm looking forward to my ultrasound and E2 check on Wednesday.
January 7, 2003:
Stimulation day 5. I had a horrible case of insomnia last night. I got no more than 2.5 hours of sleep before the blasted alarm went off. We had to hustle, since it took Michael a while to wake me up. Then we had to do the Gonal-F injection as well as getting us and the dog ready to go, who was also not very eager to wake up. We take Odie to daycare, so we try to get him fed before we leave. This is my first day back to work since New Years Eve, so there were lots of emails and voicemail waiting for me. I am starting to delegate some of my tasks better. It's crunch time on a couple big projects I'm on. I finally realized that I cannot do everything. The ovarian pressure has increased. It doesn't hurt or everything. I can just feel it. It gives me hope that my E2 and ultrasound results look promising. The rest of the schedule may fill in/change a bit with tomorrow's results. According to the tentative schedule, my transfer is one week from today. We're both getting a bit nervous as time gets closer. We're still trying to relax and not worry too much. Kind of hard to do with the stressful life around us (work and other activities). We'll I hope for sleep tonight. I'll post my results from tomorrow's appointment after work tomorrow. Cross your fingers for good news.
January 8, 2003:
Stimulation day 6. Great news! I had all my scans this morning. I
have 11 follicles (at least). 7 in the right ovary, 4 in the left. My
E2 level is 511. It was 35 on 12/30/02. I'm told that's great. My
progesterone is 0.8, which is good for this stage. It shouldn't go up until
after the transfer. I go back Saturday for more blood work and another
ultrasound. I may be a day ahead of schedule, so I may have my retrieval on
Monday instead of Tuesday. I should know for sure on Saturday. I'll
update my calendar then if the dates change. I'm starting feel a little
more uncomfortable. It will probably get worse as the time draws near for
the retrieval. We are really getting excited.
The saga with Walgreen's continued again last night with the Gonal-F. They completely messed up the co pay and was being uncooperative and rude. We spoke to the nurse about it this morning. She said that she'd call the rest of our prescription to another pharmacy that's easier to work with infertility medications and has no problem talking with the people at our insurance. I called Walgreen's and told them we decided to go with another pharmacy. We also filed a complaint with their Customer Relations area. They've messed up our stuff for the last time. The last thing that should be messed with is a woman's hormones!!!
January 10, 2003:
Stimulation day 8. Wow, I sure hope those eggs are the size of grapes! They are starting to pack quite a punch (grape punch...funny ha ha!). I have to try to keep a sense of humor through this. This afternoon I started having quite a bit more discomfort. I feel like a weeble while walking (waddling) due to all the bloating. My stomach also feels a bit more upset. I'll keep this a bit shorter than I have since I'm feeling so bad. We have to leave at 5:00 tomorrow morning so we can be the first one to check in at the doctor's office. It's first come, first serve. I'll be having more blood work and another ultrasound. Wish us luck for good results! I'm off to bed to rest my tummy. I'll post more tomorrow. I'll also be able to give an exact transfer date.
January 11, 2003:
Stimulation day 9. I fell asleep around 7:30 last night, so I'm quite rested today. We were both up bright and early (5:00), so we could be the first one to sign in at the office this morning. We hate to sit around waiting. My veins were uncooperative (they must not have been awake). They had problems taking blood out of the human pin cushion. The nurse had to get someone from the lab to come up and attempt it. She said with me looking forward to at least 3 more draws, she didn't want to use up all the territory. I have 10 follicles in each ovary--20 overall. No wonder I feel a bit bloated :). They range from 20 mm down to the smallest at 11mm. The bigger, the better. My E2 is at 1642. We have another appointment 7:30 AM Sunday (tomorrow). Right now it looks like I won't have the hCG trigger until tomorrow night, so right now, the calendar is up to date. I think we'll retrieve on Tuesday and transfer Friday.
January 12, 2003:
Stimulation day 10 (and final stim day!!!!). We went back in for another ultrasound and to give away more blood.
There are still the 10 visible follies in the right and now 10 on the left. The largest is 23mm; I have many between 18 and 22mm and a couple tag alongs around 12-15mm. At least the majority are above 18mm (Yes, 21 follicles!!). The nurse drew a bull's-eye on my right hip just in case I get the hCG injection tonight.
We got the call back....I will be triggering (hCG injection) at 8:30 tonight and the retrieval is on Tues 1/14/03. Woo Hoo! An injection break for a few of days after tonight (until the progesterone in oil injections). I was so excited that I forgot to ask my E2 level. I'll get it tomorrow, when I go in for my pre-op blood work and appointment. Three trips to Urbana in three days...the truck is almost in auto-pilot!)
January 13, 2003:
Day before retrieval. We went back down to Urbana this morning for more blood work and the Pre-op visit. We found out that we have to be at the Women's Hospital in Indianapolis at 8:15 am EST. That would have meant that we would have to leave our house at 3 or 4 am in order to make it on time. We've decided to leave tonight. We found someone to take care of the kids and dog tonight. We just made the hotel reservation. May I suggest hotwire.com. Even though you don't know where you're staying until after the transaction is complete, it is cheap, quick and you don't have to talk to a human. We did call the hotel afterwards to tell them we'd be checking in late. I think we saved 50% on this suite. Ok, I'm rambling again.....need to pack.
I won't be checking back in until tomorrow night at the earliest or Wednesday. Wish us luck!
January 14, 2003:
Retrieval Day! The procedure went well. The retrieved 10 eggs. Michael said that the doctor seemed pleased and excited. I thought it would be more, but I was reminded that not every follicle contains an egg, plus some may not have been mature to make it through the retrieval. I will get the call tomorrow to see how many fertilized. We'll be heading back to Indy Thursday night. Transfer is scheduled for Friday (unless we get bad news tomorrow). I was asleep for the procedure through an IV sedative, so I didn't feel anything. I sure feel it now though. I'm off for a nap since the pain pills are kicking in. I'll post our fertilization report tomorrow.
January 15, 2003:
Fertilization report Day! We got the call this morning. 8 out of the 10 eggs fertilized. Two were not mature enough. Two of the eight fertilized have begun to divide already. I should be getting a call later with the transfer time on Friday. We'll be leaving tomorrow night. Unfortunately there's snow on the way....yuk!
January 18, 2003: 1 Day after Embryo Transfer!
For those who have been on pins and needles, here's the scoop: We had three embryos transferred early yesterday morning (very early for us...7 am EST. We're typically CST folks!). We headed to Indianapolis Thursday afternoon and just returned this afternoon. The injections are done!!!!!!!! All I have to do from now until the pregnancy test on the 29 and hopefully after if positive is prometrium tablets (progesterone). Also, all 8 embryos have made it. The remaining 5 will be cryopreserved. The three that were transferred was one 9 cell and two 8 cells. Now we wait...... The 29th seems so far away. Here's a picture of the three little guys that are hopefully snuggling away---hopefully at least one is!
January 24, 2003: 7 Days after Embryo Transfer!
I'm getting anxious for Wednesday's blood test. Michael has had fun showing off the embie's shots. I've felt little twinges and have been making frequent bathroom trips. I don't sleep the entire night anymore. I'm up several times. I'm not sure if this is reaction from the retrieval or for other reasons. I'm hoping if for other reasons. This was my first full week back to work. It was a bit rough. By the end of the week, I was rocking. The guys at work think this worked. They noticed I'm a bit more aggressive than I usually am. I've also been a bit more outspoken. Hmmm, could that be from hormones??? :) As you may have noticed, I won't be posting as often as before the transfer. There's not much to talk about yet. After 10 hours of work a day, I only retrieved email and then I was off to bed. I'll try to post every few days though!
January 27, 2003: 10 Days after Embryo Transfer!
Today is Mitzi's 9th birthday. Wow, that time went quick! She now considers herself a preteen. I tried not to let every symptom get to me. It's hard to avoid now, since it now affects day to day life. I have bad bloating, lower back and abdominal twinges. My chest has become increasingly tender. I'm off to the bathroom between 3 and 5 times a night. I know a few of the symptoms are from the Progesterone, but they were not this bad the last time I was on it. I'm starting to feel a bit more confident that Wednesday's test will come out positive, but I'm still holding on to a bit of that negative feeling due to the past disappointments. Everyone around here are wondering "how many". If the next few blood tests show good numbers, I should be having an ultrasound around Valentines Day. I'll be back Wednesday evening to post the blood test results (Beta numbers).
January 28, 2003: 11 Days after Embryo Transfer!
Change of plans. The bloating was so bad this morning, I called the doctor. They wanted me in right away. There is this condition called Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) that causes fluid to build up. We'll that has happened to me. I knew with some of the meds that I would at least have a small case of it. Mine is bad enough for the doctor to order bed rest for at least the next week. While I was there, they decided to run the Beta today instead of tomorrow. My initial beta hCG (pg hormone count) is 183, which mean the test is POSITIVE. We are preggers! I have to go back on Thursday for a repeat test to see if it doubles. If it does not double, it is an indicator of an ectopic pg. At this point we cross our fingers and I'm out of work for a week. I'll update more when we have the next test results.
January 30, 2003: 13 Days after Embryo Transfer!
We had the 2nd beta (pg hormone) test. The count is 440, which is more than double Tuesday's count. This is great news and rules out an ectopic. We got a congratulations from the doctors office, so, it's official. We go for our first ultrasound on Feb 19th. Pray that everything sticks. The bed rest continues. The bloating always seems worse during the night and morning. I go back on Tuesday to be rechecked for the OHSS. Nausea has begun and some smells get to me. I'm guessing morning sickness is right around the corner. So far, our estimated due date is October 8, 2003. I'm starting to feel better and not as nervous. Hopefully, I can get some rest. I'll probably post less often. I'll probably post again after next Tuesday's appointment.
February 4, 2003: 18 Days after Embryo Transfer!
Went back to the doctor to check out the ovaries. It seems that they are filled with cysts from the left over follicles. The fluid has also increased on the right ovary. I have gained 5 lbs in the last week. The nurse said that when the OHSS goes away, this fluid weight (close to 15 lbs total) will quickly shed. I've read some things that mentioned that this could stick around through the first trimester. I go back on Feb 19. I am out of work until then (unpaid...since I'm out of sick time and don't have enough time in). This will be our test to see how we'll do with one income once I'm home for good. The ultrasound technician tried to get a peek of any activity in the uterus. It's still too early to see anything, but they said that the uterus looks good and that there's definitely things going on in there... but the embryos are just too small to see yet. We'll have to wait until the 19th to see how many we'll be blessed with. Votes around here are two, but we'll just have to wait two more weeks! I will update the IVF journal through my next appointment at which time I'll be released to a regular OB. Then, my pregnancy journal begins.
February 10, 2003: 24 Days after Embryo Transfer! (5 weeks, 6 days pregnant).
I'm still hanging around, not doing much and getting tired of that. I still have the cysts and fluid in and around my ovaries. I thought it was going away, but then I started feeling worse yesterday. I did go shopping on Saturday (probably why I felt yucky yesterday...my own fault for wanting out of the house). I needed to buy some clothes, since I already cannot get into my old clothes. The bloating from the OHSS makes me look (and feel) six months pregnant. I have lost my appetite and when I eat, it's not much because it does not taste good. My old favorites taste horrible now. I never noticed this with the previous pregnancies. Everyone around here is just convinced there's more than one. Another nine days until we know for sure. I'm starting to feel a bit more confident that the pregnancy will stick this time. We're just a few days from when I miscarried before. The difference with those pregnancies was that I didn't know I was pregnant until it was almost over. I'm still on 400 mg progesterone and one baby aspirin a day until about the 10th week.
February 17, 2003: 31 Days after Embryo Transfer! (6 weeks, 6 days pregnant).
Still here. The only new things going on is with my body. Morning sickness has shown up. I cannot eat anything that has any sort of scent to it without getting sick to my stomach. From what I've read, the good cases of morning sickness signify a healthy pregnancy and the case for miscarriages are lower for those that do have it. To all of us pregnant after infertility, morning sickness is welcomed. I may not think so when laying there nauseated or kneeling in the bathroom, but deep down I know this is a good thing. I've also been having something called round ligament pain. This pain occurs on the lower right or left side of the abdomen and happens when I move suddenly and when I cough or sneeze. This is due to the stretching of the uterus. The pain doesn't last long, especially when it happens when occurring when I try to stand up. I sit back down and try it a bit slower and I'm fine. According to all the books I have (I have a good supply of pregnancy books around here from all the 'I think I am' days), the round ligament pain usually occurs in the second trimester. I wonder if it happens quicker if it's not a persons first pregnancy? It would also happen quicker if there's more than one in there. Only two more day's until we find out how many we're carrying. I think the OHSS is going away (must have been replaced by morning sickness :) ). I am extremely fatigued. I guess the night long bathroom trips (every one to two hours during the night) makes a girl tired, so I take several naps a day. This is going to be hard to do when I go back to work. Well, I think my stomach has settled down enough for me to go back to bed, so, back to sleep I go. I have a new update on Wednesday. Cross your fingers/pray that they find at least one heartbeat in there!
February 19, 2003: 33 Days after Embryo Transfer! (7 weeks, 1 day pregnant).
Good news...........two heartbeats!!!!!!!!!!!! It's TWINS! Estimated due date is October 7th. The doctor said that we'll be doing excellent if we make it to September 7th. Baby A's heartbeat was beating at a healthy 141 beats per minute and Baby B was going at 152. Here's their picture:
I go back on March 5th for another ultrasound, then if all is going well, I'll be released to a regular OB. I'm going back to work, but he is still worried about my ovaries.
February 23, 2003: 37 Days after Embryo Transfer! (7 weeks, 5 days pregnant).
Started the pregnancy Journal. Click here to be forwarded to it.
Click here to see Sherry's actual IVF Calendar
In a nutshell, here's the schedule:
12/16/02: Start 10 unit Lupron injections every evening.
12/30/02: IVF Start Cycle visit at Carle in Urbana. E2=35
1/3/03: Start Gonal-F injections. 2 amps AM, 2 amps PM. Continue with Lupron.
1/8/03: Ultrasound and blood work to check progress at Carle 7:30 AM. RESULTS:7 visible egg containing follicles in Right ovary and 4 in the left ovary (size range: less than 13mm). E2=511, Progesterone 0.8) (total of 25 follicles were seen, but they only count the good ones...they don't count all.)
1/11/03: Ultrasound and blood work to check progress at Carle 7:00 AM. RESULTS:10 visible follicles in Right ovary, 10 visible follicles in left ovary (size range: 20mm - 11mm). E2=1642
1/12/03: Another Ultrasound and blood work at Carle 7:30 AM. If follicles (contains the eggs) are ready, stop Gonal-F and Lupron. 10,000 unit injection of HCG (Profasi) at the instructed time. RESULTS: 10 visible follicles in Right ovary, 11 visible follicles in left ovary (size range: 23mm - 12mm, with most above 18mm). E2=2800. hCG Trigger tonight!!!!!
1/13/03: Blood work and pre-op appointment at Carle. 8:15 AM. Results: E2=2950
1/14/03: Surgery in Indianapolis for egg retrieval (36 hours after HCG injection). Start Progesterone injections to prepare uterus. Results: 10 eggs retrieved.
1/15/03: Find out how fertilization is taking place and schedule embryo transfer. Progesterone injection. Results: 8 eggs fertilized 2 were not mature enough. Those fertilized are beginning to divide.
1/17/03: Embryo transfer in Indianapolis 7:00 am EST. Progesterone injection. Bed rest afterward.
1/18/03: Bed rest. Last progesterone injection. Woo hoo!!! the last of the injections!!!
1/19/03: Start progesterone tablets twice a day until pregnancy test.
1/28/03: Pregnancy blood test. Continue progesterone if positive. Pray that beta doubles if positive. RESULT: POSITIVE Beta hCG (pg hormone) 183
1/30/03: Repeat pregnancy test. RESULT: POSITIVE Beta hCG (pg hormone) 440 more than doubled!!!
2/19/03: 1st ultrasound. Hopefully we'll get to see a heartbeat(s). RESULT: IT's TWINS!!!
This page last updated - 11/08/2007 02:10:53 PM
