Our last base.

I'm going to try and remain calm & cool, we're finally at the last base on this IVF process. I've been going to my Fertility Dr once a week for 2 months now. Every time I go, I'm doing bloodwork and ultrasound. First sign of problems was when my estrogen levels were 154 instead of less than 50. Come to find out, I had a cyst on my left ovary and it was secreting estrogen.... Who would've thunk it. My Dr wasn't happy with that but she directed me to come back in a week and let's see what happens. I've been sticking myself with a syringe full of Lupron for nearly 2 months. I felt like I was disappointing my husband cause my body refused to play along.

Our recent visit to the Dr showed the cyst is completely gone and my next step is to take progesterone pills 3 times a day. Once that week is over, Wednesday will be the day I go into the Dr office and then she can implant the embryo inside my uterus. The progesterone pill allows my body to hold off on seeing my usual menstrual cycle and can make the uterus healthy & thicker so the embryo can dig deep and eventually grow.

This is going to be an emotion filled week for us. We've done everything right and left nothing to chance. I'm hoping that Science and my body is in full sync with each other. Now I just sit back and wait till I'm pregnant. Science totally rocks!

"It's a process"

My 2nd round of injections.

Welp, I thought I didn't need anymore injections but I was clearly wrong. My Dr said the Lupron injections are to suppress my hormones and on top of that, I have to injest Folgard and Estrace. Then there's the scratch your head vaginal suppositories call Progesterone... Don't ask, just Google it.

Thankfully, that round of meds were very inexpensive, it cost us $75 for everything, compare to the 1st round of meds which cost $2100. I'm very happy my husband's insurance company covers the majority of this IVF procedure, cause this is very costly. Now we have to pay for cryogenic storage of the embryos and that is $1882.18. Shoutout to Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, they totally rock and Freedom Fertility is just so understanding.

Today I had another ultrasound to measure my beautiful uterus and naturally more bloodwork. I also received my IVF calendar and we're so excited. It's alot of meds but that's why they gave us a calendar so we can keep track of all these meds.

Our Dr did expressed her concerns about transferring 2 embryos because of my 2 c-sections and my mesh covering my hernia, so we just decided to transfer 1 but if that one splits, then we have no choice in the matter. I'll just be considered high-risk and she will put me on modified bed-rest..... Who am I to complain about that.

Now we have to control everything about my reproductive system with all these meds and I have to say, it's definitely worth it all.
We can't wait to see our daughter Eva B. Finkley, she's already loved like she's here already. I have to say, my husband Eric has been there holding my hands and making sure I'm not freaking out.

Trigger injection time.

As I lay on my bed with my left arm stinging from the trigger injection my husband just administered, it is becoming very real... This time next month I should be pregnant with twins... Hopefully!
I really can't express how ecstatic I am to finally be done with daily injections. My stomach looks like mini grenades went off on top of it. All of the injections showed me that I'm one tough lady and my husband can be a great Fertility Nurse. Eric has been to every one of my appointments, bloodwork, he is a constant positive supporter and he knows what to get me when I get into one of my "I'm annoyed" mood. He's trying to make this whole process stress-free as possible and I love him something fierce just for that. He's been talking about twin girls for weeks now, I just hope he really knows what he's wishing for.
Now I'm having dreams about twin girls and everything baby has now been replaced by everything twins.
We decided if they're twins, we'll name them Eva B and Marley Ellé Finkley. I know, I know, we come up with uber names, it's what we do!
Now, the only thing to do is relax and let the HCG meds work inside of me and we go back to Dr on Wednesday morning at 9.30am so my Dr can perform the egg retrieval. This is where the Science goes into high gear cause Eric has to give up his sperm and then they will go to work. I'm also happy to hear from the Genetic testing company that our genes have no mutations and there's nothing wrong with us proceeding on this adventurous path.
Now we wait until......

"IVF is a process"

Next stage?

I'm UP! Why?? Oh yea, I'm scheduled to see Dr. Dicken again for another ultrasound and more bloodwork.
After being stuck 3 times a day.... I'm so over needles! My needle collections bin is reaching maximum level already. I have to say this, my ovaries are Hyperstimulated and no more follicles can grow.... Trust me.
Now I'm getting Cetrotide injections and that prevents me from ovulating plus it's very uncomfortable so I'm hoping my Dr will say I'm done with injections and they want to see me on Tuesday for the egg retrieval. Besides, my hormones aren't playing nice right now, I'm not sure if I'm supposed to cry, laugh or strangle ppl all at the same time. Plus I got the green light to start taking my prenatal pills and so far, my body is reacting great, for now.

The next stage for us is to run a Genetic Test on the embryo(s) and then we wanted 2 girls to be implanted back into the uterus. Gender selection is Science at its best as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully, we only need 1 round of IVF and we get twin girls.
Now I have to get up and get out of the house, I've got a gorgeous uterus to inspect.

"IVF is a process"

Gonal-f & Menopur injections.

I'm not in any pain.... I'm surprised, the ladies in my IVF support group kept saying how painful it was but I didn’t experience that feeling.

I have so much meds, my fridge look like I'm pushing serious weight. I didn't realize how much meds will be coming until I saw it altogether on our kitchen table.

Our Nurse Jocelyn showed us exactly how to use everything and I wrote down everything that needs to be done. Eric couldn't wait to stick me with the needles, he's excited to finally start the process. I have to admit.... I was pretty excited myself but now I'm over it and now we're dreaming about twin girls...... Yes, I said twin girls.

Now we take the meds until Monday morning, that's when our next appt is scheduled and hopefully once we do the ultrasound, we can see the benefits of using the meds.

Now we wait..... Again......

"IVF is a process"

Getting over some hurdles.

I have to start off by saying, I wished someone could've told us that there's a lot of emotions that are involved when traveling down this road.

After our Nurse gave us the demonstration on how to administer the meds and our Fertility calendar. We were all set for the next step which is ordering and using the meds. Naturally, nothing went that way....at all. Keep in mind, once the meds are ordered, if you cancel it, you're responsible to pay $500. I'm using Freedom Fertility for my meds, which by the way is going above and beyond to make sure our meds arrive on time.

Come to find out, one of the meds have a price of $5,000..... I need to use 3!! Ok, let's find another way to pay for all my meds. My husband figured his 401k is a great way to get the money for tests that needs to be paid upfront. I'm all for it.... but they have their own paperwork for us to fill out. That process took a week but the great news is.... We're getting our money today and we're going to FINALLY get our meds.

Now we got the call from the clinic and they want me to come in on Thursday for more blood work and another sonogram. I'm going to try and relax now, don't know how much that's going to help but hey, ya never know. I'm thinking about using the 90 minutes massage Groupon voucher my husband got me recently.

"IVF is a process"

I'm getting better at this.

As I lay in our bed, trying to get comfortable once again, the thought of meeting our Nurse tomorrow morning to see how the IVF meds are administered is not making me anxious like before. I guess the online convos with other IVF patients is definitely working and I've noticed I'm not stressing out big time anymore.
I've seen a lot of pics of the IVF meds and I'm trying not to freak out about receiving them but it's easier said than done.

Our wknd trip to Lancaster, PA was exactly what we needed. No kids and no IVF convos, just us enjoying our Mommy and Daddy time. I'm totally refreshed and I'm looking forward to Monday.

I'll say this, going through this process has made me appreciative and I've gained so much patience from it. Plus, the mini wknd getaways with Eric is a huge emotional boost and I'm told to enjoy it cause the whirlwind hasn't start yet and we won't have the freedom to pick up and leave.

"IVF is a process"