rolling with the flow

I have to say I didn’t get much sleep last night.  Nerves are setting in and my excitement is on high.  I’ve wanted this to be sooner rather than later since it all began and now it looks like the timeline may have been moved up a little!

I’m not great with change and I’m the ultimate planner - no surprise there.  

Our nurse sent an email yesterday evening to let us know that the donor’s follicles are growing faster than expected and it is possible she will trigger today or tomorrow.  If she triggers today, then I will need to go in for my next lining check and bloodwork tomorrow (Sunday).  No big deal, but I am on pins and needles waiting to hear.  If you know me, I only ever have my phone on  vibrate.  Not today.  I’ve got my ringer on and turned all the way up!  Since I’m at the river with very little service, I hope I’m able to get word as soon as they know.  

Well, heading out to the bay now in hopes to find some bigger fish and learn more about how the next few days will go!!!

We are almost there!!!!!

triggering

I have been trying to relay all of this information with not truly understanding what "triggering" means.  I know it is a shot and will indicate that 36 hours after the donor receives the trigger shot, the egg retrieval will happen.  To wrap my head around it all and maybe help you, too, this is what I learned:

In order for the donor to be ready to be triggered, her estrogen levels need to be right long with the follicles at the proper maturity.  The trigger shot is administered for final maturity and release.  For the retrieval, the eggs will be aspirated during surgery.  Bethany and Phillip will get a third of the eggs retrieved.  The same day those are retrieved, all of B/P's eggs will be fertilized with Phillip's sperm and will fertilize over night.  For me, the trigger means that the transfer will be scheduled 7 days from that time, 5 days after retrieval.  

So much science that I have to trust and believe in!  

"nice and fluffy"

As expected, I heard from SGF this afternoon with what I thought I would hear - for the most part.  Kim, our nurse was out of the office, so a nurse I had not yet worked with called and left me a voicemail to return her call.  When I spoke with her, she was quick to tell me that my bloodwork was great and that my uterus was triple-lined and "nice and fluffy."  I guess if I have to have someone describe my uterus, this is a good thing?  All in all, though, the lining is not where it needs to be (8 mm).  

This could definitely be due to the fact that I started the estrace later than originally planned.  However, there really is no reason to worry.  I will stay on the oral estrace three times a day, which was already in the timeline - no change there.  The one update is that I also now have to vaginally insert one of these estrace pills into my vagina to let it dissolve twice a day.  Yuck!  I guess I'll do whatever it takes, and I assume it could be much worse.

Lastly, because all boxes have to be checked, I have to return to SGF for another round of bloodwork and ultrasound.  Hopefully at that point, my lining will be where it needs to be and we will proceed with the fresh transfer on or around the 20th!!!

Stay tuned...

looking good

Not me - the process (I'm not THAT vain)!

I just got home from my bloodwork and ultrasound this morning.  Unfortunately, I had the drab doctor, but who cares.  He gets the job done, just wish I could have the really personable one I was able to experience last week.

Great news - I weighed in at 170.8!  My personal goal is to be at 165 for transfer and it is attainable!  I CAN DO IT!  This Facebook competition has me full speed ahead.  Maybe I'll make some money at the end of the month, too!?

Okay news - my uterine lining is at 6.3 mm.  I need to be at 8 mm for transfer.  

BEST news - the uterine lining lacking a little bit is totally understandable.  Due to my late ovulation and the fact that I had to get my progesterone levels back down previously, I lost about 5 days of the medicine that I am on now to thicken my lining.  That said, I think it is safe to assume that I should get word this afternoon from our nurse and let us know I need to go back next week for another lining check.  I am not discouraged one bit - that is a feat in itself!  Nor am I worried - we've got this!

  

continued support

Last week, I opened my email to see a beautiful noteof support and understanding from Phillip's mom.  I am not sure what it was, but it caught my emotions off guard.  I boohooed.  Everyone's pure acceptance and support to chug along has been something that always keeps me going.  Since the process was stalled for so long and the fact that all of our lives have been completely disrupted by COVID, it was so humbling to receive such a wonderful note.  

Beyond the support, Phillip's mom offered immense gratitude to my family and me now and throughout the journey.  It is so nice to know that if it is a couple of hours for Jacob and I to take advantage of some kidless time, a meal, a conversation, or whatever we may need, I can count on them at any time.

Kind words never go unnoticed and I am so thankful to have so many lovely people to stand by our sides for a long time to come!

donor progress

This morning, while out in the bay fishing, I received the best text message from Bethany - "Donor is starting her meds!  This train has officially left the station!!!"  It is crazy to think of all of the synchronization that goes into a fresh transfer using a donor egg.  While I have to have all bloodwork/ultrasounds perfect, so does the donor.  Knowing that she was good to go and is starting her meds was a huge weight lifted!  If everything continues to go well, we should receive word on the actual transfer date on or around July 13th.  This is getting very real and very exciting - very quickly.

I couldn't be more thankful and excited!  Happy Fourth of July weekend to you all!  Let's all stay safe and healthy, keeping in mind the freedoms we have!

not-so-delicate excitement

I feel awful that I am posting this, but I think this realization stings a little bit - for all of us.  After my appointment yesterday I immediately texted Bethany and let her know that the appointment went well and that I even had 16 eggs, which is irrelevant.  A couple of hours later when Bethany hadn't responded, I realized that I just sent information that made no difference to us on this journey but could make Bethany potentially feel like less of a woman because the lack of eggs was one of her issues.

I immediately texted to say I was sorry I was so inconsiderate.  I didn't think but I have to remember that so much of this journey brings back awful memories for Bethany and there are some things I should keep to myself so that I don't indirectly hurt her feelings.