Day#6, December 30, 2009
Lupron injection
(5 units in the AM) -CHANGE IN DOSE
Dexamethasone tablet (steroid)
(1 tablet in the AM)
Prenatal vitamin
Folic Acid supplement
**dis-continue Royal Jelly and BCP **

Today started off nerve racked. At 6:30 this morning after I completed my daily "StickFest," I realized I was looking at Tuesday instead of Wednesday. According to the calendar, I was to decrease my Lupron injection to 5 units today, which I was more than well aware of this morning, as I was more than well aware of it this time last night too. I guess I must've slept way too good last night and forgot what day to look at. Anyway, after a moment of panic, I calmed myself down and e-mailed my nurse at the clinic. Thankfully, she responded quickly and assured me I was not a lost cause and to just make sure I only do 5 units tomorrow. I've now marked thru each completed day on that calendar so I hopefully don't get confused anymore. I also asked my nurse, Titi (which is pronounced "Tee Tee!!!") about the Royal Jelly supplement I've been taking and whether or not to continue taking it. She said there is no proof that it increases egg quality. So, in an effort to stay completely on protocol, I'm not going to take it anymore. She also approved a celebratory beverage to ring in the new year if I so choose. Goodbye 2009, hello 2010! I've decided next year, I'm going to eliminate the word "thousand" when saying the year. Instead of saying, for instance, "Friday is January first, two thousand ten"; I will instead say "Friday is January first, TWENTY ten." Fewer syllables, and it sounds like a Sci-Fi movie.

Still no major side effects happening. Just hungry and unsatisfied with everything I eat. We went to eat at Papa Poblanos tonight. I usually barely touch the beans and rice. Tonight was another story. Once I finally put down my fork, K said "I think you've missed one bite of beans." I replied. Not with words, but by scooping up the last bite w/a chip. MMMM, it was good!

Day #5 December 29, 2009

Lupron injection

(10 units in the AM)

Dexamethasone tablet

(1 tablet in the AM)

BCP and prenatal vitamin

Royal Jelly supplement

Folic Acid supplement

(LBD all day)

Day five is wrapping up. I'm tired tonight. I've not been able to go to sleep the last two nights until after midnight. My alarm goes off at 5:00 am, so I'm not getting enough sleep. I took 1/2 a Tylenol PM last night that helped, but it was after midnight when I took it. It must be the steroid pill keeping me awake.....and hungry. Tonight is the last night I will take the BCP pill.

I'm looking forward to my next appointment Monday, January 4. Hopefully my ovaries are "resting" as they should be. I love watching people's faces when I tell them my ovaries are resting. It's very similar to the look I get when I tell them I have a beautiful uterus.

I checked flights today from Little Rock to Dallas, just for the heck of it, and of course, it's much more expensive to fly. I'd love to save K from having to drive so much, but unfortunately, it looks like he's stuck behind the wheel. El Dorado's airline only flies to Memphis. Useless. We may go down Sunday night, since my appointment is so early in the morning (10:45.) K works off days that day, so he should be ok to drive that evening.

I called hotels tonight while waiting on J....Hyatt $129/night-no med rate offered, Holiday Inn Express $79/night, La Quinta $59/night, Clarion $65/night. I'm leaning towards the Clarion, however they don't allow pets. Well, they do, but it's a $25 non-refundable charge per dog. S will probably stay with the girls while we're away, but it would be nice to have the option of bringing them along. The Clarion does offer a shuttle service that runs from 7 AM til 10 PM everyday, and they are located only five minutes away from the clinic.

J's playing Guitar Hero. The girls are snug as bugs in their sweaters. I'm so thankful for my gown and hot shower tonight!!! K did some work around the house today that I'm oh so proud of. He hung one of the pendant lights over the bar, and it's lovely. He's got alittle pep in his step lately that I'm happy to see.

It just started raining. That's my cue to go to bed. Goodnight.

Day #4, December 28, 2009
Lupron injection
(10 units in the AM)
Dexamethasone tablet
(1 tablet in the AM)
BCP and prenatal vitamin in the PM
Royal Jelly supplement
Folic Acid supplement

(LBD-AM)

I can't believe I've been taking meds now for four days. I had a headache today from about 2:00 on, so I took a nap when I came home from work at 4:30 this afternoon. I felt much better after I slept two hours. Amanda came over, and we had a great visit while watching Intervention and Hoarders. She's in from Maumelle for the day, and it was great to see her. She's a sweet friend, and I enjoy our time together. I sent her on her way tonight w/her black heels I borrowed before Christmas and a jar of the pear preserves I made this summer. I hope she enjoys them.

I received an e-mail from Tammy at SIRM-Dallas today about our retrieval and transfer cost. We were pleasantly surprised that our cost for both is going to be less than $500. The Lord just keeps blessing us, and it is an amazing thing. I made a list of four or so hotels in the Medical Plaza area to call about rates. I'll probably do that tomorrow.

I started a new pack of BCP's today, skipping the inactive pill week as instructed. I've vaguely noticed getting very sleepy in the afternoons. The headache today, which was one of those dull and achy headaches, was the only side effect I've experienced to speak of. The Dexamethasone is not making it easy to watch what I eat. My appetite is raging.

Day#3, December 27, 2009
Lupron injection
(10 units in the AM)
Dexamethasone
(1 tab in the AM)
BCP and prenatal vitamin in the PM

K is home resting on the sofa. I've been catching up with laundry. We went to church this morning. Feeling ok, rested well last night. I'm sleepy....thinking about a nap. Hopefully, that means my ovaries are resting!!! ha.

Lupron injection was fine this morning. I had some trouble getting the needle in yesterday....took me three times. Guess I'm thick-skinned. No trouble today though except for an air bubble. Maybe there's a trick to avoiding those that I haven't figured out yet. Feeling fortunate I haven't experienced any unusual side effects. No hot flashes or irritability. Well, no more than normal. :) Tomorrow starts a new week...same protocol until around Thursday, then I'll discontinue the Lupron and start another med. Thank God for the color coded IVF calendar!!! I bought another 30 day supply of Royal Jelly I'm going to start taking again tonight. I'm shopping around for a better price on the Fertility Blend. It was $39.99 at GNC. I'm pretty sure I can find it cheaper online.

Tomorrow I'm going to start doing my T.Jam workout in the AM before work. I still need to get about 12 pounds off before January 18 (retrieval week) to avoid hospitalization during retrieval. It was only 8 pounds until our trip to Branson and Christmas....but now it's 12. Oh well. Naptime.

Day #2, December 26, 2009
Lupron injection (10 units in the AM)
Dexamethasone tablet (one tablet in the AM)
BCP and pre-natal vitamin in the PM

Whew, I think I'll sleep good tonight! Our last Christmas gathering was this morning at Mom's w/the Claypoole's. It was great to see everyone! Unfortunately, K worked and missed it. I'm glad I get him all to myself tomorrow. We're planning on going on a geocaching date after church. I'm sooo very excited! K & I made it over to C&D's house tonight for steaks. It was nice to spend some time w/people our own age. The fire was nice, and so was the company!

I took another nap today. No insomnia for me during the day....just hope I can actually STAY ASLEEP tonight! No weird side effects today....thankfully.

I don't like the Slap Chop guy. My life's not boring and neither is my tuna salad. Where did that man come from???

As I write this on the Saturday morning after Christmas Day, I'm wondering if the next month of mornings and nights will be spent like this one. Awake.

We officially started our first cycle of IVF yesterday. Being that we have many friends and family who are concerned and interested about our little adventure, I thought now would be a great time to start a family blog. This blog will not only be a way to keep those who care informed, but it will also serve as way for us to record each step if we ever care to look back.

Day#1, December 25, 2009
Lupron injection
(10 units in the AM, possible side effects include menopausal symptoms, headaches, moodiness, hot flashes)
Dexamethasone
(1 tablet in the AM, possible side effects include insomnia.)
BCP and prenatal vitamin in the PM

We started the day off great at Mom's house with Christmas breakfast. Mike cooked pancakes, bacon, and pigs-in-a-blanket. Yum. The girls enjoyed those very much! We were fortunate to have Josh with us for Christmas this year.

I felt generally good all day....sluggish and weird after noon. Not sure if that was because of the pancakes or the Lupron. Either way, I napped. Keith got called in last night to work the day shift today, so we went to bed early last night @ 8:00. I've been up since 1:00 AM. Keith just left. It's 3:20 AM.