My Treatment Intensifies

Treatment Update: For the past eight days, I have been taking Lupron injections along with my typical regimen of Natelle prenatal vitamins and Folgard (for MTHFR enzyme deficiency). I finished the Desogen on April 5th, and my cycle began on Sunday. At this point, everything is right on track for the April 29th target date. The big stuff starts Monday, the 16th--bloodwork, ultrasound and three injections daily.

As for the emotional side of things, I have been experiencing pretty serious mood swings for the past few days. I feel irritable, tense and tired about 75% of the time...but I do have good moments, too. Unfortunately, today was especially rough. I felt as if I had been flattened by a steamroller. My neck and head have been aching like crazy...and all I want to do is lie down and sleep. That doesn't fly with a toddler.

I don't remember feeling this crummy with the first IVF protocol. Hopefully things will improve soon. If not, this will be very a long month.

Although I did not choose to struggle with infertility, I did prayerfully choose IVF. So, I will accept the side effects and hold tight to the hope of a successful outcome. I pray that I will be a blessing to others through this process, no matter what happens.

Have a wonderful day! Ramona

On Your Mark, Get Set...

Tonight was my first in a series of dozens of injections. It really was no big deal. I'm what you'd call an old dog in the world of infertility, and giving shots is not a new trick. Even though I've done this before, we're still required to participate in a "refresher course" on administering injections. That will be our exciting family outing tomorrow morning. After that appointment, we'll traipse upstairs to Dr. Silber's office and tearfully part with a large sum of money.

So far, this has been a slow process. Think of cold, thick molasses. I'm trying to keep my thoughts occupied with other things so that I am not consumed by the IVF process. Right now I'm pretty ill with some sort of upper respiratory infection, so my mind is actively solving the dilemma of how to rest when neither nostril is functioning. When I'm not focused on treating my list of symptoms, I'm currently dealing with important neighborhood issues (Wade and I are trustees of our subdivision). I'm also gearing up for an exciting trip to see family in Indiana. And, as always, taking care of my husband and daughter is number one.

I have a feeling that the next month is going to feel like a year. The most difficult aspects are dealing with the unknown variables and waiting to see if the IVF was a success. We will do our best to rest in God and put all of the details in His hands.

May you be richly blessed during this holy week, Ramona

Treatment Update

IVF update: Today I begin my 2nd round of Desogen (birth control pills) to prepare for IVF. It's a short course that ends on April 5th. My Lupron injections start Monday, April 2nd, which is the same day most of our $$$ is due. Yikes! I will be giving myself shots every night until the egg retrieval (tentatively April 29th). First, Lupron, which puts my hormones in limbo so that the medications can dictate what happens. Then two follicle stimulating medications are added in mid-April. Finally, there's one HCG injection just before the egg extraction. Then after the embryos are transferred (May 2nd-ish), it's Wade's turn to give me progesterone injections in the hip every night. Yep, things are getting more complicated and exciting!

Even though this is our 2nd IVF process, it still takes a great deal of organization and planning. Dr. Silber's office provides a huge packet of instructions, medical orders and authorizations; and it's the patient's responsibility to review it, understand it and carry out the plans. The patient orders medications, attends injection training, schedules multiple MD appointments, takes oral meds & administers daily injections, keeps track of paperwork and goes to the hospital for ultrasounds and blood tests every other morning. It's crazy!

As we get closer to the target dates, I'll continue to explain the daily ins and outs of the process. It's quite fascinating, whether you're a medical genius or novice. And if you've been following this journal, you know that there's always drama involved. Hopefully this process will be uneventful, except for the final outcome!

Here's to smooth sailing!
Blessings, Ramona

It's All Worth It!

What a blessing it has been to have Dad and Mom Wicht here this week. I am so grateful! Liliana has soaked up every moment with them: pretending to cook jambalaya and ettoufe', playing with little people for hours and reading books in very dramatic fashion. Although she relishes the attention of the family, she definitely knows that something is awry. She has given Mommy the cold shoulder and tested limits more than ever. Toddlers are very perceptive.

The pain has intensified since yesterday morning. Whew! I didn't realize that I'd be totally out of commission for a few days. In addition to the post-op discomfort, I have a new side effect: sore and bruised hips from Progesterone injections. Because the Progesterone is in oil and injected IM, the shots make their presence known. But as I keep repeating, it's all worth it!

Wednesday morning at 7:30am is the embryo transfer. As usual, I am required to be there at 6:00am (most of you know that I am not exactly a morning person, so this is no treat). At least I'll be too tired to be anything but calm. We don't know the specifics, but we do know that fertilization occurred. The Dream Team will give us all of the details (i.e., how many embryos were fertilized and how many remain viable) Wednesday morning. Please keep praying for many viable embryos.

I know I've said it many times, but I have to thank you for taking a moment out of your busy holiday schedule to read this post and to pray for us. You are part of the reason this journey has been so rewarding and pleasant.

God bless you! Ramona