Two Dozen Shots

Monday, 7-20-09 (Day 20)

Dexamethasone (.75mg, oral pill): I'm dangerously close to the weight I was a few months ago, but I did loose those few pounds because I knew this process would cause me to gain some. I just need to be careful and focus on being as healthy as possible.

Lupron (5units, subQ injection): I don't even need the ice any more.

Follistim (225units, subQ injection): This was my very last Follistim shot, and it was given in the back of the Super Walmart parking lot on our way back into town this evening.

Classy, I know, but that's where we landed at 6:30pm.

Luveris (1/2ml, subQ injection): My last Luveris injection was also given in the Super Walmart parking lot. It must have been such a sight to see a girl in the front of her car, lying back as far as the Ford Focus seat would allow, hiking up her sundress and giving herself two injections while her husband supervises and keeps the lookout.

I may actually miss the suspense and drama of it all.

According to my calendar today was officially cycle day 8 (CD8), and our first visit to the Doctor's office in Sacramento for our urea plasma (a simple swab test for a bacteria that can cause miscarriages), follicle check sonogram, and E2 blood work.

Usually this is all done on CD9, but Dr. Greene felt that I would most likely be a high responder even on the low dose of medication and wanted to check us out a day early, just in case. As I sat on the hard, sterile table and placed my feet awkwardly in the stirrups, I warned him that I just wasn't feeling anything out of the ordinary and I was concerned that I wasn't growing any eggs, just adding fat to my midsection.

He just ignored me and violated me with a sonogram wand, smiling as he started counting and measuring follicles; fifteen on the right side and nine on the left, with an endometrium lining of 16.5.

That's at least two dozen shots at our future family.

With a super thick lining and a total of twenty-four measurable follicles so far, Dr. Greene said that I surpassed his expectations as an overachiever and everything looks wonderful. The plan is to trigger with the HCG injection sometime tomorrow evening, and retrieve these gorgeous follicles on Thursday morning.

I'm still in shock; I had myself convinced that my lack of symptoms and ridiculously comfortable state meant I wasn't producing a decent amount of follicles; but I still had faith that God was in control and He would do what was best for us and His will.

My husband and I are both thrilled with our current progression and so very thankful for the smooth, uncomplicated ride we've experienced so far. We both know that prayer works wonders, and we are amazed and humbled by the amount sent up for us from family, friends, and even those blogging friends we've never met.

Those prayers are growing our eggs, thickening my lining, and keeping us sane.

"Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith."

-Margaret Shepard