IUI #1 Today

with 67.5 MILLION sperm. The fertility problems obviously have nothing to do with my husband! We had a long talk with the nurse before the IUI, debating on whether or not to go through with it at all this time. I have 11 eggs that could have possibly become mature, but my estradiol levels do not match up with 11. At 1200 units, it actually matches up with about 6 mature eggs. So we compared this cycle to last cycle and discovered that we are in EXACTLY the same place as we were 2 years ago, and my Hcg "trigger" shot was cut by half in an attempt to prevent higher order multiples. So mathematically, based on last cycles #'s we have less of a chance of getting preggo with twins than we did last time. Last time I gave myself the full 10000units of Hcg "trigger". Here's to hoping and praying that all goes well. I am EXTREMELY bloated feeling. Very uncomfortable feeling. I remember this from last time now. It will pass in about 10 weeks. Eh, I'll survive. So we go back for IUI #2 tomorrow @ 0800 for an insemination at @1030! Wish us luck and we will say our prayers.

"You have an army in there!?!?!"

So, we started Goanl-F ($1300)-- to be given SQ every evening on July 21, 2008. The dosage was 150IU. Done. I can do that with ease. Day 4 follie check shows lots of growth, e2 still low, but continue with same dose until Monday. Well, Dr Gill was there for my follie check on Monday and he exclaimed "wow, you have an army in there!?!" What are we gonna do about this?! Possible IVF depending on e2. Or cycle will have to be cancelled. BOOHOOO! I was so devestated because we knew we could not afford IVF. Each cycle runs between 12-15 THOUSAND (!) dollars. Um, not gonna happen any time soon, much less this cycle. Anyway, we got the report that my e2 was actually too low (193) and another drug needed to be added. So I flew off to the Woodlands to get the other necessary drug to raise my estradiol levels (Menopur $700). Went back in this morning for bld work to make sure it is working...and it is e2 is 516 (!) up from 193 yesterday! Things look as if they might be falling in line with our previous cycle which resulted so beautifully in Carter and Olivia! Fingers crossed that things go so smoothly again! We are excited and SCARED!

Wow! Progress!

Well I haven't updated in quite a while, but things have really taken a positive turn! FINALLY! I went to Dr. Melhem a few weeks ago for a yearly well-woman exam. He discovered that my cervix was sealed shut due to scar tissue from a previous biopsy. On June 17th I had that surgically opened. During the procedure he did a hysteroscopy and discovered that I have a HOLE in my uterus! WTF! He is not sure what it is from, but it is there. He says it will not affect future fertility or ability to carry babies. Good news. Went to Dr. Gill to have my levels checked and sure enough, my estrogen is very ow so another month of BC was ordered. Once completed, I was certain my cycle was not going to start when lo and behold it did!!! So yesterday, July 21, 2008 I went to have my levels drawn and my ovaries checked out. All looks great so stims were started last night at 5pm. 150IU of Gonal-F. Next appt is July 24 at 11am. Exciting things are happening, but I am so scared. So is Marcus. We are not sure what he future holds. We do not have the luxury of feeling confident that we will conceive a singleton. We have to worry about twins or more. Very frightening, but very exiting at the same time.