Finally an update

I should win the lousy blogger of the year award.  As you can see, when I'm not in treatment I really switch it off!  I've been ambivalent about posting about my regular life and things not IF-related.  For now, I'll continue to post about the IF treatment, with some real life updates sprinkled in here and there.  I still don't know if anyone I know in real life reads this.  I'm kind of afraid to find out!

Anyway, things are going pretty well.  August was a stressful month.  My car engine needed replaced, work stress and just general crappiness abounded.  But, things are much better now.  My car is fixed, we just took a great vacation to the Pacific Northwest, and life is calming down a bit.  Work is still stressful but should calm down in the coming weeks. 

Everything is going right on schedule for the FET.  I got all my meds a few days ago (only $70!) and am scheduled to start the Lupron around October 5.  I don't have the date for the transfer yet, but it should be the end of October sometime.  Some things I like about this clinic so far:

- No BCP's!  They just confirm ovulation and then start the Lupron on CD 22
- I'll only be on Lupron for 2 weeks!
- No estrogen patches!
- 50%+ FET success rate!

The thing I don't like is that the transfer will cost $5000, but they have a great success rate so I guess I'll get what I pay for.  I promise I'll start updating more frequently!

Sockeroo!

I am participating in the Sockeroo, started by Kymberli at the Smartness.  To recap, we exchange socks with another blogger and write a post on the following topic:

 It has been roughly a year and a half since the last SITM Exchange. Reflect on the past 18 or so months – how has support from others, either in the blogosphere or otherwise, helped you?

I have been through a lot in the last 18 months.  Specifically, 3 failed IUI's, a failed IVF and a failed FET.  My family and friends have been as supportive as they can, but most of them really can't relate to what I've been through.  I can't even really confide in my husband about my feelings, because he doesn't really understand either and it upsets him to see me down in the dumps.  My only solace during this struggle has been my blog readers and message board friends.  You have been the only ones to really comfort me, console me, and not judge.  You have been my cheerleaders, confidantes, and companions while I've been going through these treatments, through all the ups and downs.  Most of my friends are part of the "Mommy club" and simply can't relate.  Or, worse, they leave me out of their plans because they don't think I want to be around kids.  You have been such a wonderful support system, which I will depend on for the indefinite future.  I wrote this post to tell you just how much I appreciate each and every one of you.  So, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Now, the goods!!  Preshus Me send me three pairs of AWESOME socks!!  Here's the fashion show:

First, a pair of cute striped kneesocks!  Adorbs!

 Next, the awesome argyles!

 Finally, the black bow!  Love these!  (Sorry for the action shot - not so good at the camera timer!)

Thanks Preshus Me!  You rock!

Ouch

The hysteroscopy was this morning.  OUCH.  It was as bad (maybe even a little worse) than the HSG.  Luckily it didn't take very long, and my uterus looked "perfect" according to the doc.  I went for my bloodwork and they took 17 (!!!) vials.  So much for going to work today.

Now, the bad news.  The IVF nurse looked at the calendar and set me to start Lupron around the 6th of September.  Unfortunately, we will be on vacation that week.  So, I have to wait another cycle to start the Lupron.  My FET will most likely not be until mid- to late-October at this rate, which I am bummed about.  I was looking forward to getting things going ASAP.  I guess that's just more bad luck lately.

Very excited for my blog friend Gurlee, who got some great news today!!

FET #2 is (almost) on the books!

You-know-who made her arrival today, so we're now all systems go for FET #2.  I have to go for a "uterine sound" tomorrow (I guess that's what they call a trial transfer) and then a hysteroscopy and bloodwork on Monday.  I imagine I'll be starting BCP's next week as well.  Not getting my hopes up this time.  I've had a terrible few days.  I got stuck on a flooded road on Monday and my car died.  It turns out that water got into the engine and now I need a new engine.  I was shocked to hear that news, especially since my car is only 3 years old.  So, I've been spending the last 2 days on the phone with my insurance company, the mechanic, rental car company etc.  Work is also going pretty badly with lots of stress and problematic cases.  If this one works it will be a true miracle.  I imagine it will be sometime in late September or early October, but I guess I'll find out next week.  Is anyone still reading?  Comments have been light lately (though I've been a bad commenter too - sorry).

Sock it to me, baby!

I just discovered Kym at The Smartness and I think she and her blog are awesome!  I'm excited to participate in Sock it to Me, which she is organizing.  It's a great way to spread good vibes and love around the blogoverse.  I can't wait to model my new awesome socks!!

Still here!

Sorry for the MIA-ness of the blog lately.  I've been trying to get on with life and enjoy my summer without dwelling on my infertility.  Here's an update in bullet point form:

• The Bunny turned the big 4-0 about a week ago.  It was a low-key affair, as he didn't want to have a party.  He's not pleased about this milestone, especially since we still don't have a baby.  But, I keep reminding him that he's the best-looking 40 year old I know and that hopefully soon we'll either start our family or move on.

• My old clinic called me a month (!!) after my failed FET.  They had a meeting and decided that I should do a whole new fresh cycle, same protocol, and transfer 2 this time.  I guess it's one of those "keep trying, eventually hopefully something will work" clinics, but I'm not interested in a fresh cycle.  I told them thanks, and that I'm looking at other clinics.

• I'll be starting BCP's for the next FET cycle in a few weeks, with the new clinic.

• We're getting our house ready to put on the market.  We've lived in this townhome since before we were married (nearly 7 years).  We're finally in a position where we can afford a single-family home, though we're a bit worried about selling this place.  We hope we can get it on the market in the next 2 months.

• I had my AMH level and alpha-17 progesterone blood work done in the last 2 weeks, still waiting to hear back on both.

Consult #2

Last week, I went for another opinion regarding my failed cycles.  It was at a large hospital system with a high success rate.  However, it is a total bureaucracy because it's part of a large network.  Just getting an appointment, I had to make three different phone calls, then was transferred 4 or 5 times before they actually gave me the appointment.  The doctor was very nice and well qualified (Ivy-league education).  He reviewed my records with me and made notes, but didn't have any explanation of why the cycles failed.  The only thing he noticed was that the 225 units of Follistim I was on was a "higher than average" dose, and that my AFC count varied pretty widely from one cycle to another (though he said that it could be human error - different docs read the ultrasounds differently).  I brought up the P4 / premature luteinization issue with him, but he didn't think that was an issue (though didn't seem to know one way or the other).  The only thing he recommended was to get my AMH level tested, which I have never done.  So, I'll do that this week.

Meanwhile, I got a thank-you note from the first doctor I visited!!  They made such a great impression on me, I've decided to go with the first clinic.  It's further away (about an hour drive from my house), but my mom only lives 30 minutes away, so if I have a very early appointment, I can stay at her place.  I'm going to write a nice thank-you note to my current clinic.  The plan at this point is to sit out at least one more cycle, then go ahead with the final FET maybe in September.  I'll have a hysteroscopy when I'm on BCP's for the FET.  (so many acronyms!)  Until then, we will be in complete r&r summer-enjoying mode!