IUI #1

It was a very busy day at our RE's office today! I couldn't believe how many couples were there and how long we had to wait! We arrived at 1:10 with speciman in tow and dropped it off at the lab by 1:20. We were told to come back in an hour to an hour and a half so we went to lunch at Calistoga! Yum yum!

Back up to the RE's office and still had to wait for another hour! Ugh! And I had to wait again for another 30 minutes once I was wearing my paper napkin!

The procedure was quick. Literally seconds... it didn't hurt much, but it wasn't a happy feeling either!

Now we wait!

COSTS SO FAR

$15.00 for Consultation
$100.00 for Sperm Count
$3.90 for Antibiotic to take for HSG Test
$502.50 for HSG Test
$15.00 for Office Visit
$38.49 for Clomid Round 1
$150.00 for Follicle Check
$77.00 for Trigger Shot
$400.00 for Sperm Wash and IUI
$20.00 for Vivelle-dot prescription

TOTAL
$1321.89

CD 11 - Trigger Shot

It took 25 minutes to get to my doctor's office! Today is the mini/Marathon and all of the streets that I needed were blocked off! I did ride my scooter, so I the way back I made it to Bardstown Road and split lanes to get through! No waiting for me! :-)

Now I'm off to the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair and more splitting lanes to get there!

COSTS SO FAR

$15.00 for Consultation
$100.00 for Sperm Count
$3.90 for Antibiotic to take for HSG Test
$502.50 for HSG Test
$15.00 for Office Visit
$38.49 for Clomid Round 1
$150.00 for Follicle Check
$77.00 for Trigger Shot

TOTAL
$901.89

CD10 - Ultrasound

I had my ultrasound this morning! Woot! I have 2 good sized follicles (17 & 22) on my left and a bunch of non-performers on the right. :-)

My lining wasn't quite where they wanted it to be so the nurse wanted to consult with my doctor about the HCG trigger shot and IUI schedule... In the mean time, I'm still on the estradiol patch hoping to thicken things up!

Update: WE ARE ON!

I am triggering tomorrow and having the IUI on Sunday!

COSTS SO FAR

$15.00 for Consultation
$100.00 for Sperm Count
$3.90 for Antibiotic to take for HSG Test
$502.50 for HSG Test
$15.00 for Office Visit
$38.49 for Clomid Round 1
$150.00 for Follicle Check

TOTAL
$824.89

Mr. XY

I work in a predominantly XX (female) work place. I am a teacher. There are a total of 6 men in the building. One of these men (I'll call him Mr. XY) is quite the conservative chauvinistic ass. He often pisses off the women I work with and we are all constintantly biting our tongues, knowing that there is no use arguing with someone so closed-minded.

I couldn't keep my mouth shut today though...

The ladies and I were talking about the sick day I took yesterday, Clomid side-effects and tomorrow's u/s (I'm SO excited!). I was explaining to someone the procedure and such when one of my friends said, "You could use my eggs, I've got plenty!" I then went on to explain that I don't NEED eggs, I NEED better quality sperm... That's when Mr. XY chimed in. "Always blaming it on the man," he said. WHAT!? Hello! Ever hear of a SPERM ANALYSIS!

Mr. XY also made comments about icing my DH down and using a turkey baster! SERIOUSLY!? Are you THAT damaged!

I did tell him that comments like that are likely to make my blog. Mr. XY's response? "I have better things to do with my time than the Internet... Like cutting grass and playing golf!

Lol! What an idiot!

On a much more EAGER, DELIGHTED, EXCITED note... I am so looking forward to the u/s tomorrow! I'm praying for lots of big, fat, healthy follicles! :-)

CD7

Today is my last day to take the crazy pill (Clomid 100mg). I've experienced some lovely side effects, but I'm not a big complainer... I'd tolerate ALL of the indicated side effects if it leads to Motherhood!

I'm looking forward to Friday and getting the u/s to check things out. I'm realistically optimistic!

CD5 - Side Effects

I AM A ZOMBIE!

I haven't slept in two nights! I have also had some mild hot flashes, but those are tolerable. I am exhausted and if I take a nap now it will just make attempting to sleep tonight even worse!

If I don't get pregnant this cycle, then I am switching to taking the Clomid in the morning. I wonder what would be worse for my students... A really tired teacher or a really wired and scattered one!? Thank God there are only 6 weeks left until summer break!

I'm taking Sominex tonight... at least an hour before I take the Clomid!

BLAH!

CD3 - SLUMBER PARTY!

FIRST DAY OF CLOMID 100mg...

I had a girls-night with Mom last night. My step-dad is out of town, so we went out to dinner then came home to watch some TV in bed. I took 100mg of Clomid at 8pm, knowing that I’d be crashing out at about 9:00. Mom fell asleep at 8:15! :-)

I hardly slept at all! Part of it was the Clomid, I am sure… And part of it was the noise that my Mom insists that she doesn’t make while sleeping (SNORE!). :-)

I did get a few restless hours of sleep last night and I’m hoping to take a nap soon, but I feel so edgy! Like I’ve had too much caffeine and not enough food! If my body were making a noise related to the anxiety I feel it would be a non-stop monotonous buzzing. (ZZZZZZZZZZZZ)

I need to relax!

CLOMID ROUND 1 SCHEDULE

CD1 = 4/15/09 (Wednesday) Good morning, Aunt Flow
CD3 = 4/17/09 (Friday) First Day of 100 mg Clomid
CD7 = 4/21/09 (Tuesday) Last Day of 100 mg Clomid
CD8 = 4/22/09 (Wednesday) First Day of Estradiol Patch
CD10 = 4/24/09 (Friday) Ultrasound

CD?? = IUI?

CD26 = 5/10/09 (Sunday) Last Day of Cycle

ALL FINGERS AND TOES ARE CROSSED!

COUNTING THE DAYS!

I have become obsessed with all things "baby" with our first round of Clomid and IUI right around the corner!

I have been using My Monthly Cycles to track my menstrual cycles since September 2004. It's a great tool! I originally used it just to keep track, so I wouldn't be surprised when Aunt Flow came to visit. Then I used it to help figure out when I ovulate. NOW! According to My Monthly Cycles I should start my period on Wednesday, April 15th! I am so excited to start this process... Just knowing that there is a reason for our infertility and having a plan gives me hope. I know, that it may take a few cycles or even further interventions to add to our family, but I have not been excited about CYCLE DAY 1 for TWO years!

All you infertile girls out there know what I'm talking about... The Day 1 disappointment, the tears, the frustration... Those feelings might come back next month, but for now...

I'm counting the days! :-)

ANNOYED

I know, good intentions and all, but PLEASE! Why do people think that their "advice" and questions are helpful to those who are infertile! It's almost like "they" don't believe that my situation and desires are real!

Let me list a few of my favorites:

1) It's in the water, just keep drinking it!

Last I heard, drinking water doesn't have much to do with conception! The statement, "It's in the water" says to me, "I'm pregnant! Look at me! Nah, nah, nah, nah, boo-boo!"

2) Are you having sex?

Seriously!? What kind of question is that!?

3) Why are you using Clomid?

Didn't I just explain that to you? Isn't that what we were JUST speaking about?


SIGH... I know, I know... I shouldn't take it personally, but we've been trying for 2 years and FINALLY have an answer, so why not just say, "Great! Good for you! I'm praying for you! Good luck!"???

PLAN OF ACTION

I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Archer. I really need to get a list of all the numbers from all of our tests! She did another ultrasound and saw that I had just ovulated. During the consultation she told me that Jason has anti-bodies in his sperm, which causes them to have an issue crossing the cervix. During the next cycle I will be taking Clomid with IUI. I should start on Wednesday, April 15th which means I’ll start the Clomid on Friday, April 17th… We’ll see!

COSTS SO FAR

$15.00 for Consultation
$100.00 for Sperm count
$3.90 for Antibiotic to take for HSG test
$502.50 for HSG test
$15.00 for Office Visit
$38.49 for Clomid Round 1

TOTAL
$674.89

I also got a bill for the remaining cost of the HSG test, since insurance decided not to pay for it!