Wednesday, September 3, 2008

What a difference a cycle makes

There's no comparing this fresh cycle to the last one. The last cycle couldn't have gone more perfectly. I responded immediately and quickly to the stims, my lining cooperated, the retrieval and transfer went swimmingly. Alas, it ended with a BFN despite the ease.

This cycle could not have had more ups and downs. I was on the maximum dosage of stims for 17 days. Intramuscular estrogen shots were also part of the regimen (still are), as are PIO shots. I came within a froghair of getting cancelled twice. And I don't remember feeling so crappy after retrieval. In fact, I called E at work after the retrieval to ask him if someone put an ice pick in my thigh or if I offended the RE and was kicked off the gurney. Not so. Apparently, I was complaining about how my hip hurt from the trigger shot, so they--at my request --gave me the hcg shot in MY THIGH. I remember squat about this, but feel sure I wouldn't have made the same request sober. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

The good news is that they retrieved five eggs, one a midget. The midget didn't fertilize, but the other four did. So, we'll see. I'll do a three day transfer assuming the fab four don't hatch a suicide pack in the next couple of days. I was pushing for a five day transfer, but that was before the world's most irritatingly long and expensive stim cycle. And, we're heading to Charleston, SC next week for some golf, sun and relaxation. A five day transfer would mean ta-ta sunny South. So we'll see.

Emotionally, I'm doing much better. I had some close calls with the threatened cancellations, but feel like I'm back to myself. I've been very selective about who I've told in real life, so many thanks to you for your unfailing support (and particularly for helping me with the rage and anger directive a few posts back. Boy, was that refreshing).

I leave you with this....never, ever, under any circumstances allow an HCG shot to the thigh. Trust me. Never.

9 comments:

S said...

Glad to hear things are going in the right direction. Enjoy your trip!!

Mrs.X said...

Note to self: no HCG injection in thigh. Check!

What a torturous route it has been to get to this point but I'm glad that you managed to make it with four eggies!

Part of my reticence to do another IVF is that I will inevitably compare it to the first. The first is like your first kiss - you don't know if it's good or bad becuase you have nothing to compare it to. After the first one, you are no longer a virgin and can tell the difference. And, you will compare it to all the rest. Check out that analogy on the next SAT!

Sending all necessary vibes in your direction for good fert reports and embryo growth. Otherwise, I will have to visit and kick some ass. Which would you rather have?

Phoebe said...

Wishing you a successful transfer! Sounds like your trip is coming at a perfect time.

MommaLove said...

Good luck with this cycle! I am starting my first and know that a thousand things could go wrong!

Good to know you are going golfing right after the transfer since I was planning to do the same after mine. :)

Io said...

I will protect my thighs.
I hope those four do well and enjoy your uterus.
Plus, maybe they'll enjoy the vacation - sarcasm/ maybe it's not us who are supposed to relax - it could be our embryos! /sarcasm
Good luck my friend.

Denise said...

The threat of cancellation in a cycle is something that still haunts me. I'm glad you made it to this point and wish you a smooth transfer. Hopefully at the end of the day it won't matter how the cycle itself went and the end result will be worth it!

luna said...

ouch on the trigger. wishing you well this week and a great vacation.

Shinejil said...

Good to know, about that thigh thing. Gives me the willies just reading about it.

I hope from here on out it's smooth sailing and that you have a blissfully forgetful, uneventful 2ww.

Joonie said...

Since this cycle is so different from last cycle, hopefully you'll have a different (BFP) result, as well.