Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Here it is!

I got a picture of the test I took today! I have been feeling doubtful for some reason and needed to reassure myself. But here it is! It's good and dark!

That's all for today,
xoxo
Jenn



Sunday, June 21, 2009

What I'm feeling....

Well, I am a whopping 4 weeks and 3 days along! But I thought I would use this to document everything like I have with our infertility. So far I have only had minor symptoms such as: fatigue, getting hungry more often, urinating more often, and I am STILL having this metal taste in my mouth! A few days before we found out I started tasting a metal taste in my mouth..but I made myself believe it wasn't a symptom and kept telling myself it was my braces! Anyhow, I am still tasting it and today it has been a lot more than other days. That's okay though because I know these are only minor for what's to come..and I am TOTALLY fine with that!

I am really excited that by sharing our experience we have had some people come out to us and ask questions as they are having to go through this themselves. That is the whole reason I put this out there and informed everyone about our NYC trips. I feel like God had given us this challenge to be able to help others. I hope the word can spread even further and we get really be a source of help for people..SO, if you know anyone who is going through infertility or if they think they will have to go through it..PLEASE send them our way! If they don't want to leave a comment on here, feel free to email me @ JennMusick1@yahoo.com

Okay..that's really it for now..I am SO exhausted! Maybe time for a nap!

xoxo
Jenn

Friday, June 19, 2009

The results are in.....

I'M PREGNANT!!!! Can you believe it?! I am SHOCKED!

I'm so sorry I haven't posted sooner, we actually found out on Wednesday but it has been a little crazy since! My hCG level was 26 on Wednesday and they consider anything at 25 or above pregnant. I had a horrible time getting the blood work done though..I thought for sure it was a sign of a horrible outcome to my day!

Anyhow, I went again today for blood work (to a different lab, mind you..where they could ACTUALLY do my results STAT and not just tell me they can..and then can't..yeah that was my day Wednesday..LOL!). My results are GREAT! My hCG is now 80 (which means it actually TRIPLED! They want it to at least double), my progesterone is 29, and my estrogen is 327. He said my numbers are great and that I will continue with taking my Estrace 2x a day and my progesterone gel. In 1 week and 2 weeks I will complete more blood work to make sure my numbers continue to rise like they should, and then in 3 weeks we will have our first ultrasound! We will also go back in 4 weeks I believe and should be released from the clinic! This means no more driving back and forth to NYC! It will be bitter sweet I am sure but I just pray that my numbers continue to be great and I have a nice healthy pregnancy!

I'm not feeling too much different, I am getting extremely tired during the day and getting tired earlier at night. I also woke up hungry this morning for the first time. Not sure if that's just a fluke or if it's the start! Anyhow, I am officially 4 weeks and 1 day today..hard to believe but we are SO thrilled! Best Father's day gift EVER for him!!!

Okay, gotta run!
xoxo keep the prayers coming!

Friday, June 12, 2009

All Systems Go!!!

Well, the transfer was successful! I'll start with the beginning of the trip though, just because :)

My sister actually came with us this time. She's never been to NYC before so she thought it would be fun and she didn't have to work. We ended up getting to the clinic and all they had to do was blood work. They basically just needed to confirm that the transfer was going to be the next day. They had said that they would call later in the day to let us know what time it would be. After we left the clinic we headed to Times Square and walked around for a bit and had a quick lunch at Planet Hollywood..since last time we tried to eat there they called us back for the retrieval! After that we went to the World Trade Center area so she could see that..I could walk around there a hundred times probably and never get bored!

Anyhow, we were all pretty exhausted so we headed back to the hotel and checked in and everything. I still hadn't heard from them at 3pm but decided to give it a little longer. We all took a nap and I realized that I had slept passed 5!! I tried to call but it just kept going to their voicemail so I started freaking out..I was finally able to leave a message for the on call doctor. He called me back and basically said from what he remembered from my records, everything looked okay and to just come on in the morning. After that we just basically hung around the hotel and watched some John and Kate plus 8.

The next morning I called and they confirmed that I was on the schedule for 10:45. Then it all started to seem real! This was REALLY going to happen! We got there, they took me upstairs, and I changed into the beautiful gown, booties, and hair net..fabulous, lol! I waited there for a little bit and was able to chat with the lady beside me. She was having her retrieval and I told her what a great experience I had with mine and told her she would be okay. I went in and talked with the nurse..she has been there for every one of my procedures and I absolutely love her! She gave me a shot (of what? I'm not sure, one of my friends seems to think it was Progesterone because that's what she had..so I'm guessing it probably was because it makes sense!) and then basically just went over some of the after care instructions.

Then, they gave me a picture of my little embryo! You would have thought I had seem my full term baby for the first time! My heart literally melted! This was the closest we have ever been to have a baby and I just saw it all before my eyes. Anyhow, they then called me back and I got up in the chair. The doctor talked to me for a second and then they put my embryo up on a monitor and made me confirm my number..it was nice ot see it again :) He then did the transfer, it was quick and easy! Mostly like a pap smear, nothing more than that. Afterwards he said that the embryo looked great and my lining was great..so he expected to hear good news next week! This was SO reassuring to me! The doctor even said so! YES!

Afterwards I just layed back in a chair in the recovery room for about 20 minutes. Then I went and finished talking to the nurse and went over the rest of the after care instructions. They told me not to lay in bed for the next week because all it does is make the time go by longer and can even cause more stress on your body. They told me to go on with my normal activities..just in moderation. The trial coordinator came in and said that I needed to come back next Wednesday and Friday for blood work..BUT they are letting me do it at home. I can't keep driving back and forth for just blood work..it costs us too much money each time! Anyhow..so that means we will find out on Wednesday! I can't believe it! I just keep praying that this is going to finally be IT! It just has to be!

I am remaining positive and following the instructions to have no stress..so far, it's been pretty good. I just can't believe it is so soon! I am also so grateful for our family and friends who are constantly praying for us. I am so glad we have so much support! It is so important and I will be forever grateful to them!

Alright, gotta run but wanted to post about the transfer! God is SO good!!!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

The show is on the road!

WOW!!! This last trip to NYC was definitely the most stressful, THAT'S for sure! We had an amazing drive in this time. I drank a Rockstar and actually was able to drive half of the way (for once..I always fall asleep!) and Ross got an Amp for his drive and we were set! We actually made good time too and got to the train station at about 7:15am. We grabbed some iced coffees and something small for breakfast and had to wait about 40 minutes or so for the next train since the weekend schedule isn't as often. So, we get on the train and get to the next station and they announce that we were being held there because of a power outage at New York-Penn Station. We waited for like 20 minutes and then they came on saying that we could get on another train, go to another station, and then take the PATH train into the city. So, we did that, but I was totally frightened once we were headed down the escalator only to see people flying off of it at the bottom into a sea of people!! It was like I saw my death before my eyes! I knew I was going to be one of those people in only a matter of seconds! Anyhow, lucky for us the people at the bottom cleared the way before we got down there. Once we were down there I said screw it because there were SO many people waiting for the same train..we weren't going to get on. So, we went back upstairs to the train we had gotten off of and decided to wait it out..then, they announced that the train was turning around and going back to the station we had come from! We got off and went to a different platform and waited for a different train, we waited probably 30-40 minutes for that one..got on, and then went to a totally unfamiliar train station. We then got on another train to take us into the city (which we had to wait for as well..actually we had to wait for 2 before we could actually get on because there were so many people cramming onto them). We got on, and it took us to another unfamiliar station, luckily there was a subway there and we were able to find a route that would take us to where we needed to get off! UGH! So, what should have taken us 1 hour, took us 4! Ross was able to laugh about it..me? Not so much.

So, we got to the clinic and all I had to do this time was get blood taken. So, we talked to the coordinator and asked him if we could wait for the results since we are from out of town, we needed to know if we had to stay or not. So, we waited for about an hour..in the mean time I went to see if they could extend my FMLA since it only went through the 8th. Well, basically they said no because since the one they were able to fill out was because I had surgery there and paid for it. Since I am receiving free treatment I am really only a number (I check in with a #..not my name) so when my work would call to get medical records, they would only have a surgery listed under my name and nothing else. Freaking awesome. Bah!

After waiting, they called me back and said that my transfer is on Wednesday! WOW! He said that I ovulated on Friday so 5 days after that is Wednesday. They have to do the transfer on Wednesday because they froze the eggs on day 5. We have to go on Tuesday for blood work just to confirm the transfer date, and then the transfer will be the next day! So, he said I basically just have to take it totally easy on that day..so we have decided just to stay the night and then drive back the next day, and I will take it easy Thursday too. I am going to try to take it as easy as possible until it's the date I get tested to find out if I get pregnant or not! I am also taking Estrace (estradiol) 2x a day, and taking a progesterone suppository every night (fun, right?) and will continue those he said for 6 weeks.

So, that's where we are! We are SO close!! If you pray, please please pray that this is it and it works! This is just about our last chance to ever have our own baby and I just pray it works! I feel like I am almost too confident that it's going to work..and I know that I will be let down that much harder if it doesn't work, but I have to remain positive and let nothing get to me!

Better run, I will post when I get back! Wish us luck!

xoxo
Jenn