Monday, June 05, 2006

Checking the Scenery Along the Way

Still truckin' along. Had my Day 7 examination today. The follicles are still doing their thing:

now 5 worth counting on the right ovary, ranging from 19 to 9 (average is 15)

now 9 worth counting on the left ovary, ranging from 20 to 12 (average is 16)

I forgot to get my E2 number from last time, but they drew blood again today, so I know it's being carfully monitored. Endometrium thickness was 8.9-ish.

Follistim has been reduced by half to 100 IU for tonight and tomorrow night (extra day added on). Tomorrow will be my last injections of Ganirelix, Lupron, and Repronex - which has also been reduced by half to 75 IU.

Tomorrow night I shoot the hCG trigger at 7:45PM and you know that can only mean one thing... retrieval is scheduled for Thursday morning bright and early. Hopefully more of the follicles will plump up and mature to where they need to be - around 20. My RE seems pleased with progress so far.

Physically I feel pretty much normal. Maybe a bit tired but my gut's feeling good and I am thankful. Also, I think maybe the estrogen patches are having a calming effect, mentally. Or perhaps I am inventing this! But I feel pretty chill. And chill is good. Another reason for feeling relaxed is...

***

A few hours after my RE checkup, I went for an appointment with the acupuncturist who will be supporting me during my embryo replacement - before and after. (My regular acupuncturist will unfortunately be out of town, but it's all working out.) My "substitute" is really good and I had a nice session with her today. She works out of part of the office where my RE is located, so I saw him when I was coming out and he spontaneously gave me a hug. It was cool. He's a great doc and I know he hopes the best for me - for all his patients. Nothing wrong with a human touch in my book.

Anyhow, I asked the "substitute" actupuncturist to use bigger needles on me next time. She used really thin ones this time because it was my first session with her and she likes to go easy on people at first. But I told her that I am used to bigger needles and that she could use bigger ones during the replacement. Holy crap. I think I'm getting addicted to things being stuck in me. Seriously. It feels good. (Maybe I should report this to my therapist.)

15 comments:

Kate said...

I'll be thinking of you on Thursday. I hope your follies get nice and big!

Anonymous said...

Things are looking great! I will be on bed rest so I will be refreshing like mad for your update on Thursday. Scary, but I am addicted to the bigger needles too; looking forward to my sessions with my acupuncturist tommorrow.

soralis said...

Sounds like you are almost there. Good luck with your retrieval!

soralis said...

P.S. Sorry I tagged you... check my blog ( I figured it would be a good distraction!! :) )

LiL Moo & Mee said...

Not long to go now, I have it all crossed for you.

Serenity said...

I LOVE acupuncture... apparently I am also addicted to needles. :)

GOOD LUCK!!! I have got everything crossed for you.

Sarah said...

Great news on the HCG shot--good luck!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like everything is progressing very nicely... good luck on your trigger!

I also tagged you - oops!

songbird36 said...

Hey! I have been so busy at work that I haven't been keeping up with by blog reading. That is an awesome follicle report! I'll be thinking about you on Thursday.

I LOVE acupuncture too! I missed my appointment last week and I am all out of sorts.
Happy trigger-ing!

Shauna said...

Well geez. I had no idea that there were different sizes of needles. huh.

I'll be thinking about ya.

Mary Ellen and Steve said...

I am addicted to acupuncture too. Good luck with trigger and retrieval. You are in my thoughts. Hugs!

Bea said...

Sounds good! Although... hmm... requesting more jabbing...

Bea

MoMo said...

Things are looking good. Good luck--I will be thinking of you on Thursday. Grow follicles grow!!

Country Chick said...

From all these comments about acupuncture I am beginning to think I am missing something! Good luck with the retrieval. Will be thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

Hey there! How did the trigger shot go? Can't wait to hear how ER goes. Don't make us wait too long!