Wednesday, August 02, 2006

And the Verdict Is...

Isn't the word cyst funny when you look at it for a while? Cyst... cyst... cyst. Ha! Ha ha ha!

"Gee," you may be thinking, "UtRus sure is chipper today. Wonder what's with her?"

I'll tell you what's with me...

I am CYST FREE as of this morning's wanding. That's right, completely CYSTLESS! The Yasmin BCP did what it was supposed to do.

And it's a good thing too, because I am telling you guys, monophasic birth control pills SUCK for me. You know that little warning that they may cause depression (but usually don't in most people)? Well they sure as all hell do in me. The first week on them was awful. It's like a veil came down about 3-4 hours after I took the pill each day, causing nasty depression. Add to that dizziness and inability to concentrate. However, I am very happy to report that it's been much better during the last few days (day 7-10). My body is adjusting to it.

Okay, so what this means is that I actually have a FET protocol.





*** Pause... just to enjoy the feeling of wheels grabbing road instead of spinning and going nowhere. ***







Ok, so I am on the Yasmin BCP for 4 more days (scheduling thing) and then it looks like this:

the supression part
- Lupron 20 units for 10 days (BCPs to be ceased after the first 3 Lupron days)

the 28-day cycle part
- Lupron 10 units & Estrace 2mg 2xday for 9 days
- Estrace 2mg 3xday for 5 days
- Estrace 2mg 2xday & micronized progesterone 200mg 2xday for 14 days
-> FET projected for day 19 of this 28-day cycle (we've got 5-day old blasts)

I am very glad my RE mentioned to me that some people can actually grow cysts while on Lupron. I tend to think that if anyone can do it, I can! It would have been a blow to think I was "home free" from here and then be surprised. So, I am hopeful that I won't grow one, but no expectations.



A SPECIAL MESSAGE

This week I found out that my first cousin has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is 39 years old and had her first child 18 months ago.

If you are age 35 or older and are not pregnant right now and have never done so, GO GET A MAMMOGRAM. Many of us will (hopefully) be pregnant and/or breastfeeding in the years to come and you cannot get screened during this time. (Well, there are ways of doing it safely if there's a detectable problem while you're pregnant, but not just for pre-emptive purposes).

I just went and had my first one yesterday and already got the results today. Thankfully normal. But this taught me a lesson. We're not "too young" and none of us are exempt from the possibility of getting this disease. If caught early, breast cancer has an extremely good survival rate.

Please take care of yourself. You deserve it.

18 comments:

Serenity said...

UtRus - I am SO happy to hear that the cyst is gone and that you have a protocol!!!! Hope, hope, HOPING that it all goes well (read: do NOT even think about reoccuring, cyst!) and we hear good news from you a little more than a month from now. :)

Mellie said...

Hooray for being cystfree and for getting those wheels on the road. May this FET work!

Hopeful Mother said...

YAY for getting rid of those nasy cysts!

Here's hoping for an uneventful and successful FET!

soralis said...

Glad to hear your cysts are gone! Hope they stay away, nasty little buggers! Good luck with your cycle.

I am so sorry to hear about your cousin, how awful, hope everything turns out ok for her.

Take care

Fertility Faux Pas said...

Great news regarding the cyst! Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

I totally agree regarding the mammogram too. My mother is a breast cancer survivor, and a wonderful advocate for breast cancer awareness. I had my first mammogram right before my IVF cycle. It is SO important to get checked. Glad to hear your results came back normal.

x said...

The Queen of postponement and the Empress of Cysts have been banished! I am glad you have a protocol and can finally get going with this next cycle. I really hope the cycts don't come back.

I am sorry about your cousin, that is scarey. I had my first mamogram at 29. It wasn't near as bad as people make it out to be.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Enjoyed reading as I'm one of the less than 1% of women my age who develop cysts on Lupron. I'm currently waiting for it to go away so that I can start stims. I hope that all goes well for you.

Thalia said...

Well done, you are on your way. I want you to take care of yourself now, you hear?

Mary Ellen and Steve said...

What wonderful news! How exciting that you are finally on your way. I hope that this FET cycle is smooth, uneventful, and successful.

Anonymous said...

YEAY!!!! No cyst!!!

Glad to hear things are going again.

Praying for you, your little popsicle embies :), and your cousin.

Kris said...

Yay! So glad you are finally on the road.

I'm sorry about your cousin- my mom had breast cancer and my sister just had a scare. Thanks for the important reminder.

ellie said...

glad the cyst is gone. i get the same way too on yasmin- very bummed out- and kind of just plain psycho. good luck with the upcoming plans :)

Bea said...

Amen to the breast cancer message.

And good stuff about the cyst (referring to your future post, not your past post, of course).

Bea

Lollipop Goldstein said...

Sending good energy out towards your cousin. And thanks for the reminder. Glad that your mammogram came back clean.

And that you're back on the road! Good luck with this upcoming cycle.

TeamWinks said...

Cyst free! Yeah! Whoo hooo! Hey, every little victory should be celebrated in its own right!

charlie's mom said...

More good energy to your cousin and to you too.

Jennifer said...

Amen for the breast cancer reminder. I would also add, do self-breast exams monthly! I found a lump at 26 (8 months after my first child) and found out I had cancer. I have no family history or other reason to think it would hit me this young. Thankfully, I'm done with chemo, radiation, and coming up on 1 year cancer-free! I'll keep your cousin in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Good news about the cyst. You are absolutely right about the mammograms--so important for everyone.