Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Taking the Long Way 'Round




AF arrived two days ago and a brand new cycle has begun. We continue down the long road towards Frozen Embryo Transfer #1, with the weird fact of never having tried a fresh transfer from IVF #1. We've got five "excellent-quality" blastocysts frozen in batches of two, two and one. For this I am grateful.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I've been to the internal medicine doc, had a Holter monitor attached for 24 hours, did a Pulmonary Function Test, and a 2D Echocardiogram (ultrasound) of my ticker. All these tests have, so far, come back normal.

I have had some intermittant chest pains, however. So the RE wants to make absolutely sure I do not have some clotting issues (which would mean, perhaps, tiny embollisms that could be undetectable on tests that scan the larger vessels). Thing is, we can't do the bloodwork that tests for clotting issues until I wait out a full "natural" menstrual cycle for all the IVF hormones to clear. There's still too much stuff in my system that could easily skew the results.

How long DOES it take for my body to "go back to normal" after a retrieval cycle? I have noticed that my bbs are still big and haven't reduced the way they normally do by CD3. Anyone?

Admittedly, I've had some nasty heartburn (ouch!) since the ER incident - which, ironically, seems like it may have actually been caused by the chalky antiseptic stuff they gave me to drink in the ER to TEST for esophogeal issues. The heartburn seemed to begin just after that! But I could be totally wrong. And I digress. The chest pains that caused me to go to the ER in the first place were different - more to the right and left - sharper, almost itchy in nature. But apparently heartburn can cause some pretty weird chest pains that can even go up into the neck and down arms. And for sure heartburn can be caused by all the hormones. Talk to a pregnant lady to confirm that one.

So, though I am not stoked about WAITING some more... priorities are most certainly in order over here. I don't even care all that much that we didn't do the fresh transfer. Basically, getting pregnant fell WAY down in the priority line when I was scared there was something really wrong with my health. I'm still waiting for the all-clear, but feeling confident that it's nothing too drastic.

Regarding OHSS... My mild case went something like this: discomfort began 3 nights after retrieval. Was pretty uncomfortable for 2-3 days, with the worst couple hours being right after a vag ultrasound to check me out. Then, most of the swelling seemed to go down the couple days following that. Discomfort would flare up sometimes in the evenings - much better if I was lying flat (less pressure on the ovaries?) I kept drinking Smartwater - making sure to have 8oz per hour. (You CAN actually get really sick from over-hydrating, so be careful, girls.) I feel very lucky I didn't get a worse case. I can't believe how brave you women are who get a bad case of OHSS and actually do IVF again. I don't know if I could do that.

Ok, so it might be a little while until I post, since I'll be like a REGULAR PERSON this month, not even on BCPs! That's actually kinda cool.

I am thinking of all of you out there and wishing huge amounts of Summer Solstice luck to those of you cycling now. I'll hopefully be joining you for FET#1 within the next couple months.

I leave you with this. As my therapist so aptly suggested: "See what happens if you concentrate on having hope instead of forming expectations."

Not sure if this speaks to you, but it sure makes sense to me.

12 comments:

Lut C. said...

It does make sense, but it's easier said than done.

My counsellor suggested I spend less time in the blogosphere, and distract myself from IF entirely.
I should, but I don't want to.

I hope all your test result come back good.

Shauna said...

"concentrate on hope rather than forming expectations"

excellent advice. such a fine line huh?

Mrs. T said...

Thinking of you... I know it must be hard for you right now.

Bea said...

Ut, I'm going to repeat that "hope vs expectations" one to myself a few times between now and... well, my death really. Hopefully my death through old age surrounded my doting grandchildren. See? It's working already.

Have fun being a normal person. How long it takes to feel normal again varies hugely from what I've heard.

I hope all your other symptoms (heartburn etc etc) settle down without further ado.

See you around.

Bea

charlie's mom said...

Even a mild case of OHSS sounds really scary to me. I am glad you are OK and it sounds like they are taking good care of you.

I really like your therapist.

beagle said...

"See what happens if you concentrate on having hope instead of forming expectations."

I'll give it a try.

Enjoy your time as a "regular" person. While I am not a fan of waiting and/or delays either, I do envy the idea of noramlacy. Make the most of it.

Take care!

Mary Ellen and Steve said...

I am so glad that everything is okay with your health. Enjoy your time as a "regular" person. I wish I could remember what that feels like.

What a great suggestion by your therapist. I am going to try that out.

Hugs to you!

soralis said...

I am just catching up.... I am so sorry about your issues after retrieval. I am sorry you have to wait longer for your transfer but I wish you luck when it happens!!

(I only have had success with FET's so I think they are great things!!)

Take care

Thalia said...

Sounds like taking the slow but sure route is the right one for you. Let's hope all these other medical issues go away.

x said...

A regular person? I guess I have been one of those for the last bit. I hope that your body takes the summer to relax and is all ready to go in a few months.
Have a great summer!

Alli and Frankie said...

Wow. I am going to have to mull that quote from your therapist over in my head a bit. Hope instead of expectations. I'm not sure I have considered them two different things! That is a goodie! Hope your body is back to itself soon.

beagle said...

We miss you!