CD #22 / TRANSFER (2nd Attempt)

They're here!!  Everything went as successfully as expected once I got to the hospital. This afternoon at around 1pm, I was reunited with my last 2 perfect little embryos.  Those were Dr. R's actual words and I couldn't agree more.

They are perfect; twin celestial bodies of love and light; my worlds of wonder and hope.  Although I do not feel any different than the day before, I am filled with the realization that I have a greater purpose in this lifetime.  Even if I experience the same heartbreak as with my first 2 embabies, I have fulfilled my job as a mother loving and nurturing them the best I could however short our time was. This time the outcome will be different, I feel.  I waited two long years since the last pregnancy to get here but finally my faith is renewed and my strength will not falter to any negativity that may arise.  I am devoted to my 2 embabies with all the love in my heart and humbly pray that this journey lasts for many years to come.  Words can never accurately describe how I feel on this blog, but I know my embabies can feel my love within me and that's all I could really ask for.

CD # 19 / 3 Days Left

The countdown is on and there's so much to do before my transfer. Problem is, I'm so beat right now from working a 10.25 hour shift standing with only one 45 minute break, I can barely function.  I also work tomorrow morning until 1: 30pm so getting anything done today is completely out of the question, but it still annoys me.  Luckily, I blog mostly from my phone or I wouldn't even bother with this post, lol. 

Tomorrow night, most of family will be getting together at my favorite restaurant, Que Pasta, to celebrate my birthday.  Even with all I have going on I could never pass up the opportunity to go eat there, the food is amazing!  Monday thru Wednesday I'll be out of commission and home in bed (which is awesome) but seeing as how Wednesday is also my actual birthday, it means I have to be prepared for some unexpected visitors.  Thus, I have a very small window of time to accomplish all the things on my to-do list.  3 MORE DAYS!!!

CD #18 / Pineapples

It's that time of the year.  As my birthday rapidly approaches, so does my transfer day.  I received final confirmation yesterday that it will definitely be on Monday, April 14 at 12:30 at the Fairlawn Surgical Center where I had my IVF retrieval and transfer done 2 years ago.  I also had some more blood work and a sonogram done.  Those results came back positive, as usual, so I was given a whole new set of instructions for my meds.  I took my last Lupron injection yesterday but will to continue to do the Wednesday/ Saturday Delestrogen injections.  Beginning today, I will also be taking Methylprednisolone pills 2x a day and half of a Progesterone suppository at night before bed.  I have to say I'm really glad to start cutting back on the amount of shots I've been doing because I was feeling like a human pin cushion!  Luckily, it seems that the injections didn't hurt as much this time around compared to 2 years ago.

I've arranged to sign all the necessary paperwork on Monday morning an hour before the procedure so I don't take too much more time away from work.  I'll be out for 3 days total and I get to spend my birthday at home with my growing family.  My DH and I are really excited and have prepared for the big day by taking a trip to our local grocery store to stock up on lots of fresh fruits and veggies perfect for preggos.  The most important item: PINEAPPLE!  I read that it's supposed to be a great aid in
the implantation of the embryos so it was definitely a must buy.  I'm not entirely sure if there's any truth to it, but it can't hurt to try anyway and I love pineapples!

FYI:  You have to get 1 pineapple and cut it into 5 equal slices like the photo. You then eat each slice once a day beginning the day of the transfer until they're all gone. The most important part is to eat the core of the pineapple because it contains bromelain, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and increases cervical mucus.  It also helps to eat it on an empty stomach. Here's hoping this tip helps!

April Fool

I went to the doctors office early this morning for more blood work, but before I could walk out the door... April fool!  The nurse says I have to stay for an ultrasound too.  Not that I have the best memory but I swear that's not what Jen said last week.  I don't really mind these tests anymore, I only wish I'd been told ahead of time so I didn't have to speed to get to work on time.  Luckily, it was quick, everything looks good so far, and I made it to work early.

Later on this afternoon I received a call from Jen letting me know that I should continue with the same dosages of Lupron and Delestrogen.  She also says that Dr. R would like me to go back next Wednesday for more blood work and another sonogram.  Not only that, but it appears I now have a tentative date for my transfer: Monday, April 14.  It just so happens that my birthday is on April 16 which means I get to spend it with my little ones, the best gift I could think of!  It's both exciting and nerve wrecking but I truly cannot wait!  

They are so close, yet so far away.

TRANSFER!!

Last Tuesday was the day I finally got to take home 2 of my little ones.  My mom and hubby accompanied me to the hospital at 6:30 am, although I was up at 4:30 am cleaning the house like a madwoman.  I was just so excited to go and had to keep busy until it was time.  I had a nice long shower and before I knew it, I was actually running a little behind schedule. My mom got to my house and I was still in a towel!  I picked up the pace and was out the door in 15 minutes.

When we got there, I filed out some more paperwork and the nurses took me in to get changed.  They then took some blood and led me to the OR table where I got strapped in for the procedure.  Dr. R came in and began explaining the process step by step as he worked and then we were done!  It all happened so fast that I couldn't believe it was over.  I think it hit me as the nurses were removing my straps because all of a sudden, I burst into tears.  My OR nurse brought me some tissue, wiped my tears, and told me to smile because it was a happy day.  She was right but I couldn't help myself.  I don't know if it was all the hormones or just me or a combination of the two, but I was feeling so emotional at that moment.  After a couple of minutes, Dr. R came back with a picture of my little ones and reassured me that everything looks well and that now all I had to do is rest.  It's so amazing what he's done and even though I always said I just wanted one baby, as I lay there with their picture in my hands, I secretly hoped both would make it.  I stayed lying down for 20 minutes before leaving to go home and the next three days were pretty boring.  It was nice to rest but I'd actually caught a cold the day before the transfer and was sneezing, coughing, and sniffling the whole time.  So much for relaxing but at least I was home with my hubby and our little ones.

Our 2 littles