cycle update

Tonight is my 7th day of stims. On Thursday after 3 days of stims I had 5 measurable follicles. Friday night my dose of Gonal-F was increased slightly and I added in Luveris and Cetrotide. This morning I woke up quite uncomfortable, which I took as a good sign that there must be some action going on. Today I had 11 measurable follicles, which I think is good, but similar to my last fresh IVF cycle, my stubborn E2 doesn't seem to correspond very well to the amount of follicle growth. In all, I am still feeling much more positive about this cycle than my last fresh cycle, so I am trying to maintain a positive outlook. This evening I went to my first acupuncture appointment of this cycle, which was very relaxing minus the hellacious trip getting there in terrible traffic!

Right now we are looking at a Thursday or Friday egg retrieval, but since last cycle I was also on-target for a Thursday ER but then didn't make it to ER until Sunday, I am not 100% sure ER will really happen this week. Y has been abroad since I started stimming and I haven't enjoyed going at it alone this IVF, so I am really looking forward to his return tomorrow. Also, I am really terrible at reconstituting and injecting the vials of Luveris and Cetrotide - somehow I always get the distinct impression that a not-so insignificant fraction of my injection is either on the kitchen table or on my skin rather than inside my body. My mixing and injection skills are quite pathetic for a scientist. I look forward to Y taking over the injection duties - then maybe my E2 will suddenly start playing nice :)

the most realistic baby doll money can buy

The other day Y and I passed the toy store on the way to the hardware store. I chided him that he should buy me the most realistic baby doll he could find. I tend to make these off-color comments a lot - I guess I just can't help myself. When I was in elementary school, I was actually obsessed with finding the most realistic baby doll that could be bought. I was so diligent and conscientious about playing Mom. Long after my friends would grow tired of the game and fling their dolls aside to move on to a game of Teacher, I would still be totally enamored with my super realistic doll.

When I was in high school I became obsessed with telling everyone and their mother that I had no intention of ever having children; maybe I would consider marriage when I was 40 or 50 if it was convenient and the arrangement suited my career. I enjoyed flaunting this information, and I think it made me feel quite smug and also ambitious. Interestingly, it would seem that in more recent years I have regressed to the earlier 8-year-old version of myself.

here we go again

I am now off of BCP and just a few days away from (hopefully) stimming again. I am excited to have a new chance - probably our best shot since June. I had a miserable time with the BCP (many migraines and never stopped spotting) so if nothing else, I am pretty excited to be off those little yellow pills of torture!