Monday, September 26, 2005
I'm Tired & Hot
Jen told me the other day that one of her side effects was hot flashes - I hadn't experienced that - until today! Here is a typical day in the life of Shana........
Wake up , do whatever for about two hours, get exhausted, sleep for about 3 - 4 hours and then start the vicious cycle all over again. Then I usually go to bed at a normal time, sleep 8 - 10 hours and start the cycle all over again!
I can't keep my eyes open - I am so tired that my limbs are going numb!
Work is insane right now - when it rains it pours. I think it is a conspiracy - they waited until right when I got into the thick of IVF to start budgeting and the biggest projects ever in my dept. I have been working like a dog for days. Luckily - I work for a wonderful person who understands I can't keep my eyes open for longer than 2 hours..... I've been working from home A LOT!
I love this blog - I am getting really tired of talking about things - I am just tired in general. If I have any energy to expend it has to go to my husband, my dog and my job....
So - if I seem not myself - I am hot, tired and hormonal...... Standby for more fun updates!
Wake up , do whatever for about two hours, get exhausted, sleep for about 3 - 4 hours and then start the vicious cycle all over again. Then I usually go to bed at a normal time, sleep 8 - 10 hours and start the cycle all over again!
I can't keep my eyes open - I am so tired that my limbs are going numb!
Work is insane right now - when it rains it pours. I think it is a conspiracy - they waited until right when I got into the thick of IVF to start budgeting and the biggest projects ever in my dept. I have been working like a dog for days. Luckily - I work for a wonderful person who understands I can't keep my eyes open for longer than 2 hours..... I've been working from home A LOT!
I love this blog - I am getting really tired of talking about things - I am just tired in general. If I have any energy to expend it has to go to my husband, my dog and my job....
So - if I seem not myself - I am hot, tired and hormonal...... Standby for more fun updates!
Saturday, September 24, 2005
The Countdown Begins
This past Thursday, we went to our first "major" appointment at UCSF. This was for our first ultrasound to make sure the uterine lining looked good and thin, a follicle (egg) count and an IVF "test run."
All went well - uterine lining measured perfectly, we still have 18 eggs and the "test run" went perfect. I wasn't quite sure exactly what the test run was, however, Dr. Fujimoto said that if they had to do the actual IVF then, everything would have been fine.
I was also given my study medication at this appointment. Up until now I have only been doing the Lupron injections. I know have also been given Fostimon - this is the major intense IVF drug - for additional injection every night as well.
As you will recall from previous posts, I went to UCSF for this study that compared the FDA approved drug (gonal-F) to the European drug (Which they are trying to get FDA approval on, Fostimon.) My random study selection came up with me taking Fostimon. I really don't mind - I have done TONS of research on it and everything I can find shows it statistically vs. Gonal F has had increased success rates, decreased miscarriage rates and the big whammy - increased multiples than the rate of Gonal - F.
We spoke to Dr. Fujimoto about how many embryos to transfer, we have decided on two for this first go around, unless the quality is potentially lacking, then we will transfer three. IVF is a big test for us Virgo folk - you just kinda have to wait and see what happens every step of the way.
I met a wonderful woman through my friend Lori - her name is Jen and she and her 8 week old baby Owen (who was conceived through IVF) met me for coffee this morning. He is beautiful! It was so nice to talk to someone who has gone through the same thing. I am also going to talk to a friend of my Aunt's in Oregon who has endometriosis like me and conceived her two children through IVF......The hormone flux, the side effects etc......
Speaking of hormone flux - here is an update on how I feel. SHITTY!!!! I feel like my ovaries are on overdrive - I have also been exhausted...... I also feel like an emotional mess - mostly due to the crampy feeling I am constantly feeling. Giving myself shots every night is now about a 30 minute ordeal......
So - next week includes daily ultra sounds and blood tests at UCSF. I will keep the blog updated on my progress! Reminder - Garage Sale at Diane Bustos's house next Saturday - 1373 Mound Street. Lots of Stuff!!!!!
All went well - uterine lining measured perfectly, we still have 18 eggs and the "test run" went perfect. I wasn't quite sure exactly what the test run was, however, Dr. Fujimoto said that if they had to do the actual IVF then, everything would have been fine.
I was also given my study medication at this appointment. Up until now I have only been doing the Lupron injections. I know have also been given Fostimon - this is the major intense IVF drug - for additional injection every night as well.
As you will recall from previous posts, I went to UCSF for this study that compared the FDA approved drug (gonal-F) to the European drug (Which they are trying to get FDA approval on, Fostimon.) My random study selection came up with me taking Fostimon. I really don't mind - I have done TONS of research on it and everything I can find shows it statistically vs. Gonal F has had increased success rates, decreased miscarriage rates and the big whammy - increased multiples than the rate of Gonal - F.
We spoke to Dr. Fujimoto about how many embryos to transfer, we have decided on two for this first go around, unless the quality is potentially lacking, then we will transfer three. IVF is a big test for us Virgo folk - you just kinda have to wait and see what happens every step of the way.
I met a wonderful woman through my friend Lori - her name is Jen and she and her 8 week old baby Owen (who was conceived through IVF) met me for coffee this morning. He is beautiful! It was so nice to talk to someone who has gone through the same thing. I am also going to talk to a friend of my Aunt's in Oregon who has endometriosis like me and conceived her two children through IVF......The hormone flux, the side effects etc......
Speaking of hormone flux - here is an update on how I feel. SHITTY!!!! I feel like my ovaries are on overdrive - I have also been exhausted...... I also feel like an emotional mess - mostly due to the crampy feeling I am constantly feeling. Giving myself shots every night is now about a 30 minute ordeal......
So - next week includes daily ultra sounds and blood tests at UCSF. I will keep the blog updated on my progress! Reminder - Garage Sale at Diane Bustos's house next Saturday - 1373 Mound Street. Lots of Stuff!!!!!
Monday, September 19, 2005
I am so tired......
But just had to write this in my blog......Will & I are going to be God Parents...... This is so exciting for us!! We are consumed now with figuring out exactly what this means and being the most amazing God Parents ever.
I guess I should mention we are going to have the honor of being God Parents to the most adorable little boy ever - Antonio James Arevalo
Here is a picture..............
So - very exciting for us - we can't wait for the upcoming baptismal etc. and the journey that we will take with AJ throughout his life....
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
I have officially become the injection expert.
I have now taught myself how to shoot up (fertility drugs that is - no I have not stooped to the heroin level yet......) on planes, in a moving car and in an airport bathroom with all of your luggage in the stall. I have also come to find that giving myself shots in the fat right above my knees leaves less a mark than if I do it on my upper thigh. Who ever thought two years ago when this process started that I would have such knowledge...........
I am in Scottsdale for work right now - it is beautiful. I have come to the conclusion that I need to figure out a way to make the money I make in the Bay Area, be able to live in a place like Scottsdale and have enough time for spa days at the amazing resorts they have around here. I believe this could truly be Shana & Will heaven - track homes, golf courses and unlimited massages & facials. What more could you ask for?!?!?
Boob update - they're getting bigger. I feel them expanding by the minute - might have to make another bra run this weekend. Does anyone know what size comes after a DDD???
To top my crazy life off, I found out today that the temp. I was supposed to have coming to help me out at work has not been approved by our CEO. I'm not quite sure he understands how busy I am and HORMONAL and that I am GOING THROUGH IN VITRO!!!!!! I'm sure nobody mentioned the later :) Anyways - I have come to the conclusion that one can only do so much - I can only do so much - and I'll be dammed if I go back to work after my embryo transfer. I am laying flat (or in a handstand) for as long as the doctor will write me off for - Williams Sonoma will go on without me!
So - that is the update for now from beautiful AZ...... I'll be in touch.........
I am in Scottsdale for work right now - it is beautiful. I have come to the conclusion that I need to figure out a way to make the money I make in the Bay Area, be able to live in a place like Scottsdale and have enough time for spa days at the amazing resorts they have around here. I believe this could truly be Shana & Will heaven - track homes, golf courses and unlimited massages & facials. What more could you ask for?!?!?
Boob update - they're getting bigger. I feel them expanding by the minute - might have to make another bra run this weekend. Does anyone know what size comes after a DDD???
To top my crazy life off, I found out today that the temp. I was supposed to have coming to help me out at work has not been approved by our CEO. I'm not quite sure he understands how busy I am and HORMONAL and that I am GOING THROUGH IN VITRO!!!!!! I'm sure nobody mentioned the later :) Anyways - I have come to the conclusion that one can only do so much - I can only do so much - and I'll be dammed if I go back to work after my embryo transfer. I am laying flat (or in a handstand) for as long as the doctor will write me off for - Williams Sonoma will go on without me!
So - that is the update for now from beautiful AZ...... I'll be in touch.........
Saturday, September 10, 2005
This is it - IVF starts now......
I know I have not written lately. Life has been crazy….. I guess I can start where I left off.
The last IUI did not take so we are moving full force ahead with In Vitro. I started my Lupron injections last night which is quite fun – I am used to Will giving me shots – not used to giving them to myself! I have set up a pharmacy in our bathroom – thank God we have two. I have syringes, vials of hormones, bottles of pills…. Everything you can think of! On the mirror I have taped my calendar for the next month – this is from UCSF telling me what I need to do / take daily – when to stop one medicine and start another etc….
The hormones so far have been Out of Control – brace yourself – I had to go out and buy 38 DDD bras!!! My mother thinks I am gaining weight; however, my wardrobe fits fine with the exception of my shirts. Even shirts I just bought a few weeks ago don’t fit anymore. It is quite embarrassing – my bras now have 5 hooks going down that back and all of the labels say “Minimizer.” Makes a hormonal woman feel SO much better about herself!
So – I am not going to be able to go to my 10 year class reunion in Oregon – I am bummed although kinda thankful. I have a funny feeling that my DDD friends might be the talk of the town for a while (not in a good way!!) Maybe I’ll make it to the 20 year and have a 9 year old then – that is very scary to think about!! Our embryo retrieval & embryo transfer is scheduled to begin the weekend of the reunion……. I’m also not sure if I can handle too many blasts from the past with all of these hormones running though me.
My friend / neighbor Lori had her baby – beautiful baby boy named Antonio James (A.J.) I thank God that he is part of my life – he is just amazing! Prior to his birth I always had the attitude that if God wanted to bless me with sextuplets through IVF then that is what it would be. Now I am stressing out at the thought of having twins!!! I can’t even imagine!
That is our dilemma at the moment, we have a choice of implanting two or three embryos during this first IVF try. I am split down the middle on this one. Part of me only wants two because worst case I could only end up with twins. The other part of me wants to do three because if some don’t take, maybe one would….. But –there could also take as well. As Tony (Lori’s husband) put it, then I would be done at one time. But – do I really want to take that chance?? I’m sure we will be guided to make the right decision.
About two weeks ago at my first ultrasound I had 18 eggs, that was prior to any fertility drugs. The prayer for the month needs to be to give me as many eggs as possible. The more eggs they can retrieve, the more embryos they can create, which means the more they can freeze, which means the more chances we have for a biological child. We have decided to pay $2,000 extra (this stuff is not cheap,) to do a process which they call ICSI. Instead of putting my eggs & Will’s sperm in a Petri dish and seeing what happens, they are going to force a sperm into each egg to create an embryo. This way you get more embryos to work with. They are thinking we could possibly have up to 40 embryos when this is done…… So – we will pay an extra $1000 on top of everything else to freeze the leftovers (that sounds like I am talking about dinner – that is awful!)
One final thing – I found out last week I am the youngest person in this UCSF study…… I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing……..
So – I will be keeping my blog updated more regularly…….. there will be lots going on in the next couple of weeks. Keep us in your prayers – we need all we can get!
The last IUI did not take so we are moving full force ahead with In Vitro. I started my Lupron injections last night which is quite fun – I am used to Will giving me shots – not used to giving them to myself! I have set up a pharmacy in our bathroom – thank God we have two. I have syringes, vials of hormones, bottles of pills…. Everything you can think of! On the mirror I have taped my calendar for the next month – this is from UCSF telling me what I need to do / take daily – when to stop one medicine and start another etc….
The hormones so far have been Out of Control – brace yourself – I had to go out and buy 38 DDD bras!!! My mother thinks I am gaining weight; however, my wardrobe fits fine with the exception of my shirts. Even shirts I just bought a few weeks ago don’t fit anymore. It is quite embarrassing – my bras now have 5 hooks going down that back and all of the labels say “Minimizer.” Makes a hormonal woman feel SO much better about herself!
So – I am not going to be able to go to my 10 year class reunion in Oregon – I am bummed although kinda thankful. I have a funny feeling that my DDD friends might be the talk of the town for a while (not in a good way!!) Maybe I’ll make it to the 20 year and have a 9 year old then – that is very scary to think about!! Our embryo retrieval & embryo transfer is scheduled to begin the weekend of the reunion……. I’m also not sure if I can handle too many blasts from the past with all of these hormones running though me.
My friend / neighbor Lori had her baby – beautiful baby boy named Antonio James (A.J.) I thank God that he is part of my life – he is just amazing! Prior to his birth I always had the attitude that if God wanted to bless me with sextuplets through IVF then that is what it would be. Now I am stressing out at the thought of having twins!!! I can’t even imagine!
That is our dilemma at the moment, we have a choice of implanting two or three embryos during this first IVF try. I am split down the middle on this one. Part of me only wants two because worst case I could only end up with twins. The other part of me wants to do three because if some don’t take, maybe one would….. But –there could also take as well. As Tony (Lori’s husband) put it, then I would be done at one time. But – do I really want to take that chance?? I’m sure we will be guided to make the right decision.
About two weeks ago at my first ultrasound I had 18 eggs, that was prior to any fertility drugs. The prayer for the month needs to be to give me as many eggs as possible. The more eggs they can retrieve, the more embryos they can create, which means the more they can freeze, which means the more chances we have for a biological child. We have decided to pay $2,000 extra (this stuff is not cheap,) to do a process which they call ICSI. Instead of putting my eggs & Will’s sperm in a Petri dish and seeing what happens, they are going to force a sperm into each egg to create an embryo. This way you get more embryos to work with. They are thinking we could possibly have up to 40 embryos when this is done…… So – we will pay an extra $1000 on top of everything else to freeze the leftovers (that sounds like I am talking about dinner – that is awful!)
One final thing – I found out last week I am the youngest person in this UCSF study…… I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing……..
So – I will be keeping my blog updated more regularly…….. there will be lots going on in the next couple of weeks. Keep us in your prayers – we need all we can get!
