frustrations and firsts

Frustrations - working with the lab here in my home city to get our lab results down to the clinic has been a nightmare. Partly because the IVF nurse they paired me with is a moron and partly because the lab cannot do Stat E2. By the time I am writing this post we have called our clinic three times because the first order my IVF nurse called in was for HCG and not E2. Good thing I read :) and caught it. Then they said they faxed over the updated order but they did not and the nurse blamed me for giving her the wrong fax number. But I know I didn't because I have the fax number memorized because I've been having blood work faxed there for the last 4 1/2 years at a rate of almost once month. This was all occurring a few days before I was to get the blood work done. When I arrived on Friday morning at 8 am I discovered that the had not faxed the lab and the clinic did not open till 8:30. The lab tech was awesome and took my blood and clinic's phone number to harass them for me. I also left a frantic voice mail. Finally the correct order was faxed but she forgot to tell them STAT so by 4pm that day I did not have my E2 levels. To top it off the lab swore they faxed the clinic Hammers results but the clinic swore they hadn't received them and my nasty nurse was all mad at us saying that we would have to cancel the cycle if he didn't get it done. But even though we had paper documentation showing that the blood was drawn, she still was crappy about it.

Firsts - Finally today after we called the lab twice and the clinic twice I got the long awaited phone call that Hammer's blood work was received as well as my own. It was worth the wait. I have the highest day 4 E2 ever! Higher than the average people!!!!! For the first time in our lives they are DROPPING our meds to slow us down!!!! I cannot believe it. I only pray that this is a good sign that we have healthy eggs growing. Even if the number is no different than before if they are healthier that is all that matters. We are so thrilled.

I even made up a chart of where I compare to the average for each of my cycles so you can see just what I mean by best ever.

I cannot wait until Monday when I go in for our u/s to see how things are going. So for the next two days I will decrease my Follistim to 200, give 1 vial of Menopur, and 1 vial of Ganarelix. I will continue with my last stimulation acupuncture treatment on Sunday afternoon as well as continue my Circle and Bloom IVF/hip opening yoga sessions.

"I'm not knocked up, just FAT"

This title would be my version of the shirt a 19 year old girl wore into the WIC clinic today. She walked in with her cute little belly and a blaring pink shirt that read, "I'm not fat, just KNOCKED UP." I guess I'm not really fat either but those fertility drugs have not done me any favors. Nor have the months where I wasn't really working out as much because it could possibly, maybe affect our ability to get pregnant. What I've realized is that I don't really feel healthy anymore and how can being unhealthy make you prepared to carry a healthy pregnancy if God were to bless us?

So this week I've really embraced getting healthy. Even though I'm out in the field I've brought my yoga mat along with me. Hammer downloaded the podcast yogamazing which is AWESOME. I've really enjoyed waking up and stretching out my muscles and I've already noticed the tone returning to my arms since I picked up yoga again (about a month ago.) And I've loved the Kroger right by my hotel which has an amazing salad bar and selection of organic products. I'm in shock over this because I'm literally in podunkville and their Kroger kicks my Kroger's butt. I'm not complaining too much because our store is being remodeled and I'm hoping it's just as great when it's all done.

I'm actually just feeling really blessed and encouraged. Even though I'm back to hanging out with pregnant women all day I'm not really feeling bothered about it. God knows I needed His protection again this week and He delivered.

Bummer!

So I had been trying to get registered for the Yoga for Fertility class with much difficulty. I just got off the phone with the studio and there was a scheduling conflict so they won't be having it. They did put me on a list to get a phone call when they reschedule it. I just hope I can go. I was really looking forward to it. Bummer!

Yoga for Fertility Class

I'm going to give this class a try. If anyone out there lives in the 614/740 area code and is interested here is the info. It was really hard to track down but this is offered through a local hospital who partnered with a well known yoga studio in town. Since I had so much trouble finding it I thought I'd post it.

Yoga for Fertility
NEW! - Yoga practices, including deep relaxation, active and restorative poses, breathing practices and meditation, can reduce stress and physical and emotional tensions. This helps balance hormone levels, increase muscle tone and circulation to internal organs and open subtle energetic channels. No previous yoga experience required.
Offered in partnership with Yoga on High.

To register call (614) 291-4444
Marcia Miller, registered yoga teacher
When: Saturday, Feb. 21; 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Elizabeth Blackwell Center
Cost: $50

My boss is really into yoga for strength and toning reasons and got me interested. I haven't being doing it for well over a year now because I've just been too busy. I'm thinking it may help with all the stress I'm under both with work and with our IF. I'm not a 'meditation' type person, it's too new-agy for me. I did yoga for flexibility, balance, and stress as a purely physical activity. I was challenged by a pastor from my college ministry who did yoga but took bible versus to mediate on during the 'new-agy' parts. Once I started practicing yoga and doing the bible meditation it really was great. I was less stressed and felt healthier, so why did I stop? Oh yeah, too busy, any-whoo. So I'm excited to finally have a free weekend to take this class.