Here we go, FET#3!

A word of caution: there may be TMI up ahead...read at your own risk :)

Started a new cycle today, so it looks like our miracle is not going to come this month. It really did not come as a surprise, though, so we're doing fine. One of the added bonuses of infertility is you REALLY get to know your body. I told Paul last night, as we were laying in bed talking, that I knew tomorrow was going to be "the day". It was dark in our room, so I'm not sure, but I think he was probably vigorously nodding his head "yup." I had reached my threshold emotionally/hormonally (sorry, honey) and knew it could only be hours before "Flo" would come for her LAST, unwanted visit. Yeah, I said it: her LAST visit. The goal is to become pregnant, so I've told her we're moving and she's not allowed to come visit for a very long time :)

I called the nurse today and got my next several appointments scheduled. My doctor has requested a "trial embryo transfer" or "mock transfer" to ensure there won't be any problems on the actual transfer day. I also have some blood work and ultrasound appointments to monitor my estradiol and uterine lining. Our next appointment will be the mock transfer on Monday, April 5th at 1:30 p.m. I don't anticipate any problems with my doctor threading the catheter up through my cervix and into my uterus, as I have had this done 8 times before. However, it will be good for Dr. Matteri to do it at least once before the catheter is loaded with our sweet little embryos.

Dates, dates, and more dates!

Here's what the next several weeks will look like. I start the birth control pill (BCP) on day 3 of my cycle, which is this Saturday, March 27th. I will continue taking these for 3 weeks. The BCP will keep me from growing an egg, as the goal is to suppress my reproductive system, since I already have frozen embryos. I will add a subcutaneous shot called Lupron, beginning on April 12th that will suppress my pituitary gland so that I do not release any hormones naturally. I want my body to respond only to the hormones I am injecting into it, so that it can be controlled and monitored to perfectly reflect a uterus that is ready to receive an embryo and become pregnant.

The first blood draw to measure my estradiol (should be low) will be on April 22nd at 9:00a.m. The first hormone I will add into the mix is called, Delestrogen, beginning April 26th. This injection will increase estradiol in my body and thicken my uterine lining. I will have an ultrasound to measure the thickness of my lining and my estradiol drawn on May 7th (estradiol should be higher).

The next hormone I will add in is an intramuscular shot called, Progesterone in oil (PIO), beginning May 15th. PIO will maintain the thickness of my uterine lining until my pregnancy test. If I become pregnant, I will continue the PIO shots throughout the first trimester, until the placenta takes over. Out of all of the shots, I hear these are the worst as far as pain is concerned :( It will be worth it, if we are blessed with a baby though!

Last blood test before the transfer will be on May 17th. Our transfer is still scheduled for Friday, May 21st in the afternoon. Whew, I'm sure you really were dying to know all those dates! Since this is our on-line journal, I like to have these kinds of things documented so we can reference them in the future, if needed.

Life is good. It may not always feel good, but life is good. Feelings come and go, and let's face it, ladies, our hormones can really mess with our heads ;/ Paul and I stand firmly on the belief that God is good, all the time, no matter what happens. Whether or not, He chooses to bless us with a baby, does not determine whether He is a good and loving God. We know He loves us. He loves us more than we can even comprehend. Take a listen to this: How He loves

Praying that if you read this, you know that you are loved deeply by God. BOOM!

~G & P