Day 2

I dragged my butt out of bed this morning at 5:09, so I could hit the road by 6:00. I managed to be on the interstate by about 6:10, so I hauled ass up to Denver for my appointment at 7:45. It never fails to amaze me that I always get there early, no matter how close I think I'm cutting it. I was there by 7:30. I figured that was good so I could be back on the road soon as I had my acupuncture appointment at 10:00.

I go in, get my blood drawn, go upstairs and sign in. The receptionist tells me I have a balance due of almost $7,500! WTF???? I say that this is news to me. I mistakenly thought that since I have insurance, that they would bill the insurance carrier as we go along, the insurance would do their thing, and then I'd get an EOB stating how much I owe. Um, no, that's not how it works.

After a bit of arguing and tears (damn those tears), I got them to agree to only charge me (at this time) what my insurance out of pocket maximum is, which is $3,000. Thank God I had my credit card with me. So, red eyed, streaked face, I go in for my ultra sound, not really looking forward to it.

It was a breeze! My left ovary has never behaved so well! The tech said it was hanging right there, clear as day. That was a welcome change. It normally hides behind my uterus and is painful to find. My lining is nice and thin, they way they want it on day 2. My ovaries are cyst free. So that is good.

Now I'm just waiting for the call back to make sure my blood work is acceptable and that we can get started. I sure hope so, because while I was there, I went ahead and had the nurse mix my Saizen. Heck, if I knew it was going to be that easy, I could have done it myself. She had told me that it had to be mixed into a separate vial, which the pharmacy hadn't provided. All she did was take out 5 ml of the water and dump it out, then mix a little with the powder, and put it back in. Assuming I need to order my second vial, I'll know what to do with that one.

I ended up about 10 minutes late to my acupuncture appointment. When I first laid down, it was nice to relax, but after she inserted the needles, there was no more relaxing. I just couldn't settle down. I tried not to think too much about the money issue, as I didn't want to get upset again. I couldn't really do any visualizing. So I just played a lot with the pillow and the head rest. When she came to take the needles out, she said that three of the four in my ear had reacted, meaning that they bled. She said that my adrenals really reacted. I asked what adrenals were, and she said something to the effect that they help us to get healthier. To be honest, I really didn't get it, even after she explained it. The only thing I could think was that maybe it was the stress of the morning that caused them to react.

Now I just wait. I'll be carrying my cell phone with me where ever I go in the office this afternoon. Don't want to miss the call.

Pearl necklaces and ear seeds

I was in a conference meeting, just having arrived back from my acupuncture appointment. I sat beside R, a lady who knows what we are going through. She saw my ear seeds, but didn't say anything.

That afternoon, her and another lady, M, were heading upstairs to get a soda for their afternoon pick me up, when I joined them to get my water (by the way, it sucks not drinking my diet Pepsi's any longer). R asked me if I were doing acupuncture, as she had seen the the ear seeds. I said yes, it was part of the treatment. M, who didn't know what we are going through, asked what I was being treated for by the acupuncturist. I said that she is trying to get me pregnant.

M asked, well, aren't you using the wrong orifice? R and I just busted out laughing. I said, Oh, you mean those pearl necklaces aren't getting the job done either?!? I think it took us a good five minutes to quit laughing and to wipe the tears from our faces.

Two weeks

To the best of my calculations, in two weeks, AF will show. That means I'll start stims two days later. I'll be getting my meds in today, so I'll take a picture and post it tonight. I'll actually do everything sub-q rather than IM, except for the trigger shot, that'll be IM.

I have ear seeds. What are those, you ask? If you plant them, they'll grow ears! Just kidding. They are actually little acupressure dots that my acupuncturist put in my ear, to not only help with the blood flow, but to also help with stress and my allergies. I can definitely feel them although they aren't painful, I am just aware that they are there.

Tonight I'll try my best to come on and post some more. I have a funny story to share regarding the seeds and my co-workers.

Isn't it ironic

As of today, I am 19 or 20 days away from AF. I am actually looking forward to AF. Only those with IF look forward to AF (well, and those stupid teenagers who have unprotected sex).

Between now and then, I'm going to minimize the contact with the in-laws (too many babies for me right now).

But, how ironic is it that tomorrow morning I am participating in the March of Dimes March for Babies? By the way, I surpassed my goal!

I'm skipping Mother's Day weekend and am instead going to my 20th class reunion. From what I've read, most of my old classmates' kids are 10 or older, although I certainly don't have the 411 on everyone.

Tonight I'm having a virtual martini party. Darya is riding the blues, and the best way I know to get rid of the blues is to drink a virtual martini. Anyone who wants to join in, please do so. Mine will be appletinis. Oh, and I'll be drinking these appletinis during a church dinner and pie auction. Suh-weet!

I told my acupuncturist today that I try to stay away from medications (specifically allergy meds) as much as possible, yet I'll have a big-ass box of meds coming in next week. Just say no?

Alanis Morissette has nothing on me, baby.

New acupuncturist

Today I had my first session with a new acupuncturist. She was very nice and specializes in infertility. She even provided me with a list of do's and don'ts, things that she recommends but doesn't worry if I don't follow all of them. I don't know how well I'll do with the no cold water. I like my water cold, maybe not ice cold, but cold. She recommends room temperature water.

Oh, and no tampons. Yeah, I don't think so.

It's cheaper for me to pay cash then file the claim with the insurance, rather than her filing for me. It saves $10 per visit. Every little bit helps, huh?

She did put needles in my ear. I definitely felt those go in, but once they were in, they weren't at all uncomfortable. She talked to me about visualization. So for the first two thirds of the session, I visualized the entire process, clear up to my son getting married and starting a family of his own. How is that for forward thinking?

Ball is slowly rolling

I finally heard back from my IVF nurse. Dr. S received the consult note from Dr. M (the peri).

They've submitted everything to the insurance company, but haven't heard back from them, so I'm following up to make sure they have everything they need in order for them to pay!! :-)

I'll call when I start AF in April to schedule my TET (trial embryo transfer) and SHG (not the HSG), and then have the consult with their anesthesiologist.

Should then be able to schedule my IVF consults. Dr. S's office did go ahead and fax in my Rx.

They also want to know if I'm going to be pursuing acupuncture with this cycle. I've started placing phone calls to some acus here in town, to see if any of them specialize in infertility treatment. The last hottie I used, while really nice, just didn't seem to provide the same type of services that I've read others receiving. So I'll check around and see. It does mean that it will be out of network (meaning self-pay) but I'm okay with that. Actually, it would be subject to my out of network deductible, which actually also applies to my in network deductible, so it'll be okay.

On a different note, I think I just recently ovulated. Again, I had some pain with it, so I really do think that the DHEA is working. It is certainly making an oil field out of my forehead, especially if I don't wear my foundation that helps prevent shine. Good thing I normally wear bangs!

Unfortunately, due to reasons I won't disclose to protect someones privacy, we weren't able to capitalize on ovulation this month. In my head, I rationalized and okayed this, thinking that if we did BD, I'd have too many eggs and it'd result in HOM. So, we're okay. (Does anyone ever do this, rationalize these things in your head so that you're basically forgiving yourself for not doing something? Am I even making sense?)

Starbucks = Free Adjustment??

This morning, as a way of saying "thank you" to my acupuncturist and his staff, I took them over Starbucks drinks and pastries. They were of course very appreciative of it, as was I of there caring attitude towards me.

"J" said they had two open rooms if I wanted a session. I told her that I was feeling pretty tense in my neck and shoulders. She offered me a chiropractic adjustment! I've never had a chiropractic adjustment before. In fact I have sometimes scoffed at the use of chiropractors. As good as it sounded (it really did sound good, despite of my thinking), I declined. One I had just bopped out of work for a few to take them some treats as well as some money, and two, I didn't want to take advantage of my offerings to them.

They wished me luck, and I told them that I'd be back as soon as we have decided what we're going to do. After all, I have 17 acu visits left on my insurance this year. Why not take advantage of it??? And besides, as long as Dr. Poke-a-me is practicing there, that is just extra icing on the cake!

Odd Acu visit today

Today's acupuncture visit was odd today. I got there right at 10:00, one of the gals takes me to my room, I kick off my shoes and knee highs, and get settled on the table. My nose thinks that it's the right time to start running. I think to myself I'll have Dr. Poke-a-me get me a tissue when he comes in.

Ten minutes later, still no doc, so I jump up, grab a tissue, blow my nose, lay back down. Then my cell phone rings. It's Nancy calling me to explain about a response she left me on my blog. So we talk for a few minutes, then hang up. After a total of twenty minutes, in comes Dr. Poke-a-me. He gets me situated with all the needles, the electrical thingies, and the music. Music is kinda loud, but I like it, so it's okay. He wishes me a great weekend, and leaves.

I'm laying there relaxing, thinking, sleeping, and then I thought I heard my timer go off. It stops. But no one comes in. I hear two new songs on the CD that I've not heard before. Finally, one of the gals comes in and says she thinks the timer isn't working. (I think to myself that her ears aren't working - but that's okay). While she's there, another new song comes on. I was hooked up to electricity for about 30 minutes! Normally, it's 20 minutes. As she is unhooking me, the other gal comes in and said I heard the music but didn't see the timer going, so I thought I'd check on you. Thanks!!

Anyway, I'm all unhooked, they leave me to get off the table and put my shoes on, but I can't get off the table! They moved a chair to the side of the table that I normally get off on (okay, that doesn't sound right! lol). I get off the other side, put shoes and knee highs back on, walk out. I tell ya, I felt all wobbly.

I get into the car, look in the mirror, and I have black smudges around my eyes from the paper that was on the headrest. I come back to the office, rub the back of my left calf where one of the needles were, and OUCH! It is very tender.

Let me tell you, if this would have been my first experience with acu, I would not be going back! But since it wasn't, I know that this is just a fluke and that it is NOT normal.

I have six days to my next visit. I think that may be a good thing!

Dr. Poke-a-me

I had my last visit with Dr. Poke-a-me this morning. When he asked how everything was going, I told him that I had been cancelled. I had debated cancelling that appointment but decided to go ahead with it since I'm going to try baby dancing this month and see if we have any success. He wished me luck and said that I'd be having a busy weekend. He's too funny!

I haven't called the IVF nurse yet to see what the next step is. Maybe I'll just wait. I have been busy today at work and will be gone for most of tomorrow, so I'll call later this week.

Dr. Opie & Dr. Poke-a-me (Update)

I had my ultrasound and blood work this morning at the RE’s. Dr. Opie (one of the RE’s at the practice) did my u/s. Didn’t hurt at all this time! I was very pleased with my left ovary as it wasn’t hiding. Both ovaries are quiet. Aunt Flo still hasn’t come so we’re just waiting for her to show up. My lining is very thick, which could affect my estrogen levels.

One of the RE nurses told me I could have Dr. Poke-a-me start AF! I was like “Really? Cool!” So when I went to him this morning, he stuck about 12 more needles in me. I had them on the inside of my thighs above my knees, a couple in my feet, extra ones in my ankles, one on each elbow, and two on my hands, in addition to the normal four in my back and four in my calves. Just call me a pincushion!

If any of you kind ladies are finished with Aunt Flo, please send her my way. If I don’t get her in the next few days, we may have to move this stim cycle back a month as I have a five day window to get the egg retrieval done so that there are doctors there to do the embryo transfer.

On a totally different note, going home last night after work and having my hair blown all over the place from the wind, I decided my new short hair cut needs to be shorter. My new stylist is about to go out on maternity leave and there is no way I can wait another six weeks to get in for a cut. So I’m going today during a later lunch hour to get it cut. Two cuts in two weeks!

My mom roped me in to help her with her yard sale tomorrow so I’ll probably head down there tonight or early tomorrow morning. Either sleep in my own bed tonight and get up really early or stay there and sleep on the couch. Hmmmm.

Update:

Battle Axe called me this afternoon. Said that estradial (estrogen) levels are high due to the thick lining. I am on hold for the weekend. If I start my period over the weekend, I need to call them. I am scheduled to go in on Monday to check on things. Not sure if I'll keep my Tuesday appointment, but it all depends on whether AF shows or not. Come on AF, please!

Tingly

This morning's acupuncture visit went a little differently than usual. I don't know if I thought I was being brave or not, but when Dr. Poke-a-me was upping the amps of electricity, I had him go higher than I normally do. It hurt a tiny bit, well not hurt, but buzzed, but usually as the 20 minutes pass, the buzzing becomes minimal to where I don't even notice it.

Not this time! It stayed at the same level. But only in my legs, not my back. When the nurse came in to remove them, my right calf bled quite a bit! Not that that is too unusual. But now, even about 20 minutes after having all the needles removed, my legs are still tingly!

Dr. Poke-a-me even noticed my new hair do and said it looked nice. What a sweety!

Lupron came in

I don't have much to report. My lupron came in yesterday. I took it over to my co-worker in the next office and asked if she wanted a shot! She wasn't too keen on that.

Hubby's grandpa's funeral was yesterday. He was in World War II and he had a military (navy) honor burial. They did a three round volley with the guns, which made all of us jump. I felt so bad for Hubby's cousin. Grandpa was her only grandpa, and she was pretty devastated. After the service was over, she stood at his casket just sobbing, which about made me cry. It's hard to say goodbye and let go.

Our next project is working on our back yard. Hubby has contracted a landscaper to come in and level it, put in a new sprinkler system on one side, fix the system on the other side, lay sod, and remove a few small trees along the fence as well as the remaining clothes line poll. It will be so nice to have grass back there. Hubby is paying for this project. I paid for our windows. Our doggies will really enjoy the grass! And since we have a new lawn mower, it makes it so much easier to cut the grass as it is self-propelled.

Oh, I start my acupuncture tomorrow! I about forgot about that.

Most of you who read my blog also read Nancy's blog, but if not, go over and give her some hugs as she got a BFN off this FET.

I've seen where many infertiles or folks who have problems with getting pregnant say that fertile people suck. I understand where they are coming from but I don't agree. I'm finding where generalizing or stereotyping is really getting to me. So yeah, maybe some suck, but I'm sure there are a few infertile people out there who suck too. But not because of their ability or lack thereof to have babies. It's because they are just not nice.

Got to go. Lunch time!

Good bye Jason Can't-find-a-comb

It is about time! That rat nested seemingly stoned doufus has finally been voted off! Let me tell you, I did my best last night to make sure that happened. David Cook and Syesha got my votes, and I bet I called at least 50 times. Hubby thinks that the 866 numbers are long distance, but they're not.

I'm still pulling for David Cook, but have a feeling that he may be next to go. I've not watched all the A.I. seasons, so I'm not sure if there is usually one guy and one girl for the finale or not, but if so, then it will be David Archuletta and Syesha for the final. Often times though, someone who is booted off towards then end of the competition has a much better career than the actual winner. Just look at that Jay Leno look a like from a couple of years ago. Do you remember him or know if he's done anything lately???

I told Hubby about Dr. Poke-a-me's offer to come to the house and give me acupuncture here, but he didn't seem too thrilled about that, especially after I said how good looking he is. Maybe I should have left that part out.

Oh, and I hadn't yet commented about Brothers & Sisters from Sunday night. Kitty has been through one failed IVF and no other treatments and she isn't sure how much more she can handle??? Why doesn't she say that after repeated failed attempts of step therapy? Clomid. IUIs. IUIs w/ injectibles. IVFs. FETs. Then let's hear how much more she can handle. Come on, ABC, make it a bit more realistic.

Okay, that's it for my TV reviews for tonight. Stay tuned next week as we see who can croon to the final two!

Dr. Poke-a-me

I went in today to visit with the very cute but married Dr. Poke-a-me, the acupuncturist I saw last year during my last Clomid cycle. He looks a lot younger than he is, which is my age. I was going to set him up with my assistant last year then I finally looked at his finger and there was a ring there! I’m so not very observant.

We created a schedule for my acu visits this month and next. We’ll start Friday of next week, and then go every Tuesday & Friday up until my retrieval. Depending on whether we get to go to Snowmass or not, I will probably see him in his Canon City office on Thursday, June 5, rather than Friday.

He said he normally doesn’t do acu visits the day of transfer, but if I wanted to, he could come to my home and do it while I’m in bed. Hmmm. Just kidding! lol