Let them be eggs!

Just to give you an idea of what's going on: This 1st picture is a picture of 9 (from what I can tell) follicles. This only happens when you're on fertility medication that stimulate follicle growth, which is what I've been taking (Gonal F, 225 units) for the past 8 days. I currently have 10 follicles that may or may not contain eggs.

This 2nd picture is a picture of a natural cycle, with hopes of only the 1 follicle and subsequent egg. So different! So imagine, all those follicles squished up inside me. I really am bloated and definitely feel full, in a way. Hard to explain, but it's definitely there.

I had the scheduled blood test and ultrasound yesterday, and left in tears (again!). Luckily, Ed came with me - which was kind of fun, because although he usually comes with me to these appts, he never (unless it's a big appt) actually goes into the ultrasound. I decided he probably would really like to know what goes on so he can know why I'm crying or why I'm elated, etc. And sure enough - he was VERY interested and thought it rather amazing, even if it did bring me to tears. I now know poor Kathleen (the sonographer) gets extremely uncomfortable when I get upset, because she scurries out quickly as if it's privacy that will help me. The last time around I didn't know enough to be upset, but now I'm more aware of what's going on and I just can't usually hold back the tears. I thought about calling her after just to let her know that I'm actually not being greedy when I cry for more than 10 follicles. I want to explain that I only have our first cycle to go by, and that I had 12 follicles then and only ONE embryo made it to the transfer stage. I'm sure I look/sound like a whiny brat to her - some people can't get ANY eggs. So I'm trying to be happy with 10 and overjoyed that our 0% chance has risen to 48.8%. After all, we could have 10 eggs (not highly likely, but...) I'm feeling pretty good about it, actually. And I'd like to also report that my estrogen was at 898 yesterday! Whoop! It never got above 313 last cycle. Yayyyyy! That really gives me great hope!

So I got a call today (which was kind of surprising, since I didn't have a test today that would change anything from yesterday - I guess they just figure that all the numbers are going up the way they are supposed to) to stop all the medication that I've been taking and that tonight Ed is to give me my "trigger" shot! Crazy! That was only a total of 8 days, not 22 like last time. So tonight at 10pm Ed will give me and gigantic shot in my behind, tomorrow will be a complete day off from any medication(!), and then Monday Ed and I are to arrive to give our sperm & eggs! I'm so excited and I'm feeling SO good about all of this!

I also want to mention that I spoke up to the nurse today and requested Dr. Hardy for our retrieval and transfer. She assured me that even though another doctor was scheduled for us, she will talk to our doctor tomorrow and he will most-likely do our procedures. I felt badly, because we honestly didn't HATE the other doctor, but he wasn't as kind and gentle and didn't walk us through every single step like our regular doctor does. I really hope we get to see Dr. Hardy at least for the transfer later in the week, if not for both procedures.

So now we wait for Monday (and pray for close to 10 eggs!!!! or even a full 10!), and then they'll fertilize my eggs with Ed's sperm (in a petri dish) overnight. We'll be instructed to call Tuesday, after 10am, to get our report on how many eggs fertilize successfully and they'll also tell us what day to go in for the transfer. It'll be either a 2, 3, or 5 day transfer. Wow! This is all happening so fast - I'm SO glad. Last time seemed to drag on and on and on. Keep us in your thoughts!