http://amy.staypuppy.com Random thoughts on a life less traveled Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:26:18 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en That's my new mantra "It's only a TV show... It's only a TV show."  I have to repeat it to myself over and over to prevent breaking out in tears on the ferry.  A few still do squeak by... There is just too much good TV to keep up with these days, so ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/08/14/its-only-a-tv-show/ As expected, good old Aunt Flo arrived right on schedule. We're not sure when we're going to start the next (LAST!) fresh cycle. Even if my body doesn't respond well to the next cycle again, I don't think we'll try another fresh cycle. Keep in mind, that the drugs alone are ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/08/12/expect-the-expected/ If IVF is the arranged marriage, IUI is the blind date. http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/08/06/sperm-have-you-met-egg/ I think most people have gone through a dozen IUI's before moving on to IVF.  This was our first IUI.  I have to say that it was much easier then I expected.  Sure the meds were hard, but I was taking them for IVF anyway.  They make me tired, moody, bitchy...  ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/08/05/the-iui-experience/ When I postponed Jury Duty, I let them know I'd be available after September 1.  I recieved a new summons in the mail for September 3rd.  Yipee!!!  Keeping my fingers crossed and knocking on wood that I get a big case. http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/08/05/that-was-fast/ The IVF cycle has been converted to an IUI cycle.  My body just isn't responding well to the Antagonist Protocol.  The three follicles on the left weren't growing at all.  I have 4 on the right that are doing okay, and a few stragglers that probably wouldn't make it to ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/07/27/converted/ I'm no pro when it comes to riding Muni, the SF transit system.  My experience has largely been with taking a bus from the ferry to the DR office, and then another bus back to work.  In the mornings the ride isn't so bad because I get on at the ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/07/25/what-not-to-do-on-muni/ As part of the whole IVF process you have to have regular blood draws to monitor your progress.  I've had 2 this week so far, and am heading back in on Saturday.  It's not that big of a deal considering I'm giving myself shots every night anyway.  However, for whatever ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/07/24/stick-me-with-your-best-shot/ My estrogen level was 202 today.  Not only is that almost a three-fold increase over 2 days ago, but it is also 80+ points higher then it was on this day last cycle (117).  The downside is that my follicles aren't progressing as well.   The left side is "quiet" and ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/07/24/looking-up/ 68.  That was my estrogen level after 4 days of stimulants.  Not good.  When I did all my pre-testing for IVF back in February my level was 64 on the third day of my natural cycle.  When I did IVF #1 my estrogen level was at 99 on day 4 ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/07/23/68/ This time around I'm not super obsessed with the IVF process.  I'm not trying to find every little bit of information, I'm not lurking around the forums, or obsessively reading blogs.  I'm just not that into it right now and it's been nice.  I honestly don't even feel like doing ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/07/18/no-drama/ As you know, we're embarking on our second IVF cycle.  Shots, blood draws, exams.... the works.  It's impossible to plan anything because I never know when I'll have a DR appointment.  It all depends on how my body responds to the meds.  And the DR is in San Francisco which isn't exactly right ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/07/03/the-long-wait/ We're on to round two.  I'm back on the birth control pills and we're on a new protocol.  For the first IVF we were on the "Long Lupron Protocol" and now we're doing the "Antagonist Protocol".  The stimultation meds are the same, but no Lupron at all, and something called ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/07/01/and-theyre-off/ At any other time a late period might be cause for celebration.  In post-failure IVF land it means your body is still out of whack from the drugs.  From what I've read, it's not uncommon for your natural cycles following IVF failure to be late by days or even weeks.  ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/06/23/oh-the-irony/ I subscribe to feeds for 63 different news, blogs and entertainment sites.  The breakdown is as follows: IVF blogs:  35 feeds Reality News:  8 feeds News News:  4 feeds Friends and Family:  16 feeds I would have to be crazy (or have way too much time on my hands) to go to 63 sites every ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/06/19/you-really-need-a-reader/ As Drew talked about in his blog, we've had a tough decision to make - fresh or frozen for the next cycle.   Since none of this is covered by insurance - and all of it by credit card - we had to look at options, talk to people, and talk ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/06/19/here-we-go-again/ IVF:   11,000 ICSI:   1,500 Meds:  5,000 Freeze Embryos: 1,000 No insurance discount: -2,000 Home pregnancy tests: 50 Positive Negative blood test = Priceless $16,550 http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/05/21/the-cost-of-doing-business/ I saw that on someones infertility blog once "No news is bad news".  In other words, if you don't hear anything in the near future it's probably because I have nothing to shout from the rooftops. http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/05/20/no-news-is-bad-news/ I had my blood test this morning.  We're not holding out much hope.  Today is 17DPO and every pee stick test has been negative - including this morning.  While it is still possible, it is very unlikely that the blood test results will be different.  Some women never register a positive result ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/05/20/results-due/ So of course I broke down early and tested.  I'm only human.  So far all I've gotten are Negatives.  It's still early - 12 DPO, but I see many women on the boards getting positives at 8, 9, 10 days...  So, early or not, there was a possibility.  And there ... http://amy.staypuppy.com/2008/05/15/snow-white/