This Just In! Breaking News!

Hey guys! Are you ready for another update from the bruised, poked, and prodded? This week will not disappoint! It has been a busy week.

First off, my needles are getting easier every day. The injections are becomming second nature to me and the only real side effect I feel is a headache. (Jeremy says I am "a little cranky" though he may just be scared to tell me how he really feels!) I have been to the doctor 5 times this week alone. They require very close monitoring. I have to have blood drawn (seriously, I only have two arms! Both of which are bruised from blood draws and it makes me feel like I have to explain myself to everyone who sees them--"I don't have a drug problem, just a getting pregnant problem"). After the blood draws I get to get an ultrasound! This is actually kind of fun because you get to see your insides! The first u/s I had around 14 follicles. (Follicles= the fluid filled sacs surounding an egg.) That is good for IVF. The 2nd u/s I had more, the third u/s the doctor said she saw 'an Easter basket-full.' I had well over 20 this morning. That, of course, is due to the high amounts of hormones I've been injecting into my belly every day. Most women only produce one to two follicles a month. For IVF they require many more, because not all of them make it thru the process.

Boring information aside, I will be travelling to Little Rock Tuesday night to stay with my friend Natalie, because Jeremy and I will be at the clinic in LR for the egg retrieval Wednesday morning. I will be under conscious sedation while they use a 16 inch long needle to retrieve the eggs. Yes, I said 16 INCH LONG NEEDLE. Yikes. Thank goodness for sedation! We will return to Little Rock sometime over the weekend to have the transfer done.

Please pray that we have a safe trip down and back both times. Please pray that I will not get ovarian hyperstimulation. It is a slight risk that would not be a good situation for me. Please pray for God's will in whether this embryo will stick or not. Please pray for our emotional and physical wellbeing during this exciting but somewhat stressful time.

I will keep you posted as to how many eggs we got and how many were successfully fertilized. As for me, I will keep downing my Gatorade (drs orders) and I'll see ya on the other side of that 16 inch long needle!

Much love to you all!
Adrienne