Come on, estrogen!

Greetings all:

So I’m having a bit of an issue with my estrogen levels right now.  On my last post I said the estrogen level had dropped significantly, which wasn’t good.  After that, I went to my next appointment, which was on Saturday morning, CD 12.  The ultrasound showed the follicles really hadn’t grown significantly over the 2 days; I had (3) 11 mms and many smaller ones.  Dr. Webster said if the estrogen level dropped again, we would have to cancel this entire month.  Oh. my. Lord.  Anyway, not to keep you in suspense like I was on Saturday, estrogen had actually jumped from 68 to 119, which was good!  We are able to continue this month.  Thank God!  I would’ve been so discouraged to cancel 2 months in a row, especially mid-cycle like this.  But thank God, all was well.  {BTW, he and his staff are awesome; they called me personally as soon as they got the estrogen results because they knew I was on pins and needles.  Usually they leave my results on the phone tree; I dial a number, input my pin and get a recording of my results–which is so convenient, except for when it’s big news like that!!}

Today, CD 14, I went back for another check.  I have (3) 13 mm follicles and many smaller ones.  Dr. Webster keeps saying we don’t need too many follicles or else we’ll have to cancel the month; it’s really a delicate balance.  Estrogen came back at 122, only 3 points up from Saturday, which isn’t the greatest.  So he is increasing the Menopur dosage from double to triple per day.  I go back Wednesday for the next check.  Last IUI cycle, I never exceeded a double dosage so this is different.

In other news, there is a Christian infertility support group called Sarah’s Laughter several people have told me about.  (www.sarahs-laughter.com).  I was watching our church service online this past Sunday and the message was about joining connect groups.  Matt and I are already in a married couples group but I asked in the chat if there was a connect group for infertility.  They directed me to Sarah’s Laughter.  I went to the website and lo and behold, the Baton Rouge chapter is out of my church (Healing Place Church)!!  Wow!  For some reason it just never clicked.  Anyways, I contacted the group leader, Beth, and the next meeting is  tomorrow night at 7!  Yay!  So I’m going to go.  And wouldn’t you know it, her house is 5 minutes away from mine and she is the founder of Sarah’s Laughter and has even written several books! How about that!

Thanks for reading,

af

Up & Down

Hello all:

As I promised, here’s my weekly update!

This past Monday, 4/23, was cycle day 7 and my first appointment to check follicle development.  I was very excited because I had an 11 mm, 10 mm and many 9 and 8 mm sized follicles.  Estrogen level came back at 91.  In comparison to our first try, on cycle day 10, estrogen was at 59 so I figured we were off to a good start already!

However today, cycle day 10, I have the same sized follicles as Monday and estrogen dropped to 68.  I never had a drop in estrogen last time so I was really confused.  From my understanding, estrogen levels rise with follicle growth and development, so the higher the estrogen numbers the larger the follicles.  So I called the doctor’s office and the nurse explained this is not uncommon and that it only means I hit a plateau, not really a drop or set back.  So the solution is to start 2 Menopur vials today (I’ve been taking 1.5 vials per day) and go back Saturday morning for my next check.  I’m glad to finally start 2 vials.  Last time as soon as we doubled the Menopur dosage, the follicles and estrogen took off, so I’m excited to get this show on the road!

I asked my RE today what he thought about doing 2 IUIs this month.  I am constantly reading fertility blogs and websites and noticed some women will have back to back IUIs done, like one on Monday and one on Tuesday after triggering.  My doctor said they used to do this a long time ago as standard practice but research has shown it does not increase the chances of becoming pregnant at all.  He went so far to say that doctors who continue to do this know this fact so well, they must only continue doing it to “pad their wallets.”  His words, not mine.  So just a heads up if you’ve ever wondered.  What a shame!

I would like to welcome a new follower to the blog, Shannon!  Welcome, Shannon!  I have known Shannon since first grade!  I think now all of my close girlfriends are on here: Shannon, Rachel, Andrea, Samantha and Hannah.  (So don’t walk on eggshells anymore—everyone knows, LOL)

In closing, I wanted to share with you my devotion from this past Tuesday.  It is by Joseph Prince, who is a pastor in Singapore.  We watch his TV show (“Destined to Reign”) and we even went to see him in Houston last October.  He is really awesome!  This particular devotion has my name written all over it and I felt as if it goes well with the theme of my blog, “Expecting to Expect.”  Hopefully it will encourage you as well.

God Has Seen Your Future And It Is Good!

“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.

Isaiah 54:2

At the end of 2004, during one of our services, the Lord told our church this: “I your God have gone ahead of you and I have already been to your future. I have seen it. And I declare that it is good.”

Although this word was given through me to our church, I believe that it is not only for our church, but also for every member of the body of Christ.

I tell you, when God declares your future good, it will be good! It will be filled with many wonderfully good days!

So what do you do when the Lord tells you that you are going to have a good future loaded with His blessings? You prepare for it! In other words, before the blessings come, before the increase comes, He wants you to enlarge the place of your tent and stretch forth the curtains of your dwellings.

For example, if you are believing God for a child, start reading books on babies and preparing the baby’s room. In fact, prepare to have more than one child. Start looking for a bigger place for your family for God says, “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.” Get ready for expansion!

My friend, God wants you to get ready, and expect such favor and increase in the days ahead that “you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited”. (Isaiah 54:3)

Because God has declared your future good, know that you stand on favor ground today. Expect good things to happen to you. Expect to see the favor of God on you and your family. Expect the blessings and increase of the Lord. Expect many good days to show up in your life!

Thought For The Day
Get ready for expansion because the Lord has been to your future and He declares that it is good!

Thanks for reading,

af

IUI – Monday, March 5, 2012!!!

I made it!!!  IUI is scheduled for this Monday!!  It’s like crossing a finish line, really!

I left off with my appointment this past Thursday; the largest follicle was 12 mm and estrogen rose dramatically again to 260.  Because the estrogen was increasing so well, he lowered my dosage of Menopur to 1.5 daily and scheduled to see me again today, Saturday, March 3 (CD 17).

Today’s ultrasound showed 1 large follicle on the right ovary at 19 mm!!!  WOW!!  In 2 days it grew from 12 mm to 19!!  There is another medium sized follicle around 17 mm on the left ovary.  Estrogen level came back at 275.  So I’m ready for the IUI!!  I will give myself the HCG trigger shot (Novarel) tonight and actually have tomorrow off!!  Yay for that!!

Prayers needed greatly on Monday!!!

Thanks for reading,

Allison