Vacation

Well we finally made it home Saturday after a 11 hour drive/ride from DeKalb, Il .. we had tons of fun and got lots of Sun.
Sarah and Chris' wedding was beautiful and I totally loved the "Alternative" Wedding March ... the Theme from Indiana Jones ... can't beat that huh??? Sarah is so creative. She had a beautiful gown with red accents and a super duper yummy cake from Truffles... I have to confess I had a piece of both the chocolate and the white... and I don't regret it one bit!!! Chris looked quite handsome in his suit/tux (not sure if it was a full blown tux or not)... but he did look nice and he even cut the long goat off of his chin... Awww the things love makes you do!!! So Joshua was very happy as the best man's son Blane and daughter Morgan was super fun to hang out with even if they were 5-7 years older than him.. he hung with them very well and was almost as tall as Blane who is 9 years old (WOW). Ok well I had to actually keep a close eye on Joshua as he thought since he was hanging with a 9yr old he could do things a 9yr old can do... well "Mommy don't play dat"... I had to rope him in a few times but other than that.. he did very well. We went to the beach (Lake Michigan/Mt Baldy) for a fun day in the sun and a cook out. Joshua and I got some much needed sun and I climed Mt Baldy.. now I did get beat by a 9yr old but hey I freakin made it all the way and was only out of breath for about 15 minutes afterwards LOL Steve of course was the winner.. bragger... but he did good and then video'd the rest of us coming up... Jeremy (best man) came in 2nd and then RAN down and at the very end... face planted and tumbled down... I laughed really hard even though I was out of breath... and yes Steve got it on video... that'll be a CLASSIC hehehe. So after we sunned for a bit, we ate chicken, brats and dogs and played on the playground equipment... fun times... then back to the beach for a bit more SUN. Wednesday I finally got to go shopping at the Outlet mall and got Joshua some clothes for big kid school... which starts in less than 25 days (insert nail biting smiley)... and I also got a few smelly goods for our house at Bath and Body Works.. mmmmm yummy... We also went to Gary, In and no we didn't visit Michael Jackson's childhood home but we did get to see a "RAILCATS" baseball game.. whoo hoo Go Railcats...
So then it was off to DeKalb, IL to visit Laura, John, Jackson and Owen... Owen was less than 2 weeks old so that was especially fun times ... he is such a cutie... slept, ate and pooped most the time but hey... what can you expect from a small fry like him at such an early age... Jackson was totally great.. he is out of his shell and gave us hugs and played very well with Joshua.. He is getting so big, I can't believe he is 3yrs old already... where does the time go??? So while in DeKalb, we took the boys fishing (Joshua's first time), he caught a few fish and just loved it.. he looked like The Beav out there fishing with Steve... so now we are calling him Leave it to Beaver... we also took Joshua and Jackson out to the Golf Course... again Joshua's first time and we only played 9holes thank goodness.. both boys were almost at meltdown mode by hole 8 but we did make it and again.. I got some sun on my nose and arms... whoo hoo. We got a lot of visiting in and it was so nice to see the Pfaff's again... miss those guys already... so we are driving away from Laura and John's house Saturday for our long trip home and I look at Joshua and he says "I miss Jackson" and two little tears roll down his little chubby cheek... it was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen. Poor little guy... and the "We made it home" call to Jackson was great.. Joshua says "I miss you Jackson, I had fun playing with you and I love you" How freakin cute is that.. he melts my heart (well most the time at least).
So we are now back home in Tulsa and back at work. Steve is now in my organization at work and learning a new job... I know he can do it.. he is such a smart guy.
So all in all we had a wonderful week away from home and can't wait until mid September when we head back to DeKalb for a few more days of visiting and the "Pod Party".. Owen should be a little older so we can see some of the newborn changes YAHHH... and we promised Joshua that we would stop in St Louis, MO and go in the Arch. I am pushing for some Chicago time too (Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Sears Tower, Pizza) so we will see.

It's Over...

Well my Hellish cycle has come to a surprising end!!! No not what you think.. we aren't preggers.. but funny thing (if you can see the humor in all of this) I go in yesterday morning to take the blood pg test. So I get stuck, bandaged, and charged $90 to find out if I am pg and low and behold as I am waiting for the elevator at work to start my busy work day... I get a nice visit from my greatest Aunt of all Times... Aunt Flo... yep.. she arrives right on time 14DPO... How crazy is that... such a waste of $90. The nurse did call to confirm it was a negative later that day ... "Oh Really" LOL
Now the weird thing is that the past two times I have been on 200mg of progesterone, I didn't get AF until 3 days after I took the last dose.. so since I took my last dose Tuesday night at bed time.. I was really surprised that she came to visit so early.. But being my greatest Aunt and all I am sure she did it due to my upcoming vacation. she didn't want me to have to go through my entire vacay with her hanging out.. so now I should only have her tagging along for about 3 days of it instead of 5-7... JOY..
So onto the next cycle.. this cycle is the big #24.. yep.. the 2 year mark. I thought I would be super upset about this whole thing but I have come to realize that getting upset about it really doesn't help much.. but mostly hurts more... it just isn't Katie to be so upset over this type of thing.. I am Katie I can do this.. I am Katie, Hear me Roar!!!! So we are going "Natural" this cycle, 1 due to our vacation timing and 2 because I need an "ART" break. I think my body needs a break from all of the meds and poking and proding... I mean come on.. a body can only take so much you know. So we shall see if it works...

today...

well today I am doing ok... still sleepy as all get out... can't seem to catch up on my rest these days... I have been doing better at work at keeping my orders updated... I think since I got 28 new ones all in one day it kinda skeered me into getting my crap in order... Well I have been doing a lot of thinking about all of the baby making crap... I am not sure if we got it this time or not but decided that I am not gonna worry about it... if it happens whoo hooo, if it doesn't so be it. It just wasn't meant to be.
I got my P4 (progesterone) levels back yesterday it was at 10.8 which is higher than the previous 2 cycles but not as good as they wanted it so I am now back on the suppliments... OH JOY... nothing like shooting a little white bullet up your YahHoo every night. the joys of TTC with assistance. So anyway... my next and last test for a while will be the blood pg test on 07/15/09. I am kinda happy it is that day because 2 days later and we are off for vacay.. whoo hoo. I am super excited about Chris and Sarah's wedding and seeing the family.. and finally getting to meet our new little nephew Owen. He isn't here yet but will be very soon.
So that's about it for now... I'll chat back later when I know more stuff or just feel like typing..

...Continued saga

well the nurse called me back on Tuesday finally and advised that I did do the shot correctly in my belly... she was sorry that I had used the long needle and had the pain. "Thanks you are so kind" so anyway I advised about the negative OPK and postive HPT and asked if the shot would still do what it was intended to do (Make me ovulate the 20mm follie on the left) and she said that it would. The reason the OPK came out negative is because they strongly believe that the use to be 34mm cyst really was a huge follie and it ovulated sometime between the u/s on 06/26 and the one on 06/29. She said that they wanted to give me the trigger on Monday to make the remaining 20mm follie on the left ovulate, so I would essentially be ovulating twice this cycle which is not very common. It does occur per Google search but both ovulations occur within a 12-24hr period and in my case it would be a 3-4 days between each ovulation. So anywho, I totally freaked myself out with the whole Trigger Shot shinanagans so I decided that I have to stop doing this to myself, I have to relax and let things happen if they are gonna and if they don't just try to resarch on other methods, medications and ways that will result in a pregnancy that will stick. So needless to say the past few days I have been fairly relaxed and truely excited about our upcoming trips to Arkansas, Indiana and Illinois. My next P4 test is scheduled for 07/08 and my blood pg test is scheduled for 07/15 but I am super sure that I will crumble under the pressure and take an HPT before then. Just praying for a better result this cycle.
Until next time

CYCLE FROM HELL!!!

Ok so from my previous blogs you know I was doing the Follistim injections this time well you may not have noticed the excitement and trust that I had in this medication... I was super excited because I just knew it was gonna work and we would get at least 3 or 4 good sized follies and I trusted that it would do what it was supposed to and put such high expectation in it... well as from my Friday 06/26 u/s and doc appt I am sure you read that it didn't work as it should or at least my body didn't work with it as it should... I had a nice 34mm cyst and 13mm follie on the right side and a 12mm follie on the left side. Well I was told to keep using the Follistim for 3 more days and come back on Monday 06/29 for a second u/s ... welllllll that was yesterday and I get the u/s and the 34mm cyst has shrunk down to 24mm YAHH.. but the 13mm follie that was there also shrunk down to 12mm and looked squished by the cyst.. but on a good note the 12mm follie on the left side soared and grew to an astonishing 20mm YAHHHH again... but bad news the IUI was cancelled because she wanted at least 2 good sized follies. So they say wait to hear the PRN line to find out what to do next. I wait and wait and wait... finally at 4:10pm I get the message that for sure IUI is cancelled, we are to trigger that day and do the deed for the next few nights. Also, she said that my P4 (progesterone) was 10.5 which is better than it has been in a very long time so she said that she didn't think it was a Residual Cyst???? and thought that it would ovulate along with the big 20mm follie... so I am confused beyound believe here... is it a cyst or is it NOT a cyst??? and did she mean the 12mm follie and the 20mm follies may both ovulate?? or that the 20mm and the 24mm cyst not really a cyst will ovulate... so you can see this is bigger than the normal Katie Confusion.. this is some seriously thick confusion crap we are dealing with???? So my plan was to call today 06/30 to get clarification on that ... well that is not the end friends... sit back and relax because this ride is about to get super bumppy baby...
So I go yesterday to take my trigger shot and I being a creature of habit, mix it, spin it, suck it out and inject it in my chubby belly area like I have for the past 2 times I have taken this crap.. well I knew something was a bit different since they needles were the size of an ink pen cartridge but hey.. they are the pharmacy they know what they are doing... so I stick this bigass 1inch needle in my chub, thank God I have enough to pinch an inch.. never thought I would say that but indeed I am happy about that today.... so yeah 1inch needle stuck in my body and I inject the meds... ok.. well the next day (TODAY) I have a super sore belly but expected that since I just used a Rare African "GO GO" Tribe Spear from North Tanzania in it!!! But then I am thinking ok I'll take an OPK just to see a positive.. when you have been trying to get pregnant this long any positive is a glimmer of hope even though you know it isn't real... so anyway.. I take it and uhhh nothing... negative... nada... I freak out and look at the paper that the drug company sent to me and guess what it says to be given intramuscularly (in the muscle), not subcutaneously (in the skin)... so the freak out has quadrupled and I try to hide it but Steve and his super sluth self knew something was up... I told him and he was on my side.. "Why would they give you something totally different after 2 other times?" IDK... I take an HPT just to see if it is in my system.. POSITIVE.. now you would normally think getting a Positive pregnancy test would excite you right?? well I just kinda had a sigh of relief but still confused.
So I stop by walgreens and talk to the pharacist, he says that he believes the meds are in my system and will do what they were intended to do (induce ovulation) but would follow up with my doctor to advise what happened.. SO then while waiting for my doc's office to open I call the drug company that provided the meds.. welllll listen to this crap... the guy (Pharmacists) apologizes and says... "Our distribution center gave you the incorrect needles, the meds should have been administered subcutaneously like the others you have taken" WTF, seriously, I mean SERIOUSLY!!!!! So again he apologizes and says that he believes that the medication should still do what it was intended for but I may experience a little more soreness in the injection site?? HMMMM ya think??? FREAKIN DUHHHHHH it already hurts and I am sure it will bruse (sp) to match the lovely markings I have on the other side of my belly button from the Follistim shot (the 4th one at that)... so now I am in limbo again... patiently (kinda) waiting for the nurse or doctor to return my call on what the HELLO to do about this stupid situation that I have gotten myself into???
Can you see how this is turning out to be the CYCLE FROM HELL!!!!
to be continued.....

Cycle Update

Ok I have been giving myself injections all week and go figure... the 4th day, 4th shot I get a stupid bruise... so now I really look like a junkie... so I freaked out and thought I had a blood clot in my legs and arm... ER visit and $100 co-pay later... it was determined that I was 100% fine and didn't have any blood clots.. so... after scaring myself to death with my thinking... I tried to calm myself by telling myself that I was getting dehydrated... "drink more water and the leg and arm cramps will go away"... "I will not die in my sleep"... so I wake up (yeah I didn't die in my sleep) the next morning give myself yet another shot in the belly start drinking water from the beginning... by the end of the day.. no more leg cramps and arm cramps... I'M A FREAKIN GENIUS!!!! but a genius less $100.00 :(
So after that drama... I finally make it to CD12 Friday 06/26/09, at 8:00am.. time for my b/w and u/s. No drum roll needed, it wasn't that great of an appointment...
36mm Cyst & 13mm follie on the Right
12mm follie on the Left
Uterine Lining lousy 5.3
So I have to wait for the b/w to come back to see if this cycle is OUT or if we can still make it..
1:00pm, I call the PRN line and get the Semi-Good News... my E2 (Estradiol) levels were at 321... so the doc said we are going to ignore the cyst for now and to keep giving myself Follistim 100iu injections this weekend through Monday 06/29/09 and come in at 8:45am for yet another u/s to see if the follies have grown enough to trigger and do the IUI. Now I don't know a lot about E2 levels but from what the internets says levels should be between 200-600 per mature follical (18mm)... so I just did some Katie Math (that is super scarey) and divided 321 by 2 to get 160.5 for each follie I have, but since one is bigger I am sure they aren't the exact same but again.. doing Katie Math... so anyway.. I will take 3 more shots to the belly by Monday's u/s and I just pray to God that it works and the follies grow to at least 17/18mm each. Now I will tell you I am freaking out again so I bought an OPK (ovulation predictor kit) to track this weekend to make sure I don't naturally Ovulate on my own... I am sure I wont until at least Monday but you never know with my crazy body antics.
So I need everyone to Pray for me this weekend... I need those follies to GROW GROW GROW!!! and that stupid cyst to stay as it is or shrink... stupidhead, doodie butt, stinkface cyst.
So there is where I am with this cycle... so we are not OUT, still in the game baby... shooting for a 2pointer.. would be nice if another one popped up and we could score the 3pointer but the likelyhood of that happening is about the same as the likelyhood of me stopping snacks.. ain't gonna happen!!!! Snack-Attacker For Life!!! YEAHHHHH
Alright.. I'm out

I Shot myself!!!

HaHa, pretty dramatic Title ehh??? well I am trying to laugh about this whole thing you know... it isn't your everyday average routine to get up and take a pill at the same time each morning for 5 days and then switch over to injecting yourself every morning at the same time for 5 additional days now is it?
So it all went off without a flaw until I looked at the clock to see what time I had actually taken the injection so to record it and do it again for 4 more days... well I look a the microwave and BAMM!! it is already 6:15am... I just freakin got up at 5:00am.. put the meds out (of the fridge), jumped in the shower, got out, dried off, cam back into the kitchen and started the daunting task of the "1st Shot" .. always the worst and I am glad it is over.. well so then I go to the computer and take a look at the time... 5:27am WTFreak???? apparently our microwave thinks it is above everyone and can just jump ahead 50 freakin minutes and it be OK. NOT... it will be moved back!!!
So all in all the shot went well. I did exactly like the instructions said and everything... so I have now successfully given myself my very first FSH injection.. whoo hoo.. now let's just hope this crap works and this is all worth it in the end...
GROW FOLLIES GROW!!!!
out

Well AF isn't being very nice

She is actually confusing the heck out of me... and kinda scaring me all at the same time. She just isn't playing well with others and I don't like it.. I am wondering if the previous IUI has anything to do with it but I am having some issues that I didn't have prior to IUI. Oh well.. I wont go into detail as it is fairly gross but I can say that I just don't like it and pray that she doesn't hang around longer than normal normal.. I say that because I haven't really had a normal AF since I stopped taking BCPs. And I am slightly irritated because I have been asking my doctor for the past 6 years that I needed to be checked for Endo and she would always just do the pap and say "Oh you are all OK" and I would say "So did you check for Endo?" and she would say "Yes and it came out clear"... well after much research I found that pap's aren't the best way to look for Endo... you have to actually do additional testing in which the RE finally did in 2009 to see and guess what... I have Freaking ENDO!!!!! early stages but she said that it could have been there for a few years and may have gotten worse since Joshua was born... OMG.. why did the other doc not take me seriously.. isn't that the case though... you just about have to have an arm falling off or your liver hanging out of your butt to get some serious attention. RIDICULOUS!!!!!
So anyway.. I am off my soapbox..
Have a great day everyone

The "DIRT DOBER"

So Steve's b-day is coming up in July and he found the gift he wanted... I was hesitant at first and now I am glad I agreed he could get it.. so he gets the "DIRT DOBER", it is a motorcycle/scooter type thing-a-ma-jig.. he totally loves it.. and rides it just about every day.. I am happy that he is enjoying it.. he is a pretty good guy and deserves some Toys ..
So here is a pic... whadda ya think????

and uhhh NO if you are asking if I will be his biker beotch... again the answer is NO

it is a one seater anyway LOL

Calendar of Events (partial)

06/15/09 AF showed her ugly stinkin face (but I was a tiny bit happy about that)
06/17 - 06/21 Clomid 100mg (two little pills each morning that will have me crying like a baby)
06/22 - 06/26 Follistim 100iu (one poke to the belly each morning, can you say "OUCH")
06/26/09 ultra sound and blood work, praying for at least 4 to 5 good sized follies (17mm/up)
From that appointment I will get my next marching orders..
I am guessing, depending on the size, quantity and quality of the follies I will be doing the hCG/Trigger shot (OUCH another shot to the ol' belly) around 06/26 or 06/27, that would put my IUI (36hrs later) at 06/29 or 06/30.. those will all be determined during the follie check..
Then the dreaded TWW (two week wait) begins!!!!

Praying for a miracle before our vacation... COME ON FOLLIES... GROW BABY GROW!!!

so now that everyone is aware of what my month will be like... how about some CHEERING, PRAYING, HAIL MARYS, JOGGING .. oh wait.. that probaby wont help will it.. ok skip the jogging.
OUT

Change of Plan... not sure why???

OK so I get my calendar today and talk to the nurse... she says ok here is your schedule..
Clomid 100mg CD3-7 (right on.. gotcha.. we are a go)
Follistim 100iu CD8-12 (uhhh Huston we have a problem... ) My original talk with the doc suggested that I would be taking these crazy injections for only 3 days.. now 5 WTH... oh well just two more sticks to the belly.. no big deal.. right??

June/July Meds are here

Well today I rec'd my medications that we will use in an attempt to become pregnant this cycle. I can't believe how many needles that I have in my house right now.. you would think that we were some kinda junkies or something... I do have one of the super cool BIOHAZARD Red Sharps boxes to put all my used stuff in and once full or we don't have to use any more I can take it to my local doc's office for them to dispence of properly. Happy side note: I got the Follistim Pen which is super cool because I don't have to get my CSI Science lab coat on and mix the meds, well not all of them at least.. the hCG I still have to but I am a Pro at that now.. no biggy.

So I am all set other than having my calendar.. should be here today or I will go pick it up today if she can't get it to fax to me. I start the Clomid tomorrow morning.. not really looking forward to the s/e of crying and just being overly upset about everything on earth for a few weeks but hey if it works I'll be crying for joy!!!

So I am attaching a pic of my new Meds just so the world can see what I am having to do in order to get a much wanted child or children.. yes our chances of multiples are up to like 20-25% now that we are taking all of these drugs... I'll be slap happy if we get preggo... if it is two or three, I will be slap happy x 2 or 3. :)

Outty

YIPEE Insurance is covering my medications!!!

Ok I can only be happy that they are paying for my medications (I only have to pay $89.60 out of $839.69) because I sure as heck aint happy about having to inject myself with medications that my body should be producing on it's own... But hey I have to be happy about one aspect of this painstaking journey we are on right????
I am not sure yet how much Insurance is paying for the cycle of procedures... they can only say "We pay a portion of the fee for the underlying issue, we do not pay for any procedures that actually produce a pregnancy" but I have learned that depending on the codes that my RE's office uses a lot more of it gets covered than I originally thought.. Now they may want to drop me after this is all said and done but hey, if I have one or two additional little Piers in tote, I'll be a happy happy camper.
So anyway.. told you I was gonna update more with this cycle.. I spoke with Lynnette/nurse and she is getting my calendar ready and will fax it over either today or tomorrow.. so I'll see if I can scan it in or just type it out for you..
Tata for now

Our next venture!

So since last time we have tried a few times to become preggo again.. well here I am today 06/15/09 and guess who decided to visit? AF, she is here and she isn't being nice... I was actually waiting for her so I am a tiny bit happy she is here.. only a tiny bit. So last cycle we did 100mg of Clomid, hCG trigger shot (yep had to give myself another shot), and an IUI procedure. Well apparently it didn't take/work. So this cycle we have moved up on the Treatment Ladder, I am going to take 100mg Clomid CD3-7, FSH injectables (yes more shots to give myself) CD8-10, then after a mid-cycle u/s they will determine when I should take the hCG trigger shot (yet another shot in my belly), and schedule our second IUI attempt. The past two cycles I have had to take progesterone suppliments since my May levels were at 5.8 and my June levels were at 9.3.. so I am kinda expecting to take them again this cycle.. Have a script at the Apothecary Shoppe waiting for me...
So I am trying to be hopeful about this cycle as it is our 23rd cycle of TTC baby #2. It is really hard though, you just get to a point where you think it just ISN'T gonna happen and try to just think of your life as it currently is. I am totally blessed with my current family situation, but you do have to wonder if there is that itsy bitsy slight chance that your family should be a little bigger right? I shouldn't feel guilty for thinking or wanting more children. I get asked numerous times by co-workers, friends and family, as well as Joshua... "When are you going to have another one?" well it just doesn't seem right to tell people that you aren't too close to that "Hey we have been working on that for 2 years now, can you get off my back??" and poor Joshua.. we just say "Maybe one day buddy". He is super excited that he will have a new cousin in a few weeks.. We all are... can't wait to meet the newest little family member in July.
So keep your fingers x'd and your prayers plentiful for us... we need all the help we can get. Well I should say I do since I am the culprit on why we can't conceive. But anyhoo... our Family Needs Lots of PRAYERS please... I would pay you for them but sorry, the IF treatments are taking all my OT as it is... maybe a raincheck and I will repay you with Prayers for a time you need them! DEAL???
I will update as the process goes on since this is my first injectables cycle I kinda want to keep a Diary so to speak of how it goes and any side effects I have.. Last cycle the 100mg of Clomid had me crying like a baby most of the month... I can only imagine what this cycle will be like with not only the 100mg of Clomid but the FSH injectables... Glorious Journey (or roller coster more like it)..
Tata for now

So now what??

Ok so after about 28 vials of blood given (not including Steve's measly 4), tons of doctor appointments, a self inflicted belly shot, weird drugs, 3 or 4 internal ultra sounds, 1/2 a months salary, endless heartburn, extreme tummy pain, englarged and very sore "Girls" and finally a blood pregnancy test.. we have a BIG FAT NEGATIVE!!!
So now what???
Today I gave $5.54, gave 1 vial of blood and got a script for some more weird drugs, the OK to use my vitamins, and instructions on "How to Get Pregnant 101" and WE'RE OFF!!!! Good news is I don't have to give myself another shot in the belly.. WHOO HOO.. ok that is all the good news.

So when trying to grasp for positive things concerning this.. here's all I could come with.. I get to go to the Nickelback concert tomorrow with Annette and per the Chinese Gender chart if we conceive during this new cycle.. it should be a girl!!! ok that's all I have.. the rest I won't bring you down with, I'll keep it to myself.

On a side note: I am truely 100%, unconditionally Blessed to no end by having our precious Joshua.. I knew the day he was born and my heart swole with so much love I thought it was going to burst, that he was a true blessing..a new chapter in my life that I would never want to give up or live without. I have a very loving husband, I am a loved child, I have wonderful parents and a beautiful sister and a handsome brother ... I have a beautiful house and a "Awesome" mini-van... I am one lucky gal!!!

Medication March!!!!

Well to catch you up on what has been going on ... On February 25th, I had a hysterscopy and laperscopy done.. the findings.. stage 1 endometriosis and an adhiesive (sp) band that formed after my c-section (Joshua). Dr Blackwell successfully removed a few endo cells and the band. For my Post-op appt Dr Blackwell suggested we be a little more agressive and do IUI, if that is what Steve and I want.. well of course I would like to sign up ASAP but I knew Steve wanted to try on our own since she removed a few possible road blocks.. so for the March 2009 cycle which is our 20th cycle of TTC baby #2, we are not using Clomid this time.. we are using Femara 2.5mg along with an ovulation trigger shot Pregnyl.

The Plan:
I had an u/s done on 3/10 and my lining was good, my estradiol levels were good and we went for our patient education on this cycle and if and when we do IUI. So from cd4 through cd8 I took 2.5mg Femara each night and a Z-pack antibiotic... side effects included almost total loss of appetite, upset tummy (yeah I had a dumb & dumber), headaches, and extreme fatigue. Not a fun week and to top it off I had to wear dressy clothes all week because after 7years of wearing jeans and tee shirts they decided we would do better work if we wore dressy clothes.. NOT!!!
So anyway.. Then on 03/19 I rec'd a package in the mail.. it contained needles and medication.. yes to save $27.00 I am going to administer the trigger shot myself... the education nurse went over how to do it and also they sent a handy dandy how to disk, Thank God!!! So yeah.. I get to give myself a shot.. isn't that every woman's dream.. to give herself a shot in the tummy.. thank goodness I have some chubb rolls to poke!!!! So next week when I go in for my next appt to check the follies.. if they are good size and there are any.. I will be instructed on when to give myself the shot. Then it is "Adult Time" if you know what I mean!!! Then back to the doc's office to get my progesterone levels checked, if not good, I get a script for progesterone suppositories to use until who knows when.. if it is good then we do nothing until I have to go in for a blood Pg test on or around 04/09 or 04/10.
Also, let me mention that I have been poked and proded over the past week or so too.. one lady took around 15 (NO LIE) vials of blood in one sitting.. then a few days later I had to go in for another round but thankfully she only had to draw one vial.. but she did give me another long list of test that I have to have drawn.. so I guess I am looking at another 5 to 6 vials to give.. but at least this time I don't have to do it alone.. Steve got his marching orders too and must give a bit of his blood too. It is mostly genetic and chromosonal testing now.. so it is getting expensive since insurance doesn't pay for any of that type of testing and isn't paying for any of the procedures that I am going through... so far we are at close to $750 for this cycle and it is only 1/2 over {insert passing out smiley}... but we went into this knowing insurance wont pay so at least that helps a little (NOT REALLY).. so I guess we are looking at around $1200 for this cycle and if and when we decide to go the IUI route it will be around $1600 a month/cycle. But I know that when it DOES happen it will be so worth the money!!!

Well that is about it.. I'll try to keep you updated more often.. Try being the key word!
Picture:

In the picture you can see we have 4 needles.. two big long ones for mixing and 2 small ones for the poking, the pregnyl, alchol swabs, anti-biotic, Femara, Sharps disposal box, and a disk to explain how to administer the trigger shot.
FUN TIMES!!!

Surgery Plan

Had my pre-op appts today rather than 02/23 so I got that over with..
Got a script for Vicodin whoo hoo (maybe it is spelled with a T) anyway.. it is at the pharmacy getting filled so I will have it when I am out of surgery...
Had to do a urine specimen and blood work done today, weighed in WHOO HOO lost another pound, urine is to check for pregnancy, blood to check my cbc count (make sure I am not anemic), and that I have no infection. Then off to the doctor's office we go... there I filled out ppwk, signing saying I wouldn't sue if something should happen blah blah blah.. then Dr Blackwell explained in detail what she will be doing and why.. she will make one incision just under my belly button and possibly up to 3 more incisions if needed to get a good view of everything.. she said that she would remove any polyps or fibroids and just check to make sure everything is ok. She will also do a hysteroscopy which is dilating my cervix, not sure what that is for but I am sure she said, I just missed it.. you know INFO OVERLOAD!!!
So I am all set.. I have to be at the hospital at 7:30am no eating anything or drinking anything after midnight the night before (not even gum.. what am I gonna do, I'll go through withdrawls), leave all my jewelry and insurance cards at home, none of that will be needed, wear comfy stretchy waist pants because I will be bloated and have abdominal pain, and I think that is about it.. she said that I should be pretty much back to normal by Friday but could still have a little bleeding almost like a period but not as heavy.. JOY a mid cycle period.. nothing greater than that right? Dr Blackwell said her office will call me the next day to advise on what they found and then on 03/10 I go for my post op appt to discuss our next steps and procedures to get preggo FAST!
So there you have it.. I will try to update after I get the call from the docs office but no promises.. it may be a week or so before I get back to this..
Take care and I will blog soon
KT is OUT-T

Another set back and plan!

Well we again were not sucessful at getting pregnant this cycle. AF came on Friday the 13th how fun is that.. so fitting for that beotch...
So I got a call from the fertility doctor's nurse the other day stating that she found Endometrial Calcification on my ovaries and I needed surgery to get rid of it. She also went on to say that it is probably the reason we lost the baby in December. She said that the baby tried to attach to the Endo polyps rather than the uterus, thus causing the miscarry. So on February 25th at 9:00am I will go in for surgery. I have to have a Hysterscopy and Laperscopy to get it all out and make sure there is nothing else going on in there. So if you haven't figured it out already our next cycle will NOT end with a pregnancy either. I have a pre-op appt set for Monday 02/23 to discuss the procedure and to pay $1046 (this will take care of my deductable for the whole stinking year). Then have the procedure early Wednesday morning, and after the surgery I have to stay in recovery for 2-4 hours to make sure I am ok and the drugs aren't causing any issues and all the gas gets removed.. yeah they put gas in your abdomen to make it easier for the doc to move around and see everything better. Then about 10-11 days post-op I have another appt that Steve will have to attend, 1 to check on my progress from the surgery (make sure I am doing ok), 2 to discuss our next plan of action to get us pregnant quickly. If I had it my way I would just say, "Let's do IVF NOW!!" but I know it is spensy and finger's x'd after they clear all the crap out we can go it on our own.. but you know.. I am really depressed about this whole thing.. We are currently on cycle 18 of TTC baby #2 and I have always wanted 3 children and now that is just about impossible since we don't even have baby #2 yet and if we did get preggo within the next few months after the procedure, I will be 37 by the time we had that baby and I just don't want to have any more babies after age 40 so it just isn't going to work out... ohhhhh wow is me.. I just can't understand why we aren't getting preggo.. it just doesn't make sense, even the fertility nurse said that it didn't make sense that we didn't get it this time.
So there it is ladies and gents.. I have surgery set and boy am I excited.. NOT!

Where in the world is Katie Pier???

Ok I am right here, just couldn't think of a title... but anyway..
So I started the 100mg of Clomid this morning.. so far no side effects but it has only been 7 hours. Finger's x'd that this does the trick and we get our BFP on Valentine's day..
I have been doing Weight Watchers on line since around 12/30/08 and so far I have lost 4.5lbs which is not too bad but I would like to have seen my weight drop more than just 5lbs.. so I decided that just eating healthy isn't going to do the trick, I gotta get off my bum and get moving.
I did the P90X Kenpo dvd on Monday and man am I uncordinated.. I can kick with the best of them but punch, block, undercut, jab, back kick, then back to horse stance.. hmmm Katie aint there yet!!!! but I will get there.. it is an awesome workout.. it will definitely make you sweat.. I think tonight I will try either the Plyometrics or the stretching dvd.. they are both good as well.. I also purchsed a belated Christmas gift, the Wii Fit game/fitness thing-a-ma-jig. It is super cool (as Joshua would say), it does Yoga, Strength Training, Balance Training, Aerobics... my Wii age is not to my liking at all.. 42 arrghhhhh I have a lot of work to do .. good news is that my BMI was in a normal range and good, of course they did suggest getting it down a smidgin.. I picked the female trainer and I like her ok.. it is cool to watch her do the poses because it looks like a real person doing it.. I am guessing they digitized a real woman doing this stuff.. kinda like those Charles Schwab Commercials.. kwim?
So anyway.. my goal is to lose about 25-30lbs but also get preggers so I guess my goal is to lose as much weight as I can before we get preggo.. How's that for positive thinking!!! I have been drinking water like a fish... hmmm do fish really drink water? They see what goes on in that stuff and I know that they don't have fish port-a-pots so they HAVE to be going in the water... so I don't think I am gonna use that saying again.. I don't want to be the one known for drinking poopy water like fishes do... EWWW YUCK! Ok I have been drinking water, tons of it.. no soda's, no tea, no Koolaid, just water.. on the rocks, straight up, shaken, stirred, warm, cold, any way you can think of drinking water.. I have done it.. and I want to make a statement, "Drinking water does NOT make your dry skin miraculously moisten up!" I have been drinking a ton of water for a few years now (more so lately, but tons) and I still have super dry skin on my face, arms. legs and head (in my hair).... so I don't want to hear it any more.. it doesn't work damit!!!
Ok onto other things, I went to the ENT (ear, nose, throat specialist) this morning and when the doc says "It looks really really bad in there, I mean really bad" would you take that as a BAD thing? So anyway.. he tells me that I have to have a CAT scan on my head to see what is going on.. he thinks my nose bone has twisted some how.. who knows.. so I am waiting for the call to get that scheduled. They also did an allergy test (the one with only 8 things), so it was antihystamine, mold, dust, cat, tree, weeds, pollen, and something else.. well the dust and cat came back positive.. so now one would think that I probably shouldn't have the CAT scan done since I am allergic to Cats??? hmm probably not the same kinda cat huh? He also sprayed some nasty stuff in my nose that numbed my teeth.. that doesn't sound good does it.. and then he says "Here is a piece of gum to chew to get that nasty taste out of your mouth".. uummm my teeth are numb, what do you supposed I chew it with????
Ok so enough about me, moving on to Steve and Joshua...
Steve is good, he is doing Steve things and loving his IPhone, he gets so excited when telling me about all the cool things it does.. it is precious!!! I too think it is super cool (again another Joshua) I am happy that he got it, he has been talking about it for EVER!!!
Joshua is great, he is learning Spanish (color, Hello, Bye, Alphabet, numbers etc...), he has Music class now and we finally broke down and enrolled him in Amazing Athletes.. he is so passionate about telling me what he did when they would let him go so we decided it was worth a try, plus they dropped the enrollment fee and knocked $5 off each month for the 1st 3 months.. LOL, we are cheap but you don't get debt free paying full price every stinkin month now do ya???
So now little man is in Swimming class and Amazing Athletes.. you would think that between the two some of his Engergizer Bunniness would go away.. we will see!!! Joshua is also enyoing the Wii, he is really good at bowling and getting better at boxing.. you should see him.. we constantly have to remind him to "MOVE BACK FROM THE TV" he seems to scoot forward with every punch.. and get this the other day he was doing the boxing thing and I hear him say "I got a surprise for you, (insert punch), There, that's your surprise" he knocked the guy out and says "there that's your surprise!!!" where in the heck does he get this stuff from???? I really can't recall any time that Steve or myself has said THAT!!! And of course we are getting the occassional "You're a poopoo head" or "You're not the Boss" but other than that.. we have a pretty normal 3 going on 15 year old!! He still doesn't want to eat so Steve (or I) have to feed him like a 1 year old... I guess we will continue to work on that too.
So that about wraps it up..
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.. Happy Hump Day!!
T-Town rocks.. I'm out!

"THE PLAN"

Ok well I finally got AF so now onto "THE PLAN".
It is time to get this party going, I finally got my AF on Friday 01/16 but it was acting squirrly so I had to wait until Saturday 01/17 to actually call it CD1. On Sunday CD2, I went to RML at St Johns to have my labs drawn for FSH and Estradiol, after power walking around St John's for about 20 minutes I finally found the office room. Then I waited for almost 45 minutes to get the actual 2 minutes of work done, but it is over and behind me now. BREATH!!!!!
So, Julia (nurse from Fertility Doc's office), called today to confirm my CD1 date and we decided together that we will definitely use 01/17/09 as that cycle day. She advised that my FSH levels came back normal (6.6) and the Estradiol results weren't in yet. I am set up now with my script filled for Clomid 100mg for CD 5 - 9 and go in on CD10 (01/26) for my second set of labs (FSH, Estradiol, and LH), appt set for CD11 (01/27 HAPPY BIRTHDAY JERICHO) for my u/s to check on the follies (betta be on the right track and lots of them). I also set my appt on this day for my Progesterone level test which should be around CD19 (02/04). If all goes well and we get things right (if you catch my drift), we should be able to have a WONDERFUL Valentine's Day (CD29)!!!!
So there you have it.. my poor little Red Calendar is all marked up and whited out and scribbled on .. and it isn't even the end of January yet.. hopefully we don't have to have too many months of Calendar charting, it does get tiring you know..
So wish us luck and keep us in your thoughts and prayers.. we are really wanting this to happen SOON!!
Also, I have a few friends (no names mentioned) that have had IUI and/or other treatment options within the past few days or so .. I am totally keeping you gals in my T&P's that things work out and you all get your BFP's this time around!!!
Till next time, TOODLES!!

Happy New Year (just a little late)

Hello everyone, Happy New Year to ya!!
I know I am posting this a few days late.. but sheesh it is only the 11th day of the new year.. I am not that bad...
So the Holiday's started out sucky with the m/c and all but they did get better as I knew they would. We started our Christmas Journey on December 20 2008.. heading to Illinois to visit Laura, John, Jackson and Chloe.. it was so very nice to get to see the gang .. seems like such a long time since we last saw them. The stay was relaxing and nice other than the -5 degrees .. that I SO could have done without.. We didn't let Joshua play in the snow, not because we are mean parents but because we are smart parents.. I mean who wants to be 11 hours away from home visiting family and have a sick child to tend to while trying to avoid getting everyone else (Jackson and prego Aunt Laura) sick.... So instead of letting him go out and have a total blast in the fluffy white stuff we kept him inside with Jackson so they could play and of course we watched "Rudolph the red nose reindeer" 167465 times.. but hey... what better way to Kick off the Holidays right???
We stayed in Il until around Tuesday December 23rd 2008 and then made our way through crazy Chicago all the way to MC, Indiana to visit the in-laws (well my in-laws, Steve's parents) and we go to see Uncle Mike, Uncle Chris, Aunt Sarah, Aunt Carol, Gary, Jenny and Eileen.. it was super nice to get to visit with each of them. Now on December 24th we headed over to Aunt Carol and Gary's to have a Christmas Eve Shin Dig.. man was that food good.. and lots of it.. We ate all night and played Taboo for a few hours.. it was so fun. Oh yeah almost forgot to mention it took us 3 tries to get up the drive way due to all of the ICE.. arrgghhh.. but we made it in the Trusty Odyssey... On Christmas morning a VERY Special someone was putting gifts under the tree when Joshua had to go potty.. it was 6:30am ... Joshua went to the bath room and when he came out.. SURPRISE.. Santa was there... I think Joshua starteled Santa because when he was eating his cookies, he got them all over the couch and the floor.. I am pretty sure he didn't get much cookie in his mouth.. So anyway needless to say.. this was the HIGH LIGHT of Joshua's Christmas.. he was so excited.. now Jackson on the other hand.. was a bit freightened by him .. but oh well.. he did accept a gift from Santa but it was a quick hand off. LOL "Maybe Later" as Jackson always says when he does't want to do something.. too cute.
So the rest of the visit was nice since it rained and washed all the snow and Ice away.. I went shopping at the outlet mall and got some great deals.. on December 29th we packed up the van and headed back home to Oklahoma.. it was a long drive but nice day.. sun was out, not a ton of traffic until St Louis, MO since it was a Monday and all.. (we planned it that way) oh yeah and also by the way 12/29 is my baby brother Kevin's b-day too.. HAPPY LATE B-DAY KEVIN!!!
So now that we are back at home and starting our new year things have been a little bit calmer and relaxing.. got the Christmas Tree and decorations packed up today 01/11/09 and truly ready to start 2009 off with a bang..
Plans & Goals for 2009 include:
Getting pregnant and it sticking, Having a small and fun party at Incredible Pizza for Joshua in February, as well as taking him to see Playhouse Disney Live, vacation back to IN and IL for the birth of Jackson's baby brother or sister in July as well as going to Aunt Sarah and Uncle Chris' wedding .. WOW busy month .. we are also planning on squeezing in a Family vacation to either Northern NM or Colorado .. just gotta get the details down.., I will be going to Fayetteville, AR at the end of Feb/first of March to visit a dear friend Jennifer Cox-Earney.. plan on going shopping and watching a Razorback basketball game against Georgia.. I can't wait.. Steve will probably schedule his yearly Golf Trip with his dad and brothers again for later in the year.. and I really hope that we can make it down to New Orleans to visit with my sister, Frank and Brody.. would be nice if Jericho was there too but not sure that will work out like I hope.. we will see..
I am sure we will take a few little trips here and there but this year I really want to get out and see some things with Joshua.. like maybe taking a short weekend trip to St Louis, MO to see the Arch and go to the Zoo there.. maybe a few other places that we could head out on a Friday evening and come home on Sunday.. you know those kinda trips.. just the fam... get Joshua some culture you know!!!
Well that about does it, I sure hope everyone has a very prosperous new year and gets all their wishes in 2009!!!