It will be starting soon!

Well, we are still about two weeks away from getting this party started, but it feels like it will be here really soon. I am leaving tomorrow for Alabama to spend the 4th with some great friends and do a little relaxing on the boat, Monday morning I leave for Chicago (for work), the following week I have some professional development that I am presenting, and then the 15th will be here.

July 15th is my doctors appointment. It is called my suppression check (words you understand- blood test and an ultrasound). This is done a few days prior to the start of stimulation to ensure that all is ready. If everything checks out I will start my injections on July 17th. With the injections (follicle stimulation hormone) the follicles start to grow and once they reach about 12 to 14mm, they will grow fairly predictably at a rate of 2mm per day they say. During this phase (10-12 days) of growth I will be monitored closely, sometimes as often as daily and or every other day; just depending on how things look. Then when everything looks right and my eggs are “ready” I will have my egg retrieval. The Egg Retrieval is a minor surgical procedure that takes around 45 minutes depending on the number of follicles, I will have anesthesia. I will be on bed rest for two days and they will keep me updated on my eggs and then embryos!! Our embryos will only grow in an incubators for 3 to 5 days. At this time, they must be transferred back into me! I keep saying embryos, but it is just one. I may have more embryos, but they will transplant one and the others will be frozen. If you are under 35 years old they just transfer one, sometimes two, but never more than that. The transfer may be done either on the third day after retrieval or on the fifth day. The transfer itself is relatively easy they say and it only takes a few minutes. Then I will have office visits for follow up blood work several times over the next 12 days. During this time I will take Progesterone shots, which I am not looking forward too! but whatever I have to do I will. If you have ever seen Progesterone it is thick and oily, which means a thick, large needle. Oww!!

Well, that is the brief story of IVF. I am very excited about this journey and looking forward to what God has in store for Casey and I. I appreciate and love you all. Thank you so much for caring so much and going on this journey with us. I will update again once I start injections to keep you up-to-date with my progress. I truly feel all of your love and support!!! Love you all!