Triggering

As the stim phase of IVF #4 grinds to a halt, I herewith offer this catalog of a cycle:

Eight ultrasounds
Seven early morning cab rides
Five doses of Ganrilex
Twenty-nine vials of blood
Nine blood draws
One good vein (thanks, chemo!)
Eight vials of Menopur
Nine pairs of socks
One cartridge of Follistim
Twenty-two injections
Twenty-eight alcohol wipes
Three moderate-size abdominal bruises
Four pints of ice cream

I don't know where the time has gone, but somehow we're at the end of the stimulation phase and headed to retrieval. Things have been very different this time around. I feel a quiet hope but not much of the freakish obsession that has plagued me the last few tries.

It helps that I am confident we're at a good place and know that we're in good hands. I trust that my RE is talented, and I know that he truly cares for us and wants us to succeed. He has done five of my ultrasounds himself this cycle (and the rest have been conducted by other attendings, no fellow this time around). And he will perform the retrieval Monday. He also told us today he will try to come in for the transfer himself, even though it's not his day on. He told Will to email him Thursday A.M. so he can try to make it if his OR schedule isn't too crazy. This level of commitment almost brings tears to my eyes. His actions speak louder than words.

We've switched up a lot of things this cycle to try to get a better result: added co-culture, removed lupron, increased the stims, and thrown in menopur for good measure. And though no one has said so explicitly, I think Will, the RE, and I are all of the mind that we're getting toward the end of the line.

It's time to go for broke (and unfortunately, I don't just mean that figuratively). Pull out all the stops. Add all the bells and whistles and prayers and talismans that we can.

Trigger shot is set for 10:45 pm tonight.

Mo