Tuesday, February 21, 2012

HCG level 11dp5dt plus IVIG #2



Sorry to leave you hanging. I thought I'd be able to post during the IVIG infusion, but the nurse could only get an IV line into the crook of my right elbow, making my right arm fairly useless for typing (and I'm right-handed). Add to that hefty amounts of Benadryl and Tylenol, and I promptly fell into a Benadryl-induced coma for the night, slightly nauseated and head dully pounding. Which is how I feel today. Blech, blech, blech. I think I might puke.

We dutifully went in to the little country lab yesterday morning and got the blood work done. I was feeling somewhat less anxious than I thought I would because I had peed on a stick and the line looked nice and dark and, well, reassuring.

The numbers came back reassuring too.
Beta HCG = 445!!
P4 = 38.68

So things seem to be continuing well. Huge relief over here! I am happy, but also realize I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, because, well, I am good at dropping shoes. I have a history of a bunch of dropping and dropped shoes trailing behind me where IVF and pregnancy are concerned.

But so far so good.

I had a brief thought of canceling the IVIG after we got that awesome beta, but then immediately thought, Everything is actually looking good right at this moment - why in the world would I ever mess with success? So we went ahead as planned. Really hoping this treatment was it for me, though. This stuff is tough. I feel yucky.

Physically, that is.

Emotionally? I couldn't be happier right now.

One moment at a time. Still pregnant over here at this moment, today. Can't believe it.

Mo

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60 comments:

  1. Wow! So thrilled to read this news!

    Things are continuing to progress nicely & that is the best kind of reassurance.

    What is next?

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  2. YAY!! still crossing my fingers & toes.. so happy for you guys! :D

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  3. mo,
    thank you for updating.
    that is a very strong beta- things are looking as good as you could hope for at this moment.

    keep taking it easy, and one day at a time.

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  4. Can you hear my sigh of relief from across the river? Sorry the IVIG is so unpleasant, but thrilled about these numbers.

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  5. Ugh. Sorry the IVIG is such a pain, but yeah--why mess with success? I'd be doing exactly what you are, at this point, and I'd be pissed if you started messing with shit right now!

    Dinner's looking like more of a possibility than not on Sunday. (Daughters & their changing plans.) Can we leave it up in the air for a couple of days until we know for sure? Can't wait to see you.

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  6. Sorry for the side effects to the IVIG but I'm so happy for that big beta number!!

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  7. I don't ever comment but I've been following along for quite some time. I just want you to know that I'm SO happy for you and your husband. I'm sending tons of positive thoughts and energy your way!

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  8. This is wonderful news. I have high hopes here and wish that the ivig were less of a pain. You betas look perfect and you are off to a great start!

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  9. Hi Mo, I don't comment often, but I am a long-time follower. Just wanted to let you know how thrilled I am for you and Will that everything is going splendidly so far and I am sending tons of good vibes that things continue in the right direction for a long, long time until you have a sweet baby (or two!) in your arms. Sorry that the IVIG has you under the weather again, I hope the side effects will fade very soon.

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  10. Yay for excellent rise in HCG! I am so happy for you! Sorry you are feeling under the weather from the IVIG infusion.

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  11. so excited to hear that you are on track and moving along. I am just a call/ email away if you need anything. thinking of you and hoping so much for this to be your take home baby

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  12. Wow, that number looks like it more than doubled to me! Now I am curious how many might be in there. ;) Super happy for you and continuing to pray that everything goes perfectly.

    Will there be more betas or do you have an u/s scheduled?

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  13. Sorry to hear the IVIG is still terrible, but what a glorious beta number. Rooting for the next one to break the 1,000 milestone!

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  14. That is fantastic news on the beta. Hopefully the bad side effects will go away soon! I am praying for no more dropped shoes!

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  15. Now that's a number that excites!! Am sending you the biggest woohoo ever from the great white north!!!

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  16. Ugh...sorry about the IVIG, but I agree, why mess with something that's going well. Great beta!

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  17. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!!

    Still praying for you.

    xoxo

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  18. Quietly following along all these months. But had to come out and say WOW! Holy Cow that's a great beta! Very excited out here in cyberspace. :)

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  19. Yay! So sorry the IVIg is so wearing. Hope you can do something kind for yourself (good chocolate, good book, good movie, whatever) once the worst of the blech has worn off (or maybe while it's underway if a good book, for example, would distract you ... I turned to Daniel Silva when cycling ... ).

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  20. Warning...I'm going to be completely honest here.

    I've been here. Reading. But I couldn't comment. And I know I should be the good bloggy friend and say how happy I am for you. Because I am happy for you. And I am nervous for you. But if I'm being honest with you, I'm also a little jealous. My last cycle didn't even make it to transfer. I'm not trying to win the pain Olympics here...I know what you've been through. Just wanted to be honest about why it's taken me so long to leave you a comment. I really hope, with all my heart, that this works out for you. Know that I'm here, rooting for you...even if my comments are scarce.

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  21. Yeah on the nice strong beta Yuck on the IVIg but this is the "do absolutely everything that can be done to boost success " cycle so ya gotta right? When I was pregnant after a m/c I felt a bit like a recovering ETOHic but instead of saying "today I am sober" it was "today I am pregnant"

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  22. Such wonderful news! Keep up the hard work! You are truly amazing to be so hard-core. I am very hopeful for you.

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  23. Mo, I am so happy for you - this is IT girl!

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  24. It's great that your numbers are rising like that! I was checking your blog like crazy yesterday looking for good news. Yay for a great 2nd beta! Sorry the IVIG is causing you problems...how many more will you be doing?

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  25. Great Beta Mo! Yay yay yay
    and wow, WOW
    you're PREGNANT.

    Sorry about the IVIG side effects, and am wondering if the nausea/ crap feeling could be the pregnancy as well. That would be the best reason ever to feel like holy hell.

    Hoping for you to feel wonderful soon,
    so very happy for you. wow.
    xox
    kate

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  26. I love this moment, and I am thrilled that it's yours. You are pregnant. This is where it all starts (well, after all the stuff that came before this moment)- a life, all that potential. I want this so much for you and Will. Sorry to hear about the blech, but I'm hoping it continues in one way or another for about 9 months until you are holding your very own take-home baby. Hang in there!

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  27. Mo, so darn happy for you! No need to drop any shoes, my dear.

    I never did IVIG, but did do intralipids, which had zero effect on me... other than not liking the IV and needing a heating pad bcs the liquid flowing into me was so cold.

    BTW, didn't do any of that for this (successful) cycle. Hey, but if it doesn't hurt, right?

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  28. Hey Mo I did IVIG every month and had minor symptoms. They would always give me a benadryl and two tylenol and tell me to drink lots of water before and after treatment. Do they allow you to take anything before the infusion?

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  29. I just re-read this and see that this was drawn 11dp5dt. Seems there could be more than one in there :)

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  30. Congrats on great numbers! Sorry the treatment sucks, but so great you are feeling so happy! Praying that everything continues to go well for you...

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  31. That's an awesome beta! Continuing to cross my fingers for you.

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  32. YES! i am so excited to see you still holding shoes.

    i have no idea whether this applies, but just in case: my mother gets IVIG infusions and after chatting up the nurses, found out that part of the month that clinic uses synthetic stuff and part of the month they use blood-based and that one of the (the synthetic, i think?) is much better in terms of how the patients feel. i'm sorry to be so vague, but i offer this in case you can make some sense and use of it.

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  33. Oh my goodness!!! I've been neglecting my Google reader completely lately and missed out on this stunningly wonderful piece of news. I'm thrilled, so thrilled for you all! and hoping with all my might that those shoes stay undropped!

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  34. Sorry about ugh ivig effects. Great beta! When will your first u/s be?
    Xoxo
    Ocgal

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  35. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. :))))))

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  36. Hot damn! That is a GREAT second beta. I'm continuing to grin ear to ear for you. :)

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  37. GREAT NEWS!!! I'm calling now that He is giving you healthy, happy twins. A gift to help heal wounds of your past losses- while it will never completely heal the pain- it will lessen it tremendously! I said it before and I'll say it again---this is it; this is your and Will's time! Congrats...keep doing whatever you've been doing :)

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  38. So very glad to see that things are progressing so well at this point. I'm so sorry that IVIG is such torture, but I'm glad that you're willing to take that step. When is your next beta? Do you plan to continue with IVIG and if so, when is the next one? And when will be your first u/s? I'd imagine that the NY RE is following you closely given your history-- will you get weekly u/s? Am so very happy for you and so very, very, very hopeful. Holding you up in prayer.

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  39. Yay! That is awesome! Sorry th ivig is so horrid, but it is doing the trick!! Rooting for you and Will!

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  40. Great news on the beta. A friend of mine is having IViG now too... my Dad has it regularly (for non pg reasons obviously) and it can leave you feeling really yucky.... i am really hoping everything in the universe is aligned for you!!

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  41. AWESOME Beta Mo!! I couldn't be more excited for you!!
    I can't wait to hear your next beta or about your first u/s!! So exciting!!
    Keep living in the moment and being blissfully pregnant (albeit a bit nauseous and, well, bleh) =). Can't wait for the next update!!!

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  42. Every day it's a step in the right direction! Great BETA!

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  43. wonderful news hun!!

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  44. Congratulations on a great second beta!!! I totally get your "regret management". I think so worth doing the IVIG! Hope you feel better soon!!! Your hcg numbers are very similar to mine with my CCRM twins:) my first beta #s were 181 and 476.
    So very very happy for you!!! Can't wait to hear the continued good news!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

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  45. Wooohoooo...such fabulous news! Hoping and praying that the good news keeps on coming.

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  46. What a fabulous number! I'm so sorry that the IVIG treatments are leaving you feeling dreadful. Ugh! Hoping that all of this suffering, stress and anxiety will fade as your baby/babies grow. You and Will are never far from my thoughts.

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  47. Woo hoo! Glad to hear everything is going awesome! Can't wait to hear your next update!!!

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  48. I haven't commented much lately, but wanted to let you know that I am crossing every finger, toe and eye and sending all the good vibes I can conjure as you 'pull out all the stops.' I pray this is the one you both!!

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  49. Smiling so big my face hurts. Just so happy for you!!!!

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  50. Amazing beta! I have to admit to being a tad freaked when you didn't post last night; so glad that it wasn't because of bad numbers.

    So, so happy for you!

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  51. When I was pregnant with my first baby...I was in water aerobics with a woman who had suffered from multiple miscarriages....the only thing different in her successful pregnancy was the IVIG therapy....so I say just keep going with them.

    I am so excited for you and sending lots of positive sticky baby vibes your way.

    kd

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  52. Yay! And I'm sure you've heard this so many times already, but the IVIG may be your ticket. My real life friend who had nothing but miscarriages until IVIG was told by subsequent doctors that it had been unnecessary. Then, more miscarriages. She was able to have baby #2 with intralipid therapy, though - less expensive and not as blechy!

    At this point, whatever works is fantastic!

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  53. Another lab draw and another day of SOLID results. Those numbers are but a dream!! Hang in there!!

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  54. I hope you're feeling better, and that you won't need any more IVIg transfusions. I wound up having 3, and then my levels have stayed down since then. I read something online that NK levels tend to be lower during pregnancy, so maybe as a pregnancy progresses at some point that kicks in even for those of us who have high levels initially...

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  55. Wonderful numbers, congratulations!

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