Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Laying low and welcome

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Welcome to those here from ICLW. To give you our story in a nutshell: my husband Will and I are health care folks (he's a physician and I'm a clinical psychologist, and we both work in academic medicine) and we have been at this TTC thing since 2007, when we married and began IVF a month after our honeymoon. I've done 7 fresh IVFs and 2 FETs, experienced lots of failed cycles and six miscarriages along the way, and I am currently 8-and-a-half-weeks pregnant after our second FET with a chromosomally normal blastocyst. We are pursuing immune treatments this time, including IVIG, lovenox, and prednisone, to see if it makes a difference. As our history has unfolded, we have considered surrogacy and donor egg, adoption, and embryo donation. We've also done most forms of testing known to man, and then some, and have traveled half way across the country to cycle. If determination could bring success, we would have succeeded already. But well, obviously it's more complicated than that. So...we are pregnant, or we were pregnant Monday when I last saw the baby on ultrasound. We still are very, very tentative about this pregnancy given our track record, and are taking things one day at a time.  Thanks for stopping by.

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I'm laying low today, working from home, recovering from yesterday's IVIG infusion. The treatment went ok last night, for the most part. The nurse could not for the life of her access a vein to get the IV started, so that was a major bummer. Apparently between cancer treatments and five years of infertility treatments, my veins are quite scarred. Ultimately she got it. Both she and I were very relieved. It was interesting to watch my temperature climb as the time passed - only about 1.5 degrees, but definitely noticeable. I progressed from chills to feeling hot by the end of the treatment. I guess that's part of what the benadryl and tylenol are for.

I feel ok today overall, just weakened. No headache so far, which is a very good thing. I thought I was feeling relatively ok, but then realized that I'm more out of it than I thought. I went to my local supermarket, Fairway, earlier today to get stocked up on provisions, set down my shopping basket to go check on something in another area, and then couldn't find the basket again for a good five minutes. It's like I'm developing early-onset dementia. Geesh. Walking back to my apartment, I realized that that 20-minute shopping trip had taken most of my energy. Later I have to go in to see one patient and I will also be going to a memorial service later this afternoon for a colleague who died unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago. But as much as I can today, I'm taking it easy.

I hate to say it, but although I saw the embryo waving its limbs around on Monday, it is impossible to imagine that I am still pregnant. I lost one pregnancy at 8 weeks, 4 days (so the equivalent of today), and one at 9 weeks 2 days...and I guess it just seems too easy to imagine that there is some imaginary "stop" button that gets activated for my pregnancies right around now. Not logical, I know. I also know that both of those losses were chromosomally abnormal pregnancies. And this one should be chromosomally normal after all the testing we put this embryo through. No spotting today so far, which is a good thing. Next Wednesday, which is when we are next scheduled to take a look by ultrasound, seems impossibly far away.

If only I could travel through time to get to a safer feeling part of this pregnancy. Of course "safer feeling part" may be a moving target, I imagine. I keep trying to remember that whatever the outcome, we've done everything possible to try to make this a success. And that's really all I can do. That and let the time pass.

Mo

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33 comments:

  1. Repeat after me: this time is different. I know it's hard to believe, but it IS different, has been very different so far.

    I'm rooting for that little embryo, Mo.

    Hope you're feeling better soon.

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  2. I think there's a part of me that's holding my breath until next week as well. Glad this last round of IVIG is done with. Is it the last one?

    Take care.

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  3. Praying for you Mo. That's all we can do until you are further along, at a "safer" place. Although, I am with you ... I feel like that is a moving target. I asked my husband to go get me one of those remote controls from the movie Click, so that I can fast forward a couple months. Unfortunately, Bed, Bath & Beyond were sold out.

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  4. Whoa, the searching in vain for a vein sounds torturous. Glad the 3rd IVIG treatment is over and hoping the headache stays away for good this time. I hate to say it, but you're so right about the "moving target" during pregnancy. The apprehension only evaporated after birth for me. Of course, I'm hoping that things start shifting for you much sooner, and that it will start to feel real and more secure as you move past the point where previous losses occurred.

    So sorry to hear about your colleague. What a tough week you're having between the bleeding, Will being away, the IVIG infusion, memorial service, etc. Thinking of you. Lots.

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  5. Yay for no headache and For pregnancy brain! You know you've got prayers coming from Minnesota :). Take care Mo!

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  6. One more week and it will be a whole new ball game. Can't wait for you to be in uncharted territory.

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  7. Taking it easy and laying low, when you can, can only be a good thing.

    I am sorry that the collective losses allow you to believe this can have a successful, live, take home baby outcome, but it can. As you have said before, only the passage of time helps.

    I am sorry for the loss of your colleague. Hang in there as best you can.

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  8. "... guess it just seems too easy to imagine that there is some imaginary "stop" button that gets activated for my pregnancies right around now. Not logical, I know."

    Mo, for ANY of us who have been through multiple m/c's, this is a VERY logical thought. I could never get past 5-6 weeks, so every hour during that week of my pregnancy I was thankful to have made it one more hour successfully.

    As for your trip to the market, wait until you get late into your pregnancy (AND YOU WILL), when "Mommy Brain" kicks in full-force. I couldn't put two words together, let alone a sentence.

    Also, physically, I was unable to walk to the end of our block.

    Your energy and mental sharpness will return.

    Thanks for the update!

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  9. I think of you often during the day, brave Mo, and send up a little prayer every time for you, Will and your growing little one.

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  10. I'm glad you are taking it easy, Mo. Your body is going through a lot right now, and deserves some rest! Time to curl up with Moxie and chill.

    I'm eager for you to get past 9 weeks - I know that won't dispel all fears, but it will be so amazing to get past that milestone!

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  11. I'm new to your blog, found it via ICLW.

    I am hopeful for you that this time you will in fact get (many of) those poopy diapers we all long for.

    And side note: I was diagnosed with elevated natural killer cells. For my first IVF, I was on lovenox and I was actually able to get pregnant for the first time in five years. Unfortunately, it was a chromosomally abnormal embryo (Monosomy X). I do think the lovenox greatly helped, however.

    I will be rooting you on!

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  12. Yay for no headache! I'm rooting for you Mo, this has to be it.

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  13. You went to Fairway in your compromised state? I have to pysch myself up to go there, as it is just too crowded for me. (Although the restaurant? So good. You must try the pancakes.)
    Anyway, I'm glad you are feeling better this go round on the IVIG, and I hope that the rest of today, including the memorial service, are ok and that you can relax this evening.
    This pregnancy has been different from the start, since you knew so much more about the embryo. But I know how scary and hard this is, so we are just here hoping right alongside you.

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  14. Your words and your pregnancy ticker brought tears to my eyes. I have never trod your path, but I do know what fear and pain feel like. I pray with every breath I take that this time WILL be different!

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  15. I just recently started following your blog. I am deeply saddened at how painful your journey has been. I hope that this pregnancy is healthy and carried to term. Praying for you in Alabama!

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  16. Hi, here for ICLW. I wish determination would bring success too. Hoping this time is different for you! -ICLW #103

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  17. Thinking of you so much lately, and grateful for your frequent updates. :-) Can't wait for Wednesday to hear that all is progressing normally.

    Big hugs,
    Jo

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  18. I think of you so much Mo. "Of course "safer feeling part" may be a moving target, I imagine."- This is well said. It may never come, but that won't change the healthy baby that is coming to you. xo

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  19. Glad the IVIG wasn't too awful, (though searching for veins just suckssuckssucks) and so very happy you put up a pregnancy ticker!

    Yeah, it's a moving target, getting to the point of no-fear, but I think the sheer disbelieving terror is going to ease for you once you're past the date of your latest loss (at least it did for me). Once you're in 'new' territory, I hope you'll be able to enjoy (even just a tiny bit) the amazing thing you're accomplishing.

    And I hope it starts to feel more possible, more probable, more REAL. (Because it IS real, you know. You're really pregnant, and October 27th isn't even all that far away...)

    Thinking of you.

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  20. I wish I could fast forward time for you...you of anyone deserves to have this all work out. Thinking of you!

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  21. Thinking of you and sending lots of good thoughts your way!

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  22. Glad the IVIG treatment is done and no headache this time. Hoping things will start to become a little more real for you soon Mo!

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  23. I just wonder, are you still going gluten free?
    In any case I wish you my best.

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  24. I wish I could fast forward time for you too.

    I'm visiting from ICLW but I've been following your story for some time. I'm pulling for you. Take care.

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  25. YAY for the 3rd treatment being done. Boo for having trouble finding a vein. YAY for getting out for a shopping trip. Boo for "losing" your basket! Double boo for the memorial for a colleague; my condolences to all concerned.

    I have to say, though my story isn't quite like yours, I can certainly vouch for the "moving target" feeling. There was always a 'next step' or another hurdle I was facing. I couldn't relax at any point during my pregnancy with Petite. I did enjoy it; most of it. But I certainly didn't relax. I hope for you that you can find that point. We all deserve that. Much love to you and Will. *hugs*

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  26. Wishing on you a quick week, and a very reassuring US. Yes to the moving target: I totally get that.

    Sending love and hope,
    xoxo
    Kate

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  27. Hey there From ICLW!!!

    Stay positive, and good luck!

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  28. As Dory says "just keep swimming". Thinking of you and wishing you an uneventful speedy end of you first trimester.

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  29. Mo, I am so so happy for you!!! I totally understand all the fears and the moving target... I am the anonymous who is 2w1d behind you from CCRM FET and we are terrified with every breath we take... The fear is not getting less, but it fluctuates where no 2 days are alike... Mo, I am so proud of you and see you as an inspiration to get through all the challenges the Universe brings us!
    I have a silly question: what is ICLW?

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  30. Anonymous - I added a link in the post to what ICLW is - it's a monthly comment leaving event for the infertility community. so glad things are still on track for you. rooting for you and your little one!!

    mo

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  31. Here from ICLW:) So sorry you have gone through all of this. You are so strong. I wish you the VERY BEST of luck on this journey.

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  32. Surrender, so easy to say so hard to do... At a similar place in my life( not as many losses) , I know that feeling of wishing that the days would just fly and that baby will be safe in your arms... Just surrender to what is... I'm trying to drill that into my head .. Both you and I have done the best we can... You're a fantastic human being and I hope our lives give us what we so much need .. Your story is so inspirational... You're a warrior, giving your best.. Yet, so many why's , that we'll never discover.. You have given it your best.. Just surrender...

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  33. Of course people will undercut me, but not by much. All things considered, the life path of one of his students was relatively trivial, even one as obviously gifted as Tim and Thaniel found his mind wandering to other things. Our first child, Kathleen Joyce Scanlon, was born on September 30, 1951, in Los Angeles, Queen of Angels Hospital.

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