First Day of Cycle Monitoring

I'm up early for my first monitoring appointment and have the typical "going to the clinic" butterflies in my stomach. I'm hoping all the water I just drank is making it's way down since I forgot when I got up this morning and now need a refill. lol Lovely to go on a Sunday morning - I'm soooo tired!!

Buying 8 vials

I've heard people have switched donors after 3-4 cycles that were unsuccessful however we pre-purchased 8 vials because we also wanted to make sure we had enough for 2 pregnancies with the same donor. We were concerned that if we pre-purchased only 3-4 and used all to get pregnant we may not be able to go back and buy more. Our donors last deposit date was August 31, 2006.

This was absolutely a gamble but I don't think I could handle ferequently switching donors - selecting this one was bad enough. I like knowing that when I call to have the goods shipped I know exactly what I'll be getting. We agreed we'd switch once this was gone if it didn't work. Although, I have to admit - when I called I had only asked for 6 vials and they told me they only had 3 because they'd already sold some that morning and I totally freaked out. I asked if they were sure (because I had confirmed the day before to buy 6) and they came back saying I was right, they actually had 9 - so I promptly said I'd buy 8. I don't know, but greed came over me and all I thought was MINE MINE MINE. So now I have 8 vials.... and hope it's good strong stuff.

Shipping Confirmed!

Here is what I've done.. not sure if I'm entirely happy with my decision but... SIGH.

I've asked for same day FedEx shipping for Monday the 24th (Cost $50 more) because calling my Dr. to ask would cost $25 anyway so I thought I'd just put in the money and get it over with. It will arrive sometime on the 24th which is CD13. Since my cycle seems to be a fairly steady 30 days I should be OK. ALSO, AF didn't come in the morning on Day 1, it came at like 10:00 pm so I'm not even sure if I should have counted that as Day 1. When I called in my CD1 I thought I should probably be considering my Day 1 to be the day following AF since it was so late however I didn't bother because I thought 1 extra day of monitoring if CD12 was really CD11 couldn't hurt anything.

The woman at the Cryo Lab kind of laughed at me and said she could tell I was freaking out - afterall - this is my first attempt so I'm bound to be a bit anxious!

Try #1 Waiting Game

The wait for my insemination date is brutal.. I can only imagine what the 2ww will be like.

I have one small concern/issue/reason to worry??? I've been ovulating on CD16 but CD12 will be my first monitoring appt. Now here's the problem - I can only have the goods shipped on Thursday to arrive on Friday (CD10) or shipped on Monday to arrive on Tuesday (CD14). Having the sperm arrive on CD14 is pushing it, isn't it??? God forbid I Ovulate early..... I was told the sperm only lasts 7 days as shipped so CD 16 will likely be on the 7th day.... aghhhhh.. I'm certain my Fertility Clinic will transfer it to storage but I was told they do not store except for IVF patients. I'm sure I'm freaking out over nothing and I'm sure plenty of people go over the 7 days and they have a way to deal with it. STRESSSSS... lol

CD 1

AF arrived today at 10:00pm... I'm official TTC!

I'm now 18 days post Effexor and I'm feeling great!

This is the first time I've felt like blogging since the whole ordeal so I haven't said much about our experience at the Fertility Clinic. It went well. I liked the Doctor and felt comfortable at the clinic. When we first walked in we were shocked to see how many people were there (20+ women) and later learned that we were there during the cycle monitoring time and that was why. We were the only patients waiting for our Doctor.

We had blood taken (15 vials each) and discussed our options. The doctor told me I should try to lose weight and that my weight could affect my fertility. I'm overweight and I know that but I blame my medication for making me gain 50 lbs in the last 4 years. While going off I've been eating and eating since food is about the only thing I've found comforting through this ordeal - not to mention having a huge craving for cheese. That's going to help me lose weight! lol

I'm now waiting on AF so I can go in for my next round of tests. I'm expecting that will be this week or next. I believe the 21st or so? I just realized that "day 3" means I'll have my period during the next round of tests (FHS) and I'm certain the Doctor said I'd also have the HSG at this time. That's a bit gross - I need to confirm that one.

We also have our counseling appointment coming up soon and a session to understand cycle monitoring. It looks like I'll be ready to cycle monitor next month (late April) and would be able to try our first insemination in late May - however - we are sticking to our original plan of the earliest start date being July. If my project date changes this may change as well. We're just not sure yet. Who knows???

I swear I'm so delusional and I keep thinking I'll get pregnant on the first try which has caused the following dilemma/fantasy: 1) Getting Pregnant before the wedding (try in May) and being able to announce that we're expecting at the Wedding, 2) Getting Pregnant before the wedding and needing to deal with that on vacation. I'm actually worried about being pregnant and needing to eat out. I'll be a basket case. I'll not want to eat anything for fear of listeria!

Anyway, I've made a promise to D that I will not go on the computer until next Saturday since I spent too much time on it today... so my next update will be then.

I started tapering off Effexor at the beginning of February and I officially took my last dose on Wednesday February 28th. It's been pure horrifying hell. I'm finally feeling better tonight after 4 days of brain zaps, vomiting and skin ulcers.
How could I have possibly stayed on this drug while pregnant? I would have given birth to a child addicted to crack. I would like to a say a bit f*ck you to any doctor who has suggested it..

Anyway...
February 28th was my first fertility clinic appointment. I liked the Doctor so I've canceled the appointment I'd made with a second clinic. The 15 vials of blood taken were also and indication that once was a enough. Shopping around for Doctors is one thing, going through blood tests and physical exams multiple times is another...

Will post more later. Feeling a bit ick and can't continue.