Merry Christmas

First of all, Merry Christmas to each of you and all the blessings in the world. This is such a time of focusing on family, friends and all that can be.

I'm trying really hard to take those deep breaths, calm down and see IVF as an adventure ... but good gosh, I have those feelings of "there's no way I can do this!" (more emotionally than physically)

Well, here's what my personal IVF experience will be:

CD = cycle day
SQ = sub-cutaneous (just below skin)
IM = intramuscular (into the muslce, read: butt)

Suppression Phase:
- CD1: start Desogen (brth control pill)
- Lupron 10 units SQ (start approx 2 weeks in)
- baby asprin (continue til told to stop)
- doxycycline 100mg (7 days)
- flagyl 500mg (7 days)
- IVF Baseline Scan and Blood Work

Stimulation Phase
- Follistim 225 IU, every morning SQ
- Repronex, 3 powders mixed w/1ml of water every night SQ
- continue Lupron 10 units every evening
- 3 days in ultrasound and estradiol
- 2 days later same tests, then as needed til 18mm follicle
- when follicle lg enough stop lupron, take ovidrel SQ
- egg retrieval 35 hours later

Egg Retrieval and Embryo Transfer Phase
- Doxycline to prevent infection
- IV sedation via IV (fentanyl and Versed)
- rest at home day after retrieval (stay flat)
- start prsterone 50mg IM
- Prometrium 200mg capsule vaginally on morning of transfer
- pregnancy test 12-14 days after transfer
- 7 days after retrieval start vielle patches (estrogen)

This is all pretty overwhelming. I hope to hit CD1 here this weekend and have already filled my prescription for my BCP and have my asprin so I'm ready to go. Trying to stay stress free (how do you DO that?) and hoping that 2010 might bring with it a blessing from above.

Merry Christmas all and warm blessings.