It is written in the stars above

Thank you all so much for your well wishes and good thoughts and prayers. I appreciate them so much. It was comforting to me to read your words.
After the er visit on Monday, which they thought I had some GI bug, the pain and bloating continued. I had shortness of breath, couldn't eat--even though I was starving, diarrhea and couldn't walk right (I was hunched over). I also gained over 7 lbs in two days. Dr. G called me Tuesday morning and told me that the pregnancy test was the real deal and not a false positive like she had thought. She told me they pulled her out of surgery and she was trying to remember when my trigger shot was. After review of my chart she realized that the o.vidrel was out of my system.
I ended up in the er Tuesday night because I couldn't stand the pain. I had one bad of iv fluids. An us showed I did have urine in my bladder but the out put was still very low.
Relief came from my office visit Wednesday morning when they drained the fluid out of my abdomen. Hold on to your hats--3 liter bottles of fluid!!!! I set the office record. I was shocked and amazed that it all came out of me. I do wish Dr. G would have realized how serious my ohss was. I was critically sick. I was put on bed rest for the rest of the week. I am drinking fruit punch gatorade like it's going out of style.
I had an office visit Friday. The us showed a little fluid but she didn't want to drain me. I still feel very full and have a sore belly. The ohss feeds off of the hcg so this condition could be around for the whole first trimester. I am taking things day by day.
The good news is my beta has been doubling nicely.
1 - 91.4
2 - 186.8
3 - 388.1

April 7 we have an us to see how many sacs we have.

I got sick Saturday morning and it continued through the weekend. Nausea, diarrhea, stomach aches/pains and distended belly. Monday morning, around 6 am, I was taken by an ambulance to the hospital. I had 3 bags of saline fluids and 3 shots of z.ofran. I also had blood work drawn and a pregnancy test was done. My beta was 91.4. I am pregnant! The bad news is I have ohss. I'm in a lot of pain and discomfort. I see Dr. G tomorrow and will have more blood work and an ultrasound done. Please keep me and the baby/babies in your prayers. I am so thankful that I have you for support during this time.
Of course I will update you on what's happening.

Yesterday we transferred two blastocycts. We got to see them before the transfer. I'm working on getting pictures. We could even see the embryos on the us screen. It was amazing.
I will update more later.
Thank you for all your kind words and support ;-)

We had to be at the clinic by 7:30 a.m. Which meant we had to leave our house by 6 ( so early!). We get checked in and the nurse takes me in to get me started with my iv, changed into my gown, hooked up to heart monitors, etc. M was brought back after all that. He helped me put on my special socks from Carolyne. My nurse commented on how nice they were and I told her about the sock exchange and how they came all the way from England. I told her what a great source of support I get from the girls in the if community.
I asked my nurse how exactly the eggs were retrieved. I knew they were aspirated but I wasn't sure how they got the tool there. They go through the vaginal wall. I also thought I would be asleep for the procedure. Nope. I would be awake.
After some waiting I was taken back to the room and put in much nice stirrups then in the gynie's office. I was given some twilight meds and they began on my right ovary. Oh my word did it hurt! I couldn't believe the pain I was feeling. I started to cry and the nurse asked if I wanted more meds. I nodded my head yes. Like I wrote before I felt like a claw was scraping my insides. The left ovary went better but that was because I had more meds in me.
I was wheeled back to my room to recover. I got up to go the bathroom ok. But after that I was very nauseous and light headed. They told me I could go after I felt better. We hung out there until a little after noon. The procedure was over probably after 9 a.m. With my past surgeries (gall bladder and lap) I was fine with the anesthesia. This twilight stuff not so much.
I came home and took a nap. I rested for the remainder of the day. I took t.ylenol. The next day I went back to work but I did leave early. Usually I go to E's classroom and help out. I just wanted to sleep. By Friday I felt a little sore and tired. Today is better.
I went for my progesterone teaching visit with Nurse Grace. Big needles. M gave me my shot at 8 p.m. and he did such a great job! I was only a little sore. I thanked him for doing such a good job--because I was expecting such a big pick--and he said we have two weeks left and not to thank him so soon.
I asked Grace about getting daily reports on how our embryos were growing and she said they don't like to disturb them. I asked if no news was good news and she said yes. So on Monday we are looking to transfer our embryos which have probably grown to the blatocyst stage. That is what we want because the chances for pregnancy are higher.
I thank you all so much for your love and support! I greatly appreciate your kind words. Wearing my socks during my procedure I wasn't as nervous because I had felt like I had each of you with me ;-)

Yesterday went well number wise. 20 eggs! The surgery was hard. I felt like someone took a claw and scraped my insides. I was very nauseous and light headed from the anesthesia. I'm still very sore and very tired.
Nurse Grace called today and we have 10 embryos!!!!! I'm super excited! I hope they continue to grow and flourish. The transfer is scheduled for Monday at 2:15 p.m.
I'm beat. I promise to write more and post pictures when I'm a bit more refreshed.

7:30 a. m. is our check in time. 8:30 a.m. is the surgery. I'm getting butterflies!
I keep thinking of this journey as jumping through a series of hoops. After the egg retrieval it will be: are the eggs good? After they fertilize via icsi it will be: will they grow into healthy embryos? Next it will be transfer time (my re will transfer 2-3 embryos based on their quality) and the question is: will they get all nice and cozy and implant? Finally it will be: will the embryo(s) grow into a baby and stay in my uterus for 9 months so we can have a real live baby or babies? I hope and pray that after 4 1/2 years of trying for one more baby that our dreams come true.

Tonight at 10:30 p.m. I will do my trigger shot of O.vidrel. My us today showed 15, 16, 17, 17, 18, 20, 20, 20 and 21 on the right ovary and 14, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18, 19, 19, 19, 19, 21 and 22 mm on the left ovary. My lining is good. My estradiol (An estradiol test measures the amount of a hormone called estradiol in the blood. Estradiol is the most important form of estrogen found in the body. Most of it is made in and released from the ovaries, adrenal cortex, and the placenta, which forms during pregnancy to feed a developing baby) level is 2, 686. I am off the L.upron and F.ollistim. Wahoo! Wednesday will be the retrieval at 8:30 a.m. I hope they get lots of mature eggs.
I couldn't sleep last night. I don't think this week will be good for me sleep wise. I'm hopeful, excited and nervous. My stomach is a flutter with butterflies. I'm ready for the ride!

My us showed 12 total follicles measuring over 10 mm. On the right there were follicles measuring 13, 14, 15 and 16. On the left I had 11,12,15 and 16. I have to ask tomorrow what they are all measuring. My F.ollistim was decreased from 225 units to 150. My estrogen is right on track. My lining is nice and thick. Tomorrow morning I go for another wanding and blood work. When nurse Grace calls I should know when my retrieval will be. Then of course it's a waiting game for the transfer because it depends on how the embryos are growing.
Saturday I had a baby shower to go to. It was for my good friend J. I'm the babies godmother. It's my first time and I'm very excited ;-) There were about 25 people at her mom's house. It was a beautiful shower with amazing food. My Mom made her ricotta cookies and sugar cookies--they rocked! I made fudgy brownies--delicious also! J and her family are from the Czech Republic and speak Russian. Her mom had friends there that spoke Russian. A girl we worked with at the big OG that J stayed in touch with was there also named A. A brought her mom and they speak Spanish. It was very cool to hear them conversing in their natural languages. My Poppy spoke Lithuanian with his mom, but lost the language when she passed away. I do wish I spoke another language. I would like to be fluent in ASL (American Sign Language). I live near a deaf school and they offer classes. One day I will.
It was a very full weekend. Today was church, CCD classes for E, shopping at Weggie's and laundry. I am pooped. It was very nice though to have Saturday night off. I felt like a regular person.
How was your weekend?

Susan over at she's becoming doughmesstic is giving away mixers--one for you and one for your friend.The only thing you have to do to enter is blog, tweet, or facebook the giveaway and then go back and comment only one time that you did. You do have to follow her on twitter or be a facebook fan. When you leave your comment please include my name also ;-0 That way we can both be winners!

I gave myself my F.ollistim shot tonight because M goes to the hose company for training and meetings. I'm looking at my poor, bruised belly and thinking it's all worth to give us a shot.
I do have good news--my W.ii fit plus finally came in and I picked it up! I told my Mom and she said all the people she knows that have one love it. I'm going to read the book tonight and have M set it up tomorrow.
I also met up with my M.ary Kay lady and purchased items I needed. She's a great woman. I have been going to her for fifteen years now. After talking with me about my cycle she told me that she had to do infertility treatments to get her daughters. A fellow stirrup queen--you never know when you will meet one!
My nurse called yesterday and left a message that she had a cancellation and I could come in at 7:45 a.m. for my us. I called and left a message for her that I will come in. I am going to the hospital for my blood work before that. They open at 7 a.m. I'm glad I won't be late for work. I really don't like being late. Which is funny--I used to always be late.
I'm off to read my fit plus book and go to bed. I'll update tomorrow about my tests.

This morning I went in for my ultrasound and blood work. The us showed 4 follicles on my right ovary and 3 on my left. I'm disappointed in these numbers. I was hoping for more. Some of these follicles may not have any eggs. Some may have immature eggs. The nurse called me around 11 am and told me to keep my doses the same (5 L.upron, 225 F.ollistim). My Mom and M asked if there was a "right" number for how many follicles I should have. I don't. I'm guessing it depends on the age of the woman, the meds and the doses. Right? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
I got stressed out this morning because the phlebotomist came in late. The nurse schedules blood work for as early as 7:45 a.m but the phlebotomist comes in around 8:20 a.m. - 8:25 a.m. I go in Friday for another us and blood work. I had the nurse schedule my blood work at the hospital (they start at 7 am and I can go when I want to) and my us at 8:30 a.m. I will be going in to work late on Friday which I don't like but I can't help it.
I can't believe my egg retrieval is one week away! Holy moly--I've waited years for this and here we are right in the middle of the cycle. I hope and pray that this works.

I went in for blood work yesterday and my levels are good. I'm staying at 5 units of L.upron and 225 units of F.ollistim. I go in for more blood work tomorrow and an ultrasound. Yesterday was rough with a severe headache and nausea. I put on my pj's after dinner and camped out on the couch. Today it's just a headache.
I'm thinking positive thoughts through this whole process.