Hello From Home, Finally!!!

Years ago, on a trip to New Orleans, I remember buying a t-shirt that said, "What a long, strange trip it's been." I know that's a lyric from a Grateful Dead song, but at the time, it seemed like the perfect saying for those past few days. Since then, however, I seem to think back that shirt and how it continually applies to my life. This past week is really no exception.

In my last blog, I told you we were on track to have the egg retrieval on Wednesday, 5/23. The weekend before that, however, my doctor decided that my hormone labs were looking elevated and my ovaries seemed to be getting stimulated too quickly so we moved the retrieval to Tuesday, 5/22. The final step to "mature" the eggs was an injection to be taken exactly 36 hours before the retrieval. So, on Sunday night at exactly 9:15pm, I gave myself the shot and went back to watching the news before bed. Little did we know at the time, that injection would set off a week and a half long chain of events! After the news was over at 10:00, I got up to go to bed only to find that I couldn't take a step on my right side without a horrible shooting pain. Well, making that long story short, it was a very restless night and following day using a heating pad and some Tylenol to help alleviate the pain. My doctor assured us that the pain would subside as soon as the eggs were gone and the ovaries were able to relax. He was right! Although I was groggy and slept most of the day after the retrieval, everything was great with no pain on Tuesday. But, on Wednesday, the follicles that housed the eggs before they were retrieved started to fill up with fluid and continued to stimulate. Then, it got worse on Thursday. Keep in mind, that was the day I should have been up and around and possibly back at work. But, by Friday morning, I was retaining so much fluid in my abdomen that I looked like I was several months pregnant. We made an appointment and went into the doctors office because not only was my abdomen swollen and painful, but that fluid was making it hard for me to breathe and I was really nauseated. After taking my vitals and seeing my pulse was 131, my doctor admitted me immediately to the hospital. I wish I could say I started getting better when that happened, but Saturday was the worst day. Saturday morning he stuck a huge needle in my belly and drained 3 liters of fluid. That did alleviate pressure, but all of my labs were so low they almost had to put me in ICU. Between the nausea medicine and Valium, I really don't remember too much about that day. Luckily, Sunday was the turning point. I was more alert and my kidneys finally started processing some of the fluid. Unfortunately it wasn't enough. On Monday, they drained another 2+ liters with the big ugly needle and the world started to turn for me again. That second time to drain the fluid was worse than the first. After sticking me with the 18 gauge, which they used on Saturday that took 2 hours to drain, they decided they needed to use a 16 gauge needle so it would go faster. Not only did they stick my once with the bigger one, but had to do it a second time. Yes, it was VERY PAINFUL! But, like I said, it made a huge difference. I got my appetite back and my kidneys started kicking into overdrive. I lost about 5 pounds of water weight between that night and the next morning. On Tuesday, I was able to get out of bed for the first time since Friday and walk. They discharged me that afternoon with nearly 20 extra pounds of water weight than I had when I started this whole endeavor. Last night and today my kidneys have been working to get rid of nearly 5 pounds. So, only 15 more to go! My doctor said everything should be back to normal by Friday, but I have my doubts. That's alot of tinkling in the next two days! The good news is I am now at home and feeling fine. I get winded walking across the floor, but I think I will get my stamina back soon. Like I said, what a long, strange road it's been!

A Great Weekend!

I hope you all had a good Mother's Day weekend! It was great weather to get out and enjoy the sun. We sure made the most of it! On Saturday, Randy and I went to the lake and got there in time to get the boat out and bask in the afternoon sun. Neither of us rode the tube or skied though. I don't think Randy trusted me to pull him behind the boat. Humph! And, since I was being a real girl and didn't want to get my hair wet, we just spent the afternoon riding on the water. It was so relaxing. We got the boat put up and the grill ready just in time for Randy's parents, Don and Karen, to meet us at the lake house for dinner. Randy cooked some really good steaks and grilled corn on the cob. Then, after dinner, Don, Randy, and I played dominoes. I know Don would comment that I can't say it without smiling, but I won! I never win at dominoes! :) On Sunday we drove into Dallas and met Randy's sister and her husband, Gina and Trey, for lunch and then we all went to the Ranger's game. Since I've known Randy, we've been to quite a few baseball games, but I think this was probably the most exciting one. There were 8 home runs, pitchers throwing at players, ejections, and then the game winning walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. It couldn't have been better! Of course, going to a Sunday afternoon game in Dallas did mean that we didn't get home until about midnight, but since it was such a good game it was worth it. I may not be a mother, but I had a great Mother's Day!

Speaking of not being a mother...We are still on track to have the retrieval on May 23rd. I am currently giving myself 3 different injections each day. My doctor told me today that my ovaries are responding really well to the stimulation, so that sounds encouraging. Hopefully, everything will continue to go smoothly. But, as you know, I will keep you updated.

So Much To Say!

Wow, it's really been a long time since I've posted! Sorry about that! We have had a busy couple of weeks. First, Chandler and Justin had their baby. Bode Blair Franklin was born on 4/24 at 4:20. He weighed 5 pounds and was just the cutest little thing! Isn't that face sweet!

Randy found an auction last week that he was completely engrossed in. It was a huge estate sale here in town that you could view all of the items online. He found a long list of little treasures that he is determined to make a profit on. He's been the eBay king for the last weekend. To his credit, I thought he was crazy, but he really has made money on the junk. And, by junk, I mean things like a ceramic fruit basket, a 3 inch tall man with a tophat ceramic figurine, and not just one but TWO buddah statues He also got some old records of Jimi Hendrix, Jethro Tull, and Simon and Garfunkel. Those have been selling pretty well too. It's so funny watching him get excited when the bidding starts as the auction is about to end!

So, we are still on target for the IVF on May 23rd. I started my injections on May 1st. I'll have daily injections until either we find out the procedure didn't work or I'm two months into the pregnancy. The injections I'm giving myself right now really are easy to handle. I give myself a shot in the stomach every morning with a very small needle. I really don't feel a thing! However, I can't say that will always be the case. At the end of this week I will have to add another type of shot that will be given once in the morning and once in the evening. Then, on day 21, Randy will have to start giving me the big shots. I'm a little scared of those needles! I can only hope it's not as bad as it looks, but after talking to some friends that have done this, I'm not really encouraged. Although, I do know it will all be worth it after we have a sweet little baby to hold in our arms!

Shots and Other Observations

This past Monday Cory and I went to Dr. Jabara's office for "shot instructions." Believe it or not Cory learned how to give herself a shot and I had to learn how to give a shot as well. Now I'm no expert, but I do know a few nurses and I don't think they teach shots during the first week of nursing school. Here we are learning it in an hour. To me this means one of two things: either we are super smart and way ahead of the learning curve, or paying what we pay to go get shots at the doctor's offices and clinics is a complete sham. As easy as the nurse made it seem, they should sell this stuff on the shelf at places like Wal-Mart for two bucks and we could save a ton of money. I admit there may be more to it but it hust seems that way to me. Let me know what you think.