Friday, August 20, 2010

sunny side up!

I have decided on a theme for this IVF: sunny side up. It occurred to me last night that I am really trying to focus on the positives here and that I should try to make this IVF cycle as enjoyable as possible. Hence the theme. It's a bit cheesy I know, but I'm clinging to what I can here :). This cycle feels different from my first for so many reasons. For one, we are cycling at a new clinic. One that I really believe is up on the latest in the infertility world and should be able to get us pregnant. Two, we are doing shared risk, which means there is little chance we will walk away from said clinic without a baby. Three, we are cycling at a pleasant time of year. I know weather probably has nothing to do with success rates, but for me it has a big impact on my attitude/mentality. It is hard to feel down and out when I can take my dog on a 3 mile walk with a breeze blowing through the trees and the sun shining on my skin. Four, we don't have to hide what we are doing. I am more at peace with the infertility monster and so more people know about our impending IVF. That eases the mental burden. It's nice having the support of people I love during this hard time.

There are things that I am trying to do differently as well to help better prepare my body for good results. I have cut my caffeine consumption down considerably, I usually only have a can of (diet) coke every other day. I have also cut down on my alcohol intake. I still have a drink here and there, but usually it is light (55 calorie) beer, so I don't really think that counts for too much. I am also continuing to exercise during stims, which I did not do last time. I'm hoping that helps with my stress level and my body overall. Walking makes me happy, so it's got to help, right? I am also planning on eating pineapple after egg retrieval. I did that the cycle we had our chemical, so I want to do it again. Finally, I have a special pair of socks that I am going to wear to each and every monitoring appointment. They are my fertility socks and they also make me happy, so they should help get us our positive result. Oh, and I plan on POAS from 7-8dpo until I get my BFP (because that is what I am getting). I do not have the willpower to wait until beta day and I really don't want a nurse telling me our outcome.

I nearly forgot! I started stims last night! I was about to take our dog on a walk (like literally almost out the door), when the clinic called to tell me that they were having me start the stims. I was far more excited than I should have been and basically beamed during my whole walk. They had me take 375iu last night, 150iu this morning, and 150iu this evening. I need to go in for bloodwork tomorrow which totally ruins my plans of sleeping in, but oh well! Then they will give me dosing from there. They also lowered my lup.ron dose to 5 units (yay, yay, yay!!) and are keeping me on baby aspirin. I was planning on working next weekend and when I asked the nurse if I would need to ask for it off she said definitely! I would say I'm about 10ish days away from retrieval! WOO HOO!

26 comments:

  1. It's gonna work! I wish I had exercised, but I felt like poo. I am very excited for you!!!

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  2. You sound alot like me this cycle. I start in 3 days and it couldn't come about fast enough! I have to do a long cycle though so the first 6 week will be boring but I am doing similar things to you - carrying on exercise this time instead of blobbing through it and feeling bloated and miserable as the drugs tend to make us feel, plus drinking smoothies (complete with pineapple and sunflower seeds!). Wishing you every success!

    ICLW #10

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  3. Good morning!! I just popped over from ICLW [I live in Europe so I'm up "early." :)] I hadn't been to your blog before but am glad that I came over.Your optimism in this post is coming through in spades and that's such a great way to start this new cycle. Best of luck with it!!

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  4. You have a great attitude! Hoping you get your BFP with this IVF. Good luck!

    ICLW

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  5. wishing you the very, very best of luck with this cycle. Your attitude is amazing. Here for you in the ups and downs (even though I am hoping for more ups!!!). You sound very in control, which is a great thing.
    Keep us posted.

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  6. Over from ICLW. Congrats on starting your IVF cycle. I think the plan you have set in place is wonderful and I have high hopes that this will be it for you. I think it's the lucky fertility socks that will do it. :)

    ICLW #92

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  7. Love your positive attitude!!! :) Sending you more happy vibes and prayers!! I'm going to take your positivity with me to my ultrasound to look at egg quality for our first IUI on Monday! Happy weekend!!

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  8. Happy ICLW! Your attitude it awesome! Blessings on you and may this cycle be the one!!!

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  9. Here from ICLW. I think you have a fantastic attitude. I also plan to take a home pregnancy test every day until my beta. Congrats on starting your stims.

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  10. Such exciting times, and I'm a firm believer in the mind-body connection. YAY for Sunny Side Up :)
    Happy ICLW!

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  11. Good luck on your IVF cycle! It's great to read all the optimism!

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  12. Hi from ICLW! Your attitude this cycle is inspiring! All great plans to get you to your BFP! I ate pineapple every day from transfer until my BFP, so I am a big believer in it. I'll be following along with you. ((Hugs))

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  13. Hi from ICLW! I also did the pineapple during my tww with our first cycle, and I believe in it. We will be doing that again with our next cycle provided we make it far enough to transfer. Good luck!

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  14. Yay for focusing on the positive! That's a wonderful outlook to have. You SHOULD feel positive. I am so excited for you. Good luck with the stimming! I hope that the next ten days go by fast. :)

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  15. Love your theme!! Wishing you the best!
    ICLW#18

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  16. I LOVE your attitude. Great way to start a great cycle!!! I am walking right behind you, starting my stims on Monday.

    Cheering for your cycle:)
    Happy ICLW #127

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  17. Good Luck with your IVF cycle. I LOVE that you are keeping such a positive attitude. I am now your newest follower. I can't wait to follow the rest of your journey.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

    Aly
    www.infertilityoverachievers.com

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  18. Fantastic attitude, hope it all goes as perfectly as possible for you!

    ICLW
    #56 Miss Ruby
    http://www.themissruby.blogspot.com/

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  19. Hi there. I've never even heard of eating pineapple post-retrieval, but hey, it can't hurt, right?!?! And phooey to your old RE. You're still in your early TWENTIES! No way you have an egg quality problem. Best of luck to you!

    Maddy
    ICLW #61

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  20. I believe in a positive attitude, and the weather definitely affects my mood and attitude, sounds like you're on the right track - I hope this cycle is successful for you!

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  21. Here from ICLW - congratulations on your new attitude - you are doing all the right things to make this a done deal!

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  22. Sounds like you have a great plan in place! Here's hoping it all works out and this cycle gives you great news :D

    Happy ICLW!

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  23. Good luck!!! I hope that this is the cycle for you. Happy ICLW!

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  24. hello from ICLW! best of luck on your next cycle. i spent a lot of time doing good thing for my body too for this next cycle that i'm going to try (cutting out caffeine, most alcohol, increasing low impact exercise... ). i hope this pays off for you! and if it does, you're gonna have to market those fertility socks!

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  25. What a beautiful blog you have! It is so inspiring and I love your attitude. I will be praying for you guys!

    Happy IComLeavWe!
    <3MaryAnne #135

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