And So It Begins...

In the words of the old saying, "No news is good news."

My apologies for not updating anything here in such a long time. I was waiting on my next cycle to begin so that I could get dates for the procedures/stimulation meds.

So-after this last weekend, I am officially on schedule for a fresh cycle of IVF.

My protocol is as follows:

- birth control pills from now until Nov 20 in order to control the length of my cycle
- begin my follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) daily injections along with daily Menopur injections. These will stimulate my ovaries to make mature eggs and induce the development of multiple eggs. I will do these injections every day for about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks.
- the week that Dr. Fritz does my egg retrieval I will take injections of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH antagonist) called Ganirelix Acetate. This controls ovulation and prevents premature ovulation until the trigger shot is given.
- the night before my egg retrieval I will take a shot of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to induce ovulation
-somewhere from 3-5 days after the egg retrieval, I will have the embryo transfer.

It's all very surreal that it's actually happening after all this time. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm definitely NOT looking forward to giving myself shots but maybe after the first 2 or 3 it'll get easier.

I have sort-of a No Fail attitude about everything. This can either be very good (because I believe that your mindset controls a lot of the outcome of things) or bad (when I'm devastated if it doesn't work). However, for now, I choose to remain positive that God has his hand on my life and is working through me to fulfill his will.

Prayers are much appreciated over the next month or so. I look forward to (hopefully) sharing good news in the near future.