E.T. – not the movie

So, a quick update about the Embryo Transfer, which took place two days ago. There isn’t a lot to say other than it is the second pivotal point of the process. We know very little, and there isn’t much more to do than just wait…and continue with the shots.
 

We did place two embryos inside Kristina’s uterus. I say “we” but really the doctor did that; I just stood by, kept my hand on her shoulder and smiled a lot.

72 Hours After

We got the report yesterday, but due to family, friends and football, I just did not get around to writing a post. But I can summarize it all together today. Tomorrow will be a “growing” day for the embryos and they are not examined, so we won’t have any additional information until after the transfer of the best two on Tuesday.

"Sciency" Details and Other Results

Moments ago, Kristina received the first phone call from the clinic to give the Day-1 report on the embryos. There will be some potentially icky details, but I promise no pictures. I say this because Kristina and I jest about making a baby in front of her mother yesterday. So, there are some really good puns to be had right now.

More than a Baker’s Dozen

The procedures went very well, and both patients are resting comfortably. We are both sore and have to limit our physical exercise over the next few days. This brings up the important concern of who will do the house chores during that time.

T-Minus 24 …Matey!

This being September 19 and therefore International Talk Like A Pirate Day, I am tempted to write this entire blog post as if you’d changed your FaceBook language. However, as my wife is new to this tradition and the more serious nature of this blog, I will resist the urge…arrr!

Scheduling Zygotes

This weekend was a bit crazy – and I’m not sure why it had to be. I suppose things just don’t seem right sometimes unless there is the proper balance of chaos. However, I think some of it comes from a "pre-nesting" phase we seem to be experiencing from this whole IVF process - and truth be told, I am kinda being the girl about most of it. However, after Saturday’s ultrasound and adjustments to the amount of Menopur Kristina continues to take, we now have a 95% certainty of when we will be performing the extraction procedure.

And Queue Vomit...

Kristina did throw up last night
A twist of fate, I feared she might
Her dosage has been upped a slight
For the numbers are not quite right

Unknown Steps...

I had planned to write about the orange lying and my continued struggles with giving Kristina the shots. However, after the emotional day it has it has been, that honestly seems like the least of the issues.

Visceral...what?

Okay, I admit I actually had to google that one to get the definition.  For those of you who don't know the actual definition (which probably only includes me and my sister) that is:  

Of or relating to the viscera. Relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect: "the voters' visceral fear of change".

I only pasted that because I had it up in Google, and because it helps clarify the origin of my emotions which are, yes, visceral.

Needles Get Under My Skin

Well, last night I did it. I stabbed my wife...with a little 28-gauge needle and injected her with 10 units of Lupron. It wasn't too horrible of an experience; although I didn't look her in the eye the rest of the night and then I left the bathroom to watch a movie about Jesus.

Step 38: Social Support

I wanted to give a quick thank you to everyone who has been following our blog during the in-vitro process. I noticed this morning that the total views of this blog broke the one-thousand mark. That translates to about 60 people looking per post on average. That's a lot of support, prayers and good wishes for our journey to babyhood. That means more than can be well expressed here. Thank you all!

Orange Voodoo

So, it's not really voodoo, but I have been sticking needles into a "graven image" in hopes of practicing some sympathetic magic. Of course, I'm referring not to The Golden Bough theories of magic, but rather I mean I hope to gain the trust and sympathy of my spouse - even if by some magical means. We are both a bit nervous about the upcoming need for me to deliver the progesterone shots after the oocyte retrieval.

About to Get Real

This morning I confirmed today's date for a daily couples' reading we actually only do semi-routinely. She affirmed the date and followed up with the reminder that tomorrow is her "Suppression Check." What that means is