A Letter To My Sons

Dear Grayson and Bennett:
 

There are only days remaining before I get to meet the two of you. This is a very exciting time for your mother and for me. We are nervous, eager and thrilled about your arrival.

The Test Results

It has been a long process. We knew when we got married having a child together would present a challenge. After all, I had a vasectomy six years prior. When we learned the reversal surgery was not successful last summer, it seemed that challenge turned into a barricade. After our first cycle of IVF resulted only in a chemical pregnancy, that barricade brought questions about our belief of how the universe works.

Next Report: 2 Weeks!

The transfer took place today. Kristina is now home and resting for the next 48 hours. She stated this time was a little smoother than the last one. That said, there is a somewhat somber attitude lingering in the early hours after the procedure.

Transfer Tomorrow!

I know we've posted nearly every day for the past week. However, I thought I would drop a quick note to let our readers know what to expect for the upcoming days.

Final Report

We received the final report before we get our grades. As a reminder, the blastocysts are graded on symmetry, size and other criteria. This is a little odd because the criteria to be considered a blastocyst are fairly strict, so there is not much difference in statistical odds between and “A” and a “D” embryo. Nonetheless, the grading system exists.

After 48

Kristina and I just received the phone call from the clinic. We remain hopeful as the results are good but with some surprises.

"Creature Report"

Because of Disney Jr, we see a show called The Octonauts fairly frequently. They have a section where they sing a short ditty called "Creature Report," which always pops in my head whenever we discuss the embryo report. I may have explained this last time; I don't recall. Nonetheless, I keep waiting for a turnip and the dance break. Those who know the show will understand. Everyone else, don't worry about it.
 

Here is what we know 24 hours after the retrieval:

The Summary

We gave a few updates today on Facebook, but I know not everyone follows that. So, let me summarize the day:

Pull the Trigger

Just a quick update: It's almost time.

The Clock Is Ticking

We are getting close to the end-game again. Technically, today is Day 46 and ironically, we are scheduled for retrieval on Wednesday (Day 49). Perhaps that's a good omen to be following the schedule more precisely this time.

Blood-Letting Week

Today ends the stimulation hormone. Yes, it's a short four day thing. I honestly forgot about this little phase of the cycle until last week. The menopur (to aid egg-growth and prepare for ovulation) continues for another week(ish).

Stimulating

Just a short note to say Kristina began "stimulating" her ovaries yesterday. Readings of her hormone levels all week.

Needles, Needles Everywhere, Nor Any Drop To Drink

Yesterday was the “suppression check” appointment for our IVF cycle. Again what this means is the doctor draws blood to measure Kristina’s estrogen level to be sure her ovaries have “gone to sleep” so that her body’s natural process doesn’t follow the normal pattern. The reason being, we want to control the timing of ovulation and stimulate as many follicles as possible.

Incoming Needles

Kristina begins her Lupron shots tomorrow. I hope she “stomachs” them as well this time.
 

Schedule Update

As I stated in the last post, we won’t be doing day-by-day updates this go-round. However, I thought I’d send out a quick note about our schedule. We are now into the second week of our second journey.
 

We Do Everything Twice

“If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again.”  ~ William E. Hickson

Well, we are back. Yes, somewhat reluctantly, but we are back.
 

Let me clarify what I mean by “reluctantly.” Yes, we are attempting the in-vitro process again. That part is not where any reluctance comes into play. This adverb is reserved for our decision to continue making our progress public for round two.
 

All We Can Say Is Thank You

It is with heavy hearts we announce that despite all this process, we once again landed on the wrong side of the statistics. We are not pregnant.

"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!