The Plan & The Goals

The initial plan looked simple: 10-12 days of Follistim with the last 3 days of to also include an additional shot, Ganirelix. That would be followed by a HCG trigger shot 34 hours prior to the scheduled of my egg retrieval. From there, it was TBD on whether a fresh transfer would be the final part of the plan or if we would have to freeze things. Starting Saturday, February 6 {aka Kyle’s 32nd birthday} I had to administer 225 units of Follistim into my lower stomach. The protocol was 7 days of that and then into the doctor’s office for bloodwork and an ultrasound to see how things were progressing. Things must have looked ok because I was given the green light to add on my first Ganirelix on Saturday February 13 at 10pm. *Timing is everything in this process* 

The goal was to get as many follicles to grow into the ‘ideal’ range which is 18-20mm. Follicles of that size will typically produce a mature egg that can be fertilized. The more eggs I have, the more chances of viable embryos and higher chance we have options for freezing and implantation.

Days 1-6

Easy breezy. Just one shot with a small needle out of an easy-to-use cartridge! I was feeling really strong. My mental state was good, I kept up with my allowed workouts, no odd side effects. After realizing on Day 1 that it was not good to pinch the skin, puncture and inject the meds with the skin still pinched, I got it down. My left side was key. Apparently it is WAY less sensitive. I noted that and was able to accommodate easily. A few times I thought ‘dang, I am doing this with ease.’ The excitement was building for a retrieval date. For the next steps to come…

Days 7-9

On Friday (2/12) I had my first monitoring appointment to check progress. I graduated from one shot to to. Oh hey, additional large needle! Major fail on the first attempt at that. Couldn’t even puncture my skin LOL. Icing is key! Total game-changer on handling it. With the addition of the Ganirelix, I ended up having to move the small needle shots to the right side to make room. Luckily it worked out. But it was about this time that I started getting antsy. When were these going to be done? Uncertainty on WHEN is the worst. The waiting game SUCKS. My boobs starting swelling again. Bruising was happening on my lower stomach. Getting to my next monitoring appointment on 2/15 was the goal.

Days 10-12

Holy disappointment. I left my monitoring appointment on Monday hopeful. I had convinced myself my trigger shot would be that night and an egg retrieval Wednesday. WRONG. Ya know the ‘make plans, God laughs’ little saying? It’s true. Instead I was told I needed 2 more days of BOTH shots. My emotions and mental state hit rock bottom. I cried. I wanted to scream. It was either tears or tire slashing and no in between. WHY!? Why the F wasn’t my body ready yet? I did it though. 4 more shots in my tender, bloated, pain-ridden tummy. Wednesday (2/17) I went back in. I’ll spare you the emotional roller coaster of that shit show appointment but by yesterday afternoon I GOT THE CALL: it’s GO TIME! 

Last night we did the midnight trigger. Not ideal for 2 early-to-bed people. But we did it. Kyle administered the shot in my upper right butt like a pro. Hurt like hell. Still does. The needle was huge in comparison. The silver lining? It is/was the last poke. The final cap on stage 2. Worth the middle-of-the-night alarm. Worth the price. And yes, worth the pain.

Dear Diary – Stim Shots Recap

I’m so thankful the needles are done. I can do hard things. That was something I knew but I proved it night after night to myself. You need a hell of a support system during this process. I have that. Something else I had? Independence. I gave myself 18/19 shots. Nausea? That was me who endured it. While the last 12 days didn’t significantly alter my physical body like the birth control did, it messed with my head. With my mind. I felt weak more times than I care to admit. It was a grueling 2 weeks. My Type-A, planner personality doesn’t fare well with loose timelines.

Keeping up my morning routine: meditation, journaling, pre-workout (1/2 scoop only), workout helped a ton. Even if it wasn’t an intense sweat sesh, moving my body was a tremendous blessing. Feeling good enough to do so was in itself. The real help? Kyle. His desire to help even though he couldn’t. Offering to do things that I clearly could do myself, driving my to my appointments even though I know how to drive 🙂 His support was amazing. The support of my parents, sisters, in-laws. My friends. The check-ins from random followers. Y’all are the BEST cheerleaders. Tomorrow morning I have an 8:30am check-in to GET THESE EGGS OUT. I have no clue how many are in there, how many are good. Let’s hope for LOTS. Stage 3 is tomorrow and I’m ready to knock it out! xox

· xox, Kristin ·