Gold stars for Dr. Rosen

Dr. Rosen

Dr. Cassidenti
Dr. Yee
Dr. Rosen did my IUI today. I really like all three doctors in my group, but today Dr. Rosen gets some gold stars from me. First of all before the IUI he did an ultrasound to make sure I ovulated. In the process he found my left ovary. No big deal right? WRONG! In the probably two dozen ultrasounds I have had throughout my treatments my left ovary seldom cooperates. It usually takes a good 2-3 minutes and lots of pressure(they are who-ha ultrasounds, not abdominal-yuck!). Not today however, he points right too it right away-gold star!

He then moved on to the right ovary where all the action is, he confirmed I did ovulate one egg, maybe two-he then states with a grin "I can't be sure, but if you get pregnant with twins, we'll know then." I love a doctor with a sense of humor-another gold star!

After the ultrasound, I walked into the treatment room for the IUI. Here is what he says "Mrs. Stanley we have a little problem". My heart sank thinking it was something awful. "We forgot to have your husband sign the consent before he went out of town. Normally I would not be able to proceed but if you promise he won't get mad at me, I will waive the consent."

We both chuckled. I have been going there for so long, everybody knows Tom and myself very well. I told him if I got pregnant the very last thing Tom would be was mad. So with the promise that I would send Tom in to sign the paperwork upon his return, he completed the IUI for me-gold star!

I really do feel lucky to have a great group of doctors. Dr. Cassidenti is my official doc, she has brought me through 2 surgeries and been there at the lowest moment in my life. Although realistic, she always is very hopeful about my case.

And I can't forget Dr. Yee. He has the best bedside manner of any doctor you are likely to meet. Never have I seen him without a smile. A few cool facts about Dr. Yee. He achieved the first ever pregnancy from a frozen embryo in 1982. He also uses is skills to save lowland gorillas from extinction through IVF.

Not over it.

There's a big difference between being too busy to think about something and actually dealing with it and moving on. I have realized I am still not over losing my Grandpa. I miss him terribly and can't think about him without tearing, so I just try not to think about it. To top it off their house sold and escrow closes the beginning of June. The house I grew up in, the house where 99% of my good childhood memories took place. I try to tell myself he was 95 and it was time. But that is not so easy to do when his mind was still so sharp and I was still joking with him a few days before he passed. I feel like I did when my parents divorced. My security blanket is gone.

Follie Check

My what beautiful follicles you have!

I have been on the Repronex injections about a week and a half now and here is the current status. I have TWO really good looking follicles. They have now reached the right size measuring one at 19 mm and the other at 17 mm. Tomorrow I have one last ultrasound and I will have my injection of HCG. The HCG will make these follicles release an egg in about 36-48 hours. So it looks like my IUI will be Saturday morning, YAY! My Doc seemed quite pleased with my hard working right ovary, too bad my left one is a lazy ass. In the above photo is an example of what I see every time I go in for a follicle check. The black bubble looking things are follicles and each contain an egg. Only larger follicles(above 16 mm) will ovulate. Isn't the female reproductive system just wacky, it really is amazing anyone gets pregnant at all.

Bend over and I'll show ya!

JUST A LITTLE PINCH!

So there has been a little change in plans. As excited as we were to move on to IVF , financial restraints have made us postpone until January. While waiting we are going to do a few more rounds of IUI and submit our adoption paperwork. Above is just a sampling of the plethora of hormones I am shooting up with. My IUI is scheduled probably for the 21st or 22nd. From there it will be a 2 week wait for results. Just my luck Tom is out of town this week, so I will be flying this IUI solo. It's OK though if it works, it will be quite comical to tell people I conceived while my husband was out of town :) Tomorrow I go for a scan of my follicles(they contain the eggies) to check their size, I am hoping for at least three good ones. I will ask for a printout that I can share. I find all of it very fascinating. If I weren't so familiar with infertility on such a personal end I might consider working in an infertility clinic. Maybe someday after I have started my family :)

Swimming on the I-5

LAPS!

I love my cousin dearly. She is down home folk and so am I. She recently made my uncles truck into a swimming pool. I think it is inventive and fabulous. You know your a redneck if ....you swim in your dad's truck!

I think I was born on the wrong continent.

Succulent Sushi

Tempting Thai

Killer Korean BBQ

My dining out preference is always of some Asian influence. Lately Tom and I have been enjoying Korean. My favorites also include Tahi and Japanese cuisine. There is just something in how the food is prepared with such care and beauty. It's as fun to look at as it is to eat. I do have an exception, Chinese food has fallen out of favor with me. I will eat it from time to time, but rarely crave it. If you have not tried Korean BBQ I highly recommend it. It's true that the marinated meat is wonderful, but I find the several little side dishes that come along with it the highlight of the meal.