Christmas and IUI #1...

Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas with Family and Friends. Our Christmas was a little different this year...we went to the clinic early Christmas morning to make sure that the one follie that was at 17mm on Thursday had grown. We checked in and were quickly taken to the exam room. I was looking at Carlos and I was telling him that I had a good feeling that the follie had grown since I was feeling a little discomfort on the right side. The on-call doctor came in and did the U/S and to our surprise right in the middle of my ovary was a 22mm follie that looked ready to go. We checked out and were told that our IUI would be done on Sunday and Monday...we were over the moon. The best gift that we have gotten of Christmas was the news that we were ready to do the IUI on top of the gifts that we had given each other

After the appt we went to my SIL to give our nephews their presents and they were super happy with what "Santa" left them. We then came to the house to pick up the pups and headed to San Antonio to spend the day with our familia. I gave myself the Ovidrel in San Antonio and knew that the next couple of days were in God's hands. Christmas 2010 was a blast and will always have a special place in our hearts.

Sunday morning we left at around 7am to drop off Carlos' sample in order to have it prepped for the first part of the IUI. We returned to the house where we chilled for a little bit and had breakfast before we left for our 10am appt. We arrived at our appt and within 10 minutes we were in the exam room ready to get the show on the road. The whole procedure was quick and were were out before 10:30am. Carlos and I went to lunch and then headed to the house where we chilled all day since Monday was going to be the same.

Monday morining we did the same thing as Sunday prior to the IUI. After the IUI we stopped by a friend's house for a little bit before heading to Xander's bowling festivity for his birthday. We had a blast at the bowling alley and the little munchkin wanted all of us to eat lunch. After lunch we headed to the outlet mall with my bro and his girlfriend for some retail therapy :)

And now the waiting begins...I was given the lab slip with the date that I have to have my blood drawn in order to determine if I'm preggo or not. At this point all I can do is leave it to God and pray that this is our Christmas miracle.

U/S #2

Went to my appt this morning and LOVED my results. My labs had not arrived at the moment I walked in but the u/s results were amazing. My lining is currently at 9.0mm and Dr Burger loved the fact that it was getting thicker. When she checked my right ovary I was in shock with what I saw. I had 1 follicle (17mm) front and center. The other ones were at 8 and 9mm. The ones on my left ovary were all at 8mm. Dr Burger was super pleased with what she saw. Since the moment we decided we wanted to go with the injections she always told me that she just wanted to get 1 to 2 mature follies per cycle. Then reality set in...Dr Burger told me that I needed to come in on Christmas day to do one last follow-up before the IUI's. She also told me that I might and might not have to get my blood drawn depending on my lab results. If everything stays on track I will be having the IUI's on Sunday and Monday. After Dr Burger left the room I started jumping like a little girl!!!

I just can't put into words what I'm currenly feeling right now. Two years ago we started down this road and now I see some light at the end of our path. It has been two long years of trying to figure out why I can't O on my own. My mother kept telling me that GOD had a plan and that he had already seen my future and that I had to walk in the present. In HIS time I will become a MOTHER and in HIS time I will rejoice and give THANKS b/c HE was the one that was always looking out for me when medicine kept failing me. I always prayed for a Christmas miralce and maybe, just maybe, this Christmas will be the beginning of OUR DREAM...

Family Weekend and Results for U/S #1

Just got back from my appt with the RE and I'm pleased with the results. My lining was at 6.0mm and my E2 levels were at 67. When she checked my ovaries, the right one had 5 follies (9,9,8,7,7mm) and the left one had 3 follies (6,6,5mm). Dr Burger decided to up my dose to 112.5 for today and tomorrow and 75 for Wednesday. I go back in for a follow-up on Thursday at 9:45am.

My human side wants this cycle to be "THE ONE" but my spiritual side tells me that GOD will decide WHEN the time is right. In the meantime I will continue to do as the doctor says and I will take it one day at a time.

This past weekend we decided to drive up to Houston to spend time with my in-laws since Carlos' dad's birthday was during the week. So we packed the dogs up and headed out by 5:30pm. Carlos' sister was already on her way with the boys and hubby plus the 2 labs. Nothing like 2 rowdy boys to brighten your day. Xavier and Xander are always a blast to have around but now that they're 5 and almost 3, their "playing" is getting a little out of control...but heck...they're BOYS!!! We went to dinner on Saturday to a latin restaurant and THANK GOD the food was good because the service was HORRIBLE. Never going to eat there again...We got back to the house and took the boys to see the different Christmas lights around the neighborhood. I love where my in-laws live...why can't they build houses like that in Round Rock???

On Sunday we left a little early than expected since we decided to go to San Antonio for Papito's birthday party. Mind you, we are in Houston, so off Carlos and I went with the dogs in the back on our 3hr drive. The drive was fun...Carlos and I talked about different things and that made the trip a little easier. Xixi and Ben were passed out in their new doggie beds that they didn't realize when we made it to San Antonio. We always have a blast with our "FAMILIA" especially when you put a bunch of PUERTORRICANS together. Papito grilled some chicken and ribs and his mom hooked us up with some arroz con gandules...YUMMY!!! As tradition, the birthday boy got his "Pie in The Face" from his bros and warned us what was to come in 2011.

It was a great weekend with family and friends and I can't wait 'til next weekend since it will be Christmas. Looking forward to spending time with loved ones even though my loved ones are far away from me.

Getting ready for IUI#1

Wow I can't believe that the time has finally arrived and that tomorrow I start my first round of injections. I went to my CD2 appt and Dr Burger said that everything looked great and that she was super excited for me. Since I'm young (27), she doesn't want me to produce an excess amount of follicles so my initial dose is 112.5 for tomorrow and 75 for Saturday and Sunday. Carlos can't wait...he's been looking forward to stabbing me with the small needle ever since we took our "injection class". The nurse gave me my stack of lab slips in order to check my E2 levels before each follow-up appt. My next appt is on Monday and Dr Burger will let me know what the next doses will be depending on my progress. If it's in GOD's plan, I will be having the back to back IUI's the week after Christmas.

There's a lot of emotions that are going through me right now that it's hard to put into words. I'm happy, nervous, anxious, you name it...it's been almost 2 years since I took the last BCP and I never thought that it would take us this long to become parents. My 28th birthday is next month so it would be a nice gift to give to myself and my mother...All I know is that I'm leaving everything in GOD's hands and in HIS infinite time Carlos and I will become parents!!!

...Almost There

We had our "injection lesson" at TCF on Thursday. We were both ready and eager to figure out what the next steps would be once we got this show on the road. After the lesson we realized that TTC is in God's hands and that we will do anything in our power to become parents. I received a call later that night from the fertility pharmacy to verify my address and to schedule my delivery.

My last Provera pill is tomorrow...from Monday going foward it's all up to my body. Here's to HOPE and FAITH and our simple DREAM...

Some GOOD News...

Had my appt on Thursday with Dr Burger and I was so eager to see what the u/s had in store for me. I quickly jumped on the table and starred at the holiday decor while glancing at my cell. Dr Burger came in within a few minutes and greeted me with a smile. We talked about what had happened in my last two visits and also discussed what treatment we would do. As she got ready to do the u/s, my heart knew that I would get some GOOD news...and I did!!! Dr Burger did not find the cyst that had been pausing my TTC journey. She checked both ovaries and my lining. She was happy with the results that the u/s showed. I couldn't wait to get out of the room and call Carlos and my Mom.

I quickly got dressed, left the exam room and waited to get signed out. Since we are headed down the injection path, the nurse gave me an appt for Tuesday for "Injection Lessons". Dr Burger also gave me a prescription for Provera to induce my flow. So....If everything stays on track and in God's plan, I can start this cycle prior to Christmas. I quickly signed out and called Carlos but he didn't answer so I called Mom and she was thrilled with my update.

I know that God has his way with things but HE knows what our hearts desire and I'm hoping and praying that 2010 will close on a happy note and that 2011 will bring me happy news. I also need to ask Dr Burger if we can do a 3 month prescription since my new health insurance plan starts in January with a new deductible. In the meantime...I'll take my pills and let God do the rest.

Happy Holidays!!!

...Super HAPPY!!!

Quick update: Went to my appt today and I got the best news...the cyst is GONE!!! If I could've taken a picture of the sonogram I would have. I'm excited to get back on the TTC road...thought that this road would have to wait until 2011 but GOD heard my prayer.

With this news comes the realization that now our medication bills are going to increase since I opted for the injections. We have a "class" scheduled for next Tuesday at 1:15pm in order to understand the process, prices, side effects and other things associated with the injections.

In the mean time Dr Burger prescribed Provera to induce my flow to get things moving again :-) I'm extremely happy that she's back from her maternity leave...she understands what we are going through and it's easier to talk to her than to the other doctors.

Hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving Holiday!!!

Looking forward to Christmas...only 23 more days!!!

It's CHRISTMAS at the Lopez De Victoria-Gabriel Household...

Not much has happened since my last post. Carlos and I have been spending more time together and seem to be on the same page when it comes to what we are going to do when I go in for my follow-up appt in December. I have such high HOPES that maybe the cyst has fully gone down and that I can resume my TTC journey but I also know that it may not happen just now. I've been monitoring daily since AF went away due to the fact that somehow I O'd all by myself last month. I just want to make sure that if I do O, we try the natural way...plus I haven't seen a positive OPK since November of last year :( 

And Christmas has officially begun...eventhough we couldn't wait 'til after Thanksgiving to put the tree up. Here's a picture with the LDV letters that Carlos just put up in the office...

We'll be having Thanksgiving dinner at my SIL house with all of the family. My in-laws arrive tomorrow and my MIL already told me to prepare since she is ready to do the BLACK FRIDAY madness. Carlos and I actually look foward to BLACK FRIDAY eventhough we don't shop a lot we just like to go out there and enjoy the atmosphere.

This will mark the first year that the family won't be around Abu...can't believe that its been 7 months since she left this Earth and joined God. I miss speaking to her and joking around since she always knew that her little girl would be calling everyday at anytime. She was a strong lady and I HOPE that one day I can show my kids how their great-grandmother kept her FAITH in God until her last days.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and don't spend too much...

Hello November...

These past few weeks have been crazy...I just got back from Puerto Rico where I took my exam to become a professional engineer. All the studying has left my brain in a chill state. Results will be in 6-8 weeks...so I'm praying that I passed it.

On the other side of things...I had a follow up appointment today and that didn't go as I had hoped for. The cyst is still present but now it measures 35mm instead of 50mm. She did notice that my lining was thick (18mm) so she wants to induce my cycle with Provera...again. Doctor gave me a follow up appointment for December 2 and I'm actually at ease because Dr Burger will be back and I miss talking to her about our situation. I've been trying to hide my feeelings at work but some peers have caught on that something isn't right with me. I'm not the happy go lucky girl that they're used to seeing. I have a great support system at home but sometimes that is not enough and all I want to do is cry. I'm trying to keep my head up but I guess that as time goes on it's actually taking its toll on me.

I'm happy that it's the HOLIDAY SEASON and I'm looking forward to all the Christmas shopping :) My oldest nephew turns 5 next week and he got a preview of gifts. At the rate we are going Xavier will be just like his uncle...SHOES will be his fetish. The in-laws will be in town for the weekend so hopefully we'll get some time to spend with family.

In the mean time...FAITH is what keeps my HOPE alive!!!

Can someone tell my...

Can someone please tell my uterus that it has to cooperate. So after a week and a half of spotting my nurse at TFC told me to get some B/W done in order to figure out what was going on. She also scheduled an appt to see the doctor the following day.

Went to my appt this morning and found out that a) I was not preggo and b) Progesterone level was low. The doctor told me that my lining was also thin so that contributed to not getting a full AF. Before she did the U/S I asked her about our next treatment with either Clomid or Injections. She told me that because I didn't O on the previous rounds of Clomid that my chances this time around were slim. She recommended that I go ahead with the injections since they would monitor me closely in order to make sure that I didn't over stimulate my ovaries.

She finally did the U/S and it clearly showed the my lining was very thin. When she checked the ovaries she gasped because right smack in the middle of the monitor was a HUGE CYST!!! My heart sank to my feet and I knew that was not a good sign. She didn't find any cysts on my left ovary which was a relief to me. After poking me for a few minutes she told me that she would prescribe BCP in order to shrink the cyst and asked me to come back in one month to see the progress. Simple...NOT!!! When I was checking out I got asked if I had high blood pressure and I said Yes. Well it turns out that now I can't take any BCP b/c the doctor is cautious about my blood pressure.

So here I am frustrated as can be because I have to let this cyst shrink on its own. This changes any plans that we had to start our next cycle any time soon. Now all I can do is wait and leave it in God's hands and see what happens :(

In other news...we're going to see the Yankees play the Rangers for the American League Championship. Super happy since DH and I have never been to any playoff game. My license exam is fast approaching so I'm in full study MODE!!!

God help me through these next few weeks...

This Waiting Game Sux...

So I finished the Provera last week and I'm still waiting to see AF. I've been spotting since Sunday night but nothing has given me any indication that AF is ready to pop her head around the corner.

I try not to get myself wound up about this cycle but it's hard not to think about it. I went to Target and bought the Biggest Loser Wii game...LOVE IT!!! I knew I had to start exercising at some point so I caved in and bought it. It actually kicks your a**. I love the fact that there are set routines for whatever your goal is. So I'm actually staying on track with the game and doing cardio walks every other day. According to the game I lost 2lbs last week so that's 2 lbs less from my total goal...I'll keep that number to myself...LoL.

Things are going good in the Lopez de Victoria-Gabriel household...jeez what a long name...Imagine trying to sign that on a piece of paper. DH has been coaching Xavier's soccer team and that has actually been a distraction since I get to play soccer with him and the boys. My engineering test is 23 days away so I've been busy studying the material that I haven't used in 4 years!!! I'm looking foward to seeing my Mom in Puerto Rico. She always knows how to put a smile on my face even if she has to bring me to tears to then get me happy. I actually get to spend more time in PR so I'll be visiting my BFF and her baby girl. Her life stories are like a soap opera show...she knows how to make things interesting.

I also did the unthinkable this past weekend...I got a tattoo!!! DH couldn't believe that I did it since he knew that at some point I had to tell my Mom. She actually took it better than I expected and even told me that she thought that my brother would do his before I even did one. There's a meaning behind the tattoo...it's an ambigram that says FAITH one way and HOPE the other. DH found it when searching the web and thought that it represented our journey TTC. I'll post the pic later when it has healed properly.

Gotta go...time to leave work and head home...

So I Finally Gave In...

I decided that it was time for me to start blogging our journey to parenthood. I always thought that blogs were soooo tacky until I found myself reading countless amounts while trying to cope with IF.

Our journey begins the day our 2nd nephew was born. Being able to hold such a precious soul gave me and DH the idea that maybe it was our time to take the baby making road. We knew that we had some challenges ahead of us due to the fact that I was working nights and DH was getting his teacher's certification. Fast foward to December 2008...It was my annual OBGYN appt and I remember telling the doctor that we were ready to start our family. He looked at me and said that I should finish the last of the BCP's and that within a couple of months I should be pregnant...NOT. AF came on a monthly basis for 5 straight months so I thought that when she didn't arrive in June '09 we finally got what we wanted. Turns out that I didn't ovulate and at that point my cycle was at 42 days. I scheduled an appt with the doctor and he told me  that I should give it some time since my urine sample said that I was not preggo. He mentioned infertility meds but told me to take my time and see what happens. AF came in July and I was on my way to TTC. August came and went and so did September and I still had not seen AF since July. I knew something was wrong so I scheduled another appt with my OBGYN. At this point he realized that my cycle was acting weird and that the only way to get us preggo was to induce my cycle. I was given Provera to induce and 50mg of Clomid for cycle #1 in October. AF arrived in November by herself and I was happy but sad since I knew that we were not pregnant. Cycle 2-5 of Clomid were unsuccessful and at this point the doctor told me that he had done all he could from his point of view and that I needed extra help.

Fast foward to May 2010...We were reffered to the Texas Fetility Clinic and almost had to wait a month because it was full. Our RE at the clinic was Dr. Burger and she explained to us what infertility meant and what were the next steps to take. I did all my lab work and everything came back normal. DH had to do a SA but that got pushed out 'til August because he had a bad gout attack that required surgery (We thought he had torn his ACL because of the pain he was in). Once his results came back, which were normal, Dr Burger sat down with me and she told me that she was going to induce my cycle and that we were going to start with Femara 5mg. I was sooo happy that the TTC path was back up and running.

CD1 on Femara started on September 2nd. I had an U/S done the next day to make sure that there were no cysts. I took the Femara on CD3-7 just like the doctor ordered. I didn't have any side effects so I thought that everything had worked. During this time I had to go to Puerto Rico for my cousin's wedding. I returned to Dr Burger's office on CD12 and got good news. U/S showed 1 13mm follie on my right with 4 follies that were at 11mm. The left showed 1 follie at 13mm and 2 at 11mm. I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this really working?!?!? I followed Dr Burger's recommendation for the next few days. I had to go back on CD16 to see how I had progressed on the Femara. As Dr Burger got ready to do the U/S I remember saying to myself that this was it...I would have mature follies on both sides...Boy was I WRONG!!! Dr Burger was in shock...the 2 follies that were at 13mm had disappeared. All she could see were multple follies at less than 11mm on both ovaries. She thought that maybe I had ovulated earlier than expexted so she had me go get some B/W to check my progesterone level. My parents were in town so we had made plans to go out to dinner when the cell phone rang. It was my nurse telling me that I had not ovulated and that Dr Burger was giving me two choices...the highest dose of Clomid for 7 days or go to the injections. She prescribed the Provera in order to induce again and she gave me until the following week to decide what we wanted to do. I was devestated...I cried in our bathroom while I got ready to go to dinner. DH and I had a talk and we decided that we were going to try the last round of Clomid in order for us to say that we tried all the meds that we could before we decided on the injections.

So here we are into day 3 of taking Provera. I've been coping quietly with our IF only letting family and close friends know what is going on. I have a lot of things going on that hopefully will take my mind off of things for a while as we enter Cycle #2.