Well, National Comment Leaving Month (NCLM) started by Mel at Stirrup Queens ended yesterday. I have to pat myself on the back a little and admit that I received Iron Commentor status! here were 214 blogs on the list. I made a comment on each blog at least once a week! (minus the ones that were password protected and one that didn't update at all) It was hard and I am sleep deprived, but I did it! I am happy for it to be over because it was harder than I thought and really time consuming. But I am also sad because all of the wonderful comments that I received over the past month will soon taper off. I will be left with the big fat 0 comments staring back at me!
If you know me then you have to know I always find a bright side. A silver lining if you will. So, I can only hope a few NCLM readers will have enjoyed my blog and come back for regular visits. (please, please) I added a few to my blog roll and had a great time "meeting" so many new people. It was an emotional roller coaster through parenthood, new pregnancies, losses, and new babies! Some posts left me in tears and some had me roaring with laughter. A few of them made me really think. And then think some more. I love when people challenge my mind in positive way.
So, I say thank you to all my readers, both new and old. Thank you for the heartfelt comments and thank you for opening your blog and your life to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and will be back for more! I cannot wait until the next comment-leaving-a-thon! Note to self - start banking sleep now for IComLeavWe (international comment leaving week)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
I like it, I like it!
Tonight I had a jewelry party. I was using it as a fundraiser for our adoption expenses. I had a pretty good turnout but not as good as I thought. I had more than a few no-shows and a few last minute cancellations and all of a sudden I am missing fifteen people! Ugh! I still made about $500 and got $500 in free jewelry too! So all in all, not a bad night!
Since I made enough money, I am going to sign on to be a sales representative. I am going to try to start a business and hope that it will pay off. I have to invest $199 to sign on. Since I earned about $500 at the party, that brings my commission to $301, plus I get the $500 in jewelry credit too! So I look at it like I put out $199 but got $301 and tons of great jewelry. Even if I never book another party or never have another one of my own, I am still ahead. If I didn't sign on I would only get the $500 in free jewelry, so the investment was worth it to me.
As many of the representatives do, I am also willing to trade hostess jewelry rewards for equal cash value if you want to raise money for a charity or for adoption or for IVF or for something you are in need of! Even if you live 500 miles away, you can view the jewelry on my website (should be up next week) and I can send you a few catalogs. After your party, you can e-mail the sales info to me. I am going to set up a PayPal account for those that don't want to share personal payment information with me. You win by getting cash for what you need, and I win by earning jewelry to help my business! I also win by finding a way to give back!
I am excited and have already booked a few parties! I can even do long distance catalog parties and receive commission even on single order sales! The company says that the jewelry sells itself and after seeing it, I am a believer! Anyone want to have a party and help to bring Kathryn home? Oh, and earn yourself some great jewelry too! Wish me luck!
If you want to have a party or just want to order something to help out the cause, send me an e-mail to jewelry.kimberly at gmail dot com.
Since I made enough money, I am going to sign on to be a sales representative. I am going to try to start a business and hope that it will pay off. I have to invest $199 to sign on. Since I earned about $500 at the party, that brings my commission to $301, plus I get the $500 in jewelry credit too! So I look at it like I put out $199 but got $301 and tons of great jewelry. Even if I never book another party or never have another one of my own, I am still ahead. If I didn't sign on I would only get the $500 in free jewelry, so the investment was worth it to me.
As many of the representatives do, I am also willing to trade hostess jewelry rewards for equal cash value if you want to raise money for a charity or for adoption or for IVF or for something you are in need of! Even if you live 500 miles away, you can view the jewelry on my website (should be up next week) and I can send you a few catalogs. After your party, you can e-mail the sales info to me. I am going to set up a PayPal account for those that don't want to share personal payment information with me. You win by getting cash for what you need, and I win by earning jewelry to help my business! I also win by finding a way to give back!
I am excited and have already booked a few parties! I can even do long distance catalog parties and receive commission even on single order sales! The company says that the jewelry sells itself and after seeing it, I am a believer! Anyone want to have a party and help to bring Kathryn home? Oh, and earn yourself some great jewelry too! Wish me luck!
If you want to have a party or just want to order something to help out the cause, send me an e-mail to jewelry.kimberly at gmail dot com.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Beer, Beer, Baby!
I know, I know the words beer and baby should not really be in a sentence together. I have pictures of Brian and Sean with empty beer bottles, so why should Justin be any different. He had a huge smile and was so proud of himself for getting into the recycle trash!
havin' fun
good to the last drop
flagged*
caught in the act
havin' fun
good to the last drop
flagged*
*There was no actual beer consumed buy the baby. The spill on his shirt is from his juice cup on the floor in the back if the pictures. The last picture is purely coincidental and used solely for comedic purpose.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Why adopt?
I have had some questions lately about why we are adopting. Some are genuine and heartfelt, and others just leave me speechless. I have no idea how people find the nerve to say certain things. I have not yet decided if they are just ignorant or stupid, or both! Think once in a while before you speak people!
Okay, the good first. I have had an overwhelming bunch of supportive friends and family send us their best wishes. Many know of our infertility journey and are so excited to see us add to our family again. They ask great questions and also ask if they can help in any way. They want to know why we were led to Korea and basic questions about adoption. I welcome these kinds of questions and comments. I love to spread the word about adoption, maybe it will inspire someone else to adopt!
Now, for the bad. First, I have to say that I have had some questions that were similar to the ones listed that don't bother me. I guess it was the way they were worded or the fact that they came from a good friend who I know did not mean any harm. Here are some of the comments I have gotten -
(1) "Why are you adopting, I thought you could have kids." Um, yes I have three biological boys, but adoption is not a second best option. I do not want to be pregnant again, we want to adopt. We did not try and nor will we try to get pregnant again. We chose this route for baby number four.
(2) "Why don't you adopt baby from this country?" Well, there are a lot of reasons. First and foremost, we went through so much emotional turmoil with fertility treatments that I don' think I could make it through the waiting period when a birth mother can change her mind. Also, we did the infant thing - three times. I know there are more families waiting to adopt than there are babies here in the US. So, I didn't want to take away the chance to parent a newborn from someone who had never experienced that. It might seem silly, but it was important to me.
(3) "Would you still be adopting if Justin had been a girl?" Yes, yes, and yes. When we got married we both wanted 4-5 kids. I had no idea the struggles we would have to endure to get three. So, adoption is the choice for us and if we had the money I would probably do it again.
(4) "If Justin's twin had survived would you still adopt?" Uh, refer to question #3!
(5) "That baby girl is going to be so happy and lucky." No. Well, yes. I hope that she is happy with the decision that she has no knowledge or control over. But we will be the lucky ones to have her.
(6) "Oooh. An Asian baby, she will be smart and probably play the violin." no comment
(7) "Will she be "okay" after living in the orphanage?" Babies in South Korea live with foster families until they are adopted. They are well loved and receive excellent care. But even if she had been in an orphanage, yes, she might have some mild delays. But just because babies spend some time in an orphanage does not mean they will have "problems."
(8) "What will you do if she wants to find her real Mom." First, I will be her real Mom and she will be my read child. She will have taken a different route to our family, but in my eyes she will be no different than if I gave birth to her. We will be open and honest about the adoption from day one. And if she does want to search for her birth Mom, I will be supportive of it. I doubt we will have much information to go on, but I will help her as much as I can.
(9)"How much will she cost?" Huh? She will not cost a thing. The money we will be spending will be for services and documents needed in order for her to join our family. The money that goes to Korea will help to support other babies and foster families.
(10) "I bet you will get pregnant now that you are adopting." Believe it or not, three kids later and I am still infertile. Always will be. Never gonna change. I still cannot get pregnant without a doctor's help. Nothing is going to fix that - not a vacation, not getting drunk, not relaxing, not an adoption. Plus our adoption agreement will be voided if we do get pregnant. So, we will not be getting pregnant, even if we could.
Hope this makes things clearer for some people and helps others know what to say or what not to say. I know that some people reading have probably asked some of these questions or said some of these statements. I also know that some times the best of intentions turn out all wrong. Just trying to do my part to educate!
Okay, the good first. I have had an overwhelming bunch of supportive friends and family send us their best wishes. Many know of our infertility journey and are so excited to see us add to our family again. They ask great questions and also ask if they can help in any way. They want to know why we were led to Korea and basic questions about adoption. I welcome these kinds of questions and comments. I love to spread the word about adoption, maybe it will inspire someone else to adopt!
Now, for the bad. First, I have to say that I have had some questions that were similar to the ones listed that don't bother me. I guess it was the way they were worded or the fact that they came from a good friend who I know did not mean any harm. Here are some of the comments I have gotten -
(1) "Why are you adopting, I thought you could have kids." Um, yes I have three biological boys, but adoption is not a second best option. I do not want to be pregnant again, we want to adopt. We did not try and nor will we try to get pregnant again. We chose this route for baby number four.
(2) "Why don't you adopt baby from this country?" Well, there are a lot of reasons. First and foremost, we went through so much emotional turmoil with fertility treatments that I don' think I could make it through the waiting period when a birth mother can change her mind. Also, we did the infant thing - three times. I know there are more families waiting to adopt than there are babies here in the US. So, I didn't want to take away the chance to parent a newborn from someone who had never experienced that. It might seem silly, but it was important to me.
(3) "Would you still be adopting if Justin had been a girl?" Yes, yes, and yes. When we got married we both wanted 4-5 kids. I had no idea the struggles we would have to endure to get three. So, adoption is the choice for us and if we had the money I would probably do it again.
(4) "If Justin's twin had survived would you still adopt?" Uh, refer to question #3!
(5) "That baby girl is going to be so happy and lucky." No. Well, yes. I hope that she is happy with the decision that she has no knowledge or control over. But we will be the lucky ones to have her.
(6) "Oooh. An Asian baby, she will be smart and probably play the violin." no comment
(7) "Will she be "okay" after living in the orphanage?" Babies in South Korea live with foster families until they are adopted. They are well loved and receive excellent care. But even if she had been in an orphanage, yes, she might have some mild delays. But just because babies spend some time in an orphanage does not mean they will have "problems."
(8) "What will you do if she wants to find her real Mom." First, I will be her real Mom and she will be my read child. She will have taken a different route to our family, but in my eyes she will be no different than if I gave birth to her. We will be open and honest about the adoption from day one. And if she does want to search for her birth Mom, I will be supportive of it. I doubt we will have much information to go on, but I will help her as much as I can.
(9)"How much will she cost?" Huh? She will not cost a thing. The money we will be spending will be for services and documents needed in order for her to join our family. The money that goes to Korea will help to support other babies and foster families.
(10) "I bet you will get pregnant now that you are adopting." Believe it or not, three kids later and I am still infertile. Always will be. Never gonna change. I still cannot get pregnant without a doctor's help. Nothing is going to fix that - not a vacation, not getting drunk, not relaxing, not an adoption. Plus our adoption agreement will be voided if we do get pregnant. So, we will not be getting pregnant, even if we could.
Hope this makes things clearer for some people and helps others know what to say or what not to say. I know that some people reading have probably asked some of these questions or said some of these statements. I also know that some times the best of intentions turn out all wrong. Just trying to do my part to educate!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saturday is for Scategories
I used to play Scategories all the time and really love it! Calli has a weekly game and I decided, and had time to, play today! COpy, paste and play along, then link back to Calli and to hear so I can be sure to read yours!
Use the first letter of your Mother’s name (first or middle) to answer each of the following.
1. What is your Mother’s name? Pam
2. Something you would find in the freezer section? pizza
3. A beverage enjoyed in the summer? pink lemonade
4. A word to describe your butt? plush
5. Something you would find in your garden? petunia
6. Something a cat would drag in? peacock - hey it's a bird!
7. A favorite book title? Pride and Prejudice
8. A fancy entree at your favorite restaurant? pasta with lobster cream sauce
9. Something that is on your amazon wish list? pink car seat
10. Something you have hidden under your bed? placemats (lol)
Use the first letter of your Mother’s name (first or middle) to answer each of the following.
1. What is your Mother’s name? Pam
2. Something you would find in the freezer section? pizza
3. A beverage enjoyed in the summer? pink lemonade
4. A word to describe your butt? plush
5. Something you would find in your garden? petunia
6. Something a cat would drag in? peacock - hey it's a bird!
7. A favorite book title? Pride and Prejudice
8. A fancy entree at your favorite restaurant? pasta with lobster cream sauce
9. Something that is on your amazon wish list? pink car seat
10. Something you have hidden under your bed? placemats (lol)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Parenting Fun!
I finally got around to weeding my gardens and planting flowers today. I am sore and tired and who knew that no StairMaster was required for a sore bum and thighs! Of course the boys wanted to help and fought too many times over the hose. Sean has always loved gardening - I think the dirt appeals to him more than the plants! And the bugs, he collected tons of bugs. His favorites right now are what he call Armadillo bugs - we used to call them Pill bugs. But they do look like armadillos!
You know I had to google pill bugs! I found this at www.northern.edu - "Pillbugs, also known as sowbugs, or woodlice, are familiar backyard creepy crawlies to most of us. Pillbugs are correctly classified as terrestrial Isopods, and belong to the Class Crustacea. Familiar crustaceans include lobsters, crabs, shrimp, and daphnia (water fleas). The crustaceans, in turn, are part of a larger group, Arthropoda, or jointed-legged animals. All arthropods have a tough outer cuticle, a trunk divided into segments, and limbs which, because of their stiff cuticle, articulate about flexible joints." I would have never guessed that the were related to lobsters and shrimp!
He only wanted to plant the yellow "dandelions" as he called the marigolds! When they were all planted he picked out a small pink impatient that he liked and planted it. First of all, he totally maimed it trying to get it out of the plastic pot. Then he dug a hole about two inches deep and stuffed the roots in until he had made it fit. Next he piled on some dirt to make up for the fact that his hole should have been a few more inches deep. He topped it off by watering it so hard that most of the flowers popped off. But he was so proud of himself that I didn't say a word. What is the sacrifice of one plant compared to the happiness of a child?
He soon tired of this and went inside to find a TV show to blankly stare at. I finished working in the one flower bed and moved over to where he had butchered his plant. I took it out gently and began to weed and rake the bed. I put a few more flowers in and then replaced his plant in a little bit different spot. He came out to check on his plant and started jumping up and down. At first I thought he had discovered that I moved it and was now mad at me. But, no, that couldn't be it because he was so happy!
Then he pointed at a pink zinnia that was about six inches taller than the impatient that he planted. Brian Sr. caught on quicker than I did and said, "Sean you did such a great job with your flower that if grew and grew!" Sean could now barely control himself and ran into get Brian. Brian ran out and when he heard the story he kept looking to his Dad and I. He knew something was up but didn't totally rule it out either! Even if we didn't fool him, he was nice enough to play along and not ruin it for Sean.
Sean went outside to see if it had grown any more about ten more times tonight! What good is it having kids if you cannot have a little fun now and then. The harmless kind of course!
You know I had to google pill bugs! I found this at www.northern.edu - "Pillbugs, also known as sowbugs, or woodlice, are familiar backyard creepy crawlies to most of us. Pillbugs are correctly classified as terrestrial Isopods, and belong to the Class Crustacea. Familiar crustaceans include lobsters, crabs, shrimp, and daphnia (water fleas). The crustaceans, in turn, are part of a larger group, Arthropoda, or jointed-legged animals. All arthropods have a tough outer cuticle, a trunk divided into segments, and limbs which, because of their stiff cuticle, articulate about flexible joints." I would have never guessed that the were related to lobsters and shrimp!
He only wanted to plant the yellow "dandelions" as he called the marigolds! When they were all planted he picked out a small pink impatient that he liked and planted it. First of all, he totally maimed it trying to get it out of the plastic pot. Then he dug a hole about two inches deep and stuffed the roots in until he had made it fit. Next he piled on some dirt to make up for the fact that his hole should have been a few more inches deep. He topped it off by watering it so hard that most of the flowers popped off. But he was so proud of himself that I didn't say a word. What is the sacrifice of one plant compared to the happiness of a child?
He soon tired of this and went inside to find a TV show to blankly stare at. I finished working in the one flower bed and moved over to where he had butchered his plant. I took it out gently and began to weed and rake the bed. I put a few more flowers in and then replaced his plant in a little bit different spot. He came out to check on his plant and started jumping up and down. At first I thought he had discovered that I moved it and was now mad at me. But, no, that couldn't be it because he was so happy!
Then he pointed at a pink zinnia that was about six inches taller than the impatient that he planted. Brian Sr. caught on quicker than I did and said, "Sean you did such a great job with your flower that if grew and grew!" Sean could now barely control himself and ran into get Brian. Brian ran out and when he heard the story he kept looking to his Dad and I. He knew something was up but didn't totally rule it out either! Even if we didn't fool him, he was nice enough to play along and not ruin it for Sean.
Sean went outside to see if it had grown any more about ten more times tonight! What good is it having kids if you cannot have a little fun now and then. The harmless kind of course!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Me
I am finally getting around to telling my long story. Here are two posts to fill all the new readers in about me and my infertility journey. The first is a list of 100 things about me and the second is a brief history of my infertility treatments. I really don't have the time or the energy to type it all out again and I didn't want to just copy and paste the same info in a different post. I recently sent a letter to my clinic and asked for the records from my cycles. I would really like to write a book one day about my journies to bring each child home.
If you want the long version, and have the time to read it - here is some more detailed information on each of my cycles.
BRIAN
April 1999-Nov. 1999 - tired on our own
Nov. 1999-Jan. 2000 - charted on Clomid with OB/GYN - no ovulation
Mar. 1, 2000 - first meeting with re (reproductive endocrinologist)
Mar. 20, 2000 - test results in - PCOS anrd insulin resistant, low estrogen, put on Glucophage and prometrium to bring on a cycle
Mar. 31, 200o - retrun to re on cd (cycle day) 3 for monitoring cycle - no ovulation by cd 22 and prometrium given again
April 28, 2000 - start of new cycle with Tamoxifen (similar acting to Clomid), re said had one follicle 28X28X20, estrogen was too low for ovulation (later found out tests were mixed up and estrogen was 280, not 20.)
June 13, 2000 - no cycle even after prometrium, I had suspisions and took a home pregnancy test. It was positive and I called the re. The did a blood test and my hcg was 7,920 and progesterone 22.8!
June 23, 2000 - Went in for an ultra sound and an baby measured 6 weeks 6 days and had a good stong heart beat. Due date of Feb. 9, 2001
Feb. 22, 2001 - Brian was born via c-section 13 days late after a failed induction and 48 hours of labor. He was 10lbs even and 22 in. long!
SEAN
May 15, 2002 - return to re for consult, blood tests reveal similar problems
May 31, 2002 - re visit for cd 3 of monitoring cycle, ovulated but no pregnancy
July 6, 2002 - return to re for Tamoxifen cycle w/ iui (intra-unterine insemination)
July 8, 2006 - hcg neg, bfn (big fat negative)
July 12, 2002 HSG (hysterosaplingogram)
August 9, 2002 - Tamoxifen cycle w/ iui #2, bfn
Sept. 7, 2002 - Tamixifen cycle w/ iui #3, bfn
Oct. 22, 2002 - Laproscopic surgery, mostly normal but removed a little bit of endometriosis
Nov. 6, 2002 - Start Lurpon for first injectable cycle
Dec. 2, 2002 - iui, 85 million sperm, 2 follicles dominant 18X18X14 and 19X17X16
Dec. 12, 2002 - bfp (big fat positive), blood test great - hcg 206, progesterone 36
Dec. 23, 2002 - u/s (ultra sound) shows 5 mm sac and a 4 mm sac, due date August 26, 2003
Jan. 6, 2003 - u/s shows embryo 5mm, hr (hear rate) 107, and measures 6w 1d, I am 6w 4d, one did not make it
Jan 17, 2003 - u/s, embryo 20mm, hr 171, and measures 8w4d, I am 8w 5d
Jan. 27, 2003 - u/s embryo 31mm, hr 175, and measures 10w 0d, I am 9w 4d
Feb. 5, 2003 - u/s embryo 46mm, hr 171, and mesures 11w 3d, I am 10w 6d
August 19, 2003 - Sean was born, 8 lbs 6 oz and 20 1/2 in.
Justin
July 26, 2004 - return to re for consult and day 3 testing
Aug. 23, 2004 - monitoring cycle reveals PCOS, low estrogen and progesterone
Aug 27, 2004 - Tamoxifen cycle #1 and iui on Sept. 14, 2004
Sept. 29, 2004 - positive pregnancy test - hcg only 20, prog. 21.9
Oct. 1, 2004 - hcg 22, prog. 21.5
Oct. 4, 2004 - hcg 26, prog. 19.4
Oct. 13, 2004 - hcg less than 2 - miscarriage #1 and told to wait one cycle before continuing
Nov 19, 2004 - day 2 check for Tamoxifen cycle #2
Dec. 17, 2005 - beta 3 and prog. 13.3, chemical pg-m/c #2
Dec 21, 2004 - day 2 check for luprin, injectable/iui cycle #1
Jan. 31. 2005 - iui, 75.7 milllion sperm, two dominant follicles 20x15x18, 20x15x13
Feb 14, 2005 - bfp, hcg 37, prog. 26.5
Feb. 16, 2005 - hcg 79, prog. 26.3 (hcg and prog. continue to do well)
Feb. 23, 2005 - first ultra sound - sac measuring 5mm and 4w 5d but I am 5w 3d
Mar. 7, 2005 - sac measuring 11 mm with yolk sac at 5w 2d, I am 7w 2d
Mar. 11, 2005 - sac with yolk is 13 mm and measuring 5w 3d, embryo is 3mm and measuring 6w 0d, I am 7w 6d.
Mar. 16, 2005 - sac is 13mm with enlarged yolk sac, no embryo, no heart beat, I am 8w 4d
Mar. 22, 2005 - D&C for miscarriage #3
May 26, 2005 - day 3 check to begin new lupron and injectable/iui cycle #2
June 4, 2005 - iui with 37.5 million sperm, 4 dominant follicles
June 20, 2005 - bfp, hcg 17, prog. 21.8
June 22, 2005 - hcg 25, prog. 15.7
June 24, 2005 - hcg 6, prog. 6.21, miscarriage #4
Aug. 8, 2005 - cd 3 check for new lupron, injectable/iui cycle #3
Aug. 19, 2005 - iui with 45.0 million sperm and 7 dominant follicles
Sept. 2, 2005 - beta 19, prog. 15 - chemical pregnancy-m/c #5
Oct. 7, 2005 - cd 3 check for new lupron, injectable/iui cycle #4
Nov. 7, 2005 - cancelled cycle on cd 10 for poor response
Nov. 14, 2005 - cd 3 check for lupron, injectable/iui cycle number #5
Dec. 17, 2005 - iui with 53.8 million sperm and five dominant follicles
Dec. 30, 2005 - beta 15, prog. 14.5 - chemical pregnancy-m/c #6
Jan. 3, 2006 - cd 3 check for lupron, injectable/iui cycle #6
Feb. 4, 2006 - iui with 37.8 million sperm and 4 dominant follicles
Feb. 18, 2006 - beta 16, prog. 14 - miscarriage #7
Mar. 1, 2006 - hysteroscopy
Mar. 13, 2006 - ultrasonographic guided cannulation of uterus and mock transfer to begin IVF
April 8, 2006 - cd 2 for IVM #1 (in vitro maturation - take immature eggs out and mature them in the lab and then continue like IVF)
April 13, 2006 - ER (egg retrieval) - four eggs
April 18, 2006 - ET (embryo transfer) - on four cell embryo graded 4.5 (out of best possible 5.0)
May 3, 2006 - hcg neg., prog. 91.3
May 25, 2006 - mock transfer
June 3, 2006 - cd 2 check for IVF #2
June 14, 2006 - ER - 12 eggs
June 17, 2006 - ET - three eight cell embryos graded 4.5
July 1, 2006 - hcg neg., prog. 72.7
Aug. 3, 2006 - cd 3 check for IVF #3
Aug. 14, 2006 - ER - 24 eggs
Aug. 17, 2006 - ET - 5 embryos, two graded 4.5, two are a 3 and one is a 2
Aug. 29, 2006 - ultra sound for OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation)
Aug. 29, 2006 - bfp, hcg 158, prog. 293, estrogen 1916
Aug. 31, 2006 - hcg 233, prog. 330
Sept. 2, 2006 - hcg 508, prog. 382 (hcg levels continue to do well)
Sept. 2, 2006 - ultra sound - for OHSS
Sept. 11, 2006 - ultra sound - sac 8.7 mm measures 4w 5d and sac 8.6 mm measures 4w 5d both with yolk sacs, I am 5w 3d
Sept. 22, 2006 - ultra sound - baby A 9.4mm with hr (heart rate) 148 measures 7w 0d, baby B 8.9mm with hr 155 and measures 6w 6d, baby C 3.0 mm with hr 104 and measures 5w 6d, empty sac mesures 10mm and 5w 0d, I am 6w 6d
Oct. 2, 2006 - ultra sound - baby A 20.8mm wth hr 176 measures 8w 5d, baby B 23.1mm with hr 178 measures 9w 0d, baby C measures 4.6mm with no hr measures 6w 1d, empty sac measures 13mm and 5w 4d, I am 8w 3d.
Oct. 13, 2006 - ultra sound - baby A 34.6 mm with hr 174 and measures 10w 5d, baby B 36.2mm with hr 160 and measures 10w 5d. I am 10w 0d
Oct. 23, 2006 - ultra sound and NT scan - baby A 43.8 mm with NT 1.4mm, baby B 48.5 mm with NT 1.6mm
Oct. 25, 2006 - released to OB
Dec. 7, 2006 - ultra sound - baby B doing well, baby A has no heart beat and measuring way behind, more details of the day in this post
May 3, 2006 - Justin is born - 7lbs 9 oz and 19 1/2 in!
If you want the long version, and have the time to read it - here is some more detailed information on each of my cycles.
BRIAN
April 1999-Nov. 1999 - tired on our own
Nov. 1999-Jan. 2000 - charted on Clomid with OB/GYN - no ovulation
Mar. 1, 2000 - first meeting with re (reproductive endocrinologist)
Mar. 20, 2000 - test results in - PCOS anrd insulin resistant, low estrogen, put on Glucophage and prometrium to bring on a cycle
Mar. 31, 200o - retrun to re on cd (cycle day) 3 for monitoring cycle - no ovulation by cd 22 and prometrium given again
April 28, 2000 - start of new cycle with Tamoxifen (similar acting to Clomid), re said had one follicle 28X28X20, estrogen was too low for ovulation (later found out tests were mixed up and estrogen was 280, not 20.)
June 13, 2000 - no cycle even after prometrium, I had suspisions and took a home pregnancy test. It was positive and I called the re. The did a blood test and my hcg was 7,920 and progesterone 22.8!
June 23, 2000 - Went in for an ultra sound and an baby measured 6 weeks 6 days and had a good stong heart beat. Due date of Feb. 9, 2001
Feb. 22, 2001 - Brian was born via c-section 13 days late after a failed induction and 48 hours of labor. He was 10lbs even and 22 in. long!
SEAN
May 15, 2002 - return to re for consult, blood tests reveal similar problems
May 31, 2002 - re visit for cd 3 of monitoring cycle, ovulated but no pregnancy
July 6, 2002 - return to re for Tamoxifen cycle w/ iui (intra-unterine insemination)
July 8, 2006 - hcg neg, bfn (big fat negative)
July 12, 2002 HSG (hysterosaplingogram)
August 9, 2002 - Tamoxifen cycle w/ iui #2, bfn
Sept. 7, 2002 - Tamixifen cycle w/ iui #3, bfn
Oct. 22, 2002 - Laproscopic surgery, mostly normal but removed a little bit of endometriosis
Nov. 6, 2002 - Start Lurpon for first injectable cycle
Dec. 2, 2002 - iui, 85 million sperm, 2 follicles dominant 18X18X14 and 19X17X16
Dec. 12, 2002 - bfp (big fat positive), blood test great - hcg 206, progesterone 36
Dec. 23, 2002 - u/s (ultra sound) shows 5 mm sac and a 4 mm sac, due date August 26, 2003
Jan. 6, 2003 - u/s shows embryo 5mm, hr (hear rate) 107, and measures 6w 1d, I am 6w 4d, one did not make it
Jan 17, 2003 - u/s, embryo 20mm, hr 171, and measures 8w4d, I am 8w 5d
Jan. 27, 2003 - u/s embryo 31mm, hr 175, and measures 10w 0d, I am 9w 4d
Feb. 5, 2003 - u/s embryo 46mm, hr 171, and mesures 11w 3d, I am 10w 6d
August 19, 2003 - Sean was born, 8 lbs 6 oz and 20 1/2 in.
Justin
July 26, 2004 - return to re for consult and day 3 testing
Aug. 23, 2004 - monitoring cycle reveals PCOS, low estrogen and progesterone
Aug 27, 2004 - Tamoxifen cycle #1 and iui on Sept. 14, 2004
Sept. 29, 2004 - positive pregnancy test - hcg only 20, prog. 21.9
Oct. 1, 2004 - hcg 22, prog. 21.5
Oct. 4, 2004 - hcg 26, prog. 19.4
Oct. 13, 2004 - hcg less than 2 - miscarriage #1 and told to wait one cycle before continuing
Nov 19, 2004 - day 2 check for Tamoxifen cycle #2
Dec. 17, 2005 - beta 3 and prog. 13.3, chemical pg-m/c #2
Dec 21, 2004 - day 2 check for luprin, injectable/iui cycle #1
Jan. 31. 2005 - iui, 75.7 milllion sperm, two dominant follicles 20x15x18, 20x15x13
Feb 14, 2005 - bfp, hcg 37, prog. 26.5
Feb. 16, 2005 - hcg 79, prog. 26.3 (hcg and prog. continue to do well)
Feb. 23, 2005 - first ultra sound - sac measuring 5mm and 4w 5d but I am 5w 3d
Mar. 7, 2005 - sac measuring 11 mm with yolk sac at 5w 2d, I am 7w 2d
Mar. 11, 2005 - sac with yolk is 13 mm and measuring 5w 3d, embryo is 3mm and measuring 6w 0d, I am 7w 6d.
Mar. 16, 2005 - sac is 13mm with enlarged yolk sac, no embryo, no heart beat, I am 8w 4d
Mar. 22, 2005 - D&C for miscarriage #3
May 26, 2005 - day 3 check to begin new lupron and injectable/iui cycle #2
June 4, 2005 - iui with 37.5 million sperm, 4 dominant follicles
June 20, 2005 - bfp, hcg 17, prog. 21.8
June 22, 2005 - hcg 25, prog. 15.7
June 24, 2005 - hcg 6, prog. 6.21, miscarriage #4
Aug. 8, 2005 - cd 3 check for new lupron, injectable/iui cycle #3
Aug. 19, 2005 - iui with 45.0 million sperm and 7 dominant follicles
Sept. 2, 2005 - beta 19, prog. 15 - chemical pregnancy-m/c #5
Oct. 7, 2005 - cd 3 check for new lupron, injectable/iui cycle #4
Nov. 7, 2005 - cancelled cycle on cd 10 for poor response
Nov. 14, 2005 - cd 3 check for lupron, injectable/iui cycle number #5
Dec. 17, 2005 - iui with 53.8 million sperm and five dominant follicles
Dec. 30, 2005 - beta 15, prog. 14.5 - chemical pregnancy-m/c #6
Jan. 3, 2006 - cd 3 check for lupron, injectable/iui cycle #6
Feb. 4, 2006 - iui with 37.8 million sperm and 4 dominant follicles
Feb. 18, 2006 - beta 16, prog. 14 - miscarriage #7
Mar. 1, 2006 - hysteroscopy
Mar. 13, 2006 - ultrasonographic guided cannulation of uterus and mock transfer to begin IVF
April 8, 2006 - cd 2 for IVM #1 (in vitro maturation - take immature eggs out and mature them in the lab and then continue like IVF)
April 13, 2006 - ER (egg retrieval) - four eggs
April 18, 2006 - ET (embryo transfer) - on four cell embryo graded 4.5 (out of best possible 5.0)
May 3, 2006 - hcg neg., prog. 91.3
May 25, 2006 - mock transfer
June 3, 2006 - cd 2 check for IVF #2
June 14, 2006 - ER - 12 eggs
June 17, 2006 - ET - three eight cell embryos graded 4.5
July 1, 2006 - hcg neg., prog. 72.7
Aug. 3, 2006 - cd 3 check for IVF #3
Aug. 14, 2006 - ER - 24 eggs
Aug. 17, 2006 - ET - 5 embryos, two graded 4.5, two are a 3 and one is a 2
Aug. 29, 2006 - ultra sound for OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation)
Aug. 29, 2006 - bfp, hcg 158, prog. 293, estrogen 1916
Aug. 31, 2006 - hcg 233, prog. 330
Sept. 2, 2006 - hcg 508, prog. 382 (hcg levels continue to do well)
Sept. 2, 2006 - ultra sound - for OHSS
Sept. 11, 2006 - ultra sound - sac 8.7 mm measures 4w 5d and sac 8.6 mm measures 4w 5d both with yolk sacs, I am 5w 3d
Sept. 22, 2006 - ultra sound - baby A 9.4mm with hr (heart rate) 148 measures 7w 0d, baby B 8.9mm with hr 155 and measures 6w 6d, baby C 3.0 mm with hr 104 and measures 5w 6d, empty sac mesures 10mm and 5w 0d, I am 6w 6d
Oct. 2, 2006 - ultra sound - baby A 20.8mm wth hr 176 measures 8w 5d, baby B 23.1mm with hr 178 measures 9w 0d, baby C measures 4.6mm with no hr measures 6w 1d, empty sac measures 13mm and 5w 4d, I am 8w 3d.
Oct. 13, 2006 - ultra sound - baby A 34.6 mm with hr 174 and measures 10w 5d, baby B 36.2mm with hr 160 and measures 10w 5d. I am 10w 0d
Oct. 23, 2006 - ultra sound and NT scan - baby A 43.8 mm with NT 1.4mm, baby B 48.5 mm with NT 1.6mm
Oct. 25, 2006 - released to OB
Dec. 7, 2006 - ultra sound - baby B doing well, baby A has no heart beat and measuring way behind, more details of the day in this post
May 3, 2006 - Justin is born - 7lbs 9 oz and 19 1/2 in!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The List
I have seen this on a few blogs recently and it looked like fun! The ones in bold are the things that pertain to me.
Bought everyone in the bar a drink
Swam with wild dolphin
Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
Been inside the Great Pyramid
Held a tarantula
Taken a candle lit bath
Said I love you and meant it
Hugged a Tree
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightening storm at sea
Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
Seen the Northern Lights
Gone to a huge sports game
Walked the stairs to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Grown and eaten your own vegetables
Touched an iceberg
Slept under the stars
Changed a baby’s diaper
Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
Watched a meteor shower
Gotten drunk on champagne
Given more than you can afford to charity
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
Had a food fight
Bet on a winning horse
Asked out a stranger
Had a snowball fight
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
Held a lamb
Seen a total eclipse
Ridden a roller coaster
Hit a home run
Danced like a fool, not caring who watched
Adopted an accent for an entire day
Actually felt happy about your life, even for a moment
Had two hard drives for your computer
Visited all 50 states
Taken care of someone who was too drunk
Had amazing Friends
Danced with a Stranger in a foreign country
Watched wild whales
Stolen a sign
Hitchhiked in Europe
Taken a road-trip
Gone rock climbing
Midnight walk on the beach
Gone sky diving
Visited Ireland
Been heartbroken longer than you were in love
In a restaurant sat at a stranger’s table and ate with them
Visited Japan
Milked a cow
Alphabetized your CDs
Pretended to be a superhero
Sung karaoke
Lounged around in bed all day
Posed nude in front of strangers
Gone scuba diving
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Played in the rain
Gone to a drive-in theater
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
Toured ancient sites
Taken a martial arts class
Played a computer game for more than 6 hours straight
Gotten married
Been in a movie
Crashed a party
Gotten divorced
Gone without food for 5 days
Made cookies from scratch
Won first prize in a costume contest
Ridden a gondola in Venice
Gotten a tattoo
Rafted the Snake River
Been on television news program as an “expert”
Got flowers for no reason
Performed on a stage
Been to Las Vegas
Recorded Music
Eaten shark
Had a one-night stand
Gone to Thailand
Bought a house
Been in a combat zone
Buried one/both of your parents
Been on a cruise ship
Spoken more than one language fluently
Performed in Rocky Horror
Raised children
Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
Picked up and moved to another city
Walked on the Golden Gate Bridge
Sang loudly in the car and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
Had plastic surgery
Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have
Wrote articles for a large publication
Lost over 100 lbs
Held someone while they were having a flashback
Piloted an airplane
Petted a stingray
Broken someone’s heart
Helped an animal give birth
Won money on a TV game show
Broken a bone
Gone on an African safari
Had a body part below the neck pierced
Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol
Eaten mushrooms gathered in the wild
Ridden a horse
Had major surgery
Had a snake as a pet
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Slept for more than 30 hours over 48 consecutive hours
Visited more foreign countries than US States
Visited all 7 continents
Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
Eaten Kangaroo meat
Eaten sushi
Had your picture in the paper
Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
Gone back to school
Parasailed
Petted a cockroach
Eaten fried green tomatoes
Read the Iliad
Selected one important author who you missed school to read
Killed and prepared an animal for eating (fish)
Skipped all of your school reunions
Communicated with someone without sharing a common language
Been elected to public office
Written your own computer language
Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
Had to put someone you love in hospice care
Build your own PC from parts
Sold your own artwork to someone that didn’t know it was yours
Had a booth in a street fair
Dyed your hair (highlights only)
Been a DJ
Shaved your head
Caused a car accident
Saved someone’s life
Bought everyone in the bar a drink
Swam with wild dolphin
Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
Been inside the Great Pyramid
Held a tarantula
Taken a candle lit bath
Said I love you and meant it
Hugged a Tree
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightening storm at sea
Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
Seen the Northern Lights
Gone to a huge sports game
Walked the stairs to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Grown and eaten your own vegetables
Touched an iceberg
Slept under the stars
Changed a baby’s diaper
Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
Watched a meteor shower
Gotten drunk on champagne
Given more than you can afford to charity
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
Had a food fight
Bet on a winning horse
Asked out a stranger
Had a snowball fight
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
Held a lamb
Seen a total eclipse
Ridden a roller coaster
Hit a home run
Danced like a fool, not caring who watched
Adopted an accent for an entire day
Actually felt happy about your life, even for a moment
Had two hard drives for your computer
Visited all 50 states
Taken care of someone who was too drunk
Had amazing Friends
Danced with a Stranger in a foreign country
Watched wild whales
Stolen a sign
Hitchhiked in Europe
Taken a road-trip
Gone rock climbing
Midnight walk on the beach
Gone sky diving
Visited Ireland
Been heartbroken longer than you were in love
In a restaurant sat at a stranger’s table and ate with them
Visited Japan
Milked a cow
Alphabetized your CDs
Pretended to be a superhero
Sung karaoke
Lounged around in bed all day
Posed nude in front of strangers
Gone scuba diving
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Played in the rain
Gone to a drive-in theater
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
Toured ancient sites
Taken a martial arts class
Played a computer game for more than 6 hours straight
Gotten married
Been in a movie
Crashed a party
Gotten divorced
Gone without food for 5 days
Made cookies from scratch
Won first prize in a costume contest
Ridden a gondola in Venice
Gotten a tattoo
Rafted the Snake River
Been on television news program as an “expert”
Got flowers for no reason
Performed on a stage
Been to Las Vegas
Recorded Music
Eaten shark
Had a one-night stand
Gone to Thailand
Bought a house
Been in a combat zone
Buried one/both of your parents
Been on a cruise ship
Spoken more than one language fluently
Performed in Rocky Horror
Raised children
Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
Picked up and moved to another city
Walked on the Golden Gate Bridge
Sang loudly in the car and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
Had plastic surgery
Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have
Wrote articles for a large publication
Lost over 100 lbs
Held someone while they were having a flashback
Piloted an airplane
Petted a stingray
Broken someone’s heart
Helped an animal give birth
Won money on a TV game show
Broken a bone
Gone on an African safari
Had a body part below the neck pierced
Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol
Eaten mushrooms gathered in the wild
Ridden a horse
Had major surgery
Had a snake as a pet
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Slept for more than 30 hours over 48 consecutive hours
Visited more foreign countries than US States
Visited all 7 continents
Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
Eaten Kangaroo meat
Eaten sushi
Had your picture in the paper
Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
Gone back to school
Parasailed
Petted a cockroach
Eaten fried green tomatoes
Read the Iliad
Selected one important author who you missed school to read
Killed and prepared an animal for eating (fish)
Skipped all of your school reunions
Communicated with someone without sharing a common language
Been elected to public office
Written your own computer language
Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
Had to put someone you love in hospice care
Build your own PC from parts
Sold your own artwork to someone that didn’t know it was yours
Had a booth in a street fair
Dyed your hair (highlights only)
Been a DJ
Shaved your head
Caused a car accident
Saved someone’s life
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