Baseline and SIS:

CD3: CD 1 happened over the weekend so when I called on Monday to make an appt, they had to squeeze me in but honestly, they didn't seem all that busy today when I went in for my baseline appt.  The appt ended up feeling positive, which was a nice change.  I had more blood drawn (They forgot to do my AMH level last time) for normal (estrogen, progesterone, etc) labs and had a u/s to check lining and antral follicle count.  My AFC was 15, which for me is great.  I had to schedule my SIS (saline ultrasound) for Friday of this week.  I'm really not excited for that one.  I was trying to count how many times I've had to do it and I'm thinking I've had an SIS 5 times (or has it been 6?) over the last 12 years.  I'm thankful insurance picks up the tab for it (It's around $500 out of pocket).

The timing for this is getting sticky.  While DH doesn't necessarily have to be here for the retrieval, (we can freeze his sperm) I still want him here.  Sure, I've done this 5 other times but to me, it's still the worst part of all of it and I want my husband there with me.  I've left a note for my RE asking to do a 3 day fresh and now I'm waiting for a call from Birmingham to discuss schedule/timing/meds etc.  Who knows when they'll call me. I'm pretty sure I need to start birth control pills or Lupron like within the next 2ish days. 

CD3 continued: Y'all! Y'ALL.  The IVF coordinator from Birmingham called tonight at 7:45pm.  I was pretty convinced she wasn't going to call at all but she did.  Anyway, my labs looked great so we are a go for IVF.  And get this! They are allowing me to do a 3 day FRESH transfer!  I got the "We don't ever do a 3 day fresh in this clinic but we will allow it for you" speech. YAY!  The problem is that DH has to leave for training for 2 weeks in Nov...which means there was no way to do IVF this cycle at all (if I want him there).  Every way the nurse tried to work it, the retrieval fell during those two weeks.  Basically, because of Christmas/timing for my next cycle, I most likely won't have to do birth control AT ALL (or only a couple days!).  That is HUGE for me!  Again, it's not something they usually do but I'm THRILLED that I won't have to be on it!  I denied the PGT-A testing and had to agree to freeze all embryos if I overstim, but I've never over stimmed before so I don't think I would now.  SO! Two huge positives from today: No/low birth control and I'm allowed to do a 3 day fresh transfer!  Thank you to all that were praying specifically for that to happen!

CD6: My SIS was this morning at 10:00.  I was instructed to have a full bladder (it makes a nice backdrop for my uterine pictures) and I was beginning to freak out that my kidneys just were not going to filter.  I felt like I was decently hydrated but for whatever reason, I had a hard time getting my bladder to fill properly.  Mistake #1: I absentmindedly put dairy creamer in my coffee (when I have NON dairy creamer available!). It was an instant regret as my tummy was in BAD shape pretty quickly.  Mistake #2: I decided last minute before getting in the car, that I didn't need Pepto Bismol.  Yes, yes I did need it but I was already on my way to the appt when I figured that little gem out.

By ten to ten, I still didn't have a full bladder despite drinking a lot of water.  Finally, at 10:05, I felt like I could pee.  In the past, it's always been an abdominal u/s for the SIS but this time, after the cath was placed through my cervix to my uterus, I also got the pleasure of a vaginal u/s.  My bladder at that point went from uncomfortable to unbearable.  At 10:20 the procedure was finished and I was allowed to pee.  (And I managed to NOT pee all over the nurse or myself! Yay!)

Mistake #3: "I'll just stop at the store real quick before going home."  NO, DON'T DO IT ANGIE!  Exactly 8 minutes from emptying my bladder, I had to FULL ON pee again.  Like, bladder is going to explode and I might not make it home type of thing.  It was BAD.  Really, really bad.

After my call from Birmingham a couple days ago, I knew the nurse had put in all my meds at the pharmacy of my choice.  Well, the pharmacy called me yesterday to go over everything and get this...ONE stim med that I need totaled just under $14,000.  You've GOT to be kidding me.  Who in their right mind would pay that!??!?!  Insurance won't touch it, so it's all out of pocket. While I didn't laugh in the pharmacy techs ear, there is NO way I will be paying $14k for one medication.  After my SIS today, I asked the nurses about what I could do.  They printed me off the RX so I can shop around a bit.  Most likely, I'll be ordering from overseas again as the price difference is substantial and since I don't need the meds right away, it should be OK.

My nurse wants me to start stim meds by Dec 1 so now it's just a waiting game to get through this cycle before starting all the fun.

Your prayers have been felt! Love you all!