I Smell Hotdogs 🤢

Today is day 8, post transfer.  It's officially been over one week since the transfer of two embryos occured! 

My pregnancy results on the at home tests are becoming darker as the HCG continues to increase.  I've been using the 'First Response 6 days Sooner' which can detect HCG in quantities as little as 6.  Regular pregnancy tests aren't meant to be used for a few more weeks...when HCG levels have had a chance to really grow and their detection level is about 25.  I'm not quite sure how high my levels are yet or if I'm carrying twins, but hopefully this next week we will find out through a few blood tests that my levels are on track and doubling every 72 hours as they should be.

Gradually getting darker
(due to increasing HCG levels)

I had absolutely no headaches or feelings of nausea on Monday or Tuesday and most of yesterday...in the evening I began to get a headache, which made me kind of nauseous.  Nothing too terrible, just stopped me from eating or having any sweet snacks.  (Probably for the best 😜)

This morning I woke up with a mild headache and once I started blow drying my hair...the nausea hit me.  I started getting clammy and talking myself into not throwing up🤪.  

After cooling off under a fan, I was able to pull it together and grab an egg & cheese breakfast sandwich from Starbucks.  My favorite drink (strawberry acai refresher) has caffeine in it...which I'm trying to do my best to avoid...so water for me.  It hit the spot and other than my nagging headache I was off to work.

Shortly after I arrived, the smell of hot dogs started wafting in.  Which is weird because A. It's morning (who eats hot dogs for breakfast?) B. We don't have microwaves or food stored anywhere near my desk location?!

So my only deduction is someone had hotdogs or something similar for breakfast and now my go-go-gadget super sniffer is working in full force.🤢🥲

I texted my husband and I'm not sure what type of response I was looking for...but it definitely wasn't this! 😂🤣🤢😭(those who know him, won't be shocked)

🤢🤢🤢

So hoping the headache goes away soon and I'm praying no more hotdogs will be consumed for the next few months.😜😂

3rd Time's The Charm...

3rd time is the charm...so they say?!  So it's only been a few days since I've stopped taking all my medications and boom the mother of all mother periods have already began!  I thought I'd have at least a week before this next round...and by the reaction from the clinic, I think they did too🤭.

So the process so far has been cycle day 1 notify the fertility center, cycle day 2, start taking estrogen, and cycle day 4-5, take a baseline ultrasound to ensure my lining is basically gone.

Even though everything on my ERA testing said it should have the results completed with a week or two...the fertility center said they did not have the results back yet and would need to reach out to my sister to find out if she wants to proceed without the results or wait until my next cycle.

(Internally I'm thinking...aren't there additional options?? Like what about calling to check on the results with the lab, or starting the cycle as normal and then if the test results come back as oops we needed to change something early on, then skip to next cycle.  Why waste an entire cycle if it isn't necessary??)

I reach out to my sister and share a few of my thoughts...she's also been a reaching out to the fertility center separately on a different chain....so I wait.

Day 2 I hear nothing back.  But being a little hard headed and not wanting to have the cycle delayed by not have starting estrogen day 2...I start the estrogen day 2.  (Luckily I still have plenty from my last round and am good to go, at least until they have an update for me 🤞🏼)

Day 3 I get an update from the fertility center saying that they received my results, they wanted me to start taking estrogen and then make an appointment for a baseline ultrasound and bloodwork! I was shocked they felt they could still start it on day 3? 

So no one really explained the results of my ERA to me, I just saw on the new calendar they provided, that it had literal hours on it.  (See below)

So what I read and began to interpret myself is that "stimulation" happens when I begin to administer the PIO shots.  Progesterone stimulates my uterine lining to begin to be susceptible to carry a baby.  So in my prior cycles they just said 5 days before transfer begin taking the progesterone at 9pm...this one was oddly specific in saying to take the progesterone at 10:20pm, 5 days prior to transfer.

My wall of past and present calendars and shot instructions 

I'm still not exactly sure how they know all of this or what specifically they found during my test.  I'm curious as to whether anything had to change from the first cycle to now or not?  So many questions!  But for now...I will follow my protocol and update if anything changes 😊

Lining Check Pre ERA

This morning I went in for another ultrasound, to check my lining.  The doctor quickly looked at my left side and I saw him take at least one measurement of what appeared to be a cyst.  He said it was approximately 3-4cms, but so far wasn't producing any hormones, which is great, and wasn't cause for concern.  (Okay...I guess this is kinda normal...I read that they can get large up to 10cms before they become a concern.  Usually these cysts rupture on their own and become a non issue.  Their cause?? Hormones.  Increased levels of Estrogen can be a cause. Haha sooo, shouldn't be surprised.)

 Other than the measurements nothing really of note to share.  He mentioned that he wanted me to have blood work done to measure my hormones again, specifically progesterone to see if the cyst is still not producing anything, and mentioned he would talk to my sister and let her know that either ERA test would be fine.  He said they should get the results within a week or two and it should be perfectly timed for my next cycle.

After a quick "goo" cleanup on aisle thigh...I got dressed and stopped over at the lab to get a quick jab.  (Ouch!  I'm not sure the gal knew what she was doing...a little rough and I have easy veins!)

Okay...next appointment will be Monday, August 14th for the ERA.  I'm a little nervous, but the doctor assured me that as long as I take some ibuprofen it will feel just like a little pin prick 📍.  So here's to hoping it's simple and fairly pain free.🤞🏻 

P.s. Progesterone shots 💉 start again on Wednesday 👀not sure if Phil has mentally recovered from the last round so I better make sure he's prepared 😜!

CD5 Baseline Check

On Friday morning (7/28) I notified the clinic that it was my CD1.  Shortly thereafter I received my new ERA schedule from them along with a question about which ERA testing group I'd like to go through with.  (They must have sent the same information to my sister, because she sent me a screen shot of her response to them asking which test company the doctor recommended shortly afterwards.)  

I still had Estrace left over from my last go around in June, so that was easier to start this time (last go around was like racing against a clock)!  The progesterone will need to be refilled, but according to this calendar...I've got some time.  

As you can see, my appointments for the month had also been scheduled, so I quickly made some arrangements to be available for my Tuesday, 8/1 ultrasound check.

**Flashback**When I went through this in June, it was rather unpleasant.  I was on CD4 then and was still having a regular flow.  (As I have gotten older my periods only last about 5 days.  Heavy CD2-3 but light until about CD5 and by 6, I'm golden.) They assured me they were expecting a flow and this would ensure my lining was at its thinnest.  

**Present**Okay so this time around my CD4 is like CD5... because today was CD5 and guess what? No flow.  Like none.  I was ecstatic about not having to deal with flow and an ultra sound "wand" again. Everything else about the period was pretty normal, other than the flow just lightened up pretty quickly, so I wasn't really worried or questioning anything at this point.  

I arrive at my appointment, get called back rather quickly and then am told the doctor is busy doing "retrievals" all day so he would be in when he could.  First I thought, wow this is like the second time I've had to wait longer than 5 minutes...why didn't they just schedule me with a nurse like they always do? (Last go around I didn't see the doctor once!  Not once.)  Anyhoo for now, I'm not going to question it! Haha they had me scheduled with the doctor for both my appointments this cycle so far, which is a welcomed change, so I'm not questioning or complaining.

After waiting for about 20 minutes, a knock came to the door and the doctor was greeting me with a friendly hello.

Okay so these visits are never the greatest, I mean...it's awkward.  You're laying on a table, legs spread, covered in a cheap napkin, with a wand being moved around inside of you, making small talk, all while trying to decipher what the heck is what on the screen 🤪?!  However, having been to several dozen of these types of visits over the course of my pregnancies, I will say that he made it a little smoother.  

In a quick few minutes he was able to spot my ovaries, follicles, and two cysts growing on my left side.  He noted that my lining was growing quicker than expected, even said it was close to being thick enough for an ERA now, technically.  He wasn't worried about the cysts, since that's how we ovulate, however he was concerned that they might be producing hormones.  So he requested blood work, to check my thyroid, progesterone, and leutenizing hormones and told me that once the blood work returned the results, he would ensure his team followed up with me on any updates to my current treatment calendar.

**Next Day Update** My thyroid levels were a 3.2, which are within normal range; however, aren't optimal for what the doctor is looking for.  So he's increasing my dose by an extra 100mcgs a week. (Adding pills to my normal daily dose, a few times a week)

My progesterone levels were >.01 (which means my cysts aren't producing hormones... yay!) and my LH levels were normal and showing that I am not about to ovulate.

They would like me to continue Estrace as prescribed and would see me back on Monday for my second lining check on Monday.

He Exaggerated The Length?!

I received a call last night around 5pm asking if I was available to come into the office today for the faux tranfer with the doctor.  (Talk about last minute notice). Luckily, I was able to swing it and scheduled the appointment.

I walked into an empty office (maybe it was lunch time?) and took a seat.  I was feeling a little nervous, which always makes me feel like I need to pee...so as I'm quietly contemplating whether to run really quickly to the bathroom (they didn't tell me to come with a full bladder) a door opens and they call my name.

Welp, I decide I really don't think I have to go (probably nerves) and follow her back. 

She's super sweet and tells me to undress from the waste down.  Luckily, I was prepared and wore a dress👏👍.  So within a minute I'm wrapped in paper with my bare bum on the napkin covered reclining bench thing that are in every OB/GYN office ever.

A moment or so later the doctor knocks and pops his head in asking if I had a full bladder.  After a quick internal status check I let him know that I do. Which was the answer he was looking for!  Apparently they forgot to instruct me to come with one.  (Okay so my bladder wasn't really full or at least didn't feel full...but again I was nervous and I don't think it was empty...so they were getting what they were getting)

Another moment or two passed and the doctor and a team of two other ladies joined me in the room.  We had one nurse with the over the top ultrasound, just like the original transfer and the other was assisting the doctor with the speculum thing.

As they were adjusting everything I made sure to say, I hope that's the longest speculum you have?  Because I was told that my vagina needed the longest one, because my canal was sooo long apparently 🫣.  I wanted to make light of it but also prepare them so I'm not being poked and prodded anymore than necessary...right?

The doctor looked up and said wow, I'm sure that's something nice to hear when you're lying on your back and shook his head looking at the nurses.  (I could tell he wasn't pleased with the comment that had been made).  I just said hey...I've had six children, I can understand things aren't exactly in tip top shape...but I have never heard that I have a long vagina before....ever.🤣 I will own it if I do...just wasn't expecting it😕.  

He was so kind and said that he has done thousands of transfers and he has had some difficult transfers, but none were due to a long vagina. Haha.  He said some ladies develop fibroids which can cause the canal to seem like it's longer...but the canal can only go so far.  He then promised to give me the good, bad, and the ugly truth during the procedure and was ready to begin!

So first of all let me start off by saying, the ultrasound wasn't uncomfortable at all this time (my bladder wasn't about to explode)...she guided him with the ultrasound and within a minute he said okay I'm in, transfer would take place here!

I looked up shocked and said, you're already in?  So what's going on in there?  He said there was absolutely no abnormalities, my vaginal canal was within average length (never thought I'd be relieved to hear I'm average 😉) and he was trying to figure out why the previous doctor had such a difficult time.

Once he was complete he suddenly asked me if my bladder was overly full on the day of transfer. (Um yes!)  It definitely was!  He said that when bladders are overly full, it can push out the catheter, which can make holding it steady difficult, but you either ask for your nurse to hold it or you get creative and hold it in with your knee...it's not using extra length though 🤷‍♀️😜!

I appreciated the update and oddly felt relieved that I don't have a long vagina.  I also am sooo happy because I will make sure that the next time I'm having this procedure performed...I'm underfilling my bladder!!  It was so quick and I didn't experience any discomfort (well any more than you'd expect with a speculum and catheter being put into your hoohaw)!

So first test done!  Next step... Mock Cycle.🥳

Testing, Testing...1...2...3

So last month (June) we left off with a negative pregnancy result and no update on whether we would be proceeding with another round.  It was nice to enjoy 4th of July without the pressure of running back home to receive a shot or being on my period (small wins)!  

My cycle began the day after the 4th, so just a few days shy of where they said it would begin and because I hadn't received an update from the clinic or my sister - I didn't have any pills to take or things to track.  It was a HEAVY few days, but luckily working from home, made it a little more bearable.  

On July10th the clinic scheduled a follow up appointment to go over the results and possible reasons that the transfer did not end with a positive result.  The doctor that has been overseeing my care, was out of town for the actual transfer, but did have the scans, lab results, and notes from the doctor who performed the transfer and felt that there should have been no reason that the embryos didn't implant. 

After looking over the results, he felt that it might be that my cycle isn't like the average woman...so perhaps my uterus was ready prior to the transfer...there is only a 24 hour window for the "magic" to happen.  Since this isn't really anything I've tracked or paid attention to, like um ever...I have no input here. 

My sister mentioned that the transfer was really uncomfortable for me...and that the doctor mentioned that he had a difficult time with the transfer (remember the comment about the "long vagina" LOL).  She asked if this had something to do with it not working.  He said nothing was said in my file or showed in the scans how my anatomy could have made the transfer difficult, so he asked if I would be willing to do a faux transfer, where he would perform the same procedure, but without an embryo inside.  This would allow him to get to know my "anatomy" and prepare for any adjustments that might need to be made when a transfer takes place.

After further discussion, the doctor recommended that instead of a transfer next month, we proceed with an endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA).  Which basically consists of doing the same things as a transfer cycle (taking estrogen and PIO shots five days before "transfer") but instead of a transfer, they take a biopsy of my uterus (similar to a pin prick and send it to an outside lab for review) so they can see if my uterus would be susceptible to a transfer during that same time frame or if they need to move it before or after.  Once they can determine timing, they will proceed with another transfer of two embryos in September.  According to the testing websites, 30% of women have different windows of implantation (WOI) so if I fall in that category, this will help to remove that as an obstacle for implantation.

I've opted to go through with both the faux tranfer this month and the mock cycle and the ERA next month...so wish me luck and let's hope we get some answers with the additional testing and the two month transfer delay is worth the wait 🤞❤️!

Coopergenomics ERA Testing Brochure

ERA Video

Transfer Day!

The day of the transfer has finally arrived!  Crazy that it's taken a little over a year to get to this point!  Looking back, so much has had to happen to get us to this point...yet it seems like the time has flown by somehow?!

My transfer appointment was scheduled for 12:40pm and the office offers acupuncture both before and after to assist with relaxation, so my actual arrival time needed to be 11:40am. 

They provide some instructions that tell you to wear a "comfy shirt" and to bring socks for the transfer.  They also instruct you to drink 32oz of room temperature water after my arrival and before the transfer.  

Okay first things first...do I wear a dress?  Do I wear a shirt and leggings?  What's up with the comfy shirt thing?  I finally decide that the acupuncture will probably be similar to a massage and maybe make ya strip to your under bits...(I really didn't do much research on acupuncture before I arrived) and figured I'd probably be in a gown for the transfer so...LuLu Lemon leggings and a comfy shirt it was!

I arrive on time with my husband and promptly use the restroom as I'm instructed to do.  The acupuncturist came out very shortly thereafter to welcome me back.  I asked if there was another waiting room for my husband to be closer and she said he was welcomed to join me in the room for acupuncture!  Sweet, come on back babes!😜🥰

She welcomes me into this room, which has wall to ceiling windows and a beautiful view of the Gilbert Temple!  I was so enamored with the view that it took me a minute to notice there wasn't a bed or a table...but instead a reclining type chair covered in large pads...(the kind that you typically have under your bum after delivery).

She instructs me to sit down and take off my shoes.  As she talking to me about...who knows what I suddenly feel a small ping of pain right on the top of my head, I look over and she seems to be just going through her items like nothing happened...so I thought weird I wonder where she's going to stick these thi...(ping, ouch) I guess my ears were next!

It wasn't a lot of pain, but like a quick twinge or sting then it immediately went away.  Except for my ears...I pretty much always felt those ones (3 in each ear).

Okay so now the fun part.  She asks me to lift up my pants so that my shins could be exposed.  (Remember I'm wearing LuLu leggings...which are meant to suck you in) I reach down and do my best not to create a tourniquet under my knees folding my leggings up.

I barely felt the ones placed in my shins or toes, then she asks me to pull up my shirt and expose the part of my stomach between my belly button and my pubic bone.  (I've had a lot of kids...this is the part I call my apron aka FUPA and remember what LuLu Leggings are intended to do?  Make that part look better by disguising it!)

So I look at her blankly as I'm trying to think of a way to do this without losing circulation to my entire lower half 🤣 and without looking like a stuffed sausage!  Well after a few seconds I realized I didn't have many options...now that the needles are already in my feet and legs.  So I pulllllll down on the leggings and as expected the sausage like tummy spilled out of it.  I could only imagine what her view of me was! Haha my view wasn't good and I could only see from a downward angle...which I'm very sure was better than an upward one😜!  (I feel like I kinda gave up my dignity years ago with the delivery of my large babies...so it is what it is at this point.) Meanwhile, she's sticking six needles in the fun part of my tummy and asking me to continue drinking my water.  (Which is NOT room temperature, nor 32 ozs, but got the job done.)

After she finishes inserting the remaining needle, she covers me in one of those first aid type thermal blankets...aka a foil wrap and lets me know that she will be back, ten minutes before my procedure.  Wow- that's it?  She just sticks needles in and leaves?  Yes.  Apparently that is exactly what she did.  (I think this is absolutely normal for acupuncture. I was just unprepared and thinking of her massaging my neck or something while the needles were in...which would have been a-ok with me!)

Okay so now what?  I immediately begin to hear my stomach growl...(I guess that's a sign that it's working actually) I didn't even realize I was hungry.  So I kind of start to stare off and before I know it, I'm being awoken by the acupuncturist letting me know my sister and her family were outside in the waiting room and wanted to know if I was up for visitors.  Children aren't allowed back, but I let her know that both my sister and her husband were invited to come back with us - as long as they knew I was wrapped up like a sushi roll - toothpicks and all!

So she leaves and now it's been a solid 40 minutes since I've been laying here and my bladder is really beginning to let me know it's full.  My sister and her husband come back and chat for a bit and soon I'm realizing that it's passed the time the acupuncturist said she would be back!  My bladder is READY for this transfer to take place like...NOW.

A few minutes later, she returns and apologizes for the delay.  She asks me if my bladder is full and I don't even let her finish her sentence before blurting out YES!  I'm ready.  She smiles and says okay - that was the reason for the delay.  The woman before me didn't have a full bladder and they had to wait for it to fill.  So I assured her, we would be good.  She quickly took out the needles and then provided me a gown, head covering, and booties to put on.  She asked if I would be having a partner in the room with me and I said yes, so she handed them all booties and hair coverings also.  (The clinic was super accommodating and allowed both my sister and her husband to join us in the transfer room.)

So I walk in and lay down on the table, putting my legs into the stirrups (similar to a PAP exam).  I immediatly tell her that my bladder is ooober full.  After a quick check, she agrees and then yells "Ready!" at a decible that completely conflicted with the reverent experience thus far! 🤣

Okay so I would say the transfer experience should  be similar to a PAP...except apparently I have what is called a "high cervix" and "they don't make speculums long enough to reach my height of cervix".  (I'm not sure why I've never had a problem with having my regular GYN scraping my cervix for a PAP?!) Yet these are some of the things I heard while the doctor is digging around inside me, with a nurse pushing down on top of my tummy and full bladder with an ultrasound!  To say it was uncomfortable, would be an understatement.  I kept apologizing because I was truly in fear that I would not be able to control my bladder much longer.  (I mean, let's be real...having six children vaginally has not done me any favors in the muscle department downstairs.). The whole process was  bearable, but uncomfortable.  The doctor at one point was concerned he wouldn't be able to put the catheter into my uterus successfully so he asked for all recording to stop.  I felt kinda bad - like there was something I could have done to make my cervix lower or something?  (All my babies were high, I never dropped with any pregnancies...my doctors were never bothered about it though...maybe they just hid it better than this guy?)

Anyway after what seemed like an hour (probably more like 10-15 minutes) he found the place he needed to be and then proceeds to yell "READY"!  (Like in Austin Powers when the lady yells for her son, "SCOTT!")

A door in the back opens and a nurse quickly comes in announcing the genders of the two embryo's they will be implanting and the last name of the mother and the last name of the patient, which was me😊!

He lets the room know that they can begin recording once again and draws the attention to the screen where you can see a small flash of light as the two embryo's are released within my uterus in a small bubble of air!  It was pretty amazing to watch.  He quickly withdrew the catheter and explained that it was a success...he was able to release them high into my uterus and the rest was up to my body.

Small white spot on the top of the 

He left and I was immediately able to go relieve myself in the bathroom..phew!  I really did impress myself with my ability to hold it in!!🥳. (As you can see, I like to celebrate small wins!)

Now we wait....they said the blood test is scheduled for June 29th!

Shots in the Wild!

Okay, so today is day 5 of the Progesterone in Oil (PIO) shots and by now we have a rhythm going on.  At home, it's an easy routine.  I have decided laying down flat on my bed, face down, works the best.

As I talked about earlier, the shots gave me a lot of anxiety, so I researched and heard a ton of horror stories, but I also got some good tips too!  My main concern was pain, of course.  Which some experienced at the time of the shot, but others seem to experience after the shot.  As the PIO is being absorbed into the muscle, it can create a knot, which becomes painful.  (After literally hundreds of personal stories, posts, websites, etc...I noticed a few common themes to avoid this.)

First, make sure you're not using the muscle that it's being shot into.  If you have to stand, bend the knee of the side you're going to inject.  I took it a step further and decided to just avoid using either muscle period, so I lie down flat to avoid any flinching ;)

Second, heat the oil up by first putting it in the crease of your arm or arm pit.  It thins the oil out just enough to make it easier to inject.

Okay so...this all plays out great when we are home and I get to lie down on my comfy bed for the shot.  We knew there was going to come an evening when we wouldn't be home...and would have to do the shots somewhere else and that day finally came.

It was father's day and also one of our girl's birthday.  She decided around 7pm that she'd like to celebrate with the family at Pop Stroke, a new mini golf place about, about 20 minutes away.

We have been there before and based on how crowded it is, it can take up to a few hours to complete the two courses they had.  I mentioned that we might have to leave early because I would need to leave around 8:40 to get home in time for my shot, which didn't sit well with the birthday girl, because that meant we wouldn't be able to finish the course and if I left, the party would be over. ( I knew she was referring to me physically taking half the party with me when I left but if course acted completely flattered that I was the glue to this party 🥳.)

So agreeing with her that the party would be lame after I left...I reluctantly agreed to bring my shot paraphernalia with me. Ugh.

Okay so fast forward a few hours, it's a Sunday evening, see the course is popping... literally packed with people.  We have only made it to the 11th hole and it's 8:55.  So Phil and I let the group know we will be back, hand our clubs to the others and head out to the packed parking lot to his car.  (If you've been to this place, you know there is no easy exit from mid course!  We were walking across greens, apologizing to parties as I was praying I wouldn't eat it.)

After we made it out of the course and into the parking lot, to our car.  I suddenly realized that laying face down in the back seat, with Phil bent over on top of me...might not be the best look out in public!  I really hadn't thought it through!

So I share my concerns with Phil and he also agrees this might be more difficult than we thought.  I could lean up against his car outside...but then again he's behind me doing something to my upper behind area...and this is only for people far away!  Let's not count the fact that if anyone was getting into their car or sitting close by, they would see us with the needle, probably looking like some weird junkies!🥴

Okay, okay...think Summer!  Where can we go, we are out of time and I have to get this shot!

I look around and behind me there's a restaurant that's closed for renovations and it has two large container sizes dumpsters outside of it.  The sides of course are open with cars able to view us, but it was darker ish and I didn't see any cameras outside or signs of life inside, so Phil offered to back the car in between these dumpsters to give me more privacy and allow me to lay down in the back seat.

(Ok imagine it being dark...with all parking spaces full...so you can visualize)

Okay so plan is in motion...I'm laying down, trying to relax.  I hear a car start up close by and suddenly I feel something crawling on my feet (because I was wearing sandals and my feet were still touching the ground ew)...Phil is still getting used to giving the shot as much as I am at receiving it and he's hesitating and triple checking he's in the right spot.  So he finally injects me, but I can't stay still any longer, my imagination has gone wild and I could be standing on an ant hill with soon to be thousands of crawly bugs all over me...so I lift up my legs (using the muscles that are supposed to be relaxed ouch).  He finishes the injection (which takes a bit, because it's thick and doesn't come out super quick) and I crawl back out of the car.  

As I stand up fixing my clothes I immediately notice the car, idling with its lights on, perpendicular to us.  (Hand to forehead) I'm sure trying to figure out what in the junky heck we were doing!

Phil's trying to find the needle cover (since I forgot my "sharps" container) and I'm inspecting my legs and feet to ensure there aren't a ton of bugs crawling on me.🥴 I was relieved to know that there didn't seem to be any bugs on me anymore...(the spazzy leg lift did the trick!)

Phil moved the car back away from the dumpsters into our original parking spot and we rejoined the others taking a route...similar to our exit.  We only missed four holes and the police were never called on us...so it was a win in my book!

Although the scenario wasn't ideal...we learned a few things and we laughed a ton.  Happy Father's Day Phil❤️.

Walmart for the Pharmacy Win?

My family and I have been very fortunate and really haven't spent much time in the pharmacy department.  I have called our CVS pharmacy at Target a few times to get prescriptions filled and utilize their auto fill function...but that's about as far as the transactions go.  They get the order, the script is filled, I get a text letting me know it's ready and available for pick up.  Easy.

Well I guess the things my previous orders have all had in common were...the medications I needed, were not time sensitive.  If they weren't a common prescription, I could easily wait the additional 24-48 hours for them to fill my prescription.

So remember my original post - where I told ya it was a last minute scramble to urgently get a prescription filled and begin taking it as soon as possible?  Well that's where we are.

So I reach out to my CVS pharmacy, someone answers the phone after a long game of pick the number that's closest to what you want, followed by several 0's...in hopes of being transferred to a person.  (The purpose of course for my call, was to find out if they had the medication in stock, that I was prescribed.  Since there was a sense of urgency to this request - I didn't have time to show up and find out it wouldn't be ready for a day or two.)  After a few rings, a gentleman answers (perhaps the pharmacist?) and lets me know that they have the prescription from the doctor's office and will be able to fill it, but will need my updated insurance information.  No problem!  I offered to provide it over the phone and he replied that I should instead just bring it when I come to fill the prescription, which should only take 5-10 minutes.

Feeling confident that the medication would be available, I head down to Target to grab the prescription.  After providing my insurance card and updating my file - I was shocked to learn that they didn't have the medication needed after all!  (I later found that the reason for this was the gentleman on the phone didn't have access to their inventory, only going through the motions.)  Well now what?

Long story, shorter - CVS at Target was unable to direct me to another location or help me further.  So...I hesitated naturally, because Walmart isn't known for their amazing customer service...but they are close to me and perhaps they would have the medicine in stock to fill my prescription.

So I call Walmart's pharmacy department (expecting the worst), I speak with a gentleman who seems very pleasant, I tell him my circumstance and the urgency and he immediately offers to take my insurance information over the phone, checks his inventory, and tells me when I can expect to pick it up.  Even goes the extra mile and tells me when they break for lunch, to avoid further delays!

Within an hour, I get a text letting me know that my prescription was ready to be picked up.  (Amazing!)  When I arrive, the pharmacy tech asks for my name to go grab the medication.  The moment I provide my name, a gentleman in the back, immediately steps forward and stands to the side, awaiting for the transaction to be complete.  As soon as I've paid, he says, "Hi Summer, my name is Omar. I'm the pharmacist here and we spoke on the phone earlier today."  (Wow - maybe the bar is just set soooo low - but I was already totally impressed!

Omar then took me to a side window and asked if I had ever taken the medication before.  He asked because he was concerned about the dosage that I was being prescribed. I, being completely unfamiliar with dosages and knowing mistakes can be made - immediately offered up what I was doing (GC) with an implant date of 6/22.  He asked if I knew how long I would be on the medication, since the dosage they were prescribing was really high.  Of course I didn't - so he asked if I would be okay if he made a call to the doctor's office to ensure the dosage was correct and asked if he could call me on my cell phone, so I didn't have to wait!  

Okay so the story ends with yes - it was the correct dosage, but I truly felt reassured and so much more comfortable about the dosage and the pills I was prescribed for this first part of the adventure.

Side note - I'm now a regular there and Omar greets me with a wave and a smile from behind the counter every single time and whenever there's a new prescription (including my Progesterone in Oil shots), he walks me through the medicine, possible side effects, and makes sure I still have his card to call with ANY questions!

 

A New Adventure Begins...

Let me start from the beginning...well, my beginning.  The information I plan to share will all be from my perspective and the experiences that I go through on my journey as a potential Gestational Carrier (GC) for my sister and her husband.  

May 2022

About a year ago, I offered to host/develop an embryo...more specifically my nephew, for nine months as he grows and matures enough to be born into this world!  I won't go into the specifics as to why this was a need, since that's not MY story, but I will share my experiences and my thought process as I progress on this unique journey!

I have been blessed with having six children, all relatively uncomplicated and easy pregnancies, so the thought of becoming a GC for my sister and her husband, wasn't something I really struggled with.  I immediately turned to online resources, where I listened to podcasts from fertility doctors, read stories of successful and unsuccessful GC journeys, and talked to my husband about it all.  Although there are some crazy stories out there - nothing really made me regret or second guess my offer.

After doing what I consider a decent amount of research and understanding that becoming a GC wasn't even a guarantee, since there would be loads of tests to determine if I was even a viable candidate, we decided to move forward. 

Okay - so the next few weeks went about as I expected.  The four of us had a virtual meeting with the doctor, letting him know that I have offered to be their GC.  During that appointment, the doctor let me know that his office would be requesting delivery records and pregnancy history and asked me to sign release forms over he also mentioned that we would all need to meet with a legal team to discuss both of our rights and to ensure I understood what I was agreeing too.  I don't remember the specifics, but the overall gist was that the entire process would take about 3 months or so.  I remember thinking that there was a possibility of having the transfer take place in August 2022! (I literally just laughed a little out loud...because that's funny looking back!)  

So the first thing that happened - which I didn't account for was...medical records are only kept for 10 years - tops!  Since my youngest child was 13 (you can see where this is going) my OB's office was unable to provide ANY pregnancy records.  <Palm to forehead>  I thought this was going to be the EASY part?!  

I'll spare you the details, but due to a lack in communication, the next 60 days were spent waiting for paperwork, that no longer exists. Womp womp... 

July 2022

In July, my husband and I were able to have a virtual appointment with the doctor in lieu of these records.  We were both able to talk to him on video, provide the answers to his questions, and ultimately he approved us to move forward with the process.  

His office called me within the next week and stated that the next step to moving forward was to have results from a routine gynecology exam and PAP submitted to them.  Things happen, offices go on vacation, no one wants to work the last few weeks of summer...bing bodda boom...my appointment is now pushed into September.

September 2022

I have my physical exam and PAP completed and request that the results be sent to the fertility clinic.  We are then notified, that we cannot move forward until we are cleared by a psychologist!  Yes, you read that correctly.  They said in order to proceed, (we must be really close now!) all four of us would need to be interviewed by a psychologist to be cleared for the journey.  They recommended a doctor and of course the soonest we could be seen was the end of October.  Yes - we are now to October.

October 2022

We met with the psychologist, who was pleasant and asked us a barrage of questions and provided some input and scenarios that we hadn't really thought of as a group.  Then she asked to meet with just my husband I.  Up to this point - I felt like I was going about this with the right mentality and approach, but it wasn't until AFTER our meeting, that I was reassured!  It's a huge decision and as annoyed as I was in the beginning to have to meet with her, I am really glad we went through it.  One of the many questions she asked, is a common one that I am asked...How are you going to be able to give this baby up?  

For me, the answer is pretty darn simple.  First, it's not my baby.  I'm hosting this baby for his parents!  The difference between a Surrogate and a Gestational Carrier is that a Surrogate uses her egg.  The baby is partially comprised of her DNA.  A GC, is just a host.  Biologically, this baby is related to me, but it is not my child.  This is the offspring of my sister and her husband.  Second, I'm a grandmother!  My husband and I are enjoying this next phase in both of our lives where our children are now having children.  We aren't looking to start over and my baby 'hunger' is satisfied by holding my grandbabies!

Okay so now it's November...

November 2022

This was on me...I started a new job, had a lot of traveling, and of course Thanksgiving!  Since the next set of tests needed (yes, there's more) involved having an ultrasound completed on a specific day in my cycle, November was out.

December 2022

Although December fills up quickly, I was able to complete the ultrasound and blood tests required for the next phase!  Step 1...ultrasound to determine my uterus was an acceptable home.  (If you're wondering if this should have been completed back in um...May or June, I was wondering the same thing!)

Anyway test completed...and I passed!  Wasn't sure what a scan would reveal...it's been a long while since anyone has occupied the space ;)  So it was reassuring that my uterus was clear and large enough to carry a baby.

The next steps were to pass the barrage of tests requested, including STD tests for my husband and I both to take.  Yes, even after 24 1/2 years of marriage, I guess you can never be too sure haha;)  My husband was a good sport and as funny as it was to wait for the results of an STD test, we weren't shocked when his tests came back clear.  

I can't tell you all the tests that were ordered, (because frankly, it was a lot) but I can tell you the tests of mine, where I missed the mark.  The tests I came back low on were my thyroid (TSH) level and my vitamin D level.

A simple fix was ordered, I was prescribed a low dose of Levothyroxine for my thyroid (re-checked in 6 weeks) and was asked to pick up some vitamin D pills to get me into optimal range.

January 2023

My thyroid levels had come down into "normal" range, but not the optimal range for pregnancy.  A higher dose of Levothyroxine was prescribed and I was told to sit tight for another 6 weeks to be retested.

February 2023

Although nothing related to fertility happened in February, a lot happened in our personal life.  Our third child became engaged, with a wedding date in June, we signed on a new construction home, that would be about 10-12 months out, and my oldest daughter, her husband, and two children would be moving back to Arizona!  There is a reason I'm sharing all of this...hold tight

March 2023

My thyroid levels were retested in March and my results were finally within optimal range for pregnancy!  Now there was some additional legal paperwork that needed to be completed by my sister and her husband, but once this had been completed, they were ready for me to tell them when my next cycle started.

April 2023

I celebrated my 44th birthday, we put our home up for sale, and secured a rental home nearby so that we could move the majority of our things and so the house could remain empty for showings.  As if the stress of moving wasn't enough, I also received a job offer that I couldn't refuse and accepted to begin in May. (Put this together with the prior February details...starting to get the picture?)

So now, I'm still waiting for the all clear from the fertility clinic and waiting for my cycle to begin...crickets.  Nothing.  You know, I should be jumping for joy...but of course, all I'm thinking is great, I'm going to be the reason this is getting pushed back even further!  So apparently large amounts of stress does things to us...it not only impacts our moods and appetites, it wreaks havoc on cycles too!  So no cycle in April.

May 2023

I reach out to the fertility clinic and they relay they have what they need to move forward and ask me to let them know when I start my next cycle.  They told me once I start, I will be prescribed birth control for 10 days to put me on a cycle that will work for them.  Well...at this point, I'm thinking what if I don't ever have a cycle again?  I'm not willing to take that chance, soooo I tell a little fib.  I decide that my cycle has started, I mean, it still could...but I tell them it did.  Three days after I start my fictitious cycle, I started birth control.  I took the pills as prescribed for the 10 days, just like I was asked and ended taking them on May 28th.

June 2023

Okay it's been a very long while since I've taken birth control (husband had a vasectomy after the conception of our sixth child) so my memory is a little fuzzy about when you're supposed to start your cycle after missing a pill, but I thought it was within 2-3 days.  So I wait, day 1, day 2, day 3,...finally on day 7 of being off of the pill...my cycle actually starts!  

It was a Sunday, so wasn't able to contact the fertility clinic until Monday. Well you would think that none of them would be surprised that this was happening.  I mean after all, they had no clue that I'd missed basically two months of cycling and they are the ones who told me when to stop taking the birth control, so if anything they should be waiting for my call, right? Well, not the case...somehow they missed prescribing me the estrogen tablets that I would be required to take on cycle day 2 (which was now)! So there was a mad scramble to send pills to my pharmacy...which of course didn't have them in!  So I had to pharmacy shop until I found them in stock.  (Check out the pharmacy post, if you'd like to hear more details!)

We are almost getting to present time!  So let's take a moment to recap....It's now June 5th, over a year since this journey began.  I am having the mother of all cycles, running around trying to secure my prescription of estrogen, and my daughter is getting sealed in the Phoenix LDS temple on Friday, June 9th and having a ring ceremony/reception on Saturday, June 10th! Lots of fun details to attend to!

Well I'm excited to share what transpires over the next few weeks/months with you...I'm very long winded, but if you're interested in what's going on...stay tuned for more!

Summer