Timing is a funny thing when it comes to IVF. You might think you’ll know when a certain procedure will happen, and then one day’s lab results can upend the whole thing. The next day, it can happen all over again.
On Thursday, the nurse called with my results and dosing info for Friday. She also said she was pretty sure I’d start my trigger protocol on Friday evening and have my egg retrieval on Sunday. My planning sheet has a tentative retrieval date of Monday, March 27.
I hadn’t expected an early retrieval, and Nick is scheduled to work the weekend (March 25-26). Not only is he my ride to and from the procedure, he also has an important job. (The one and only job he always has at these things…)
They do have samples frozen and saved, but it’s always optimal to have a fresh sample on the day of retrieval.
I let the nurse know Sunday presented some challenges, but that I’d speak with Nick to make sure we could make it work.
He confirmed he could go in to work a bit late if the procedure would be on Sunday, and I reached out to Dr. Chiang that afternoon. I let her know that even though the nurse noted that Monday worked better, Nick and I could make either day work. We definitely wanted to do the procedure on the best day for the best results.
She wrote back that the body often has it’s own timing, and she was pretty sure I’d be triggering on Friday. My lead (biggest) follicles were measuring 18 mm, and that’s typically where they want them for triggering.
I even made tentative plans for a friend to come by and feed the dogs on Sunday evening (thanks, Keilani!). Even though I’d be home, I knew there was no guarantee I’d wake up to feed Aurora and Harvey their dinner. Especially given that I’d slept for nearly 18 hours straight after my first egg retrieval…
Fast forward to Friday afternoon when I get my usual call from an IVF nurse:
“I have your dosing info!” she said cheerfully. “We’re going to keep things the same as they have been – 300 Gonal F tonight, two Menopur vials and one Fyremadel shot in the morning… You’re on track to trigger tomorrow and have your egg retrieval on Monday.“
Nick was getting ready for work when I got the news, so I went and told him.
“It’s changed again?”
Yep–you didn’t cancel your days off for Monday and Tuesday did you? (Luckily, he did not.)
When I reviewed my ultrasound results (mentioned in yesterday’s blog), I think I knew why.
There were now 19 follicles, but the sizes were all different than the previous day. (Some of that is, of course, due to the follicles growing, but some of my larger, 18 mm follicles were no longer listed.) It made me curious – did they grow too large and were released early? Was it something else?
I reached out to Dr. C. asking about this, and here’s what she said:
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Hi Julie,
I appreciate your question, as I was looking at the sizes on this myself (since clearly your body needs one more day and my prediction yesterday was off).
Here is what I think– I think it comes down to how different sonographers measure the follicles. Some measure follicles slightly larger or smaller (these are Millimeter differences), and that is expected and normal. I think the bigger ones from yesterday stayed about the same size (No, I don’t think we lost any or they got smaller!), but the intermediate ones are starting to “catch up”, so that is why the estrogen keeps rising (which means more follicle growth of the intermediates).
Anyway, this is why we check the follicles every day- as it turns out, it really looks like you’ll probably be triggering tomorrow (Sat) for a Mon retrieval after all!
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Have I mentioned lately how much I like her? (Super nice and good grammar, to boot!)
I went back in this morning for a blood draw and ultrasound appointment. The results this afternoon were good. I still have 19 follicles, ranging in size from 11-21 mm.
I’ll trigger tonight at 11 p.m.–which means Nick might actually be around to give me the intramuscular shot (pray for him; he hates needles and blood).
What I’m most grateful for is there are only a few more shots/needles left in this protocol!
Tonight: 1 subcutaneous injection of Leuprolide and 1 intramuscular injection of Pregnyl (trigger)
Tomorrow A.M.: 1 subcutaneous injection of Leuprolide and 1 final blood draw
Final needle: Anesthesia injection for the procedure
I also start some of the other prescription meds that are supposed to help support healing after the procedure. Thankfully, none of these involve needles!
On Monday morning, I’ll have my egg retrieval at 11 a.m. (All good thoughts, prayers, and vibes you want to send that morning are very much appreciated!)
Hopefully on Tuesday I’ll feel well enough to write a brief blog about how I’m feeling and recovering and with an update on how many eggs were retrieved and how many embryos are starting to grow.
This time around, I’ll be sure to ask the embryologists more questions throughout the process.
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If you’d like to help us on this journey–whether through monetary donations; sharing our fundraising efforts; or sending prayers, thoughts, or good vibes–please visit our GoFundMe page or reach out to ivfthat@gmail.com.
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