Sunday, August 26, 2007

Update. With too much detail, I'm sure.

Things looked really good at my u/s on Friday. I had been bummed because my antral follicle count was only 6 earlier in the week. But at Friday's appointment, I had 9 follies. Wahoo! They were still pretty small, but bigger than usual. Normally, on the first day of monitoring (after 3 days of stims), we can see them, but they are all under 10.

On Friday, here were my numbers:

Right - 2 under 10
Right - 10.4
Right - 10.8
Right - 11.2
Left - 4 under 10
Endo - 5.5

I was pretty pleased with that. I even had warm, happy thoughts about DHEA. Things were still looking good for retrieval and transfer around Labor Day (early next week).

Then I went in for monitoring this morning (Sunday). Here are my numbers today:

Right - 1 under 10
Right - 10.2
Right - 12.9
Right - 15.4
Right - 17.0
Left - 11.2
Left - 3 under 10
Endo - 8.1

Um, excuse me? One of them is at SEVENTEEN? Are you shitting me? Dang. So now the daily monitoring starts. Hopefully it was a weird angle on the u/s today and that one really isn't at 17. Granted, my clinic will let it get as big as 23 before trigger so that would give the other players time to get suited up and on the field. But I sure would have been happier with half a dozen hovering around 13mm or so.

Oh well, it will be what it will be. My first IVF (well, the first one that actually made it to retrieval) produced a whopping 4 follicles. So it's absurd that I'm complaining about this. Also, in my past 2 retrievals, I've miraculously gotten mature eggs out of every one of my follicles -- including ones that were 14 or 15mm at trigger. There's no guarantee that will happen again, but at least it helps me remain somewhat optimistic.

To recap, this is what we got on our previous rides on the rollercoaster:
1st IVF - 4 follicles, 4 mature eggs, 3 fertilized, 3 made it to transfer
2nd IVF - 6 follicles, 6 mature eggs, 4 fertilized, 4 made it to transfer (we put back 3)

Since the fertilization rate for my crappy old eggs is decent, I won't panic yet. Also, if something insane happens and that 17 turns into a 23 overnight or other madness, I know my RE will let me go to retrieval with next to no eggs (bypassing the clinic's requirement for 4 follicles above 18mm).

It's cliche, and akin to that maddening phrase "just relax", but the truth is that it just takes one. One good egg. Please, oh please, oh please let me get just one that sticks and hangs around for the long haul and joins our family!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looking good!

I always get one big lead follicle and my clinic told me you sometimes have to sacrifice the one big one for the smaller ones to catch up.

I hope the great response is related to DHEA, becuase that could mean that I will have the same kind of luck when I finally get to cycle.

Unknown said...

Wow- that's just fantastic. The 17 came out of what seems like nowhere, but at least the others are catching up, and seem to be doign well! Fingers are crossed for you!!

LJ said...

Good luck my dear friend. I'm so hoping that this is it for you. Enough pain and suffering, it's time you got some good news.

Tam said...

I am so glad that things are going well. I hope that all those follies catch up and that you get loads of eggs!! I think that this is all a good sign, bring on those excellent Leah eggies!!

Thinking of you xx

AwkwardMoments said...

*pullin out the pom poms*

What was that cheer again? Sending you good maturing egg producing vibes. Think it will help if your eggs "think" you are relaxed?

Erin said...

Since we're both using DHEA and both had better response, I'm definitely getting a good feeling about this! (Of course some credit should be given to the meds, the acu, the wheatgrass...)

Anyway, great news about your progress! I'm sure the smallies will catch right up!

Kami said...

How exciting! I love the daily appointment. Hope things continue to look good.

Ms. Perky said...

Gah! It's astounding how much of this is a game that we play with the follicle watching. Hopefully the others will catch up with that 17, or it was a mis-measurement. I'm thinking of you!

Lea Bee said...

omigosh a 17mm! that one must have been hanging out, hogging all the stims for itself!

overall, it sounds good :)

Kristen said...

Great numbers! Things are really looking up.

I can't wait to see what's in store :)

Grad3 said...

I think this looks fantastic Leah!!! I know you don't want a front runner right now but maybe it's you baby in the making :)

Can't wait to see the next update! Good luck!

Waiting Amy said...

Go, Go, Girlie-O!

I have a feeling those littler guys are movin' on up! I'm really sending all my good ju ju vibes to you and hoping for a great result.

Keep chill and keep us posted!
xxxx

Becks said...

Hope the daily monitoring goes ok. I am rooting for you. We're both in the low numbers of eggs club so I'm hoping the tide is turning for us.

Princesses in Muddy Puddles said...

That all sounds great. There always seems to be one bigger one who has gobbled up more than their fair share of the drugs. Keep us updated with the daily monitoring :)

kati said...

looks really good to me! Hm, I think I need to think about DHEA myself...

good luck, Leah, & hang in there

Rho said...

Another overachiever follie! Keep me posted :)

JJ said...

Look at you missy! Great numbers and count...sounds like a winner cycle to me!

Changing Expectations said...

Sounds good. My clinic will let a big one go if the others are all grouped together or a bunch need to catch up.

Here's to growin' some follies!