One Year Anniversary

So, what's this hoopla I hear about uterus being a dirty word that can't be spoken in Congress? These guys don't get out much, do they?

Anyway, I haven't posted in quite some time because we've been working toward getting into the PURSUE study that I mentioned in an earlier post. After two rounds of antibiotics to clear up a mysterious bout of endometritus, a trillion blood tests, and a tsunami of stress, D has finally been randomized. And yes, we both feel very random after all of this. : ) We started the study regimen on Sunday. She had blood work and an ultrasound (both of which are now daily occurrences)followed by two injections -- one that was the study drug (or placebo) and the other that was 300 mg. of Follistem (or placebo). We were given a journal in which we have to record the date and time of every injection, as well as instructions on what is to be done each day. For the first five days, D gave herself a 300 mg. Follistem injection (or placebo) in her stomach. Follistem stimulates the growth of follicles. On the fifth day, she started Ganirelex (which prevents ovulation), and that shot was given in her thigh; this will allow the smaller follicles to grow to maturity (hopefully) while preventing the larger follicles from releasing their eggs. Today was day six of our stimulation cycle. D administered the Follistem injection and the Ganirelex injection today and will continue with both for another two days. She had three large follicles in her right ovary (16 mm was the largest) and a few smaller ones on the left ovary (12 mm and smaller). After day 8, we'll be instructed when to induce ovulation with Ovidrel. Three days later, the retrieval will occur, and the transfer will take place three days after that. Two blasts will be transferred. And then we wait eighteen days.

Looking at the calendar the other day, I realized that we're approaching the one year anniversary of the day that we started this process -- April 28th was our first appointment at CRM. Hopefully, one year is enough... We're both exhausted and D could be mistaken for a heroine addict or pin cushion with all the pricking. Not a good look for her. : )