And we're off

I had another blood test yesterday and the nurse at the clinic rang me this morning with the results. It showed that I have ovulated and that it's time to start the first of the injected medications, Buserelin. I was surprised to hear that I need to start it this morning and, since D has gone to work already, I had to inject it myself. It was a bit fiddly drawing the right amount into the syringe from the bottle and I was slightly nervous doing the actual injection, but it seems I am a good nurse and it didn't hurt a bit (though the site is slightly itchy now). So the pattern for the next ten days or so will be a Buserelin injection first thing in the morning before D leaves for work, then I'll have a blood test on 5 April, and then we'll add an evening injection of Gonal F to the regimen. It feels very much like we're at the beginning of another journey but we don't know yet what we'll find at the end.

Blood test result

The nurse from the clinic called me yesterday afternoon to give me the result of the blood test I had on Monday. She said that the test showed that I had "surged" (i.e. ovulation had occurred) and that I need to have another blood test next Monday morning. At this stage it looks like we'll start the injections sometime next week.

Blood test

This morning I popped into the doctor's surgery to have yet another blood test. This one is to help pinpoint the time of ovulation. It was expected around day 11 and today is day 13. The nurse at the clinic will call me tomorrow when they get the results to let me know when we can start the injections.

Education appointment

I have been so crazy busy that it's taken me a few days to write about our education appointment last Wednesday.

File note

Dear A and D

Diagnosis:
1. Primary infertility secondary to azoospermia post vasectomy reversal
2. Unsuccessful first IVF cycle
3. Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, treated cardiac septal ablation, 1998 and 1999, second procedure complicated by vascular injury requiring double bypass graft
4. Allergy to aspirin and ibuprofen
5. Dysmenorrhoea, possibly due to endometriosis
6. Short menstrual cycle

Day one again

My period arrived yesterday, which meant codeine and a hot water bottle but the pain wasn't too bad this month, and which also meant a phone call to the clinic to let them know. I left a message on their voicemail and a nurse rang me back later in the afternoon. I need to have a blood test around ovulation and we have pencilled that in for 20 March. D and I also need to attend another education appointment next Tuesday. The injections that he needs to give me during this cycle are similar to last time but not completely the same, so we'll run through it again to make sure we get it right. So it seems we're back on the treadmill again, even though it'll be a while before we see any results this time.

Review appointment

Yesterday we attended our review appointment with Dr C. This is the first step in our second cycle of IVF. Dr C was, as usual, very empathetic and took time to see how we were feeling. We both felt that we would like to try again as soon as possible. This time she would like us to try an agonist cycle (as opposed to an antagonist cycle which we tried last time). It involves slightly different drugs and more injections, and it takes place over two menstrual cycles so the results will be a little further away, but apparently it is worth trying. My next period is due next week so I will call the clinic when it arrives to let them know, and then we will have an appointment scheduled.

Letter

Dear A and D

Further to our recent conversation I write to confirm that I have made you an appointment for a medical review. This will be held on Tuesday 28th of February 2012 at 3.10pm at [clinic] with Dr C. Please note that both of you are to attend this appointment. Your treatment will be discussed and planned at this appointment.

As discussed we require the following tests to be updated:
Full screening blood tests (female) - We require A to have these blood tests updated and it is important that these tests are undertaken at a Medlab laboratory. We need the female bloods to be done on day 3 of your next cycle.

Please note that funding is allocated in advance, therefore there can be up to a four month delay before you can book on for your actual treatment cycle. Your specialist will advise you when you will commence your cycle at the appointment above.

Please call the clinic to confirm that you can attend this appointment or if you have any questions regarding the programme.

Yours sincerely ...

A new appointment

The waiting list co-ordinator at the clinic rang me this morning and we have arranged a review appointment with Dr C for 28 February. That will allow time for me to have another set of day three blood tests (probably about the end of next week). Dr C has already told me that she wants to increase the stimulation medication that she will prescribe, which will help me to produce more eggs for fertilisation. Remember all those injections? So we're back to square one and hoping for better results this time.

Sometimes you don't want to be right

This morning I drove into the city to have another blood test to see if I am pregnant - and the result has come back negative. I am disappointed. It would have been great if it had worked this time. But I was very much in a "expect the worst, hope for the best" head-space ever since my period arrived earlier this week. And although we are getting really tired of negative results, we are keen to try again. Hopefully next time things will run more smoothly since we know the process. Tonight we will go out for dinner - as has become our habit on "results days" - and then we'll take it easy this weekend.

One thing I hadn't realised - and which I feel kind of stupid about now - is just how many women have what seems to be a period before a positive pregnancy test, especially if they are being given extra hormones. Apparently it is not unusual. I am glad I didn't know this before!