Beta day

I have been waking up really early every morning to start my work day. Today was the same - u at 6am to work and clear my work emails. I then went down to the clinic for my blood draw at 9:30am and asked the nurse to not ring me with the results since I had to come down to the clinic eitherway - Either to get follow up support or to collect medicines for another cycle.

I returned home and worked more. I had lunch and even dozed off for a litte while after lunch. I was awaken by my cell which rang and showed the clinic's number only to be asked by the nurse if the Doc was with me at lunch. No....since I was snuggly tucked up in bed!

I then decided to work a bit more. It was 2:30pm before I hualed myself out of bed and drove to the clinic. When I walked in, I was met with a strict faced receptionist. I smiled and went into the nurses' room and was similarly met with a somber faced nurse.

She asked if I wanted to open the results together with her - I told her its fine, and it really was. I told her I already knew it was negative fromr reading their facial expession. So don't worry, I am alright.

The nurse showed me the lab report from her screen and I couldn't make out the numbers for a while - you know how it takes a while for the brain to really make sense of characters and figures. But by this time she was already grinning ear to ear and I remember telling her "no way...are you sure this is mine?". I grabbed her mouse and scrolled up the report to check that it is indeed my name that's on there.

The receptionist rushed in and started giggling..saying how it was so hard for her to have kept a straight face and how joyful she was. It didn't take long for the Doc who had just arrived back from lunch to walk in to join the party. It was truly a moment to remember.

Things quickly got very sombre as I was issued a warning about how my low progesterone and estrogen levels were and how I needed to up my meds.So things were not out of the woods yet.

It took us quite some time to figure everything out as I was on a whole load of meds. They include:

Progesterone support:
Utrogesten (Oral) - 1 morning, 1 noon, 2 night
Crinone (Vaginal) - 1 morning, 1 night
Proluton (Injection) - 1 daily

Estrogen support:
Progynova - 3 morning, 3 noon, 3 night
Patch - 1 a day

Aspirin -1 a day
Fraxiparene - 1 a day
Folic acid - 1 a day

Prenatal vitamins

I have also been grounded until things stablize and this has by far been the toughest thing to manage at this point as I had promised my daughter that I would be flying home in a day's time.

I am happy, excited and very grateful. Thank you God.

Big sister in waiting

I look at my first born and I see the many hopes I have for her. I say first born as I am convinced that the Lord has plans for us to be fruitful and multiply. :)

When I watch my firstborn play or work at her school work, I think of how much fun it will be for her to be a big sister, and how great of an older sister she will be.

My firstborn has been blessed with a lovely caring and nurturing heart and has good leadership qualities. I say so only because I am convinced that the Lord has made her so as He has good plans for her.

I get tempted at times to buy materials for the day when we can share with her the news that she is going to be a big sister - books, toys, shirts ....

That day will come, I know. Until then.

Water logged

I think I am water logged. Bloated.

Doc thinks it is probably because of all the porogynova that I have been given to supplement my estrogen levels. Fun!

It just means I am not able to wall very long I.e. No running around the shops! Which is a real key part of my relaxation plan. Bummer!!

For the record, my ankles are a little water logged and I can feel my arms slightly logged too. I am not too sure about the tummy as it has been feeling swollen for about more than a week now.

I am thankful that my body is responding to the supplements. PTL!!

Air supply

I have been having a tendency to burp quite a bit for the third day in a row now. It doesn't feel good and is keeping me awake after three hours of sleep.

My tummy is distended according to my acupuncture doctor who I saw today for a session. It is apparently pretty common even with FET according to her, quite a relief I must say as I figured if it wasn't so, then it must mean that I have pigged out a little too much!!!

They are in!!!

I showed up at the clinic at 7:45am for my transfer as instructed and was told to get out my kit and into the gown. I had even brought my own socks since I always have cold feet. I was ready within minutes and was quickly ushered into the operating theatre and got into position. Its a position that I am unfortunately very familiar with.

I felt a sense of peace overwhelming me and a real sense of calmness. I know that He is with me and in control. Amen to that!!!

The embryologist came to report that she had thawed four and there are three ready for transfer.

Embbies status:
- 8 cell that grew to 10 cells
- 8 cell that remained at 8 cells
- 4 cell that grew to 8 cells

Doc came, checked that my bladder was full - it was as I drank tonnes - and popped those embryos in. The obligatory squirt of Crinone and I was transferred to another bed. It is the first time I was transferred awake since all other times were under sedation.

So there I lay, resting and listening to praise music which really help put everything into perspective.

It wasn't long after that my bladder started to protest from all the liquids that I had downed earlier. A glance at the phone informed me that it was way too early to pee, so I started to play a game on the phone to distract myself.

Finally at 30 minutes past transfer, it hurt too much to tolerate any further. But the nurse was busy so I rang the main line in the clinic and got the reception to come save me. It was terrible trying to hobble to the bathroom and relief had never felt so good. I then returned to bed for another hour after and changed into my civvies.

After a bum kiss of progesterone and the obligatory blood draw, I was done - not before paying the bill of course. Did n't think I could get out of that one!!

I then made my way to the acupuncturist at Raffles Hospital where I did a really relaxing session and it was great. The TCM doctor commented that my pulse felt better than when I first started a week ago. Hurrah the Lord really heals!!!

I was given a formulation to brew for the next few days and sent home where I slept for over three hours....with my embbies :)

Grow lining grow!

Dear Lining,

How are you today? Did you enjoy last night's concert with songbird Kit Chan last night? I hope you are growing well and slowly but surely, preparing us to receive the beautiful embryos - 8mm or if you are an over-achiever like me, surpass that!

See you tomorrow at the scan machine!!

Xxxx,

Me

Ouch

Ppppppprrreeeeesentingggg ...... *drumroll*.....the biggest bruise I have collected so far. After three fresh cycles and our first attempt at fet, I have created a bruise that has succeeded in freaking me out. Eeps.

It looks like I have taken a marker and tried to scribble something only belly, using light pink markers to supplement the picture.

I think it kind of resembles a bear... What do you reckon?