IRL Support System

Tonight shouldn't seem like a big deal but it was to me.  We talked to PC's parents and his brother/SIL about what's ahead for us.  For a long time, I didn't want anyone IRL to know about IVF. 
If IVF resulted in a healthy baby, I wouldn't care to shout to the world that we used it as a means to have a child... it's not that.  I think it's that I just don't want so many people involved and invested on such an emotional journey that may not turn out the way we hope it will.  But I do want a close circle of people that care about me the most--around me at a time that I need them the most.  This group includes my mom and grandparents, PC's parents and brother/SIL and a handful of close friends and co-workers.  I need an IRL support system in addition to having blog buddies, no offense!   Everyone has been wonderful.  They want to help in any way possible.  So SIL was assigned to the backside shots tonight, yay for having a nurse in the family!  I feel a little bit of weight off my shoulders... now my IRL circle is complete and it's time to get this show on the road in the stirrups!

        

2WW until IVF#1- I Hope!

Today is 2 weeks until I'm supposed to do the first lupron injection and get this IVF cycle underway.  A couple of MAJOR things have to happen before then.
1.  Order Meds
2.  Financial Clearance

Really, these two things may be more stressful than the cycle itself!  I should spare you all these details, but I'm free to vent here, right? 

Meds- PC and I estimated on the low end because of a misunderstanding about a discount program (earlier post) and we're trying to make up for that by really comparison price shopping on-line. Purchasing on-line or even out of the country means that Nurse LLD will have to fax the prescription to us rather than calling it in to a pharmacy but that can't happen until...
Financial clearance- This department has a lot of turnover and they are not helpful (and sometimes just hateful) over the phone!  When I called to pay for our cycle, consultant (#2) said "I'm sorry but that was last year's price and there's been an increase.  You will have to pay the new price."  (A $2000 increase.)  My response was "We signed a financial contract in the fall and knew we wouldn't do this cycle until after the new year.  Is that contract not valid?"  She tells me no again and that I can try to work it out with the person that's soon taking her place.  Grrrrr.......
To make this long story short, I call Nurse LLD and unload these issues on her and she tells me to fax a copy of the contract and she'll give it to Dr. S. on Friday.  I also asked her if I could send a letter.  Did I mention that we heart Nurse LLD?  This was her e-mail response to me today...minus IRL names:
Hi, you may email an attachment and I will make sure Dr. S gets it on Friday.  I realize that financial clearance is a big pain and may be the most stressful.  I will look for your letter.  Hope you have a great day.

I just don't know everything will fall into place over the next two weeks or not.  If it's put off another month, I have to believe there's a reason. 


P.S.  The blog makeover is in honor of a new phase of the IF journey... and yes, we're having a pretty sweet Mac+PC smooch behind those laptops and that makes me :]  

Many thanks to Amy at Maternal Hope for the blog award!  Isn't this such a cool way to connect with people?  Not cool that we're having to travel down the infertility path but very cool that this is a way to share the journey with others who understand... and in pajamas if we prefer!  It is a much needed outlet and I appreciate "meeting" such strong and brave women along the way!

Rules for accepting this award:
1. Thank and Link back to the person who awarded you the award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 other bloggers the award.
4. Contact bloggers and let them know about the award and that they received it

Seven Things About Me:
1.  I'm an introvert.  I'm misunderstood as being shy... but really I just like listening and considering all points of view before giving mine.
2.  I'm semi-fluent in Spanish, meaning I can carry on a conversation but the grammar is asi asi not excellente.    
3.  I love country food.  Beans-n-Greens are okay with me.  This makes PC wince.    
4.  I really want to accomplish two things on my "40 before 40" list (besides a BFP):  how to drive a stick shift (in progress) and how to play a guitar (not a clue).   
5.  PC and I met because a mutual friend (also my boss at the time) "woke up at 3 a.m. and thought that we would be a perfect match."  She asked if she could pass along my number to him... he called... we met... we married less than a year later and sent her a thank you gift on our one year anniversary:]  
6.  I was in the band in high school and played the xylophone. 
7.  I (still) love a good plan.

15 others on this journey who encourage and inspire ...

A Miracle for Us

Baby on my mind

Bumpy Road to Motherhood

Diary of taking small steps toward baby steps....

Gracie in Brooklyn

Mr. and Mrs. Lemon

Mutemockingbird's Blog

My Journey Through IVF

 MyTTCstory

our new plan A

OUR TTC JOURNEY...

Raising Cain (someday)

Trying To Get A Bun In My Oven

Waiting for a baby bump

Yet another infertility blog...

Ready (Jan) Set (Feb) Go (March)

We're at least moving into the 'Ready' phase here. Today was AF-Day 1, IVF-phone consult, MRI and Acupuncture! My body seems to be on the procrastinate and cram schedule!

I called the IVF nurse to let her know this is cycle day 1. For IVF/blog purposes, I'll refer to her as Nurse LLD, which stands for Lunch Lady Doris... this is her in the cartoon version. Same voice, same no-nonsense, same get it done attitude who (you get the impression) probably turns around and rolls her eyes...or takes a smoke break... when people irritate her. PC and I instantly liked Nurse LLD! She told me we will start lupron on day 21, do a baseline u/s & one other procedure with the next menses to get this IVF going. This will put injections/stims around mid to the end of February and ER/ET around the first of March. But nothing about the IVF timeline is truly predictable, right?

The MRI-
Conversation between me & PC earlier today.

Me-"This is really one of the last tests I know of to check my infertility/hormonal issues."
PC- "If this shows something is wrong, will it mean a plan B?"
Me- "If I have an active pituitary tumor, I guess it could mean removing it. Brain surgery."
PC- "Is that covered by insurance?"
Me- "It should be."
PC- "Then that would probably be cheaper than IVF."
Me- "Is that the bright side?"

Why can't we just come home and ask "How was your day today, honey?" Sigh.

Acupuncture 'Before IVF' #2-
Dr. C said there had been a lot of TTC ladies in his office today. Yep. He said I was my "usual tensed up self" and I gave him a recap of my day. Yep.

My constant racing thoughts problem was kind of fun during acupuncture today. I made a mental image/list of "good to great" things to get me through the next few weeks. A top 10 of things that I love + some honorable mentions in good (1) to great (10) order.

1. Sweet Tea, it can even be decaffeinated, just sweet+tea
2. A good book, a good movie, or both!
3. Birding
4. Reading/Writing/Stalking Blogs
5. Petting and brushing the puppies (super cheap calming effect)
6. A Girls Night Out
7. Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake, must work this in the schedule somewhere.
8. Thinking Dreaming about... spring & summer days ahead!
9. Thinking Dreaming about... two.pink.lines.
10. Dinner and Date Nights with sweet PC:]

This post has gotten too long for the honorable mentions but feel free to share some things on your good to great, get through IVF, list!

To Laugh or Cry?

I choose to laugh. The e-mail of the day between Mac and PC.
A glimpse into our crazy L'IF'E!