Fair QUEENS!!

WARNING...the pictures you are about to see are not to be copied and sold for millions without permission!! This past weekend, we headed out to the BBQ cook off at "The Fair" in order to re-live memories from the past. This event is usually a high school reunion for surrounding areas, however, this year was a little different... not too many Gator Grads there (or we just didn't look real hard). Tarah, Marissa, and I had a great time talking, laughing, drinking cold beer, dancing, and singing! The boys (Cory, Matt, and Brandon) just enjoyed their beverages and talking (and probably laughing at us). Here are few pictures from our FUN evening!

2008 GCFR Fair QUEENS...it was a 3 way tie!!!

# 1 Brazoria Co. Matt Crowder Supporter!

VOTE FOR MATT CROWDER!!!

Me and Tarah getting ready for another year at the fair! This year, Cory didn't take us to the Busy Bee and treat us to cheese sticks and a Dr. Pepper. Tarah...I did end up going home with him this year! Ha ha ha...I'm cracking up!

For those of you who remembered...I'm going to the doctor tomorrow morning. Hopefully the lining of my uterus decided to thicken over the past two weeks. Will update again after tomorrows appointment.

~Hayley

Good Luck Kelly

OK...for those of you who do not know, I have recently met someone who is also going through the IVF process as well. It's funny because we were introduced to one another through coworkers and we talked on the phone for about 2 weeks before we even met. The more and more we talked on the phone, the more and more we learned about the things we share in common and we knew that we HAD to meet. Are you ready for this list? Here it is: we both teach first grade in Alvin (different schools), both have a dog named HOLLY (her Holly is a Golden Retriever and is expecting puppies in early May if anyone is interested), we both drive Tahoe's, Kelly and her husband Robby graduated from SFA (and so did Cory), both of our in-laws have beach houses in Boliver, we both attend St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church in Alvin, we both converted to the Catholic faith because of our husbands, we both LOVE Tommaso's (the local pizza joint here in Alvin), we are both going through IVF, and we both LOVE to shop. I know there is a bunch more that we have in common, but I can't seem to remember everything!

Anyway, Kelly began her IVF process a few weeks ago and is ready for egg retrieval. This will actually take place tomorrow morning (April 14th) at 6 AM. So... please keep Kelly and Robby in your thoughts and prayers. This is a very exciting step in the IVF process, but at the same time, it is VERY stressful. You go through so much to prepare your body for this day and all you can do is hope and pray for tons and tons of healthy eggs. Then you have to pray that they are mature eggs, that they fertilize and grow to be big, strong, and healthy embryo's for the transfer. So, with that being said...I'm sending MANY prayers Kelly and Robby's way. Wishing you both the best of luck tomorrow and the next few weeks!!!

Have a great week!

Love~
Hayley =)

Long Time NO Blog

Hello everyone! I know it's been a super long time since I have posted an update and I do apologize for that. YIPPIE...I FINALLY started my period last Monday (March 31st) and I never thought I would be SO excited. I had a doctors appointment this morning and I assumed I would have lab work done and an ultrasound, but boy was I WRONG. As it turns out, I was scheduled for a hysterosonogram today (I had no clue this was going to take place). I was extremely nervous about having this done (especially since I was all alone...I didn't know if I would be able to handle this without having my mom or Cory there with me), but it was a lot easier than I anticipated. The doctor inserted a catheter and used water to "blow up" my uterus. This allowed him to see if there were any polyps in my uterus. Good news is...everything is NORMAL...THANK GOD! If the outcome would have been different, it would have explained why the embryo's did not attach and grow the first IVF transfer. Note to self...if you ever have to have this procedure done, make sure you sit in the up-right position for a few minutes before standing and trying to get dressed. Water that is forced in must come out...wasn't expecting that, but I had a good laugh (all by myself)! Tonight I get to being taking Estrace again once a day for a week, then I will bump it up to twice a day for a week. I will also begin taking an antibiotic as well as a low dose steroid until my next appointment on the 21st of this month. Hopefully my uterine lining will respond to the medication since we are doing it much "slower" this time. If not, I was informed by my doctor that I will have another test done...but this one will take place in the OR. PLEASE pray that my uterine lining decides to respond this time because I really don't want to take a trip to the OR UNLESS I'm having another embryo transfer.

On the other hand, Cory and I (and Holly) were able to spend the entire day on Sunday out by the pool. The water was still pretty chilly, but that didn't stop Cory and Holly from getting in. After hanging my feet in the pool for several minutes, I was able to move to the first step, then the second step, and then I was able to get all the way into the shallow end. It was chilly, but at the same time, it was pretty refreshing. My parents came over to enjoy the afternoon with us and Cory and I fixed the most delicious meal (filet's, baked potatoes, salad, rolls, and the best part of all...Oreo balls). Needless to say, we were all stuffed!

Well, I better get going so that I can get my things ready for work tomorrow. It sure was nice having the day off. After the appointment, I treated myself to a small shopping spree! Take care and enjoy your week. Don't forget to pray that my uterine lining responds this time to the medication!

XOXO~
Hayley =)

Dr. Appointment 3-6-2008

This morning I had another appointment with Dr. Grunert to check the lining of my uterus (last week it was measuring around a 6 and he would like for it to measure at least a 7 in order to transfer). Unfortunately, the lining did not thicken over the past week as we were hoping... it actually decreased in size. The ultrasound measured in three different places and the measurements are as follows: 4 1/2, 5, and 5 1/2. So with this being said, we will not be transferring embroys next week (bummer...but oh well). For some reason, my body is just not ready right now and there's nothing that I can do or could have done to make the outcome any different. I will continue the Lupron injections once a day and decrease the Estrace to twice daily for the next ten days. On the eleventh day, I will begin taking Prometrium, which will allow me to begin a new cycle. Once this happens, I will go back and we will start the process again.

I was a little upset with the prognosis today, but I feel the doctor is doing what is best. If we were to transfer the embroys next week, they would not be able to attach to the uterine lining and the transfer would not be successful...so I just have to continue to be patient (which is VERY difficult when you want something so bad and your body does not want to cooperate). I think this is just God's way of preparing all of us for...THE SCOTT QUADS! What do you think?!?!?

I'm counting down the days until SPRING BREAK. One more week to go..thank goodness and YIPPIE! Take care and have a great weekend!

Love~
Hay

Dr. Appointment 2-28-08

Well, it has been one busy week around here and I'm just getting around to updating my blog (sorry to those of you who are "faithful blog stalkers" and have been waiting on the update). I went to ANOTHER appointment on Thursday and I was not a happy camper when I left. I learned that my uterine lining is not quite thick enough, it's measuring at a 6 and the doctor wants it to be at least a 7. I was told that there could be 4 possible reasons why it is not thick enough just yet...here they are!

1. The Lupron injection that I take once a day could have just not worked and I ovulated. This doesn't make sense to me being that Lupron is the drug that causes there to be no activity in my ovaries, therefore, I should not ovulate. I'm currently on my second vial of this expensive drug estimating around $500.00 (this is with the discount card that Walgreens signed me up for)...so IT SHOULD WORK RIGHT?!?!?!
2. I may just need to continue taking the hormone Estrace a little longer (he seems to think that one more week on this will thicken my lining).
3. I may need to up the dosage of Estrace (I'm currently taking it 3 times a day).
4. It may just not be a "good" month and we will have to discontinue the use of all drugs, have a few normal cycles, and start all over again! I'm thinking...HOW CAN IT NOT BE A GOOD MONTH IF MY BODY IS BEING CONTROLLED BY ALL OF THESE DRUGS?!?!?

After the ultrasound was more blood work, which doesn't seem to bother me now! They are testing to see where my hormone levels are and if they look good, I will just continue taking Lupron once a day and Estrace 3 times a day.

Around 4:00, I called the office to get the results of my lab work (which I NEVER have to do because they ALWAYS call me with the lab results and my instructions). The fill in nurse informed me that they would have to call me back later because they were not in yet. So, I waited patiently for the results!

FRIDAY, February 29th (around 8:30 AM)
By this point, I'm outraged because they never returned my call and I need to know my instructions. The nurse informed me that my lab results look good and I'm to continue Lurpon and Estrace the same (my estrogen level was high and progesterone level was low, so that is good). I was a little scared at first because the nurse told me that the doctor needed to talk to my neurologist about something...she obviously had me confused with another patient and it took us several minutes to straighten out all of that. I have never been to a neurologist, but I may need to after all of this is said and done!

So, I go back next Thursday for another ultrasound and more lab work. Please pray, pray, pray that the lining of my uterus is thick enough and at a 7. If this is the case, I will begin Progesterone injections (which I have missed dearly...YEAH RIGHT) and should be ready for another transfer the following week...at least I'm hoping!

Please keep the prayers coming and don't forget to leave me a message so I know you visited my blog! Take care and have a great week (it's going to be a great week for teachers...let's SURVIVE TAKS on Wednesday)!

XOXO~
Hayley