A Tweak

I'm always in awe of people's generosity. After my acupuncture session with Sydnie on Tuesday she suggested I come back on Thursday for a "tweak." The session was shorter (30 min vs 60 min) and she only worked on the front of my body but I knew that going in. When I went to pay she told me that it was on the house. She wished me good luck, asked that I call her to let her know the results and sent me on my merry way. How awesome!

Thank you to those who provided feedback on their cat/dog relationship. The puppies are relatively new so we won't be able to pick him/her up for at least another three weeks.

It's a beautiful day outside. I'm off to go take a walk.

Try #15

My cycle so far has gone a little like this:

Gonal-F: I increased it on my own from 112.5 to 150. In the end it helped me produce more follies by day 8 u/s. By my day 10 u/s I had one lead follie and three smaller follies that had the potential to grow before my scheduled IUI. While I used the pen the first three days, I introduced my body to the vial and syringe form. Those needles are definitely fatter and took more of an effort to pierce my skin. People, stick with the pen (no pun intended). I also noticed that I had some random headaches during this cycle which isn't typical. Even while taking clomid for 3 cycles, I only got one headache throughout the entire process.

HCG: I triggered last night and I had a MAJOR reaction to the ovidrel this time around. Within 5 minutes of taking it my head felt heavy and foggy, I noticed some shortness of breath and I had an instant headache, make that migraine that lasted into this afternoon. The pressure in my head was pretty scary as all sorts of things ran through my mind. I consulted with two of my fellow blogger/friends who both had their IUI's 24 hours after the trigger. My clinic does their 36 hours after. Does anyone elses?

Acupuncture: I met with Sydnie today who was an absolute doll. She is "family" which I kinda suspected when I met her last year. She told me that she and her partner (both romantic and business) just welcomed their daughter into the world last month. The thing I liked about Sydnie was that she just "got it." She was reviewed my chart (I went in twice last year) and just asked how ttc had been going since then. I told her that this was my last try that I've moved on to injectibles, etc. She was able to verbalize how emotional and difficult ttc can be without me even saying it. It felt nice to be understood by someone IRL. I love acupuncture and if I had the money I would do it more often. I felt completely relaxed after today's session. I go back on Thursday for a "tweak."

IUI: I'll post about this tomorrow after it's done.

Emotions: My emotions just kinda vary at this moment. Overall, I feel like I'm just going through the motions. I'm giving it all can (acupuncture, spinach and pineapples as recommended by Sydnie, and lots of water) because I have nothing to lose but I'm so use to the same results that I will be truly and utterly shocked if I get a bfp. I want it so bad but I'm trying not to get my hopes up because... well you know how that goes.

5 dpo and counting

Today I am 5 dpo. I went in for my second round of acupuncture this morning at 10am. I was a little freaked out because she reminded me of my boss and who the hell wants to think about their boss on their day off? But she was very friendly nevertheless. Anyway, she inserted needles in the same spots as last time but didn't put any on my stomach so that we could "nurture the [possible] pregnancy."

As far as the tww, I've been doing exceptionally well. This time next week may be a different story. The 1ww is always worse than the 2ww because if you are going to experience any symptoms (real or imaginary) the 1ww is when you'll have them.

On another note, Danielle has successfully convinced me out of my haircut. However, I'm only postponing it until September. She made a very good point this week when I was having a terrible hair day due to the 90 degree weather and humidity that I would look a wreck if I had short hair and I had to agree. So until the humidity dies down, I'll stick with my long hair (sigh).

Fuck me panties

I just got back from my acupuncture appointment. It was pretty cool and very relaxing. When I first got there I was asked to fill out some paperwork. Then I went into the room, which was dim and very peaceful. We chatted a bit about my ttc journey, what I'm using, etc. Then I hopped onto the table, undid my jeans and lifted my shirt up a bit. Danielle made a comment about the underwear when I was getting dressed calling them "fuck me panties" and that's all I could think about! Anyway, she inserted needles in my abdomen, ankles, foot, forehead and wrists and then left me "to let the needles do their magic" for 20 minutes. When she returned, she did something with my head in a rocking side to side motion but it was so gentle. Then she had me take off my top and turn over. She proceeded to put some needles in my back and left me for 10 minutes. When we were all done she suggested that I return in a week to for another treatment to aid with implantation. This time I won't wear my declared "fuck me panties."

This morning I got a +opk but I have a feeling that the following one will be a little darker so I am going to take another one in an hour or so to compare. Unfortunately I woke up too late to use my CBEFM so I will have to wait until tomorrow.

Only a few more hours until date night. We are going to eat at PF Changs and then see our movie at 9:45pm. I am so excited. I am little annoyed though because the guy who plays Harry on SATC was on Ellen and unintentionally gave away a spoiler. I would have been really surprised by it as well. Aggrr!

Waiting game, part 1

Our tank arrived today and is waiting in the dining room to be opened. I took an opk (ovulation predictor kit) earlier today and it was negative so now we are just playing the waiting game for one to turn positive. I have a feeling it will happen over the weekend, which is great because it will give me a good excuse to lounge around.

I have my acupuncture appointment tomorrow @ 1pm. I am a little disappointed though because the woman, Jesse, who corresponded with me via email and answered all of my questions wont be there tomorrow so her associate, Sydnie will be doing it. Although I am sure Sydnie will do a great job and I will like her, I was looking forward to meeting Jesse.

Anyway, tonight we are going bowling. We went a few weeks ago and this place is so old that you have to score on paper. I couldn't tell you the last time I went to one like that. Tomorrow we are going to see the Sex and the City movie. We went all out and bought the VIP tickets so we can watch the movie in ultimate comfort with their "plush leather seats." I bet this experience is so overrated. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to it.

Tiny little needles

Acupuncture! That's what we are adding to the mix this time around (as long as we can afford the 1-3 sessions suggested). I've read some really great research information, articles and testimonies about the use of acupuncture to assist with achieving pregnancy. My brother, Michael, who is really into chinese medicine was very supportive of the idea and also suggested acupressure. After an hour of googling, I found two ladies in my area who seem like they would be a good match. It's $75 a pop. Of course, my insurance will not cover it (some will). When I contacted them, it was suggested that I come in 3x's in a month. That was my plan until the bank raised its prices on me. So I emailed her back and she said that 1-2 could also be beneficial so that's what we are going to go with. Obviously I would love to go for 3 but its just not affordable. I haven't made an appointment yet but I am really excited about this little venture.