Well...

I started my period last week.  I had tested for pregnancy for about 4-5 days leading up to my period starting.  I was just sure that our possibility was high...even after Jane said, "Pregnancy is most likely not going to be the outcome this month." I don't know why I talk things up so much in my head sometimes, but that's just what I do. 

Well, I started my period last week and I called Dr. Swasnson's office right away. I got Heather on the first try and she booked me for that afternoon.  I went in for my baseline scan.  Basically they just wanted to make sure that all of those follicles were gone and none of them turned into cysts. We got lucky...they were all gone and we were given the green light to start Femara again this cycle.  I started Femara on Thursday last week and have two more doses to take. 

I feel a little more moody this cycle for some reason.  I don't think I usually get really moody/PMS-y around my period, but I feel a little bit that way this time.  I don't know why.  I have sufferred a headache for the last two days now.  I can't really seem to get rid of it totally.  I don't know if that is a side effect of the medication or just something else going on (maybe sinus related).

I go back to Dr. Swanson for an ultrasound on February 1st to see if/how many follicles I have and what side they are on.  I am fairly confidant the outcome will be the same as last month...although I am hoping for the left side to get it's turn this month.

We'll see...

Femara - Cycle 1

Well I went to Dr. Swanson's office on Monday (of last week)...Sorry this post took a while to get up.

I was kind of feeling like the appointment went bad initially and typically don't like writing about the bad stuff.  I think I have since changed my mind, but here it is:

Lou went with me to have my ovaries scanned for eggs on Monday (the 28th).  We saw Jane.  We got right down to business and before I knew it we were looking at the ultrasound on the screen.  We saw 3 follicle on the right side and a few (really small) polycystic type follies on the left. 

Jane did say the right side was dfinitely my dominant ovary this cycle and that pregnancy would most likely not be the outcome this month.  That made me sad.  She asked if I had talked to Dr. Swanson about our "next step." I told her we had, but that we were not ready for IVF just yet.  She said that she is not giving up and we will try again next cycle. 

If the ovaries alternate the way they should from cycle to cycle then next cycle could be all about the left.  She told me that I could test for ovulation still and it really wouldn't hurt to have intercourse (sorry if that is TMI for anyone,but it's how we make a baby...right?).  She did mention that we couldn't see all of the left ovary with the scan, but from what we could see it didn't appear to have any real ovulatory activity.  And then she said....(Here's the answer to my question)...that there is a "less than 5% chance" that the follicle on the right side could get picked up by the left tube. I made her repeat it and Lou heard.

Once I heard this my brain went like this:

3 Follicles x 3-4% chance of making it to the left tube and implanting in my uterus = 9-12% chance of getting pregnant this month.

That's more than we had on the Clomid (according to Dr. Synn we had about 8% chance of conceiving with the Clomid). 

Now I don't know if the math is right...I didn't want to ask, but after a few days of mulling it over I was sure going to be test for ovulation. 

So I got some dip stick ovulation tests...I really like them too by the way...and started peeing in a cup a couple times a day for the next few days. About three days into my testing I started experiencing a lot of pain on the right side (probably because 3 follicles at about 20mm each make up a small cyst size).  I stuck it out.  I still hadn't surged by New Years and I was starting to get really discouraged.  I think I even had another (mini) melt-down. 

Anyway, I think on the 2nd I got my surge!  One thing Jane did mention is that all 3 follicles may not release at the same time or at all...So this surge could have been 1 or 2 or 3 or more for all I know.  However, I have not stopped surging.  There is no doubt in my mind that these are definitely +++++positive tests.  I called Jane today and actually talkd to Barbara and she said that I could be surging with each release and they may be a day apart.  So guess what?...I'll spare you the details...but we have been "trying" everyday almost and I am crossing my fingers and my toes that just one of those follies can make it into the left tube. 

The pain in mostly gone on the right side so I know for sure 1 or 2 have released.  If we have a negative pregnancy test at the end of this cycle at least we can't say we didn't try.  We'll be testing in 10 days to 2 weeks. 

I definitely like the way the Femara worked.  I never had more than one follicle when I took Clomid.  Now lets just get them over to that left side...

Update! Update!

Okay...sorry it took so long to get this post up...I went to see Dr. Swanson last Monday.  Basically he said that since my right tube has scarred itself shut I cannot get pregnant from that right side...and we now know that I won't have another ectopic pregnancy (on the right side).  He was really worried about that happening again.  He had said before that he didn't feel comfortable stimulating with fertility drugs as long as there was a chance I'd have another ectopic pregnancy...I guess I was at a pretty high risk.

So now...since the right side is closed he said we can stimulate with fertility drugs and see if we can get that Left ovary producing eggs. As of now...we haven't seen a single egg on the left side (we've been scanning for a year).  While I am taking the fertility medication I will most likely develope follicles on the right, but they will more than likely just be wasting their time...We want follies on the left! 

So Monday (last week) was day 31 of my cycle.  No ovulation occured (that I could tell anyway) during this cycle so I was pretty sure I wouldn't start my period on my own.  Dr. Swanson gave the okay for a progesterone injection for CD 33 (Wednesday) if Aunt Flo did not show up.  He wrote a prescription for Femara 2 tablets daily for 5 days starting on CD 3 of my next cycle.

**Note: I know Femara is not prescribed by a lot of fertility doctors and I am aware that it is a breast cancer drug.  I know there are warnings about using Femara if you are or become pregnant.  I have read all of the precautions and completely TRUST my doctor.   

I asked Dr. Swanson if I will get a cyst on the right side when I use the Femara and he said, "You might." He also said it wasn't dangerous to have a cyst (this "functional" kind anyway) and that unless it was bothersome (meaning: painful) to me then we could kind of ignore it for about a month to see if the left side is responding to the Femara. I figure I can tough it out a month if I do get a cyst (they have both been painful for me) and see how things go.  Dr. Swanson said if I get pregnant the cyst will go away!  And not come back...until  after I have a baby and then it only might come back.

Anyway, I felt pretty good about trying this. Dr. Swanson said, "The other thing to do is nothing, and we know what happens when we do nothing...Nothing!" Very true. 

On Wednesday no period so when I went in for my pap (I had my annual scheduled that day) I mentioned to Barbara (my favorite nurse practitioner) that Dr. S had said I could have a shot of progesterone if I hadn't started my period.  I had a pregnancy test...negative...a pap smear...all fine...an ultrasound just to make sure I didn't have another cyst...NO cyst...and a shot in the butt of progesterone to induce a period.  Barbara said the shot hurt so I was really worried, but the shot itself did not hurt...the burning and tenderness afterward was the worst part (for me anyway). I asked her how long it would be until I started my period and she thought I'd probably start by Saturday or so.  I left and was excited to get going on this next cycle.

I went and filled my Femara prescription so that I was ready. The pharmacist went over the medication with me and mentioned that she never sees doctor's prescribe Femara for fertility, but then she said, "...but he's the best, I wouldn't question it." She asked about injections and if I had tried that.  She asked about Clomid and asked if I had tried that.  I gave her the short story of my fertility life and left with my 10 very expensive pills. 

So today (tonight) is Wednesday...a week later. No period yet. It's technically CD 40...but I'm not couting anymore. I called Dr. Swanson today to ask if I should be worried and Nurse Patty said it could sometimes take 2 WEEKS!  I got the shot because I thought I would start faster than if I took the Provera (pills). I asked Patty what I should do if I don't start...she said to take a pregnancy test and call her NEXT Wednesday if I still don't start.

So that's where I'm at now.  Waiting for Aunt Flo....

I'll keep updated more frequently...our life is starting to settle back down.  I haven't written about too many family issues (unrelated to fertility) on here, but we've been going through a lot lately.  We are moving forward and holding each other up.  We have decided not to put fertility on hold if we don't have too...So here we go again....Well, whenever Aunt F gets here.

Nervous

Tomorrow I see Dr. Swanson for a follow-up (results of the hysterosalpingogram).  I have no idea what he will decide to do and I am kind of nervous.  I had an appointment over Lou's Thanksgiving break, but it had to be rescheduled...It's tomorrow (Lou's first day back from Thanksgiving break), and he may not be able to make the appointment.  I have been to a lot of doctor's appointments without Lou....It's really not that big of a deal. But I am nervous and I just can't help it.