The Surprises Keep A-Coming

Yikes! I just got off of the phone with my nurse because I had a few general questions I had about the cyst and the potential for its interference with stimming or during the ER. She told me that my high FSH was probably what caused the cyst to still be there, even though it wasn't producing any E2. I'm not sure if that makes much sense, though. Anyway, when I mentioned the conversation I had with the nurse I had spoken with yesterday regarding still being able to start stims on Saturday even though I took a birth control pill yesterday morning, my nurse told me that I actually should have started stims last night. She double-checked this with Dr. McKeeby, who confirmed that I should start tonight and not wait until Saturday since we were just waiting to beat the cyst down. Of course, now I'm worried that my body may have had a jump start in creating one lead folly (I think it starts things early because of my high FSH), but my nurse consulted with Dr. McKeeby again who told her that starting tonight won't hurt - it will be like a mini wash-out period from the pill. Time will tell and I'm ready for this upcoming adventure.

Surprise, Surprise

It seems during this IVF process, one needs to always be prepared for the unexpected, both the positive and negative. For the first time since I started my infertility journey, I received one of those positive unexpected surprises.

I get to start stims on Saturday! When a nurse called a little bit ago with my bloodwork results, she told me that my levels are good and I can start stimming on Saturday. What?! I told her, "Ummmm......I don't know if you have the right file or not, but I have a cyst and was expecting to hear that I needed to get it aspirated." She told me that my E2 level went down to 51 (from 706 on Saturday), so I am good to go. Apparently two doctors reviewed my file and both said I can proceed. Let's just hope that they looked at the right person's bloodwork, ha ha. I still can't believe that I get to start....the coach is finally putting me in with the Varsity kids! Now let the realrollercoaster ride begin!

A Lesson in Patience - The Cyst Saga Continues

Well my cyst is still there - it actually grew a bit to 35mm. So, I have to wait for my bloodwork results, but it looks like I'll either have to stay on the double dose of BCPs (which is doubtful considering the cyst didn't get any smaller) or will have to have is aspirated. After they do that, I can start stimming right away, so that's actually good news.

What I'm even more thrilled about is that Shady Grove really seems to have stepped up things in the TLC department. It seems as though they've done a complete 180 in providing personalized attention and showing genunine compassion and empathy. Maybe this change is due to the fact that (in my opinion) they weren't monitoring me closely enough along the way and feel bad about that so now they know they need to pay closer attention to me. Whatever the reason, I'm happy with the way things are going now and I will let bygones be bygones. Joyce, the morning nurse on duty, looked as though she wanted to hug me when I came in to meet with her after she found out that my cyst was still there. She told me that she and my nurse Dana had actually been talking about me yesterday and saying how I just couldn't catch a break. After I had checked-out, she actually called me over to her office again and told me that things WILL work out. So that was comforting. Whether they will or not, I appreciated her confidence in my situation.

So, it's back to the waiting game for me for now. If they do decide to aspirate the cyst, Shady Grove might be able to get me in to their Rockville office (the only office that does the aspirations) either tomorrow or Friday. Believe it or not, I'm actually feeling more hopeful about things again because there's a good chance that this cycle may not be a bust, after all.

A Little TLC Goes a Long Way

I actually got a TLC call from my RE, Dr. Mottla, yesterday! I had sent my nurse a "woe is me" email asking about the chances that this cyst will go away and telling her that I'm getting tired of obstacle after obstacle. She responded very kindly and empathetically and she must have let Dr. Mottla know that I'm getting discouraged because he left me a very encouraging voice-mail. I felt so much better after that. While the call may not have changed what's going to happen this cycle, just knowing that Dr. Mottla actually does care really meant a lot. So maybe they're turning the corner in the caring aspect.

Other Bloodwork Results

I got the rest of my blood results back today (I now ask for print-outs every time). My TSH was 1.58 (hooray, hooray, hooray, but shame on my RE for not addressing this before my last attempt since all was perfect) and my P4 was .284 (normal range while on BCPs should be between 0 - 0.3). My left ovarian cyst was 34.1!!! Maybe I should take BCPs five times a day to shrink that monster! I'm not sure if taking four days of BCPS twice a day will do anything to shrink that, but I will try to hold on to some hope.

Next Steps

Well, my E2 was 706, so I obviously won't be able to proceed just yet! (I didn't get my TSH results, so I'm interested in hearing what those are, too). The nurse who called me with my bloodwork results told me that I am to keep taking active BCPs, but increase my dose to twice a day instead of once a day. I need to return to my RE's office on Wednesday morning for a follow-up appointment to see if the cyst has shrunk. I don't think my body has a clue of what's going on or what it's supposed to do right now. Hopefully Wednesday will bring better results or it will be ART break time for me for a few months.

Sidelined Again

Well, I just got back from my appointment and the news is not good. Well, some of it is - I actually had FOUR antral follies on my left (wonderful surprise), my lining was nice and thin at 3.3, BUT I have a MONSTER cyst on my right. Go figure. I have to wait for the bloodwork call, but my nurse thinks that they may keep me on BCPs for a few more days to see if they can "beat down" the cyst. I just KNEW I had a cyst - I had way too much cramping going on this cycle. I just can't seem to get this IVF show on the road, can I?

However, I actually did have a very pleasant experience at the RE's office this morning. Since I got there so early, no one else was in the waiting room, the staff was very pleasant (including my nurse) and I felt like I got the VIP treatment in that they really showed they cared. It was a very refreshing change and I hope that continues. I guess they're all starting to feel bad for me, ha ha.