Feeling like a pincushion

I gave myself my F.ollistim shot tonight because M goes to the hose company for training and meetings. I'm looking at my poor, bruised belly and thinking it's all worth to give us a shot.
I do have good news--my W.ii fit plus finally came in and I picked it up! I told my Mom and she said all the people she knows that have one love it. I'm going to read the book tonight and have M set it up tomorrow.
I also met up with my M.ary Kay lady and purchased items I needed. She's a great woman. I have been going to her for fifteen years now. After talking with me about my cycle she told me that she had to do infertility treatments to get her daughters. A fellow stirrup queen--you never know when you will meet one!
My nurse called yesterday and left a message that she had a cancellation and I could come in at 7:45 a.m. for my us. I called and left a message for her that I will come in. I am going to the hospital for my blood work before that. They open at 7 a.m. I'm glad I won't be late for work. I really don't like being late. Which is funny--I used to always be late.
I'm off to read my fit plus book and go to bed. I'll update tomorrow about my tests.

Us and blood work

This morning I went in for my ultrasound and blood work. The us showed 4 follicles on my right ovary and 3 on my left. I'm disappointed in these numbers. I was hoping for more. Some of these follicles may not have any eggs. Some may have immature eggs. The nurse called me around 11 am and told me to keep my doses the same (5 L.upron, 225 F.ollistim). My Mom and M asked if there was a "right" number for how many follicles I should have. I don't. I'm guessing it depends on the age of the woman, the meds and the doses. Right? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
I got stressed out this morning because the phlebotomist came in late. The nurse schedules blood work for as early as 7:45 a.m but the phlebotomist comes in around 8:20 a.m. - 8:25 a.m. I go in Friday for another us and blood work. I had the nurse schedule my blood work at the hospital (they start at 7 am and I can go when I want to) and my us at 8:30 a.m. I will be going in to work late on Friday which I don't like but I can't help it.
I can't believe my egg retrieval is one week away! Holy moly--I've waited years for this and here we are right in the middle of the cycle. I hope and pray that this works.

Day 14

I went in for blood work yesterday and my levels are good. I'm staying at 5 units of L.upron and 225 units of F.ollistim. I go in for more blood work tomorrow and an ultrasound. Yesterday was rough with a severe headache and nausea. I put on my pj's after dinner and camped out on the couch. Today it's just a headache.
I'm thinking positive thoughts through this whole process.

Good to go

I had my baseline ultrasound and blood work yesterday morning. My appointment was moved because of the snow that came today. Nurse Grace said my lining looked good and she later called with the results of the blood work-my estrogen was 30- and that meant I could proceed with the F.ollistim tonight. M and I are going to watch a video on their website on how to administer the medicine with the pen.
We've had off the last two days from school because we got over a foot of snow. The neighborhood kids are loving it. We went sledding yesterday down behind our house where there are coal banks and we flew down the hill! I haven't been sledding in years and it was such a good time.
I finished painting our bedroom. The blue is a very pale and soothing color. I really like it. It goes well with our s.habby chic sheets and blankets.






E, a neighbor and myself built this snowwoman yesterday.









This is what she looked like today.









This is my Psyanky egg I made the weekend my Dad showed us how to do it. He had an old book that showed what different symbols and their meanings. I made an egg with chickens and hens because they symbolize fertility. I also drew wheat because it symbolizes good health.



Other eggs.









Eggs that my friend J and her mom and brother made. They chose more difficult patterns. J is a very talented artist. She can draw, paint and photograph extremely well. Their eggs were gorgeous!






My best friend Maggie. He's my buddy :-)

Sock It To Me!

I was so excited to receive my socks! I've read about other bloggers participating in this sock exchange and so when it rolled around again I decided to jump right in.
My socks are awesome!!! Thank you Carolyn@No Different From Any Other!!!! My socks look like they were knitted. I couldn't find your email to ask you Carolyne so I'm asking you here--Did you knit them? They are beautiful and I can't wait to wear them to my egg retrieval and embryo transfer. I thought it would be a way to bring you all with me ;-) They are so soft and comfy. I love the ribbon around the top of the socks and there are sticky rubber circles (3rd picture) to keep me from sliding around.
The blogging community has been a great supportive source for me. Whether someone leaves me a comment, reading about someone's journey or reading for information I know I can count on my blogging sisters to listen to me, make me laugh or cry with me. I try to do my best to leave comments to other bloggers to give back the support that they have given me. As always you are all in my prayers too.
I look forward to seeing all the other socks as we rock our socks out--please check out I'm A Smart One to see all the cool socks.

Sunday, Sunday

The breakfast at the hose company was good. It's always nice to see and support the fellow firefighters M works with. After that it was E's first CCD class taught by a nun. The CCD coordinator suggested I explain to E what a nun is. I began my explanation and E interrupted me and told me that she knows what a nun is--they were black. I did explain to her that it's more than wearing black. I went to catholic school for 7 years and I didn't have a nun as my teacher. We did have one teaching 2nd grade but that was after me. We continued on and head home to have lunch before E's basketball game. After that I went looking for a new St. Patrick's Day flag at Michael's, but I couldn't find any I liked. I did find my parents there. My Dad picked up stencils for his Pysanky eggs and my Mom picked out icing for her cookies. Then I headed out to my favorite store--Weggie's . I would move in if they let me. I don't know if you have one by you so let me tell you all the goodness they have. I enjoy their Mediterranean Bar (hummus--yum!), lovely bunches of hydroponic romaine lettuce, chai tea, magazines, books, great smelling lotions and seasonal items (both our outdoor patio set and table came from there). I have some good friends that work there and they both agree it's one of the best places to work. They take good care of their employees. If you like to bake and cook it's a great go to place. It's the only place around my area that has vanilla beans. They have a great selection of pretty much everything.
I finished up my night by watching Undercover Boss. What a great show! The heads of companies go undercover for one week in their company doing various jobs. It's a great opportunity to get a good feel on how their employees are doing and how the customers like the store/product. The bosses have been great people. At the end of the week they introduce themselves to their employees they have worked with and help them out with their job/school/family. I always cry. It makes me feel good to know that the big guys do care. The employees are really great too (their was one bad apple from the Hooter show--but he has since straightened up). I joked with M that if the CEO of the big OG came in I wouldn't know what he looks like. I should google him--lol! Next week is White Castle.
It's time for me to hit the hay.

Day #3

I started Lupron on Wednesday, February 17. I had to do my first shot myself because M was at a fire. I am so glad I payed attention to the nurse. I admit it went well even though I was very nervous ;-) M did my shots yesterday and today. I have had some slight headaches, insomnia and my right arm feels tingly. I have stopped my ibuprofen. I'm doing okay so far but I am a little scared that my back pain will come back. Following Dr. G's instructions I've also given up caffeine. Not too hard with tea but chocolate has caffeine and I so love chocolate!
I'm waiting for the mail order pharmacy to call me back so my med delivery can be scheduled. I think I have to clean out a shelf in the fridge with all the meds coming.
We painted our bedroom a pale blue-polar ice. A second coat has to be done on the walls with the windows and closet. I have work tomorrow at the big OG and Sunday is packed with a hose company breakfast fundraiser, church, CCD class for E and E's basketball game.
I will take pictures of my bedroom and post later. Enjoy your weekend ;-)