6 weeks & 12 pounds later....here we go!!

It is no secret that women who undergo IVF put on a few pounds before and during their cycle. With the fertility meds, injections and steroids in addition to the no exercise rule it is just inevitable. Sadly, I fell victim to the IVF weight gain...after 6 weeks of no exercise, meds, and injections I gained 12 pounds. Very disheartening when I had worked so hard before my cycle to lose weight and I had lost 15 pounds in two months.

I went for my first run Thursday and I was pretty much devastated at how out of shape I was! 6 weeks ago I could run 3 miles easily...NOW...I made it half a mile and had to walk the rest. I am hoping it's just because the progesterone is still in my system and I am still weaning off steroids BUT STILL how sad! I worked so hard to get in shape and starting is just UGH! But I know I can do it and I know I have to do it!

My goal is lose 50 pounds (yes I said 50 and yes I could certainly lose 50) by our cycle in July. This is completely realistic to do in 6 months. I am totally determined to reach my goal and be the healthiest I can possibly be. Being overweight is detrimental to your IVF success and even though I am not unhealthy I could certainly stand lose a few pounds. I am Hispanic so I have always been "curvy" but I know when I was 24 years old - two years after having my second child- I weighed 120 pounds and I would LOVE to be that weight again!

So back to the trail I go- running every other day and doing The Shred every other day. Greens, high protein and portion control. It is really simple when you think about it- just eat less and move more! I am blessed to be able to stay home and work from home which gives me plenty of time for exercise and meal planning. Thank you Lord for making that possible and giving me a husband who works hard to provide for his family.

As I embark on my weight loss and IVF prep journey I will share my tips and tricks on my blog. Losing weight is about A LOT more than just physical stuff it is emotional/spiritual too so I will be touching on that as well...there will be tears...so bring your kleenex! The strength to keep going will come from God and I know He will carry me through this journey as He has done from day one. It will be hard and there will certainly be times when I want to quit or give up but I know with my faith at the forefront I will win this battle.

Until next time friends, family and fellow readers...I am going to finish my Kashi Cinnamon & Honey Oats and Turkey Bacon then get Shredded with Jillian Michaels...that should be interesting!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5-6

73 Shots Later Equals New Found Heroes

I try my hardest to be upbeat and positive no matter what the situation. I admit I have my downfalls when I just want to complain and whine about everything. But mostly I keep that attitude in check and pray through whatever it is that is causing me to have the whine syndrome. That being said, I need to whine and complain a little bit- just to get it off my chest!

First of all, I want to say that all you IVF and IUI moms and women out there are now my new found heroes. I have talked to many women who have been through 1, 2, 3 or more IVF cycles. I do not know how you do it. This is HARD STUFF there is nothing easy about the shots, the hormones, the emotions, the retrieval, the bloating, the discomfort, the waiting, the waiting, the transfer....and the waiting. I think if I did not have my hubby, family, friends and God I would probably cry everyday. Luckily I have only cried a handful of times but I do have to admit I get misty eyed more often these days due to the hormone injections and high emotions.

I counted today and so far I have received 73 shots either in the tummy, thigh, arm or hip. Hands down the Progesterone in Oil shots that I started the night of the retrieval are the most painful horrible awful shots EVER! My Hubby deserves the medal of honor for being such a trooper about the shot giving and always being positive when I feel like I just can't take another shot! The PIO shot is supposed to help my uterine lining thicken because IVF shots can thin it out. This will prevent miscarriage so I am doing them and I am going to do it with a thankful heart! This shot continues until I am 8 weeks pregnant...Lord give me strength! Right now both my hips are so sore I cannot even sit down without cringing. (see pic of my hubby getting ready to give me a shot)

Also this bloating and discomfort is for the birds! My ovaries are so swollen you can actually see them protruding from my stomach. At first I was scared maybe I had Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome but I am still peeing, pooping okay and I am not retaining water so I think it is just because I had 24 Follices and they are now filled with fluid which takes 7-10 days to leave your system. Wow! I look huge! How do women work before, during or after IVF? I cannot imagine! You cannot even wear your clothes. Prior to the retrieval I looked about 3 months pregnant and now I look about 5 months. I told Hubby its a good preview at what I might look like in the months to come! ;) I have to pee every 5 minutes and it hurts like I am going to burst every time! The burping and passing gas is out of control- my poor Hubby and in laws- I am so glad they love me and don't mind my issues!

I did the Micro shots of stimulation meds (although with my amount of eggs you wouldn't think so) so my hormones and emotions were not too bad but I could certainly tell my patience wearing thin with my kiddos. I really did feel bad for them...it's like one day your mom is one person and the next day she wakes up and she's Roseanne Barr on crack! I am certain this time apart they have found a new love and respect for me regardless of how I was acting when I left. So I am at peace about that behavior however rash and uncalled for. I was totally open and honest with them about the shots and how they made me feel so maybe they took it with a grain a salt. I can only hope. For all you IVFers and infertility warriors who did the full blown stem shots and meds- you rock and you amaze me!

After all the yucky symptoms, side effect, aches, pains and shots I have to say I am still so very thankful for the experience and to have 11 healthy embryos growing! Yes we got our FERT report today and 11 of the 13 have made it to the next stage of growth. The nurse said 5 are growing on track and are almost ready now. We are planning our Egg Transfer on Tuesday November 16th. The day after my birthday and before our 3 year anniversary. We are so blessed and we know it! I cannot wait to be home and pregnant (hopefully with twin Bryant Babies).

We are still having a good time in Vegas with my in laws! I hate to see them go tomorrow. (see pic of my hubby and I at Hard Rock Cafe today). We've taken in lots of sights and yummy food!

Lucky Number 13 & Yoga at 2 am!

What a whirlwind week! I cannot believe tomorrow will already be one week in Vegas- it is flying by! I am having a blast but I am missing my kids and my dogs soooo bad! I cannot wait to see them and give them love!

I am so enjoying my in laws and hubby being here. Our Egg Retrieval went smoothly Thursday morning. I picked Hubby and in laws up from the airport and we went straight to Dr. Sher's office. We were in and out in an hour. We had 14 mature eggs out of my 24 follices. He was very happy with the results. I spent the afternoon resting and we had a great dinner that night at the hotel. I was pretty sore, bloated and crampy but nothing too bad. I started my Progesterone in Oil shots that night- which are very painful and in the hip- I have to do them until I am 8 weeks pregnant- OUCHEY! I am trying not to be such a whiny baby I mean I have had two kids so I can handle A LOT- right?

The next morning we were off and running bright and early. We went to Hoover Dam- which was awesome and beautiful! Being surrounded by such amazing scenery makes me feel close to God- He has created an amazing Earth for us to live on! I am thankful and humbled by it! We also saw 3 REAL monks there- like in robes and scandals- but they were carrying around probably a $2000 Nikon Camera- I thought Monks did not have care about material possessions? Hhhhmmmm.....

Then we went to Pawn Stars and they were filming and we got to see Rick- way awesome! We had a nice lunch at Planet Hollywood at Caesar's Palace. My nurse called with our Embryo report and was please to announce that 13 out of 14 of our eggs had fertilized. She said we will take tomorrow off- meaning there will be no new news then we will hear from her Sunday morning on how they are growing and if we will do Egg Transfer on Sunday or Tuesday. That evening we hit Fremont Street- which was WOW! It is the older part of Vegas but very very neat! The street has a screen over the top that puts on a light show to music. We saw a lot of very interesting people dressed up and some dressed way down. Vegas is a really unique place! Then we had a yummy dinner at Landry's- love their seafood! The main side effects for the day were discomfort from being bloated and gassy! My nurse said that my ovaries are swollen and taking up more room than usual which causes everything else to feel cramped. I also have to pee every 5 minutes! Which is very interesting when you are walking around and scrambling to find the nearest restroom. She also warned me that the PIO shot could cause constipation so be sure to get Metamucil- which we did at the pharmacy on Fremont Street- the one thing we bought! haha!

Last night was very rough. I woke up at 2 in the morning in excruciating pain! Honestly, I felt like I needed to pass gas for about an hour and I would be fine! At one point I was so desperate for relief I was doing YOGA in the bathroom just to get things moving! What a sight that was I am sure! I was in pain for about 2 hours before I finally got some relief- two Gatorades, two Gas X's and some Metamucil later I was asleep. And yes the PIO shot before in the other hip was horrible- so now both hips are super sore and tender...I am tough...I am tough...I will not be a gripey whiner! Okay...I feel better now...

This morning after a yummy buffet breakfast- which I kept high protein so I could have a BM- which I did successfully after breakfast- I have never been so happy to poop in my entire life! Relief AT LAST! We were out the door at 10 am headed to the MGM Grand. We did CSI: The Experience...very neat we had a good time! My mom in law loves that show- I am glad we got to do that with her! Then we walked what seemed like 5 miles from the MGM to The Venetian in hopes of buying Blue Man Group tickets- we were not up for paying $150 to see them so we are currently on a search for cheaper tix! We had a yummy lunch at The Venetian! A Tuna Wrap for me- then I had to treat myself to a slice of Mousse cake- it was heavenly! I am still feeling bloated but its not painful. I think I look like I am 5 months preggo! I swear! After searching online a bit I read on some discussions boards that after your Egg Retrieval your Follices fill up with fluid that can golf ball sized- in my case- that is 24 golf balls! So I am not alone in this discomfort, swollen, bloated, gassy, constipated feat post Egg Retrieval.

I just really hope it all gets straightened out BEFORE Egg Transfer- I cannot imagine being preggo and dealing with these symptoms simultaneously! I am praying for healing and relief- like ASAP!

All in all we have a great fantastic blessed Micro IVF Cycle- I am super blessed and thankful- gas and all! I am praying we have 6 good Embryos out of the 13- so we can Transfer 2 and freeze 4 if we need them in the future. I am so thankful God has allowed this process to be so successful for us!

Vegas is amazing and I have only seen one transvestite! That was quite a sight! You don't see one of those everyday in Oklahoma...thank goodness!