Third Beta and Appointment Set!

Well today was beta day, and I was a nervous wreck. I went into the clinic at exactly 8 am when they opened. For some reason, the nurse didn't put the order into the computer last week, but they drew my blood anyways! All morning, all I could think about was the last time I was pregnant. Having my numbers double the first time, then barely budge a week later. I could barely eat my lunch. I called at 1 pm sharp (when they get back into the office from lunch). My OB nurse put me on hold to look up the results. I am sure it was only a matter of 20 seconds, but to me, felt like 20 minutes! The first thing she says is, "whoo hooo!" Everything is looking great! Beta is 658 (we were hoping for at least 500), and my progesterone increased to 16! So the meds are working :-) I think a 100 ton weight was lifted off my shoulders, and heart, with this news! Obviously, anything could happen between now and December. But today, my baby is growing and that's all that matters to me!

My first appointment is scheduled for April 29th! I will be just a day over 7 weeks. Praying we get to see our little one, and his/her heartbeat!

Beta Update

So Monday's beta was 11.6 and prog only 5.6. I went in again Wednesday afternoon. Beta was 42.2 but prog still only 6.7, and my OB is off every Thursday. So I talked to the on-call, and she agreed that it's low. I still had some prog suppositories left from last year, and she told me to start those last night, and to follow-up with my OB today to get an order and such. So that is the plan right now. I am waiting for the office to open at 8am to call. I am sure she will have me come in again today for another beta and prog level check. I am going to ask if there is any way they can STAT it so I can get the results yet today and not have to wonder all weekend what's going on. I am still very guarded right now, and worried about this peanut... but I am glad to see that my hcg levels are rising properly. I hope it continues. Please let this be our take home baby!!!!!!

UPDATE: Just got off the phone with my OB's nurse. My OB is thrilled with my beta levels and doesn't want another hcg drawn until next Wednesday. She said I can do the progesterone suppositories and will be working with my insurance to get that approved. I really hope she knows what she is doing. Not having another beta until next week scares me!

Beyond Words.....

Can this really be happening?!?!?! I got the faintest of faint lines Monday morning. I was convinced I saw something. Brian had already gone to work. So I asked a couple of my co-workers. They thought there was something there too. I was planning on holding off on testing again until Tuesday morning, but I couldn't wait. I drove to Wal-mart right after work, and tested right away! I couldn't believe that that most amazing word appeared.... PREGNANT!!! Me?? Really??? 

I am cautiously optimistic right now. Since I didn't temp through the first part of my cycle, I really don't know my exact date of ovulation. I thought it was day 16, but the more I looked at it (and with the help of some Bump girlies) I think it was more like day 17. Which means I got a + HPT on a digital 11DPO!

I called my OB on my way home, and she ordered labs right away! I got the results back yesterday. HCG was 11.4 and progesterone 5.6. Both seem really low, but for 11 dpo, I am hoping it's just really early. I went back this afternoon for my second draw and I will get those results back tomorrow morning! If you could send lots of good vibes our way, I would really appreciate it. I have been so worried about this pregnancy already. I have barely eaten, and have lost 4 lbs since Wednesday! Last night was the first full meal I ate all week. I am sure it's just nerves. And this morning, gagging started! I am actually PRAYING for morning sickness if that means the baby is ok!

EDD is December 15th!!!

Post of Congratulations!

Throughout my TTC journey, I have been so blessed for the friends I have made from the Bump website. Women that have struggled, hoped, cried, and laughed with me. I honestly don't think I could have made it through the past couple of years without each and every one of you! I joke to Brian sometimes that I feel like "Good Luck Chuck," in the affect that most of the women I have grown close to have gotten pregnant. One lives in Utah and has the most adorable little boy! One lives in Ohio (which there have been some rivalries there when it comes to sports) and her little girl is due next month. One lives in South Carolina and a little boy that makes me smile every time I see new pictures posted on her Facebook page. Another, I met after my last loss and she has been awesome! Her little girl is due in the next couple of months. My girl, Kelly is in NJ and just found out she is having a little boy in August! I had planned on meeting her this May, but unfortunately, I don't have the $$ to go. Kel and I also have a mutual friend, Katy, who has been awesomely supportive! She just found out last week that she'd expecting her Christmas baby!!! So to all of you, CONGRATULATIONS!!! And thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

There are other ladies that I have met, who are still going through this TTC roller coaster ride with me. I am so thankful for your support, confidence (even when I don't have any left), and friendship! I hope that my "good luck" brings each one of you your BFP soon!

Away with my BBT

Well AF showed her lovely face a few days ago. I am thrilled that I O'd on my own, but just worried that it could be because I still have Clomid in my system. Hoping that's not the case. I decided (with Brian's help) to put the BBT down and not temp this cycle. I thought I could go completely cold turkey and not use opks either, but I think I would go nuts wondering IF I have O'd or not. And considering I have don't get false + opks (::knocks on wood::), that I feel ok with just going off my CM pattern and opks. I have noticed already that I sleep better not having to worry about temping in the morning.

I also started Metformin last week, and it was a rough first few days on it. I knew there could/would be GI upset, but not what I expected. I increased the dose to 1000mg this week, and seems to be going ok so far. From what I have read/heard, the jump from 1000 to 1500 is the worst. I might just do 1000mg for a couple of weeks to make sure my system is used to it before increasing it again. I really do hope this helps with my weight. I have been bad since my birthday last weekend, and REALLY need to get back into my routine of eating better and working out. I even posted two song lyrics I like on my work wall to give me the confidence to keep going..... here they are....

Sugarland, "Little Miss"

Little Miss Down On Love

Little Miss I give Up

Little Miss I'll Get Tough

Don't you worry 'bout me anymore

Little Miss Checkered Dress

Little Miss One Big Mess
Little Miss I'll Take Less

When I Always Give So Much More

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Yeah, sometimes you gotta lose 'til you win

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright

It'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay

It'll be alright again, I'm okay

(Okay)

It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Linkin Park "Iridescent"

When you were standing in the wake of devastation

when you were waiting on the edge of the unknown

with the cataclysm raining down, insides crying save me now

you were there and possibly alone.

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation

you build up hope, but failure's all you've known

remember all the sadness and frustration

and let it go, let it go.

And in the burst of light that blinded every angel

as if the sky had blown the heavens into stars

you felt the gravity of temper grace falling into empty space

no one there to catch you in their arms

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation

you build up hope, but failure's all you've known

remember all the sadness and frustration

and let it go, let it go.

I am really looking forward to this cycle and seeing if we can still have our 2011 baby. Would certainly be a Christmas blessing come true!

What a Week!

This past week has been quite a roller coaster of emotions for me. I had my OB appt on Tuesday, and she was very impressed with my weight loss so far (16.6 lbs). She ordered some labs to see where my glucose levels are, and also ordered a SA for Brian. He was less than thrilled when I told him about that. I received my results, and everything is in normal range except my HDL is a little low, and LDL a little high. So I need to keep working on eating right and working out more.

The whole week, I had been getting so close to + opks, it was driving me nuts. By Friday, I really felt defeated and that I needed to just stop for a while. I posted on TB that I was taking a bump break. The ladies were so sweet and supportive, it brought tears to my eyes. I think I just needed to remind myself why I am doing all of this, and to get myself back "into" TTC again.

During Thursdays acupuncture appt, I told her that I was on day 15 of my cycle and still no sign of O yet. She added more needles I noticed, and also used a heat lamp over my abdomen. I really love acupuncture!!! Each time I get more relaxed, and fall asleep a little longer. Saturday morning, I got up for work. I told Brian that maybe we should hold off on intercourse over this weekend so that we can get the SA out of the way Monday morning (since you have to abstain for 72 hours prior). I finished getting ready for work, and left.

I decided to bring my digital opks with me to work because the "almost +" cheapies were driving me nuts! I had taken one when I got up, and it was negative. Oh, how I HATE seeing that empty circle. I decided to test again around 9:15, using both the digital and cheapie. I about cried when the little smiley face appeared. I was shaking. I couldn't believe it!!! On CD 16, I got a + opk without the use of Clomid!!! This is the earliest I have gotten one without medication! So obviously, we had to break the no-sex rule this weekend, lol. I am truly thankful that it seems like my body may be working on it's own! Only time will tell now as to what this cycle will end like. Sure would be a nice birthday present! Plus, Cheri22 would have another point in the "being right" column! Thanks for reading my babbling!!!

New Plan....

Well since my OB will only do a maximum of 3 clomid cycles, and AF showed this morning with a HUGE temp drop, it's on to the next step. I have an OB appt on February 15th at 10:30 to discuss what's next. More than likely, it will be Femara and Metformin. So this cycle I am going to try and "relax" more, not worried about drinking pom juice or green tea. I thought about not temping, but I think I should since then I might have a better idea on what's going on at my appt. I am curious if the clomid helped "regulate" my cycles now. I just hope I O earlier than later. Would be awesome to be testing around my birthday!!!

Thank you to all of you who read this. I am sure most of it is repeats of what I talk about on the boards, but it has really helped me deal with this journey. I never could have dreamt that after 2 years, I would be where I am at. It makes keeping faith difficult sometimes. I have wanted to give up more than once.Thanks to those who have given me strength and encouragement to push on! Its means so much to me!!!