selling old books

So I went to a used books seller, who takes in used books to sell. They said they pay good wages for the books.

So I bring a big rectangular laundry basket and a big box of books in. I figure, $100 would be great for all these. And what did they offer me? $18.50. .50/book and not everything would be taken in as and paid back to me either. They admitted I had over $200 worth of books if I were to sell them myself. Said they cannot give more than the .50/book because the books so often end up in their clearance section for .50/book.

Hmm. Interesting.

I took the books back and am now going to figure out how else I can sell them . . .

Initial applications mailed :)

After looking at the local clinics, we found out there's either quite a wait, or they are unwilling to work with embryos not from their clinic. The one that was, was very expensive.

So we ended up returning to the NEDC and Bethany Christian Services, where we applied about a year ago before deciding to do the in-vitro ourselves first. They are the best fit for us, and we're thrilled with everything we've found out about their services :)

I got the initial applications mailed yesterday! I contacted the NEDC earlier this week and they said to just print the application with the changes I needed to make and mail it in so I don't have to repay the initial application fee :) So YEA! :) And I got the initial application in to Bethany Christian Services as well!

I have my references lined up :)

And the packet of info came from the NEDC so I am working through the next set of paperwork and the Dear Genetic Birth Mother letter :)

Joerg & I are just so thrilled :)

It's so different being a housewife again :) I have time to cook, clean, make important phone calls, get paperwork done! And I'm much happier :)

Love,
Julie

Back to Embryo Adoption

We decided to go the embryo adoption route. We did look at this once before. Now in looking again we find there are many more options than we realized when we looked here about a year and a half ago. So we're contacting local clinics to find out if they have a program, and if not, are they willing to transfer embryos we have received from another agency.

And we're contacting agencies and facilitators. I'll attach a list on this one for anyone interested in investigating this option! :)

Love,
Julie

Agencies & Facilitators:

Surrogate Parenting Center of Texas

http://www.spct.org/

Miracles Waiting:

http://www.miracleswaiting.org/

Embryos Alive

http://www.embryosalive.com/

National Embryo Donation Center

http://www.embryodonation.org/adoption.html

The Abraham Center of Life

http://www.theabrahamcenteroflife.com/index4.html

Nightlight Christian Adoptions (Snowflakes)

http://www.nightlight.org/snowflakeadoption.htm

Blog from a Snowflake Mother:

Jim and Doni Brinkman – adopted domestic and embryo adoption:

http://www.jimanddoni.com/index.asp

News article:

Twins adopted as embryos

http://www.baptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?id=25943

Cryopreservation Lab (works with 3 of the listed Reproductive Endocrinologists)

ReproTech, Ltd.

http://www.reprot.com/

Some of the Reproductive Endocrinologists in Minnesota:

The Center for Reproductive Medicine:

http://www.ivfminnesota.com/index.html

Reproductive Medicine & Infertility Associates

http://www.rmia.com/

Reproductive Medical Center

http://www.twincitiesbabies.com/

Mayo Clinic – Reproductive Endocrinology

http://www.mayoclinic.org/obstetrics-gynecology-rst/reproductive-endocrinology.html

The Midwest Center for Reproductive Health, P.A.

http://www.mcrh.com/

Questions to consider when considering Embryo Adoption/Donation:

The Embryo Donation Option:

http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lrn_wamo_pr

Questions to ask:

http://www.resolve.org/site/DocServer/qa36DonorEmbryo.pdf?docID=282

Changes

Did I mention my sister and I talked on the phone today? She was stating how opposite we are, as she would have just given my boss the what for, telling her that what she did was illegal and harassment. She said she was worried I would be talked into staying longer. Nope, I'm smarter than that now :)

Now that I'm going to be at home, Joerg & I are going to really start getting healthier and in shape. Something I've been trying to do for a while now. New beginnings, perfect time right? So we're going to start with walking in the morning and pilates in the evening. And I'm going to start really watching more of what we eat, cut some unnecessary fats and get some more junk food out of our lives. I also am going to get more veggies and fruits into our diet :)

I am very excited about staying home! I'll be getting things organized, selling items we no longer need. I don't want to be one of those families who need storage units because they're not using their stuff. We had to put a lot of furniture into storage, mainly bookcases and a large dining room table in there when we tried to sell the house to make it look more spacious. Really made us see we have items we don't need. So we'll see what happens with this :) I'm excited really, it feels like everything is coming together!

Love,
Julie

I gave my 2 weeks notice!!!!

This is copied from what I wrote to my cousin about the experience:

I did give her the letter and I'm telling you I was so nervous I thought I would toss my cookies! But I gave it to her and said I was giving notice. And she looked at it and asked things like if she could say anything to make me stay and if it was a matter of money and I was like, well first I said I'm moving on to other things. (That's the story I'm sticking to with this, btw :) ) Anyway, I said that and I said I'm going to take care of things at home and she asked if Joerg made enough money and I said we're financially set now and we finally have all these credit cards paid off or this wouldn't even be possible. Then I left the room and she literally ran into the bathroom! I don't know for sure what to think of that. She was out of sorts all morning! She told Carrie I was leaving (I informed Carrie first by holding up a post it note when Jo wasn't able to see saying I quit and she mouthed really? And I mouthed later so I would explain why later :) She's my coworker the one who knows everything. Anyway, Jo said we'll have to change our plans Julie's leaving us. And later when Carrie was away from her desk Jo asked me where I would be working and I said I don't have another job. She said you're staying at home? I said yes. (was she not paying attention earlier in her office???) And then she said, well usually people have a reason to quit, something happens suddenly to make them quit. I said, the time is just right for me. And she says well what makes it the right time. And I said it's just the right time for me. And then she said if there was any way she could talk me staying to let her know. And the later she took box of papers up to the north office, and Carrie and I were able to finally took knowing she'd be gone for at least 2 hours :) The north office is far away . . . Anyway, Jo calls and asks me if I'm only going to be at home if I could stay until August (or was it the end of August???) and I said no. She said oh, and I said thank you anyway. And then she hung up. Then she came back later and was working with Carrie. I've been carefully avoiding looking at her too much in the eyes yesterday, but then I realized she was doing the same with me. I think I really upset her that I was leaving. I think she thought she was finally getting better connected with me. And maybe that's a bit true in that we were starting to really talk more with each other other than when she was saying really awful things. I think maybe she honestly didn't realize what she was saying. Maybe she realizes now? It doesn't matter, I am so happy to be staying at home :) But anyway, so when I went to lunch she came into the lunch room and grabbed her lunch and was talking a bit to me, but not much. I was doing a crossword and numbers game so I wasn't looking up much while we were talking. She took her lunch back to her office, and evidently left for the day! Carrie said she left for vacation. I'm thinking, if she had a lunch, she had planned on staying longer! Carrie said Jo confessed to her she'd been having memory problems lately, but that today she was really distracted and couldn't really concentrate on what Carrie was trying to show her. Carrie is accounts receivable and since she goes on maternity leave, Jo has to do more of her job. I was to do other parts of her job. Anyway, later that afternoon Joerg calls and says he needs to know when my insurance coverage ends so that's when he can apply for his insurance. And I had to call Jo to verify. And I first told Jo I was calling for 2 reasons, one was to give her a message from someone else and the other was about the insurance. She was fine until I asked about the insurance. Then I told her about the other message and she had to talk to Carrie about that further because Carrie had talked to the other person. And she sounded really tired and out of it by that point.

So I think I really came out of the blue with this for her. I think she realizes something happened and that I'm probably not going to say what. Oh, and now I have to work Monday next week. Oh well, at least it's 8 more hours of pay right? :)

Crazy boss files part 3? Where were we anyway . . .

So the crazy boss files continue. We found out I cannot have kids and so we're going to adopt. My boss asks me how things are going with that and I say well, we're really not going to look into this until October. We're taking our time. She already knows we want to do internationally. (When this was first mentioned I believed her suggestion was we should adopt from China. Then when I mentioned it would be interesting to see if we could adopt from Germany as Joerg is a German citizen, she first balked at that. Then the next day came and and suggested oh I really think you ought to adopt from Germany because Joerg is German . . . as if it was her suggestion!!!!!) Ok, then on Friday she asks how things are going, and I respond with what I mentioned . . . she replies:

"I don't know why you don't just do foster care! I know you said you wouldn't want to do that because you might not get to keep the kid, but maybe you do and if you don't so what! My mom did foster care for years [keep in mind my boss has 16 biological siblings, no joke] and she loved working with all those kids! [I'm thinking of course she did, she has 17 children herself, and never had to worry about the pain of a child coming in and out of one's life when you don't have any children yourself, bio or adopted!] And if you don't want to do foster care, why don't you do big brother big sister? Then you can find out if you even like the kids! [um, who said I didn't like kids? I love kids! I used to be a babysitter for years, I have 4 nieces and 3 nephews and friends with kids, I know I love kids] And then if you don't like it you can just quit then. And you can do night time day care and care for poor peoples kids who have to work nights, and then the government would pay for their day care. And then you don't have to do a thing because you just put them to bed and they go away in the morning and if you don't like it you can just quit. And you'd find out if you even like kids. You know some people can't stand their kids even if they have their own kids they can't stand them sometimes and then that's ok they just call a friend up to watch them for a couple hours and get away, and that's ok. So you might not even like kids."

Yes, I do consider this harassment. I have no idea where to even begin to respond to this woman but I've had enough. My problem now is that my coworker is going on maternity leave, due mid-August. And my boss is going on vacation July 4 for 2 weeks, then she's going away again for 2 weeks coming back just before or actually it's just after my coworker is due. Now, for her first kid, she went 3 weeks early. So they're counting on me to be there and my hours which had been reduced to 32 are up to 40 again starting August 1st so they don't have to worry about boss being out of town when my coworker who's hours have also been cut to 32 goes into labor. I can quit now and be nice so they have time to find a replacement, which unfortunately means my boss won't be going on the first vacation. I can quit when she comes back but then it doesn't give them much time before her next vacation or before my coworker could potentially go into labor (remember she went 3 weeks early with the first one.)

I'm thinking I'll be nice and quit on Tuesday. Still puzzling this out for sure and how to phrase a response. I don't want to leave on bad terms, despite having had a bad boss.


Love,
Julie

Bad/Old Eggs

So we've now been through 3 ivfs, and trying to conceive with treatments since December of 2000. So almost 7 years of treatments, to find out I have bad/old eggs!

So now we're trying to decide between donor egg, embryo adoption, or international adoption.

We're praying about everything right now.

Love,
Julie

Embryo Transfer 2/11

They transfered two embryos. 7 cell, grade 2 (they want between 6 and 10 cells, and grades 1 through 5, 1 being best.) So not too bad

Of the remaining embryos, they're trying to get them far enough along to freeze. They've already had a couple stall out, and the rest are all grade 3 or lower, and fewer cells too.

One thing they noted, that the eggs, the marjority of the eggs, had a large central vacuole. She said they note the odd things on the paperwork I have, and that was one of them. She also said they sit down on Fridays and discuss everyone's cases (she being the embryologist with the 2 other doctors and I think one other embryologist) and decide if something needs to be done different or can be done different.

I'm thinking maybe this is why I am not getting pregnant. They have said my egg quality is not good.

But these two look good so really praying these two take!!!

Love,
Julie


I got to thinking I needed to update my siggy Yes, I'm on baby aspirin and medrol to help with implantation and it's anti rejection I think. They did ICSI and Assisted Hatching.


Love,
Julie

TTC#1 IVF#2 PCOS
TTC #1 with meds since 12/2000
Key:
E2=Estrodiol (should be 200-600 per mature (18 mm) follicle.), Follicle size for maturity should be 17 - 25mm, lining should be at least 8C, HCG causes the eggs to do final maturation and give a definite time for retrieval
*************
Meds schedule:
Lupron: .1 in am from Tue 1/16 - Tue 2/6
Gonal-F: 225 am from Fri 1/26 - Mon 1/29; 300 am from Tue 1/30 - Tue 2/6
Menopur: 150 pm from Fri 1/26 - Sun 1/28; 187 pm from Mon 1/29 - 1/30, and Sat 2/3 - Mon 2/5; 225 pm from Wed 1/31 - Fri 2/2
Doxycyline: Fri 2/2 DH thru retrieval morning, me through night of transfer.
HCG Trigger: pm Tue 2/6
Baby aspirin 81mg from retrieval through preg test, then further info.
Medrol 16mg day of retrieval thru morning of transfer.
Progesterone in oil shots evening of retrieval thru preg test, then further info.
**************
Tests and Results:
Tue 1/23 CD1, Wed 1/24 Baseline Ultrasound E2 = 28.2, Insulin = 11.1, Glucose = 110, Hemoglobin = 13.3, Glu: Ins ratio = 9.9
Mon 1/29 Ultrasound, E2 = 41.5
Wed 1/31 Ultrasound, E2 = 90; Lining 5 AB; Right: 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 8.5; Left: 10.5, 10.5, 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8.5
Sat 2/3 - Ultrasound & E2 = 510, Lining 8 BC; Right: 13, 12, 12, 11, 11, 10, 8.5, 8; Left: 14.5, 14.5, 13.5, 13.5, 13, 12, 11.5, 11, 10
Mon 2/5 - Ultrasound & E2= 824.4, Lining 10C (perfect!); Right - 17, 15.5, 14, 14, 12, 11, 11;Left - 19.5, 18.5, 16, 14, 13.5, 13, 10
Tue 2/6 - Ultrasound & E2= 1166; Right - 20, 18, 18, 17.5, 16, 13.5, 12.5, 12.5, 11, 11, 11; Left - 19, 18.5, 18.5, 17, 17, 16.5, 15, 14.5, 14, 12
Thu 2/8 Retrieval. 21 retrieved, 19 mature. Low morphology so ICSI. 16 fertilized.
Sun 2/11 transferred 2 7 cell grade 2 embryos (should be 6 to 10 cells, grade 1-5, 1 being best).
**************
What's Coming Next:
Beta HCG on 2/21 & 2/22.

update on house & 2/10

2/10
Update on the house, still in love with it!!!! But now with job changes, a little worried. DH's response? Well if you get laid off you just have to find another job. And I said, well what if we have twins? Then he said he'd just have to ask for a raise! Ah well, nothing happening I think for a few months anyway, and maybe my hours will be back to full then. Also would need to find a lot, but we just LOVE this house!!!!


Sunday's schedule:

9am take 3 advil
10 am empty bladder
10 am take valium 10 mg
10 am drink 1 to 2 glasses of water for comfortably full bladder (is there *really* such a thing? )
1030 am arrive at clinic (I think we'll be there earlier . . . takes too long to drive there otherwise).
11 am transfer!

They'll allow me to pee about 15 minutes or 1/2 hour? after transfer, then I'm to get into my car (it's a long walk to get to that parking ramp!) and put the seat alllllll the way down, and drive (ok ride ) home laying down. Strict bedrest for 24 hours afterwards, only getting up to pee.



1st beta hcg test on 1/20, (won't receive results until after 2nd beta.)
2nd beta hcg test on 1/22. Due to needing to get back to work right away, I won't be able to hang around to hear the results, they'll have to call me at work! So either you have to wait until I get home, or else I'll have to call someone over my lunch break

Love,
Julie

2/9

2/9

Remember my first ivf I had 18 eggs, 1 was immature, only 14 fertilized, they put 2 in and none of the rest made it to freeze at 5 days.

Now this is my 2nd ivf. They retrieved 21 eggs. 19 were mature. DH had low morphology so they did icsi. Of the 19, only 16 of them fertilized. They will be doing ah on Sunday. I'll find out more about how their doing on Sunday.


Ok, if stress is a factor that suddenly helps with ivf being successful, I'M THERE NOW! Ugh.

Today, I go into work, and my boss calls me into her office and says, what are your plans for Monday? (She should know this by now!) And I say, I'm supposed to be on bed rest. And she says, ok, you're taking Monday's off from now on. My hours have been cut! I know the company is going through problems. My coworker is taking Friday's off and the coworker at the north office is taking Tuesday & Thursday afternoons off (just to let you know it's not because of the ivf treatments.) She proceeds to tell me that I must make all of my appointments on Monday's from now on. UM WHAT? I'm like, ok. I pray this cycle works! I called my RE's office over lunch and explained why I needed the 710 am appointment for the beta hcg's. They called back, said sorry work was being a pain and gave me those appointments I was worried because I know there were 5 retrievals the same day as mine and because they don't make the beta appointments until the transfer. I was so happy they were so accomodating!!!! So I have 1st beta on the 20th, and 2nd beta (when I find the results) on the 22nd.

DH's permanent residency renewal appointment is on the 21st, so that just works out. She's allowed me to switch that week, so I work on the Monday and take the Wed off so I can go to that appointment. Pretty hard to get the USCIS to change appointments I would think.

Ok, then remember Grandpa died, and I missed his funeral for the IVF.

Add to that we'd like to buy a new house but don't really dare do anything because the job is not stable, they laid about 5? people off today, and that means the total # people at my work is now under 50 (think there goes maternity leave) and there are more layoffs expected, and they might be combining offices.

Did I mention my boss really hates that I'm doing ivf? She thinks it's totally wrong. And during the 1st ivf she made it horrible for me. Enough I could have raised harassment issues. I think she's gotten a bit wiser. But you can tell from her comments she really disagrees still. I'm worried what she will do when I end up pregnant? Will she still have problems with my taking time off? I think so! Hopefully I can still schedule Monday appointments. It's hard to even think of looking for a new job during all of this!!!

Ok, that felt better to vent, so thank you all for reading along with me


TTC#1 IVF#2 PCOS
TTC #1 with meds since 12/2000
Key:
E2=Estrodiol (should be 200-600 per mature (18 mm) follicle.), Follicle size for maturity should be 17 - 25mm, lining should be at least 8C, HCG causes the eggs to do final maturation and give a definite time for retrieval
*************
Meds schedule:
Lupron: .1 in am from Tue 1/16 - Tue 2/6
Gonal-F: 225 am from Fri 1/26 - Mon 1/29; 300 am from Tue 1/30 - Tue 2/6
Menopur: 150 pm from Fri 1/26 - Sun 1/28; 187 pm from Mon 1/29 - 1/30, and Sat 2/3 - Mon 2/5; 225 pm from Wed 1/31 - Fri 2/2
Doxycyline: Fri 2/2 DH & I Start for 15 days?
HCG Trigger: pm Tue 2/6
**************
Tests and Results:
Tue 1/23 CD1, Wed 1/24 Baseline Ultrasound E2 = 28.2, Insulin = 11.1, Glucose = 110, Hemoglobin = 13.3, Glu: Ins ratio = 9.9
Mon 1/29 Ultrasound, E2 = 41.5
Wed 1/31 Ultrasound, E2 = 90; Lining 5 AB; Right: 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 8.5; Left: 10.5, 10.5, 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8.5
Sat 2/3 - Ultrasound & E2 = 510, Lining 8 BC; Right: 13, 12, 12, 11, 11, 10, 8.5, 8; Left: 14.5, 14.5, 13.5, 13.5, 13, 12, 11.5, 11, 10
Mon 2/5 - Ultrasound & E2= 824.4, Lining 10C (perfect!); Right - 17, 15.5, 14, 14, 12, 11, 11;Left - 19.5, 18.5, 16, 14, 13.5, 13, 10
Tue 2/6 - Ultrasound & E2= 1166; Right - 20, 18, 18, 17.5, 16, 13.5, 12.5, 12.5, 11, 11, 11; Left - 19, 18.5, 18.5, 17, 17, 16.5, 15, 14.5, 14, 12
Thu 2/8 Retrieval. 21 retrieved, 19 mature. Low morphology so ICSI. 16 fertilized.
**************
What's Coming Next:
Sun 2/11 embryo transfer date
Beta HCG on 2/21 & 2/22.

Catch up :)

2/8
Ok, so they retrieved 21 eggs, and my lining was a 12C

They had trouble getting to the left ovary, and had to go through the cervix, and I'm bleeding like crazy!!!! I was in such pain!!!! But I'm doing better now and I think the bleeding is finally slowing down Scared me though, because I was getting clots and she said as long as it's not over the size of a nickle it's ok, and it's not the lining, it's the clotting from going through the cervix. Well that's a relief Oh, and I started Medrol today, and I take it through Sunday. I started after retrieval, and then take it in the am's. And I start the pio shots tonight! EEK! And ET is Sunday!

Retrieval was today

They retrieved 21 eggs. They had to go through the cervix to get to the left ovary, and so there's lots of bleeding and pain! They said it'll settle down tomorrow though.

Transfer is Sunday :)

Love,
Julie

IVF2 Update

TTC#1 IVF#2 PCOS

TTC #1 with meds since 12/2000

Key:

L=Lupron, G=Gonal-F, M=Menopur, bcp = Birth Control Pill (to schedule cycle), E2=Estrodiol (should be 200-600 per mature (18 mm) follicle.), Follicle size for maturity should be 17 - 25mm, lining should be at least 8C,

*************

Meds schedule:

Tue 1/16 - Sat 1/20 am .1 L, pm bcp

Sun 1/21 - Thu 1/25 am .1 L

Fri 1/26 - Sun 1/28 am .1 L, 225 G, pm 150 M

Mon 1/29 am .1 L, 225 G, pm 187 M

Tue 1/30 am .1 L, 300 G, pm 187 M

Wed 1/31 - Fri 2/2 am .1 L, 300 G, pm 225 M

Fri 2/2 DH & I Start Doxycycline am & pm for 15 days? All but evening before retrieval.

Sat 2/3 - Tue 2/6 .1 L, 300 G, 187 M

**************

Tests and Results:

Tue 1/23 CD1

Wed 1/24 Baseline Ultrasound E2 = 28.2, Insulin = 11.1, Glucose = 110, Hemoglobin = 13.3, Glu: Ins ratio = 9.9 Blood Pressure: 140/98

Mon 1/29 Ultrasound, E2 = 41.5

Wed 1/31 Ultrasound, E2 = 90 Blood Pressure: 137/90, Lining 5 AB

Right: 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 8.5

Left: 10.5, 10.5, 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8.5

Told the E2 is less than it was the last cycle, even though the # follies is exactly the same, on exactly the same sides.

Sat 2/3 - Ultrasound & E2, Lining 8 BC

OK! Right: 13, 12, 12, 11, 11, 10, 8.5, 8

Left: 14.5, 14.5, 13.5, 13.5, 13, 12, 11.5, 11, 10

Blood Pressure: 146/88

E2 510!!!!!! This is *significant* because last time, same time of this cycle was only 325!!!! So it's a big change and GREAT!!!!

Mon 2/5 - Ultrasound & E2, Lining 10C (perfect!)

Right - 17, 15.5, 14, 14, 12, 11, 11

Left - 19.5, 18.5, 16, 14, 13.5, 13, 10

E2 824.4!

**************

What's Coming Next:

Tue 2/6 , 300 Gonal F, - Ultrasound & E2

Thu 2/8/Fri 2/9 Possible Temporary embryo retrieval date **changed**

Sun 2/11/Mon 2/12 Possible Temporary embryo transfer date **changed**

IVF Update :)

TTC#1 IVF#2 PCOS
Key:
L=Lupron, G=Gonal-F, M=Menopur, bcp = Birth Control Pill (to schedule cycle), E2=Estrodiol
*************
Meds schedule:
Tue 1/16 - Sat 1/20 am .1 L, pm bcp
Sun 1/21 - Thu 1/25 am .1 L
Fri 1/26 - Sun 1/28 am .1 L, 225 G, pm 150 M
Mon 1/29 am .1 L, 225 G, pm 187 M
Tue 1/30 am .1 L, 300 G, pm 187 M
Wed 1/31 - Fri 2/2 am .1 L, 300 G, pm 225 M
Fri 2/2 DH & I Start Doxycycline am & pm for 15 days? All but evening before retrieval.
Sat 2/3 - Sun 2/4 .1 L, 300 G, 187 M
**************
Tests and Results:
Tue 1/23 CD1
Wed 1/24 Baseline Ultrasound E2 = 28.2, Insulin = 11.1, Glucose = 110, Hemoglobin = 13.3, Glu: Ins ratio = 9.9 Blood Pressure: 140/98
Mon 1/29 Ultrasound, E2 = 41.5
Wed 1/31 Ultrasound, E2 = 90 Blood Pressure: 137/90 4 follies on the right, 7 follies on the left. Told the E2 is less than it was the last cycle, even though the # follies is exactly the same, on exactly the same sides.
Sat 2/3 - Ultrasound & E2
OK! Right: 13, 12, 12, 11, 11, 10, 8.5, 8
Left: 14.5, 14.5, 13.5, 13.5, 13, 12, 11.5, 11, 10
Blood Pressure: 146/88
E2 510!!!!!! This is *significant* because last time, same time of this cycle was only 325!!!! So it's a big change and GREAT!!!! Oh, and I believe the monitor said lining was an 8, and DH said he thought it said a C :) I'll have to check on those lining #'s on Monday!
**************
What's Coming Next:
Mon 2/5 , 300 Gonal F, - Ultrasound & E2
Wed 2/7 - Thu 2/8 Possible Temporary embryo retrieval date **changed**
Sat 2/10 - Sun 2/11 Possible Temporary embryo transfer date **changed**

And so then . . .

Well, my Grandpa isn't doing so well. He's in the hospital, he's had a couple strokes, and he is paralysed, cannot tell his right from his left, doesn't know what year it is. And over the course of today he's grown worse, and cannot recognize people. They don't expect him to make it through the night.

As he is in Michigan, and I'm in Minnesota, it's hard to get over to see him. I'm glad to have had the time with him and Grandma and Dad and Donna when they came out to Thanksgiving 2 years ago. Grandma said it was the most animated she'd seen Grandpa in a while. We really were able to talk, Grandma and I, and Grandpa and I :) I enjoyed that.

I'm not sure how we're going to handle getting out there for the funeral either. If things go this cycle like last one, then we'll have another ultrasound and E2 check on Sunday, and we already have one for Saturday. So, that means I would have to fly out and back on the same day if the funeral were Saturday. This is going to be tough. I cannot cancel a cycle once it has started. They don't want the eggs to release on their own, that would be bad, so many at once. So it's really hard to figure this one out. A good friend reminded me that I can go back later to see Grandma, and that funerals are for us, not for them. So that is true, I could go back and see Grandma later. But I would really prefer to go to the funeral.

All prayers appreciated!


TTC#1 IVF#2 PCOS
Gonal-F, Menopure, Metformin ER 1500, Avandia 4, Lupron, BCP's, prenatals, Vitamin B-Complex (b/c Metformin inhibits it's absorption or something like that).
And whatever else to boot!

IVF #2
Tue 1/16 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Wed 1/17 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Thu 1/18 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Fri 1/19 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Sat 1/20 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Sun 1/21 am .1 Lupron
Mon 1/22 am .1 Lupron
Tue 1/23 am .1 Lupron - CD1
Wed 1/24 am .1 Lupron - Baseline Ultrasound [i]E2 = 28.2,
Insulin = 11.1, Glucose = 110, Hemoglobin = 13.3,
Glu: Ins ratio = 9.9 Blood Pressure: 140/98[/i]

Thu 1/25 am .1 Lupron
Fri 1/26 am .1 Lupron, 225 Gonal F, pm 150 Menopur
Sat 1/27 am .1 Lupron, 225 Gonal F, pm 150 Menopur
Sun 1/28 am .1 Lupron, 225 Gonal F, pm 150 Menopur
horrible occular migraine after working out moderately for over an hour on the treadmill.

Mon 1/29 am .1 Lupron, 225 Gonal F, pm 187 Menopur- [i]E2 = 41.5
[/i]
Tue 1/30 am .1 Lupron, 300 Gonal F, pm 187 Menopur
Wed 1/31 am .1 Lupron, 300 Gonal F, pm 225 Menopur - Ultrasound, [i]E2 = 90
Blood Pressure: 137/90 4 follies on the right, 7 follies on the left [/i] Told the E2 is less than it was the last cycle, even though the # follies is exactly the same, on exactly the same sides. They bumped up the evening Menopur shot. Told the migraine was from borderline high blood pressure, that I probably raised my blood pressure working out and should not work out more than 20 minutes a day on the treadmill to start.

Thu 2/1 am .1 Lupron, 300 Gonal F, pm 225 Menopur
Fri 2/2 am .1 Lupron, 300 Gonal F, pm 225 Menopur
Supposed to start Doxycycline today according to paperwork, but she didn't mention it. So I'll have to call tomorrow.

Sat 2/3 am .1 Lupron, 300 Gonal F, - Ultrasound & E2

Sun 2/4 am .1 Lupron
Mon 2/5
Tue 2/6 - Temporary embryo retrieval date
Wed 2/7
Thu 2/8
Fri 2/9 - Temporary embryo transfer date

IVF Schedule.

TTC#1 IVF#2 PCOS
Gonal-F, Menopure, Metformin ER 1500, Avandia 4, Lupron, BCP's, prenatals, Vitamin B-Complex (b/c Metformin inhibits it's absorption or something like that).
And whatever else to boot!

IVF #2
Tue 1/16 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Wed 1/17 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Thu 1/18 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Fri 1/19 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Sat 1/20 am .1 Lupron, pm bcp
Sun 1/21 am .1 Lupron
Mon 1/22 am .1 Lupron
Tue 1/23 am .1 Lupron - CD1
Wed 1/24 am .1 Lupron - Baseline Ultrasound
Thu 1/25 am .1 Lupron
Fri 1/26 am .1 Lupron, 225 Gonal F, pm 150 Menopur
Sat 1/27 am .1 Lupron, 225 Gonal F, pm 150 Menopur
Sun 1/28 am .1 Lupron, 225 Gonal F, pm 150 Menopur
Mon 1/29 am .1 Lupron, 225 Gonal F, - Estradiol check
Tue 1/30 am .1 Lupron
Wed 1/31 am .1 Lupron - Ultrasound, Estradiol check
Thu 2/1 am .1 Lupron
Fri 2/2 am .1 Lupron
Sat 2/3 am .1 Lupron
Sun 2/4 am .1 Lupron
Mon 2/5
Tue 2/6 - Temporary embryo retrieval date
Wed 2/7
Thu 2/8
Fri 2/9 - Temporary embryo transfer date

Oh, and we're doing Assisted Hatching. They automatically do that if you're either over 37 or had a failed ivf. Since we've had the failed ivf, they're doing the AH. I'm only 33.

More info on AH: http://www.advancedfertility.com/hatching.htm

I'll update as they say to increase or stay on same dose there.

Love,
Julie

Weight finally coming off :)

Since starting to eat more just the last couple days (Thurs & Fri!) I lost 2 pounds!!!! What's the deal???? Isn't this crazy!?? And I have so much more energy when I'm eating little bits through the day and getting the more calories and drinking my water


Love,
Julie

More on these tests

www.lifetimefitness.com/m...icleId=450

Resting Metabolic Rate

VO2 max

Body Composition

And I'll ask for the Nutrition eval too

Oh, and they did body age testing, and I'm 43. (Um, I'm only 33!!! UGH I need to get in shape huh? )

Here's the info on those major two tests:

Quote:

---

Metabolic Testing

There are two types of metabolic tests that benefit folks at virtually any fitness level: resting metabolic rate and VO2 max.

Resting Metabolic Rate. Because oxygen fuels your metabolism, the amount of oxygen you inhale and the amount of carbon dioxide you exhale can reveal your resting metabolic rate: the rate at which your body burns energy (calories) while at rest to maintain a heart beat, brain activity and lung function, among other things.

Until recently, experts typically estimated your resting metabolic rate using a formula based on gender, age, weight and height. But that formula was flawed because it didn’t factor in genetics or body composition. “Some people simply have a slow metabolism and burn roughly 200 fewer calories than we predict,” says Liz Applegate, PhD, director of sports nutrition at the University of California at Davis.

Today, using sophisticated, portable equipment that analyzes your oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide emission, fitness experts can calculate your resting metabolic rate much more accurately. Results vary from person to person, sometimes by as much as 900 calories a day, ranging from a sluggish metabolism of 1,100 calories per day to a fast metabolism of 2,000 calories or more. This test will cost you about $50 to $90.

What it can tell you: The same software that reports your resting metabolic- rate (RMR) results can also determine the number of calories you should eat to gain, lose or maintain your weight, and the number you should burn through exercise to induce weight loss. Taking those results with you when you meet with your registered dietitian for nutritional testing and counseling (see “Nutritional Evaluation,” page 49) can help you develop a carefully tailored eating plan. Knowing your metabolic status may also motivate you to improve it — through exercise, stress management, good nutrition, adequate rest and, potentially, treatment of any metabolic or endocrine disorders that are suppressing your metabolism.

Note that as your weight and level of fitness change, your RMR may drop or rise as a result of your increase in lean body mass, so you’ll want to get retested periodically. There is no set time frame, but a person adding 1 pound of lean body mass per week (which is on the high end) can see enough of a dramatic physiological change after six weeks to warrant being retested.

VO2 max. In addition to relaying information about your resting metabolism, your oxygen consumption is also a key indicator of your aerobic capacity, known in athletic circles as your VO2 max. This is the maximum amount of oxygen (in milliliters) that your body can inhale, deliver through the body and utilize during one minute of exercise per kilogram of body weight.

Your ability to exercise at a high intensity for an extended period of time depends on more than your lung capacity. It also depends on how quickly your heart can pump oxygen throughout your body and how efficiently your muscle cells can use it to create energy. That collection of variables — how much oxygen you can breathe, how quickly your heart can move it through your body and how fast your muscle cells can use it — determines your VO2 max.

During an intense exercise session, your oxygen use increases rapidly at first, and then, as you maximize your exertion, it eventually plateaus at your VO2 max. Although VO2 max is largely genetically determined, with regular intense exercise, even an untrained individual can, over time, raise it as much as 30 percent.

A VO2-max test can also measure your anaerobic threshold (AT). This is the point at which your body ceases burning oxygen in its processing of glucose to produce energy. Exercising below your AT for extended periods of time encourages your body to burn fat. Exercising above your AT is athletically demanding and will cause you to fatigue relatively rapidly, but spending time in this zone can also help you make dramatic fitness gains — gains that make exercise much easier and improve your body’s ability to burn fat even while at rest.

There are generally two types of VO2-max tests: a maximal (or near-maximal “peak”) test, which can be expensive and intense but is also highly accurate; and a less costly, less demanding and somewhat less accurate submaximal test. In a maximal test, EKG monitors are attached to your chest to monitor your heartbeat, and a mask is placed over your mouth and nose to capture expired air. On a treadmill, you begin by walking and then running. (The test can also be conducted on a stationary bike.) Every three minutes, the technician increases the slope and/or the speed of the treadmill. As you near or reach a maximal point of exertion (typically, this takes between 10 and 15 minutes), the technician monitors the rate at which your body is consuming oxygen. Once a maximum or near-maximum level of oxygen consumption is reached, your results are analyzed and reported.

In the submaximal test, your resting heart rate and blood pressure are first determined. Then you cycle (or run) with a heart-rate monitor strapped across your chest for six minutes. You begin cycling at a slow cadence (50 rpm). The technician then gradually increases the resistance on the bike until your heart rate rises to 130 beats per minute. You pedal at that cadence and level of resistance for the remainder of the test. Based on your heart rate during the fifth and sixth minute of the test, the technician can calculate an estimate of your max heart rate and VO2 max. Although it’s not as precise as a maximal test, this assessment delivers helpful information without the physical discomfort and at a fraction of the price — roughly $75 compared to $150 to $200 for a maximal test.

What it can tell you: Your VO2 max can give you a sense of your athletic potential and a benchmark against which you can measure your athletic progress. Your AT is an important indicator of your current fitness. It is also an essential piece of information in accurately determining your most effective fat-burning and cardio-endurance zones.
Optimal VO2-max results vary by age. According to the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, for a woman in her 30s, a score above 31 ml/kg/min (maximum amount of oxygen in milliliters per minute) is considered good, above 35 ml/kg/min excellent and above 40 ml/kg/min superior. For a man in his 30s, a score above 41 ml/kg/min is considered good, above 45 ml/kg/min excellent and above 50 ml/kg/min superior.

If you score in the poor range (below 27 ml/kg/min for a woman in her 30s and 35 ml/kg/min for a man in his 30s), you may either be out of shape or have a serious health problem, so consult your doctor before hitting the gym, O’Kane says.

Keep in mind that your VO2 max can shift slowly but usually varies no more than 10 to 15 percent in your lifetime. If you’re just beginning a fitness program, expect your results to improve with every-other-day workouts. If you’re a veteran exerciser, make it your goal to keep your VO2 max from dropping by exercising regularly around your AT.

AT varies from person to person and, for each individual, from sport to sport, but it shifts more readily than V02 max in response to training. Untrained individuals typically have a low AT (approximately 55 percent of VO2 max), while highly trained endurance athletes may have an AT of 80 to 90 percent of their VO2 max.

Through dedicated training, you can raise your body’s AT quite dramatically, so it’s one of the best indicators of fitness status and fitness improvement — and a great athletic goal to work toward. (For more on anaerobic threshold read “The A.T. Factor” in our May 2005 archive at lifetimefitness.com/magazine.)

---

More on the other tests and the above text from the link above.

Love,
Julie

Weight Watchers starvation aka the fast metabolism

You're never going to believe this . . . .


Ok, so I had my metabolism tested. . . . .


And I have an above average metabolism . . . .






And while Weight Watchers has me eating 30 points a day, which is the equivilant of 1500 calories a day (their formula is calories/50 + fat g/12 - fib g/5 (capped at 4, use no more than 4 that means!) So you mathamaticians out there can figure out just what the varience is then . . .


Anyhoo . . . .






my basic resting metabolic rate . . .



the rate I would need of calories if I were to lay in bed all day and do nothing, not even sleep . . .



before adding any of my normal daily activities . . .












1728!!!!! With a standard deviation of 87 calories either way.


Now. They added my lifestyle and that makes it 2246 calories a day!

To lose a pound a week, you minus 500 calories from that. We get 1746!


We haven't added the exercise in yet. I'm to write down my diet for one week, and wear my heart rate monitor when exercising and write down the calories burned.


Then I go talk to the registered dietician.


Anyway, they told me today the reason I go up and down with my weight and cannot seem to get it off is that WW has me in a starvation diet, as my metabolism is significantly higher than others of my height and weight. Therefore their plan does not fit my body. Because my body thinks it's in starvation, it keeps trying to add weight!!!!

I'm not crazy!!!! And now that I know, they're working with me to figure out my diet and my exercise regimine to be able to finally get fit and lose weight!

I always wondered why I was so lethargic. If it was a day I ate more, without eating too much more, I had a lot more energy, but I always felt guilty going over my points and flex points. Now I know!!!






So did you stay with me?



DH got tested too. His RMR is only 1452, and with daily is 1888. His deviation is 55. And he has to write down his diet and exercise for one week and go see the dietician too.




Love,
Julie

Body Age Assessment

Body age assessment tonight. Didn't do well, didn't expect to. It claims I'm 43. I'm 33! Ah well, this is why we're working on getting fit :)

MAP Test

We weren't allowed to work out on Sat or Sun due to taking the MAP test tonight. It was very interesting! And now we have a plan to work out with to help increase our cardiovascular endurance and our fat burning and oxygen levels etc :)

Map stands for Metabolic Assesment Profile.

We also signed up for the RMR test, the Resting Metabolic Rate to find out our calorie absorption.

This is very interesting and I'm so glad we're getting healthy!

Love,
Julie