Hurricane Horror

looks like complete devastation in our part of the world from all the TV reports ... grateful that Anthony and I and our families are safe ... feel anything else can be repaired or replaced. no news on the state of our house as communication to the coast is virtually non-existent. only ask for your prayers for EVERYONE affected by this horrific storm ...

From the Eye of the Storm

did not have opportunity to meet Jim Cantore as had to flee Gulf Coast to get away from Hurricane Katrina ... after watching constant coverage (God bless the reporters in the storms with all their ponchos and yelling into the microphones) have deduced Gulfport/Biloxi took the brunt of the storm ... is unfortunate at best ... cannot get through to any neighbors to see how our neighborhood fared ... most importantly, though (even more important than our home) is that we have the birds, dogs, little "GE," our lightbulb-shaped baby, each other and our families ... all else can be replaced and repaired. shall see how things transpire from here as possibly Katrina is headed up to Columbus, where we are currently located ... more reports later.

Hurricane Katrina

oh, how quickly life can change ... still reveling in the fact that I am pregnant (and exhausted and hormonally unbalanced) but now focus has shifted to big fat honking Hurricane Katrina ... large storm would at this moment appear to be headed our way but of course a last-minute shift is always possible ... have boarded up windows and checked stock of necessary supplies ... perhaps most exciting aspect of impending storm is that national celebrity Jim Cantore is on our beach ... yes he is! planning to drive down to Biloxi for a sighting tomorrow ... watch on TV as I expect to be interviewed due to my voluminous knowledge on weather patterns as well as geography ...

A Day For Miracles

ah, miracles never cease ... went in for ultrasound this morning ... one absolutely perfect baby is developing with a very strong heartbeat which we were able to hear ... can't put the moment into words but is one I'll never forget. Half the staff came in with us so they could hear the heartbeat, too ... they called these days "happy days." I call it a day we have been dreaming about for a very long time ... Dr. Inge said that being able to hear the heartbeat this early (6 weeks 1 day) is perfect and bumps up my chances of a successful pregnancy to 9o%. Of course it's still early, and anything can happen, but a miscarriage is very unlikely. As I mentioned earlier, this was a bittersweet day since the perfect ultrasound meant we leave the staff in Mobile and return to my regular OB. This is exactly how we all hoped today would go, but I will miss Dr. Inge and the whole staff so much ... to say they have become family would truly be an understatement ...
Maybe the most exciting thing is that we left with a picture of our baby ... I know it's really miraculous, but the thing looks like a tiny little light bulb right now, or if you turn it upside down a beautiful solitaire engagement ring. Still, it's our baby and it's perfect ... (if I can figure out a way to post it, I will, but self is a smidge challenged when it comes to posting pictures here ...)

Million Dollar Baby

forgot to write last night ... know was terrible disappointment for all of you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting ... couldn't write due to fact that self was emotionally overwrought after watching "Million Dollar Baby." is amazing movie to say the least ... due to current pregnant situation cannot go buy punching bag and begin boxer training but oh well. on homefront, am ready for ultrasound tomorrow but is bittersweet ... if all is well, self will be released from Mobile doctor to return to regular OB/GYN. shall see ...

Rip Van Winkle

ok, reminder of constantly changing nature of IVF ... ultrasound has been moved to this Thursday (August 25th), when I'll be 6 weeks and 2 days pregnant (slight miscalculation in earlier blog.) will do earlier ultrasound due to initial beta numbers being a little low ... in meantime, have turned into exhausted hormonal wreck. feel as though have just finished tour de france, even when first awake in morning ... naps are frequent these days. ok, though, as know fatigue is good sign ...

Sigh of Relief

ok, results of repeat blood tests are in, and everything looks perfect ... very relieved and even though still in early stages of pregnancy (will be 7 weeks pregnant on Monday), I feel much better. bizarre how they count weeks you've been pregnant based on the day of your last period but whatever. next appt. in Mobile will be Sept. 1 for ultrasound to hear the heartbeat, and yes, I got chill bumps when I wrote that. if all looks good with the ultrasound will be released to regular OB. am definitely having separation anxiety at thought of leaving amazing staff in Mobile who have become family in the last year ... will have to go visit occasionally ...

Target Practice

blog will be short tonight (probably a relief!!) due to fact that buttock is icing even as I write to prepare for progesterone shot ... because shot must go in very specific and relatively small area, self has two permanent marker circles, one on each cheek. a sort of target, if you will. IVF nurses offer to "mark" you so husband can give shot in appropriate spot. fear body will never be same again ...

It's Not the Oscars

Ok, prepare yourselves ... I've decided to use this space tonight for a long overdue thank you to all the people who have gotten me through this. I can't possibly thank every single person, but I'm going to give it a shot. (and you'll have to bear with me as this is not the Oscars, and there is no band to cut me off!!) First and foremost (as after all he is the father of my child) I can't possibly thank my husband enough. He's the one who has to live with me day in and out, even when I have morphed into someone who must not be named (yep, Potter fans, I mean Lord Voldemort.) He's here when I yell, cry, get tired, etc. and never complains. He is infinitely patient with me; he takes care of me, and he never complains. And yes, to quote a line from "Jerry Maguire," he completes me. Now where to start with our parents?? They have always been there for us and always unconditionally loved and supported us. We couldn't possibly ask for more than that ... And my family, I thank every one of you. For your prayers, your e-mails, your phone calls, your continuing to read this blog, we both thank you. Our family has always been extremely close and extremely loyal to each other, but times like these make me even more grateful. (Aunt Mar, we're working on a great-niece or nephew for you!!) Kelly and Kate, my cousins and my sisters, I have no idea where I would be without you both ... you're two of my best friends, and I thank you beyond words for all that you do. Mandi, I love that you take time to e-mail me about the blogs and love that they entertain you. What more could a writer ask for?? Danielle, thank you for understanding all of this and for always being there. Yes, I know I left out male members of the family, and I'm sorry, but I do love you all. (Michael, thanks for floating on the raft at the condo completely oblivious to Kelly and I discussing ovaries.) My friends, I can't possibly name you all, but you know who you are, and I love you. Ok, almost over. The Breakfast Group, thank you for your continued interest, prayers and support. I sort of think of y'all as our guardian angels. Ok, moving on ... Teri, who I have been best friends with for 28 years ... thank you for keeping me on my toes so I can answer all your IVF questions, and thank you for always wanting to know. Your friendship is unwavering and has always been a calm in the storm. For all the times I've complained to you, for all the times I've talked more about IVF and forgotten to ask how you are and for sharing your beautiful girls with me ... I guess that's what best friends are for, and I love you. Ok, anyone who knows me at all had to expect this one ... for my precious girls, Mary and Hope, who remind me how simple life really is and who always, always, always cheer me up when I need it, I thank you a million times over (and yes, they can read!!) Alright, if your name isn't on the list, don't worry ... as I've said before, it takes a village to get through IVF, and I can't possibly name all the villagers. Ok, and I promise I'm almost finished, I want to thank my Grandma Calvert and Auntie ... they passed away several years ago, but I know I carry a little piece of them with me as I go through life. They were beautiful, gracious, unselfish Southern women, and I miss them every day. They give me strength on days when I need it and lots and lots of laughter when I think about how wonderful life was with them. Finally, my favorite three words: thank you, God.

Fore!!

as self is still forced to continue taking it easy due to fact that pregnancy slows healing process for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, have returned to NASA channel for entertainment (can't watch any more scary musclemen doing ads for gym equipment.) no longer NASA channel fan as channel now broadcasts LESSONS on trigonometry. no one faint with this revelation but self is absolutely not a mathematician ... miss outer space pictures of earth and trying to guess what continent self could see ...
oh, well, as is always good to have a dream self has decided to become a professional golfer. will become pro, play in one or two LPGA events and become multi-millionaire so can replenish bank account as has taken hit lately as price of gas is astronomical. terribly depressing. anyway, began advancing toward pro golfer dream by practicing putting golf balls into plastic cup in living room today. understand it could sound like self has too much time but is really not the case. am ready to resume "normal" life but must get healthy first ...

The Philosopher is In

Ok, today I present an informative and somewhat scientific and philosophical blog. After the blood test Friday, I had to return today for a repeat blood test (standard procedure.) These tests (also known as beta tests) measure the amount of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin or pregnancy hormone) in the blood. My specific fertility clinic likes to see the beta double every 48 hours. On Friday, my beta was 162, and today it was 300; obviously today's number wasn't as high as they would like it to be, so I have to return for another blood test on Friday. Now this could mean any number of things, none of which are shocking considering I am in the VERY early stages of pregnancy, which is a fragile time no matter what. So basically we're kind of in a holding pattern until Friday. If the numbers aren't as high as they want them on Friday, we will continue to wait and see what happens. Having read LOTS about betas before we ever started IVF, I was always aware of their meaning ... some books report betas much lower than mine which resulted in healthy pregnancies; some books report betas similar to mine which resulted in miscarriage. There's just no way to tell. But as the doctor, the nurse, and numerous other medical personnel continue to tell us, just getting pregnant is half the struggle. In my mind, infertility is a little like a war ( NOT exactly like a war as I would not put myself in the same category as our military fighting to bring down terrorists) made up of lots and lots of battles. We've won several battles already: getting all the way through an IVF cycle despite developing a cyst midway through, producing lots of eggs, having eggs that fertilized so they could be implanted and finally, getting pregnant on the very first try. Of course Anthony and I pray the beta number will be exactly where it's supposed to be on Friday, but in the meantime we have so much for which to be grateful and proud. God is with us, just as He always has been. (just as an aside, self is considering becoming a professional golfer but more on that later ...)

Pregnant Pause

had appointment with doctor today for blood test and very, very happy to report that self is PREGNANT!! only have three words: thank you, God ...

Hormones and Hypothermia

has been very nice day ... hormones have calmed down considerably but of course that could change at ANY second ...
Anthony continues to do well and has really been a good patient ...
latest progesterone injection excitement ... accidentally gave self hypothermia in right buttock tonight ... try very hard to completely numb area so as to not feel gigantic needle but went too far tonight. when removed ice pack discovered a sort of blistered area and buttock felt as solid as a piece of ice ... very disturbing indeed. in future will NOT numb buttocks for 30 minutes ...

All Aboard

happy to report Anthony is home and doing well ...
also happy to report self has learned valuable info regarding rice from emeril today on food network ... now know what risotto is (Italian rice dish) and how to make it ... haven't yet put newfound knowledge into practice but have high hopes for impressive gourmet meal ...
unhappy to report hormones continue haywire existence ... self is on roller coaster (along with unfortunate souls who are around me) and trying not to fall off!

You Say Psycho Like It's a Bad Thing

feeling somewhat better but still taking it very easy ... knight in shining armor is strict nurse but will have opportunity to pay back as he had shoulder surgery this morning and will be home tomorrow ... thank God for parents ...
may have spoken too quickly about IVF not being so bad -- self has turned into hormonal wreck ... suppose to be expected as am still wearing estrogen patches and getting gigantic progesterone in oil injections. as indicator of self's rapidly changing moods, NASA channel no longer interests as much as annoys me ... am proud of astronauts but little space shuttle graphic is quite irksome after awhile ( is "irksome" even a word??)

Houston, We Have a Problem

must apologize for recent lack of writing ... self has developed ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome ... not a shock as delicate ovaries were stimulated to produce many, many more eggs than usual. overstimulation has resulted in swollen ovaries which are now touching each other ... not comfortable to say the least. in state of continued taking it very easy have become addicted to NASA channel. only recently discovered existence of such channel but now watch all the time. switches from mission control to Discovery (no-gravity NOT kind to women's hairdos) to views of earth to wonderful little graphic of mini-Disovery as it criss-crosses the globe in its orbit. self is learning geography a whole new way. was talking to teri earlier and informed her space shuttle was now passing over the northwest tip of africa ... teri appropriately impressed to say the least ...
must take moment to update big-needle progesterone shots ... knight in shining armor gives this shot every night and does fantastic job. of course self's buttock completely numb from ice pack (as recommended) but still think knight in shining armor missed his calling. (NO comments about how shots may be easy to give to hormonally psycho wife) ... am also wearing two estrogen patches (as thin as gap filler removed from Discovery during genius spacewalk two days ago) to be changed every three days ... ahhh, just when things were returning to normal. such is the world of IVF ...

Invisible Ducky

bedrest almost over ... feeling a bit sore and bloated ... self greatly mortified when signed on to this site and pop-up ad appeared with huge feet on scale advertising weight-loss pill ... gross.
has rained LOTS here today ~ most of you know what that means ... LOVE POND. can hear frogs approaching from distance even as I write plus new and unidentified creature yet to be seen, only heard. sounds like duck quacking LOUDLY but can't find creature. knight in shining armor has certain-it's-illegal gigantic spotlight used to search for creature but no luck yet. ashamed to say that last week self slithered across bedroom floor out of view of window hoping to sneak up on ducky creature while knight outside with spotlight but again no luck. can hear it even now ... quack quack. ducky is taunting self ...