My magic dose

I know I've been off the blog for a few days, but I'm okay with that. A lot has been going on that has been keeping me busy, which doesn't leave much time for me to write. I'm working on a separate post about what's been keeping me busy, but I wanted to write about what's been happening at the RE since my last RE post.
We went in on June 20, 22, 24 and yesterday. Which means that in the last two weeks, I've been stabbed in the vein 7 times! The nurse doing the blood draw today commented that I have scar tissue forming because of all the pokes.

For the ease in explaining all that's happened with my dosing and body, please reference the following chart:

Date	Cycle Day	Follistim Dose	E2 Level	Lining Thickness	Follicle measurement	Events
12-Jun	CD3		110.7	2.88 Homogenous
		50
13-Jun	CD4	25
14-Jun	CD5	50
15-Jun	CD6	25
16-Jun	CD7		101.5	6.03 Multi-layered
		50
17-Jun	CD8	50
18-Jun	CD9		103.2	4.14 Multi-layered
		75
19-Jun	CD10	75
20-Jun	CD11		115.2	5.76 Multi-layered
		100
21-Jun	CD12	100
22-Jun	CD13		214.4	7.73 Multi-layered
		75
23-Jun	CD14	75
24-Jun	CD15		341.3	9.83 Multi-layered	12.57
		75
25-Jun	CD16	75
26-Jun	CD17		419.1	10.88 Multi-layered	15.03, 11.44, 10.04
		75
27-Jun	CD18					Trigger
28-Jun	CD19					IUI
29-Jun	CD20					IUI

So, after the lackluster increase in my estrogen levels and no follicular growth on June 18, we upped my dose to 100. Then, on June 22, we went in for another u/s. There was still no follicular growth, but my estrogen did increase, which was shown by my increased lining. After my estrogen levels came back, my called me, on my cell, and left me a voicemail letting me know that we were going to drop back down to 75 units! What??? Because my estrogen almost doubled, but didn't produce any follicular growth, we needed to scale back on my follistim.

Finally, finally, finally on Monday (6/24) we had ONE measurable follicle!!!!!!! And my lining is AWESOME! What a relief to feel that we weren't in a holding pattern any more looking for that magical dose, that my lining was doing great, and that we were have ONE follicle break away, instead of the usual two that we've seen in the last two cycles.

So, we stuck at 75units on Monday and Tuesday and went in yesterday, for the 7th blood draw and u/s this cycle. First, we did the blood draw. Then we did the u/s and saw the amazing 10.88mm lining. This is, by far, the thickest lining I've ever had, and since I've gotten pregnant with much thinner linings, I only have hope for a nice, good, solid implantation this time. Then it was time for the ovaries with still only ONE in the lead at 15.03!!!! This caused RE to have to spend a moment staring at my measurements while trying to figure out what to do next. After his reflective moment, he came up with our plan.

I was to take 75units last night, which he estimates would get the lead follicle up to 17mm by the time I ovulate. Our last two cycles I've gotten pregnant with follicles less than 16, so we're comfortable with that size follice (some clinics wait until the lead follicle is between 18mm and 20mm before triggering). I am to trigger tonight, with IUI's on Friday and Saturday.

Like last cycle, I'm not sure if I'm setting myself up for despair, but I'm very hopeful for this cycle. My lining is great and we grew ONE follicle. With Firefly's cycle, we conceived on a Thursday. Thursday was the day of the week that Oscar and Bella were born. This cycle, we are conceiving on Saturday. Gus and Tittle were conceived on a Saturday. I'm also looking at the dates. I will conceive in June, test in July and have a headcount u/s in August. There is no other way that we could incorporate more family members into this hopeful pregnancy. Firefly only existed in June. Jon's birthday is in June. Oscar's and Bella's birthday is in July. Gus' birthday is in August. To have this one hopeful pregnancy span the three months of the year that can include all but 2 of the family members, I think, has to mean something. We will likely find out sex during October, my birth month. This only leaves out Tittle, who we know is sneaky. So, we'll just have to wait and find out how he works himself into this pregnancy.

Is it wrong of me to be so positive about this cycle working? Am I just setting myself up for feelings of despair and failure? I hope not. Jon and I have NEVER had to fight so hard during a cycle to grow follicles and get pregnant. I have to believe that this means that this cycle is going to work.

I just have to.