Sleepy spell

Considered myself blessed that I have no extreme symptons of pregancy, my bloatedness have recover and everything else is normal. Except, I feel tired easier and I can barely open my eyes by 10pm. I felt asleep watching News like what my mum did all the time..

I have asked and tiredness is normal and it happened, so I am gald that I am not alone.

I did not wieght myself before the start of my procedure and now I would not know what is the progress of my weight, hate the idea but just have to face it right?? I read online that in the early stage, I only need extra 300 Calories per day to carry me thru, so watching the diet to avoid overweight is so crucial.

Embyro Transfer

Finally, transfer completed and the process was swift. While Doctor Loh was performing the transfer, he had a deep medical discussion with another senior doctor. The scene was amusing, they hehaviour as if they are discussing work over a cup of coffee and all this while I was lying there looking at both of them. I have 11 embyro, 2 are in my womb now waiting to harvest, 9 will be freeze for later used. Another 2 might mature before freezing.

The two embyro that are transferred are grade 5 and grade 4, grade 5 is the best. So, people, time to cross all your body parts and pray that these two funny looking embyro will be Sincerity and Righteousness very soon.

Egg Extraction

The egg extraction procedure take place on Wednesday morning, if I remember correctly, the whole process is about 15min. But the after OPs rest took 4 hours before I am allow to leave. I was given deep sedation and I vividly open my eyes during the ops and hear some noise, of cos I can't figure what's going on. First time in the Op theatre, it look quite like what we saw on TV, very bright, lots of equipments and lots of people.

Sedation came with some side effects, that's why I need to rest to let the effect wear off, unfortunately I got 3 out of the possible 5 side effects. I experienced faintness, tiredness and nausea. I vomit out hot milo that the nurse just gave me, can't be help, I am not very friendly with milo these days.

Did I said the nurse told me I got 31 eggs extracted and I have most for the day? I don't know what reaction that the nurse was looking for, but that piece of news does not excite me. 31 eggs? Does that make me sound like mother hen?? Yuck!! And having that many eggs is not a good thing for me, due to the quantity, my after effect bloatedness will be BAD and is still bad up to this point.

What happened next? Friday, we must be back for the transfer, apparently only need 10min, no sedation required. Thereafter, I must really rest (best in bed) and not stress the body. As the embyro will take at least 5-6 days to stick to the linning. What left after is waiting and praying, I will know if I am pregnant on 2 August.

Follicles are ready

The scan today shown that my follicles are ready, out of the 20 follicles, 7 of them are bigger than 16mm and 4 more might be ready by tonight. The size of the follicles explained the bloatedness and discomfort that I am experiencing. In fact, there is a condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) caused by too many follicles developed due to the drugs given, which I might be expose to. I was advice to monitor my body condition and the side effects. I think I am fine so far...I think la.

My night jab is schedule at 10pm, it sounds painful according to the nurse, nothing can be done but go with flow. Today also mark the end of daily jab..Yeah!!

The nurse was telling me about my admission on Wednesday, she mentioned, no make up, no jewellery and no nail polish. I almost faint, no MAKE UP?? Fine, I can wear my nerdy glasses but NO NAIL POLISH?? I just did my gel nails and that costs me $138 and she wants it remove?? I was trying to tell her, 'this is gel, not nail polish, can I keep it?' She gave me a straight look, 'Sorry, you have to get it off before wednesday'!! Ouch..can you feel the pain?

Current body condition

Is my body reacting or getting ready for the procedure?? Having mild cramp, bloatedness and sore nipples.

Stage 3 and Stage 4

Had my 3rd ultrasound scan to check on the development of follicles and my inner linning. Good news was my linning is good thickness and I have 20 follicles, 9 on left and 11 on right. Meaning to say, I am on my way to start stage 3 and stage 4.

I must be back to KKH on next Monday for another scan to check the size of the follicles and on Monday night, I must return for stage 3, a night jab to fertlise the eggs. On Wednesday, I will be admited for eggs extraction and Friday for embyro implanation. During these period, I will be given two weeks hospitalisation leave to rest.

Suddenly, the process is moving so fast, it is getting me excited and raising my anticipation. This is also the first time that I will be away from work for the longest period of time. I have share my plan with my mum and she is showing her support by making me bird nest, that's the way to go, mummy.

Stage 2!!! - Puregon injection

Puregon medication produced synthetically by recombinant DNA technology and is a purer form of FSH, which is used to stimulate the development of serval follicles, thus increasing the estrogen hormone production and building up the uterus lining. Consituted in a cartridge and it is given subcutaneous for 10 to 14 days in an accurate and ready to use pen delivery system.

Basically, in the layman term, it simply mean Puregon jab is to encourage and stimulate multiple eggs production. Meaning to say, starting tomorrow, I have to do two Jab daily. Lucrin and Puregon jabs...can't wait!!!

Stage 3 is a night jab that need to be taken at the hospital and thereafter for stage 4 is where I will get 2 weeks of hospitalisation leave. If all is on schedule, the leave should happened by mid of July. I can't remember what will happen next, all this stages was communicated to me while the nurse was taking my blood, she was fast and this is all I can remember.

So, Pineapples really work!!

Truthfully, I was feeling really affected and disappointed after the KKH appointment on Thursday, I was concern about the uncertainty of stage 2. Since I have started the process, it will be my biggest regret if I can't complete it.

I was dying for my menses to arrive as soon as possible and I had 5 slices of pineapple within 2 days. Old wife tales works, it gave me the comfort of at least feeling in control and able to do something about the situation. The wait is over, my Da Yi Ma is here..WooHoo...PBB promised to pray for me when she goes to church on Sunday, you can still pray for me...all prayer are welcome!!

As much as I wanted to contain my own expectation of the whole procedure, I can't help but feeling pressure from within. Is this the side of the unbalance hormones?

Hormones not under control??

Had my followed up appointment today, did the ultrasound and blood test. Result indicated that my hormones is not under control and i can't start stage 2, instead i have to continue my hormones suppress injection and wait for another week.

My menses is late, don't know for whatever reason and my inner lining is too thick. So disappointed, i have to pray hard that menses come before next thursday, else the process might be interrupted.

Official Poking time

Yesterday was the 21st day and the day to start the poking (injection). This is stage 1 of injection Lucrin to suppress the release of FSH and LH hormones from the pituitiary, causing 'down regulation' in preparation for IVF. I will need to continue this Lucrin (daily poking) for 28 days. By 15th day, will be the next stage, going for ultrascan to determine if I can start the 2nd injection (so it will be 2 poking daily from then on).

I am feeling the unwanted side effect, I am having aching joint and a bit of discomfort all over. I hope this is only because my body is trying to get use to the foreign invasion of Lucrin and it will not get worst. (body, be friendly la)

Since I will have little needle hole on my tummy, I will try to make it into some design, maybe a star or flower...at least something for me to look forward to do daily.

By the way, the needle poking is a little painful hor!!

My supply of needles and alcohol swipe...

Gynae appointment

I received conflicting information from the hospital and ended up with a Gynae appointment with Dr Loh before the blood test. Fine, since the appointment is also on Sat morning, I have no issue with it and for the first time, I am so glad that we are only a stone throw away from the hospital, woohoo.

Dr Loh did not know that I have already make the appointment to start in May (the procedure to start is to call the centre directly what), he thought I need second opionion from him. He was furious when he found out that the appointment was a mixed up...bloody hell, that's not my fault right? He asked 'don't you know how to use the computer, why didn't you email me the request??' His kind intention was worry that the centre might make a mistake and I have to wait even longer. Anyway, he wish me luck and said he will meet me again soon.

What a morning!! Anyway, had my blood test and the next appointment is in June, thus till then, life is as normal as before. Maybe not entirely, at least I am trying not to drink alcohol and eat unhealthy stuffs, I was at Balacava on Friday night and I had Bitter Lemon soda thru-out....can't believed it.

Hormone blood test

Called KKH to register and I have to return to the hospital 21 days later to collect the kit that will cost me $100 that is good for 28 days.

I remembered I am required to do some form of blood test but the lady did not mentioned anything. So, I asked and lukily I asked, hormone blood test needs to be done on the 2nd menses day, so I need to be there at 8am the next day.

Imagine, I didn't ask and she forgot, what's going to happen?

Was trying to read up and preapred myself for the journey, learnt that there were so many unsuccessful cases and miscarriages. Should I continue researching and reading?

Beginning of the Journey.....

The journey should have started one year ago but nevertheless it is starting now. May is the month and now is the time. I have called KKH and officially start the procedure. I thought I need to go down to KKH the moment I have my menses, I was wrong, luckily I called. I just need to called in on the heavy flow day, which is tomorrow (20th May 2010) and the appointment will be 21 days after. That is when the JOURNEY OFFICIALLY BEGIN........

Not having cold feet yet, I can't say the same 21 days later but I will not give up. If I am emotional stable and sane, I will write down my personal experience of the procedure. I can't be too certain if I can do that since the hormone changes might take over the whole sensibility of me.

If I became overly sensitive, unreasonable, emotional or demanding, bear with me, that's not the usual me...right? haha.