getting ready...

Looking back I guess we've really been preparing for this cycle for a long time now...but I think it's finally hitting me that WE'RE CYCLING! (guess the big deduction from our checking account and the daily Lupron shots weren't enough of a clue)

So I'm starting to refine our game plan.

My latest FET prep list:
- Recheck my TSH (will hear results on Monday; will check again on 8/30)
- Recheck my NK count & activity (blood test w/Millenova; will RE draw blood for me again after I've been a PITA about this?)
- Up my Omega-3s to 4mg/day (to treat NKs)
- Start some additional supplements (Selenium, CoQ); I've already been taking Prenatals + baby aspirin + ginger + chinese herbs
- Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet to help with NKs (avoid beef, dairy, trans/satuated fats, yogurt, refined carbs); so I think that leaves chicken, salmon, berries, walnuts, olives, most veggies, herbal teas, water
- Take bromelain (1000mg) for 5 days after ET

I just looked through the protocol sheet again and it looks like the plan is something like this:
8/21: drop down to 5u Lupron (daily until 8/31) & start 2mg EV (Estrodial Valerate) IM
8/24: increase to 4mg EV IM
8/28: increase to 5mg EV IM (and continue this Mondays & Thursdays until beta)
9/1: start antibiotics
9/3: start progesterone suppositories (100mg)
9/4: start PIO (1cc)
9/6: transfer
9/20: beta

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Work is really out of control. I'm actually procrastinating doing some work right now (on a Sunday) by updating my blog. Fortunately it should be dying down right around the time I start my EV injections...

I think I need to update my links on the right before actually starting some work. :)

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Also just to recap our IVF journey so far:

IVF#1 (Jan 2006)
Microdose Lupron "flare" protocol
started at 250IUs of Follistim & ramped up to 450IUs
stimmed for 11 days
~14 follicles observed
14 eggs retrieved
10 mature
7 fertilized (half ICSI)
3 survived until Day 3
3 transferred (1 8-cell and 2 6-cell)
0 frozen
BFN

IVF#2 (April 2006)
Long luteal protocol
added Menopur (75IU); started at 250IUs of Follistim & ramped up to 300IU
stimmed for only 6 days + 1 coasting day
~14 follicles observed
12 eggs retrieved
12 mature
12 fertilized
10 survived until Day 3
3 transferred (1 12-cell and 2 8-cell)
7 frozen (all 8-cell)
BFN

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just to keep my notes all in one place -- here are the Chinese herbs that I've been taking for a few weeks now (10g/day)...
Lin Wei Huang Wan (4g)
Tu Ci Si (1.5g)
Du Zhong (1.5g)
Suan Cao Ren (1g)
Dang Gui (1g)
Bai Shao (1g)

I'm going to continue with acupuncture 1x/week and have already scheduled a session immediately before/after my ET (she's only a couple miles from the RE's office).

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Also in preparation for any future fresh cycles, Nick is going to start taking Proceptin (bunch of antioxidants) to bring down his % sperm DNA fragmentation to a more "fertile" level. He's at 28% now (over 30% is considered abnormal; below 15% is best for fertility). It takes a few months to make an impact so he's starting now just in case...