IVF #6 (or #7) Cycle Update

Thanks for all of your incredibly well thought out responses to my last post! I, too, believe that every cycle that requires you to stick needles in your body in the hopes of getting to ER and ET should count. In fact, I didn't realize until today that, by that definition, this is really IVF #7 (!!!!) because we stimmed in between IVF's #3 and #4 and called it an IUI while hoping we would get enough of a response to convert to an IVF, but, we didn't.

But, I've gotten used to saying IVF #6 (I'd have to put a rush on a whole new badge if I called this IVF #7, lol) so I think I'll just stick with that.

I've received questions asking why I haven't given a status update on this cycle. I can't explain it, but, despite the needles, playing chemist every night, and the trips into NYC for bloodwork and ultrasound, for some reason, it doesn't really feel like I'm in cycle. Every night, I almost forget that I have to take my meds. Unlike in past cycles, it is not the number one constant thing on my mind. It's weird.

The only thing I can think of is that the lack of response has made me a bit complacent about the whole cycle. My response has been very, very slow. At my first ultrasound, after 8 days of stimming at max dosage, I had 1 measurable follicle, an 11. That's it. Today, after 10 days of stimming, the 11 had become a 12 and I still have nothing else worth measuring.

I happened to see my doctor (Dr. Expert) this morning and he is not discouraged yet. He said that the fact that this is a long, slow protocol, coupled with the reality that I stim long anyway, means that we are not out of the game yet. The 12 is not too large yet and there is time for some of his friends to catch up to him. Dr. Expert said that he has seen some people stim for 15-16 days on this protocol. Given that, I have time.

I'll leave you with a quote I'd heard some years ago from Margaret Thatcher that just popped into my head this morning.

"I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."

We'll see what tomorrow's ultrasound shows. I'm waiting....patiently!