Our First Treatment Protocol

Hi everyone!

Today, I went to the RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) to have some bloodwork drawn. The test will measure my FSH, or Follicle Stimulating Hormone. In layman's teminology, the doctor will better be able to tell if I have a higher or lower number of eggs left in my ovaries. I am not sure when I will find out the results of the test, but the nurse said that she'd call me with the results. I did find out that my blood type is AB+. (I never knew that before!)

Starting tomorrow, 2/9/08, I will be taking a fertility medicine called Letrozole. My pharmacy gave me the generic form of the drug, which is called Femara. I have to take two pills a day in addition to the two pills a day I take of Metformin (the generic form of Glucophage.) The Metformin regulates my insulin resistance, and helps my metabolism to break down sugar effectively. The Femara will cause my ovaries to produce follicles, which will eventually produce eggs.

On February 18th, after the Femara has had time to work, I will go in at 10:00 AM for an ultrasound to check the follicles on my ovaries. The follicles are little sacs of fluid that surround an egg. If there are any follicles on my ovaries on the 18th, the doctor will measure them and see whether or not they are "mature". If the follicle(s) is/are mature on the 18th, then the doctor will show me how to inject myself with a pregnancy hormone called HcG (human growth hormone). The HcG will tell the follicle(s) on my ovaries to release their egg(s), and then, the following day, Jim and I will go into the office for our IUI procedure. We won't know the exact date of our IUI until after the ultrasound is completed on the 18th. If the follicles are immature, we will have to wait a while until the follicles have had a chance to get bigger.

Right now, I am trying not to think about how much effort this whole process takes. I am trying to think about taking my medications on time, because, if the pills are not taken EACH DAY at the SAME TIME, then the Femara may not produce follicles effectively. (So much hinges on my consistency with taking medicines!) It's a little bit of pressure, but I can handle it.

Jim and I are praying every day for a healthy, full-term, non-eventful pregnancy. We hope that it only takes ONE treatment to conceive "Baby D", but we have heard that the average number of attempts that this treatment takes is four. I hope that we are one of the lucky ones who gets a miracle on the first try!! (Please, God!)

Please join us in our prayers.

Love in Christ,

~Kris~