The Game is On!

As I wrote on Monday, I had an appointment at HCR at 11:30am on Tuesday morning. Brian & I met there because they wanted to see him as well. We both had blood work taken and then I had an ultrasound. After the ultrasound, it was Brian's turn. They needed a sample from him to freeze. We were confused about the freezing, we thought we were going to use a fresh sample when the time came. They explained that they freeze a sample to have on hand just in case Brian is out of town or he is sick or if he is unable to produce that day. They said that they don't want to put Mack & I through all of this and then when we get to the day we can't do it because there is no sperm. Man, I would have hated to be the couple that caused them to realize they need back up sperm! We definitely appreciate the caution, but we should have no problem using fresh that day! :)

Yes, I document EVERYTHING!
Here are Brian & I and our matching gauze.

Dr. Hickey told me that everything looked good and that we would just wait for the blood work to come back before I started my Lupron injections.

On Wednesday, Sue called to let me know that both of our blood work results looked good and that I'm good to go to begin my injections. When I got home from school the HUGE box of medications was on our doorstep...check out the pictures. Also, here are some pictures of my first day of injections...notice the huge smile on my face...you think I'm excited to begin this process??? Um...yeah I think so!!!

Big Box O' Meds!

Even The Tripster can't believe how big it is!

All of the Meds...and yes, another cooler!

Some of Mackenzie's Meds and Syringes
actually even more came today...

My Meds and Syringes..

First Day of Lupron!!!! Measuring out 10 units...

Right Before...

During...

Done!

Sue also told me that Brian & I need to begin our antibiotics. We need to take them twice a day (with breakfast and dinner) for the next 10 days. Mackenzie will begin her 20 pills when she begins her injections. Sue prescribed antibiotics to make sure that none of us get sick while we're going through all of this. She wants to make sure we all stay healthy!

Mackenzie & I have an appointment at 12:45pm on Tuesday, June 30th for her injection Teach. To make sure that their patients can give themselves shots, HCR requires you to come in for a Teach, which is just where they show you a video about how to inject yourself and then the nurse makes you do it in front of her so that she can make sure you don't freeze up. Mackenzie is nervous about giving herself the shots, so we decided that we would go together. I'm pretty sure that she'll be fine once she realizes that the ones you give yourself don't hurt. I think she will realize that the subcutaneous shots are actually pretty easy to give yourself because the needles are so small. But, it is okay if she gets too nervous and just can't do it. If she has any problem at all I will be there to learn how to give them to her. We all know that I have no problem shooting up! haha! Brian has already had the teach for the intramuscular injections, obviously, because he has already had to give them to me. So, he will be the one to give them to Mack as well. We are thinking that it might be easier for her to come live with us for the 10 days of injections, but we'll see!

Today I made an appointment to begin seeing a Fertility Acupuncturist. I have heard from many other girls going through fertility treatments who have found acupuncture to be very helpful. Not only for the treatment aspect, I think that it will help me with the emotional/stressful side of the process we are currently going through. The acupuncturist is actually able to individually treat me as I am going through the Donor Egg process. She is able to plan her treatment according to what I am doing on the medical side and help to assist it. I start on Sunday, so I guess I'll let you know! I am very excited.

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Thursday, June 25th, Brian turned the BIG 2-9! We went out to dinner to Traverso's with a huge crew of people. It was a great time. If you can believe it though, I only got this one picture from the evening! What the heck was I doing! Sorry!

Happy Birthday Love!

If you look back to the picture of the big box of meds sitting on our front step, you will see a smaller box sitting on top. Brian received a birthday present from my Aunt Malo and my Uncle Ba. When he got home he was very excited to open it! Inside was a St. Louis Cardinals hat signed by Hall of Famer Enos Slaughter...Brian was beside himself, he loves his Cards and just couldn't believe the thoughtfulness from my Aunt and Uncle. Thanks Aunt Malo and Uncle Ba! Brian LOVES the hat, it is already proudly displayed in the house. You guys are the absolute best! Thanks for thinking of Brian on his special day! We love you!

Trip is helping Brian tear the tape off the box!
What a good helper!

Pretty cool, huh?

Have a great weekend! Love to you all!