Update, Update, Update!

Alright, first I just want to clarify that although my biopsy turned out to be the most excellent news possible, we still have quite a process ahead of us. The actual donor transfer is still a ways off.

So, Lizzie & anyone else out there, please put out that "It's A Boy!" cigar! It's still a bit too early to completely declare victory! :) But, Lizzie, thank you for making me laugh so hysterically at that comment last night on the phone...gosh, what would I do without my sisters?! Could a girl be any luckier???

I called HCR (Hinsdale Center for Reproduction) this morning in order to speak to Sue and get the low-down. So, here's the latest:

Due to all of the estrogen we were pumping into my body (injections, injections, insertions, injections...) in order to get my lining to the optimal millimeter, my estrogen level is now over 1000. In order to proceed safely my cycle needs to reset itself and my estrogen level needs to decrease all the way back to 20. Um...yeah...20.

Here's the thing...every woman's cycle does this each month...increases-decreases...it's just usually you don't know anything about it. It just happens. I, on the other hand...now know EVERYTHING. Due to my situation, it can take one or two cycles before my estrogen level gets back down to 20. Sue brought up the fact that my body doesn't ever seem to react the way we think it is going to (it has a mind of its own) so, we aren't really sure what it is going to do.

Today is actually already Day Two of my next cycle - which was very surprising to Sue. Usually it takes much longer after a biopsy for you to get your period. But, as we all know, my body and the word "usually" don't often mix. So, four days after my biopsy, the lining I worked so hard to build is now already shedding. Shedding lightly I may add, which is another surprise - but kinda nice :)

So, here's the plan - Dr. Hickey does not need to see me just yet. We're going to wait 3 weeks. I will go in on Wednesday, May 20th for an ultrasound and blood work. They are thinking that this might not be a "real" cycle restart. My cycle has not been the most easy to follow due to all of the ovarian failure going on, so we're just waiting to see what happens. If I get my period again before the 20th, I will then go in on the Day Three of that cycle. They will do an u/s and blood work in order to see what is going on and to recheck my estrogen level.

In the meantime, Mackenzie will call on her next Day One (today is her Day 23), and possibly schedule a Day Three appointment - which is an u/s and blood work. They'll put her on Birth Control that way they'll be able to figure out her cycle dates and start timing out when the donor process could possibly take place. Now remember, this won't occur for at least a few months.

So...once again...we wait. But...it's a happy waiting period. :) :) :)

Are you following? I know that this process can be pretty hard to follow so please leave me a question on my comments and maybe my next post will be a Q&A with your new Reproductive Endocrinologist - Dr. Rachel Witkowski!

ps...Thanks Tara for our "talk" today over email. Lizzie is so lucky to have you as a best friend and us Milazzo sisters are so lucky to have you as a "sister". Love you!

Oops! I forgot to add...did anyone notice that I've gone international?! That's right...WORLDWIDE!

It's Just a Phase...

...and I'm IN it!!!

Yes! It's true!

Sue from Dr. Hickey's office called this afternoon (already!?) to tell me that my biopsy showed that I'm IN PHASE!!! (my body can support a pregnancy!!!! It can do something!!!) and we are ready to begin the process of matching my cycle to Mackenzie's! AHHHH!!!!!!!

You have NO idea how excited I am...I am BURSTING as I write this blog...(which I'm sure you can tell by all of the capital letters and exclamation marks!)

Sue left me a message with the news, of course, as we all know how rare it is that I actually answer my phone (it was in my work bag and I didn't hear it). So, I checked the message and burst into the happiest tears of my life. Sue sounded very excited on the message too! I called the office back knowing that it was already closed, but I was lucky because Victoria, the receptionist/do-it-all girl, answered the phone! We talked a bit about how excited everyone at the office was to call and give me GOOD news FINALLY! She said that Sue was ecstatic to call...she is the one who usually has to call me with the disappointing news. Victoria told me that she would talk to Sue as soon as she gets in tomorrow and that I should call during one of my breaks at school to talk about the next step. Then she asked about my cycle - which I just so happen to be on Day One today...and she asked about Mackenzie's. She thought that they may want to get me in on Wednesday already! especially if it looks like Mackenzie's Day One isn't until next week. Remember, I need to lead Mackenzie by two weeks in our cycles for the timing of the transfer. Mackie was at work when I called her, so I'll have to wait to find out tonight what day she is on...

So, this news has come WAY earlier than expected and I couldn't be anymore thrilled than was Brian cheering on Pujols' Grand Slam against the Cubs on Saturday!!!!

AHHHHHHHHH!!! YEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

There will be more to come this week so STAY TUNED!!

Ella Bean and the Graham School Fun Fair!

On Friday night Brian & I had the pleasure of watching our friends, Laura & Cale Lucas', daughter Ella. They were headed out to dinner for a friend's birthday, and asked us if we could watch her for a couple of hours. What a blast! We had such a great time with her.
(side note...I asked Laura if it was okay that I post pictures of Ella - she obviously said yes!)

Isn't she a doll!?

I showed Ella how to open the screen door
and walk out onto the patio...
she only went back and forth about a million times!

It's a great night to sit on the patio and read a book!

Ella & Brian...but she calls him "Ryan"

Snuggling on the blue chair

Today my school had its annual Fun Fair. I was signed up to work the Redemption Table from 12:30-2:00 along with about 6 other people...they didn't really need me, so I bailed and walked around socializing. My parents came to support Graham too, as they do every year! Thanks Mom & Dad! Along with some nice socializing I even got to play games with my principal's son, Michael. She was signed up to work the Moon Walk - I know lucky girl, huh? So, I grabbed her 2 year old and we set off for the games! Let me tell ya, he is quite the athlete! We even did the Cake Walk and surprised his mom with a nice container of cupcakes. She was super excited!
(for the record, I also asked Joan, my principal, if it was okay that I post a picture of Michael)

One of our AWESOME first grade teachers!
Mrs. Conkey workin' it at the Duck Pond!

Mom & Dad enjoying some cotton candy at the Fun Fair!

Me & Michael...he is enjoying his Cake Walk prize!

Biopsy Schmiopsy

It's over! I survived my Endometrial Biopsy! Obviously I feel good enough that I'm already blogging about it!

We left our house around 12:50ish...a bit early, but the nervousness took over and I just had to go. I had taken the Valium pill that Dr. Hickey had given me just before we left. It didn't really make me feel any different, except that my head started to get a little swimmy. Otherwise I was fine.

Brian & I ready to roll!

They called us into the room at around 2:10ish. First he did an ultrasound and you'll never guess...my lining was at 10.9mm!!! AHHHH!!! YES!!!! (I asked...the units for lining is millimeters) He then traced out a line that he would follow to complete the biopsy. Your prayers worked - THANK YOU!

Here is the picture of my ultrasound.
The green line is the path Dr. Hickey drew -
it is the path he followed to the promise land!

Dr. Hickey asked how I was feeling and I told him how the Valium wasn't really affecting me...just a swimmy head. He decided to give me some Lydocane (Novacane) shots in my lining and cervix. Those shots hurt a bit, but not too bad - they were over pretty quick. Dr. Hickey and Sue, my nurse, left to let the Lydocane do its thing.

I made Brian take a picture of all of the

"tools" that were going to be used!
...notice the scissors...yikes!

Here we are waiting for the Lydocane to start numbing me up!

Isn't Brian the best?!

After about 5-10 minutes, they came back ready to begin the biopsy procedure. For the women out there...think Pap Smear...uncomfortable...awkward...that pretty much describes it! He then thread a catheter up to snag/suck some of the lining. Brian described it as a straw full of lining...nice huh? It was a very uncomfortable feeling - I actually felt a lot of pressure in the area under my belly button. I closed my eyes and Brian squeezed my hand. It was over pretty quickly.

Dr. Hickey said that I did a great job, and he also thanked me for not kicking him! ha...I'm guessing some other patients had a harder time than I did! He also said that I was very tough! HA DAD! TOUGH! The only time I've been described as tough is when I was slamming girls against the boards in indoor soccer! ...I never thought that I would compare the two.

All in all I feel pretty good. I'm a little worried about how I'll feel when the Lydocane and the Valium wear off, but we'll see.

ALL DONE! YAY!

My reward for being so tough...
a VENTI nonfat iced Caramel Macchiato...
Starbucks heals everything!

I was reading "Conceive" magazine while we were waiting to be called in and I came across an advertisement that made me think of one of my most favorite people...

Mar Moran...this one's for you! Love you!
By the way...it's called the "Conception Curve Pillow"

...you just don't use pillows to prop up your butt anymore girls!

HILARIOUS!

Today's the Day....

So, I thought that I would be able to sleep in today and take advantage of my day off, but that wasn't the case at all! I woke up at 8:00am...and I'm pretty sure it is due to the pit in my stomach. I know that today is going to go fine and that really it's not that evasive of a procedure, but I'm just still nervous....

Yesterday I had a blood work appointment at 8:00am. Victoria, the scheduler, insurance, and do-it-all girl at HCR said that they only blocked 30 mins for the procedure, but really it should only be about 15-20 minutes. She also said that they had a girl in on Tuesday who described it as a Pap Smear with a pinch. I guess this other girl was also a teacher and was ticked that she didn't bring any work home with her. She had also thought that it was going to be way more painful. But I guess it wasn't. Here's what they don't know about me...my pain threshold is about oh...zero!...my dad tells me all the time that I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to pain. Okay okay...yes, I'm a cryer...we all know that. I would prefer if things didn't hurt.

Brian, of course, is not nervous at all. Well, duh...he doesn't have to have something nipped out of him today. He told me that he was going to have them transfer all of the pain to him, that he could handle it and then I don't have to! I really wish they could do that...

My appointment got moved up to 2:00pm, so please send up those prayers!

_____________________

On Tuesday night I went out to dinner with some girlfriends from college to this really great winery called, Cooper's Hawk. My friend, Courtney is getting married next spring and asked us to be her bridesmaids!

Courtney, Maria (in back), Renee, Val, & me!

Yay Nay!!! Renee & her husband Alan,
are due with their baby boy on June 25!
Needless to say...she didn't drink any wine!

Whew! What a Weekend!

It was a crazy crazy weekend! I started out home in Aurora, headed to Elmhurst, then to Chicago, then to DesPlaines and now FINALLY home! Whew! (I put a few miles on Brad's car...shhh)

Brian & Brad left for their bachelor weekend in French Lick, Indiana on Thursday. Sounds like they had a great time drinking, gambling, golfing, and drinking. They drove the Tahoe so I got to drive Brad's Lexus for the weekend. Compared to the 'hoe, I felt like my butt was dragging on the road!

Mary Lou came again on Friday night to give me my shot. All went well. She brought me a surprise! When she walked in she handed me another bag of needles. The special thing about these though is that they are even MORE butt-friendly than the ones we already have! They are a smaller needle, so it doesn't hurt as much!!! Yay! She told me that I can't tell anyone (I'm assuming that she means anyone at the dr.'s office...uh...let's hope!) that she gave them to me because they are really expensive. She said that's why they don't usually order them for patients. I must be pretty special...because I got them for FREE! Atleast things are working out for me with all of this med stuff! Hey...I'll take what I can get!

Saturday, Mary Lou had plans and wasn't able to come over to give me my injection...so...I headed out to Elmhurst to nurse Amy's house! If you remember it was her son's prom night - and YES! - I did get a picture with him! haha!


Amy said that we've been doing the shots in the wrong spot. We've supposedly been doing them too low. If you were to draw a line from your tailbone to your hipbone, they should be injected up there. Oops! It is fine that we did it lower, but it is probably why I've been so sore! Amy yelled up to her daughter to bring her a Sharpie and she drew 2 large circles on my butt that way Brian knew where to aim! Now it is SERIOUSLY like darts! Once again...yes! I have a picture of that too! Don't worry it's not too revealing!


Next stop...Chicago for Megan's Bachelorette Bash! Here are some pictures of our awesome evening! If I say so for myself...I plan a hell of a party!

Lizzie, Kris & I getting the hotel room all ready to go!

The girls ready to try out Flirty Girl Fitness!
By the way...it was AWESOME!
We did the Chair Striptease...it was a blast!

Shake it baby Shake it!

Yeah Girls...work it!

At Sub 51...dancing the night away!
Laura Lucas, me, Megan, Megan Fitzgerald and Lizzie in the background

LATE night...
on our way up to our hotel room with some
friends we made in the elevator
can you tell we had fun???

There are a million more pictures from the evening...but us girls will keep them to ourselves! :)

Sunday morning....Deana's Baby Shower! Our very great friends, Deana & Brad Tokarz, are expecting their first child on June 3. Deana, Liz Schrum, and Stephanie Bea and I started out as the "Valpo Girlfriends" then we moved to become the "Valpo Wives" and are soon going to be the "Valpo Moms"...so weird. Wasn't it just yesterday when we couldn't wait to be married to "Tokz", "Schrumy", "Bea", and "Witko"??? Time sure does fly! Our Valpo boys have such a closeness with one another. They are a true "crew" of guys. I couldn't be luckier to be just as close friends with all of their wives. Liz Schrum, drove from Wisconsin for the shower. She surprised both Stephanie and I. It was so great to see her and catch up. Here are some snapshots...

Me & Deana...only 6 more weeks until the Little Tokz arrives!

Deana & Stephanie
Cute little pregnant girls!

Yay! Liz came!!! We love you Liz!

The Valpo Wives
Deana, Liz, me & Steph

Steph, me, Liz & Tina Stanton

The Girls with the Daddy to Be!
We are so excited for you Brad & Deana!
We love you!

This week is a pretty big one...you know...with the biopsy and all. Please pray that all goes well and that it comes with a positive result. I'll update again later this week to give you the low down.

Mary Lou is coming back tonight for another shot at 6:15pm...Brian is headed home today, so she won't have to come tomorrow.

So, That's All Folks! Have a great week!

Are We Shooting Darts?

Mary Lou, my awesome home visit nurse, came tonight to give me my first shot without Brian. She admired my medication basket (see picture) and then got to work right away filling up the syringes. Tonight she had to give me both the Delestrogen and the Progesterone. She had them ready in a flash and then we went into my room so that I could lay against the bed. Mary Lou has given many a shot and had no qualms about quickly counting 1, 2, 3 and then darting the needle into my behind. She did it exactly like I've been telling Brian not to do it, just like she was shooting a dart...BULLSEYE! It was quick and easy. I guess I've been wrong - Brian should probably be doing it like that. I mean yeah...I did flinch like crazy but it was over in no time. She first did the Progesterone in the right cheek and then the Delestrogen in the left. The Progesterone shot bled more than it ever has, but with some pressure and massaging...yes, massaging! It stopped. Bing Bang Boom and Done!

hey, if you're going to have a ton of meds...
you might as well keep them in a cute basket!

Mary Lou and I had a very nice conversation while she was over. She even gave me a big hug when she left! I definitely have to think about getting her a bottle of wine or something.

It was pretty funny today at school, because I walk with a bit of a limp right now. There were many questions as to if I was okay. Around 10:30pm the Progesterone shots really start to bug me and it continues into the next day (and when you're getting the shot daily - well, then it is just a constant ache on both sides!) . My muscle feels very tight and if I sit for long periods of time I get really stiff. It's like I'm an old woman walking down the hall! When my little Austin wanted to hop on one foot down the hall this afternoon, I must have looked like a loony - the things you do to get a kid to walk down the hall!

Oh well!

By the way, I got my haircut today. Finally got rid of all of those split ends some really nice parent at school acknowledged the other day. Gotta love when people have no filter! Not sure if these are the greatest pictures...but you get the idea!


Tomorrow is finally Friday! Happy Weekend everyone!

...one more final comment...Aunt Kim, OF COURSE the camera will be in tow when we come for Sal's First Communion! I wouldn't miss an opportunity to get the Richfield Milazzo's on the blog! Love you guys, thanks so much for following! See you soon!