Okay!  So we are officially in our first IVF cycle now!  Period started this morning-so that may explain the massive headache last night.  Earlier than we were expecting, which is good considering patience is not my best virtue.  We head into the clinic at 8 am tomorrow for the first of MANY ultrasounds in the days to come.  Tomorrow is referred to as the baseline ultrasound. The purpose of the baseline is to check for any ovarian cysts or other complications.  Cysts=delayed or no cycle, depending on severity, so lets keep our fingers crossed that they are a no show.  The hormone level they check is my estradiol, or E2, levels.  The levels should be <50 pg/ml. Low levels are good, as research indicate low estradiol levels correlate with a better response to the ovarian stimulation medication. High levels indicate the potential presense of a cyst or diminished ovarian reserve (lack of good quality eggs).  I also get my finalized medication protocol with all my stuff laid out for me over the month. Shots begin tomorrow as well!!!

Tomorrow is a big day!  It is finally starting to hit me that we are doing this!  Someone asked me today if I was scared or nervous.  No.  I feel hopeful, positive, like I am about to get on a ride that might take me somewhere amazing.  It might not….but it might.   There is a reason to have hope.  I was scared 6 months ago when we didn’t know what was wrong, when everyone was telling us that there was nothing wrong.  Yet months dragged on and still nothing happened for us.  During this time,  I felt lost, like I was wandering around in the woods where no one could give me direction.  I once told my husband during that time that I would rather just be told that we couldn’t have children than continue fumbling around in the dark-wondering, desperately wishing.  At least then we could move on, move forward, dream new dreams.  The unknown wore my soul to the bone.  But now we have a plan, a map, a light to guide us somewhere.    We made it out of the woods….we KNOW what the issues are and we know what we have to do to get around it.  And knowledge is power-a reason to hope, and thats all I needed.  So heres to day Day 1!