Hi!  Today was the 7th day of my IVF cycle and will be my 6th round of shots.  This morning I went for an ultrasound and blood draw.  The ultrasound uses a vaginal wand (not an “over the belly ultrasound”) to try to get the most complete view of the ovaries.  The images of my right ovary showed 6-7 follicles (which contain the eggs), all ranging between 8.5 mm and 11 mm.  Right on target..and it is good that they are all so close in size.  Sometimes you get a “leader” that grows much faster than the others.  That one gets close to ovulation size while all the others lag behind…gets the doctors all wringing their hands.  But all of mine are all in a close bunch. The whole process was simple and painless.

This was not to be the case with my left side.  I don’t know what it is, but my left side has always struggled-with EVERYTHING.  My bones are smaller on that side, any medical issue I have ever had- from eye problems to foot problems-has always been on my left, and my left tube is the one that had to be removed.  Its the Curse of the Lefties.  The ultrasound on my left ovary proved to be no different.  As soon as she moved the wand to that side, I started wincing.  Maybe there is left over scar tissue or bruising…but MAN it was tender-and hiding.  No matter how she poked, prodded, or stirred-she could not get a clear image of the left ovary.  After about 10 minutes of trying, I finally asked her for a break.  I went to the bathroom, cried (Go easy on me, my emotions are ALL over the place), gritted my teeth, bounced up and down in an effort to jiggle things around, and went back to the stirrups.  Eventually, she was able to see at least 3-4 with at least 1 around 10 mm. Thank God it was finally over. My and my left ovary are going to have a serious come to Jesus meeting before the next ultrasound…….

My uterine lining was now 8 mm, which is right on target.  My E2 level was 552. It was 179.3 last time, and they like to see that it has at least doubled.  I will stay on the same med protocol (100 Follistim/75 Menapur), but now a third shot will be invited to this lovely party-Ganirelix.  Ganirelix keeps me from ovulating too early.  Early ovulation=cycle cancellation.  So as the follicles get bigger, they add Ganirelix into the rotation to keep the eggs from releasing.  I go in for another E2 draw tomorrow.  We are definately getting close!  I predict the egg retrieval will be Sunday!!!! Lefty…you better get in line!!!