Getting Started: those awesome meds!

So, I found a reputable fertility specialist not far from home & told him our whole story (so many obstacles but he didn't say it was impossible!). As suspected, he's suggested we try ICSI which is where they inject a single sperm into a single egg. This method is useful where there's a male factor. So darling DP was scheduled for an open testicular biopsy where they cut a small incision & retrieved some semen. The lab assistant found some sperm so doc closed him up & sent him to recovery. Very quick & fairly painless according to DP. We signed some forms to agree to freezing the sperm for use during my cycle.

A few days later I spoke to the FS who said DP's sperm wasn't great but was ok enough to be frozen. He thinks it shouldn't be a problem but said DP would have to be on "standby" to go back for a biopsy on the day of my egg collection if the spermies don't thaw well. This means we will both have to fast on the day (torture!) and may need someone else to pick us up from the clinic as we'll both be drowsy :-/ I felt like I'd been kicked in the guts when he told me this. But it's just a minor setback & I'm now trying to remain positive.

So I got back in touch with the IVF clinic. They started me on Synarel nasal spray whilst I was still on the birth control pill (called a crossover). I then stopped the pill when they told me to, stayed on the spray & waiting for my period. That came a few days after & was a lot heavier & longer than usual. On day 4 of my period I went back to the clinic where the nurse took another blood test & gave me the Gonal-F injections in this nifty easy-to-use pen. Another nurse rang me that afternoon to say my blood test was good & I should start the injections that night.

I should also say at this point that I am a shiftworker in television production. Those of you who are also shiftworkers will know what I mean when I say this process is an inconvenient bi-atch! The amount of times already that I've had to do a quick squirt up a nostril in a control room is ridiculous! One day I was sniffling & trying to stifle a sneeze after doing a quick spray under the desk.. the Director ask me if I was ok so I just said I had hayfever. Well then he pulled out every thinkable cold & flu drug out of his bag & shoved them at me, and even insisted I go to his car after work with him so he could give me his antihistimine!! I kept telling him I was ok & I'd just used a nasal spray. So much for being discreet & no-one would be the wiser! LOL

The day I had to start injections I was also working off-station. We were running late so I had to bolt to my car afterwards & basically "shoot up" & "snort" right there in the carpark!! I was worried Security were going to come & tap on my window! I had a little giggle to myself. What else can ya do huh? Luckily the needle is so fine I can barely feel it going in! That's a plus!!

Anyway, here I am on Day 4 of the injections & still spraying. I have to say, and sorry if this is TMI, but my farts are HORRENDOUS!! I was worried when I read posts about the awful spray & how bad it tastes, but that's NOTHING compared to the farts during the injection phase! My DP says when my bowels open I "unleash Hell". I love him. Because he still loves me despite my horrific smells ♥ ♥ ♥

Off to bed shortly. That's probably enough waffling for now. I'll write more when I have more to report. xxx