Day 62 on BSP & Day 36 on IVF

OH! Big gap again since the last post! 16 days ?! Where did the time disappear.. ?

Ah, I know! I had a pretty fun week last week. Monday evening, I was at a Bollywood themed ball hosted by the association my husband works for. It's always good fun to be part of. What's interesting for me when it comes to attending a ball is seeing the way guests, especially ladies, dress up according to the theme. However, for this one, I enjoyed dressing up myself as much as I see and learn from others. I decided not to wear Sari, Indian traditional formal dress because of its costs, $300 or over if you want one with beautiful and decorative sequences and the frequency of wearing it if I got one and  to create Indian feel with something more practical with items which are versatile so that I can wear with other combinations even after the party. I wore a two piece dress, one shoulder coral top and golden orange long skirt with matching sash, a scarf with fringe which happened to have the golden orange colour in the print, lots of gold jewelries made in India and, my favorite item of the night, an head piece which I remodeled one of my earring made by myself. It was so much fun planning the costume and seeing people's reaction. Some people I've known didn't even recognized me! Of course, some wore Sari and they were absolutely beautiful, but I was quite happy with my unique styling. The ball room, food and entertainment, all was spectacular! It was fantastic night. And it was followed with another good news in the weekend. I appeared on the social page on the local paper with the groceries, who wear what type of stuff, which made me even happier with my work. It's nice to be recognized!

Then, I flew to Queensland to see my friends in Gold Coast and family in Brisbane. I stayed QT Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise. It was in a convenience location and very pop,colorful modern hotel which reminded me of W brand. I had a ocean view from my room and the view brought so much memories of Hawaii where I lived for about a year six years ago. I caught up with one of my friend who i hadn't seen for two and half years. We browse the city to decide a place for dinner for a while and we came across the evening market along the beach. It was about one kilo meter long and the products were fresh cookie, crafts and clothes locally made. It was great spot for tourist to pick souvenirs. I bought a beautiful long one-piece dress and a jumper from a local designer. I loved both pieces and it's nice to have clothes not from commercial retailer so that I know no one in Perth would wear them. Another friend of mine joined us later the night and it was good fun night. They told me how different the people in GC is compare to other city in Aus. I thought people in Perth were pretty relaxed and casual but apparently the people in GC are in another level and safety is also an issue there. It sounded that they were struggling to get accustomed to it. It made me more appreciative of my life in Perth. Another thing I noticed there was the emptiness of the city. I've been to GC once four years ago and my impression was it was very much like Hawaii. Pretty beach with palm trees, high-rise condominiums, relaxed but colorful and gritter sprinkled in the air in the city with buzz of people. However, the city was very quiet this time. Although, I knew it was not in season, seeing one of the most popular destination in Aus for international tourists with such emptiness was a bit shock for me.

After interesting stay in GC, I took a train going back to Brisbane airport to catch up with my hubby flying from Sydney then went to my hubby's parents place to spend two night with them.We used to visit them once or twice a year, but since their youngest son passed away early this year, I determined to try to visit them more often. It got me think to show our love and support for them as much as we can and to have close relationship with whole family member. We had lovely time together at home and a family dinner with the younger brother's family one night. It was really nice,too.

My IVF process is on hold at the moment due to having to give my body time to get back to normal for embryo transfer. I feel my body is pretty normal now. I recently get back to the once a week fasting and light exercise. My weight is now 49.0kg so got back pretty much.I had my first period three weeks ago which was unusually early and now I'm waiting the second period which will be the cycle for my embryo transfer. Actually, I was planing to visit my friend in Adelaide in early September but now I don't know if I can do it anymore because the timing of my period is unpredictable. People suggest me to relax as much as I can so I should drop it and not even thinking about going away...

Anyhow, all is good :)

Happy weekend for everyone!
   



          

Day 46 on BSP and Day 20 on IVF

After the last blood test, I've heard that my estrogen went back to normal but I still need to drink lots of water, over 2,5L per day and protein diet. I feel it in my body. The abdominal pain and bloating and the tenderness of breasts has eased and feeling much better lately.

However, one major change since I started IVF is not having a craving for coffee. I've been a proud coffee addict for 20 years. I had to have 2 cups of it at least till a weeks ago then it just disappear. Now, despite the several attempts of enjoying a cup of coffee, I have no craving what so ever and I don't enjoy the taste I used to looooove at all! In fact, the coffee cup is still next to me for over an hour untouched after a sip. It's so weird and miss loving the "ahhh" moment with the aroma and flavor so much. I've heard that ppl change their cravings to different food during pregnancy but I'm not pregant yet. hormone does this? hum... But I guess it's over and it's sad somehow....

I want to find a drink which picks me up and give me " ahhh " moment. I think the time with "ahhh" has been a little highlight of my day for ages so I definitely need it. I hate soft drink and sweet drinks so no coke or hot chocolate I'm not too fond of tea, a bit boring for me but maybe milk teas to start with.

Day 44th on BSP/ Day 18 on IVF

It’s been 5 days since my husband and I had operations and 19 follicles were collected.  They were fertilized and  6 eggs were successfully fertilized by the day two.  Apparently,  others which didn't get fertilized were discarded. However, by the day 3 only four of them were cultured to the stage that they divided to 8 cells and frozen.

It was quite uncomfortable and also painful after the surgery and we had to stay home and rest. It took about 4 days to recover. So not hard to imagine I had no way to bear the exercise at all. For my husband, it was even longer to recover due to the cut and stitche. But it is all worthwhile because we have 4 eggs ready to come back in me.

I started telling family and friends about the progress of us on IVF. Especially my mum and sister have been waiting for it for loooong time and soooooooo bad so they are pretty excited.  It’s so good to share such joyful news to who I love most and be happy for me.

There are not much activities from this stage to the second period which is the timing that egg transfer is taken, though, I will still have to go to the clinic to get blood test to check my estrogen level. I feel much better so it should be much normal now. 

Day 39 on BSP/ Day 13 on IVF

Day 37 51.0k
Day 38 51.9k

I've recorded my heaviest!!! But I don't care now because it was an extraordinary week! I'm super excited.

So many have happened since I found that my follicles were high in number and mature and was advised to have the theaters in two days.

Usually husband hands out their sperm on the day of wife's theater, however, my husband had vasectomy more than 10 years ago so that his sperm are highly unlikely reach egg by swimming due to distinction in the tube that they need to swim in. Therefore, my husband had to have sperm collection on the same day.

We were told to fast from 6 hours prior to the theater. No eating, no drinking. His one was early in the morning and I had egg collection on from 10 am on day 12. A nurse explained the procedure and gave me a tag on my wrist with my name and BD on then took me to the second floor on where the theaters are taken. I was told to get change to the robe with no underwear. I was told that the theater before mine was delayed so I would have to wait for a while. I was given a warm pack on the back of my hand to surface the vain for later. While I was waiting my turn, I saw at least four ladies in the waiting room and the recovery room. I was quite surprised how many has taken this option to have their baby. It's not unusual in these days.

Both mine and my husband's operations are with  a surgery with full anesthetic but the sperm collection is more complicated. My hubby was quite frighten with the anesthetic so that he even told me what to do if anything goes wrong. I've got some friends who have done IVF and got baby with the assistance of same doctor or the clinic, so I had a peace in my mind. While I was in the waiting room, I was able to see my hubby. He was fine and a bit excited how quickly he was put sleep and all procedure went so quickly. well, He thought it was quick but it should have been an hour long. He said nurse told him it went smooth and found good ones!

Then my turn came. I was taken to another waiting room and stayed for about 15 min. I talked with anesthetist and was taken to the theater room. There were the lights and equipment that I have seen on TV drama and reality hit me. But the nurse who looked after me there were super nice so I was still calm and the doctor was my doctor who I've seen so it was also good. The needle for the anesthetic was the most painful part that I remember then 5 second later, I had a mask on then I was knocked out. 

I was about to be transferred to the other room to rest when I woke up and told a nurse next to me I was in pain. Then i was given a shot of painkiller through tube on my hand and put me sleep again. 

I don't know how long I was a sleep but I guess it was for about an hour. I woke up in the bed next to my hubby. I was sooooooo thirsty so got a nurse to bring a glass of water. When I finally woke up fully, I smelt my hubby's toasty sandwich which got me hungry. They made a cup of coffee and ham and cheese sandwich. The nurse there were very caring and helpful.

We organized a friend of us to pick us up since we were not allowed to drive under the influence of the anesthetic. In the comfort of the recovery room, I almost forgot that we had a proper surgery but when I saw a slash of blood on my bed, I realized we just had a big one.

Before we left the room, the embryologist came to see and explain us the procedure of fertilization. I was told to ring up the clinic to get the update on the progress with it.

As I left the clinic, I was quite in pain so got another painkiller which made me sleepy again. I spend most of the afternoon in the bed at home.

Today, the embryologist told me they have fertilized 6 eggs successfully and 2 have started dividing which is pretty good! It means.... the life of our baby has STARTED!! It's just amazing...

It was quite overwhelming but certainly one of the biggest and exciting weeks of my life so far.