My little Pin Cushion

So the last week was quite interesting.  My belly sure ended up feeling like a pin cushion.  I WAS able to give myself shots in the belly, imagine that.  I had to give myself shots starting on Saturday July 21 through Friday July 27th.  One shot of Lovenox, A shot of Menepur, and one of Gonal F.  Then I got to add a morning shot of Cetratide.  YAY!!, Alternating sides and below my belly.  It was so sore by the end of the week.  I had to go every other day to get labs and an ultrasoundn done, and then the last three days, went every day.  They 36 hours prior to my EGG retrievl day (TODAY), My mom got to give me a shot in my upper buttocks.  That did not hurt while she was doing it, bt now is sore, like I fell on it.  That was what they referred to as the "Trigger shot."

My retrieval time was 8:00am in Rockville.  I had to be there at 6:00am.  Mom and dad picked me up at 5:00am.  I really did not go to bed at all.  Maybe an hour.  Eric and I hung out from 12:45 until 3:00 and I took a brief nap. 

Today for the retrieval we were not sure exactly where to go  I knew it was the Rockville Fertility Center, but where, the building looked all dark, and there really were not that many cars.  I had to call the 24/7 on call nurse.  I woke her up..whoops!  :-(  I know how that feels.  I have been on call before....A LOT!!!  But.  The whole actual procedure took 20 minutes after they checked me in, gave me the IV and I waited.  Once the injected the anesthesia I was out after saying my social security number. 

They were able to get 6 really healthy eggs from 6 follicles that grew!  They said that was really good.  SO I guess I will take them for their word.  I am sore and crampy.  Tired too.  But that is done.  Now onto the Chemo on Friday!!  I CAN DO THIS!!

Shots for Fertility

Mom, Dad, and I went to Shady Grove today so that I could learn how to give myself all of my shots prior to the collection of my eggs.  My dad did not want to be a part of the process, so it was just me and my mom.  I learned how to give myself 3 different types of shots that I will need to administer to my stomach.  (I hate needles.  I am terrified of having to stick a needle in my belly.)    I know I will be able to do it. 

All the prep, was pretty easy.  I don't mind that, and am not worried about that.  It's the actual sticking myself.  (I still turn my head when I get a shot, or have blood drawn.)  I can't very well do that this time.

My mom has to do one shot.  She has to give me one shot in the upper backside 36 hours before the take the eggs.  She practiced a few times.  I have faith in my mom.  I know she can do it.  I don't mind my mom doing it. 

Shots will begin on day 2 of my period coming up.  Possibly next Sunday.  UGH!! 

Chemo Class and Follow up with the Surgeon

I woke up this morning in excruciating pain, no joke....I felt like I was having a heart attack, but on my right side...so I knew it could not be.   My chest was tight and I could barely move. It hurt to breathe.  Where they had inserted the Mediport was killing me.  All of the pain meds wore off.

I call my  parents at 6:00am, my mom answers the phone and tell her I need them to take me to my appts today.  I get up and get a new icepack, take some pain meds and lay back down until my alarm is set to go off. 

I get ready, still in pain and 40 min until my appt for my Chemo class, my parents have not shown up....they are usually early for things...and I was starting to wonder what was going on.  I call my dad's cell, and he was still at home. They did not "know" (forgot) that I had the 9:00am Chemo class.  They only thought I had the 11:30 follow-up meeting with my surgeon.  UGH!!  I was tired, in pain, and irritated.  NOT a good combination.  I tell my dad to forget it.  My mom calls back and I end up yelling at her through tears.  Telling her what appt I am going to. 

Feeling incredibly guilty while I drive still in pain I go to my oncologists office where I thought the Chemo class was.  When I get there, I was told the class was across the street.  Of course I got in the wrong lane, traffic was horrible...and it was making me late for my appt. I hate being late.

Chemo class was informative, and I learned a lot.  I was able to ask questions.  I felt a bit more reassured of the process.....despite not having my time line for Chemo set out.  The Nurse who gave the information was super informative and super nice.  She was reassuring, calming, and really was available for everyones individual needs.

I then went over to the surgeon's appt, met up with mom and dad.  That appt went well.  My incision from my sentinel lymph node surgery is healing well.  She said I won't need to see her again until closer to the end of my chemo procedure.  This is where we will talk about the mastectomy or partial mastectomy and pick a plastic surgeon. I know who I want to be my surgeon is what I am thinking....
ugh, thinking I still need to write my letter to him.

Mom and Dad, love them both......drive me to work, after we eat lunch at one of my go to restaurants near my home "The Coyote Grill."  I get tons of facebook messages from my friends, which always uplifts me.  Makes me smile and keeps my spirits hi.  Knowing the support I have, and knowing that so many people are praying and thinking of me.