Is TTC my obsession?

Yes, I believe that it is an obsession. I am currently on cycle day 16. In trying to conceive (TTC) terms that is prime ovulation time especially since I took the Clomid this cycle. The Clomid, if working effectively, should kick in between 3 and 7 days after the last pill is consumed. This is exactly the time frame that I am in since I took the pills cycle days 5-9 at night. Since my sister has been in the hospital and I refused not to be there for her. I have been using ovulation predictor kits at the hospital and at my parents' house. Yes, this is bazzar.

Hence my contemplation that TTC has become an obsession. I refuse to let myself have a LH spike without it being detected. This may be a problem indeed.

HSG and Miscellaneous

The HSG is done! It went really well. All of the reproductive organs are in order. The tubes are clear and the uterus is normal. Thank God for the doctor, he was great. Kept me talking the whole time so I didn't notice what he was doing. Then he went through each of the x-rays to explain them to me.

Feels good to have that one out of the way.

Also spoke to the nurse in more detail about the blood work. It seems that the majority of it has been completed except for the genetic and insulin resistant tests. All of the others are normal except for the testosterone.

Tomorrow is my day 10 labs.

Tonight is also the last night for the Clomid.

Feeling good. Progress, that is what I am feeling. We are very close to naming it. Once it is named, than we move on and tackle it with knowledge and overcome the obstacles. Yes, this is an excellent feeling.

My Mother

Let me start by saying, SHE CRACKS ME UP.

The latest conversation:

Me: "Yay, T.'s Mom wants to get together next weekend, but I'll be on the crazy pill (Clomid) at a higher dosage and I'm not sure how I'll be. I think we will have you all over some time in July."

Mom: "OK, so maybe I won't call you this weekend. Why are you taking that stuff?"

Me: Shaking my head, I have no patience, but at least I am in an EXCELLENT mood. After all I am taking the BULL BY THE HORNS. "I was on it last month and you had no idea. The only issue that I had was that I couldn't remember anything for about two weeks. Besides, you don't want grandchildren?"

Mom: "Make sure that you write things down. I'll be fine without them."

Me: Laugh out loud. "I do write things down. You know that a few months ago you told me that I would be a failure as a daughter if I didn't give you grandchildren, right? You do remember this conversation."

Mom: "I didn't say that, I wouldn't say that."

Me: Laugh harder. "Yeah, you did." Laugh harder. "No worries, I luckly don't take you seriously." I also think to myself that I KNOW that you are slightly off your rocker.

Perty much the end of the conversation. My Mom, I love her. I know that she loves me, but she is the QUEEN of the insensitive statement. SHE CRACKS ME UP! On most days, the others she can bring me to tears or make me so angry that T tells me to hang up the phone. But, most of the time, I can laugh at her.

The funniest part is, that she did say it. I remember it exactly. I was trying to talk to her about things in November, while ironning clothing. Trying to have a supportive conversation, and I got that response. Literally hung up the phone on her and called my sister. We both agreed, SHE IS NUTS! Then we started to laugh, while I cried and laughed, uncontrollably.

NOW THE FUN STARTS!

Yes, I have decided that I am sick.

But, the Wicked Witch (also known as: Aunt Flow, Tia Maria (Portuguese), My Period) started yesterday! YIPPPEEE! (Another small miracle.)

So, the schedule:

1. Day 3 Blood work tomorrow morning. According to my research, they are checking for:

1. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): FSH is often used as a gauge of ovarian reserve. In general, under 6 is excellent, 6-9 is good, 9-10 fair, 10-13 diminished reserve, 13+ very hard to stimulate. In PCOS testing, the LH:FSH ratio may be used in the diagnosis. The ratio is usually close to 1:1, but if the LH is higher, it is one possible indication of PCOS.
   
2. Estradiol (E2): 25-75 pg/ml Levels on the lower end tend to be better for stimulating. Abnormally high levels on day 3 may indicate existence of a functional cyst or diminished ovarian reserve.
   
3. Luteinizing Hormone (LH): <>
4. Prolactin: <>
5. Progesterone (P4): <>
6. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): .4-4 uIU/ml Mid-range normal in most labs is about 1.7. A high level of TSH combined with a low or normal T4 level generally indicates hypo-thyroidism, which can have an effect on fertility.
   
7. Free Triiodothyronine (T3): 1.4-4.4 pg/ml Sometimes the diseased thyroid gland will start producing very high levels of T3 but still produce normal levels of T4. Therefore measurement of both hormones provides an even more accurate evaluation of thyroid function.
8. Free Thyroxine (T4): .8-2 ng/dl A low level may indicate a diseased thyroid gland or may indicate a non-functioning pituitary gland which is not stimulating the thyroid to produce T4. If the T4 is low and the TSH is normal, that is more likely to indicate a problem with the pituitary.
   
9. Total Testosterone: 6-86 ng/dl. Testosterone is secreted from the adrenal gland and the ovaries. Most would consider a level above 50 to be somewhat elevated.
   
10. Free Testosterone: .7-3.6 pg/ml
    
11. Dehydroepi-androsterone Sulfate (DHEAS): 335-430 ug/dl.
    
12. Androstenedione: .7-3.1 ng/ml
    
13. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG): 18 — 114 nmol/l, Increased androgen production often leads to lower SHBG
    
14. Fasting Insulin: 8-16 hours fasting, <>

2. Clomid Challenge test starts Friday and goes on until Tuesday. Cycle days 5-9, 100mg. (Increased from last Clomid cycle of 50mg.) Also may involve more blood work, will know later.

3. HSG scheduled for Tuesday at 1:00 PM. HSG: An x-ray of the pelvic organs in which a radio-opaque dye is injected through the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes. This test checks for malformations of the uterus and blockage of the faloipian tubes.

4. Day 10 blood work next Wednesday. Not sure what that involves, must ask. My research hasn't triggered any key information.

5. Day 12, June 30, start to use Ovulation Predictor Kits. When a surge occurs, trying to stay positive, must contact the nurses again to schedule the IUI.

I'm taking the bull by the HORNS!!!!

TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS

This is another Daddism...in the spirit of Father's Day.

On June 5th, after approximately 21 months of trying to conceive and only 11 cycles, my husband and I went to visit a reproductive endocrinologist (RE). We are finally "taking the bull by the horns."

The doctor was 45 minutes late. My husband was about ready to hurt someone. Patience is not a virtue that he has, but I cut him off and placate the wait. Keep in mind that this is the ONLY RE in our insurance network. Another story for another day.

We enter her office. She looks over my charts and comes up with a plan. Most of the tests are for me. Only one my husband to do. He of course is freaking out about this test. (But I warned him a long time before and he has come to the conclusion that he has no choice in that matter.) I'm told that I will have to go a barrage of blood work, a HSG, Clomid Challenge Test, etc. Instead of being put off by all the testing, I'm excited to start the testing! BRING IT ON!

Yes, I am sick.

Then she says, "All of these tests must start on certain days of your cycle. You need to call me at cycle day 1 or call me on Monday. If it doesn't seem like you will be getting your period on your own, I will induce it."

That day, they checked my progesterone, to determine where I was in my cycle, if I ovulated etc. It was at 2. Right in the middle. Higher than four means that you ovulated, lower means that you are getting your period. Mind you I on cycle day 31.

I call on Monday, June 12th. I still don't have my period. No worries, this is completely usual for me, hence the RE. I'm told to come back in for more blood work.

I go yesterday. Turns out that my progesterone is now at 23, on cycle day 38. This means I ovulated last week. Yah, my body has a sense of humor. So now, since I did ovulate, I have to wait patiently for my period. Yes, this is causing issues because I want it NOW. I'm ready to take the bull by the horns!

*Keep in mind that I've seen this actually done in a bull fight, it doesn't seem to be a smart thing to do. But just like the matador, I must do it!