Saturday, May 31, 2008

IVF #1 - GO!

So - tonight we start the first of many injections. Tonight we start with the Lupron. Just to give a general background on how this all works:

- Initally, you go in for some bloodwork and for some exams - an HSG and an SHG. Basically, the SHG is a sonogram where thy look at the shape of my uterus, take measurements, etc... The HSG is where they thread a catheter through my cervix and into my uterus. Once in, they inject a dye into my uterus to watch it fill up and into my fallopian tubes to make sure everything looks clear and ready to go. My left tube was a little stubborn to fill up, but it did. I won't be needing them since we're going IVF, but it's nice to know they're there and are open!

I had REALLY bad cramps when they initially put the catheter in and when they were injecting the dye. Like really bad. But once they stopped, I didn't have any risidual side effects which was great! I know some girls have had cramping the rest of the entire day - I was lucky!

- More to come (I promise!)


Just for fun, I took a picture of my belly before we started the whole process. From what I hear, this whole process can make you pretty bloated. I don't mind - it'll all be worth it - especially if the bloated IVF belly turns into a bloated pregnant belly!

Proud Mama!

Exciting, aren't they?! lol This one is a total AW post. We were supposed to bring Riley in this morning for another day of fluids since he still wasn't drinking anything, but he was doing so well last night - and even better this morning - that we decided to keep him at home for a while and not bring him in until about noon. Little did we know the vet closes at 3:00 on Saturday! Oops!

But, we gave everyone in the office an update while we were waiting - he is well known there now and everyone always asks how he's doing. I hate the REASON why everyone there knows him, but I love that they DO and care about him so much. And when we got into the exam room and the vet showed up, Riley decided to put on a show!

We told the vet about how he was using his leg, eating, etc... and she was like oh, really? That's great. But, when we took him out of the crate, he just started walking/limping around - even tried to jump up on a chair (we stopped him, of course!) and the doctor was literally amazed at his progress. She actually used that word - AMAZED - it made me so proud to be Riley's mommy - he is doing so well! She gave him an internal exam and also took at a look at all of his cuts, scrapes, etc... and she was so happy with how he's doing! There is one item that's not heeling as well - and that's the part of his gum that got pulled away from the bone. It's looking like it wants to get infected, but she gave us some antibiotics, so that should help.

She was so impressed with how well he was doing that she said he could stay home all day Sunday and Monday and to just bring him in for a follow-up Monday after work. Yay for Riley!!

Friday, May 30, 2008

It moves, it moves!

Riley is home with us once again tonight and it has been an awesome night! He still has his zoning out moments, but they are definitely further apart. And guess what?!?! He is totally moving his left leg and has even walked - well, limped! - on it a few times! Including trips to make-shift kitty litter and for food. It's a beautiful trifecta - he ate on his own, he peed, and he walked and used his left leg! Yay - I am a mommy to Super-Kitty!

He moved it!

Yup - it's official. Riley is definitely moving his left leg. Not a lot, but he did it a few times last night - yay! He still won't eat on his own, but if I put tuna in front of him, he will eat it. And he is still zoning out, but he does seem to be focusing a little bit better which is great!

We are supposed to keep him confined to a small area, so I have set up a little sleeping quarter in the living room for the two of us. Unfortunately, I have abandoned my husband temporarily as far as sleeping together goes, but at elast he gets the bed to himself! haha He does say that he really misses waking up next to me which is sweet - but he totally understands why I'm sleeping in the living room. I need keep an eye on him thoughout the night. I haven't slept much at all since he got hit - I wake up every 30-60 minutes to make sure he's still ok. And he has been. I probably don't need to do it as often, but I just feel the need to. Perhaps it's my maternal instinct kicking in and maybe it'll carry over to the next 9 months! lol

Back to the vet tomorrow, but I think things are definitely looking better!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Kitty Update #2

Yup - another update on Riley. Not too much is going on with me right now that compares. I start my first Lupron injections on Saturday, but I'll get into that in another post. Pretty much the same update today as yesterday. Still pretty much had a blank stare last night and didn't really move much. Although there were times I could get him to look at me. Still won't eat and hasn't peed, but the vet doesn't seem too concerned, so I guess I won't. And yes - I swear I saw him move his leg a little again tonight - I know it! lol

Every time a vet calls to give me an update, they keep bringing up amputation. It's getting kind of frustrating. I know it's not the same vet each time. And I know the odds are not in his favor that he will get use of the leg back since they said it appears that when he got hit, all the nerves, etc... all got separated and severed. But, the vet does say that it could take as long as 6-8 weeks to get it back if he will - so that, combined with that I know I've seen him make slight movements, I'm not ready to do that yet. SO PLEASE STOP TELLING ME ABOUT IT!

So we'll bring him home tonight and see how he does - here's to hoping!

Injections Class!

I went in to my RE's office (Reproductive Endocrynologist) and had my injections training class. The drugs I have to take for the IVF procedure are all administred via inection. The nurse (who was pregnant!) taught me how to set everything up, fill it up, etc... Didn't actually do an injection, but I feel pretty confident on how to do it and I'll show my husband how to do it when it comes time on Saturday. He really wants to be involved, so this is a good opportunity for him!

I am definitely looking forward to getting everything started on Saturday. I have the Lupron, the needles, and associated paraphernalia all ready to go, so now Saturday just needs to get here!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Kitty Update

The vet had us take him home overnight last night and bring him back in today for more of the same treatments, fluids, etc... It broke my heart last night. He just laid there all night - which is absolutely understandable. You can really tell how hurt he is and how much drugs he is on. He just looks drugged up! haha He just stares blankly and lays there. Doesn't move at all - he won't eat or drink anything, even tuna which he loves!

I don't blame him, though. He's all drugged up and he has so many injuries in his head/mouth area that it's no wonder he doesn't want to eat. I just hope he gets better soon. Oh - and here's good news! My husband thinks I'm crazy, but I swear I saw him make the tiniest of a movement in his left front leg - the one they said we'd most likely have to amputate. But I KNOW I saw it!
It'll be more of the same tonight - pick him up, watch how he does overnight and bring him back in in the morning. I feel so bad for him. I think being home does help his "morale", but he really does need to be at the vet. And I feel so bad every time I have to put him back in his carrier and drop him off. We're pulling for you, Riley!

Update: I added some pics I took of some of his injuries. You can't really see everything in the pics - including how he can't move his left front leg at all, but I just wanted to at least and try to capture some of this so I can see how well he progresses and where he is coming from, if that makes sense?


Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Sad News...

My kitty got hit by a car last night. I just want to cry. We have no idea who did it, but we definitely know he was hit by a vehicle based on the grease all over him. I was sitting inside watching TV and I just had this feeling that just kept telling me to go outside, go outside. Finally, I give in and go outside. And as I do, I see my cat just slumped in the driveway. I knew right away it was bad.

He was just collapsed there, bleeding, not focusing on anything and panting really quickly. I immediately just picked him up and put him in my car and drove to the vet - thank goodness we live so close to the vet's office! And thank god they were open late that night! OMG, the poor kitty - I can't even describe it.

Our regular vet stabilized him enough for us to transfer him to the Emergency Hospital. Thank God DH met me at the vet and drove to the Emergency b/c that let me hold Riley all the way to the emergency vet! They kept him overnight and then this morning I had to pick him up and bring him back to the regular vet. They have him on fluids and painkillers today. They are saying that he most likely won't get the use of his left front leg back and he may have brain damage since he took most of the brunt from the front/left.

He just looks so bad - but I guess that is to be expected when you get hit by a car! I just want to cry everytime I think about it - about how he must be feeling, about how scared he must have been - about getting hit, about just laying there in the driveway hoping someone will find him, about spending the night and all day at the vet getting poked and prodded, etc... OMG - see, now I'm starting to cry again.

I just want to thank both of the vets so far. He was in complete shock when I brought him in and they stabilized him and took such good care of him. He's alive! He is completely out of it, but I'm really just hoping it's from the pain killers, steroids, oxygen, and just the whole ordeal. Get better kitty - mommy and daddy love you so much!

Monday, May 26, 2008

True Companions trying for Plus One!

Hi! Not sure how many people are actually going to be reading this blog, but I thought it would be a good way for me to record our quest for our first baby! We aren't able to do this the good old fashioned way so we are exploring the wonderful, injection and hormone filled, world of IVF!

So, I guess I should start with a little background on us. My husband is a teacher and I work for a large international company managing self-service applications. We met on St. Patrick's Day in 2004, engaged on St. Patrick's Day in 2006, and married on July 21, 2007! As you can imagine, it was the best day of our lives! Maybe I'll post a few pictures later - not sure yet how much personal information I'm willing to reveal on here. No one really knows about our infertility issues.

Luckily, we haven't been trying nearly as long as many other couples on our situation. We knew of an existing condition ahead of time that we'd need to have checked out, and now - here we are!

OK, I guess that's it for now. I'll try and get into more about IVF, etc... in future posts. And, now - time for bed!