Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Terrified!

Sis is doing the trigger shot tonight!  Egg retrieval is set for 9:30am on Friday.  As of today, it looks like she has 12 eggs, but 2 of them are small so most likely will not be mature enough.  They are hoping for 10 mature eggs out of the bunch.  It's not a large number, but it's the quality that matters, not the quantity!

With Sis triggering tonight, that means tomorrow I have to start the PIO (progesterone in oil) injections.  And THAT is what I am absolutely TERRIFIED of!!!!!!!  Have you seen the needle for this injection?  Well.... let me show you.


The little needle is the size of pretty much all the injections that I've done up till now.  The big ASS needle is the one used for the PIO injection!  I call it the big ASS needle because that is exactly what it is.  This injection is intermuscular, so it is injected into the butt.  Or the rear end.  Or the ass.  Or the Gluteus Maximus.  Whatever you want to call it.  I usually don't say a**, but in this instance, I feel it's necessary!  Do you SEE the size of that sucker!??!!?  Oh. My. Garsh.

I know this makes me an absolute baby, but I have NEVER liked shots.  I was one of those kids that my poor mother had to hold down when she took me to the doctor for shots.  It was so bad, my Grandma had to come along to help.  Actually, I don't know why my Grandma was there, but I've been ribbed about this my whole life and I know Grandma was there on occasion.  I just assume she was along because my mom needed help.  I remember crying and screaming and NOT wanting that darn doctor near me.

The few of my family members that actually know about us seeking infertility treatments have been very impressed when they found out about all the injections.  Then, of course, the story was told once again about how awful I was as a kid.  I can't deny it.  I was.

I must say that I feel I've been pretty stoic throughout both IVF attempts, and also this past month of the Lupron shots during our donor egg cycle.  In addition to that was all the blood draws.  When I have to get a blood draw, I just turn my head.  I can't look at the needle at all, but otherwise I actually do pretty good.  I don't pass out, cry, or anything like that.

However, the thought of getting stabbed with that big ASS needle is quite terrifying to me and makes me feel quite nauseous.  Hubby does not inspire a lot of confidence in me either as he is mortified at HAVING to be the one to stab me in the butt.  He says we are going to need to block out an hour for it because it's going to take that long for him to build up his courage.  GREAT!

I actually think I could do one side by myself, but I have no dexterity in my left hand what-so-ever to give it to myself on the left side.  And my right hand just doesn't reach that far.  Ugh!

To top it all off, the nurse the other day told me that the medication itself is actually quite painful because it's an oil.  She's been through the process, so she knows all about it.  Again, GREAT!  Way to make me feel better about it! 

The good news is that I no longer have to continue the Lupron shots.  I also only have to take 2 doses of Estrace/day now and no longer have to take it vaginally.  That is at least something!

I just keep telling myself that if the end result is a baby, I can do this.  We just better get pregnant to make it all worthwhile.  While we are at it, I don't want to just get pregnant.  I want a baby to take home when it's all said and done.  Of course, that would mean 3 MONTHS of PIO injections......Oy!

14 comments:

  1. Warm the vial in your hands before you draw the pio out of the vial. That makes the oil inject a bit easier. Some ice the spot before injection. That kills the initial pain, but in my experience the icing made me prone to lumps once the oil was injected. You could try it to see how it goes for you. Tell your husband to push the needle in quickly. it hurts less to go faster than slower! Massage the injection site vigorously afterward to prevent the formation of lumps!

    Lastly, you might ask about switching to a smaller needle. I injected with a blue needle and used the grey needle shown in your picture to draw out the oil from the vial.

    You can do this!

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    1. Thank you so much for the tips Stacie. I don't think I will try the ice, but definitely a good tip to tell Hubby as I'm pretty sure he would do it slow, just trying to be gentle.

      I did ask about a smaller needle already. That was one of the first things I did! I have an even larger needle to draw out the oil. They said that the injection needle is larger b/c it's an oil, so it's thicker and needs the larger oil to move through.

      Thank you SO much for the encouraging words. It means a lot!

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  2. I don't know if you've seen this, but here is more info:

    http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2006/07/im-injections/

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  3. I've been doing PIO shots for about a week now and have done them in the past. The oil pushes in slowly but the needle really doesn't hurt any more. Be sure to massage the area well after to prevent lumps.

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    1. I know that many before me have done the PIO shots, so I know I will survive this. However, my brain just has a hard time being okay with it! lol

      Good to know the needle doesn't really hurt any more. I like that :)

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  4. My sister got more than they estimated and a all fo the mature ones turned into embryos. It's amazing the difference good quality eggs make. Good luck

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    1. I can't wait to find out how many embabies we get out of all this! That goodness for little sisters and their quality eggs, huh? lol I'm just thankful that both you and I have such good relationships with our sisters. Exactly the way it's supposed to be!

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  5. My clinic has this site, where my husband learned to give me the needles. I DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES THINK YOU SHOULD WATCH THE VIDEO. I made that mistake and was near panic come injection time. It didnt hurt though.

    http://www.freedommedteach.com/player/Videos.aspx

    Good luck with everything! I agree with the comment about warming the oil, and I use a different tip to drawl the oil into the syringe than I do to inject. I like that baby to be as sharp as possible!

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    1. Thanks KayBee! I think I will take your advice and not watch the video :)

      The pharmacy actually gave us two different tips - one to draw it up (that needle is even bigger!) and one to inject so I'm good there. I'm relieved to hear you say that it didn't hurt. I can only hope! Tonight is the big first time PIO injection. We'll see how it goes!

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  6. Good luck! I've never experienced much pain with the PIO, so hopefully you won't, either. Fingers crossed for everything!

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    1. I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that from you and a few others! I will find out tonight how it goes!

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    2. Following following you from ICLW. I know I'm a little late. Lol. That needle does look intimidating but I hope it all worth it in the end. Sending positive thoughts for Quality eggs.good luck.

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    3. Thanks Jessica! Yes, just gotta keep thinking it will be all worth it :)

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  7. Okay, you have now made the tears run down the cheeks. I couldn't help but remember when you were a baby and got your vacinnations and sitting and rocking and cooing to you all day while you literally sobbed all day, you know little baby sighs. When my kids came around, I would plan the day around sitting and holding my babies after vaccinations. They never needed
    that but I still offered that advice up to my daughter-in-law for my grandbabies. That day has never left my heart and just want to ensure if another baby comes along that is so sad afterwards that someone is going to be there to console them and rock them all day!!! Does one do the same for their older niece? I would have been there and done it if I would have known.

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