18 eggs...

They got 18 eggs today!!! The normal range is like 8-10 so we were thrilled for 18. (we got 25 last time...but just trying to focus on this cycle and this cycle only) We will get a phone call tomorrow to let us know how many of those eggs were mature...and how many fertilized. We do have the "platinum IVF plan" (that I like to think of it as) which includes ICSI. Here's another medical lesson... Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a form of assisted fertilization using micromanipulation, i.e., injecting a single sperm into the cytoplasm of the egg by using a microneedle. So basically they take Jason's best swimmers and actually inject one sperm in each mature egg. (crazy medical technoligy huh??)

I am in a great deal of pain today though....so much pain that I basically cried the whole way home because the cramping and pain was so bad. When I got home I took a pain pill and a phenergan and got a good solid 2 hour nap. I'm still hurting since I got up so I'm just trying to stay as still as possible. Hopefully I will feel more back to normal tomorrow.

Friday I start taking Progesterone. Morning and night. The morning dose is vaginal (sorry guys, there's really no other way to say that...)...the evening dose is in an oil form and a very large shot. This is the shot that Jason gives me in my hip. Monday we will go in for the embryo transfer (praying we have 2 great ones to transfer, and atleast a couple to freeze). Then I go in April 14th for the pregnancy test!

So for now we just wait...anxious to find out tomorrow how many fertilized eggs we have to work with. From there we will get another update on Friday...and another update on Saturday to tell us how the embryos are progressing. We won't know for sure how many embryos we have to transfer until we get there Monday. I go for an acupuncture treatment right before the transfer appointment...and then another one right after it (it's all part of the acupuncture schedule and what they suggest for optimum relaxation). Then, I am off of work all of next week to rest as much as possible. Total rest and relaxation is the best medicine for me during the next couple weeks.

Thank for your continued interest in our lives...I know so many of you are sharing our excitement with us and it really does give me comfort to have such an incredible cheering section.

Keep praying! God brought us to this situation...He will bring us through it!!!!!!!!