Sunday, May 2, 2010

Feeling wimpy

I did it.

I officially survived my first day of stims.

Technically, I suppose it would be my third day of stims since I started the Femara on Thursday (that counts, right?) but yesterday was the big day--the day I joined the ranks of human pincushions everywhere, with a grand total of four injections in less than 24 hours.

I know, I know, it could be much, much worse (how do diabetics do it?) but, well...I'm a wimp.  OK, I admit it.

Yes, I've complained mightily about the early morning ultrasounds, I've fretted about weight gain, but it's the shots--oh yes, the shots--that I've been dreading more than anything else.

I don't know why I've always had a thing about needles.  One of my clearest childhood memories is of a trip to the pediatrician's office for vaccinations when I was four.  Not long afterward, I was on the ground in the parking lot with my head between my knees. I think I scared the bejeezus out of my poor mother.

That was the beginning of a long and illustrious history of needle incidents. 

Then there was the time a few years ago when I went to the health center for a fasting blood draw and ended up out cold on the floor with six doctors standing over me.  I think someone must have sounded a building-wide alarm.  After 3 hours of pleading and cajoling, I finally convinced the nurse that I wouldn't die if she unhooked the heart and blood pressure monitors and let me go to work. 

Somehow it feels like cosmic justice that this same woman--the one who risks a week in bed with the flu every year just to avoid a 5 second flu shot--should now be subjected to 4x daily injections with IVF meds.  Clearly someone upstairs has a sense of humor.  

The whole situation has put quite a crimp in my office travel schedule.  That's not to say I didn't (briefly) consider it (c'mon Julize, you're a big girl now--you can handle this).  What's the worst that could happen?  The airport cleaning lady finds me passed out in a bathroom stall with a needle in my hand? The TSA confiscates $3,000 worth of pre-filled syringes as I'm forced to explain in front of 2 co-workers, why my large stash of needles and suspicious looking vials are medically necessary? 

Hmmm, OK, maybe travel isn't such a good idea after all.

Of course, traveling for work would also require me to actually  1) look at a needle, and 2) complete the step of piercing my skin with it.  DH has become quite skilled at both steps.  Me, not so much.

Fortunately, I've made it through thus far without any head-between-the-knees moments, and I think we've developed a pretty good system of shared responsibility.

I lay on the bed and cover my eyes while DH does everything else. :)

And you know what?  It really isn't THAT bad.  I mean, in the world of painful, pain-in-the-ass things there are much worse than Repronex (code name "hellfire") and a few sticks with a Gonal-F pen (endometrial biopsy, anyone?). 

Regardless, there are 5 days of stims on my calendar and I’m really, really hoping I don’t need more.  Five days of this is more than enough for one cycle, thank you very much.

Do you hear that ovaries?  You're officially on notice.

8 comments:

  1. Congrats! It's amazing what we go through with IF. I've never had to shoot myself up with needles (yet), so I'm in constant admiration of all of you who do it.

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  2. you are doing great!!

    and i just realized that i read your email the other day at work and forgot to write back! i will soon :) i am doing that all the time now since i got a blackberry...ugh!

    anyway i hope you got the package and don't feel like you are wimpy. needles suck and one day you can hold it over your kids' head LOL

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  3. It's a big hurdle, those first shots. But you did it, survived, and lived to tell the tale! Before you know it, you'll not even notice the shots, or even do them yourself (seriously, it hurts less, like taking a band-aid off yourself).

    Grow follies!!

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  4. You are gonna kick some butt this cycle... those ovaries better check themselves! Best of luck, breathe and eyes forward! You are doing great!!

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  5. Yay for making it through the first day of injections! I'm about to face having to do an injection for the first time by myself and I'm surprisingly daunted - even though I have no real fear of needles. So, none of this is particularly easy. Although I think you do gain experience - I now know the Menopur (might be like Repronex?) burns like crazy and the Gonal-f needle is bigger and so the prick is a little more painful but at least it doesn't burn. So, I know what to expect. You will too once you get a few of these under your belt. Best of luck on this cycle!!!

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  6. Hello cycle buddy!
    Congratulations on surviving the stims so far. It IS a big thing to have to put yourself through, but I have to tell you that it does get easier and you will get more comfortable with it. I won't say you'll ever enjoy it (what kind of sick person would?) but it does get easier.
    Hang in there! xxx

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  7. Good for you!!! Way to be a trooper. I have to say, and this is coming from a pierced and tattooed person who ENJOYS those things, that I am terrified of the injections for this. I think because there is not a professional doing the poking. Hang in there, and keep talking to the ovaries.

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  8. thank you so very much for that surprise...i LOVE JC! and i never expected anything in return, really. i can't wait to find something special. im glad i was able to share, but really you didn't need to do that! you are so sweet...

    xoxo
    lis
    :O)

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