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...and then the shots started

We had been marking days off on our IVF calendar and it looked like we have time before the shots would start. I am totally taking it one step at a time. At the end of December, we tested for any possibilities of infectious diseases, and got training on how to administer injections. On Jan 7, I got my suppression check ultrasound done and removed the Nuvaring that evening. For the only time in my life I had smooth periods (withdrawal bleeding) and the Nuvaring along with Metformin leveled my hormones, so I did not have any breakouts! An amazing feat for me!

My doctor was happy with the suppression check ultrasound. Out of what seemed to me like static on the TV screen, he saw my ovaries and uterus, pointed them to me and Arnab. As long as he is happy with what he saw I am fine. Four days after that, means from Jan 11 I started my Follistim and Menopur shots.

The dosage is 150 for the Follistim twice a day and 1 vial (75) of Menopur in the evening. And now I will tell you about them. Remember, I mentioned initially that people gave me an impression that the shots are huge and painful? That is BS. The Follistim cartridge is around 2 inches long, and that consists of 4 injections. That means half inch of a narrow cartridge worth of medicine is actually getting in every time. Plus, the needle is super fine. To be honest, I could barely see the injection marks on my abdomen, what is visible on my upper thigh is a red mark, you know from what? Cat scratch. Cat scratches are far more painful and irritating.

Menopur is a teeny bit more painful than Follistim, not because of the needle, but because of the saline solution in which the medicine is dissolved. That burning sensation stays for like 10 seconds though. A paper cut is way more painful than these shots.

I figured out that this "infertility" (yes I put quotes around them because I don't approve of the term) problem is 90% socially induced and 10% medical. The medical part is pretty much under control, the social issue is what causes most trouble. Arnab and I figured out that this entire thing is making us bond even more. After living together for eight and half years, we thought that we know each other thoroughly. But new sides are evolving. He used to be scared of needles, but now he is comfortably administering the shots to me!

The other thing I realized is the more normal life you lead, the better for your sanity. Unless it is physically tiring, I am trying to keep my regular routine. This afternoon was terribly tiring, not for the medicines but because I gave up caffeine two days back :) Other than that I am working, staying mentally involved with work and a funny departmental re-org. I am pushing for a role change at work, discussing things with my manager as if the IVF thing just doesn't exist. I am doing my regular public speaking practice, just had a lunch time talk yesterday (along with a splitting sinusitis headache) at our company. I was also planning to go play cricket tomorrow, but then decided against it for that might be a little too much!

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