FLARE it is

We had our orientation last Friday and it went pretty well, all things considered.  We are really pleased that that the doctors are going to take a very aggressive protocol with us.  The FLARE protocol to be exact.  I was worried they would not be aggressive with the medications and ovarian stimulation, but that is not going to be the case.  This protocol is used when the doctors worry you will not respond well to the stimulating drugs it relies heavily on the natural flare of FSH to get the processes started. Here is more information:

Flare Protocol, or Microflare for Poor Response Cases:

• In this type of stimulation, the Lupron (or other GnRH agonist) is started on cycle day 2 in the same menstrual cycle that we will retrieve the eggs - instead of starting it a week prior to the start of menses.
• We are trying to take advantage of an initial "flare-up" response of FSH and LH release from the woman's own pituitary gland that usually occurs in the first 3 days of agonist administration. Continuing Lupron for more than 3 days temporarily suppresses the pituitary gland so that it has a low output of FSH and LH.
• The FSH product (e.g. Follistim, Gonal-F) is started on the following day (day 3). The idea is that Lupron will stimulate release of a large amount of FSH (and LH) that will jump-start (flare-up) the follicles so that we might have a better ovarian stimulation with more mature follicles and more eggs for IVF.

It has been hard to think about my egg count and feel positive as it is so low for my age (what the hell!?!) but I have to stay positive and hope/think the best.  One of the negatives of this protocol is the difficulty in scheduling and flexibility at work.  With FLARE there are many more ultrasounds with out much notice for employers since it all relies on your cycle starting.  We run into another hurdle with all my upcoming travel.  We made so many plans for October back in June when we didn't know we would be doing IVF.  Im not too worried about starting IVF a couple cyles down the road, this way we get to camp with my parents, visit disneyworld with my international students, and attend a fabulous Miami wedding weekend!  Also, I was awarded a seminar grant to visit Germany and learn about the German education system.  I'll be away Nov 5-12th for the seminar and then spending the 12-13th with my dad in Munich.  I could not be more excited for the next 6 weeks as this will hopefully take my mind of the impending IVF cycle. I just want to have a great time with family and friends and have a few extra weeks to squirl away more savings.

and now to change the subject, a good old fashion photo dumb:

 Jeff & I in Seattle

 Jeff & Evan, Evan's Seattle Wedding

 Gwennie & Jeff, Laura & Donnies Rehearsal Dinner

 Gwennie & I, love this doll

 Katie, Jen & Christina, girls cruise to Cozumel!

 Solo work trip to Paris

 camping at FDR park with the boys

 Halloween 2010: Flo & Ace Ventura

 Thanksgiving weekend in Florida

 baby Jack  <3

 bye bye Thyroid, April 2011

 My besties, Craig & David

Vancouver, May 2011