On Sunday, August 14, 2011, Dr. O’Brien at Shady Grove fertility retrieved 30 eggs from my ovaries! Of those 30, 21 were mature. Of those 21, 16 were successfully fertilized and cryo-preserved on Monday, August 15, 2011. So technically speaking, Jim and I conceived 16 children this past Monday!
This is certainly the most amazing science experiment I have ever participated in, and definitely the most stressful. I even faced and conquered a fear of needles (zero passing out episodes and I was even administering some of my own shots).
I think bullet points will help me explain this one better:
- On July 7, I met with Dr. Widra at Shady Grove Fertility in DC. (Note: Loved him and loved Shady Grove).
- I took 10 days of Progestin and was supposed to get my period as early as day 5, or as late as day 15.
- 15 days later, no period. (BTW, my hormones were going crazy. I got in touch with a new emotion, anger, it’s not usually my go-to emotion, but man I was pissed off starting around day 10 and it kept building from there.)
- I go in for an ultrasound to see what’s going on and find out I have a large ovarian cyst. (Good times, I like to keep things interesting).
- Dr. Widra said he would normally put me on the pill to cycle out the cyst, but I can’t go on the pill because the estrogen is not safe for me to take with the breast cancer.
- Dr. Widra suggests we wait a few more days to see what happens.
- I consult with two of my friends who are herbalists and they make me a special tea. A day later I get my period. Coincidence? We will never know for sure, but I think the tea worked. If anyone wants a special herbal formula to induce a period, let me know.
- Dr. Widra wants to surgically remove the cyst immediately so I can get started with the IVF cycle. The timing is now perfect to get started and I really have one shot at this because chemo can’t start later than the end of August.
- On July 31, I have a minor surgical procedure to remove the cyst. (This goes well. The twilight sleep was actually quite refreshing. Thanks Ma, for picking me up at 5:30am for this one!)
- That same night I started the egg harvesting protocol.
- For 13 days I injected myself in the stomach with follicle stimulating hormones (Yes, I can give myself shots! Who knew I was such a bad ass!)
- For 13 days I went in for regular ultrasounds and blood work to carefully monitor the progress and watched daily as more and more follicles kept coming.
- “Wow! You are working on quite a batch” one nurse exclaimed. “This is a really good looking cycle.” I couldn’t help but feel proud, I know it’s ridiculous to be proud of something that is completely out of my control, but hey.
- On Day 13, Dr. Widra took a look and became concerned that I might present with Ovarian Hyper-stimulation Syndrome (“OHS”). Oh great! Just what I need! He adjusted my final “trigger shot” medication try to help avoid this.
- That night, I unpacked the “trigger shot” and to our surprise, the shot was GIGANTIC. “Um, is this for real” Jim asked. He was kind of laughing a little bit at how ridiculous it looked. This one had to be stabbed into the upper buttock. We watched a “how to” video , and it was literally a very aggressive stab into the muscle. I held onto my desk and Jim jabbed the shot in (I had 100% faith in Jim, he is a real technician, and of course the shot was administered perfectly). OK, here we go…
- The next morning, I went in for blood work to see if the shot worked. I felt fine.
- Later that afternoon, when I was walking the dog, I started to feel dizzy, nauseous and crampy. Hmmm, something is stirring.
- Shady Grove gave me a call, the blood work looked perfect, I was all set for egg retrieval the next morning.
- That night, I felt like I had an alien in my stomach that wanted to break free.
- Sunday, August 14, Jim and I went in at 6am (Jim never went to sleep), and I was prepped for the procedure.
- Waking up, I remember they said they were still counting eggs in the back and would let us know when they were done. It was taking a while. I started asking all kinds of crazy questions, like “Did I do better than a bakers dozen?” “Did I set a clinic record?” Oh boy, the sandman would have whisked me off the stage in under 30 seconds. Jim was shaking his head.
- Dr. O’Brien came out to let us know that they had retrieved 30 eggs! A veritable army of Quindlen’s!
- Two days later my stomach looks like I am 3-4 months pregnant. I am monitoring for signs of progressing OHS and will have to go in for another procedure if any fluid builds up in my belly. The nurse thinks with protein, electrolytes and rest, I should be back to normal soon, fingers crossed.
- Um, yea, that was kind of a big deal.
16 kids, no problem. Go down to the National Mall, buy one of the extra Tour Mobiles, and you’ve got a way to take your sixteentuplets to school. Don’t be shy.
Good news all around! That’s an amazing process.
this made me laugh. thanks eric.
Holy cow, lady! Congratulations!
: )
I know right!? Thanks Maggie 🙂
Hi Alison! Thank you for the update. I’ve been wondering everyday how you’re doing and now I see that you certainly have been getting busy. 30 – My Goodness- what a process! I’m so glad to hear that it is now behind you with such prodigious results… After hearing about those self-inflicted jabs to the middle, I am now adding “hard-core” to the list of adjectives that come to mind when thinking of you (you know – the old boring ones of gorgeous, funny, sassy, smart….)
So looking forward to seeing your Mom&Dad up here at the Cape.
lots of love, Amy
i am glad it’s behind me too! and i like to think of myself as a hard-core bad ass now 😉 sending lots of love back to you! enjoy the cape! xox, al
“For 13 days I injected myself in the stomach with follicle stimulating hormones (Yes, I can give myself shots! Who knew I was such a bad ass!)”
Ummm – I totally thought you were a badass to begin with. But, now you can officially join my gang!
I ended up using your slow and steady method, this worked better than trying to jab it in. I tried the stabbing method first, but I got squirrely and it just kinda poked the skin without piercing it, yuck! I also practiced on a foam yoga roller first 🙂 Bad asses unite!
Holy Toledo! What an experience. I once again give you kudos for your amazing resilience. So, have you picked out 16 names yet? Actually, I guess you need 32 (16 boy names and 16 girl names). I’m voting for Theodosia Winnifred Quindlen or Hiram Zebulon Quindlen. Just let me know if you need more suggestions… 😉
Those are pretty awesome names, ha.
NICE! You SHOULD be proud of yourself. Quite an accomplishment, and quite a process to get there. It’s great when you ask something of your body…and it delivers!! A good sign for things to come. Big hugs!
Hey Nurse Rice- That is a good way of looking at it! I like that, thanks! Hugs back. XO, Al
Whoa, and I thought the family from Cheaper by the Dozen had a large brood! So glad for the awesome news, Al. Giving you a ten out of ten from Tennessee! Love, Anna
Oh, and jamming needles into a yoga mat? That’s some Kill Bill style action. 😉
Anna, you are the best! I miss you!
What exciting news, You Two! Have you thought of a name for your reality show, like “Quindlen + 16”? (Now that “Kate + 8” is being evicted, there’s room).
I’ve been praying for both of you and will continue.
Hi Mrs. Simpson! We saw Sonny, Kristin, John and Little Gram last night, they all look terrific! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Love, Alison
Alison,
You are amazing. You are my hero. JEEZ LOUISE! You are a living breathing Super Woman and I’m lucky to know you. I’m even luckier that you are sharing your experience openly.
Lots of love,
Amanda
Thanks Amanda!
i am SOOOOOOOOOO relieved and happy to hear this news! huge phew! yay for quindlen’s on ice! oh man… SO happy. SIXTEEN!? you win. 😉 xo.
Ha! Thanks Janaya!
GREAT news, Al!! I am sooooo happy that it worked out and that you have plenty of fertilized eggs for when the time comes. Now, when do I get to see you?? 🙂
wow! great news! agreed that shady grove is the best. we were sad to leave them when we found out we were pregnant, but overjoyed for the reason. miss you guys. let us know when you want to do dinner again. h&d xxx
thanks H & D!
Wow.
Speechless after this one word.
Congrads Alison, thanks for sharing your experience!
I haven’t had a period in 3 months and my RE is trying to induce my cycle. I he put me on 10 mg of progestin for 10 days to induce my period and nothing happen on the first try. I am taking another 10 mg of progestin for 7 days to see if it will work. I hope it do because the hormones making me bloated and miserable. Please send me the herbal formula to induce a period. Thanks.
Hi Marcee- I would consult with a licensed herbalist so they can make sure this is right for you. Barbara at Smile Herb Shop in College Park is great and she has the fresh loose herbs for the teas there. The formula that worked for me was equal parts motherwort, sage, ginger, penny royal, holy basil and yarrow. Good luck! Alison