IVF Cycle 2 - CD 15 / Stims Day 4 / NIAW Day 2

I have heard others describe IVF as an emotional roller coaster, but I am not sure if a good day would be represented by going up on the roller coaster (because of going up and getting out of the valley) or by going down (it's easier, faster, and thrilling). Whatever the correct answer is, today was a slightly better day. 

We had an appointment for an ultrasound and bloodwork, and there is more going on in my ovaries than at this point in our first cycle. (Edited for clarification: We now have 7 follicles growing!) Last time, I had 4 follicles on day 5 of stims, and that's all we had before we triggered and went in for the egg retrieval. On day 5 of stims last cycle, my four follicles ranged in size from 10 mm to 18 mm. Today (one day earlier), we are looking at 7.5 mm to 14 mm, so these follicles seem to be growing slightly slower or maybe at about the same pace. As with the first cycle, my left ovary is more active than the right one. I wasn't feeling a letterboard tonight, but I did make this little picture using PowerPoint.

Whereas I was rightfully excited to have follicles at all last cycle, I'm guarding my heart and emotions a bit more this time around. As I knew before and have now personally experienced, the road is long, and a lot can happen. After the last few days, though, I am happy to accept any glimpse of positive news.

My RE kept my injections the same for the next few days, and we'll have another ultrasound and more bloodwork on Thursday. If history is any indication--which it might not be because every cycle is different--we could be looking at a trigger shot and retrieval at the end of the week. Then again, roller coasters make sudden turns in addition to going up and down hills.

Something that made today great: I had fried Oreos, a corn dog, a snowball, and jambalaya at Spring Fling today! (Also my HESPA friend Daniel was good company at the event.)

Time I woke up: 6:30 am