IUI#4: Fourteen Days Post Ovulation

So this happened today:

Now onto Plan B.

IUI#4: Thirteen Days Post Ovulation

Went surfing and paddle boarding today in Waikiki Beach. Came back to the condo, took a quick shower, and noticed blood all over my towel. My heart sank.

I’ve been bleeding fairly continuously ever since. The colour is still brown, but with some red blood as well. No cramps though, and I’m still holding out hope for the small chance that we could still get a BFP.

We will test tomorrow morning.

Fingers and toes crossed.

IUI#4: Twelve Days Post Ovulation

BFN today, and still spotting some brown discharge….

Managed to get some good beach time in though. We went paddle boarding on Waikiki beach. It was amazing! Oh how I’ve missed the ocean!

Won’t be testing until Tuesday morning… Which also happens to be DW and my 3rd wedding anniversary! Fingers crossed for the best gift ever.

IUI#4: Eleven Days Post Ovulation

Two more flights later, we are in Honolulu! This is my first time here, and it is absolutely stunning. We were picked up by a friend of mine at the airport, who graciously and thoughtfully presented us with beautiful fresh leis.

We headed to a tiki bar (a real one), and enjoyed some Hawaiian cuisine. I had the Tako poke, an octopus dish, which I believe is raw. I love poke and ceviche and the like, and made the decision to eat it despite common recommendations to pregnant women. This of course caused a bit of discussion at our table, where I basically had to let my friend in on our recent baby making adventure, and my potentially pregnant status.

Later on in the day, we went to the beach where DW and I swam, and DW towed me along through the crashing waves (so fun!).

We headed to a Japanese BBQ restaurant, which was delicious. At the end of our meal, I went for a quick tinkle, and had dark brown streaks when I wiped. I was spotting. Pair that with the constant cramping I’ve had for the past two days and perhaps it’s implantation bleeding?

I’m trying to think positively, that maybe a little blastocyst decided to take up residence in my womb.

Now the question is, when shall we test?

I anxiously tested the next morning (12DPO), and this is what I saw:

IUI#4: Nine and Ten Days Post Ovulation

So I’m home for a quick visit before we head to Hawaii. My father recently had a heart attack, and was originally supposed to come with us on the vacation. He is contemplating his own mortality, and has been making his wishes known to us, in terms of his estate. It freaks me out a bit.

I’m not good with deep emotional sentiments, even though I come from a family of really emotional and emotionally expressive people. At any given family dinner, it is the norm for there to be tears shed- tears of sadness, tears of happiness, tears due to uncontainable laughter. I often worry about some family members’ emotional stability, but that’s a topic for another blog post, or a novel pehaps.

Last night we arrived in Vancouver, a place I was born, raised, and educated. I left here in 2004 for professional school in Ontario, always intending to return and practice. Things don’t always go as planned. Now I visit every other year, and am amazed by how much has changed, how much I’ve forgotten about it (like simple street names- it’s Jervis, not Jarvis), and how much I miss.

Today DW started having cramps. She also complained of what we call “cat poops”, a sure fire indication of impending menstruation. Sure enough, when she went to the washroom after lunch, some spotting. We’ve been hoping that our cycles would sync up, but they haven’t, even after four years! Stubborn ovaries!

I have been having some cramps as well today. I’m 10DPO, so I am not expecting AF.

Last night I didn’t sleep. I should clarify, I couldn’t sleep. I have been so anxious lately, partly due to family issues, but also significantly due to TTC-ing. I am close to snapping on a dildo-cam technician, I mean, ultrasound technologist. I told DW yesterday that if this IUI doesn’t work, I’m done. I’m done with the countless blood draws, I’m done with leaving the RE clinic feeling violated and like there’s something wrong with me. I hate not having control of my body, my schedule, and the increasing amount of anxiety that plagues me during each TWW. This entire cycle, I have not slept properly. I do not function well when under slept.

I have also gained almost 10 lbs from all of the fertility drugs. This makes me feel miserable, as I already have some body dismorphia. Good thing I’m heading to Hawaii tomorrow, where it feels like 40 degrees Celsius, and where I have to wear a bikini. Great.

IUI#4: Seven and Eight Days Post Ovulation

Twice so far on this roller coaster of a TTC journey, I have has some bitch-ass mood swings. Both times it felt like rage I could barely contain, but needed to release through some kind of physical means (translate: break something).

The first time I buried my head in my pillow and screamed at the top of my lungs, kicking and punching. Last time I sent myself to the gym to do intervals.

Both times occurred 8DPO, and were BFN’s.

This time I am moody and impatient, but don’t feel compelled to wreck anyone’s face . I even had an extended conversation with a family member, debated issues of homophobia and the appropriateness of marriage for gays when it has biblical origins, and still didnt want to put my foot through a wall.

DW worries this moodiness may become the norm for 8.5 months.

I hope the lack of violence is a good sign.

Oh, and I was woken last night by a pinching feeling in my lower right abdomen. *fingers crossed this means something*

IUI#4: Six Days Post Ovulation

Cravings. Lots of them.

I woke up this morning after another shitty non-sleep with a list of food I must eat:

Butternut squash
Meaty bone broth
Watermelon
Chocolate chip cookies
More chocolate chip cookies
Chocolate ice cream
Cheese dusted popcorn snacks
More bone broth soup

Totally random. Totally yummy. Totally gave in.

Other than that, I took it easy at the gym today. Cycled for 20 minutes then did a yoga class. Didn’t break even on the calories but damn the three chocolate chip cookies that I ate were good.

A tiny bit of light cramping in the afternoon. That’s it. But again, that could be due to my digestive system fighting against the junk food!

IUI#4: Five Days Post Ovulation

So far the progesterone has been great for sleeping, but last night I barely penetrated deeper than a light sleep. I imagine my sleep was like that of a fugitive on the run, sleeping in the wilderness, predators both animal and human to watch out for. Sleeping with one eye open.

Part of the reason why my sleep sucked is because I had the nastiest gas and bloating ever. I looked 6 months pregnant, and smelled like a nasty cloud of egg farts. Poor DW.

I tried to squeeze out a little turd to relieve some of the pressure, but was left unsatisfied. Constipation, ugh.

This morning I had 3 diarrhea-like poops before noon. I still feel bloated though.

Some other symptoms I’ve experienced today: very mild dull cramps (could’ve been due to the digestive upset, as the third bout of diarrhea happened shortly after the cramps), and mild headache.

Oh, and majorly craving sweets.

Who knows what’s going on.

Lastly, I am loving the pineapple I’ve got chopped up and rationed out. I’m very tempted to eat more than the suggested serving, and wonder how much is too much pineapple?

IUI#4: Four Days Post Ovulation

Exhaustion. Has. Hit. Me. Hard.

It’s 5pm and I’m in bed right now. Under the sheets, hugging my pillow as I type on my iPhone.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that little spark chooses Motel Moi as a suitable place to implant for 38 weeks, at least over the toilet.

I have started prepping for the upcoming school year, and DW and I have been doing some “house stuff” like re-painting the exterior of our house and the 1970’s wood paneling in our recreation room. We also have a contractor coming to completely gut and renovate our bathroom. We have some other big plans for the house once know what is happening with our pregnancy status.

Anyway, eyes are shutting. It might be time for a nap.

IUI#4: Three Days Post Ovulation

No symptoms. Tits feel fine, not exhausted at all, no nausea or cramping. Just a bunch of shorts with ass-crack Prometrium stains on them.

Oh, and I’m a bit hungrier these days. Me, that is. Not my bum.