Update on Kaly

We got some good news tonight.

Kaly's creatinine level dropped from 7.3 to 5.3. While it's still not in the normal range, the vet said he'll take it. Her blood cell count is normal, she's eating and she looks good.

So, she gets to stay home with us and receive subcutaneous fluids 2x/day and then we'll take her back on Saturday to check her levels again.

Who knew that my IVF shot experience would help keep my dog alive?

While we aren't out of the woods yet, if we can keep her levels maintained, she might be OK for a little while longer (maybe weeks, maybe months).

For now, I get to keep my Kaly Bear.

Things That Suck

In keeping with my "Things That" theme, I thought I'd share what's been happening since Saturday.

As you may know, we have 2 dogs and a cat. They are all considered "senior" at 9 and 10 years old.

Kaly, our female Akita, is my sweet little bear.



She was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease about 2 years ago and we knew the lifespan after diagnosis was approximately 2-3 years.

For the most part, she's been doing great. I noticed she was a little lethargic and sporadically vomiting ever since we picked them up from the kennel after vacation. She was treated for giardia (a common worm) about 2 months ago and the symptoms seemed to be mimicking that again so I totally expected to take her in, get some medicine and she'd be good as new.

The vet, Dr. B., didn't seem to suspect anything - thought it might be gastroenteritis but took some blood "just to see if anything was going on".

On Saturday, we got a call from Dr. V. saying the protein levels in her blood were "alarmingly high" and she requested we bring Kaly in STAT.

We're still trying to figure out exactly what is going on but it's looking more and more like Kaly has kidney failure.

We've been doing fluid therapy for the last 2 days during the day and we get to bring her home at night and she does seem to be responding but we know we have to face the reality. She can't function without her kidneys.

The last 2 days have truly sucked. For those of you who have pets, I'm sure you completely understand. My DH and I are prepared for the worst and the decision that we'll most likely have to make.

We've already spent close to $1500 and if we were rich, I'd say "Do whatever you have to". Unfortunately, we're not and finances do come into play.

So, for now, we're continuing with the fluid therapy and we'll see where we are on Friday. If we can get her levels down to where she is stable, the concern becomes whether she has enough function to maintain her blood levels.

With all of this going on, the FET cycle has sort of moved to second stage. I'm still doing my shots and taking my pills. My first lining check isn't until 9/20 so I don't have any news anyway.

Things That Are Blue...

Let's play a game.

Think of 5 things that are blue.

Done?

OK, you probably thought of things like:

- the sky
- blueberries
- the ocean
- jeans
- flowers

You may have even gotten creative and thought about The Blues Brothers or Blues music.

But, I bet you didn't think of one thing!

My nether-region.

Oh yeah.

That's right.

6 Estrace pills vaginally = blue coochie!

I figure I won't have to worry about my Halloween costume this year.

I'll just go as one of two people.

Smurfette:


or

Violet Beauregarde from Willy Wonka:



It'll be great!

Round Two

We officially kick off FET Cycle #2 tonight. Here's my protocol:

- 0.2 ml Delestrogen, intramuscularly, every 3rd night
- Estrace tablets, vaginally, 1 in morning and 1 at night
- Baby Aspirin, one per morning

First lining check - Sunday, September 21
Estimated transfer - Thursday, September 25

I have mixed feelings about this cycle. I'm actually feeling rather blase' about the whole thing. A symptom of 2 prior disappointments? Probably.

I just don't think I'll allow myself to get excited about this one until I pass my first lining check on the 21st.

I do have one coincidence that I wanted to share. It's a little freaky and might quite possibly prove that things do come back around.

Last year: Had AF for my sister's b-day party
This year: Had AF for my sister's b-day party

Last year: Got pregnant September 16th
This year: Estimated transfer September 25th

Last year: BFP on October 8th
This year: Pregnancy test October 9th?

I can't believe it's been a year since all of that happened. I can remember sitting in bed after the surgery and thinking that we'd do IVF and I'd be pregnant again by April, 2008.

Foolish, foolish girl.

Who knows? Maybe this cycle will be the one.

Crampy Crampy Bo-Bampy

Fee fi fo fampy... Crampy!

Yes, that's right folks! I have cramps from hell!

And, as far as I can tell, not a whole hell of a lot to show for it except some light spotting.

I don't know if today is Day One or not?

So, I'll hang out today, in the midst of Tropical Storm Hanna, and see what starts brewing.

Oh, and speaking of TS Hanna, so far all of the hype as been just that.

It's R-A-I-N-I-N-G people!!!!!

No scary, torrential downpour and there aren't any winds.... it's a nice, steady rain.

But, if you guys don't hear from me for a few days, call out the Coast Guard. Maybe I've floated away.

Do A Little Dance

I talked to my nurse coordinator yesterday and we're still waiting for good ole AF to arrive.

My next FET cycle won't officially start until then.

So, my hubby and I decided to do a little dance.

To one of my favorite songs, "Get Down Tonight" by KC & The Sunshine Band.

"Do A Little Dance, Make A Little Love... Get Down Tonight"

Maybe our fantastic dancing abilities will entice her to come.

Enjoy!

Back from Vacation

Hi there!

I'm back from vacation and it was so nice to get away. We had decent weather - only one real cloudy day.

I wish I could say it was also nice to not have to think about my upcoming FET cycle but I did... a lot.

I finished my Provera on Thursday and I'm still waiting on AF. My RE said it usually takes 4-5 days once you finish so I'm still within her time frame.

But, you guys know me. Yep, Short Bus.

I was also a little stressed when I got home because I expected my new protocol to be waiting for me, but it wasn't. With it being a holiday weekend, I was worried that if I did get my period, I wouldn't know what to do.

As usual, I did all of that worrying for nothing because nothing happened.

I don't really have anything else to report. Just wanted to check in.