It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of needles.
Needles have found their way into my life much more frequently lately. Each morning I unwrap a new injection needle and methodically give myself my daily Lupron dose. (which have so far not come with any crazy side effects!woo hoo!)
Today I found myself feeling anxious. As in, lets get the Lupron injections over with already (if you recall I felt the same way about the birth control) and just do this thing. As a matter of fact, lets just get the whole thing over with so I can find out of it worked.
I’ve thought this to myself before and I’m realizing it again -that my tendency to have more of an anxious personality makes me miss things. Here I am two days before a big birthday, before a big cool event in my life and I am essentially wishing it would be over so I can move on with this cycle.
I had my acupuncture appointment today and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only was it incredibly relaxing (and included a massage! Score!) but the girl specifically told me that once the needles (more needles!!) were placed I was to try my absolute best to block everything else out of my mind and relax. Apparently an active brain takes some of the blood flow from the places the needles are targeting. Not an easy feat for a girl whose brain is constantly on warp speed (and who had forgotten to plan for a tip and spent the half the massage wondering if I had enough money in my wallet to tip her…and wondering if there was a tactful way to explain my blunder had I not had any money on me so the girl wouldn’t think I was a cheapskate come my next session and poke me a little too hard with the next set of needles).
I was already there, clearly nothing could be done about it right then. (and, as it turned out, I had the perfect amount of cash in my wallet) So I made myself stop and breathe – counting in to four and out to four so I could just let it go. It worked, and I was able to spend that 20 minutes actually relaxing. (what a concept)
Prior to the cycle starting I spent a lot of time anxious about the money – about how much it was going to cost and about how many million other things I could do with it. About the unfairness that I was stuck in this situation in the first place. In the car on the way home instead I thought about what this experience so far HAS gotten me – an incredible amount of support from friends, family, and other fellow bloggers. People who are rooting me on and praying for me. The skydiving on Sunday that I never would have bought had I not been in this situation at this point in my life. My 2nd marathon. This blog, and the recent inquiry from Mindy Berkson on twitter saying how touched she was by my blog and would like to contribute a guest post. (how cool is that?!)
This isn’t to say that if this cycle doesn’t work I won’t be completely devastated, because I will. But I need to add something else to my IVF bucket list – be more in the moment.
I may have to continue to stick myself with needles, but don’t have to constantly be on pins and needles.
One day at a time.
August 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm
I am the same way with my mind racing…I have done 3 sessions of acu and I cannot relax when I am there…
August 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Acupuncture can be awesome. I am dealing with evening injections right now as well, last night I hit a vein and bled all over the place and all over the floor so, when you get to the point of the intramuscular injections, be careful, or have someone who doesn’t pass out like the wiener at the site of blood.
August 17, 2012 at 5:46 pm
oh lord. will deal with those when the time comes! (though actually I’m not sure what I’d have to inject intrumuscularly)
August 17, 2012 at 10:23 pm
progesterone in oil. It comes standard once you have done a transfer.
August 17, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Mines the suppositories.
August 18, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Which are just as disgusting but in a completely different way.
August 19, 2012 at 10:02 am
so I’ve heard. Can’t wait.
August 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm
I have a really good feeling about this time! You re doing everything right… sticky baby thoughts being sent your way! And slow down enough to remember everything about the birthday jump! Can’t wait to hear the details!
August 17, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Happy birthday sweetie and I can’t wait to hear about your jump! I thought it was wonderful when I went, but less thrilling than I expected. I’m glad you were able to clear your mind at acupuncture. it’s always hard for me to do, but now that I know (even though i suspected) a busy mind will interfere, i will make more of a conscious effort. 😉 Also, I notice when i put my ear buds in with calm, soothing music on I am able to stop my brain from racing…just an idea you might want to try! 🙂
August 17, 2012 at 6:16 pm
I can’t wait to hear about your birthday jump. Will you post pictures?
August 17, 2012 at 8:30 pm
I love acupuncture. When else do we just FORCE ourselves to NOT think? It’s glorious.
Also, I can’t wait to hear about skydiving! Hubs and I are going sometime in the next month or so – we have a groupon that will expire at the end of September and being the cheapskates that we are, there’s no turning back now!
August 17, 2012 at 11:52 pm
I’m the same way with racing thoughts and anxiety. But it sounds like you’re putting a positive spin on them. Take that, anxiety. Can’t wait to hear about your birthday jump!
August 18, 2012 at 12:42 am
I can really relate to your post! It is so easy to focus on how unfair going through IF is, the injustice and huge costs – both financial and emotional. Sometimes we forget how much we have gained as individuals…compassion, wisdom, thoughtfulness, community. Amazing things to focus on in the midst of all the waiting. Thanks for sharing! What a great post!
August 19, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I love your idea of an IVF bucket list and I think I might steal the idea from you! It helps to do new things to get our minds off all the IF craziness.
http://www.auntmimi2010.blogspot.com
August 20, 2012 at 1:38 pm
First, happy birthday!! I was in an area with terrible internet reception all weekend.
Second, I totally know what you mean about being more in the moment. I always lose focus of everything else when in the throws of serious ttc or IVF and it sucks. I feel like I miss out on a lot of things and opportunities and if it doesn’t work, I end up kicking myself. Can’t wait to hear about the skydiving! you are awesome!
August 20, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Happy belated birthday jump! Hope you came down safe with a new wonderful experience to remember. I have done it twice and it’s really awesome. You are also on your way now with this cycle, best of luck!
August 21, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Thanks for sharing your story, it sounds like you’re going through quite an ordeal and I hope ultimately you will get what you truly want. As a life Coach and someone who has worked with women going through all sorts of difficult challenges, I know how important it is for other women to be able to read blogs like this. You are an inspiration.
August 21, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Wow, thanks for saying that!