We Have Fertilization!

I got the call from Dr. K's office this morning around 9:00. It was so nice to get this call early in the day rather than having to wait all day to hear the report. I didn't even have time to start worrying :) In actuality, I am far less worried this cycle. The Lord has given me peace and trust that it is all in His hands.

• 16 of the 17 eggs retrieved were mature
• 8 were frozen using the experimental quick freeze procedure I mentioned yesterday - I think it is safe to say that no matter what the outcome is of this cycle, this was my last egg retrieval
  
• 8 were injected
• 5 fertilized - this is the same number we had last IVF, you can read how encouraged I was by having 5 last cycle here, I can't help but be encouraged this time as well - it reminds me that God knows me and He cares for me

David was working this morning rather than Suzanne, the embryologist. She is the one who did our ICSI yesterday. She told David to tell me that things looked better this time. I don't know if this means we had some without the abnormality this time or just had it to a lesser degree. I should have more information when I speak with her tomorrow when she calls to give me the report on our embryos. But I am definitely feeling more hopeful.

"This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-23

Fertilization!

This morning I got the call from Dr. K's office that they were able to inject 5 of my 7 eggs. All 5 fertilized. I have chosen not to reveal the specifics of our IF diagnosis in such a public format, but based on our diagnosis, fertilization was one of the, if not the major, hurdle for us in this process. The next major hurdle is whether our issue will affect the quality of the embryos. Embryo quality is not a matter of whether it will make a "good baby," but rather the ability to survive and then implant in my uterus. I have been lifting them up in prayer throughout the day. God has given me His peace and I know they are in His hands. As I was reading this morning, I was comforted by this,

"The God who make the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." Acts 17:24-26

I was also comforted when God brought to mind two conversations I had in regards to the number of children J and I might have. In one I was discussing how many eggs to fertilize and I had said that if we assumed a 100% success rate throughout the entire process the most I would be comfortable with was 5 children. The second conversation took place after a very close friend who also happens to be a family member prayed and asked God to bless J and I with many children. After we were done praying, I was wondering about the "many"part, so I asked her "uh, many, how many is that exactly." She said, "I don't know, about 5."

Obviously, I don't know that we will have a 100% success rate, but I don't think these conversations were coincidence either. If nothing else, they have been a means by which God has given me comfort during this time because they remind me that He sees me, He knows me, and He is taking care of it all.

I also wanted to thank the many people who have left comments or sent emails and/or cards letting me know they are thinking of us and praying for us. We have been greatly encouraged by your support.