INVITRO

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY FEMALE SYSTEM and have not been able to get pregnant. I finally know exactly what is wrong with my body, I have severe and aggressive Endometriosis.
I HAD 2 SURGERIES this year that took care of most of my endometriosis but it was growing back way to fast. The Dr's advised that I hurry and start Invitro before the endometriosis returns.
I OVULATE JUST FINE BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE EGG TO THE WOMB. Cysts would form over endometrian tissues on my Ovaries and would block the eggs from escaping. My tubes had a lot of scarring from the endometriosis and were heavily blocked. So even if my eggs could escape, they couldn't get down the slide to the fun uterus.
THIS CAUSED ME TO BE INFERTILE. Reality of my infertility situation set in when I read a document from my doctor that labeled me "unable to conceive". It was a little weird for me to take in because ever since I was was very young, I was sure I would have my own BRADY BUNCH.
WE WERE DIRECTED TO ONE OF THE BEST INVITRO DOCTORS ON THE ISLAND: DR. BENTON CHUN. He is very funny which is always a plus in my book. He was able to perform both surgeries with my gynecologist Dr. Angela Pratt so he really knows my situation.
In July, the INVITRO PROCESS STARTED. I took birth control to regulate my cycle and to keep cysts from forming (that didnt help much since they showed up anyway.) At one point I was taking 8 MEDICATIONS A DAY, all separate from each other and ALL with food!


THEN THE SHOTS BEGAN. I had to give myself shots in the thigh and abdomen every morning and night. These shots were making my ovaries produce multiple eggs at one time and also kept the eggs from releasing. The nurse said it was like having 2 bunches of grapes in your abdomen. I was so bloated!


NEXT, I WAS PUT UNDER AND MY EGGS WERE RETRIEVED. This took place on Sunday, August 17th. They put a long bendable needle through my female system and poked through all of the follicles on my ovaries to retrieve as many eggs as possible.
10 EGGS WERE RETRIEVED AND 8 WERE FERTILIZED. We then went back to the Dr. 3 days later on Wed. to put the healthy embryo's in. We were told that they had a 70% chance to survive.
When we arrived at the Dr.'s office he said that 2 EMBRYO'S WERE THE STRONGEST and that the other 6 need to mature a little more.
WE HAVE WANTED BOY AND GIRL TWINS so bad. I asked the Dr. if he knew the sex of the embryo's and he said they were a BOY AND A GIRL! Chris and I looked at each other like we were 2 underaged kids who just WON the lottery. This is the picture he gave us of our embryo's.


WE WERE ABLE TO WATCH THE EMBRYO IMPLANTING THROUGH ULTRASOUND. I was awake and on Valium and Chris was sitting next to me. The embryo's were implanted through a catheter and then the dr. left the room and Chris and I were alone. I had to lay down for 20 minutes and not move. The office radio then played Cher's hit "If I Could Turn Back Time" and Chris and I started laughing. As we left the room the song "Eye of the Tiger" played and Chris said it was the embryo's theme song to hang on and fight to survive in their new home (my uterus)!
I HAD TO SPEND THE NEXT 24 HOURS ON BED REST and 2 days of house rest and take it easy for the next couple of weeks.
11 DAYS AFTER THE IMPLANTING WE FOUND OUT WE WERE PREGNANT! We had a picture taken of the embryo's on the 11th day and this is what they look like now.


IN 4 WEEKS WE WILL FIND OUT HOW MANY BABIES ARE GROWING IN MY WOMB.
I'll update again later. I hope this gives you a better idea of the Invitro process.

'Vintage Fashion Show' pictures now available!

The amazing Mark Lee just released the photos from the Vintage Fashion Show we put on in July. Go to www.holladayphoto.com and click on proofing, then click on Laie Fashion Show.


This is one of my favorite pictures of Ashley. I was not able to watch her skate in person but she looks so awesome skating in the 'Delmar Vintage' SQUARE DANCING dress!

Kallie Rocks of course.

Just a few new pictures

When the fabulous Jim and Jenny Brown came to visit, we discovered Electric Beach. First we swam with dolphins, second time we saw a little white tip shark. I (Chris) got this shot of a turtle on the second day as we were headed in. Only slightly doctored up in photoshop.
OK, so Jackie took this one of me skating the ramp. Definitely a little help from photoshop with the background and zoom in on the wheel, but the skating is real. . . I promise. More ramp pictures to come of the friends and I.

Arrested Development's CHICKEN DANCE... the funniest show that nobody watched!

My nick name was Chicken Lady growing up....I guess Chris is Rooster Boy?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! 65 YEARS YOUNG!

I love these pictures!

Check out my amazing Doctor!

She is the first and only doctor to fully check me out and figure out why I have not been able to have children on my own. Not only is she super nice, but she is a very skilled surgeon and has worked wonders on me. I have been so darn blessed to have met her! Thanks Dr. Pratt!