Laminaria Placement

Have officially started down the path of our second IVF cycle. This is actually our third attempt at an implantation as we had a frozen embryo transfer that failed as well. Needless to say, we are very excited and hopeful....even confident I would say.....that the third time's a charm.

Our first true appointment was last Thursday. Kelly went in for a Laminaria placement. A Laminaria is "medical seaweed" that is about as thin as a match stick and is placed in the cervix to dilate it. Kelly's is a bit constricted and has an odd angle to it that can cause difficulty during implantation. Therefore, Dr. Barnett thought the Laminaria would help with that because it acts like a sponge in there, absorbing moisture, enlarging, resulting in an expanded cervix. It only stays in there for 24 hours and is then removed. The expansion is supposed to be good for a couple of months.

Kelly has had a little cramping and discomfort since but everything should be ok.

It was our intention to have the implantation done late July - early August but because of logistical issues (doctor moving offices and scheduling of the embryologist) it looks like it's going to be late August.

Again, we are very excited and I will try and keep this updated with our progress.

Send us good mojo please.

GUEVARA
Norma E. Guevara was called home by the Lord on June 7, 2009, at the age of 53. She was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 31, 1956 and was the youngest of four children. She is preceded in death by her parents, Bruno V. & Belen R. Guevara. She is loved and will be missed by her children; daughter Sandra Renee Moya and husband, Steven Escobar; sons, David Moya Jr., and Benjamin David Moya; grandchildren, Lauren-Renee Castelo, Mia Celeste and Yasmine Escobar, Antonio Moya and Kiaya Marie Moya; sister, Irene Longoria; brothers, Diego R. and Albert R. Guevara; and her beloved Mark Ferro; and numerous loving nieces, nephews and friends.Visitation will be held at Castillo Mission Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, with a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. The funeral procession will depart the funeral home at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10. 2009 for a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the St. Anthony Claret. Interment will follow at The Cordi-Marian Resurrection Cemetery. The family would like to acknowledge the care and compassion offered by the Amedisys Hospice and South Texas Oncology. Dr. Lisa Fichtel and Chase Bank for all of the care and love that was provided during this time of need.

We will miss you Tia. RIP

Givin' It Another Go

Well we went and saw Dr. Barnett again this past Monday. Looks like we are going to try to start shots in June for a July transfer. He seems to think that the last two failed attempts were just bad luck....humph! I hate it when he says stuff like that. It sounds like Dr. Buch telling me that there was no improvement from my varicosele surgery because it's just me. When they tell me that stuff I just want to say What? We have just spent thousands of dollars for all this failure and all you can tell me is "bad luck" or "it's just you"? AARRGGHH!! The upside is that Dr. Barnett is donating some folistem that other patients have given back. That should save us a few hundred dollars.

Oh well ok now that Im done venting we are excited about the opportunity to try this again. The only thing different Dr. Barnett is going to try is using a laminaria to widen the cervix. It's medical seaweed?

So the plan is to start shots mid June for a mid July transfer. We are thinking of putting more than two eggs in this time....provided we have enough.

Anyway, that's it for now. We will keep you posted. Will also be posting on Twitter.

The Great Cole-ini

Varicocele

I went to the urologist several weeks ago and was told that I have Varicocele. Wikipedia defines Varicocele as "an abnormal enlargement of the veins in the scrotum draining the testicles. The testicular blood vessels originate in the abdomen and course down through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord on their way to the testis. Up-ward flow of blood in the veins is ensured by small one-way valves that prevent backflow. Defective valves, or compression of the vein by a nearby structure, can cause dilatation of the veins near the testis, leading to the formation of a varicocele." Basically I had too much blood sitting in the scrotum stewing my sperm which results in malformation.

So last Tuesday I went in for corrective surgery to re-route that blood flow so my boys don't overheat. They made two incisions about 3" long right above and on both sides of my penis. From there they cut off the bad vein and used another to route the up flow of blood.

The surgery took about 2 hours and I went home that day. I spent the next 3 full days bedridden. Saturday was the first day I was able to really walk around without any pain. I tell you what...my boys were very swollen. The whole package was about he size of a large orange....which is quite large. Let's just say that I walk bow-legged because of it. LOL.

The pain was not that bad. But for three days it felt like I had been kicked there. There was some pain in the incisions but today they itch so that's a good sign. Means they are healing.

It will be at least three months before we are able to see any results but we are very hopeful. Will keep you informed.

Oh yeah saw Ironman last night. Good flick. Two testicles up.

Message from Kelly

Dear Family and Friends,

A few weeks ago I participated in the Komen 5k Race for the Cure in San Antonio. I walked with friends and family to commemorate Jake's Aunt Norma's 5 year anniversary of being a cancer survivor. It was so wonderful to be a part of that and to experience the great camaraderie. I was so moved that I decided that I wanted to do more, not only to show support, but to raise money for the fight. So after some research I have decided to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day here in Dallas November 7-9. For those of you unaware of this "race", I will walk 60 miles over the course of 3 days with thousands of other men and women. This is not a race for personal gain or glory, but rather a challenge. A challenge to raise $2,200 for Breast Cancer research in hopes of one day eradicating this horrible disease. Without a cure, one in eight women in the Unites States will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer. That is why I am walking in the 3-Day, as everyone deserves a lifetime.

Breast cancer will touch all of our lives in one way or another. Whether it is my husband's aunt, who after 5 years is still fighting or a co-worker who is an 8 year survivor, we all are affected. Not only will I walk in their honor, but I will walk to hopefully protect my mom, my mother-in-laws, Margaret and Lydia, my sister-in-law, Clarissa, my aunts, my cousins, and all of my incredible friends.

I am so excited to have the opportunity to complete this challenge. If you would like to be a part of this experience with me, please help me to raise the money necessary to participate. You can give online at www.The3Day.org. Follow the "Donate Now" link to enter my name as a participant from Texas. You will then be connected to my personal fundraising web page and can make a donation. You can do a one time donation or you can spread it out over four months, using the payment plan option. Or feel free to call 800-996-3DAY to donate over the phone. I appreciate any support you are able to provide.

Please pray for me as I train through the hot summer months to prepare. Thanks you so much for helping me complete this goal. Together we can impact the future by supporting such a worthy cause.

Sincerely,

KG
http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/DallasFtWorthEvent?px=1968164&pg=personal&fr_id=1184&et=8lb2oVK6HBtJ5oO0acurzg..&s_tafId=64196

It's not a toomah!! - Update

Test results from my brothers tumor are in and it was not malignant!!! Whew hew!! We are all happy and grateful.

Peach out!