Start of PIO.

This morning was the start of my PIO (progesterone in oil) shots.  Even though it has been 4 months since we last did any PIO shots, Babe was a pro.  He didn't even have to review the steps on how to do the PIO shots.  He just whipped up the shot, stuck it to me, and we were done!  Didn't hurt at all.  In fact I barely felt it at all.  Today felt really good, like I didn't even get the shot, but it is starting to be a little sore tonight.  I know the soreness will get worse as time goes by.  Starting tomorrow, we will be doing the shots twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Whenever I start my PIO shots, I like to do a show-and-tell of the PIO syringe and needle.  I call the PIO shot my "Big Ass Shot".  Because the needle used for the shot really is BIG, and you stick the needle it in your ass (butt).  Ok, not really your butt, but in the "upper outer quadrant of your buttocks" (as per the training videos).  So technically it is more like the hip, but close enough.  Below are 2 pictures of the syringes used for this protocol.  Notice the size difference between these 2 needles!

The top is the syringe and needle used for the PIO shots.  You actually use a bigger needle to draw the oil out of the bottle, and then you switch it to a smaller needle for the actual injection.  As you can see the smaller needed is HUGE.  The PIO is an intramuscular (inside the muscles) injection, so the needle is long (1.5 inch) and wider (22G) to allow the the thick oil to be injected.  The bottom syringe is an insulin syringe used for the Lu.pron shot (0.5 inch, 30G), and injected subcutaneously (under the skin).  As you can see, it is much smaller and the needle is much shorter and thinner.

Top: Syringe for PIO shot, with 22G 1.5 inch needle
Botton: Syringe for Lu.pron, 30G 0.5 inch needle

Difference in size of the needles!

I need to do PIO shots until at least the first beta (pregnancy test), approximately 11 days after transfer.  If I am pregnant, then I will continue the shots until I am 10-12 weeks along.  So I will have to do at least 28 PIO shots at the minimum, and if everything turns out well, I will have approximately another 90-120 shots "big ass shots".  Fun times!

I am just about done packing for my transfer.  Most important, above all else, I must not forget my medications, syringes, needles, gauze pads and alcohol swabs.  I requested a letter from the NEDC nurse from the clinic stating I need to bring the syringes and medication on board the plane.  I probably won't need it since I didn't need it last time.  But I just wanted to be sure I don't have any issues with TSA.

My stash of medications, syringes, needles, gauze pads and alcohol swabs.

I guess I'm ready for my trip!  I'm all checked into my flight, and my hotel and car rental confirmations are on hand.

3 days to transfer!

Hopping on the plane tomorrow night!