So it begins

August 30, 2012:  Cycle day 1.  The beginning.  Call Dr. Nichols' office and talk with the IVF coordinator to let her know that my cycle had started and I am ready to start birth control on cycle day 3 (Saturday).  Give her pharmacy information.

August 31, 2012:  Cycle day 2.  Brian diagnosed with shingles.  I freak out about IVF and try to call it quits on the whole thing.  End up apologizing and go by pharmacy to pick up my birth control.  Nothing had been called in.  Feel like crying.  Call Dr. Nichols' office and have them page the doctor on call, who just happened to be Dr. Nichols.  He calls in the prescription.  A little later the pharmacy calls me back and tells me that they are out of it but will have it first thing in the morning.

September 1, 2012:  Cycle day 3.  Got to pharmacy and get birth control.  Take first dose at 2:00 p.m.

September 4, 2012:  Cycle Day 4:  Find out that we actually got approved for a loan to help cover fertility treatments until Brian's tuition reimbursement finally comes in.  Had to go to our bank in the middle of the day to have documents notarized.

September 5, 2012:  Cycle Day 5.  Call Dr. Nichols' office and schedule lab work for the required STD testing.  Brian calls the same day and schedules his semen analysis and lab work for STD.

September 6, 7, 8, and 9th, 2012:  Cycle days 6, 7, 8, and 9, respectively.  Continue taking birth control on or around 2:00 p.m. daily.

September 10, 2012:  Cycle Day 10.  Brian's appointment for his semen analysis and lab work for STD.  Find out that Brian's sperm count is in the 43 million range!  Best it has ever been!!!  Have our consultation with the IVF coordinator, go over medication protocol, and pay our up front fees.  We now have a plan, although it is subject to change.