Injections-Review Day 1, 2, 3 & 4

So, we started injections on Saturday. I've been really REALLY nervous about them. Needles are my greatest fear in life. Frogs, nope. Spiders, nope. Flying, no problem. Needles, **cringe**, freak out moment just thinking about them. Needless to say, I've had lots of time over the past couple years to get used to them. I've learned to cope (not even tolerate) having my blood drawn (thank goodness Dr. H has an amazing phlebotomist in his office). When you have your blood taken 4 times in 2 weeks, you have to learn coping methods (breathe deep, poke your hand with fingernails, and don't look, repeat DON'T LOOK!). Anytime we've had to do an at home injection (only 1 per cycle, not daily injections), Sung has given it to me and I NEVER look! So, with this next step in our journey being injections (at least a week of daily shots), I decided my goal was to give it to myself. Might as well take this opportunity to overcome a phobia! So, here's a review of my progress for days 1, 2, & 3 of injection giving:

Day 1: I held the needle and tried and tried, but I couldn't put it into my skin (I guess it means I'm not naturally masochistic!)...So, Sung poked me, but I watched (which I NEVER do)...And, I pushed the plunger (the painful part). So good job!

Day 2: We were at a friends house for dinner and I haven't really told anyone about us doing this, and I was nervous about making sure I gave the shot in time...SO, I still couldn't do it by myself! BUT, Sung held my hand and poked me (the poking part doesn't actually hurt that bad) while I held the needle and again I pushed the plunger (Youch!).

Day 3: I DID IT!!!!!! We were at a friends house again, and let them know what was going (since it was just Sung and I and the two of them). So, after much coaching and encouragement (and a timer from Sung--he tried to give me only 2 minutes...let's just say it took more like 9 min), I finally did it! And it wasn't too bad. And, I felt so liberated to know that I could do it myself!

Day 4: I'm a pro! Okay...not quite...but I can now give myself a shot! I tried it in my thigh this time instead of my abdomen. I felt like the skin was a little tighter so it scared me a little to poke it. But, it was fairly easy and the injecting the medication part didn't seem to hurt as bad. So, I might have found a new spot to shoot myself. ;)

I've been a little worried about the prospect of doing more shots. If we were to get into more intensive procedures (ie IVF), we might have to do intra-muscular shots at home, and that TOTALLY freaks me out! Instead of a little half inch needle, the IM needles are like and inch and a half!!! AHH! I can't do it! ...Yes I can...breathe...Yes I can...If I have to, I will...breathe...

Okay, so here's to big success this week! I'm still freaked out by needles/shots, but I can give myself a baby one!