Harvest Day!

Since the last time I posted I've been to the doctor's office several times for lab work and ultra sounds at $407.00 a pop. After sliding my credit card to the receptionist for the third time within a few days I half jokingly asked the receptionist to please tell Dr. W. that I can NOT afford to come three days in a row. She cringed and said, "OHHH, My." That's not what I'm going to be saying when I see my credit card bill. I think the words that come to mind are more like, "OHHH, Shit!" Anyway, the ultra sounds showed that my eggs were growing nicely and according to the lab work my estradiol level was at a steady incline. This information helped my doctor decide the best day to do the retrieval.

Finally, I was instructed to have Dana give me the HCG shot on Tuesday night at 7:00P.M. Ouch, this one was going to hurt because it had to me intramuscular. In other words, my hip-butt area. I was sweating over it and so was Dana. To our surprise it went rather smoothly. The only part that hurt was the initial poke of the needle. Once the HCG shot is given the retrieval is scheduled for 36 hours later.

So this morning, Dana and I woke up before the crack of dawn was even thinking about rising and got ready. Well, I got ready while Dana stayed in bed to the last minute. Just before leaving the house we collected the sperm sample, I slipped the cup into my cleavage as Dana threw on his clothes. We really have this part down to a science because we've done it so many times for our IUIs. At 5:25 A.M we were pulling out of the driveway. We arrived in the parking lot at 6:05A.M. which was a few minutes early for my 6:15A.M. appointment time.

I waited in the waiting room for a few minutes (Dana was in the restroom, again) before being called back. As soon as I got changed into the lovely gowns the nurse started taking my vitals and prepping me for the IV. Thank goodness it only took the nurse two tries to get the IV needle in. I signed the usual forms and some unusual forms such as what Dana and I wanted to do with our frozen eggs if something should happen to either one of us. At about 7:00A.M. I made one last stop in the restroom before entering the retrieval room. I pretty much said hello and good morning to Dr. W. then laid on the table. The last thing I remember was being hooked up to the monitors. The nurse said during the procedure I started asking how many eggs but the anesthesiologist gave me more happy juice and I was out.

I woke up in the recovery room with the nurse and Dana. The nurse explained that I needed to stay until the IV was finished and she had to keep track of my vitals. Dr. W. came in to see how I was doing and talk about the procedure. He announced that he was able to retrieve 10 eggs. WOW, 10 EGGS! I'm not that old after all. He said actually 12 but two were nothing. I was pretty proud of my old ovaries. My right side was amazing! At a little after 9:00A.M. I was wheeled out of the office and to the car. I came home, ate breakfast, slept, and slept some more. Besides being a little groggy, I feel great. I have very slight cramping on my right side. I'm not even sure cramping is the correct word maybe soreness. What ever it is, it's not even enough to take Tylenol. Tomorrow the embryologist will call us to give us an update on our fertilized eggs. I'm so anxious to hear how they are doing.

Thank you to my family, friends, and blogging buddies for all your thoughts and prayers. Please keep them coming the journey isn't over yet. Thank you Lord for all your blessings. The road you have paved for me is not an easy one but always a blessing, even if it is in disguise.