Egg Retrieval Day

It's been a very long day! I was awake at 6:30am, knowing T. was coming to pick me up at 7:45. The hardest part about the morning was not eating breakfast. I'm so routine oriented that any change throws me off.

We got to the clinic and we were taken inside the "IVF" door that I've only seen but never entered. There were really nice reclining chairs and a couple were already in the room.

I was instructed to change into the lovely pale gown and to cover my feet and my head with a blue hat. Then I came back to the recliner and sat down. T. covered me with a blanket. It was such a nice comfort having her there. She kept me occupied on things, helped make conversation with the other two people, and was just looking out for me.

I was told to take an ativan. It was fine, but I don't really think I needed it. I was calm before hand. I think the ativan got me a little on edge.

Then the nurse was ready to start my IV. She tried one vein on my wrist - it hurt...and she missed....slight bleeding.

So, she tried to find a vein on the top of my left hand...and what do you know? Blood started oozing everywhere...she tore my vein.

The nurse went to get help while T. applied pressure. I felt bad, I told T. not to touch me without gloves on, but she didn't care - and no blood touched her anyway.

The nurse returned with the girl who takes my blood all the time. She made a decision to put the iv in my arm. I just had to keep my arm still, which was fine.

So, in I walked into the ER room (egg retrieval). I had to get up onto a bed and put my calves into these high stirrups. I was given a gas mask, a blood pressure monitor was wrapped around my right arm, and a heart beat monitor was stuck to my finger.

When Dr. D came in, they admisitered the "sleepy" drug. The last thing I remember was asking him if he was using a small speculum. Then I was pretty much in and out...I remember pressure, but that's it.

When it was done, I was walked back into the recovery room, where I talked to Tula and the other couple, and was pretty much in and out of consciousness.

They told me that they retrieved 16 eggs...that's pretty good...hopefully they'll be able to make many strong embryos from them. Hopefully they'll know where my sperm was and I end up with the baby I'm supposed to have.

Okay, so one step down. I know the ET doesn't work for everyone...but maybe for me it will. Maybe Dr. D will decide that I can have my transfer in March instead of April, but in any case, I hope it goes smoothly.

It's 8:pm. I've missed the whole day. I have so much work to do, but it's not going to get done tonight. I think I want to just lie in bed and relax...sleep more...I deserve it after this last week. I will update you ASAP on when I know how many embryos were created!!