2nd Hysteroscopy

It was a peaceful drive down to Brownsville on Sunday. Spring had arrived just south of San Antonio and the highways were made colorful with a beautiful display of wildflowers. Bluebonnets blanketed the land, with patches of yellow and orange flowers to compliment.

I had multiple episodes of Emergency Medicine with Dr Billy Goldberg to keep me company. If you've never listened to him, I highly recommend giving his show a try. He is very funny and entertaining and I equate his show with Car Talk - you don't need to be interested in the topic discussed to enjoy. 

It was so much easier driving down to Brownsville during the day, while I wasn't fasting, and having not worked the eight hours prior! What a difference. Snacking on celery and oranges, I reached the hotel around 8:00 pm. 

With Monday being my birthday, I decided to celebrate it Indian style by giving people sweets - in this case, Lindt chocolates. I made a small bag for Dr Garza, and then larger bags for the upstairs staff and the downstairs staff. And on our drive over, I gave some to Mario and my co-patients as well. Good times!

Once in the surgery, being put under was the same old story as the last few times. Nothing new except that Ruth, a fun and goofy IVF nurse, was trying to get the more serious anesthesiologist to wish me a happy birthday - he did not give into her charms no matter how much she tried though.  The anesthesiologist is very much a man of business - except when he's talking on the phone, or listening to the radio, while he puts the mask on your face! 

In any case, I woke up without any pain which seemed like a good thing. One of the patients told me that they could hear the nurses all singing Happy birthday to me as they tried to wake me up after the procedure - wish I could remember that - I am absolutely sure that Ruth lead the singing!

When I saw Dr Garza for my post-procedure consult, he was very happy to say that everything looked perfect and nothing needed to be removed. During the prior hysteroscopy he thought there was something growing inside me, however, with such poor visibility, he hadn't been able to say for sure. I was also able to ask all my questions and the response that was most interesting was, when it's time for my donor cycle, he will put in two embryos. I wonder what will happen next... 

Driving back over the border took a full two hours. It was tedious. I was still fasting and only had a little water with me. In addition, with my long drive home ahead of me, I really wanted to be on the road. We finally got back to the hotel at 4:20. I had a meal and started driving just after 5:00 pm. 

The drive home actually felt pretty quick. While I know this is controversial, I saw the cutest litter of tiny wild pigs on the side of the highway. They were small, brown, and bristly - I so wish I could have stopped the car to watch them sniffing around and foraging for food. 

Other highlights from my drive we're when one of my old Starbursts sent me this birthday message/gift  🏆🌻🕺🏻🥰🤞🏼🥳🎈❤️💃🏻🍰💐😥👨‍👦‍👦👡👞👘👕👕🧶🌲🌳☘️🍀🍁🍁🍄🍄🐚🐚🐚☃️💧☔️🥕🥕🥨🍕🚲🛴🛴🚲🚁🚁🎇📞🕰🎛🧼🧸🗝🎁🛌🎉🛀🏻🛁🚿🚰🧹🌡🧪🦠! ! Apparently she thought I was really going to receive the pretzel and be able to eat it! 

This message was followed by a phone call from another Starburst family, who surprised me by singing Happy Birthday to me over the phone. It was a very festive affair! 

And then I arrived home and my J was waiting for me. And then I went to sleep.

Inconclusive Hysteroscopy

Yesterday:  As we sit in traffic, trying to get back over the bridge...

My procedure was unexpectedly painful. I woke up crying and moaning - not encouraging for the poor women going in after me! The nurse gave me a shot for the pain though so it subsided after a bit.

Afterwards they told me that Dr Garza wanted to see me upstairs. This was nerve-wracking because the nurses (understandably) wouldn't tell me anything.

It turns out that I do have something growing inside me - polyps or fibroids most likely - but they were bleeding and he could not get a good visual. He's giving me a prescription to subdue my hormones and thin my lining - after that he has to do another hysteroscopy and should be able to remove whatever I have. Today would have been too risky.

Next hysteroscopy would be at the end of February so yet another delay.

Patience... Patience...

Hysteroscopy

Written a few days ago: I'm popping down to Mexico early Friday for a hysteroscopy and possible myomectomy/polypectomy - there was a time of innocence when I didn't know what that meant.

When I had my surgery a couple of years ago they removed several large fibroids. Recently some of my old symptoms have returned so they need to check if the fibroids, or any other obstacles to pregnancy, have grown. If they have, they'll remove them. If they don't find anything, the doctor can go ahead and do an endometrial scratch (scrape up my endometrium) to encourage healing growth hormones which, in turn, encourages implantation.

My OBGYN in Austin recommended this along with a fallopian tube removal. Interestingly, IVF has a high chance of ectopic pregnancies and, by removing the tubes, you reduce the chance. I have chosen not to have my tubes removed right now though.

As a side note, because of cancer risks, it's recommended to remove your tubes if you're done using them. Not necessarily go in just for that but, if you're already having surgery in the area, it's not a bad idea to snip them out. Just saying. #toomuchdoctorradio

Returning to my upcoming trip, the hard part is going to be driving all night without drinking/snacking and very little sleep. I have to fast because of the anesthesia. Meh.

The good news is, if I hadn't postponed treatment this month, I would already be getting ready for transfer and wouldn't have this opportunity of prepping myself further.

Onwards!

Donor Cycle Update

The new year started with a lot of physical unpleasantness which I will refrain from going in to. It did require a visit to urgent care and, while I liked the PA who treated me, he also managed to misdiagnos me. With the interference of inappropriate antibiotics, my healing was prolonged. Nevertheless, after three weeks of pain, and a visit to a specialist, I finally feel well and happy.

Unfortunately, this issue did cause me to postpone my donor attempt until next month. I didn't want to risk starting my donor cycle with possible complications.

To pass the time, J and I are continuing to work on our house. Yesterday we cut our old dining table in half, and attached one half to the wall, creating a cute and quirky computer desk.  We're trying to decide what to do with the other half - a writing desk for me perhaps?

As far as Mexico goes, we do need to make one trip down before treatment starts, and that might possibly happen this weekend. I need to get more information on when donor payments are needed before we go down though. This will be the first time J and I drive to Mexico together - and, apparently, the plan is for me to drive the truck a bit. *ahem* Not sure how good that idea is!

It will be a quick trip with no overnight stay. We'll visit the doctor, pop into Garcia's briefly, lunch at an Italian restaurant, and then home again.  I'm looking forward to it!

Fundraiser!

I forgot to share here! I'm having a fund raiser tomorrow. Here are the details:

https://www.facebook.com/events/259634471398641/?ti=as

IVF Cycle II Beta

So, most unfortunately, but not surprisingly, my beta came back negative yesterday. I was so prepared that I didn't even use a home test beforehand. This was the least disappointed I've ever been. I think I felt unconscious relief because, even if I had had a positive, the chance of miscarriage would have been really high. It would have been difficult to stay positive.

We'll move on to donor eggs now. I'm not sure when we'll start but I'm hoping in January.

Until then, Happy Holidays Everyone! I'm looking forward to sharing our next step!

IVF cycle II - Transfer

Transfer went well. My co-patients and I laughed a lot and one of them reminded me so much of my Aunt Virgie. It was a real pleasure talking with them.

Two enbryos made it and both were transferred - now begins the two week wait until I can have my HCG blood test. This is always the hardest part by far. 

Thankfully, with the holiday season upon us, there is much to do and that will help. I've been watching videos about festive bakes, I need to write and send out cards, and I think I'm going to try and make some Meyer lemon marmalade. 

In the meanwhile, as far as treatment goes, I'm under strict orders to avoid lifting anything, avoid my morning walks, take my vitamins, and inject myself with progesterone daily.  Oh, and I need to laugh a lot and be happy! 

I'm doing my best - can't wait to see the kiddos at school on Monday. I've missed them!