On Sunday we made the trip up to Birmingham before the butt crack of dawn. Fortunately, the long trip was worth it because we received the news that my follicles were progressing and my progesterone and estradiol were in the range that they needed to be. The only bad thing was that she said I would have to return on Monday for another checkup. This was only bad news because returning Monday meant I would have to drive to Birmingham again since the Mongomery office is closed on holidays. Another six hours of driving in one day!
The repeat buttcrack of dawn drive was not fun, but I found out that my 18 follicles were ready to be triggered for egg retrieval on Wednesday. I was instructed to take my trigger shot of HCG at 9:15 last night, 36 hours prior to my retrieval. I was super nervous because the shot was an intramuscular injection, with a 1.5 inch needle. I sucked it up and let Anthony stick me in the butt. It didn’t hurt going in, but it really hurt while he was injecting. It felt like he was moving the needle around inside my muscle, even though he wasn’t! My butt is still sore! I am NOT looking forward to the progesterone in oil shots that I will have to daily; they are also intramuscular shots. EEEEEK!!
So here we are, it’s Tuesday night and we’re at a hotel in Birmingham (third trip up here in three days). At the last minute this afternoon, Anthony received approval to take me to my egg retrieval. We didn’t think they would even consider letting him out of class, so we’re so thankful they did. My surgery is scheduled for 9:15am, and Anthony has to report back at 2:30pm. It will be cutting it super close, so let’s hope he makes it back on time. I’m getting kind of nervous! The fact that I had to give myself an enema definitely didn’t help with the nerves! I guess multiple daily shots were not enough; enemas have been added to the list of requirements for optimal baby making. Anthony must be thankful again tonight that he’s not a woman.
Please pray that we’ll get some mature eggs out my 18 follicles tomorrow, and that some of them fertilize! I will update you tomorrow night when the anesthesia wears off!
Here is a photo of the small needle I was using for lupron and stims, compared to the one I had to use last night, and that I’ll start using daily for progesterone injections.
Wow, Tara!!! I just read this and you should be done with the retrieval already. I hope it went well and you are not in much pain (I know how uncomfortable it can be). This is very exiting!! Transfer will be here before you know it. In the meantime, try and relax and I am sure those eggs will fertilize into beautiful little embryos =) You are in my prayers every day.
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