So once we decided on our course of treatment it was time to play the waiting game. I couldn't start any meds until the beginning of a new cycle, so we had about a week to wait before we could proceed with anything. Finally things started moving in the right direction. My instructions from the doctor were to call their office on the first day of my cycle to schedule a blood test to test a variety of hormone levels. It's imperative that the start of cycle blood work be done in order to determine the right dosage of medicine.
The day I went in for my blood work was an exciting but slightly frightening day as well. It felt great to finally be moving forward. I felt like we were one step closer to finally achieving our ultimate goal! I knew we still had a long rocky road ahead of us, but it was nice to know we had someone in our corner helping and fighting with us. One of the MOST important things when undergoing fertility treatments is liking and trusting your doctor. That may seem like a given, but I've never been more convinced in the need for a good doctor than I am now. In case I haven't mentioned it before, I LOVE our doctor. During our initial consultation with him I felt so comfortable talking with him. It also helps that he understands the patient side of infertility. He and his wife battled infertility for 8 years before having their first child. It was actually their experience with infertility that caused him to become an RE in the first place. At some point throughout their treatments he decided to change careers. He has since become a very well respected RE, and has been the head of several medical school OB/GYN and fertility units. It's incredibly reassuring to know he can not only sympathize with us, but also empathize. Infertility is like all serious medical conditions in you can't truly understand what your loved one is going through unless you've experienced it first hand.
Anyway, enough of THAT particular soapbox...the blood work appointment was very fast and easy. 2 vials of blood and I was done. Now Matthew will probably hate me for talking about his portion of this appointment, but he's part of this whole process as well! While I was having my blood drawn he was having the lovely "man test" done to ensure that there wasn't also a problem with him. We knew I had fertility problems, but our struggle would be much more difficult if both of us were infertile. He was NOT and I repeat NOT happy about this test, but he survived. He was slightly embarrassed, but survived nonetheless. :o)
After the results of our tests came back (he was fine, thank goodness!) I received the phone call about my meds. Dr. H was starting me on 50mg/day of Clomid to be taken on days 5-9 of my cycle. On cycle day 10 I went in for my first follicle check ultrasound. I had 3 follicles growing, all measuring 10mm. The nurse (who I also love) told me that at the first check anything presenting at 10mm or higher is a good sign, and they typically continue to grow. The whole thing lasted about 5 minutes and Dr. H told me to schedule another ultrasound for 2 days later. On day 12 of my cycle I go back, have a 2nd ultrasound and we saw progress! One of my follicles was now 15mm, the other two were 11mm, and I had a new 10mm and new 5mm follicle. Now this may seem like A LOT of follicles, and it kind of is, however not all of them were going to reach maturity, and if they're not mature then no egg will be released. Dr. H was pleased enough with what he saw. The goal is 1 or 2 mature follicles. Any more than that and there is a large possibility of higher order multiples...NOT the goal! He instructed me to pick up the "trigger" shot they had called in to my pharmacy and administer it the following morning (Thursday) between 8 and 10am, forcing ovulation of the egg from my 15mm follicle. Have I mentioned how time sensitive this whole process is?!?! Our IUI was scheduled for Friday afternoon. The rule of thumb is IUI or IVF egg retrieval are typically done 32-36 hours after the trigger shot is administered. This ensures that the doctor is catching the eggs just before or right as they are being ovulated. There again...TIME SENSITIVE! It gets a little crazy and at times I feel like my whole life revolves around nothing but my lady parts. It can be a tough pill to swallow. Relinquishing control of the situation is not easy, but it's something that has to be done in order for this whole process to proceed.
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