Stick Babies, Stick!!!

Note: I began this entry yesterday before we had some visitors. It is 9:45 a.m. on Sunday as I finish up...

As I lay here on my back with my feet elevated, I have two blastocysts inside of my uterus "deciding" whether or not to "stick". I can only hope and pray that they do! As has been the case for several weeks now, it's out of our hands, and in much bigger, stronger hands!

Today was a success and I am still in shock at how "easy" the transfer was!

We arrived at SGFC shortly after 12:30 p.m. I brought two, but only made it through one 16 1/2 ounce bottle of water on the way to Rockville. I would have had not problem finishing off the second if I didn't feel like I was going to explode. I had to pee so badly; I found it quite difficult to walk to the elevator!

When we arrived to the 4th floor, we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by our usual Columbia receptionist! Even though she is a Steelers fan, she always has the biggest smile on her face! It was a comfort to see her. She asked us about our embryos and how many we were going to have transferred. She agreed with our decision and wished us the best of luck!

The nurse came to get us. In the waiting room, she had James and I both put on surgical booties on our feet. She saw the look of despair on my face as I tried to move, and asked me if I wanted to go to the bathroom a little bit because she would soon be pressing the ultrasound monitor down on it. I told her that I could handle it- as I didn't want to take the chance of messing anything up!

She escorted us to our transfer room- which was just a small little room much like the others I had been in for so many other appointments! She instructed James where to sit and for me to get undressed from the waist down, got on the table and waited for Dr. Timmerick. Instead of sitting in his assigned chair, James chose to pile all of our things on it instead. When the nurse and doctor came back in the room, they told him where he could stand. Dr. Timmerick immediately told us that we had two beautiful and robust blastocysts to transfer. In hindsight, I realize we didn't discuss any other options or the risks involved. I am guessing this is because Dr. Timmerick and I had already spoken about James' and my wishes on the telephone the day before. She explained that the other 4 embryos were currently early blastocysts and still developing. She informed us that the embryologists would be watching their development over the next couple of days to determine whether enough they are strong enough to "freeze".

Dr. Timmerick explained how the next few minutes would transpire. The embryologist came in to verify who I was and when she did, two things happened. 1. Dr. Timmerick told her we wanted a picture of our blastocysts. 2. I asked her if they had been graded. I found out that our little babies are already over achievers as one scored an AA, and the other an AB. She explained that the grades have to do with the development of the outer and inner something or other and that all looked great. We were pleased.

Dr. Timmerick got me ready. When she saw my bladder she congratulated me on doing such an excellent job! On the screen, a full bladder looks big and black. I'm guessing they want it full to provide a contrast for the uterus which appears grayish. She first inserted a sterile solution, which cleansed my uterus, and then she inserted the catheter into my uterus. We could see everything on the screen. She next had the nurse open the door that led to the lab to call for the blastocycts. The nurse said something and the number 83. Something just dawned on me... I don't know what 83 meant, but I do know it is James Thrash's jersey # (he is my favorite Redskin!). Anyway...

The embryologist brought in a small tube like structure that apparently held our babies! Dr. Timmerick and the embryologist got everything into position. She pushed the catheter in a little further so it was almost at the top of my cervix (the meatiest part!) When it was time, Dr. Timmerick announced, "transferring." James and I watched the screen and saw a small flash, as Dr. Timmerick said we would (if we didn't blink). The embryos are too small to see, but the flash was the small droplet of fluid that held them. It was absolutely amazing!

The embryologist went back to the lab to make sure both embryos had made it out of the tube and safely to my womb. They had! Dr. Timmerick went over a few more things with us. She told me to lay flat for about 5 minutes and wished us the best of luck. She had her fingers crossed and told us to think sticky thoughts!

The embryologist gave us the picture of our two little blastocysts. (We don't have a scanner at home, but I am going to find away to eventually post the pic. It is unbelievable!) One of my highlights of the day was watching James as he held the picture and stared at it. The look on his face was priceless and definitely made my heart skip a beat!

The nurse eventually came in and gave us our discharge and dosing instructions. I will continue to take two tables of estrogen a day (one in the a.m. and one in the p.m.), my prenatal vitamin, one children's aspirin/night, and finally, 1 cc of progesterone in oil each night (as I have been). This will continue until we go back in for a pregnancy blood work in two weeks! I have a strange feeling that this is going to be the longest 2 weeks of our life!

I lied on the "table" for as long as I possibly could. It was more like 15 minutes instead of 5. As much as I didn't want to, I had to relieve my bladder. In our conversation pre-transfer, Dr. Timmerick assured me that there was nothing I could do that would make the embryos "fall out". I asked her about 3 times to be sure, however, I am still scared to move!

James helped me with my shoes. He held everything except my purse and we made our way back to the car. I tried to get him to carry me out cradle style, but he refused! He did humor me in the elevator by holding my legs up as I kind of suspended myself in the air. I soon decided that I probably was using my abdominal muscles in some way to do this, so decided to stop! On the way home he picked up 3 movies. I asked him to get me a chick flick. I know he really didn't want to- but did it anyway! We got home; I made my way downstairs to our most comfy couch. James covered me with blankets, threw in a Tombstone Pizza and started our first movie, "The Pineapple Express." James clearly thought this was much more funny than I did as I think he strained his abs as he laughed so hard that he cried most of the movie. I fell asleep!

After the movie he decided to play "I Call of Duty 4". I was trapped. I don't get very good phone reception in our basement so I couldn't pass time by talking of the phone. I tried to call Lorri, my neighbor, but her husband answered and couldn't hear me. I asked James to go upstairs to call her, but when he did, no one answered. I began to whine! I was sooooooo bored! At that moment, my phone buzzed which indicated that I had a text. My friend, Gina, asked if I was up for visitors. It was like my prayer had been answered the moment I asked! About 15 minutes later I had a playmate! Gina and I watched Sex in the City (the movie), which was James' ticket out of the house for a few hours (he couldn't get out of here fast enough)! Eventually he returned (with dinner) and Gina's husband, Chris came over too! We spent the rest of the night hanging out! We played some Guitar Hero and just talked! Chris got to witness my injection (which James has down like clockwork now!) but Gina hid her eyes and ears, as she was afraid she was going to pass out! They both offered us privacy, but I wanted them to see (probably because I wanted to show what a WARRIOR I am!) = ) Around midnight, James put on Indiana Jones and I was out like a light. About 20 minutes in, Gina and Chris left for the night! I was so glad that they gave up their Saturday to keep us company!

At the end of the day, I think I ended up having to get up 3 or 4 times yesterday. I really wish they would have given me a bedpan or something- but they didn't, so I had no choice!

As I finally finish up this entry (I know it's a long one... but what do you expect when I am on bed rest and have nothing else to do!), James is getting me something to eat. I've been up once today to use the bathroom, brush my teeth, and wash my face. I don't plan on getting up anymore- until nature calls again! In a few hours my friend, Sally is coming over to visit for a little while before the Ravens game! She and her fiance are HUGE Ravens fans- so I know it is a lot for her take time out of her Sunday to come all the way to New Market!

At this point, I can't imagine having too much more to write about later. However, if we get a report on our other four embryos, I'll be sure to provide an update! Remember, think sticky thoughts!

Until next time...