HSG was today

The morning was strange. I knew I was going in for something that I didn't really want to happen.  I didn't like the fact that JT wasn't going to be around for it. I hate doing this stuff on my own when he is just as much a part of the equation, but obviously being away for the week for a new job training isn't something I can mess around with.

When I arrived I had to check in.  Then I had to sit and wait to be formally checked in.  The lady called me in and then couldn't find my appointment in the computer system.  I assured her it had been scheduled.  After she spoke with someone else it was cleared up and they got me in.

I went over the to lab to sit in another waiting room.  I was finally called back and they took 1 vial of blood.  This was to check to make sure that I was not pregnant. Duh. I could have told you that. But, I get it, procedure is procedure.  I was then sent to Diagnostics.

I handed over my paperwork and sat in yet another room.  After a few minutes I was called and we walked to where I would change out of my clothes and into some super sexy hospital gowns.  Man, those things were so ugly! I also hate how the strings never match up so when you tie it there is no real sense of security.  Thankfully, I had a robe to wear over it... no, not a comfy one, it was just another hospital gown that actually went around you like a robe.

I waited.  And waited.  And waited.  They had to get the blood work up results in before they could perform the procedure.  Finally, I was called in by a woman and her student nurse, who I agreed could be there for the procedure.

I signed some more paperwork and watched as they set up the supplies they would use.  The female doctor came in and introduced herself and then got to work with completing the set up.  When they were ready they had me come to the table.  It was very awkward getting up there without flashing everyone in the room.  I had to put my legs in these stirrups like I've never seen before.

Eventually it worked and I had my booty all the way at the end of the table, a white sheet haphazardly placed over my legs and my gown up past my hips.  The doc inserted the speculum and opened up my cervix. Eeek. I hate the sound of that thing turning.  Then she inserted the catheter and told me I would feel some pressure when she expanded it.  OUCH, did I ever feel pressure.  At first I was like, "oh, this isn't too bad" and then BAM I was like HOLY MOTHER!  They had to move me up to where the XRay machine was so the two helpers pulled the sheet I was lying on up and man it sucked having the ballooned catheter in me hurting like no other while they tried to get me in the right spot.  I also had to get my legs off the stirrups and down on the table.  Well, the place where my legs ended up WAS NOT comfortable.

It was uncomfortable the rest of the time she pushed the liquid into my uterus.  I had to lean right, then lean left and then was able to lie flat again. Finally, it was over.

I was able to get off the table, go wipe myself off with a wash cloth and put a huge pad in my underwear to catch the leakage. Ugh.  I am glad it is done and over with it and I am happy to hear that things looked good.  Only now, I am even more baffled because we are still left with no answers.

I am anxious to meet up with an RE so we can do some more talking and make some more plans. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I had no idea it would be this difficult to bring a baby into the world.  I can't, for the life of me, figure out why this is happening to us.

They say that after you have HSG your chances of getting pregnant are high because it clears things out.  I am hoping this is all my body needed... at little day at the spa to cleanse things out!

Testing, Testing

JT sent in his sperm to be analyzed and everything came out great! This is fantastic news but I must admit that the minute I heard this from my doctor I felt a pit in my stomach because that means that there is something not quite right with me.  While I agree, and understand, that it is easier to get a a handle on female reproductive issues, it doesn't make me feel any better.  I've been quite emotional ever since.

I have my HSG on Tuesday and am not looking forward to it. I just don't know what to expect.  It doesn't help that JT is gone on business all week.  I hate that he is away for this.

Follow up appointment

I met with my OB/GYN on Friday. It was a quick but productive meeting.  We got right to business and set up a plan.

JT will be dropping off his swimmers at the hospital this week for analysis.  I'll be scheduling a HSG when I get my period, which I am sure is on it's way since my temp dropped this morning.  My Dr said that the HSG might clear things out and that some women get pregnant within a month or two of the procedure. I don't want to put all my eggs... ha, in that in that basket, but one can hope.

We'll hear about the results and then most likely get referred to a local Reproductive Specialist.  It seems that our next option would be IVF... definitely now how I imagined bringing a life into this world... but if it gives us a family then I am all for it!

CD 21 test results

My progesterone level came back at a 15 which is good- according to my doctor.  Since this level came back normal we can point the finger to endometriosis for the madness that is happening in my uterus.  I have really bad lower back pains, clotty periods, terrible cramps and fatigue.

My OB is having me take progesterone from the day I ovulate until the day I am supposed to get my period.  Progesterone has been said to help endometriosis.  Maybe this will help us.  I sure hope so!  On the day that I am supposed to get my period I would test.  If it comes back positive I would continue with the progesterone.  If it comes back negative I would stop and let myself bleed and start up a new cycle.

I got AF on Friday, so we are no officially in cycle number 9.  I never thought we'd get this far.  I love the number 3 and 3 times 3 is nine, so maybe this is our lucky cycle.

A visit to the Dr.

The results for my blood work taken on Day 3 of my cycle came back normal.  This is good news!

I went this morning to get blood work done again, this time to check my progesterone levels.  There has been question about this hormone in my body before.  I am anxious to hear the results about that.

After I got my blood work done I went to my OB's office.  I had an internal ultrasound of my uterus to check the lining and the ovaries.  Turns out I have a simple (clear) cyst on my right ovary.  This ovary is where all of my past cysts have been found.  This cyst measures 3 by 3 cms.  It is leaking fluid.  I don't know exactly what that means.  I mean, the doctor told me but I forgot exactly what she said.  There was so much discussed this morning it is hard to keep it straight.

I was also told that my uterus has a slightly odd shape... in that instead of going pretty straight across the top, mine dips down a bit.  On top of that I have a tilted uterus.  These two things could go against me in trying to conceive.

Another thing we discussed was possible endometriosis, which is when the blood that grows in your uterus begins to grow outside the uterus causing build up and scaring because the tissue has no where to go.  We won't discuss further diagnosis of this until we get the results back from the blood work I had today.

It is a lot to think about. A lot to take in, and a lot of questioning has happened this morning.  I just don't know WHY this is happening. I want a family so badly. I want a baby. I want experience a child growing inside me.  Why can't that happen easily?

Here is my chart for this month.  What I do is take my temperature every morning at the same time before I get out of bed.  I then chart the temperature on this graph.  I keep track of my period and vaginal discharge as well.  The green is when I am most fertile.  DPO= Days Past Ovulation.  The line going up the middle of the chart indicates what day I ovulated on, which is determined by a temperature shift.