Your Majesty
It was time. The day of my second retrieval. I prayed the entire way to Marleton. I did not want to ever do this again. The eggs wanted OUT! I looked like I was pregnant. My belly was more swollen than ever. I did everything I could up until this point. I did my research, I took the appropriate vitamins, I ate as healthy as possible, I made sure my body was filled with all of the appropriate nutrients at all times, I was successful with every single injection, I made it so much further than the first go around. Two days longer than the first time. At the end, leading up to this day, I was in the Doctors office every single day, being monitored. Everything looked as good as it possibly could. They said there would be at least 10-15 mature eggs. I felt hopeful. The nurse called my name. I gave my Mom a hug and a kiss, and Michael and I walked back. Dr. Van Deerwin came in to chat with us before the procedure. “Here she is, the Egg Queen,” he said. My response, “You can only call me that if this time around presents a prince or princess.” We all laughed. He was anticipating a lot of eggs again, but wasn’t sure how many. The good news was there were a lot more mature eggs brewing this time. When he left to prepare for the procedure, my favorite anesthesiologist, Mike came in. Mike is the only anesthesiologist I know, but he made enough of an impression on us the first go around that he is now our favorite. It was the same deal as last time. I got setup with my IV, I forced myself to pee before the procedure, and I was instructed to give my husband a good luck hug and kiss before we parted ways. Michael went to do his part, and I went to do mine. I sat on the table and started to get into position, when my legs were getting strapped in, everyone stopped to acknowledge my socks. Michael bought them for me for Valentine’s Day. He said they were going to be my new lucky socks. They were so warm and so awesome and they got a lot of attention from the nurses and our Doctor. Doctor Van Deerwin said they should get all of the SJFC patients these socks. I was proud of Michael for his awesome Amazon find.
These socks were a present from Michael. I am superstitious, so I refused to wear the same socks as my first egg retrieval. Mike surprised me with these bad boys for Valentine’s Day, and all of the nurses and doctors LOVED them. They said every IVF patient should have a pair. They brought me luck, so I wish the same for you.
Soon after, Mike the anesthesiologist told me to have a nice nap. I was out like a light. I woke up in recovery with Mom and my Michael. “They’re still counting,” Mom said. One of embryologists came in shortly after to give us our report. Michael’s numbers were great, and me… I beat my own personal SJFC record, and kept my title “Your Majesty, The Egg Queen”. They retrieved 40 eggs. The part, I cared about most about 18 of them were mature. We knew the process. We still had a very long week ahead of us the phone calls that would determine the fate of what happens next. I sat in recovery for an hour, before I attempted to get up and get moving. This time around things were a little more challenging. I nearly passed out. As soon as I sat up, I went pale. My IVF nurse, Rachael tried to give me another IV, but my veins were not having it. I was annoyed this time around was more difficult then the first time, because I committed to going to Michael’s cousins wedding that night. My Mother and my IVF nurse, both strongly suggested I stay home, I kindly ignored them both. After another 45 minutes went by, I tried to get up again. After a capri sun and some goldfish I had a much more successful go at it. I thanked my nurse, and we made out way to the car. I was so tired, achey and bloated.
As soon as we got home, I started to get ready for the wedding. I had a friend come over to do my hair and makeup. If you look good, you feel good, that was motto for the evening. My Mom could hardly talk to me. She was so disappointed I was going. I wanted to be at this wedding. I have missed so many special moments in my friends and families lives, I didn’t want to add another to that list. Jennifer worked her magic. I looked at myself in the mirror, and thought this is not the same person who just had 40 eggs pulled from her hootch hours ago. Carefully I got into my dress, which had no give on the tummy area, got a glimpse of what I’d look like with a baby bump, crossed my fingers no one would notice, and off we went. The majority of the wedding, I sat, with the exception of a few photos, and by 9PM, we were on our way home, because I was officially whooped. Would I do it again for our cousin? In a heartbeat. Would I recommend anyone to pull a stunt like that ever? HELL NO.
The next day was what we call ‘Day 1’ in the fertility world. The day we would find out how many eggs fertilized. We got the call when we were out to breakfast with my parents. I held my breath and didn’t breathe until I heard the embryologist say 15 eggs fertilized. I have no idea what she said after that, I was already crying. 15 is a long way from 5. We were moving in the right direction. It was a really special and happy moment for my parents, and for Michael and I. The embryologist reminded me to take it easy, and told me there would be another call on Day 2. instead of taking it easy, I went to another one of our cousin’s final high school performance. Let me honest, high school auditorium chairs are the absolute worst chairs in the world to sit in after an egg retrieval. Would I do it again? You bet. Would I recommend you give it a shot? NO FREAKING WAY.
Day 2. I did the exact opposite of taking it easy the last two days, and I paid for it on Monday. I ended up having to leave work early, because I was exhausted and in pain, but at least I was going home with good news. My Day 2 call came and 14 of our fertilized eggs divided. Once again, we were moving forward.
Day 3 - Usually day three is the last day you get a call before your final update on day six. The 856 number popped up on my phone, and it was one of the embryologist, Katia. She told me 13 were looking strong. Two in particular already had 7-8 cells. The others were moving a little slower, but were close behind. I didn’t want to hang up with her. I told her how much I was dreading the unknown the next couple of days. She offered to call me every day with an update. I was so relieved, excited, and grateful.
Day 4. Katia called, just like she said she would. She told me we had 12 that looked really good, with very little fragmentation. She said there wasn’t much more to report, but she would call me on Day 5 to let me know if we have any early blastocysts they could freeze.
Day 5. All 12 were still cooking. We had 8 that reached the morula stage, which was really good, but none of them were at that point where she could have them biopsied, which means they needed the extra day to develop. I felt confident. 12 on day five is really hopeful.
Day 6. Our final day of telling. Katia called with the news. We had 5 embryos they were able to biopsy and send out for genetic testing. It was so emotionally relieving. I remember coming out of my office and telling my team the news and they all just circled around me clapping. I was moving forward with PGS testing, and hopefully away from ever having to do another egg retrieval again. Life was good, and there was so much to be grateful for, especially this first look at one of our future hopeful babes.
My IVF nurse Rachael called to congratulate me. I picked her brain about the PGS testing. I asked her how many generally come back. She said on average it was about 50%. This number scared me. I was second guessing whether I should of ever signed up for PGS testing in the first place. What if we transferred what they consider an abnormal embryo, and it turned out to be a perfectly healthy pregnancy? PGS testing, cuts down on significant risks, but if an embryo comes back abnormal, it’s gone. We don’t get to move forward with it, and that terrified me.
Michael reminded me to only focus on the positive. We had five embryos go out for testing. We still had one sitting on ice from our first retrieval. That’s six embryos. We were going to get something out of six, and that is a victory worth celebrating. So we celebrated.