Today was my FET. It was an absolutely lovely time. The clinic was awesome. My team was friendly and helpful to the point of being almost more solicitous than the front desk people at the schmancy hotel where I'm staying.
The embryologist explained that she had thawed 2 of our 3 embryos and both survived quite well. One was a bit more developed than the other, already trying to bust out of its protective shell; she used assisted hatching on the less-developed one. Both were at the blastocyst stage, which is good.
The ultrasound tech was funny and super nice as she tried desperately to locate my lady parts on her screen (my odd internal anatomy makes that a challenge), without pressing down so hard as to make my very full bladder burst. Phew.
The doctor was young, female, and also very nice. She took my warning that I have a kink in my cervix quite lightly until she actually got in there. "Wow, it's not just a kink, it's a speed bump! Oh, and there's another one!" My current theory is that, with my twisty-turny cervix, I could probably have skipped all those years of birth control pills. Those drunken little sperms would have gotten lost or given up the ghost before they found their way to my uterus. Ah, well.
They gave me photos of the embryos and I got to watch them on a TV, floating happily in their petri dish, then zoom! sucked up into a giant tube that of course was about the width of a hair. Here's something interesting: in the catheter, they put an air bubble in front of the embryos and behind them. The embryos are too small to see on the ultrasound, but when you see one, two flashes of white light land in the uterus, you know that whatever was between them is also there. Brilliant idea, methinks.
And so to the familiar "lie there for 15 minutes before you get up to pee." Then 5 people asking me where my (presumably deadbeat) husband , because I couldn't drive myself with all that V*alium in my system!. And the confusion on their faces when I say "he's home with our 2-year-old" because if I'm here for infertility ... ah, yes, secondary infertility. "Um, nope. Still the same old infertile first-timer." Oh, um, er ... "Ladies, could you please just call me a cab?"
I do so love messing with front desk people.
Anyway! I immediately shot off an email to D to let her know her embryos are still kicking ass. Then called the Mister, who had spent the day successfully exhausting Squeaker by taking him down the big slide at the local indoor pool ... 14 times. That child is a huge thrill-seeker. I love him to bits, but is it okay if I'm hoping the little critters formerly known as the Frosty Pups and currently known as the Bursting Bunnies are a bit more mild-mannered, even a bit geeky? I only have energy for one extreme sports kid in this lifetime ... [Ed.Note: D wrote me a good luck note a few days ago, noting that this was the year of the rabbit, she's a rabbit, and rabbits are the ultimate sign of fecundity. Thus, Bunnies.]
And now the waiting commences. I'm planning to lay abed in this lovely hotel tonight, calling upon room service and watching on-demand movies. Last night, I had an in-room massage that was just this side of heaven. The woman and I got to chatting, and she was totally excited about my plans for today. Gave me extra time and attention, and worked on some spots that have been bothering me for ages. I was completely wrung out at the end, and a bit sore when I woke up this morning. Took me forever to wake up, but when I finally did get going, I felt as prepared as I could be.
Ten long days to go. They recommended that I don't pee on a stick until my official test. Yeah, right.
Sending all my good thoughts and best wishes your way.
Posted by: Sara | January 14, 2011 at 07:16 PM
I am so excited to see this post (yah, I've been missing a bit in between, it seems!). Best of luck to you. I hope you are spectacularly successful.
Posted by: Queenie | January 15, 2011 at 03:35 PM
Whenever I read PUPO, I always think PUPA, or catepillar turning into a butterfly. I hope most fervently, that your bunnies are in the PUPA stage turning into little butterflies and snuggling in for a nice long 9 month stay.
I am so happy for you that you have gotten this chance and I hope that it works!
Posted by: Mrs. X | January 16, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Thinking very happy thoughts for you and the bunnies!
Posted by: Hedra | January 16, 2011 at 07:54 PM
Good luck!! Hoping very much for you....
Posted by: Shelli | January 17, 2011 at 04:57 AM
Stick and grow!
Here from LFCA
Posted by: Jem | January 17, 2011 at 12:09 PM
PUPO!!! Loved your write up on your FET! I am prepping for my first FET next month, so thank you for sharing your story!! Best wishes to you!
~Elaine, LFCA
Posted by: Elaine | January 18, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Here from LFCA! Congrats on being PUPO! Good luck!!
Posted by: LisaB | January 19, 2011 at 08:28 AM
Here from LFCA. My beta is tomorrow too. Wishing you all the best!
Posted by: Abracadabra Baby | January 23, 2011 at 01:45 PM