Moving on to the next step

Last week, on my birthday to be exact, my doctor's office called to give me the results of the HSG.

Both tubes appear to be clear!!

I don't know why the nurse said one was blocked. My guess is the right tube took a little longer to travel through. Maybe it was slightly blocked and the dye unblocked it. The final report doesn't go into to much detail- just says both tubes are clear and my uterus is tipped (which I knew already).

The next step would be semen analysis- but because my DH has 2 children already, 1 with me and 1 with another person, he doesn't think his semen are the problem. Because we pay for 50% of all the tests and such, the semen analysis is kind of a last resort test!

Today I had my annual exam (hello Mr. Duck- it's been a whole year already?) and included in my exam I did a follow up with my labs and HSG test. Remember the labs I had done last cycle? How the results were all normal? Ya, Um.. No. Wrong. My results were not completely normal. My dr said my hormones a slightly out of whack, and I have a small case of PCOS. (Just as I had suspected) He is starting me on metformin, which should help even out my hormones, and eventually help us conceive. He is also putting me on clomid after my next cycle.

I feel like we have finally found what may be causing the delay in conception! I am so thrilled, and very pleased with my doctor! My current cycle is almost coming to an end and then it's off to a fresh start! :)

keep on waiting...

I called my OBGYN's nurse today, Vickie. She is so sweet and patient, even when I annoy her on a weekly basis with my phone calls! LOL. Of course because I call her so often she knows exactly who I am and everything in my file! I asked her to call the hospital and get the results from the HSG test. She said she was going to call the hospital and get the results faxed over, but because my doctor was not in today, he couldn't sign off the results. Vickie said she will get the results and have him sign them off Monday morning, and then give me a call! Hooray!! I can't wait!

Almost everyone has asked me what the next step is if in fact my tube is blocked. I don't know what my doctor's plan of action will be, but from what I have read in my research there are multiple things we can do.

1. Surgery. Everyone has asked if I will have surgery to unblock the tube. I have read that most doctor's don't recommend having the surgery if one tube is still working because there is a risk during the surgery my other tube could be damaged. Of course, I would rather have one working tube then none, so I don't think I will opt for the surgery!

2. Fertility Drugs. There is a drug called 'clomid'. A lot of people have heard of this, some haven't. Basically it helps your body ovulate. (Side effect? Multiple Births. LOL. Only a 5-8% chance.) If clomid makes my body ovulate (which it is already doing- but because only one tube could be working clomid will force my open tube to ovulate as well.. giving me a better chance at conceiving.) but my egg(s) don't release, they can give me a "trigger shot" which will make my egg drop so it can be in route to be fertilized.

3. Laparoscopy. It is like another HSG test, but it is a little more invasive, (open abdominal surgery) and they are able to see exactly what is blocking the tube and can clear it away if possible.

I will know more once I talk to my doctor and we are able to discuss the best treatment for me. So look for an update on Monday!! =)

Hysterosalpingogram's *estimated* results..

What an experience today was.

I got to Providence Holy Cross Hospital just after 1 pm. I checked in and sat with my DH in the waiting room, a bit nervous, a bit anxious, but overall just ready to know the results. Once the nurse called me into the room all my nervousness and anxiousness flew out the window. She explained the whole procedure to me, had me sign a few papers, and then informed DH he wasn't allowed in the room while they did the procedure! Both DH and I were upset, but I think DH was more upset. He left the room and I got dressed in the hospital gown and laid on the x-ray table. The nurse talked to me a bit more and then gave me the news... I won't get the results today!

I was a bit irritated that I had to wait even longer to know the results.. but after learning it's not that they want to torture me and make me have to wait to know.. it's because they take x-rays during the procedure- after they are done they upload the images to the computer and look at a 5x7 of the image. They can kind of tell what is wrong.. but they have to study the picture more to get a better idea of the results. Later in the day (after I have left the hospital) they blow the images up to a 10x13 (or bigger) and get a good look. They then write out their results and send it to my doctor. Sooo... that is why the doctor didn't/doesn't give results on the spot.

Anyways.. back to the x-ray table. I laid there, awaiting the doctor to come in, disappointed I wouldn't know the results. The doctor came in, an older guy who gave off a cold first impression. He had me get in the position like a pap smear, except they didn't have the stir-ups. He rubbed betadine antiseptic to make sure nothing gets infected because of the HSG. He then inserted a catheter that had a balloon in it.. the first catheter wouldn't work (not exactly sure what the problem was- I'm guessing it's because of my tilter uterus) so they inserted a different kind. I had told the nurse my uterus is tilted so she got out the second type of catheter just in case, and in the end that's the kind they needed. That one went in with no problem. After they got the catheter all settled in, they started to insert the dye. I tried to watch the TV screen and hope maybe I could see what was going on. That didn't happen. I did see the dye go through one side of my tube though. After turning from side to side, holding my breath while they took some x-rays, and feeling an intense pressure in my uterus area, I was finally done! I laid on the table while my nurse and doctor uploaded the pictures and kind of discussed things. Again, I didn't hear a lot of what they said. I did hear the nurse tell the doctor I was anxious to know the results. And I heard them say "leak".

The doctor left the room and I went into the bathroom and cleaned up. When I came back out my nurse was the only one left in the room so she handed me some papers and said my doctor's office should have the results in a few days. I asked her if she saw anything or could tell me anything and she kinda got a sad, uncomfortable look on her face (like when the doctors come out of the operating room to tell you your loved one died. Yup... that look!) She said from what she can tell it appears only one of my tubes is clear.

One.

All you need is one working tube. And she tried to reassure me that's all you need to get pregnant. But when you look at the big picture. The statistical picture. With two working tubes you have a 25% chance of conceiving each month. 1 out of 4 chance. With only one working tube I have a 1 out of 8 chance. In other words, every other month I have a chance at conceiving. A small chance. Women ovulate once a month, each month they ovulate out of one tube. If my left tube is blocked and my right tube is clear, my only chance of conceiving is when I ovulate from my right tube-- every other month.

I know I keep repeating the same thing over and over. I am just trying to wrap my head around it.

Now I really feel like I am NEVER going to get pregnant! :'(

I am going to call my OBGYN's office tomorrow and ask them to call the hospital and get the results. If they don't, then I will have to wait until Monday or Tuesday to get the official results. Monday/Tuesday feels like FOREVER away!!

So there you have it. There is my *estimated* results!

By my side

To help relieve any anxiety I am feeling about tomorrow, my wonderful husband talked to his Lieutenant today and asked if he could come in a bit late tomorrow. His Lieutenant approved him coming in late, so he's able to be by my side for the procedure. I am so happy about that! It means so much to me to have his support!!

The day before the BIG day..

Tomorrow is my appointment for my HSG test! Yikes! I am a little bit nervous... but mainly just anxious! I went in to my doctor's office this morning and did a pregnancy test (I had to "prove" I'm not pregnant so I can get the HSG done).. no surprise when my nurse came back and handed me the results on paper. Negative.

I wish I could say seeing a 'negative' result gets easier with time... but I think it just gets harder.

Another thing I realized today just after getting my negative results, I am coming up on my first cycle's EDD. Yup. It's been that long. I would be 8 months pregnant right now, had we conceived the first month we started TTC. :-/

Wish me luck tomorrow... I am praying I hear some positive news!!

Goodbye Cycle 7... Hello Cycle 8

Today marks the first day of Cycle 8. I can't believe we are going on 9 MONTHS of trying and no success! When we first started trying I didn't think I'd become pregnant right away, but I also didn't expect it to take this long! I am still trying to remain positive.. but sometimes it's hard to look at my charts and KNOW that we BD around the right time... and our chances of conceiving should have been high. Of course I am even more convinced *something* is wrong with me. And I think as the months go on... my doctor is too.

Last cycle I had my

*FHS

*LH

*Prolactin

*Estradiol

*Inhibin-B

tested.. my results ALL came back normal.

Next Step:

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) test.

I called and made the appointment for that today. Next Thursday, April 15 @ 1:30 I got to the hospital to have the HSG test done. This test checks the fallopian tubes for any blockage. They insert dye into my cervix and it travels into my fallopian tubes.. if my tubes are NOT blocked.. the dye travels perfectly through my tubes and spills over into my ovaries. If my tubes ARE blocked.. either A) the dyes force helps "unclog" my tube(s) or B) my tube is blocked and if it's repairable then surgery is an option. Part of me thinks my tube(s) is/are blocked.. the other part thinks I am just broken and the test is gonna show my tubes are fine. Of course I will update with my results.

I also need to go in on CD22 and have my progesterone checked. It slipped my mind last cycle and I forgot.

IF my HSG test goes smoothly and they find both my tubes are clear and perfect... the following step is a SA.

Semen Analysis. Luckily my wonderful DH has agreed to do the test. Although I am hoping we don't have to go that far!!

Welcome Cycle 8.. please bring us a BFP & a January baby =)