I woke up at 6:30 and showered right away, because we weren't allowed to wear lotions, make up, body spray or deodorant into the OR (particles the air can affect the little eggs/sperms, apparently).I tried to keep myself distracted because I was already hungry. I hate having to fast for surgeries-- that's a really difficult part for me! And yes, I did eat a granola bar at 4:00 (7.5 hours before my surgery), just in case you were wondering. I really wasn't nervous before we left-- more peaceful and hopeful. I was nervous about the outcome of the retrieval. This morning I woke up at 4:00 am (granola bar time!) with serious cramping pain. I was so afraid I was ovulating prematurely.
Matt and I left the house at 7:30, giving us an extra 30-45 minutes for traffic. We had to be there at 10:00, to prep for the 11:30 retrieval. Our drive was fine until crisis struck in the form of the Bay Bridge: just as we pulled up we saw a flashing sign saying the 2 left lanes were closed. No worries, we got past Rt. 8 without hitting a backup so I figured on a slow go. And then we stopped. No one was moving.
I called 877BAYSPAN, and the nice computer lady told me all lanes were temporarily closed due to "numerous accidents". So I kinda lost it. I was crying and sobbing and just praying to God, Jesus, St. Anthony that the bridge would open-- that the emergency responders would be blessed with clear thinking and the tow trucks would get there expediently. 25 minutes later, we considered driving up to Elkton and around. That would have taken 4 hours. Not a good idea. But it was bad: people were out of their cars, dads were playing football with their kids-- people were settling in for a long back up. I saw a helicopter flying over and I'd just had it. I called my mom for more information and some motherly support. She didn't know what to tell me, but told me that she believed it would work out. As soon as she got off the phone, we noticed people running back to their cars. And then we saw two green arrows- thank you Jesus!
We got to Rockville with a few minutes to spare. They took me right back, and got me set up in my room with my gown, hair net, and booties for my feet. The nurse covered me up with a blanket so I could relax. Matt and I read an old "OK!" magazine while we waited. Then the anesthesiologist came back, got my IV set up with an electrolyte drip and had me sign the consents. Then my nurse came in with the info on the retrieval, my consents for the retrieval, and my discharge instru
ctions. The next person to come in was from the Embryology Lab--- it was Matt's time to shine! She found me a new magazine to read while Matt was gone. But then he came back :)
So Matt and I kissed and talked and got ourselves so excited for this next step in our process. And then we heard a voice from outside the curtain-- Dr. Kipersztok!!! When I was checked in I was told that Dr. Levens would do the retrieval. He did my hysteroscopy so I wasn't concerned. With Shady Grove being such a big practice, most of the operative procedures are done at their Rockville office, so I usually expect to have a different doctor doing the procedures. When Dr. K walked into my little corner cubicle spot I was SO HAPPY! To me, it felt like a sign. He reassured me about my ovary pains and said he was happy to be a part of the retrieval. I was too. He's an awesome doctor, so super kind and reassuring.
Before I went back to the OR they made me use the restroom. I got to walk with an IV cart for the first time! And then the anesthesiologist came to take me back to the OR. I walked in, sat on the table while he talked to me & put the woozy drug in my IV line (not sure what it is but boy did it feel super!). Then Dr. K came in and I thanked the OR team for being there and taking care of me. The most interesting part of this whole thing is that right before you pass out you have to put your legs into stirrups that are really high up! So unglamourous. Then the anesthesiologist put on my pulse and blood pressure sensors, put the oxygen mask on me and... then I was in recovery! I am always amazed at how quickly it goes with anesthesia. One minute you're there, listening to the music and staring at the ceiling happily and then you're like groggily opening your eyes and wondering if it's really over.
When I woke up I felt a little crampy so Beth, my recovery nurse, gave me something in my IV line and then had me take a Vicodin. I was so happy to see Matt and then he told me: we got 10 eggs! 10 eggs "and counting", according to Dr. K, who went to see Matt in the waiting room while I was still out :) I was so happy I cried from the news. I was quite nervous about having any eggs retrieved. I only had 8 counted follicles, and I know that not all follicles guarantee eggs, so I was antsy. Finding out we got 10 was WONDERFUL! Until the nurse came back and said they got 11. That's super. Not a huge number, but good enough for me. Good enough for our baby.
I was under twilight sedation so I woke up much quicker than with normal anesthesia. The nurse got me up and walking, and then I was clear to go. The drive home was fine; I was tired but didn't have major pain. I at spaghettio's for my late lunch! Then I posted an update for my friends on the Shady Grove FB page, emailed a few of the fellow patients I've grown close to online, and went to sleep.
When the first vicodin wore off I was crying from pain-- the same ovary that hurt this morning hurt again. It hurt just to walk to the bathroom. I had to wait a bit to take the next Vicodin and the pain was just excruciating... but then the Vicodin kicked in, blessedly. I was able to sleep for a few hours, then Matt and I watched "Due Date". Funny movie. Zach Galifianakis is hysterical!
Waiting to hear the fertilization report tomorrow...
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