I'm so happy that is OVER! =) Here's how the day went down...

I was a nervous wreck all day long (heck, for the past few days!) so I was almost relieved that today was finally here. We left the house around 7:30 and about half way there, I took my xanax. I could definitely tell it was kicking in, but it was only .25mg so I could have used a little more. We arrived at 9:15 and Mike & I went into Reproductive Diagnostics to give the lab all our information and for Mike to do his thing.

We got called back at about 10:00 and the nurse started out by checking my blood pressure. This is where it got fun. My bp was 178/95! OH NO! I started to get really nervous at that point because I hate when it gets that high (I usually average a lot lower than that!) but I knew it was due to the high anxiety I had all morning. Plus, .25mg of xanax isn't really that much considering Mike has 2mg tabs that he can take. Anyways, she turned the lights out and I got out my ipod and started listening to my guided imagery and that lowered it quite a bit. She came in 15 minutes later and checked it again. She didn't give me a number but said that RE still wanted me to get a shot of something (can't remember the name) that helps control my pressure during the procedure. So, I got the IM dilaudid shot on my right cheek and the IM bp shot on the left! OUCH!! I started feeling really good and that is when the RE came in.

He started by injecting novacaine (sp?) on both sides of the vaginal wall. After that, Mike says he pulled out a HUGE needle (which I made sure I did not look at!) and got to business. I felt a lot of pressure when he punctured the left side but once he was in, I only had small cramps when he punctured the follicles. The same went for the right, only it was harder to get to. He said he had to go around something (I think he said cervix but I was a little fuzzy) but once he did that, the ovary was in clear view. He didn't see as many follies on the right side but as he started draining the follicles, more and more came into view. He said it was so weighted down by the other follicles so that's why it was hard to see. This is where Mike said the narcotics made me crazy. I said something to the effect of, "I'm all full of tricks" when more follies kept appearing. Goodness, he probably thought I was a lunatic! haha!

The funny part of the whole process was the "Wizard of oz" like door in the room. It was this little wooden door that they passed the vials of fluid/eggs in where the embryologist examines. She would yell in how many eggs I had... She first said "one", then "three", then "five." I was thinking she was meaning 1 + 3 + 5, etc. The last # she called out was 9 and I thought, "YES! I have 18 eggs!!!." I got crappy news though. They only got 9 eggs! :( I had double the follicles drained, but only 9 were found. Bummer! Oh well though, I got 9 eggs and they were great!!

RE said that if 6 or less fertilize, he encourages a 3-day transfer. If all 9 fertilize, we're looking at a 5-day on Wednesday. I don't really care, whatever is best for my little embies!

I've been in horrible pain all afernoon, but Mike has been great about it. He has gotten me everything I need and is being very sweet! I've been a bit irratible so I'm sure he can't wait until this is ALL over with! We start the PIO shots tonight so that should be interesting. Mike did great with the trigger, so I have faith that he'll do great with these too! The nurse was kind enough to draw circles on my bum so he knew where to aim for! haha!

I just want to say THANKS to everyone who has been thinking / praying for me over the past few weeks - your words of encouragement mean the world and have helped me get through this very difficult process!! Love you all!!