Testing, Testing...

     AHH!  The last few weeks have been crazy over here at the Granger house!  I've been getting ready for school to start back up and Drew is working on switching his schedule around so he'll actually get to see me when I start back tomorrow!  I'm excited to get the year started!  Unlike last year, I'm actually somewhat organized and ready to go!  I'm also so thankful for the amazing principal I work under.  She could have easily told me I couldn't miss contract time to have this test done, but instead, she told me she was excited for us and our new journey and would be keeping us in prayer.  She also told me she would be flexible with me and my soon to be numerous appointments in Tulsa.  Hallelujah!

     On to the fun stuff...I have been not so patiently waiting since this time last month to schedule my HSG (hystero-salpingiogram) with my OB.  This is a test that uses dye and an x-ray machine to make sure my tubes aren't blocked and to check for signs of endometriosis.  I was warned before hand that the test could be painful (depending on the amount of blockage in my tubes, if any) so I was completely nervous and scared.  I wanted Drew with me, but there were already four other people in the radiology room and they just wouldn't let him come back.  So the nurses got me all prepped and ready to go.  One nurse in particular seemed a little embarrassed about what was about to happen.  She said, and I quote, "He'll uh, plop your legs up there, insert this here, well, in there...insert this (this being a catheter) and then shoot the dye up in there and take a picture with the x-ray machine".  Or, as I would have said it, he will insert the speculum, attach the catheter, and inject my uterus with a blue dye to make sure my tubes aren't blocked.  If I've learned nothing else over the last six months it's that there is no point in being embarrassed over my lady bits and the way they function!!

     Anyway, so after waiting for the radiologist to make his way to my room for 10 minutes, it was finally time.  I knew immediately when he inserted the dye and could feel it move into my tubes.  And it HURT.  It was a strange kind of pain though, but I tensed up and teared up.  And then, almost as soon as it started, it was over.  And the big news...

     I'M ALL CLEAR!  I have a "great" uterus and my tubes show no signs of blockage.  Which means NO endo!  Yay!  Before I left, the nurse told me to be sure and "up our game" this month since this procedure has a history of increasing fertility.  I told her I doubted that my clear tubes could help my husbands clumpy sperm but we'd give it a shot (again...all embarrassment is gone out the window at this point).

     So, next step is to wait for the Fertility Center to call me with my "official" results and schedule our patient education class!   After this, we'll start our very first IUI cycle!  I'm so nervous and scared.  We only get three shots at this before they move us to IVF, but we are so, so hopeful it only takes one to get us our healthy and successful pregnancy!

Sometimes it's the little things...

     Woo!  If there is one thing I've learned in the last two years it is that celebrating the good, even if it's small, is totally acceptable and even necessary!

     Wednesday, Drew and I went and got our blood drawn.  He only had to have 3 vials...I had to have 6.  Yuck!  I hate having my blood drawn, so I thought I'd let Drew go first...he's a pretty quick drainer and was done in less than 5 minutes!  I wasn't ready for my turn.  The lab tech was really nice and talked through the whole thing.  It only took one try to find a vein (thank God) and then...I wouldn't drain.  My blood was not having that nonsense.  Eventually, after stretching out my arm and wiggle the needle a little, she got my 6 vials.  It felt like it took an eternity, but probably didn't take longer than 10 minutes.  When we were leaving she said we would have all our results by Friday.

     Well, it's Friday...and...EVERYTHING CAME BACK NORMAL!  My TSH and Prolactin levels are normal, which means PCOS and thyroid issues aren't something we have to worry about on top of the male factor!  I did some research on some things that were a little low (but still in the normal range) and I have low iron so I will be supplementing my current daily doses of evening primrose oil, prenatal, folic acid,and vitamin C with iron.  I swear my kitchen is turning in an herbal shop between all the pills Drew and I are taking!

     Now, I'm just waiting for my monthly guest to show her ugly face so I can call and schedule my HSG to make sure my tubes are good to go....and then it's waiting for September!