Retrieval or Round Up?

Flashback November 3, 2010:

We arrived at the hospital bright and early for a 6:30 am appointment. Not sure why they asked us to go in so early when I didn't go into the procedure room until almost 9:30, but it was all good. I was a bundle of emotions - and certainly there was some anxiety involved.

They wheeled me down to the preparation area and explained what would happen in the procedure room. They also put a shunt in my hand so that they could easily administer anesthesia. I'd never had anesthesia before... but there is a first time for everything. I figured it would be interesting to see what effect it had on me.

Finally, they wheeled me down the hallway and into the sterilized (and incredibly cold) procedure room. They stated I should be able to communicate with the nurses and hear them through the entire procedure right before administering the anesthesia. As I said, this was my first experience with anesthesia... and I don't remember a blasted thing. The last thing I remember was telling them the sensation in my hand had improved from burning to comfort... then I was out cold for the entire procedure.

They brought me to, though I wasn't sure how long the entire procedure had taken, and informed me they had retrieved 13 eggs and everything looked great. They were going to get the eggs to the lab and then Dr. Jensen would be up to speak with us in my room. Then away I went to recovery for a bit before they determined it was okay for me to be taken back to the room where my loving husband was so patiently awaiting my return.

I got back to the room, and Rob was amazed at my alertness after anesthesia. I was wide awake and joking with the nurse by the time I got back to the room. He even asked if I remembered any of the details that they had told me after the procedure - and I spurted out the stuff they had said and that the doctor should be up to discuss things shortly.

After the doctor came up to discuss things with us, the nurse went through the discharge schpiel and we were released to go home. (I was personally surprised that one of the restrictions was that I was not allowed to vacuum for a few weeks... or push or pull things.) I got dressed as quickly as I possibly could... and didn't waste a moment in going out the door and getting home. I was placed on bed rest for a few more hours - but was up and running within a short time after eating a bagel and taking a nap at home.

The next day, we found out only 3 of the eggs retrieved had been successfully fertilized. That wasn't the type of news we'd been hoping for at all. I was kind of bummed about it - as the next best thing they could do if we didn't have luck with a transfer was for me to go back through the process of the shots again. Needless to say, I started praying to any angel that would listen that day... and didn't stop for quite a while.