The Plan

Last week, G and I took a day off of work to go to the doctors office. The beginning of our joint journey...

While the doctor and nurses were very educated, willing to explain in "human" terms, and warm, there was still a lot of information being thrown our way. We have about 30 pieces of paper that explain every if, and, or but about the whole shebang - but even with all of that literature, we were still a bit confused as to our next steps. When do we start the plan the doctor talked about? Which avenue are we taking first? What should I be doing? Can we have sex? (Seriously, that was a question of mine). I heard Leah Remini on a talk show once - explaining her experience with her doctor. She said "Just tell me when to do it." And that is the stance I am taking now. There's so much flying around us, I just want someone to call me up every morning and tell me exactly what to do that day.

But, we're grown ups, and can figure it out. I did call the doctor today - my nurse, actually (they assigned 1 nurse for my husband and I to deal with. This is really our "go-to" gal, so to speak.)

So, here it is folks: The first month's plan after beginning a relationship with Dr. B.

Continue with Metformin, which I have been taking for 3 months now (don't even get me started about the GI side affects of this one). I will stop Metformin 3 days prior to my HSG (see below).

10 days of Provera to induce bleeding (I have needed this since I was 18. I have alternated between provera and prometrium, but lately prometrium just hasn't been doing it for me).

3-5 days after that, I should begin. On Day 1, I call the nurse to set up:
Baseline bloodwork and ultrasound between days 2-4
HSG* to be done between days 5-10 ("Call early, these book up fast!" - sounds like a sale)
*HSG, in all fairness, sounds horrendous. Not even remotely pleasant. They fill your uterus with fluid, and it spills out at the ends of your fallopian tubes. Where does it go? I'm wondering what color dye they use, and if this will match the color that I will pee for weeks after. "Slight discomfort" my ass... I bet it feels awful. But, thinking positive, I will imagine it is like a warm bath for my insides. This also has to be done at one office in particular, or through any radiologist. My doctor warned that radiologists might not be as "gentle" or savvy. That is enough incentive for me to make the 45 minute drive to the nearest office that performs said procedure. Also - G and I will be taking a 7 day course of antibiotic beginning the day before the HSG - as a precaution against infection during/after the procedure.

Also during this time, Mr. and I have to take infectious disease screening and genetic screening at a lab of our choice (or one covered by our insurance).

Also on "our" list: Injection classes. This is where I will get to know how to mix my medication and inject it (FSH injections in the future). Can't they create a lovely cocktail that I can just down at my leisure? Cosmo variety, perhaps?

Well, there you have it folks. So far, the preliminary stuff seems like the most complicated of the pack. Once we get all of our genetic screening and baseline tests complete, we'll be off and running.

Hooray for a start. I am currently on day 4 of the Provera, and can't wait to be done so that I can get a move on with the testing...

Until something happens...