Back Again

Okay, so I left off with my tale of high FSH/low AMH and a referral to see a reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist).  We decided on a doctor at Emory, because (1) it's a great hospital, (2) he has google-able published research on hgh FSH patients, and (3) they take our insurance.  Score!

Our first visit, in mid-September, was AMAZING.  We spent well over an hour talking to two different doctors, both of whom were knowledgable and realistic, but also approachable.  We left there with various instructions, and feeling good.

Jared was to go back for a semen analysis and bloodwork.

I was to go back between days 2-5 of my cycle for bloodwork and a vaginal ultrasound, then again right before ovulation for an hysterosalpingogram (HSG).  We also made an appointment for approximately a month later to go over all of the results.  Our specialist only sees patients on Thursdays - he teaches at the medical school and does research on other days.

So.  I went in on day 4 to get my blood drawn and have the ultrasound.  That really wasn't particularly unpleasant, except for the fact that you have to drink water and not pee beforehand.  The tech was encouraging, saying that she definitely saw developing follicles, but she couldn't tell me how many.  Follicles = Good, because one of those eventually (*hopefully*) turns into an ovulated egg. 

As I was checking out, the assistant says, "Oh, while you're here, why don't you run downstairs to the lab to get your bloodwork out of the way?"

"Um, I thought I did that about 20 minutes ago."

"Oh, no!  You have more tests to run.  We just test a few things from here."

Whatev.  So I went downstairs to the diagnostic lab and they called my name after about a ten minute wait.  I entered the small curtained off area they directed me to, and I literally gasped out loud.  There were EIGHTEEN vials on the tray. 

"Those aren't all for me, right?"  I asked the tech.

"Oh, yeah.  They are."

Dude.  I have never had that much blood taken in my life.  The vials just kept coming.  (And no, I don't give blood.  I have a low threshold for passing out, so doctors have advised against it.)  I'm not quite sure how I kept it together...or how I stayed conscious!  They tested me for every. freaking. thing. under the sun.

I left there a little freaked out, but still really optimistic that our test results would come back normal - hey, maybe the tests from my ob/gyn were a glitch, right?