Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Egg Retrieval - "12 is my new favorite number"



Okay, so first things first.  How many eggs did they retrieve?  12.  A perfect number for eggs as they typically come in a dozen!  J was the one who told me how many eggs they retrieved and I guess I have seen so many large numbers from other girls that I thought 12 was low but the two Dr.'s who did the retrieval seemed genuinely excited with this number.  When J told me they retrieved 12 I was just waking up and I apologized the number was so low but after J told me what he researched regarding ER numbers, I feel at peace with the number 12.  12 eggs on the 12th of May as J said.  Perfect.  I just hope they are healthy and mature.

Our morning started early.  We were due at the Dr. at 6:45 AM but a huge storm came through St. Louis and woke us up at around 3:00.  J and I got up and prepared for the day and talked a little bit about what was in store.  He had ER questions so I showed him a couple of blogs and I think that helped.  So we finally left for the Dr. and arrived right on time.  We were there before the office opened so we had to ring a buzzer.  We were greeted promptly by a nice lady from the OR and taken back to our room and I was told to get dressed in a gown, hat and booties.  Another nice nurse came in and told us what to expect for today and the next few days and then Dr. C and Dr. K came in and shared more information.  I felt at ease knowing I was in good hands.  Anesthesia came in and drew blood for a study I am participating in and started an IV, a kiss good bye to Jamie and I was walked to the Operating room.  I was in there two minutes tops and I remember feeling the effects of the drugs while my feet were placed in stirrups.  I vaguely remember being told to scoot over to another bed after the retrieval was over and then I woke up in my room.  The whole procedure was about an hour.  I was back in my room at 8:40.  A nurse came to check on me and told me she was going to get my husband.  He came in a few minutes later and gave me a thumbs down sign...this wasn't in reference to the eggs but rather in reference to the "collection room".  We had come up with a plan earlier that he would give me a thumbs up or thumbs down first thing indicating whether the room was nice or not.  He did very well though and the nurse said his specimen looked good.

I had some apple juice and a Graham cracker and after an hour and a half in recovery we left.  I took it easy on the sofa for most of the day and had a nap around noon.  J was so nice as to get me lunch complete with flowers and a card.  Love that guy.  His mother, Nancy, came over later and brought a card and a beautiful bracelet too.  The card read "12 is my new favorite number" on the inside and the bracelet said "dream".  It was so nice and it turns out I have been dreaming today.  I've been day-dreaming about my eggs and J's sperm in the petri dish.  Hoping they are playing nice and even visualizing a sperm penetrating one of the eggs as I drifted off to sleep this afternoon.  I hope that is what's happening.  A perfect egg and a perfect sperm playing nice and making a perfect baby.

First fertilization report comes tomorrow.  There will be either a three or five day transfer.  So Saturday or Monday is what we can expect.  I am sore and crampy today but I am headed back to work tomorrow to save my payed time off for next week when I will really want to be home and rest provided there is a transfer.  I will close with a couple of pictures.  Me after the surgery and J on a business call working from the hospital.


11 comments:

Jessi said...

12 is awesome!! Get some rest...it looks like you have a busy week ahead of you!

Jessica said...

Congrats on your dozen eggs!! Hoping for a great fertilization report!

Julia Goolia said...

eeek! so exciting, Amber!

T said...

I think 12 sounds fantastic! Other women may get more, but in my experience more eggs retrieved does not mean a higher sucess rate!

I am so glad everything went so good! Oh, the flowers, card, bracelet...I am so glad you are being loved and supported right now. You deserve it!!

Do I Have to Be a D.I.N.K.? said...

Sounds like it went well! Can't wait to hear your fert report!

Priscilla said...

A dozen is REALLY good!!!! Sending all the positive energy I can!!!! XOX

Alex said...

So happy for you and your 12 eggies!!! Sounds like everything went well - looking forward to an awesome fert report!!!

Glass Case of Emotion said...

Congrats 12 is really good. I read that 6-12 is perfect for quality. Beyond that, they may not be good quality.

Hope you have a great fert report!

Christia said...

This is such FANTASTIC news Amber! I'm so happy for you! Alas some positive progress...YAY!

Allison said...

Congrats on the 12! Fingers crossed!!

Anonymous said...

Found your blog today - congrats on your positive beta! I had to comment when I saw the photo of J on this post in his Phish shirt. My hubby and I met at a Phish show 10 years ago and I feel such a sense of comraderie w/ Phish folks who are doing IVF, I dunno why. Anyways, congrats again!