Well kids, it finally happened — I had my retrieval bright and early this morning. And I couldn’t have asked for a better series of events.
First, despite my inner feminist scolding of women who feel they have to shave and wax their lady bits before vaginal ultrasounds, I decided that perhaps a bit of “maintenance” would help me feel prepared for this, and maybe give me a teensie feeling of control over the situation. And I have to say, I felt maybe 1% more confident spreading my legs on the examination table, so I guess it was worth the effort?
Anyway, many good things to report: 1. My blood pressure was shockingly low when the nurse took it first thing (like 130/82, which I realize is “normal” for most people, but is frankly THRILLING for me to see); 2. My doctor showed up early and got the ball rolling, so instead of nervously waiting, we got to start 20 minutes ahead of schedule; 3. I felt like an important celebrity when my “entourage” walked into the room — I had the ultrasound tech, two nurses at the foot of the table handling the equipment and test tubes and whatnot, a head nurse up at the top who was there to make sure I was OK and administer the intravenous stuff, the embryologist and his team on the other side of the window, my husband, and my doctor. And then the lights dimmed and my doc was all, “Where’s the music?” — seriously, I was half-expecting him to crank up the Rihanna and turn this into a party (there was definitely enough floor space to thread the needle), but it turns out he just likes having jazz play while he performs retrievals.
Sidenote: I have to say, having that one nurse in the room who was devoted to ME, rather than just my vagina, was pretty amazing. She was warm and friendly, looked me in the eye, and had her hand on my shoulder the entire time, making sure I wasn’t freaking out.
So then: I got some happy drugs to make me slightly dopey but not embarrassingly out of it (and thankfully NO Ativan — hooray!), then just watched on the screen as he stuck the needle in and sucked and sucked and sucked. There was pressure, but no major pain. I thought of Aramis because at one point I could feel a single tear rolling down my cheek, but I think it was just because my eyes were watery.
Are you ready for the final egg count? Ready? Ready?
28!
Insane, right? Because of this, I was told I have a 50/50 chance of OHSS kicking in, so I’m now taking a drug called Dostinex and following a shitload-of-Gatorade protocol that also involves measuring my pee to ensure I’m expelling as much liquid as I’m taking in. Assuming all goes well, I start taking Endometrin on Friday, which brings me to my awesomepants conclusion…
We came home from the retrieval and about 30 seconds after walking in the door, we get a package delivered. Turns out it was the box of extra Endometrin that Belle had mailed me! Hello, perfect timing!
And she even included the sweetest little card, with the sweetest little good wishes! Honestly, this whole infertility-club-members-looking-out-for-each-other thing just blows me away. I will definitely be mailing out any leftover meds I have when the time comes. Thanks, Belle! Let’s hope these actually come in useful. :)
So now… we wait. I should get a phone call tomorrow telling me how many of those 28 eggs were actually mature, and how many fertilized.
Stay tuned!
Yeah, Science! 
Wooooow ! That’s an incredible number! Hope you escape the evil OHSS!
WOW!!! That is an awesome retrieval!!!! Wonderful, just absolutely wonderful news!!
Well done, ovaries! I’m keeping good thoughts for an excellent fertilization report. :)
P.S. Having to measure your pee? IF really is the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it?
Wow! This is great news! Love the number. Hope you can flush away that OHSS!
This is one of the first retrieval stories I’ve read which didn’t include a lot of pain when they didn’t knock you out completely. It gives me hope and calms my nerves quite a bit. Thank you for sharing! So glad that everything went well!
PS: I do hope they’ll play some music at my egg retrieval. That would be awesome!
What amazing numbers!! Sending lots of positive vibes your way!
Congrats! This is such great news!
I am SO incredibly glad that the retrieval went well. And 28 eggs, that is amazing. Congrats! Take care of yourself the next couple of days and keep those ovaries happy and understimulated. Can’t wait for an awesome fertilization report!
Glad your retrieval was pain-free. And congrats on getting so many eggs. Can’t wait to hear the fertilization report. In the meantime, I’ll be thinking happy, anti-OHSS thoughts for you.
That is such an awesome retrieval! I like the fact that they played music and I’m also a strong feminist, but fall into doing the pre-procedure primping!
hoping that you have plenty to freeze.
Holy moly 28?!? That’s amazing!! I hope that you can stave off OHSS and you can transfer on Sunday.
That’s amazing! Hope you can keep the OHSS at bay! My fingers and toes are crossed for you.
I love happy things like this, things falling into place. You deserve it!!!
Whoa this is so awesome! 28! Glad it all went smoothly! Looking forward to the next update!
Holy crap…that is a lot of eggs! Way to overachieve!
Keep that Gatorade flowing, and don’t even think about water for the next couple of weeks. You’ll get to the point that you won’t even want to face another bottle of Gatorade, yet have the need to continue to drink it…curious…
Fingers crossed for tomorrow. With so many eggs to play with, though, you’re going to be in great shape. So glad today was an EGG-straordinary. Wakka wakka!
Yeah, they’re ALL about upping the sodium intake, but the weird thing is there’s only 250 mg of sodium in Gatorade and I’m supposed to have 1,000 mg extra per day. I’m tempted to just toss back a shot of soy sauce and get it all in one go…
Wow! Awesome number! I hope you get away from OHSS!
WOW!! Woohooo!!! That is fantastic! I hope you feel okay and don’t get OHSS! Thinking of you!
28 eggs is a kickass awesome harvest! I am a little jealous you got to be sudo awake for your retrieval and watch the screen. I was knocked out cold… and then given the dreaded Ativan, which makes yours truly act like an uber idiot. For example: after my retrieval I kept asking my poor husband how his “ejaculating into the cup” went. Loudly. Repeatedly. Poor guy! I’m stoked the meds arrived and REALLY more then anything hope you get to use them. Keep chugging your gatorade and rest, rest, rest to protect the ovs. Looking forward to your fert report!
HAHAHAHAHAHA… omg that is HILARIOUS! Reminds me of the recent occasion when my mother practically yelled in a very quiet restaurant, “SO WILL YOU BE HERE FOR THE INSEMINATION?” The maitre d now knows waaay too much about our circumstances.
Holey moley that number is AMAZING! I can’t wait to hear the next update. I agree this community is so lovely. I love me my crazy infertile sisters!