Today is NOT a good day

Normally my period is right on target. It is usually around every 25 to 28 days. I skipped a period or almost thought I did and for a moment I began to allow my mind to wander
and dream about the real possibilities of having a child in my arms next year.  Maybe the doctor was wrong!  I waited to get a pregnancy test because I really didn't want to know if I
wasn't  and if you know what that feels like, it is very irriating. Anyway, I got a pregnancy test and took it this morning. Guess what? My period started last night and it was a negative test.
I was so crushed I almost cried but I didn't. I just got angry and I have been so much of the day. I use this blog to track and log my feelings and information so that other women like me
can maybe use this to help them for support, but today it is one of those low moments when the one that needs support is me.

One thing for sure, this really wears you down emotionally.

My Laproscopy Stitches

One thing about the laproscopy that I had. When the doctor says to take 5 days off.. Do so!

I felt better (except for the sore throat) after a couple of days and I was able to sit up and walk around ok.  My husband told me to wait to return to work until the doctor told me to and I really kind
of thought it was excessive (I was ready to go back to work - I felt great!) until I went to work the first day.  Urrrrrrrrrg!  It was very difficult to sit up straight for long periods over a computer. My doctor cut me in four spots - on the bikini line, one slit on each hip maybe less than a inch across and one in my navel.

He complete split my belly button and now I don't have one any longer. (There goes my belly ring!)  Anyway, It felt like something was pulling on my stomach and it made it hurt until I almost had to
lay down in my chair.  That went on for about a week or so. When I would go home I went straight my bed every night to lay down.

My stitches took about 2 months to come out!

Go figure that one!

I would clean my skin and take a shower but the stitches, I guess wasn't ready because one day I looked down and it was gone.  My doctor told me that they would fall out.  I guess I should of had faith. But you when you are at work, everyone has a story. "My stitches came out in a week, mine came out in a couple of days....what is wrong with you, maybe you should call your doc!"  I called the doc and
they told me that they would be able to take them out if I needed them to but I decided to wait. It was not that big of a deal.

My stitches came out neatly, and the skin is flat again (what I mean by that is when I first had my stitches when you rubbed your finger across it, it felt like a bump, the doctor said that would go away and it did) and it healed nicely.

The skin around my cut is dark though. I wonder if that will lighten up in time.

One thing for sure, I notice a change in my period almost immediately.  I was a slave to pain meds during that time and I now I can have a period without all the pain and being so doped up.

So if nothing else happens, I do have that immediate benefit.

Looking for another clinic..

I am looking into another fertility clinic. I am in the process of switching jobs and I am leaving the area. I will be in Atlanta, GA and I contacted many of the clinics.
I just started calling..


*Note - Fertility Clinics range in price so be sure to shop around.

Example -

Knoxville TN = The doctor I am going to 975.00 for IUI procedure. (medical insurance pays for labs and meds)

Atlanta GA =  IUI (496.00 insemination, 220.00 for ultrasound) - $716.00  (medical insurance pays for labs and meds)

Difference of $259.00

It pays to shop around. Always remember to go to the best doctor at the best price. Reputation, live births and all that is important. Money is a factor, but not the only one.

*Also remember to ask about the hours. Some clinics stay open late to acommodate working adults.

Here is information regarding HSG -

HSG - What is this?

 - The hysterosalpingogram is an x-ray picture of the uterine cavity and the inside of the fallopian tubes. The test is performed in the radiology suite and involves instilling x-ray contract material (dye) through the cervix.  As the dye fills the uterus and tubes it creates an outline of the inner surfaces of those structures.  By watching dye spill into the pelvic cavity, we can determine that a tube is open.

Does it hurt?

-Unfortunately it will be uncomfortable - much like bad menstrual cramps. However, the discomfort is short-lived and the medications you will be given to take prior to the procedure will help.

(I did have a take a ibuprofen (helps against uterine cramps - make procedure more comfortable), Valium (this relaxes your tubes) and I believe a couple of antibiotics. Remember your fallopian tubes are used to things coming out of it, not going into it.)

Antibiotics - Doxycycline  - provide coverage against most bacteria commonly found in the vagina.
                      Metronidazole - provides coverage for organisms resistant to doxycycline.

What does this tell us?

- For women with difficulties becoming pregnant, the test will tell us whether the uterine cavity is normal, whether the fallopian tubes are open, and will give us a general picture of the condition of those tubes.
- For women with abnormal menstrual bleeding, the test will help determine if there is a structural problem within the uterus such as fibroids, polyps or scar tissue present.

The risks?

- Any procedure has some risks to it. When something is placed into the uterus through he vagina na dcervix there is a small chance that bacteria may be introduced at the same time and in rare instance result in a infection to the uterus and tubes.  Fortunately, this risk is small and you will be given a short course of antibiotics as a preventive measure.  However, if you have persistent pain or a fever after the procedure it is import to notify your doctor so that they can aggressively treat you before any tubal damage occurs.

- Another risk is an allergic reaction to the dye and may experience problems ranging from a skin rash to severe difficulties in breathing.

(None of this happened to me - I was perfectly fine)

DAYS AFTER MY OP

I managed to get home and I laid down. I took a couple of my pain medications but I wasn't hurting much at all. I really didn't need the medications, but I took one of each
that night and the next couple of days. What was uncomfortable was that my throat was scratchy due to the tube. I took about 3 to 4 days for my throat to feel better but
I ate lots and lots of Popsicles and that made my throat feel much better. I almost felt as if I have a sore throat.  Anyway, pain-wise it was very tolerable. I really didn't
need much pain medication at all.  I was able to walk around that night.

One thing that  I need to let anyone know is that pain medications makes you CONSTIPATED!!!!   That is very uncomfortable. That was the worse!!!
I mean, it just stops for days. Absolutely nothing. After the third day I was very concerned and I had my husband to get some medications that would make me go...
and it did but I had the urge but nothing came out... Needless to say, straining and beginning to become very upset (near panicking), I contacted the pharmacist to ask why I took
the medication to have a bowel movement but nothing came out. You can feel it being pushed to the end of your colon, but not coming out. Which was very uncomfortable.
I was then told that I need a stool softener. After I took that, it took a little while I was able to go and I felt much better.

Note: Don't buy the cheap laxative. I did and it takes a really long time to work. The pharmacist told me to duculax laxative and a stool softener. It should start working within ten minutes.