It’s been two weeks since I last saw my infertility specialist and exactly two weeks since my egg retrieval, D&C, and laparoscopy. With the exception of the postponed embryo transfer, things have been progressing with the in vitro fertilization efforts.

Today was my post-op follow-up where my fast-talking doc briefed us on the results of the procedure as well as what was in store for the upcoming months in under five minutes. Here’s a summary:

First and foremost, it’s not cancer! THANK GOD! Initially, when he saw the abnormal lining on the ultrasound — which prompted the postponement of the embryo transfer — he said there was a slight chance that it could be a pre-cancerous lesion. The biopsy came back clean. To be honest, there were moments when the very thought of a battle with cancer scared the living daylights out of me. Being the natural born worry wart that I am, my mind reeled about the treatments, the recovery, the challenges, and the possibility of death at such a young age and what it would do to my loved ones left behind. When I had the presence of mind to stop dwelling on such thoughts, I prayed and asked, of course, that it wasn’t cancer — but also for comfort and peace about all the uncertainties I was facing. And guess what? God answered my prayers. After a night of silent tears on my pillow and a releasing of the troubles that weighed heavily on my mind, I awakened unburdened and unworried about the future.

The abnormalities were caused by polyps, which were removed during the D&C. Good news! Now, he just has to monitor the lining and hope that there won’t be too much scar tissue as a result of the D&C.

He put me back on birth control pills, which I will continue taking until November. He will let me go through a normal cycle before preparing me for the embryo transfer in January. Over the next few months, he will continue to monitor the lining.

They were able to successfully fertilize 6 of the 8 eggs that they retrieved. He said 6 isn’t “a whole lot,” but he believes they will be sufficient for one IVF attempt. They will “thaw” 3 embryos at a time, but possibly all 6 will need to be thawed, depending on the health/quality of the embryos.

Another hurdle crossed. Now, to keep that lining looking good, the body healthy, and prayers for a successful embryo transfer in January 2008. Looks like an October baby! If the timing is right, maybe the baby will be born on Hubby’s birthday (October 9)!

I have a lot to be thankful for and praise God for getting me this far! I’m depending on Him for the rest of the journey as well.

It was my first time to the Pearl City Hongwanji and will certainly not be my last. The food selection was quite good and the abundance of yummy baked goods made this a choice bon dance for any gourmand hungry for some local-style home cooking.

As a hard-core Uchinanchu, I’m always in search of bon dances that offer Okinawan dancing. The Pearl City Hongwanji featured the Young Okinawans of Hawaii (YOH), bringing with them a few new songs to add to their repertoire. There was a rendition of “Dancin’ in the Moonlight” (click to hear the song) and a song that sounded strangely like the limbo song, complete with swinging hips and a spirited “woooooooooo!” Being the purist that I am, these modern, very un-Okinawan tunes will take some time to get accustomed to.

You never know who you’re going to run into at the bon dances. On Saturday, we had a serendipitous reunion of sorts — running into a few BBS friends from nearly a decade ago! We’re talking about the days of 2400 baud modems (14.4 if you were blazing!) and text-only multi-player online games. To add to the hilarity, when I spotted them, the first names that popped in my head were not their real names, but their online handles. It took me more than a moment to recall their IRL names! I’m sure their first thought was “Tanuki,” too — and not “Donna.”

Ahh, another great evening of bon dancing. The end of the bon dance season is quickly approaching and it makes me realize that the summer is so fleeting…

We picked up an essential oil reed diffuser today at Borders ($19.99 USD) and I totally love it! So much so that I’ve been scouring the Internet for instructions on how to make this myself. So far, I’ve only come across one website that is very specific on the proportions for oils and ingredients to use. I may use this as a launching point, but I was wondering if anyone else knows of other sites that provide instructions on DIY projects like this using essential oils and herbs? I think it’s a much safer alternative to harsh chemicals and if I can make it myself it’ll be cheaper than buying it ready-made at retail.

First of all, I am happy to report that the procedure went well and that there were no complications resulting from the egg retrieval, D&C, and hysteroscopy. I tolerated the general anesthesia well and I had no post-procedure nausea, as can sometimes be the case. In fact, after they released me from the recovery room, we made a beeline for Zippy’s and I had vegetarian chili with rice, macaroni salad, a piece of carrot cake, and two glasses of iced tea.

This morning, the doctor’s office called to let us know that of the eight eggs that were retrieved, six of them were successfully fertilized and frozen. So, now we have six snowflakes awaiting transfer! Due to my abnormal lining, they will monitor it and will be shooting for an embryo transfer in December. That would make our snowflake a September baby — like me!

No word on the biopsy of my lining yet, but the nurse assured me that the doctor would go over everything during my post-procedure follow-up in two weeks. I assume that if I don’t hear from them sooner than that, that it’s not cancer.

Thanks to everyone who has been thinking about me and praying for me. Now, I have four months to whip myself into shape for pregnancy and get ready for my sextuplets! (kidding!)

I’m getting accustomed to beginning my days with a long commute to Kapiolani Hospital and winding my way up to the top floor of their congested parking garage nearly every morning. A handshake from the doc, ultrasound, and a blood test. Rinse, repeat. This all seems to be quite routine these days. Today was no exception, but perhaps this will be the last time for a while. The doc decided that I’m ready to be triggered.

He took longer with the ultrasound today, measuring all of the promising candidates for the egg retrieval while two nurses stood by: one recording the measurements in my chart while the other looked on. Being bare from the waist down hardly bothers me these days. I guess you can say it’s old hat now.

He recommended one last shot of Follistim at 4:00 p.m. today and instructed me to take the hCG intramuscular shot tonight at 10:00 p.m. sharp. Apparently, everything is timing when it comes to IVF. I am scheduled for the egg retrieval, D&C, and hysteroscopy at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Going under general anesthesia is always a little nerve wracking for me and this time makes my fourth time in as many years.

I have always said that this IVF process can only be taken one step at a time, and it is so true. Now, it’s time to pray that the eggs can be retrieved, then fertilized successfully. A few days after the retrieval, they will let us know how many Snowflakes we have.

Then, there’s the matter of my abnormal lining…

One. Step. At. A. Time.

The day began with another visit to the doc, another ultrasound and yet another blood test. Oh, and of course, my three 5:00 am injections administered by the Fabulous Hubby.

It was “bottoms off” again and the doc said that my uterine lining still looks “crazy” and very surprising, considering my age, but my eggs continue to look good. The course of action remains the same: do the egg retrieval this week, then the transfer in a few months. With some clarification, I now understand that the eggs will be fertilized prior to being frozen, which will make our child a “snowflake baby.” Hubby and I half-joked that perhaps we should name our child “Yuki” if it’s a girl and “Yukio” if it’s a boy. (”Yuki” means snow in Japanese.)

The cryogenics will cost us an additional $900 and some change, adding to our ever-increasing IVF tab. Among the many issues I have been bothered about lately is the financial aspect of the process and how they really ought to provide some kind of money-back guarantee. After all, an unsuccessful IVF attempt would be bad enough, but I’m sure being slapped with a huge medical bill on top of that is like adding insult to injury. But, I know that’s not realistic and that even doctors that call me a pain in the okole need to get paid, too.

So, if tomorrow’s ultrasound and blood test look good, I will be triggered for ovulation with hCG tomorrow night. That means an intramuscular shot in the buttocks on the agenda.

Now that’s going to be a real pain in the arse.