I'm Drained! (Ha! I made a funny....see below!)

First, thanks everyone for your calls, emails and "just checking in" efforts. Some days are harder than others and a few days this week have been particularly challenging...thank goodness for good family and friends.

We're officially underway to IVF. We met with Dr. R on Wednesday and loved him. He's our guy for IVF. He agreed that we both needed "some" blood work done. Some more than others, but I'll get to that. We talked with him for an hour and the rest of his staff for another hour. I had an ultrasound today (no appointment, just whenever I could make it)...the receptionist looked up as I walked in and without hesitation said "Hey Olivia - we'll take you back in just a minute." One minute later, the coolest nurse every (the one I talked on the phone when I made the appointment), cracked a joke as she called me back. I feel so much better.

So about the blood. Michael and I went in to Quest this morning. His lab slip had 1 item. Mine had about 25 items. Michael goes first because I'm so nervous (I haaattteee needles, especially the blood draw kind. I usually semi-pass out. I even passed out smelling-salts and all when I had my work TB test at work. It's weird, I know.) Anyhoo, Mike does fine. My turn. I sit in the chair and the Phlebotomist starts adding my draws into the computer. She is amazed to see a second page...but keeps typing. Then she can't figure out how to get all the items to print to go on the vial draws. Cut to the second Phlebotomist that comes in and takes charge...but not before she asks me how much I weigh because she's concerned about how much blood they are about to take. Cue Olivia sinking in the chair and looking at Michael like "get me out of here!". He just says "it will be OK, what's the big deal?". I'm like "duh, I'm scared to death!"

So, "take charge Phlebotomist" comes over, we talk about my Raynaud's disease, she sees a good vein, and boom she's in. The other lady starts counting vials, aloud. At 10 the "take charge" lady says "don't count out loud" because she knows I'm about to cry, blow up or hit her. Fast forward 6 minutes later, 25...that's right 25 vials of blood later, she finishes. She couldn't have been better - 1st stick, kept it moving, caring and smart. They filled up a gallon size zip lock bag with the blood draws. I still can't believe I lived. :)

Michael did have to drive me to breakfast because I was fasting, drained of blood and totally in shock...1) because they drew so much 2) because I lived through it and didn't pass out. After breakfast I felt better, drove myself to my ultrasound, got a good report, packed for Burton, TX and hit the road by noon.

I'm pretty darn pooped right now, but feel encouraged that if I can get through this that I can get through the injections and such.

Oh, right as for the update - everything looks good so far. I start birth-control today, have a saline sonogram week after next and start injectables in mid-July. So we're looking at a 8 week process. My lab work will come in pieces throughout. We're moving forward as though everything will come back great and if it doesn't we'll regroup, address the issue and continue to move forward.

I'm keeping my eye on the prize. With all this medical stuff it is so easy to get distracted by the chase of "achieving". Michael and I talked baby names today, something I haven't let myself do in a while. I keep picturing that beautiful baby that I just know is waiting for us and this all seems/is VERY worth it. Taking the easy route is soooo over-rated! :)