And now for the much, much longer Lap update

Monday was Lap day and I wasn't nervous or scared or anything (completely unlike me).  I guess part of me hoped that by having the surgery, it would mean that maybe, just maybe, this road of IF would get a little easier for Hubby and I for the next few months.  I figured that Dr. M would go in, remove any and all possible spots of what she thought was Endo, and then bam!  Magic fairy dust would sprinkle over Hubs and I and in a few months we'd have our much-waited for BFP.

Yeah...completely different story.

The facility where I had my surgery was completely across town and our GPS didn't quite get us there.  She (our GPS) got confused or something.  Of course it didn't help that the office was on the opposite side of another office building.  Nevertheless, we got there on time and got registered and all that good stuff.  I won't go on and on about the office, but I must say that that is probably one of the best patient-oriented staff that I have ever encountered.  If I have to have surgery again, I'd definitely choose that place.

As for the surgery, I don't remember a dang thing.  Which is good.  I'd hate to have woken up in the middle of it!  Recovery was shaky.  I don't do well with anesthesia.  I had bouts of pretty bad shaking and nausea.  All I wanted to do was sleep.  Once we got home, that's about all I did.  I crashed on the couch and slept the day away.  (I had to stay up for House though...can't miss my show!  haha)  That night, I wasn't in too much pain, so I didn't take any pain pills.  I didn't sleep that well because the gas "bubbles" decided to make me achy.

Yesterday was better.  I took a couple of pain pills, but they don't really help with gas pains, which is the majority of my aches at the moment.  I was up and walking around and trying to eat a little here and there.  Overall, not too bad of a day.  Last night, I slept pretty good too, despite the fact that the gas pains were seriously horrible right before I went to bed.

As for surgery prelim results...Dr. M came out and talked to Hubby and let him know what she discovered during surgery.  He somewhat filled me in, but I know he's not the best when it comes to medical terms, especially when it pertains to the female body.  He did mention that the pictures she took and showed him were pretty cool.

She did give me a call yesterday to see how I was doing.  She also filled me in on what she discovered, and I'll do a somewhat bulleted version:

• Pre-surgery HSG showed the left tube blocked for some reason, and the right tube was spilling fast.
• During surgery - 
• Left tube appears normal.  She thinks it could be blocked at the distal end (by the ovary), but since during my first HSG they got the dye through the tube with no problem, she's not quite sure why it would appear to be blocked during surgery though.
• Right tube had some adhesions on it.  She removed those as best as she could.
• Based on what she saw, she thinks my tubes may be diseased, which she said is usually caused by an STD or PID.  Since I've had neither and she didn't see any inflammation, it's pretty skeptical that either could be the reason for my tube issues.
• She didn't notice any endo or any obvious lesions, which is a good thing I guess.
• She saw lots of good healthy eggs just waiting to be fertilized.
• The final diagnosis:  Tubal IF

So what does that mean?  Well, basically my tubes are the cause of our IF problems.  One doesn't work, and one could possibly have blockage issues.  Dr. M said that IVF would probably be our best route.  She said we're young and my eggs and his sperm are excellent.  They just aren't joining together.  She is also afraid that if we were to get pregnant on our own, and it just so happened to come from the right tube, it would most likely result in an ectopic pregnancy.  She did give us some comforting news though...apparently there are some military bases that do IVF (kinda surprising since the military insurance doesn't cover such procedures).  The cost issue is drastically reduced by going through a military facility.  The downside - the closest one is 14 hours away.  The upside - they have about a 65% success rate with people my age with tubal IF.

But she's leaving the final decision up to us.  She said if we want to try Let.ro.zole (Fe.mar.a) for awhile, then that's okay too.  We'll discuss it more at my post-op appointment.  I'm kinda leaning towards just doing the IVF route, especially if she knows a doctor at the base.  I know it's going to be a wait before we can get an appointment down there, but maybe in the meantime, we could try Fe.mar.a for a few months and see how that goes.  I'm not sure.  We'll get Dr. M's honest opinion and thoughts about it all and make an informed decision.

Plus, that will give us time to figure out how we're going to still keep this from our families.  That alone is going to be a task in and of itself.

Quick Lap update

I survived my lap yesterday and I'm a little achy today.  My abdomen has 3 nice little incisions in it and it's bruised in some areas too (not sure if it's normal or not...my guess is that it is).  The gas pains in my shoulders/neck are bearable, but I think I may have to take some pain meds to help with them.  Overall though, I'm doing pretty good I think!

The Lap revealed some stuff that I'll post more about later.  Of course we won't know full details until we have the post-op appointment in a few weeks.  For now though, I just thought I'd let ya know that everything went smoothly and now I'm in super-lazy recovery mode!

Why did I bother even telling her?

My mother and I weren't really all that close when I was growing up.  As time continues on, our relationship has strengthened (I think it's cuz I'm the only normal kid in my family!  haha).  But anyways, I decided I should probably tell her about my upcoming Lap.  I know she'd be mad if she found out afterwards, so I chose to share it.  However, none of our families know we are TTC, so she only knows part of the story.  Basically, I told her that I had to have surgery because my doctor thinks I have endo (part true).  I told her it was based on my irregular, heavy cycles and painful periods (part true as well).  She knows nothing about the real true IF reason for me having the Lap.

Ever since I told her that last Tuesday, she's called a few times to ask us if we need her to come out and help after my surgery.  Her main concern is me taking care of our two fur-babies.  I've informed her that I'll most likely be out only a couple of days and we really won't need her help too much.  I told her that most likely the worst pain will be the gas pains in my shoulder (moreso than normal since I'm such a tiny person).  I've also told her that Hubby will be home during that time and will be able to help out.  We'll be fine without her.  Not to mention that her spending gas money and driving 12 hours one way just to come help out with a few minor things doesn't make a lot of sense.  Besides, my dogs spend most of their days sprawled out on the floor sleeping the day away (they're pretty lazy).  So I think now the count is up to at least 3-4 times that I've assured her we'll be fine and she doesn't need to come out to help.  It's an outpatient procedure and I'll be doped up on Darvocet.  Hubby and I will be fine.  He has a few days off (perfect work schedule timing) and we will manage.  I love her to death and appreciate her willingness to come out and help, but I don't see the point in spending over $100 in gas (they have a gas guzzler) just to come help for a day.  Not to mention, she'd have to make arrangements for her jobs, and they could really use that money.

Now I'm wishing I didn't even mention a thing to her.  Hubby's family doesn't know about the surgery, and I'm thinking maybe we'll keep it that way.  His sister is a nurse and also thinking (if not currently) about TTC soon.  I'm fairly certain that she could put 2 and 2 together and our secret wouldn't be a secret much longer.

As for other stuff, the HSG really messed up my already messed up cycles.  My last two (since the HSG) have been 18 and 19 days, respectfully.  I'm hoping the Lap helps to straighten things out a little.  Short cycles = no O = no chance at a BFP = super discouraged/frustrated gabsy.

But I'm all set for Monday.  I've got my "pharmacy" stocked with pain meds and other goodies to hopefully help me heal quickly and with no problems.  I've contacted the surgery center and answered a bunch of questions for the anesthesiologist and feel like I'm mentally prepared for it as well.  Hubby's ready for it too.  Last night, he was preparing his lunch for work today and he said, "Guess what?  Tomorrow's Saturday!  Do you know what that means?"  I replied, "Only 2 more days until my surgery!"  to which he responded, "And that means that our chances of fertility go through the roof!"

I love my Hubby.