In the fall of 2008 we ran out of options. It was IVF or no baby for us it seemed. We had only one shot really; even with my great insurance IVF is not an inexpensive course.

We jumped into the protocol with the timelines, medications, shots and hormone craziness.

Bill was amazing as always, he was so organized, interested and helpful. He was supportive, not only mentally, but monetarily. He made it possible for me to take 6 weeks of work to cut down on stress. He encouraged me to do acupuncture and massage at an infertility specialist, because we had read the results were 50% better with acupuncture and massage. He spared no expense, and ignored no option to make it happen.

It must have been so hard for him, with 3 years of infertility behind us, and all of the tests we both had to take among other indignities. I'm not the most even tempered person to begin with (as anyone who knows me will tell you!) and hormones and 40 extra pounds did not make me any easier to live with!

He never complained, tho and was always upbeat and positive. When I was wallowing in self pity he picked me up dusted me off and helped right back up.

We did the actual egg retrieval on 10/15/2009. I was given a general which I hated because it felt scary to not be in control, but it is necessary. I got the call the next day it was successful and we had 16 eggs. I was disappointed. I had hoped for more chances. Bill was out of town on business when we got the egg news and when I told him I had hoped our number would be higher he said,

"You're not a spider; we only need one!"

(I still think that is one of the funniest things I have ever heard.)

At my acupuncture appointment I let them know and it was agreed that my acu-doc would meet me in the morning on Saturday 10/18/2009, just in case, but because I had so many fertilized eggs, I would surely go to day five.
Wrong.
We were the first appointment of the day and things were a bit hectic. The embryologist called us in and told us that the eggs did fertilize well in fact 2 more fertilized late for a total of 12)they were fragmenting and that they were going to do the transfer then (day 3) with assisted hatching because they may not make it outside the body til day 5. I was not mentally prepared for that.
Nevertheless I took my Valium and antibiotics and was wheeled into the OR again. It should have taken only a few minutes but their was an issue with the right transfer needle (!) and it took longer. It got worked out and they said it was done.

I stayed in bed warm and cozy for 3 days, I was not taking chances. Bill treated me like a delicate little patient buying me roses (a variety called Miracle) pumkins (which I love) and M&M's (which I can not get enough of).

And so, we waited.