Air Force One
We went to acupuncture first, as I'm following the German protocol, which means acupuncture directly before and directly after transfer. I was feeling slightly nervous and very stressed-we had a huge row in our household last night (think slamming doors and hurled insults and you'd be about right) and our moods weren't the best ever. He worked on his laptop while I got needled (not because he was angry with me, but because he doesn't do needles.)
Then we went to the clinic.
The clinic was oddly silent-not many couples around, not a lot of action. We get called in to the transfer room by the Australian nurse and I get ready. I really like the Australian nurse-she's no nonsense, friendly, and easygoing. Plus? The day that they took 5 tries to get blood from my measly veins? The mild-mannered nurse looked at me and said "I'm going to go get Mary. She's Australian. She used to work in an Australian A&E. She can get blood from anything." I remember feeling slightly faint at the prospect, they made it sound like she could kick some Crocodile Dundee ass while hungover and PMS-ing, but sure enough Mary did get blood and her draw was the only one that didn't leave a bruise.
Mary asked me to undress from the waist down, wear ths nice blue sheet, and hop on the table. I did so, and she asked me if I was ok.
"Are you kidding?" I crack, just as the door opens and the RE, another nurse and the head consultant walk in. "I'm so used to undressing these days that I drop my pants if you so much as shine a flashlight at me."
I realized with horror that several people heard that.
At least they laughed.
We went through the details, and the consultant told me that I had two embryos ready to go, both of them at the 3-cell level and both grade 2.
I was shocked at how short bus my embryos were.
"No no no," he replied. "Actually they're right on target. We're happy with them. We'd recommend that you transfer both-" this is huge as they're big on advising patients to transfer only one - "but we see lots of babies from embryos just like these. Your chances are great."
Then they brought the embryos on screen, and up came the sound of happy voices. It turns out one of the embyros had just divided, and as we watched the other one divided as well. It was a familiar scenario. I take heart in the dividing happening while we watch.
So in they went, I didn't feel a single thing (my cervix is like a Hefty bag-you can puncture it but it can still hold all of your Autumn leaf refuse) and I got acupuncture once more, and now I'm home.
And positive.
And I've called in sick for the rest of the week because I hate my fucking job so much I think that the stress is just not needed. Also, Aidan's teenage daughter and her friend arrive tomorrow for a long weekend, and I just feel my priorities should be my family, not the office stewpot I know of as my job.
Liberty Two-Four is now changing call signs; Liberty Two-Four is now Air Force One!
(I know it's lame, I just thought that when they transferred them earlier. It's not a great film and I don't expect the president to ride in my uterus, although my mind is RIFE with jokes about that, I tell you.)
Am going to the couch now, for an afternoon and evening of taking it easy.
PS-we finally remembered to bring the camera. I give you the passengers of my jumbo jet:
Great news! I am glad to hear that the transfer went well. Good idea taking the rest of the week off, you deserve a little family time.
Posted by: jenny | 07 February 2007 at 03:48 PM
Very cool V, I think it would have been amazing to watch your embryos divide right there!
Posted by: Tinker | 07 February 2007 at 04:03 PM
I'm sure your passengers are enjoying 1st class amenities. I hope they enjoy the ride and decide to stick around for many months to come.
Posted by: DD | 07 February 2007 at 04:04 PM
That is so incredible. I have my fingers crossed for you (and every other part of my body too). I have a really good feeling about this time! Good luck!
Posted by: Kris | 07 February 2007 at 04:16 PM
They're both absolutely beautiful..
Hey, if they're on board the plane now, can we call them Surely and Shirley? Do either of them speak jive? Please get these jokes so I don't look like a complete tool.
Posted by: Lindsay | 07 February 2007 at 04:47 PM
Lindsay:
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines
Posted by: Vanessa | 07 February 2007 at 05:04 PM
Oh Vanessa, I am hoping one of those little guys gets a good grip in there and hangs on for a good long nine months. I'm glad you took the rest of the week off and can focus on positive things rather than work. I'm sending every positive vibe I can over to you.
Hope hope hope hope hope!
Posted by: donna | 07 February 2007 at 05:10 PM
Vanessa, I'm so thrilled to hear this. Dividing as you watched -- how amazing is that?
Rest up, my dear. Hoping so hard that this does the trick...
Posted by: Kath | 07 February 2007 at 05:27 PM
Whew!
Posted by: Lindsay | 07 February 2007 at 05:29 PM
How wonderful to see them dividing, I've never seen that before. I hope they're busy doing the same internally now.
Posted by: thalya | 07 February 2007 at 06:15 PM
How wonderful to see them dividing, I've never seen that before. I hope they're busy doing the same internally now.
Posted by: thalya | 07 February 2007 at 06:15 PM
I'm so excited that I think I'll shut my office door and do a little dance.
Enjoy your brief respite from the world!
Posted by: BeachGirl | 07 February 2007 at 06:31 PM
That picture made me a little teary....:*)
kick butt passengers! we're counting on you.
Posted by: wn | 07 February 2007 at 06:48 PM
Cool, dividing in front of you! Is that the embryo equivalent of a wave to mom and dad?
Hopefully, they'll be waving at you properly soon!
Posted by: Lut C. | 07 February 2007 at 06:52 PM
Wow!! They are so beautiful. I am so excited for you, it's truly the highlight of my day. Thank you so much for sharing the pics with us. I am holding onto hope for you.
Posted by: Nicole | 07 February 2007 at 07:35 PM
Crossing my fingers for you!
Posted by: Polichick | 07 February 2007 at 09:23 PM
They look great! Put your feet up, love, and have a wonderful weekend with the kiddoes.
As always, all digits crossed!
Posted by: caltechgirl | 07 February 2007 at 09:25 PM
"I was shocked at how short bus my embryos were..."
Good lord I know I shouldn't laugh but that is just TOO damn funny.
You'd better tell the Captain we've got to land as soon as we can. This woman has to be gotten to a hospital.
A hospital? What is it?
It's a big building with patients, but that's not important right now...
Gets me every time
:-)
Posted by: Watson | 07 February 2007 at 09:34 PM
Glad it went well. Those look like some mighty fine passengers.
Posted by: Heather | 07 February 2007 at 10:03 PM
am so excited! hope the days fly by and you rest up and take care of yourself!
Posted by: Sarah | 07 February 2007 at 10:13 PM
Fingers and toes and other bits crossed for you and the passengers. And the co-captian too.
Posted by: another sarah | 07 February 2007 at 10:56 PM
How neat that you saw them dividing again - they are performers for you!
Wishing you a relaxing 2ww - get pampered!
Posted by: hopefulmother | 08 February 2007 at 12:52 AM
Awesome news, Vanessa!!! So glad you got two great embryos out of this stressful cycle!
I hope things turn around for you now, and you get fantastic results in 2 weeks!!
take care,
Nilla
xx
Posted by: 'Nilla @ Vanilla Dreams | 08 February 2007 at 01:15 AM
I think you should take the whole 2 weeks off. Pamper yourself. Many good thoughts to you and your Very Important Passengers.
Posted by: sophie | 08 February 2007 at 03:45 AM
hoping for the best.
Posted by: becky | 08 February 2007 at 04:00 AM