Bellies, Blood and Progesterone

I know that mid-luteal progesterone levels are not predictors of pregnancy, but I am so anxious to know what my 7dpiui progesterone reading is. My clinic is not prompt when it comes to giving me results of tests like progesterone. I am patiently waiting for their call. I'll give them until noon.

Wednesday was 7 days past the IUI (only 7!? and today is only 9!) and I was going in for a progesterone blood draw. Wednesday I was also a substitute teacher, for a pregnant acquaintance, whose class I may take over when she begins her maternity leave in mid May. I felt awkward and guarded as she rubbed her belly when we discussed the possibilities of my long term sub (why does she have to do that?). I felt cursed with infertile, bad luck as we walked and talked and she stumbled down three steps and almost fell belly first (she didn't, she just stumbled, thankfully), like I was responsible for what almost, possibly..., no, we won't even think about that. Just keep that infertile away from the pregnant women!

After school I went to the medical center in my small rural town where my RE's office had faxed the lab order a week ago. The medical center here doesn't do these sorts of labs on site but sends them off to the nearest hospital. I wished to live in the same city as my fertility center as soon as I walked in. The people at reception couldn't find the fax so they gave me an updated (faster, as they described it) fax number. Ok, this has actually happened before. I call the Fertility Center and ask them to fax it again, to the new number. Done. The medical center says they didn't get it this time either.

Are you sure? Does it take awhile? I know they sent it.
No, I don't know what to tell you. It's not here.
I'll wait a few minutes and then call again, I guess.
(Waiting)
Oh, you know what? Maybe the lab has it, I'll call and check.
(Hello, isn't that where it needs to be anyway?)
They have it, I'll have to go downstairs and get it.
(Waiting)
Ok, here it is, it was down there all along! Now just take this down to the lab.

Now I am in the chair waiting for the nurse who bruised up my arm during the drawing of hcg, from the non-doubling betas in December. The room is freezing and I can feel my veins shrinking with each second. I have an impulse to jump to the floor and begin doing push-ups. I am hoping she does not remember me. Clearly she does not because this is the exchange that ensues:

She says: Ok, progesterone! Jill! you were born in 1977, the same year as my son! I could be your mother. Do you have any kids?
I reply: Nope.
She says: Neither does my son, what is it with your generation?
I say nothing, absolutely nothing.

She is holding in her hand the order for a progesterone draw, she even said progesterone. The order in her hand has big letters at the top that reads Fertility Center.