Motel Bathroom Lights

I hate them. I didn't know I had so many grey hairs. They stand out like antennas in motel bathroom lighting, picking up the voice of Dr. H, what he said to us in Portland 2 weeks ago--that my FSH was higher than to be expected for my age. Grey hairs did not bother me up until that day, mostly because I thought I only had two or three. It was especially disheartening to scrutinize, to lift up sections of hair and find grey ones, more grey ones, then move my gaze down to my face, where the side effects of clomid had popped up on my neck, jawline and lower cheeks. One shouldn't have to deal with both grey hairs and acne at the same time.

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I arrived at the motel on Monday night for a follicle check the next morning. It would be cycle day 12 and the opk was almost positive before I left on cycle day 11. Early, but consistent with how I had been feeling over the weekend. I felt more relaxed than ever during a treatment cycle because I knew I did not need to rely on that test. Huge difference from the last two IUI cycles.

Constipation. Another possible side effect from clomid? I think I have only been constipated once in my life. Horrible timing to be constipated the morning of any appointment in which someone will be prodding around in your abdominal region. At least the speculum was not involved that morning.

The ultrasound showed one mature looking follicle on my right ovary measuring 23 mm and one mature looking follicle on my left ovary measuring 21 mm. Dr A usually gives HCG as a trigger when follicles measure 18-20 mm. An IUI is usually done 24-36 hours after the trigger depending on the size of the follicles. I expected to have the ultrasound, be sent home with a trigger shot and instructions for what day to take it, and drive back up with F later in the week. Instead Dr A asked, "Can F be here first thing tomorrow morning?" He will have to be. A nurse came in and gave me the trigger shot.

F would be arriving late that night, stressed. His numbers would be great the next morning, but not as great as previous samples. It is interesting to see how fatigue and stress affect sperm samples.

The IUI went fine, with the exception of the brief awkward moment when the nurse called F by the name Matt while looking at the results of the semen wash, worrying us and herself that F was holding someone else's semen warm in the syringe in his fist. We checked all labels and then laughed.

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My lining measured 7.9 mm on cycle day 12. They want to see an endometrial lining of at least 8 mm at the time of maximum thickness in a cycle. Dr A was sure that it would be fine for implantation. I'm picking up a pineapple today. And thinking of distractions to pass the time during this two week wait.