RE Visit fo' real

Yesterday was a busy day. I had a Team Decision Meeting to determine of one of my students should remain in her home or be placed in foster care. I had never been to one of those meetings. All of the agencies involved, the family, and the school all sit in one room and brainstorm. This is important to note, because I scheduled this TDM during my prep and lunch (which run back to back). In the meantime, I am part of a team of 3 people that have been working frantically to get a grant application done by today. I needed to get a letter of support signed by my principal. So I had to find the time to quickly explain the proposal, get the letter on letter head, and signed by my principal. This was hard to do, since we were both in the TDM. Somehow I managed, got my children settled with the substitute and ended up leaving school about 20 minutes later than I had expected.

After construction and traffic and trying to find the office, I arrived about 30 minutes before my appointment. When I walked through the stained glass double doors, it was like walking into a movie set. Everything was done in dark wood with a slight Asian flair. The couches and plush chairs in the waiting room were modern and comfortable. There was even a giant pink glass egg on a pedestal by the front door. I noticed a few fertility god statues as well. As I sat there, I wanted to take a picture with my phone, but I didn't want to seem like a total dork, or worse, a crazy person. The bathroom was even beautiful. Everything gave off a calm feeling.

I ended up having to wait almost an hour to be called back to an exam room. Once back there, the nurse took my TTC and brief medical history. Then left me waiting for the Dr. (for what seemed like forever. In reality, it was probably 20 minutes). Dr. K came in to introduce herself and her Young Dr. Friend. Dr. K was nothing what I expected, although I am not really sure what I expected. Anyway, she was youngish, long blond hair, thin, and no lab coat. Young Dr. Friend was real young (younger than me?) and dressed very stylish. After they introduced themselves, talked for 30 seconds, they both left. Dr. K told me that YDF would be in to take my medical history shortly. I waited. Again.

YDF came in about 10 minutes later and took down my TTC history. She, too, was impressed with my knowledge. She said, "You seem very organised and even have the terminology and pronunciation correct." She made me smile. I like you YDF. As she left, she told me that the Dr. may want to do an exam today, but she may not, so hold off on changing into the robe until Dr. K comes back. Fast forward through more waiting. Dr. K. comes back, lets me use the restroom and asks me to change into the robe. THE TERRY CLOTH ROBE. No paper or gaping gowns at this joint. I love it. And it smelled like sweet heaven. More waiting. Exam was quick, I changed and then was escorted into Dr. K's office. (Again beautiful and almost right out of a movie set.)

Here's the deal: Since I have been on the met.formin for only 7 days, she wants to see how it affects my body. She said I should know in the next 6-8 weeks. Because we will be switching to a cryobank, I have to have blood work done, so she scheduled that. Also, because we are using donor sperm, we have to have one meeting with a counselor. She has one on staff. She told me three criteria to look for in a donor: IUI, Neg for Herpes strand (I can't remember the letters right now), and RH negative. All three I already knew, and even told her about the RH factor before she asked. She said, "Wow, you're good." Again, I love me some compliments. She then gave me a referral for an HSG and gave me a scrip for Pro.vera to start after she calls me today to tell me I am not pregnant (she ran a beta test while I was there, because there needs to be a negative test on file before they can do the HSG). There was a minilab right on sight with a freezer full of sperm. She has her own blood machine thingy too. The nurse told me that for the women that are on stims, they need their blood work done in a timely matter and the lab could not guarantee the time, so the Dr. bought her own machine and trained her staff. Awesome. As she was drawing my blood, I commented again about the beautiful office. She told me it was designed by women, for women. She said that since so many of the women already come into the office anxious, nervous, scared, etc., they wanted to make it as calm and inviting as possible. Dr. K is planning on putting a fancy coffee machine in the waiting room soon.

So that was my visit. All in all, I was there from 1:30 until 4:45. I even had to have B cancel my dentist appointment I had scheduled for 4:30. I thought I was going to be able to make it, but oh well.

Needless to say, I am excited. I can't wait for B to go with me next time. We will schedule the counseling appointment soon and start looking at some sperm donor profiles ASAP. I will probably start the Pro.vera today, which would put my HSG around May 17th. (Although, not that day exactly, because that is the day I take my National Board test). And fortunately, she does the HSGs at the hospital that is 3 miles from our house. Nice.