phase 2, part 4

this morning was the last test of the fertility workup: the endometrial biopsy. this is, as it sounds, a procedure that is done in order to examine a sample of the uterine lining for any abnormalities, cancerous cells, etc. i made the hubby come with me for this one, because i knew it would likely be the most uncomfortable part of the process. in actuality, it wasn't as bad as i expected. the cervical biopsies i've had in the past seem worse in my memory... but maybe i've just toughened up. :)

we had a different doctor again for this test, but she was great: an older russian woman with a great bedside manner. she first did a regular ultrasound to, once again, check things out in there and take more photos of my ovaries and whatever else. then she explained the procedure to me very simply: after inserting the speculum, she'd swab me with some betadine, then put in the catheter and use a tube to suck out some of the lining for 15 seconds. she told me those 15 seconds would be the worst part but that was it. i figured i can handle anything for 15 seconds. and it all happened so fast, i didn't even realize the 15 seconds were happening until she told me we were halfway done. she made me keep talking to her, and totally distracted me. excellent technique.

then the nurse took some more blood. you know, as if i have any left in my body after the past couple of weeks. they're going to check the hormone levels again to make sure they've dropped, now that it's a week after ovulation. i asked her to take it from right arm since my left one is still bruised... now i definitely looks like the reason i've missed so much school lately is due to my crack habit.

afterwards i stayed lying down for a few minutes until the cramping subsided. it hasn't been much of anything since then, though she did tell me i'd probably have some spotting for the next day or so, and NO SEX today or tomorrow. then we had to make our appointment for the results discussion with the doctor. we had a moment of panic when we thought we might not be able to schedule it prior to our trip to turkey in two weeks, but finally we were able to get an appointment for the wednesday before we leave, march 9. that still seems like a long time away to me, but by then at least i'll know for sure if i got pregnant this try, and we'll know what's up before our vacation... for better or worse.

then the hubby took me out for a lovely brooklyn diner breakfast, and now i'm spending the rest of this rainy day on the couch, catching up on work, reading, and probably napping. not a bad friday. and there's nothing else for me to think about or do at this point other than try to ignore the two-week wait. today is day 20, so in a week or so i'll either get my period... or not.