Post-Op: The Plan

Today the hubby and I had our follow-up appointment with the doc to discuss the surgery results and to make a plan for next steps. I feel like it's taken an eternity for today to arrive; perhaps it's just because work has been so busy, but the surgery already feels lightyears back in history and I am so ready to move on.

First he showed us the photos from the surgery, which were really cool to see. It's amazing -- first of all -- that there were cameras INSIDE MY BODY! and, secondly, that they took this amazingly clear photos. It was like looking at space telescope photos, with all the bright colors and contrast and odd shapes that you can't quite identify. He showed us glamour shots of everything, from my cervix and birth canal and uterus (which all look Hollywood gorgeous... according to the expert) to the actual endometriosis.

Our doc said that while there was a bunch of it, it wasn't what he would call a serious case of endometriosis because it hadn't advanced past Stage 1 or 2 (out of 4 stages: http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/endometriosis/a/endotreatdiagsu_2.htm). My understanding is that that means it hadn't progressed enough to cause any major physical problems. But, as I already knew, the doctor reminded us that when it comes to endometriosis, it doesn't matter how much you have, because even a tiny spot creates whatever kind of autoimmune or chemical reaction that inhibits pregnancy (they still don't really know the exact connection).

So, as we saw in our endometriosis photo gallery, I had a bunch of lesions that just look like little black spots, and also some scar tissue, which looks more gross... like big fleshy growths. The worst of it was on my left ovary (which, I learned today, is defined by the doctor's view looking AT your body. So it's what I've always thought of as my right ovary, make sense?). There was some scar tissue on the ovary, and around the tube on that side. But it's all gone now, and both of my ovaries and tubes look healthy and functional.

The doctor said that, all things considered, he is very confident and optimistic that this may solve our "infertility" issues. He said sometimes the endometriosis comes back, and sometimes it doesn't; however, the earliest that it will come back is usually in six months post-surgery. Thus, the next six months are our target range... when our chances of conceiving are highest. His advice was for us to try to conceive on our own for a couple of months, and if we're not successful then we will move to Step 2: IUI (intrauterine insemination) with hormone injections to increase my egg production. He wasn't keen on jumping to that right away, although he said it was totally up to us. Of course the hubby is totally relaxed about the whole thing and just wants to see how things go, but I don't want to take our time too much.

Our compromise is to try on our own for two cycles. If it's unsuccessful, we'll move to Step 2. The timing of this works well for me, because it'll be summer vacation by the time we hit Step 2 (if we do), making it vastly easier for me to get to the doctor for hormone injections and insemination. And, while the doctor says I absolutely should NOT be thinking about how my pregnancy fits in with my work life, I'm not really able to ignore that entirely... and if I am pregnant before the end of the summer, I will still be on track for my ideal plan of having the baby before the end of next school year.

All in all, good stuff today. And how fun will it be to start trying again with a hope that it will actually be successful? Heck, in these long weeks post-surgery, how fun will it be to just have sex again?