Surgery Day Update

I just wanted to give a post-surgery update. Everything went well, the doctor was very pleased with the outcome. He was able to remove the excess tissue and make that area level with the rest of my uterus, so it should look like a normal uterus now! I will now go on hormone pills for 3 weeks to build up the lining in my uterus and then I will have an ultrasound. If the doctor likes what he sees, we can start IVF; otherwise he might put me back on birth control for a couple weeks.

I'm feeling good, just a bit crampy, as is expected. I also cannot wait for things to not taste like plastic (this is thanks to the tube they put in my throat while I was under anesthesia).

Thanks to everyone who said a little cheer for my uterus (and my doctor!) today :)

Love, Amanda

Legally (Dark) Blonde

I'm calling my new hair color "dark blonde" since being a blonde is such a big part of my identity that it is hard for me to think of myself as a brunette. (Not that there is anything wrong with being brunette, brunettes are awesome! It's just that I've been blonde for 10 years and identify myself as a blonde. It's all Elle Woods' fault!) I had my hair dyed closer to my natural hair color because, once I am pregnant, I won't be able to color my hair for at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (the stylists were surprised by this, but I have to follow doctor's orders! I guess IVF is just that delicate of a procedure). I may keep it darker for the entire pregnancy, we'll see. At the very least, 12 weeks would mean crazy roots if I had left my hair blonde, and I'll probably already be on an emotional rollercoaster, so I don't need to worry about how my hair looks on top of everything else. I will admit that I did cry a little bit yesterday.... I like my hair, but I'll eventually go back to "Barbie" blonde, I'm sure!

Of course, since I'm not telling everybody about our IVF adventure just yet, I will be telling people who are not "in the know" that I just wanted to try going back to my natural color for funsies... it will be our little secret ;) I'm hoping that coloring my hair darker in anticipation of pregnancy will bring me good vibes once we start IVF! It's a little way of saying "we're ready, let's do this!"

In other news, my surgery to remove the tissue is this Wednesday (3/14). Feel free to cheer my uterus on :)

Love, Amanda

Oh, the waiting is the hardest part…

You said a mouthful, Tom Petty! I have been waiting for what seems like forever, but it has actually only taken 2 weeks to find out the results of my MRI, which would tell me what type of Mullerian Anomaly I am dealing with. (Mullerian Anomaly is the fancy word for “issue with my uterus”.  There are several types of them, including bicornuate and septate uteri). It took awhile to get the results because the information in the report from the radiologist was conflicting.   It said there were characteristics of both septate and bicornuate uteri.   So, my doctor sat down with the MRI film and the radiologist and determined….

….that we are dealing with a septate uterus. He said the top of my uterus looks totally normal; there is no heart shape. This is great news! Hopefully I can have the surgery to remove the excess tissue in my uterus later this week or early next week.  It will be non-invasive; the procedure is very similar to the hysteroscopy I had.  The doctor also said that he did not anticipate having to wait an entire month after the surgery before we can start IVF. Basically we just have to wait for the lining of my uterus to build back up, which they have pills and patches for.  It is exciting… and a bit scary. LOL! But more good news, of course!

Back to the MRI… I had never had one before, but a friend at work also had one a few days before me (I’m sure our insurance is thrilled!) and told me some things to expect. For example, the MRI is obnoxiously loud (even with ear plugs and headphones on). Also, she told me how uncomfortable it is to stay still and be in a tube for 30+ minutes. Fortunately mine was an open MRI. Laying down on the table and looking straight ahead I saw the tube, but if I looked up, I could see ceiling tiles, so no claustrophobic freak out! I also had to fast for 4 hours before the MRI. Why is it that the minute you have to start fasting, you instantly become the hungriest and/or thirstiest person on the planet? I was all “MUST…. HAVE… WATER”, even though I was chugging it down at 10:59 (fasting started at 11).

It feels really good to know what we’re dealing with and to know the next step in the process. In the meantime, I am going to take some of my friends’ advice and drink all the caffeine and “adult beverages” and eat all the sushi I want before I get pregnant. LOL!

Love, Amanda