live and let dye

our appointment monday went very well!  we were scheduled for 7:00 a.m.  for me to have my hsg test.  we of course arrived at 6:15 and i have to give props to my husband because although i know he was dying to say something, he refrained.  after we checked in, they sent us to outpatient radiology where we actually had to turn the lights on when we entered the office.  no joke.  when the receptionist walked in she looked at us and said "wow."  that's it.  wow.  needless to say, josh had a sly grin on his face and was completely satisfied with himself.  hey, how was i suppose to know how traffic was going to be?  my hsg was totally normal, tubes are open and uterus is anatomically correct.  this was very good news because had there been a blockage it would have meant more tests to try to repair them.

the test is actually pretty fascinating after you get past the fact that they are inserting radiopaque dye inside of you.  it was designed to check for damaged, blocked or partially obstructed fallopian tubes that can impede egg transport from the ovaries to the fertilization site.  This damage can be a result of congenital deformities, surgical scarring, or endometriosis.  the hsg provides the doctor with information about the fallopian tubes and the uterus.  a small tube (catheter) is passed through the vagina, the cervix, and into the uterus.  radiopaque dye is injected into this tube and into the uterus.  since it is radiopaque, the dye is clearly visible on a x-ray machine.  the dye fills the uterus and flows back through the fallopian tubes.  sequential x-rays are taken and if there is a tubal obstruction, or complete blockage, the dye is stopped at that point and is seen on x-ray.  likewise, abnormalities in the uterus, such as fibroids and polyps, can often be seen.  I have included a picture below to give you an idea of what it looks like.  the black triangle is the dye in the uterus and the squiggly lines out to the side is the dye in the fallopian tubes.

while sitting there in the doctor's office waiting for them to take me back I was once again fascinated by the relationship that josh and i have.  i am sitting there in my hospital robe all wrapped up in warm blankets (they really do take good care of their patients) not freaking out, but definitely experiencing some nervous energy  and I look over at josh who is reading a book on composting.  i am about to have this crazy procedure and he is brushing up on his composting techniques.  i couldn't help but laugh at the strange way our relationship works.  we really do seem to balance each other out.

things are pretty relaxed until april 20th when i go in for my suppression appointment.  they will do another ultrasound to confirm that my ovaries are adequately suppressed and if they are satisfied with the result i will begin hormone injections the next day.  this is where things get interesting.  if i haven't said it already, i will apologize in advance for my behavior...i assure you it will be completely out of my control:)

i have been officially without wine for 5 days now and have only had a few diet cokes over the past week.  i am technically allowed one glass of wine per evening, but honestly i think that is worse than not having any.  besides, their idea of a "glass" of wine is much different than mine.  it really hasn't been that bad, i actually went to the winery last night with emily and it was a lot of fun!  picturing our twin babies certainly makes it a lot easier to abstain.

anyway, josh and i both are very excited to get this process underway.  it finally feels like things are beginning to happen.  i don't know if i will have much to report over the next few weeks but if i get any new information i will be sure to post.  i hope everyone one is enjoying this lovely spring weather, i know we are!