Another diagnosis.... and the best day!

*Warning, this article may contain content that could be deemed inappropriate, but since I'm a nurse, not much is inappropriate to me... so read on, but know you were warned if you are grossed out by anything I say. (really, it's not that bad, but some people think mentioning the word "cycle" or "birth control" or "ovulate" or "OBGYN" are just inappropriate.)

Diagnosis: Ruptured ovarian cyst. 

We discussed with our doctor that we would be ready to start trying in May. Dr. Optimistic said that he felt really strongly that I would have a normal cycle after this. If I had a normal cycle (you need the hormones involved in a normal cycle in order to ovulate) I could start taking clomid- to induce ovulation.

He was right, I had a normal cycle. (Yes, he's that good) 

Now, let me throw some details out there for you. We had originally decided that we would wait until Derick was finished with his semester so that we could concentrate all summer on TTC (trying to conceive). I jumped the gun in April. God put a stop to it with a ruptured cyst BUT the ruptured cyst allowed me to have my FIRST normal cycle since I quit OCP's in August the year before. Ok, so on May 3rd, 2009 I started my first normal cycle since I quit OCP's. I was instructed to start my 5 days of clomid on my CD 5 (cycle day 5). CD 5 was May 7th--the day Derick took his last final of the semester. How's that for timing?!?

CD 5 through 9, I took my clomid faithfully. Can I just say how incredibly impatient I am, and the month of May was probably the most patience-trying time of my life!!

CD 12 I was supposed to go back to the doctor's office for a check-up. I like to call this the "ovary check-up". Once again, the dang probe. By this time, I was becoming a pro at that darn thing. No more instructions, I knew the drill, gown, stirrups, bottom to the end of the table. Ovaries on the screen... his exact words were, "things aren't perfect, but they're not 100% bad either." What it boiled down to was that the optimal follicle measurement by CD 12 was supposed to be 19-22mm. My biggest follicle measured only 17. I didn't know what to think because Dr. Optimistic wasn't being optimistic. Thankfully though, he was being real.

I think it kind of helped my stress level to know that it probably wouldn't work this time. You know, pessimistic me decided that since Dr. Optimistic said things "weren't perfect" that it just wasn't in the cards for me that first month. I mean, who gets pregnant in their first month of trying, after all? So, I figured we'd just try again the next month. I still continued on with process. I figured it would get me prepared for the months ahead of trying. There was a lot of praying and my car was like my worship sanctuary. I spent soooo much time with God that month trying to figure out why I was on such a roller-coaster. I started an OPK (ovulation predictor kit) and did one every day. On the 18th of May (CD 16) I got a +. Which meant that in less than 36 hours I would ovulate. I could NOT believe my eyes.

Ok, now, I'm not lying when I say this part... the next 10 days were the loooooooooongest 10 days of my entire life. I started taking pregnancy tests like crazy. Those things are expensive too!! I couldn't help myself, they're addicting in a weird way!! When a woman decides to embark on the journey of motherhood, there is NOTHING in the world that can stop her. I was determined and crazy at this point. I didn't even care that I already knew I wouldn't get a positive for almost 2 weeks after ovulation. I took those dang tests, anyway! Of course, they were negative, negative, negative. When I woke up on May 28th, 2009 (this was at 4pm, mind you, due to night shifter sleep schedules) and took my first pee of the "morning" pregnancy test, I swore I saw two lines. The second one was just incredibly faint. But was I just seeing things? Was  it just wishful thinking after taking so many of those tests? I didn't wanna seem crazy, so I took my skeptical little, pj-wearing self, and my freshly-peed-on pregnancy test over to my friend and neighbor's house. Alicia took the test from me, took one look at it, and started screaming. AHHHH!! I wasn't crazy, it was real!! All the praying, all the pain from the ruptured cyst, all the everything!!! It worked!!! The very first MONTH!

I told very few people that day. Pessimistic me began doubting that test. I knew I'd taken a First Response (fyi, the best tests, if you're on the market for pregnancy tests and are TTC) they are the most sensitive. I had told a friend at work that weekend, that I was really doubting the tests I'd taken. Yes, tests. Because when you find out you're pregnant... you don't just take one. You take tons. Julie suggested that we ask the lab if they'd run a blood test for me.

They did.

10pm on May 30th, 2009 I got a phone call thirty minutes after the lab drew my blood for a quantitative hcg. The lady on the other end said, "Your level is 59.8, that is within the 3-5 week range, congratulations, you're pregnant!" That lady had NO idea what those words meant to me and how long I will remember them. I was in complete shock. I was smiling from ear to ear with my mouth wide open and tears streaming down my face. The happiest tears up until that point of my life (because the happiest tears would come in 36 weeks). I could not believe what I'd heard. It was true, there was no more doubt to be had. I was pregnant with the baby I (along everyone else) had been praying so hard far.

I was 3 weeks and 5 days pregnant.

one of many tests I took

I told me parents "officially" the very next day. They came up to visit us and my mom and dad both came into my bedroom and woke me up when they got there. They were sitting on my bed and I turned over and told them they were going to be grandparents. I'm not sure I've ever seen them happier. We went out to eat, at Billy Sims BBQ to be exact, when I called my sister, Chelsea, and my best friend, Tana to tell them the news. I told a few other close friends at work, and that was about it.

I called my doctor and told him I was pregnant and that I'd had some blood work drawn at the hospital. I told him what my levels were then. He said I could come in on Monday (June 1st) if I wanted, and have my blood drawn again to make sure my levels were rising appropriately. Apparently if they double within 48 hours, then things are looking good. If they sky-rocket in 48 hours... there's likely more than one in there. My blood was drawn 42 hours after the first draw and the serum hcg went from the 59.8 to 150. Which meant just one (phew!!) and the level rose appropriately!!

I waited as long as I possibly could before I announced it to everyone. That was like torture!! And I couldn't wait very long, either. I wanted to scream it from the rooftops!!!! I believe I was around 7 weeks when I told my work friends and I was 10 weeks when I made it, you know... "facebook official". I will tell you this, knowing that early on that you are pregnant makes for the LONGEST first trimester on the planet! I felt like I was in my first trimester for 3 years!

My first prenatal appointment was June 23, 2009. I was 7 weeks pregnant. And if I remember right, I announced it at work after I heard the heart beat at that first appointment.

10 week 3d ultrasound. An awesome picture.