Where we are now....

What a lucky girl!! Flowers, books, white chocolate popcorn, oh my...

photo by: Krista Faulkner

July 31st was a big day for the Pritchett family: I went in for the retrieval of the eggs from my ovaries.  We got to REACH at 10:30 for my 11:45 procedure.  At 10:45 they brought us back to the pre-op/post-op room and had me change into the standard hospital gown.  Then they tried to put the IV needle into my wrist, but they hit a nerve or something and a burning pain started shooting up my whole arm.  I was gripping the bed handrail with my other hand so tightly, trying not to cry out, that it turned white.  So they had to take it out and switch to a baby needle and put it into a vein on the top of my hand.  

At 11:45 we met the Doc that would do the retrieval procedure - Dr. Wing - one of the country's best in infertility.  He was on Good Morning America just a week or two before.  Then they walked me back into the surgery center and I laid down on the table and started talking about Pilates and how great it is and before I knew it the procedure was over and I was waking up. Bruce was awesome and was right next to me the whole time.  

After it was all over we headed for home where Krista met us with some yummy chicken noodle soup and a bouquet of flowers. Then a purple delivery truck showed up and dropped off another bouquet of flowers from Nicole and Nohel. Lastly Bruce came home from picking up Oliver with another bouquet of flowers in tow.  I am so grateful for everyone that supported us.  In the evening Sheri Manwill brought us some yummy potato soup which was exactly what we all needed after such a fun day.

The next morning we got a call from the Doc.  He gave us the good news: 10 eggs were retrieved and 9 were mature.  7 of those eggs were successfully fertilized.  Bruce said "Wow, we have 7 little Pritchetts growing in the lab."  Now we are ready for the next phase.  Thanks for all of your prayers, love and support!!

And so it begins

After several months of going back and forth about when to start IVF (In vitro fertilisation) - we have finally decided to start now.   We are going to REACH -- a leading clinic that specializes in treating infertility.   It has been a very hard time in our household as we are starting a journey that will with any luck permanently change our family forever. 

It is hard to imagine that all these drugs are going to be put into my body for the next month.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel - my very good friend Krista went through this process, and now she is expecting twins.    Thanks to her for being such a great example.  There have been moments when I felt that I have hit my brick wall, but then I see that I am still here and moving forward.    We also really want to thank all our friends and family for supporting us.  Your smiles, friendship and laughter really do make a difference.

Here's for hoping...........