FET #3: the details

I spent the weekend alone in New York City.

And it was lovely!

My friend (who is in the clinical trial with me... and she's pregnant!) drove in to the city and met me for dinner the first night I was in town. She lives close to the city, so I asked her to pick the restaurant. She chose this quaint little Italian place, and was it ever delicious! I got a goat cheese and beet salad to start with, followed by short ribs and braised cabbage. I also had a glass of Prosecco. My thinking was that I won't be able to enjoy any alcohol for the next year, so I might as well indulge while I can!

Image courtesy of Gallo Nero.
We had a lovely evening. We checked out a couple boutiques, some grocery stores (the grocery stores in NYC intrigue me), and then headed back to where I was staying so she could pee (she is pregnant, remember?!). We chatted for quite a while, and then she headed home. It was really wonderful spending time with her!

Dessert display case at a grocery store in Manhattan.
One of the more amusing sights we encountered....

The next morning, I headed to the clinic around 8:00 a.m. My transfer was scheduled for 9:00, and they ask you to arrive an hour early. To my surprise, they actually called me back around 8:30 a.m.

Typically, the nurses there aren't overly receptive to my small talk. I'm overly polite and friendly. I stand out like a sore thumb in NYC because of this. Yet even with all the rebuffs I've gotten in the past, I still try to have polite conversation with whoever is around me. I'm a masochist, remember?

This time, the nurse was incredibly sweet. As she took me back to the operating room (after I had on the GORGEOUS pink robe and blue booties, with matching hairnet), I mentioned that this was my third transfer. She instantly looked sad for me, and told me she was sorry. I appreciated her sentiment. We also discussed her home country, and how she misses it. Soon after, the doctor and embryologist come in.

This was my first experience with "The Wizard". Yes, that is what they call this doctor. My first two transfers were done by his colleague, Dr W. Don't get me wrong, Dr W was quite nice, but not incredibly personable. The Wizard is a different story. He came in, friendly and chatty. He told me that this is going to be the one, and that we were close before.

I mentioned that the first time it worked, but I suffered a miscarriage. He asked me if I had testing done to know what caused the miscarriage, and I informed him of the diagnosis of Monosomy X. He proceeded to tell me that it was bad luck, and this time it's going to work.

While he was prepping, he asked where I was from, and what I do. I told him I'm a graphic designer. He smiled, and asked what I thought of the clinic's logo. I told him I really liked it, and I thought it was peaceful and pleasant. He apparently helped design it. I told him maybe he's in the wrong profession (I'm always cracking jokes, ya know?). He laughed.

Then he got down to business. After the dildo cam was inserted, he turned the ultrasound monitor so I could see what was happening. He pointed out the catheter, and explained to me that he was navigating his way to the uterus. Dr W never did this for me. Needless to say, I was very appreciative.

The Wizard really took his time navigating. Finally, he got to where he wanted to be and injected the embryo. I saw the little white fuzz of a dot on the screen. It was really wonderful.

And then we were done. He told me he doesn't want to see me again, and I told him the same. We laughed. On his way out, he said maybe I could train him in graphic design. Laughing, I said perhaps he should be training me. He then said we could swap, he'd train me in embryo transfer, and I could train him in design. Sounds like a great deal for me, right?

During the procedure, he told me several times that my lining looked great (whew). And he also told me that my embryo looked great, almost as good as me. Flattery gets you EVERYWHERE, Wizard. Thank you.

And here we have #3:

Like #1 and #2 before it, #3 is a 6-day blast.

After resting for a half an hour, I headed back to my place. I packed up, and headed to the hotel I was staying at that night. It was a lovely 3 1/2-star hotel in Times Square. Excellent location! Too bad my only goal for the day was to rest!

I did ask the bellhops at the hotel if they could recommend a good restaurant for lunch. I was craving something a bit exotic, and they recommended a Thai restaurant close by. It was the best meal I had this weekend. I ordered Pork pad Thai, and wow. I was not disappointed.

Pork pad Thai

It may not look that exciting, but it was beyond amazing. I ate every last bite. And because I was having a "me" weekend, I ordered dessert: Thai Pumpkin Coconut Custard. It was quite yummy, but I have a thing with textures. And so custard may not have been the best bet. I still ate half of it!

Thai pumpkin coconut custard

On my way back to the hotel, I stopped and watched some street performers breakdancing and flipping. I hadn't seen street performers in NYC on any of my trips thus far, so that was fun.




I headed back to the hotel smiling and feeling wonderful about my day.


I holed up in my hotel room for the remainder of the day and night. I texted some friends, played Scramble With Friends with Buster, and read my Kindle. It was relaxing. I ordered pizza delivery for dinner:


That was the small! I felt bad letting so much go to waste, but they didn't deliver pizza by the slice. I also ordered a piece of New York Cheescake:

Oops, I forgot to take a picture before I took a bite...
Both were good, but not great.

The next morning, I hit up breakfast in the hotel restaurant, and took my time. My flight didn't depart until 3:00 p.m., so I had quite a lot of time to kill. I ended up going to the airport super early and just lounging. I listened to my IVF Meditation track on my iPod, which was nice.

I made it home safely around 6:30 p.m. last night.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. I thought I would be lonelier on my own, but it really wasn't too bad. It was a nice, relaxing trip.

My beta is scheduled for Monday the 7th. As you all are aware, I test early and often. At least I usually do.

For some reason, however, I don't feel the urge to test this time. I know I"m only 2dp6dt, and it's so early. But I have no desire to test out the hCG booster shot. We'll see how I feel on a day-to-day (hour-to-hour?) basis, but for right now, I'm perfectly content with not testing.

Comments

  1. Been waiting for your update! I've got everything crossed and am praying for this baby to snuggle in good! Sounds like you had a good time in the city, and what a charmer that Dr (The Wizard) was! Wish more doctors were that way. Best wishes, girl!

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  2. Congrats! It makes such a difference when the nurses and doctors talk to you and seem to truly care! I think Dr. Wizard is right.

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  3. Wow - this sounds like a really lovely weekend for a FET! So glad to hear that Dr. Wizard was fabulous to you, and you had such a nice time. Fingers crossed!!!

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  4. glad you had such a good experience! I'll be stalking:)

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  5. Wow that food makes me hungry! Sounds like your transfer went smoothly. Hoping you have great week.

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  6. Sounds like an amazing experience! So glad you had friendlier staff and RE this time, so glad your lining was "perfect", and glad our embie looks beautiful! And, so glad you got to see the sights and tastes of NYC! I agree with the doc....This IS your time!! Enjoy your non-testing time...it's amazingly peaceful to not obsess about testing!

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  7. That's great that you had such a nice, relaxing weekend. :)

    Maybe The Wizard will be your lucky charm? I sure hope so! Keeping my fingers crossed for you...

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  8. What a wonderful weekend to get pregnant!!!!!
    I hope you look back on this post as a fond reminder of how you might have had to do it unconventionally but you did it with style!!!!!

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  9. Wow, it sounds like you had an amazing weekend :)
    So glad that it all went so well and gosh.. Monday can not get here soon enough!!!

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  10. Sounds like a perfect transfer weekend!!!

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  11. Thanks for the sweet comment, we must have been reading each others blog at the same time:)

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  12. A great trip and a wonderful perfect transfer! Man that's got to be a sign. Fingers crossed and hoping that the next few days fly by!

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  13. I really enjoyed reading this. Here's hoping this is IT for you and that beautiful blast turns into a beautiful babe in arms in 9 months time. Sending warm fuzzies your way.

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  14. WOW! What a wonderful weekend! So excited for you. Praying the Wizard (LOL) is right and this is your time! I feel like it is. God is giving you a peace for a reason...hold on to that wonderful feeling!!!

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  15. I'm really happy the transfer went well and you enjoyed your mini vacation to NYC. Wow, the Wizard sounds very confident! I can't handle that level of optimism anymore, but for you I will be praying my hardest that this latest embie sticks around for the long-haul!

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  16. Sounds like it was a relaxing, smooth transfer weekend. I'm crossing all my fingers for you. Like the Wizard said this is your time!

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  17. That looks like such a relaxing few days with some delicious food. It made me hungry :) I hope everything goes well with this transfer!

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  18. Fingers crossed for you!!! Sounds like a pretty good trip, aside from being violated, but it WILL be worth it!!

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  19. I am so glad it went so well! And how lovely to have such great care. I have EVERYTHING crossed for you x x x

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    1. Oh, and that is some good looking food there too! I would love to have a gastro trip to NYC!

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  20. Glad everything went well and I am super intrigued by that pumpkin custard!

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  21. Sounds like a good weekend. I'm glad it went alright... hoping this is the one! Positive thoughts!

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  22. What a relaxing weekend! It's so nice to get the waiting started off on the right foot. I'll have my fingers crossed for you!!

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  23. Im glad you had a weekend to yourself. That will totally help your blast-o-baby get comfy. Cant wait for your tests!

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  24. Wow, your transfer was way more fun than mine! :) I can't wait to hear your results. I'm glad they aren't making you wait too long for the beta. Good luck hun!

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  25. Oh man, this post makes me want to go back to NY soooo bad! The food is one of the best things about that city - you can just eat your way through it. I love the random things you see there too - like the photos and video you posted. I've always kind of been amazed by NY groceries too. Ugh. I want to go back!

    Anyway - back to you! So glad your transfer went well, you had a great doc and I hope The Wizard is right about this time! You and I are going to be pregnant together. We just are. (I hope that's not too creepy). KMFX!!! Post pics when you break down and test!

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  26. Good luck, Praying Monday brings both of us wonderful news!!

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  27. Good luck, Praying Monday brings both of us wonderful news!!

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  28. Congrats on being PUPO!
    I can't imagine a better way to get yourself knocked up than an awesome few days in NYC.
    Crossing fingers, toes, and eyes for you!
    xoxo

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  29. Sounds like a fun trip!! I hope Monday is a good news kind of day. :)

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  30. I'm very very hopeful for you my friend. That weekend sounds perfect to me and I am so glad you had a wonderful doctor to take care of you. That embryo looks like a beaut.
    good luck.

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  31. Glad it was a good weekend. Fingers crossed for a great beta!

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  32. Sounds like an awesome trip! I have everything crossed for you!!!!

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  33. Awesome post! Waiting anxiously for your BFP FX FX

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  34. It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! The pizza might have been just ok, but it sure looks delicious. Best of luck with this cycle and I hope you never have to see the Wizard again. Or any other fertility doctor for that matter. Thinking positive thoughts for you!

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  35. I love the serenity that comes through on this post - what a great way to do it, and way to harness that peace and optimism! Good luck!!

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  36. OMG, the pizza shot made me drool!

    Glad you had a good experience and I found, after all my miscarriages, the one time I wasn't counting down the days to test and didn't even really care to (it wasn't that I didn't want to, just that I decided whatever happened, happend...) I was preggo and carried to term. I think once you just relax and except that the future will be no matter how many times you test, everything works out somehow. I just know this will be your take home baby! FX

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  37. So glad everything went smoothly. It sounds like you got to make a lovely weekend out of it as well. Crossing my fingers.

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  38. I didn't know you had a friend in the trial!! That's fun! I love the details of your trip and I love doing things by myself! I'm sure you're tired of NYC but i miss it! I'm sure this is going to be the one!

    Squish

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