The Hysterosonogram

Thank you to everyone who left me a comment, both here and on Facebook. It's humbling to have so many people pulling for me and my little ute!

I feel compelled to post in detail about my experience, as in days of yore.

As you've probably gathered from my preceding posts, I was not feeling particularly excited about my saline u/s. I was annoyed that my last cycle was so long, which delayed scheduling the test that I was absolutely certain would tell me what I already knew. And then, I was sure I would have to wait another cycle to schedule surgery, and just to tease me, my body would come up with an even longer cycle to make me wait through. All I saw was more waiting, so it was definitely difficult to muster up excitement for one short and possibly painful stirrup experience.

But by Sunday night, I was excited. Dr. M just exudes knowledge and experience, and I was so glad that he was finally going to be the one looking at my insides. The procedure was all I had on my schedule for Monday, and I was finally looking forward to it.

I showed up a few minutes early, and promptly had to wait another 20 minutes before getting into the exam room. But hey, what's 20 minutes after four months? A nice assistant who didn't tell me her name escorted me to the bathroom, where I emptied my bladder, and then to the exam room, where I was glad I hadn't brought along Erich or my mom. There would have been no room for anyone else! I hopped up on the table and covered my lower half with the paper sheet. Now, as much as my modesty has gradually flown out the window since I found out I was pregnant, it's still difficult to greet people wearing nothing below the waist--and then have those same people do things like visualize my cervix and insert instruments. Just makes me feel like I deserve some flowers or something; that's all I'm saying.

The catheterization was no picnic, but it was nothing compared to my HSG. I think the radiologist had a "get it over with" style whereas Dr. M was "steady as she goes." Much better for pain management. Within minutes, he was performing the internal ultrasound and I could watch on a little screen right by my face. Before he injected the fluid, he gave his prediction that I have a uterine septum and not bicornuate. Very little after that surprised me.

The saline felt weird, a little like peeing in reverse. On the ultrasound, the saline showed up as bright white and the walls of my uterus were dark. Dr. M very skillfully moved the probe and pointed out to me the division in my uterus. As he moved the image upward he pointed out how the two sides of the cavity get narrower and further apart as the septum broadens near the top. Then he slowed down at the point where the fundus of the uterus filled the screen. He had me note how it was solid and dark from one side to the other and told me that if it were bicornuate, there would be some open space across the middle. He told me that the two sides join at the bottom and I have only one cervix. It just seemed so clear and so simple. I know from my research that I have every reason to be extremely grateful that Dr. M is so knowledgeable and experienced, yet it seemed like any doctor should know this. Knowing that so many other women go through much more just to get a simple diagnosis like mine... well, let's just say I'm very grateful.

And just like that, it was over. I sat up and Dr. M mentioned the hysteroscopy and I was like, "sign me up!" so he asked where I was in my cycle. I told him day 12, and while he thought about that I told him that I take my temperature every morning, and even though I know that's not the best way to pinpoint ovulation, I think it's pretty clear that I ovulate late. "How late?" he asked. I told him Fertility Friend put it at day 25 last cycle. He said, "Oh that would be fine. Let's see if I have any openings this Friday." I was delighted and just a teensy bit incredulous. I had no idea it would all happen this fast! He gave me that professional smile that seemed to say, "I know how much of a difference this makes to you to have this done so soon." I was so excited but not yet getting my hopes up for surgery this week.

But after I reclothed myself and walked out to the common area, the nice nameless assistant gave me the same knowing smile and told me they would call me to let me know what time my procedure would be this Friday. It was all I could do to keep from clicking my heels. I got a bunch of PNV samples and went on my way. About half an hour later, they called me to confirm surgery for 9:30am this Friday.

I'm still just so happy I don't know what to do with myself. In less than two days my septum may be completely gone! We could be TTC by next month!

And I have learned through all this that God's time is best. Thanks to my long cycles, I can have surgery this week. Thanks to my last cycle ending when it did, I could schedule the test for just the right time to be free for surgery before it's too late in this cycle. And I'm glad I take my temperature and know that I ovulate late, and I'm glad Dr. M is a great doctor who took me at my word. And best of all, I have learned the extremely important virtue of patience.