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Paracentesis

I'm not letting the roller coaster ride get to me this time.  I believe that things happen for a reason and that God uses everything for good.  Maybe what I go through, and choose to share and talk about, can be helpful to others.  Or at least informative to others who may be getting ready to go through IVF.

OHSS, or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, can be very dangerous.  In my particular situation, and with my background, the chances of me getting it were a very slim 2-3%.  But it happened, so whatever, we do what we need to to get through it.

Warning:  These details may gross some out.  Like me.  I'm grossed out.

I arrived at Dr. Jarrett's office this morning, with Kellen, at 7:30am.  I looked ridiculous.  Dr. J had me lay on the table, lifted my shirt and said, in his very "Dr. House" way of saying things, "That's impressive."  My belly was so hard and so huge that it didn't take him but a second or two to tell me that we're going ahead with the paracentesis (procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen).  Between the hormones and the extreme level of discomfort I had been feeling for the past three days, I was having a hard time fighting back tears and trying to relax.  I also had no idea what to expect with him sticking a huge, long needle into my stomach and having me lie there for 45 minutes while the fluids drained.  I was dramatic and felt traumatized by the entire experience.  (Oh, and don't worry, Kellen stayed in the room and even took pictures.....)  Not only can I still not look at the pictures, I couldn't look at anything, nothing, the entire time.

The first needle he inserted (painfully) didn't drain enough, so he had to take it out and reinsert a new needle on my right side.  Don't read this next part if you're already grossed out -- but, all in all, he drained 2.5 liters from my abdomen.  Here are some words that come to mind for me:  Gross.  Painful.  Ew.  Traumatizing.  WTF.


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