Skip to main content

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.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Mindset and Recap of Today's Egg Retrieval

Here are some of the things I think about when going through an IVF cycle after failing the two previous IVF cycles: 1.  What's on the calendar for us after 6/22 and 6/24 (the days of my pregnancy tests)?  Thankfully, we were invited up to Kellen's step moms lake house with her and my father-in-law the weekend right before, so that will be a great little getaway.  We always have a good time hanging out with them.  We're heading up to one of Josh's series in July with Katie and Brian for another fun getaway.  I've also got their wedding, and my friend Lauren's wedding coming up shortly after this cycle - including some crazy fun bachelorette parties to attend!  There are many fun things in my near future, and I get to enjoy these times with some of the greatest people in my life.  No matter what happens this month, I have a lot to look forward to. 2.  What can we do and where can we go as a family of three?  We're looking to move/build...

How I Gained My Sense of Self Throughout This 14 Month Pregnancy

I'm just over 8 months pregnant, 32 weeks and 4 days to be exact.  I really can't believe how long it took to get to this point and I still have some time left to go.  This pregnancy feels like it started in December 2014.  Probably because it basically did. It was around that time, in late December 2014 when we dove back in to the world of IVF.  I had previously spent much of 2014 dialing in hard on my diet and my workouts (for the sole purpose of "I can" and "I will" and because that's where my passion lies) and thoroughly enjoying how I felt and the body I created through all that hard work and determination.  I knew the following year was going to be devoted to IVF and [hopefully] a pregnancy.  Having succumbed to this life consuming, self sacrificing treatment before, I knew how challenging it was and that challenge motivated me greatly to make the most of myself before those days would engulf me.  My endorphins were pumping that summer.  I...

The Loss of a Dream

I just saw this on Pinterest tonight.  Yes, my Friday night is exciting.  Tonight's single parenting is brought to you by "fantasy football draft."  At least I think that's what he called it....could have been "sausage fest," serving up some franks and beans for all I know.  It's been a long day, I can't remember.  Anyways, I'm totally off track now.  New paragraph... In my opinion, this quote is stated SO PERFECTLY.  Personally, I have been blessed beyond all measure being given the opportunity to be Khloe's mom, but before that miracle happened I knew this pain very well and I am extremely empathetic to anyone experiencing this pain.  Maybe I wasn't all that great at explaining how I felt during that time - I don't recall ever using the term "loss" - but this nails it.  Spot on.  "Infertility is a loss.  It's the loss of a dream."  Until you are given the chance to live out that dream and to have that futu...