SIS scan

Yesterday at noon we went to a private radiology clinic for my saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) scan. It was fairly similar to any other pelvic scan to start with. We met two radiographers and they left the room while I undressed my bottom half and got up onto a table. Then a doctor came in and performed the scan while the radiographers assisted.

SIS fact sheet

This is a procedure to assess your uterine cavity and the patency of your fallopian tubes. It uses ultrasound and sterile saline rather than ionizing radiation (x-rays) and x-ray dye.

The procedure is usually performed days 5 to 10 of your cycle, immediately after your last menstrual period, or as advised by your specialist. Please allow an hour for the procedure.

File note

I reviewed A and D on 12 March. Unfortunately, the most recent IVF cycle resulted in the transfer of two embryos without pregnancy occurring. I have reviewed the details of their history since D's vasectomy in 1995 and reversal in 2005. On the four occasions they proceeded to IVF the first three resulted in satisfactory fertilisation (3:5, 5:6 and 2:3 oocytes fertilised). On the most recent occasion only 3:9 oocytes fertilised. There have been good quality embryos transferred now on five occasions, with one early pregnancy achieved but unfortunately early miscarriage.

Seeing Dr P

Today we visited the clinic after a long break to see Dr P. We wanted to talk with him about our various options and to gather more information before we make the final decision about whether to try another IVF cycle.

File note

Dear Doctor,

Re: A and D

Diagnosis:
1. Fourth unsuccessful IVF cycle
2. Primary infertility secondary to azoospermia post vasectomy reversal
3. Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, treated cardiac septal ablation, 1998 and 1999, second procedure complicated by vascular injury requiring double bypass graft
4. Allergy to aspirin and ibuprofen
5. Dysmenorrhoea, possibly due to endometriosis
6. Short menstrual cycle

Review appointment

Last Thursday we had our review appointment at the clinic with Dr C. It felt awful being there. While we were in the waiting room, I didn't want to stay. I certainly didn't want to talk about how we had failed again and how there was even less hope. Although we had always planned that this previous attempt would be our last, I am still not ready to let go of this dream, but I braced myself for a negative consultation.

Feedback invitation

Dear A and D

Thank you for choosing [clinic] for your care. As clinic manager I would really appreciate your feedback and I enclose our feedback questionnaire - and a couple of tea bags to help you slow down and take time to answer it! Thank you for your time.

After the weekend

D and I had a very quiet weekend together. We went out on Friday evening and bought several bottles of wine and hired five movies from the DVD rental shop. Thankfully, it was a rainy weekend so we didn't feel too bad about spending it on the couch. It was nice not being so careful about doing things that were good for me - though I didn't enjoy the slight hangover I had on Saturday morning!

Negative

Nurse E just rang with the bad news. My blood test this morning was negative. I think I had prepared myself for this. I have had some minor cramping today (don't know why - I shouldn't expect a period until a few days after I stop the progesterone pessaries) and I took that as a sign that all wasn't well. It would have been a nice surprise if it had been positive, but I was feeling pessimistic.

Blood and boats

This morning as I was driving to the lab to have my blood test, the radio station I was listening to was full of news about the upcoming Americas Cup race. All the expected questions - will we win, will we be successful, will this be the day - really didn't help my heightened sense of anticipation. Driving home, after Team New Zealand had lost that race, I felt myself hoping that this wasn't a bad omen. I don't normally think like that, but for a little while it felt that the rest of the country was joining us in our overwhelming feelings of nervousness and hope.

The blood test went fine, so now it's just a matter of waiting a few hours until the clinic calls me with the results. We didn't sleep well last night. Neither of us could stop all the conflicting thoughts running amok through our heads. At the moment, I simply can't imagine what it will feel like if the nurse tells me the test is positive. I think I have prepared myself for a negative result. More later.