So here we are, about one month after we first started seeing our awesome doctor at Seattle Reproductive Medicine.
So far I've had bloodwork done twice, have had two ultrasounds and today I had a procedure done called an HSG (hysterosalpingogram). Labwork has come back all looking great, but today we found out that I have a fibroid in my uterine cavity. During an HSG test, dye is injected into the uterine cavity via a catheter, and you want to see the dye spread all the way out to the fallopian tubes. The first thing we saw was a little round mass that the dye worked it's way around before making it's way out to the ends of each of the Fallopian tubes. When my doctor saw it (via x-ray), she said, aha...I think this is the culprit. It's a 1.5 cm tumor that may be the cause of our infertility, and also explains my abnormal menstrual cycles.
So, I get to have my first surgery (ever) next month to have the fibroid removed and biopsied. I get to go home the same day, so that's good news, but I'll be under general anesthesia and have a breathing tube and be in a little bit of pain for a few days. The procedure to remove it is called a 'hysteroscopic myomectomy".
Our doctor then wants us to continue on with our lives and try naturally to have a baby over the next six months and see if we succeed before trying trying other options (IUI, most likely).
I still have one more round of bloodwork to have done in the next couple of weeks, I get to go in three times to have my progesterone levels measured, and next cycle I'll start back on birth control temporarily to keep my uterine lining as thin as possible for an easier surgery.
Isn't that great? Trying to get pregnant and going on birth control.
Anyway, it's bad news, but also very, very good news. Here's a very good article about fibroids.
Here at the Dobson home, we are very relieved to finally get some answers.
