The Dreaded Suppression Check

Today is all about Sing Songs, Suppression Checks, and Auntie Flow.

Otherwise known as the big 'S'!

After 8 days lupron injections, my suppression check is finally here. Of course, not without problems -- that just wouldn't be easy enough!

For those of you wondering, the purpose of the suppression check is to have an ultrasound, make sure I don't have any cysts, measure my lining and check my resting follicles. I also have my blood drawn to check my baseline hormone levels, specifically E2 and Progesterone. And if all looks good, I'm scheduled to start stimulation injections tomorrow -- the egg making part of the process, the part of this process that really gets this show on the road!

But my road my not lead anywhere but to a dead end or more laps around the track first:

PROBLEM #1 -- As of 8 days ago, I had an ultrasound that showed a 17mm cyst. This is very uncommon after taking BCP's because normally you would expect everything to be dormant. So this could be very bad news for me. It's unlikely that a cyst would shrink in 8 days, which makes me very nervous that it will still be there.

PROBLEM #2 -- As of this morning, AF has still yet to rear her ugly head! I stopped taking BCP's on Monday, so technically I should have gotten my period before today's suppression check, which would flush out the old and allow me to start fresh with a new lining, not to mention help flush away that ugly cyst who could still be lurking around. I've been doing everything I can think of to bring her on -- abdominal massages, feet up on the wall to increase blood flow to my uterus, castor oil packs on my abdomen to pull out toxins and help blood flow -- to no avial. I have even resorted to putting on my favorite pair of sexy undies and parading around the house in stark white pants. If that won't bring the stubborn witch to town, I don't know what will!

Dave spoke to our nurse this morning, who told him that I should go for my suppression check anyway, even if I don't get my period before my appointment. She said that we will likely still move forward with this cycle, assuming that:

- My is E2 is >50
- My Progesterone is <1
- There is no cyst >15mm

But she also said the cycle could be delayed or canceled if:

- My cyst has grown or is the same size.
- I have bad E2 levels
- I have bad progesterone levels

So of course, we're biting our nails, trying to stay calm, and coax dear Aunt Flow out of her shell with a good old fashioned sing along.

I'm trying to remember that my doctor knows what's best. But I can't help but worry that I am starting off on a less than desirable foot. That my perfect cycle is unraveling at the hinges...

But it's not over yet! I still have 4 hours to try to get AF to come out and play, as I parade around in my white pants, singing ever so joyfully, 'cyst cyst go away, come again some other day'.

Stay tuned...

And keep singing!