Code Name... Mom

Friday was my second doctor appointment at the reproductive clinic.  We arrived about 3 minutes late, but I'm such a small town girl that I never remember the insane traffic in the city - especially during summer!  As usual they got me in almost immediately.  We went into an ultrasound room where the nurse briefed us on what today would include.  Mainly, they're just counting the follicles (eggs) on my ovaries.  I was instructed to disrobe from my waist down, and get up on the table. 

The Nurse Practitioner came in and stated some "normal" statistics - and that on average a female my age should have right around 15 follicles.  I placed my feet in the stirrups (my husband had his head buried in a magazine) and she inserted the vaginal ultrasound.  Then the room went dark....

It's actually very cool.  She relayed all that was on the screen.  She showed me both ovaries, and my uterus.  All of which she stated "looked great".  I had 14 follicles total - 9 on my left and 5 on my right.  Because I was on 'Cycle Day 3' she stated that my uterus was just where is should be.  The only semi-complication that occured is that my right ovary wasn't as willing to be in the limelight of the ultrasound - she had to finagle the probe in a few odd positions to get a good view.

The next thing I knew, the lights were on and she told me I could get dressed. 

As soon as they all left, my husband looked at me and said... "Soooo... was that internal or external?".  I just looked at him and said... "Very internal... very very internal." We left the room and met up with our main nurse Brandi.  Our doctor is on vacation until next Monday so she just wanted to get us scheduled for our next couple of visits. 

Because all of these visits are directly related to where I am at during my cycle... the next couple of weeks are going to be a bit hectic.  I have to have a couple of important "mid-cycle" tests... all scheduled in the next 10 days or so.  My husband also needs to have a Sperm Functionality Test.  This is just to make sure that his little guys have the ability to propel themselves into the egg, once they are placed together.

Even though we were going so fast, it was short lived.  Ron looked at me and I just nodded.  I knew we'd never make it back home, and then back to the airport in time to catch our flight.  He slowed down and turned the music up.  We drove in silence for most of the way.  This was tough.  I honestly thought that we made it out without a hiccup.  I was wrong... but only if I knew HOW wrong.

Once we got home I started making phone calls.  I got a hold of Delta and explained the situation.  They were very helpful and stated that for a bit more money; we could fly "same day confirmed".  We went through the flights that were leaving that day and were told to call 3 hours before the flight left and reserve our seats.  The next one was scheduled to leave at ten, so that gave us a couple hours to sleep.  I set my phone alarm to go off then, kicked off my shoes and fell into a coma.

The alarm went off at seven.  I grabbed my phone, blurry-eyed, dialed Delta and got connected fairly quickly.  There was only one seat available, but the one o'clock flight had 29 seats available.  They said to call at ten.  I set my phone alarm, and once again, fell into a nice coma.

Ten came around, I grabbed the phone and hit redial.  Sure enough, there were still 29 seats available.  I felt so relieved.  I cheered, and got out my confirmation number, and read it to the nice lady.  I was replied to with "Oh.  This isn't good.  I can't change your ticket.  If you want this booked, you have to do it in person."  I looked at my very tired husband, hung up the phone and said.... "We've got less than three hours to get to the airport, park the car, and reschedule this ticket..."  Out the door we went.... once again leaving our house in a mad attempt to get to Salt Lake City....

We got to the airport and conveniently enough, caught the shuttle to the terminal within a matter of minutes of parking the car.  We walked in and headed to the Delta counter.  I explained our situation (for the 10th time that day) and she looked us up on the computer.  "Oh Dear.. Oh Dear.... the company that you ordered with online.... they just canceled your entire package.  Including your return flight.  You'll need to contact them directly.  There's nothing I can do."  I do believe that she had to pick up our bottom jaw so we could leave the counter.  I called the company, and was responded with.  "Don't you read the contract?  It specifically states that if you miss your initial flight.  WE CANCEL EVERYTHING AND KEEP YOUR MONEY."  I explained what happened to no avail. The lady on the other end concluded our conversation with - Have a Nice Day.  I looked at Ron and relayed all the information from the company.  His comment was "Well, we still have to go, so lets get us a seat on this flight...I don't care what the cost is at this point - it's my mom's funeral - and I'm not going to miss it."  Unwilling to be defeated, my husband walked up to the counter, asked for two tickets, and the gentleman started to search.  During this search, I was explaining to his what we've been through since 3:45am or so, and to try and be gentle with price.  At this point I was willing to be placed in the cargo area...

He gave us an odd glance, and asked for our previous confirmation numbers.  Then he jumped on the phone and proceeded to get approval to reinstate our initial plane tickets (leaving and returning flights) for the nominal fee of $50 per ticket.  He also got us on the flight that was ready to leave in ten minutes.  He wished us luck and we were on our way...

While waiting to board the flight, I made a few phone calls to the hotel and the rental car agency.  We explained what was going on, and they saved our reservations with a note NOT to cancel even if the company we booked through tried to. 

We stepped on board, took our seats along with a sigh of relief as the planes’ jets warmed up.  Salt Lake City... we’re on our way.

(To be continued...)