Sunday, May 26, 2013

B is for Beta

Yesterday morning I woke up early and drove the 40 minutes to our fertility clinic for a 3 minute blood draw.  This would seem like no big deal, except that yesterday was our beta test. For those of you not well-versed in IF jargon, the beta test is your first check to see if all your time, effort, money, emotions, and sore bottom have resulted in a significant amount of hCG in your bloodstream which will tell if you are in fact pregnant.  

I was the first person through the doors at 7am. I actually beat the phlebotomist in and had to wait a few minutes for her to get set up. I slept fitfully the night before and dreamed varying versions of how we would receive our test results, so I was anxious to get this going. After a quick prick and a vial full of blood, I was on my way home to await the results.

Ken and I lost a lovely friend and neighbor this week. Yesterday was her funeral. I wasn't sure I was up for the service, so we attended the visitation service on Friday and offered to stay at their house during the funeral to accept any flowers/food deliveries while the family was away. Ken and I were sitting in their garage, icing down sodas and bottled water for the afternoon's gathering at the house and I was literally about to crawl out of my skin from sheer anticipation of the phone call from our nursing staff. I looked at Ken and said "I REALLY need the phone to ring, I'm not sure how much longer I can wait!"  Thirty seconds later my cell was ringing.  Oh crap, this was the moment of truth.  Was I really ready?

We aren't sharing the news broadly, but for the 6 of you who actually read this blog, I thought I'd let you in on the secret.  Our beta results were positive for pregnancy! Our doctor likes to see a number over 50 for a single embryo transfer and ours was 87. I will go back on Tuesday for a second beta test to confirm that the numbers are rising appropriately, but right now I'm not thinking about Tuesday.  I'm reveling in the fact that my nurse said the words "Congratulations Lindsey, you are pregnant!" It was a precious comfort on an otherwise sad day and I know that Carol is celebrating our news in heaven. 

This morning I couldn't resist taking a home pregnancy test. I've peed on many a stick over the past 6 years and have NEVER seen that elusive second pink line.  Seeing that second line felt like a MAJOR victory!  I know we have a long way to go yet, but right now we are giddy with the hope and possibilities in our future.




14 comments:

  1. I am just sitting here crying, crying, crying. Tears of such joy for you and your husband. And that double pink line certainly is a major victory. Congratulations my dear!

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    1. Thank you so much, Em! It's been such an encouragement to have met other bloggers like you along the journey! Thank you for your kindness and support!

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    2. Right back at you. I feel like every one of your entries lately has made me cry...all good tears. Blessings upon blessings for you (AND YOUR BABY!!!!!) today.

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  2. OMGGGGGGGGGGGGG I am so happy for you!!!!!! I got chills reading your post!!! I had to scroll down to the part where you actually shared the news (and then I scrolled back up and read the rest, LOL) So so so so so happy for you! It's wonderful reading this good news!!! I am probably halfway through the meds for my IVF cycle and of course am hoping for the same outcome as you!!! xoxoxox

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    1. Thank you so much! It's still a little surreal! Wishing you all the best in your treatment. :)

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  3. My dear Lindsey... I'm speechless (which as you know happens rarely)! I have so many emotions�� I have no idea where start!! I'm am beyond estactic for both you & Ken. The two of you are going to be such amazing parents! I'm so thankful for these results! We (myself & my parents) will continue to pray for you, Ken & the start of your family! After all that you have been through... the two of you truly deserve this! It will be truly Gods gift! I know these times are hard (beyond what I can imagine) please remember God really is watching over you & Ken. He would never leave you. It's just that his schedule & ours are typically not the same! Love you dearly... Sending prayers & hugs your way! If there is anything you think we could do... Please don't hesitate to ask. Also, I have a few other friends who are going through the same situation... Please let me know if you would like some additional friends who could actually understand exactly what you are going through. Ok... I went from "speechless" to writing a novel... lol! Now that I've written so much & crying at a table in the middle of a restaurant... I'll go!

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  4. OMG OMG OMG OMG!!! I am so happy for you! I was thinking sticky thoughts for you Saturday and yesterday, but got caught up in stuff and couldn't check the computer until now... I AM SO HAPPY! I love that you are focusing on today and not stressing about Tuesday. Enjoy this moment! YOU ARE PREGNANT! Congratulations, I am just beside myself with joy and I'm sure you are just on cloud nine. Woooooo!

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    1. Thank you so much Jess! Can't wait to return the favor and think sticky thoughts for you! :)

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  5. Congratulations! What a blessing and glorious news. I'm praying for your journey. I can't imagine the joy that is yours in this moment. Soak it up and take it in. May the Lord keep and bless you (and your lil bean). Hugs.

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  6. awesome awesome awesome. Hope you can get some decent sleep now :-) I pray the next few tests bring more confirmations of the good news.

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  7. Wahoooo! Congratulations! I just found your blog via Teach Me to Braid. So excited for you!

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    1. Thank you Marcy! Just visited your site and am looking forward to following your posts and reading your soon to be released book! Congratulations! :)

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  8. I am so happy for you - Em directed me over to your blog and I am so glad I came! What wonderful news. I totally love that you still pee'd on a stick - I was tempted to do this but I was so used to seeing 1 pink line even though I got the BFP I was still to scared. I hope everything goes smoothly from here.
    Cheers
    Tanya

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