Positivity

This morning we returned to the hospital for a consultation with our gynaecologist to hear his interpretation of the results of the recent tests that Flo has undertaken.

He started off a little scathing, since he wasn't too happy that a registrar had performed the ultrasound last week, but after making his point he settled down and started to get to the point. Although the results of the last ultrasound weren't great, with only three follicles observed, he concurred that Flo's results for the hormone tests were consistently (over a two month period) "fair". We've kind of become accustomed to his parlance and quickly translated the term "fair" as meaning "average" or "typical". Coming from a position of "poor" and "borderline", this felt like a little triumph in my mind.

So, hormone levels look OK, number of follicles looks is a bit low, but the overall outlook is "fair". The gynaecologist actually seemed to encourage us to commence a "natural cycle selection" protocol, indicating that the rate at which Flo is currently liberating egg cells may be in a temporary trough and could at any time pick up and return to "normal". He stressed on several occassions that, although it's statistically preferable to have lots of eggs, he's had several successful attempts with women who have only produced a single egg and gone on to give birth.

So... now we start natural cycle selection. On the third day of Flo's menstrual cycle, her hormone levels will be tested and an ultrasound will be performed. If the hormone levels look good and there's a reasonable amount of good looking follicles (three seems to be the magic number), then let the ICSI commence! Otherwise, we wait 'til the next month and try again then.

Well... it's good news. But at the same time, it's a bit disappointing since we feel that we've just lost six months while the hospital convinces itself that it's worth continuing to treat us. But let's be positive... it's good news and even better, our gynaecologist now seems to be enthusiastic (well, as much as he can be) and fully supportive, despite the "natural cycle selection" protocol being "a bit of a hassle" (his words).

Therefore... next update in a months time!