The rest of that week was a flurry of activity. I had tap #2 Wednesday morning. After reviewing the ultrasound images, the doctor-on-duty for procedures said it was up to us. The fluid situation wasn't as critical as it had been on Monday, but I could probably benefit from another tap. Since we were already there, and Paul was with me, we decided to go ahead with it. This time they removed about 800 mL - not as much as before but still a sizable amount. Everyone in the procedures wing was stopping by to congratulate us on our good news, which was kind of fun. On our way out after recovery, I was told by no fewer than five nurses and techs that they hoped not to see me back again - apparently I'd become a bit of a frequent flyer there!
Thankfully, that was my last trip to the procedures wing. On Thursday, I had an ultrasound re-check at the location closest to my house. The tech who imaged me was the same one who had done my first OHSS evaluation the previous Saturday, so I gave her the update, including the beta news. She noted that there was still some fluid, but it was definitely minimal. My ovaries were still pretty huge (by that point I could find them pretty easily on the screen - they were hard to miss). She explained that that was normal given the results of my beta, and that unfortunately, they would likely stay that way for most of my first trimester. Yikes! But at least I was feeling better overall.
Friday I went back for another re-check and it was pretty much the same story. Giant ovaries and some residual fluid, but nothing overly concerning. Dr. B had said that at some point, my body would get a grip and figure out that it was supposed to absorb all that fluid back into my bloodstream where it would be routed to my kidneys and eliminated the usual way. More peeing - yay! I also had bloodwork that morning. I warned the phlebotomist that I'd been started on blood thinner. Between the on-going PIO shots, the Lovenox injections, blood draws, and IVs, I had developed quite a colorful patchwork of bruises. Thankfully she got me on the first stick. Usually I have them skip the bandaids and/or paper tape and just keep pressure with a cotton ball until the bleeding stops. I am very allergic to the adhesive that is used on those (sometime I will have to tell my Bikini Wax from Hell story). But with the Lovenox, I went ahead and let them use some paper tape.
That evening, one of the IVF nurses called to give me results and instructions. My HCG was rising nicely (875) and my progesterone was a whopping 196. They wanted me to continue all medications and return for an ultrasound the following Wednesday. That Friday was the first time I allowed myself to consider the possibility that this was real.
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