May 19, 2014

We went back in on May 19^th to do what seemed like a hundred tests and procedures.  They took several tubes of blood from each of us for different genetic testing and other tests, and I did a urinalysis as well.  Then Dr. Saleh did a mock embryo transfer to check for any complications that may arise during the actual embryo transfer.  This is where they run a small catheter to my uterus to make sure the “road” is clear so we won’t have any surprise problems arise when we go back in a couple of months to place the embryos in my uterus.   

So far, so good. 

 

Next, he did a fluid ultrasound to check for endometriosis or cysts caused by the endometriosis.  More bad news.  A large cyst on my left ovary.  If the endometriosis has come back, I would have to be treated with an antibiotic and then wait 6-8 weeks to see if it works before proceeding to IVF.  An embryo won’t survive if it’s placed into a toxic environment filled with endometriosis.  So, we schedule another surgery for me to come back and have the cyst aspirated (fluid sucked out by a huge needle), check for endometriosis, and inject an antibiotic to hopefully keep everything at bay.

 
Also, because of the cyst and possible return of endometriosis, Dr. Saleh had more blood work performed on me to check for Natural Killer Cells.  Normally, Natural Killer Cells are a good thing because these are the cells that attack foreign objects in the body.  They always seem to be present if endometriosis is present, possibly because they’re trying to fight it off.  Unfortunately, because their job is to attack foreign objects, if an embryo is placed in the uterus with these cells, they’ll most likely attack it too.  A few days later, the test confirmed that there are Natural Killer Cells present.  Luckily, there is an intralipid infusion that can deactivate these cells.  I’ll go to the doctor probably three times during our IVF cycle, and they’ll hook me up to an IV filled with an intralipid solution.  I’ll sit for about two hours while the IV does its thing, then I’ll be free to go about my day and shouldn’t feel any side effects.  This solution should deactivate the Natural Killer Cells so that they don’t attack the embryo when the doctor places it in my uterus.