Sunday, December 23, 2007

Tidings of Great Joy

We had a wonderful weekend with my in-laws with lots of good food and some nice presents. Everyone in the family knows that we are just finishing an IVF cycle, but we decided not to tell them about the ever-darkening pee sticks. We told them that we would have an update for them today after we heard from the clinic.

This morning, we got up early because in order to get the results back today, we had to have the blood draw by 9:00 AM. Getting the blood draw itself with quick and painless. I tried to sweet talk my way into having the results back quickly, but they were pretty backed up and just promised us that we would hear by 3:00 PM.

After the blood was drawn was when I started to get nervous. I mean, I knew that there would be HCG in my system. But I wasn't sure how much. I just wanted the number to be over 100. At least then we would feel comfortably sure that one embryo had implanted. However, I was willing to take 75, since a friend of mine is 14 weeks pregnant with twins, and that was her first beta.

To distract ourselves from the waiting, my husband and I went and had breakfast. We then went and bought our Christmas present to each other - a king sized mattress! We are currently sleeping on a queen sized mattress that I bought right after I graduated from college. It was brand new and I think that I spent around $500 for it, so not the highest quality, although it hasn't been that bad.

We decided to really upgrade this time around went with the super-plush pillow top, with suspension cables instead of coils - it sounds like a soft bridge instead of a mattress. I truly cannot wait to take a good nap in the baby when it gets delivered next Friday.

After the mattress purchase, we went to the Shane Company. We were looking at new diamonds for my wedding ring. We were kind of just killing time, though, because we aren't really in the market for a new diamond. It was in the Shane Company, with a full carat loose diamond in a beautiful setting, that my phone rang. I flipped that diamond off so quickly that it startled the sales girl. We had already told her that we were waiting for an important call, but my haste to grab it seemed to surprise her.

I quickly excused myself and walked over the the entrance of the store to have a smidgen of privacy (but we were in a jewelry store two days before Christmas). The nurse, Roberta, identified herself and I didn't mince words, "Please give me a good number, Roberta."

Then Roberta said, "Well, can I wish you a Merry Christmas, first?"

I wanted to say, "NO, just give me the beta!" But of course, I didn't want to be rude. So I said, "Yes, please."

Roberta replied, "Well, Merry Christmas! I bring tidings of great joy. Your beta is. . . (she paused for what I swear was two years). . . 242!"

Merry Christmas, indeed! Of course, I started crying. 242.

She instructed me to stay on my medications and we wished each other Happy Holidays. I went back to where my husband was standing with the still-startled-looking saleswoman and gave him a big hug and a kiss.

Of course, now we wait for the recheck for doubling, which we can't do until Wednesday. In the meantime, however, we have plans to celebrate this good news and enjoy our Christmas.

There are no guarantees that this number will bring us a baby or babies. I associate pregnancy with loss and sadness, so there is a small part of me that is hesitant, keeping me from getting attached. But most of me knows that no matter what happens, I want to treasure each and every moment. I can only pray that this is it.

Thank you again to everyone for your support and love. I cannot tell you how much it means to me.

35 comments:

Maria said...

What an amazing beta!! I know right now every thing's still scary, and it will continue to be till those numbers start doubling. Just know that I'm thing about and your Christmas miracle and praying really hard!!

astral said...

Congratulations on your beta!! Christmas miracles do happen and I'm very happy for you. Merry Christmas!!!

Anonymous said...

katie, how wonderful! that is a great number. now now enjoy your xmas and let us know how it doubles soon. congrats! ~luna

Tracy said...

I couldn't wait to read your post today. I've been online several times checking...

And when I saw there was a post, and reference to a beta, it took all the will power I had not to skip ahead.

I'm so happy for you, Katie. I'm literally crying tears of joy for you.

A VERY Merry Christmas. Do me a favor...be just a smidge happy and hopeful, however reserved.

XO

Jen said...

242. 242!!! Such great Christmas news. I know this is just the beginning for you so I'm keeping everything crossed.

AwkwardMoments said...

WOoo hooo Great beta!! Merry Christmas to YOU!!

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic beta and an even better Christmas present.

Alyssa said...

Katie, this is such wonderful, fabulous news! What an awesome beta to receive for a Christmas present! I've been checking your page all day in the hopes that Santa had dropped at least 100 in your stocking. 242? The jolly man outdid himself! :) Congratulations!

Prairie Girl said...

Congratulations! A wonderful beta Hun!! I'm so excited for you and am keeping my fingers ever so tightly crossed!!

Amy said...

twins.....my beta was 239 and then 645....I am calling twins for you my pretty!!

amy said...

congratulations. merry christmas. I wish you all the best with this pregnancy....may it be a Happy New Year!!

Amy
dancingwithinfertility.blogspot.com

Debby said...

Holy high beta! And what a wondeful Christmas present! I'm so happy for you guys and just know that this one is gonna be different for you. Try not to leave in fear of the future, but to live in the moment appreciating the amazing Christmas miracle!

Polka Dot said...

That's a great first number so soon after the transfer! I can't wait to hear how high its gone on Wednesday!

Mrs. Piggy said...

So I'm reading your post, making sure not to scroll too far because your beta was like my xmas present. Didnt want to ruin the surprise. You are so funny! At the lab I told the nurse "can you make sure its over 100??" and when she called she goes "What did you want it to be again, over 100? try 222!!!!"
And I am having two...
This is totally two...cant wait to see your next beta...have you stalked betabase.info yet :)

A'Dell said...

242 is my new favorite number!

That is incredible Katie - I am so, so, so happy for you. All of those injections were worth it and you're in a great place - exactly where you wanted to be at the end of 2008.

Your success buoys me and gives me a lot of hope. Merry Christmas indeed!

(Still holding out on testing on my end.)

Anonymous said...

Ahhh! 242! That sounds perfect. That sounds like 2 babies to me. :) But what do I know... Have yourself a Merry little Christmas. I can't wait for the update!

elephantscanremember said...

Katie, I am so happy for you! I will be praying that those numbers double beautifully.

Kathy said...

WAHOO KATIE!!! Sooooo happy for you! What a great Christmas present for you and your hubby this year! I am hoping, wishing and praying that you have a very sticky bean or beans!!!

Meg said...

Congrats on such a wonderful number, triple the number you would be okay with! Such a great gift this time of year.

Oh and about the mattress. Could not stop giggling....hubby and I still sleep on my undergraduate $400 purchase. There are perfect imprints of the both of us in the awful thing and we just decided this week that part of his Xmas bonus is going to a new mattress...

Searching said...

YAY!!!! I've been waiting to check on you so I could hear an awesome beta. Congrats and Merry Christmas!!

Laksh said...

Lovely, Lovely, Lovely!!

Back from a five week vacation and just caught up with all your updates. Merry Christmas to the two of you. Think only positive thoughts.

Amy said...

Hello twin sister!!! I could tell you were thinking of me so I checked my blog and volia! That's how twins think alike! Do you like my use of the word "twins" alot in this comment? HA!! Get that second beta and let me know!! Merry Christmas! IVF ROCKS THE HOUSE RIGHT?

Kristen said...

Congratulations, sweetheart!!!! That is a beautiful beta and I hope this is just the beginning of many miracles for you. MERRY CHRISTMAS INDEED!!! XOXO

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you today, hope you get a really fat number this afternoon.

And -- we do have a mutual friend in Amy. It is nice to have her in our court, she's awesome.

Mel said...

FANTASTIC.
The best Christmas present ever.
I am so happy for you and anxiously await your updated report this week.
*hugs*

Gumby said...

CONGRATULATIONS! That is awesome! I'm hoping for the numbers to just keep growing and growing and growing...

Julie, Todd, Kate and Miles said...

Katie,

Fabulous number! What a wonderful Christmas present!

Hope your beta went well today--I'm anxious to see the results!

Congrats,
Julie

Adriane said...

Great news!!! What a fabulous Christmas present and miracle. I am hoping your numbers continue to go up!!

Me said...

That is a fantastic number!

Debby said...

Anxiously awaiting your beta # 2 results.....and hoping they're amazingly huge!

Laura said...

Oh Katie! I am so happy for you! What a wonderful number - it brought tears to my eyes! :)

Samantha said...

That's a wonderful beta! I'm so happy for you!

Polka Dot said...

It's Thursday and I'm hoping the no news is good news saying is true. Worried over here!

RBandRC said...

YAY! Congratulations! That is a fantastic number. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that it doubles beautifully! :)

And so it goes said...

I am re-reading through you IVF cycle with Will in December 07. Fascinating to read as I am currently in the midst of it.