Wednesday, October 15, 2008

SA Results

Drum roll and a long dramatic pause please...

Normal. Didn't see that one coming. And it only took 50million phone calls and 2 ridiculously long weeks to get it.

No joke, the nurse's exact words were "Oh yes, we have them...and it looks like the Dr. has signed off on them as normal". And then she read me the numbers, which were actually a bit lower than last time, and that was it. I took all I had in me not to say "look here, buddy, I need some answers. What am I supposed to do!? You guys keep saying these results are "normal", but they are low. And our post wash counts are low. So please just tell me what to do!" Instead, I just asked if she thinks my husband and I should visit a urologist, to which she replied, "uh, I wouldn't".

So being the good listener that I am, I called anyway to make an appointment with a urologist. And the receptionist made it clear to me that not only are they not fertility doctors, but it really isn't necessary to make an appointment unless my husband has prostrate cancer. Apparently just going in for a check-up and to have him look over our SA results is not something normal people do.


I suppose I should have known this would happen. Anyone else in our position would have made the switch from a regular gynecologist to a fertility specialist a year ago. But in our case, the closest RE is 3 hours away, and since our gyno has done all of our testing and everything has looked so good, we haven't been able to justify spending the extra money or 3 hour trip south to meet with a RE. But an RE probably would have given us some answers by now, and that may have to be our next step...I think I've just found my answer.

Despite our set-backs, today is still a good day. Maybe our sperm is only borderline and our post-wash counts low, but at least we have sperm to work with. Things for us could be so much worse. I do have options, and I will find some answers; even if it means driving 3 hours south to meet with a RE that actually knows a thing or two about unexplained infertility, sensitive cervix's, and low post-wash sperm counts.

Yes, today is still a good day.

"You're not going to make me have a bad day. If there's oxygen on earth and I'm breathing, it's going to be a good day."
- Cotton Fitzsimmons, Head Coach-Phoenix Suns

2 comments:

WantWait&Pray said...

What were the numbers? If you don't mind sharing, that is. Ours were not terribly bad- but our RE actually said when they came back low in some areas that we should meet with a urologist- which is what we did and we are SO glad we did. It was at that appointment where he had a "sperm penetration and fragmentation" test done where we found out that he has mostly "abnormal" shaped sperm which is probably why it's been almost 2 years of trying and no baby. I'm thinking of you both and glad you decided to take matters in your hands and make a uro. appt.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I've stumbled upon your blog through the nest & have been following your story b/c we're in a very similar situation. We're in the "unexplained" category too. I just wanted to say that I know it's a big step going to the RE, but I think you'll be so glad that you did. We just recently met with a specialist & she's been able to shed some light on our situation & provide further interpretation of test results that we were also told were completely normal. I know it's costly & the clinic is far away from where you live, but I really think they'll be able to give you some hope with a wonderful game plan. We've been ttc for over 2 1/2 years now & it just felt great to meet with someone who could give us hope again. Good luck sweetie! Page me on TTTC board if you ever need anything - blueoctoberfan.