The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and the Interesting September 21, 2004
Lets start with “the good.” My husband got a call last night from the judge that he interviewed with on Monday offering him the clerkship. Out of the 8 judges that have called for interviews so far, this was definitely his first choice. It just so happens that my husband was on his way back into town from his trip to Dallas for another interview when he got the call. It’s a shame he wasted a day away from work, but he couldn’t care less. He’s just ecstatic to get this clerkship. So, it looks like as of August of next year I will be a Louisianian again. This clerkship will mean a $40-50K pay cut, but it will be worth it for my husband. I’m so happy for him and proud of him. He’s been wanting this for a long time.
“The bad” is what my husband told me when he got home last night. Apparently he’s going to have to fly out on Wednesday to get to a hearing in another part of the state that’s scheduled for Thursday morning. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but of course nothing is normal right now. That’s bad for two reasons. The first and most important is that he won’t be here Wednesday night to give me my PIO injection. Secondly, he’ll be leaving for work on Wednesday morning and not returning until late Thursday night. So, I’ll be on bedrest without anyone to help me out with things like meals, taking care of the cats and the house, etc. The timing in all of this is so off. First my husband was gone the 32 hours following my retrieval and now this.
I’m sure I’ll be able to manage fine in all areas except one- the dreaded PIO. I was so pissed off when he told me that he wouldn’t be here to give me that giant injection. I thought about what to do and came to only one conclusion- give myself the damn shot. Now I’ve given myself some of the subq injections, but that 1.5 inch monster is a different story. Wednesday night just happens to be my right side’s turn. That’s helpful, because I’m right handed. Since last night was also the right side’s turn, I figured I better practice. I knew that there was no way I was going to be able to give myself the injection for the first time if I was alone. So, last night I prepared the s
yringe and headed for the bedroom. I managed to give myself the damn thing, but it wasn’t pretty. I ended up bleeding a lot more than when my husband does them, but I did it. I guess I’ll have to do it again tomorrow night.
“The ugly” is what I looked like this morning driving back home from dropping my hubby off at work. I figured it would save him about 45 minutes away from work if I dropped him off this morning and went back to downtown before my transfer rather than having him come pick me up. He’s missed so much work, that this was the best scenario for today. When I drive in rush hour traffic I have to put on what I call “chick music.” It helps me to be able to sing along while trying not to get myself killed in the traffic. A lot of time I’ll stick the Indigo Girls in but today I chose the 10,000 Maniacs. That song Eat for Two came on, and I started bawling. Just hearing the lines “Baby blankets and baby shoes, baby slippers, baby spoons, walls of baby blue” and “I eat for two, walk for two, breathe for two now” just sent me into a tizzy.
“The interesting” concerns my husband’s interview yesterday. The judge had him fill out a questionnaire and one section had a place to list his three biggest accomplishments. For the first two he listed academic accomplishments, but for the third he wrote “overcoming medical difficulties” or something like that. The judge was a woman and had pictures of her family all over the place. When the judge asked my husband about that answer he felt comfortable enough given that she put out that family friendly vibe to discuss our infertility and IVF. When he told me that, I was surprised. He didn’t go into details with the judge or anything, but he told her that we were going through it right now and that it has been very hard both physically and emotionally for both of us. I’m so impressed with my husband. I’m sure it could have backfired on him, but it went over really well. I know that a lot of men dealing with male factor infertility have trouble dealing with that whole situation. I’m just so impressed with how my husband has handled all of this.
- Posted in : various other ramblings
- Author : amanda
Comments»
Congratulations on your hubby’s new job. Sounds like it was something he really wanted.
I’m sorry that he has to travel again now when you need him the most. Doctors all have different opinions on whether to do bedrest or not at all. For me, I remained in bed for 2 days, but I had to make my own meals etc since hubby went to work.
Also, I wanted to tell you how great your numbers are for quality and number of good embryos. That’s perfect. I’m thinking very good sunny thoughts for you.
Good luck with the transfer. It’s not bad, about exactly the same as an IUI except that you get a picture of the embryos (and ask for it if they dont’ give you one.)
Congrats to hubby for getting the clerkship he most wanted–that’s great news as is the fact that you were able to do the PIO shot yourself. Forget baby steps for you–right to the big guns!
You’re right to be proud of him on both the professional and personal fronts. It does take a lot of courage to admit to something as incredibly personal as infertility. But, hey, you’re a courageous couple.
Good luck with the coming days…and congrats again to both of you.
A big, huge congrats to your hubby on the clerkship. I, too, weep each time I hear that song…but I still love it anyway. If ya need me to pop over and shoot you in the ass, just say the word. I could use the stress reliever.