The HSG consisted of shooting dye through my reproductive system to make sure the "route of pregnancy" was clear and normal. I asked a lot of questions the day I had it done (thankfully...read on) and the radiologist was very up front and honest with me. That day he told me my right fallopian tube was blocked. My pregnancy in March was in the right fallopian tube, and the radiologist said that scar tissue has probably built up and since blocked that tube. I didn't expect that news at all. I cried (a trend with me). However, I left there thankful that I know more about my body. I know, now, that God created that tube with one baby in mind...our first one. Although we may never meet that precious little girl (I felt like it was), that route will forever be hers and hers alone. No other perfect creation will travel that same way. Other good news is that I have slim to no chance of having another ectopic pregnancy in that tube, which is definately reassuring.
Which brings us to today. Today, my doctor was supposed to sit down with me and discuss fertility options after examining the radiologist's report. Joseph and I have been trying to schedule an appointment that we can both make it to for weeks. Here's how the events unfolded:
First, we checked in. I was taken back fairly quickly to have my vitals taken. One nurse started them and then left. Another nurse came up and was standing at the counter opposite of me with her back turned to me. I faintly heard her say something without turning around, but didn't think it was to me. Then she turns to me and repeats "What's your name?" and I said "Stephanie Crisostomo". She turns back around and then proceeds to ask me a bunch of questions, the first one being "When's your due date?" After telling her I wasn't pregnant, I clearly knew that she hadn't looked at my chart WHATSOEVER before talking to me....that's the second time it's happened there. She then proceeds to take my blood pressure and doesn't tell me the reading until I ask. She was all around rude!
Another nurse then takes me and Jess back to a room. She tells me I need to undress from the waist down. I immediately said "Am I having an exam today? I was under the impression this was just a follow up to my HSG exam". She had NO idea what I was talking about and why I was even there. She said okay and then started to leave. She turned around shut the door back and said to me "Well here's the thing, if he does need to do an exam and you're not undressed- than he won't do it today." I said, "Alright, that's fine then." So there I sat, half exposed on the papered lounge chair.
The doctor came in, again fairly quickly. He stood at the corner of where I was sitting and starts our conversation like this "Well, it looks like your tubes are clear and everything looks good..." and then proceeds to talk about something else. I let him talk for a minute (only because I couldn't get a word in with him talking so fast) and then I said "Wait a second, I'm confused...the radiologist said my right tube is blocked." He started flipping through my chart and then said "Oh you're right, yes, it looks like your right tube is blocked".
(Sidebar) WHAT?! If I wasn't the kind of person to ask that radiologist what was going on and for him to explain things to me...or if he wasn't the kind of radiologist that did that....I would STILL think both my fallopian tubes are healthy and functioning! Is this not a big deal to anyone else?? It means I can only get pregnant 6 months out of the year. HELLO....big deal! He CLEARLY hadn't looked at my chart before greeting me, either! I think that's not too much to ask.
Come to find out, he didn't even have the actual xrays from the radiologist (apparently it’s not protocol). He was simply reading the report the radiologist wrote and sent…and not very well, apparently.
Then, as if it wasn't dramatic enough, he proceeds to tell me I have a bicornuate uterus. I know..I had no idea what it was either and had to look it up, because his explanation was terrible. Basically it's where my uterus has an abnormality and has two "horns" making it look like a heart.
Here's a picture for those that are interested:
After all the tests I've had done, how did nobody ever mention this?? Why is this news to me? Ugh.
He continues to talk in "fluff"...fluff meaning it's not anything practical I can grasp onto. He's talking so fast, that I don't have time to ask any questions before he's onto something else. He rarely looked up at me while talking. 90% of the time he was looking down at my chart or writing something in the chart while he spoke.
There was finally enough pause to ask some questions and these were his answers:
My Question: So should I continue taking clomiphene citrate (clomid) since this month will be my 6th cycle of it?
His Answer: Well , it depends. I mean, it won't hurt to continue taking it if you'd like to. It's all up to you and whatever you want to do.
My Question: What about my metformin medicine? I ran out a while ago and haven't been taking it. Is it even beneficial to continue at this point?
His Answer: Well, you can if you want. I mean, it could be one of the factors that got you pregnant in March, but then again it might not be. We'll really never know.
UGH! Please give me some answers! YOU'RE supposed to be the expert...not me! Give me your recommendation at the very least, please! Again, I don't think that's too much to ask.
His words before he left: “Oh, and I don’t feel there’s a need for an examination today, so you can get dressed”. Fabulous...
So we left. A lab slip in hand for a future blood test, $25 less in our pocket, and frustrated.
We went to Starbucks and talked. We’ve decided to quit all medicine (except for vitamins) and find a new OBGYN doctor. I hate the thought of having to start over with a new doctor and explain all this history of mine…but we’re not going back there.
I know one thing’s for sure. God has promised us that we will have children. Not only that, but specifically given us confirmation that it will be natural. With all these things “stacked against”
us: 1 tube, weird-shaped uterus, PCOS and more…Crisostomo babies will be that much more of miracles. And what then? God will receive all the credit.
CMO
