Tonight we went to an injections class that the doctor's office offers. We were able to practice the two different kinds of injections: subcutaneous vs. intramuscular. The subcutaneous is done with a needle about 1/2 inch long and goes into fat tissue. The intramuscular injections are done with a longer needle (1 to 1 1/2 inch) because they need to go directly into the muscle. We practiced measuring the liquid into the syringe, changing needles, and where/how to do the two different kinds of injections. For me, the Lupron & Gonal-F will be subcutaneous injections. And the Novarel (HCG) & Progesterone in Oil will be intramuscular. My husband already gave me the Novarel (HCG) shot last winter when we did two rounds of artificial insemination - so he is feeling very confident. :) I was caught a little off-guard when I suddenly felt overwhelmed in the car on the way back from the training class. I think I was just starting to realize all that lies ahead of us and the tears started flowing. My husband comforted me and told me that he's excited for us and he knows that we'll get through it.
After a quick stop at Lowe's with my husband to compose myself, he dropped me off at the restaurant where I met up with my sister and some of our neighbor girls for dinner. Most of them, except one other girl, all have one to two kids. Earlier today I was actually wondering what her story was - whether they wanted kids, weren't ready, or were trying like us. You can imagine my surprise when she announced to the table that she and her husband were going to try in-vitro this month. I about fell off my chair. I wasn't ready to announce our plans to everyone, but it was hard to hold back as everyone asked her questions. During dinner, I mentioned that we were also trying and we discovered that we share the same doctor! Small world. On the way out of the restaurant, I pulled her aside (with my sister) and told her that we were also doing IVF and that I was just about a week ahead of her. Even though I wish they weren't in the same boat as us, it is comforting to know someone who will be going through it right along with me. I'm so thankful that she was able to share her IVF news tonight - otherwise we would've been going through it just a street apart and perhaps never have known!