What a difference a year makes, or not

March 15, 2008 was my embryo transfer. We had five embryos that made it to transfer day, and decided to transfer three, freeze two. After the transfer, I was told not to move and covered with so many blankets it would have been impossible to do so. As I was laying there in the OR, my RE came over and put his hand on my shoulder. He told me that he and science had done all they could, now it was in God's hands. I was left alone in the OR for an hour, then moved to the recovery room. Approximately two hours later, my Belarusian roommate from egg retrieval day appeared. We exchanged smiles as she was helped into the other bed. We were both there, silent, but hoping and praying for the same thing. Finally it was time for me to quickly meet with the doctor to get instructions, more medication, and go home. I got dressed, looked over at my new friend, and much to my surprise, she said "good luck", in English. I was so shocked that I couldn't find the Russian words for, "you too". So instead I said it in English, to which she smiled. I never saw her again, but I have often thought of her, and hope that she is at home in Belarus right now, enjoying a cup of tea, and rocking her miracle to sleep.

So on this sunny afternoon, exactly a year after my embryo transfer, I'm finishing up the last of the paperwork for IVF #2. It's time to get this party started.