Wait, this is 2010, did someone miss the memo?

2009 was the year of bad news, not 2010. Who missed this very important memo? Things weren't going to bad, just some health problems with my FIL, but compared to last year, that was an improvement. Then on Friday, the rug was pulled out from underneath. The husband's SA results were in. Notsogood. He is currently waiting to see the urologist, but we will be waiting another month and a half. Then, we weren't done yet. Someone didn't want me to be left out. After having endless abnormal paps, biopsies, and a few LEEP procedures from 1998-2004, I had almost 6 years of a healthy cervix. This last pap, notsomuch. AGAIN.

I have a biopsy scheduled for next week. I pray I do not need the LEEP procedure. I know after that it is 4 weeks no sex. No sex=no TTC. Then, another person just mentioned that they may recommend 3 cycles after to let the cervix heal, so that I am not at a higher risk for a miscarriage if getting knocked up. Its bad enough we're planning around my travel schedule, now this possibility? I have to believe I'll either get good results and not need the LEEP, or get my March/Luck of the Irish BFP. I vote the latter :)

For those that do not know what a LEEP is:

LEEP uses a thin wire loop electrode which is attached to an electrosurgical generator. The generator transmits a painless electrical current that quickly cuts away the affected cervical tissue in the immediate area of the loop wire. This causes the abnormal cells to rapidly heat and burst, and separates the tissue as the loop wire moves through the cervix.

This technique allows your physician to send the excised tissue to the lab for further evaluation which insures that the lesion was completely removed, as well as allowing for a more accurate assessment of the abnormal area.

The LEEP procedure takes about 20-30 minutes and is usually performed in your physician's office. In some ways it may seem much like a normal pelvic exam because you will lie on the exam table with your feet in the stirrups. A colposcope will be used to guide your doctor to the abnormal area. Unlike a normal colposcopy, a tube will be attached to the speculum to remove the small amount of smoke caused by the procedure.

An electrosurgical dispersive pad will be placed on your thigh. The pad is a gel-covered adhesive electrode which provides a safe return path for the electrosurgical current. A single-use, disposable loop electrode will be attached to the generator hand piece by your physician. Your cervix will be prepared with acetic acid and iodine solutions that enable your physician to more easily see the extent of the abnormal area. Next a local anesthetic will be injected into the cervix; the electroloop will be generated and the wire loop will pass through the surface of your cervix.

After the lesion is removed your physician will use a ball electrode to stop any bleeding that occurs; he may also use a topical solution to prevent further bleeding. You can leave your physician's office soon after the procedure.