Still in limbo....but with a plan

It's been a long week since I last posted. Actually, it's been a really good week. And not just because I have been on absolutely no drugs (ok, I started prenatal vitamins again). I actually had a very (somewhat oddly) collegial discussion with Dr.Dry last week about what our plan is now that we have the endometriosis diagnosis out of the laparoscopy. And I had a follow up with the doc who did the lap yesterday. Since all is perfectly fine on the post-surgery front I figured it would be a 2 minute visit with him but he actually took the time to discuss with me what we thought our next steps would be and to give me his opinion on that - even though he knew we were going back to Dr.Dry.

So, here's where we are: CD24 (as far as we know, unless that different bit of spotting the Wed&Thurs after my surgery was some kind of abbreviated menses) and no sign of the next cycle yet. There's a recommendation from Dr.Dry to do a medicated IUI next. The idea being that we'll start slow with meds and see how I respond (my response has been very poor to even large doses) and see what happens. If there are 4 or more follicles we might just go ahead and retrieve and do an IVF round. The theory is that my response may change now that they've zapped the endometrioma found. If we get less than 4 (as has been the norm), we'll do IUI. The stats say laparoscopy does affect the chances of getting pregnant on your own or with IUI. There is no statistically significant change to IVF outcome. On the other hand, we're still in a hurry. And IUI rounds are still statistically less productive for us than IVF rounds. And, interestingly, Dr.R who did the lap actually suggested we go for an IVF round next - mainly because his gut instinct (again there's no statistically significant evidence to back this) is that I may respond better (i.e., get more follicles to grow and produce eggs) now that the endometriosis has been removed (or, at least, significantly reduced.)

So, that's where we are. We probably will do an IUI round, but we might go for an IVF round. I have to say, having been off the drugs and procedures for a little while now, I'm kind of leaning toward IUI. What's another month in the grand scheme of things anyhow at this point?