Relief. It's done.

I could just make this a super short post and say we managed to do the SFA collection, which went horribly, and are waiting for the results, but that is not my style.  :)

First a little recap...  Before my surgery Dr. C wanted to do a SFA.  After finding out that the only lab in town that does SFA requires an appointment and those appointments are offered two days a week, we knew it would have to wait until after surgery.  We finally got around to scheduling it for this cycle.  (read: DH stopped protesting and said I could schedule it. He was trying to put it off as long as possible.)  When I called for the appointment I was informed they only offer morning appointments one day each week.  Well, that pretty much limited our choice to one day this cycle because I wanted to do it during the infertile post-peak phase.  (gotta save all the sperm pre-peak for our primary goal here...hahaha)  The receptionist asked where the SF sample would be collected--at home or at the clinic.  I was surprised at the question because I assumed we were in a tiny minority wanting to collect the sample at home through a normal act of intercourse.  I am guessing we still are in the minority...

Anyway we couldn't get an appointment first thing in the morning to our disappointment.  DH was considering going into work early and then meeting me at home for the collection. Then he decided to just stay home before the appointment because he thought he'd be more relaxed that way.  I agreed.

He told me the last few days that it was a lot of pressure for him.  I knew this was not going to be easy.

I should have asked all you veteran SFA ladies ahead of time about how to make the necessary hole in the collection device.  I thought when I had spoken to the lady at the PPVI Institute when ordering the kit ($20 plus shipping FYI) that she had said to use a pin.  So I grabbed my smallest stick pin from my sewing box and did my best to disinfect it (with alcohol).  That was the best we could come up with.  Is that what everyone else does?

The rest, well, I don't think I should describe here but it did not go well.  I really, really hope we never have to do this again.  If we do, we will do it while traveling this summer, and I will find a lab that allows you to drop off the sample during business hours without an appointment.

The one (and only) funny part was when we arrived at the lab. After signing some forms at the counter, DH held the container out in front of him to give to the receptionist.  She was seated such that he was holding it directly in front of her face.  She said to keep it in his pocket until he saw the nurse.  I had to suppress a laugh.  :)

The "appointment" turned out to be signing a spouse release form and telling the nurse he wasn't taking any meds.  He was out in five minutes.   All this "appointment" trouble for that?  Ah, well.  It is over now.  What a relief.  Now we just wait for the results.