Personal Update [1/27/2024]

Hey peeps!

I went into the fertility clinic to get deep tests done of my insides. I had blood drawn, but also, they took an ultrasound of my hip region. There was a slightly funny exchange during the process.

Dr. Dave (who seriously looks like a old grandpa who loves his grandkids) came into the room with a female doctor (she wasn't as welcoming, but I think she was training, and trying really hard to focus).

It was mostly quiet as they set up the machine. It's the classic ultrasound so you can see babies, but this time, they wanted to look at my uterus and ovaries. 

I'm lying down, they're scanning me, mostly quiet. Then they get to my organs.

Dr. Dave: There's your uterus. What a healthy shape and size! I can't see any problems.

Female Doctor: ...

(They scan around until they find a dark spot)

Dr. Dave: And here's your left ovary. See all those spots? They're follicles with eggs.

Me: All right.

Female Doctor: ... (She's just taking pictures and notes)

Dr. Dave: And now that you know what they look like, you can see the right ovary over here. It's slightly larger than the left one.

Me: That's because it's my favorite.

Both Dr. Dave and the woman actually start laughing. Mind you, I didn't think it was that funny. I was just nervous and wanted to break the tension with some humor. Apparently, they desperately wanted that, too, because the woman doctor started talking at that point.

Female Doctor: Everything is looking great, Shami.

Dr. Dave: Yes. We're good to move on to the last test. (He waggled a finger at me) And I can see why you're an author. You're such a delight.

Me: You... know I'm an author? (I hadn't told him anything about my career)

Dr. Dave: I Google all my patients. I was surprised to see how famous you are! I'm really impressed. And I can see why. I wish all my patients were as witty.

(This was all based off the one joke, mind you. I feel like the bar is just set really low).

ANYWAY, I should probably get used to the fact people can just Google my name and find out all about me (hell, I guess the doctors could even read this...) but it's still a little jarring when it happens. o.o

Dr. Dave said that the highest chance of pregnancy is a procedure called "in vitro fertilization" (IVF) which is where they take out eggs, fertilize them, and then put them back in.

That costs $17,000 (roughly).

Per attempt.

And each attempt is only a 70% chance of pregnancy.

Jeebus. >.>

Apparently you can take out loans, or apply for aid, but there isn't really a way to make it cheaper (unless I went to another country). I'm not going to let this stop me, though. I'll save or do whatever it takes.

The real answer is: I just have to write more books. I need to be a better author. I want to be a mother who takes care of her children. This is just a small obstacle, and if I were a hero in one of my books, I would overcome--so I will.

UNTIL THEN, John and I will take some medicine, lol - maybe the IVF won't be needed.

Just figured I'd give you all an update! 

More chapters soon. And more short stories and fun things.

Thank you all for the support.

THE PHYSICAL BOOKS FOR TIME-MARKED WARLOCK ARE IN! If you have a book tier, be prepared for that.

Shami