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09/27/2006
Spread Zeppelin
This morning as I exited the parking lot I tried very hard to avoid him, but despite my efforts I ended up waiting once again outside the booth of the attendant from Monday. "Wouldn't you hate to go through life that crabby?" he asked me, gesturing to the woman who'd just driven off.
I handed him my $10 bill. "Ohhhh," he crooned, taking it from me and starting to make change. "You're going to make me do higher math."
"Have to keep you on your toes," I said, as crabbily as I could manage, because, hey, no one outcrabs me without a fight.
"Good luck!" He paused, then leaned in to speak in a confidential tone: "After last night, especially!"
I gave him a questioning look. What I intended to ask without words was, Can you step it up with my change there, Captain Sunshine? But of course he thought I wanted to hear more. "I had dinner with my ex-wife."
"How'd that go?" I asked, as if his raised eyebrows and sidelong glance hadn't been enough, as if he also had to nudge me in the ribs knowingly and wink himself into a lather for me to get the full picture.
He handed me my change. "Well enough that she asked me back tonight."
God only knows what he'll tell me on Friday. Or, come to think of it, what those North Vietnamese did try to do to him.
Doctor, entering with nurse: So I'm told I've been pronouncing your name incorrectly.
Julie: You have.
Doctor: All this time?!
Julie: Well, I have corrected you...
Doctor: I don't listen.
Julie: I think that's probably best.
(This one's for Jul.)
Perhaps I should not confide that as I lay on the table this morning, my knees in different time zones, what kept going through my head was that tenderest, most romantic of odes, Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love."
Could have been worse. Could have been "Black Dog." Or — oh, good Christ — "The Lemon Song."
And everything's going okay. At this point, this cycle is indistinguishable from most of the others. I have some follicles of reasonable size; my endometrium is thickening; my E2 is behaving as expected; and my girth increases apace. I started Antagon last night, and I am to increase my gonadotropins tonight by another two amps.
My mood has improved. My apprehension has lifted. In fact, I feel good. Excited and optimistic. Kind of giddy, if you want the truth. What can I say? I have to admit it: I like this part.
Posted by Julie at 03:24 PM in Notes from astride the stirrups | Permalink
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Comments (38)
See, I read that as "I started Aragorn last night." Which is a heckuva mental image. Viggo, I love you.
Go Batman #2! Or will this one be Robin?
Posted by: Yatima at Sep 27, 2006 3:36:16 PM
Thinking of you and Led Zeppelin at the same time makes my head hurt.
Posted by: Mrs. Breckenridge at Sep 27, 2006 3:37:27 PM
Knees in different time zones? For a second there I didn't know if you were referring to yourself in the stirrups or the attendant's ex-wife from the night before!
Ahahaha. Do I crack you up, or what? (I'm hoping you're in as good a mood as you posted.)
Posted by: Stacey at Sep 27, 2006 3:44:11 PM
I am itching to start for #2 so I will read your journey with great interest!
Posted by: Em at Sep 27, 2006 3:45:30 PM
Ah, you are making my PINE for that part of the cycle!
I'm excited for you!
Posted by: Laura at Sep 27, 2006 4:01:45 PM
Visualize my uterine linin', baby
'Til the ultrasound gel runs down my leg
The way you workin' that ultrasound wand
You'd best be seein' some viable eggs!
Posted by: Jul at Sep 27, 2006 4:10:00 PM
Giddy! Giddyup!
Posted by: Erica at Sep 27, 2006 4:17:35 PM
Is it bad when you know the dude at the parking booth?
Good luck
Posted by: soralis at Sep 27, 2006 4:48:07 PM
I know! I like that part too. Also, it's no coincidence that you start feeling good and positive at the same time your E2, that elixir of youth, begins to course mightily through your veins.
Posted by: Bella at Sep 27, 2006 6:15:57 PM
I'd do a cheer for your ovaries, but I'm afraid I look lousy in those obscenely short skirts. :) So keeping fingers crossed for continued goodness!
Posted by: Audrey at Sep 27, 2006 6:25:22 PM
I like that part too. So much hope and open possibilities. Good luck with your cycle!
Posted by: Plain Jane Mom at Sep 27, 2006 7:04:59 PM
I love that part too. All hope, excitement, and fun with mixing and needles...tons more fun than an Easy Bake Oven :)
We come from the land of ice and snow
Where the hormones rage and the follicles grow.......
Posted by: Chickenpig at Sep 27, 2006 7:54:55 PM
yup, that's the good part. Well, I guess it's all relative. But I'm hoping the best part will come along in about nine months -- I'm swinging a lucky chicken for you and your cycle, Julie.
Posted by: Lynn at Sep 27, 2006 8:31:00 PM
As long as it is not the *doctor* sharing details of rekindled romances with you. At least the parking lot guy doesn't have his head between your knees.
Posted by: luolin at Sep 27, 2006 8:37:48 PM
let me guess.... "ox" instead of "oooooooo".
Damn Northerners. LOL
Posted by: BrendaS at Sep 27, 2006 9:23:43 PM
First name, Brenda!
And...fainting dead away, luolin.
Posted by: Julie at Sep 27, 2006 9:28:02 PM
Good Luck!
Posted by: Jody at Sep 27, 2006 9:45:05 PM
I was just about to say to luolin, "Not that we know of." I mean, he does seem to get around.
I can see why it's your favorite part with (a young) Robert Plant coursing through your brain cells.
Posted by: Casey at Sep 27, 2006 10:16:56 PM
I caught that on the BBC tape. It's Julie with the French pronunciation. Is that a Louisiana thing? Or are you French Canadian? You don't sound French at all, until you get to Julie comme il faut. (You don't sound like you're from Louisiana or Quebec either, though, honestly.)
Posted by: uberimma at Sep 27, 2006 10:25:05 PM
You sound a lot happier today.
I am so glad to hear that.
Hope you are doing better and
feeling a bit clearer.
Good Luck~
Posted by: Melissa P. at Sep 27, 2006 11:00:25 PM
Actually, it was the doctor who did my breast biopsy telling me about his midlife crisis and asking if I knew where the fun people hung out that I thought was odd. (Not during the biopsy, during a checkup. Um, maybe that's worse) He was married to my primary care physician.
Posted by: luolin at Sep 27, 2006 11:24:49 PM
Dr. BrightEyes can't pronounce my name, either, and it bothered me at first, but after the bajillionth wanding, I figured hey, he can't pronounce my name, but he could probably pick my vagina out of a lineup.
Possibly blindfolded.
Posted by: akeeyu at Sep 28, 2006 1:43:01 AM
He can't pronounce "Julie" correctly???
Could someone please fill me in on the apparently myriad ways of pronouncing "Julie"????
Thanks!! :D
Glad to hear you are feeling better today....and dare we say? Optimistic? Hope so!! :)
All the best
Nilla
Posted by: 'Nilla @ Vanilladreams at Sep 28, 2006 3:52:11 AM
I know what you mean, even as a lowly IUIer I also like this part. It's like leaving school - everything lies before you and there is so much possibility. I was thinking last night, "Is this worth it? Is it really worth it? If I have a child, will it take some of the hard part away?" and I thought, "Julie is doing this for a second time, for a second child. It must be worth it." I just wanted you to know that you are a source of hope and inspiration.
Posted by: Carlynn at Sep 28, 2006 3:59:07 AM
'Nilla: IIRC it's Zhoo-LEE. All Frenchlike.
Posted by: marie at Sep 28, 2006 8:07:36 AM
OMG! How do you mispronounce "Julie"...
"wa-lah"?
Posted by: GDawney at Sep 28, 2006 9:15:11 AM
Wow. I have never assumed that "Julie" was your real name....ditto Paul and Charlie. I figured your name was probably Karen or something.Because, you know, you don't want your thousands of fans to mob you when you go to the store.
I think you ARE a little crabby, though....you are FROM the South, so I know that YOU know that MR Parking is just being friendly and passing the time of day. Here in Texas that exchange would be seen as normal and friendly. Maybe you been in the North too long, girlie!
Posted by: Kathy McCarty at Sep 28, 2006 9:24:44 AM
Yay! I'm excited for you :^)
Posted by: anne nahm at Sep 28, 2006 12:01:01 PM
Ahhhhhhhhhh... but see people up here don't know that Julie down south is normally the French pronounciation... not Juuuuleeee..
but more like.. zhoo-lee
Posted by: BrendaS at Sep 28, 2006 12:03:16 PM
Wait, in Texas it's normal and friendly to tell strangers you scored with your ex-wife last night?!
Well, all I have to say to that is hook 'em, 'Horns!
Posted by: Julie at Sep 28, 2006 12:10:19 PM
With a name like that, I am starting to realize that you are probably from Breaux Bridge or somewhere near my birthplace (please tell me you are not from New Iberia!). Hell, you might even be my distant cousin. Are you related to any Latiolais? Well, if you are not, excuse me...we all know what ASSUME does. If you are, go Acadiana for producing such a great chick! I just found your blog by accident a couple weeks ago and I love your style. Good luck with your #2 and with the quilt raffle.
Posted by: Half Cajun at Sep 28, 2006 12:13:32 PM
Dang.. I thought that was crude in any State. LOL
Posted by: BrendaS at Sep 28, 2006 12:14:12 PM
I just want to commend the people who offered the Led Zep parody tunes. You guys rock!
And, Julie, glad to hear that things are going well.
:)
Posted by: Tami W at Sep 28, 2006 1:50:12 PM
The attendant's story reminds me of the Book of Esther. He should prepare for bad news... :-)
Posted by: Rachel Inbar at Sep 28, 2006 2:54:44 PM
Julie - hope the optimism continues, so nice to hear a sunny attitude. Oh & way to go with Radio 4 - the epitome of highbrow radio over here in England!
Posted by: Amanda at Sep 28, 2006 4:28:24 PM
Good luck Julie! I am keeping you in my thoughts - I hope your cycle ends with great success...Glad to hear that you are feeling good.
Posted by: CK at Sep 28, 2006 8:05:00 PM
Or, even worse, "When the Levee Breaks."
Glad the news is good. Fingers crossed here.
Posted by: kristylynne at Sep 28, 2006 11:12:53 PM
God, I love your writing, I could just eat it up!
Best of luck to you this cycle.
Posted by: Stefanie T. at Sep 29, 2006 9:59:31 AM
