Disclaimer: None of the JAG characters belong to me.....
A/N: Don't worry, the pills Mac took at the end of Chapter 5 were just regular Tylenol or Advil or the like, nothing super strong. That's the same dose my doctor had me take, but it didn't help much. We'll continue to get into alot of the medical aspects of the story in the next few chapters, I hope folks find it interesting. Thanks for all the great reviews, please keep them coming!!!!!!
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Chapter 6:
"Have you had a chance to look over all this stuff?" Mac asked Harm as she ruffled through a small stack of papers on his coffee table. Dr. Kendall had sent home some information sheets about the different treatment options that would be available to them, depending on the outcome of their respective tests. She'd read it the first night, then passed it on to Harm, figuring it might take him a little longer to get through it and formulate any thoughts or ideas.
"Of course, Mac, we've had it for almost 2 weeks" he said as he sat down beside her.
"Yeah, but with as many cases as we've each had lately, it's a wonder we've found the time to breathe, let alone do anything else" said Mac, "so what do you think about it?"
"It's an awful lot to absorb" said Harm, " and I'm not about to make the final decision by myself, but I will say I'd like to start with the most simple option and work up. I know that might take a little more time than if we went right to in-vitro fertilization, but I don't want you to have to physically go through any more than you absolutely have to."
Mac was touched that he was putting her pain and suffering ahead of anything else, but it didn't surprise her at all. She'd been number one in his world for so many years, it was just that she was finally realizing it.
"I agree with starting simple and working up as we need to" she said, "there's no reason to spend a ton of money and go through everything that the more advanced treatments require if we can accomplish the same result with something easier". Whether or not the "simple" treatments would actually work for them was a question yet to be answered, but at least they were on the same page when it came to what they wanted to try and why.
"Sounds like it's decided, then", said Harm, "we'll hope the test results won't keep us from being able to start with the fertility pills, and we'll pray they work".
Mac snuggled up close to her man, and laying her head on his chest, she silently prayed that the pills would be an option, would work, and work fast…
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They met with Dr. Kendall the next morning, and went over the results of all the tests they'd had done in the weeks prior.
"I'm very pleased to report that neither the x-ray nor your blood work showed anything out of the ordinary, Sarah" said the doctor. "There's of course the question of how much damage has been done by the endometriosis and whether the surgery you had caused any adhesions or scarring, but none of that is anything we can really test for, so we have to press forward in hopes that it won't be an issue".
Mac was glad that things sounded so good - they weren't perfect, but they were far better than they could have been and she was taking that as a victory.
"That's great" said Harm, "is my news as good, doctor?"
"Actually, Commander, it's even better" replied Dr. Kendall. "There's not one thing about your test that isn't just as it should be, which in your situation can only help stack the odds in your favor". Harm and Mac squeezed each other's hand, this was good news and they were thrilled to get it.
"I'm sure you've talked about what level of treatment you'd like to try?" asked the doctor.
"We have indeed", said Mac, "we'd like to give the pills a try". The pills she referred to was a drug called clomiphene citrate, very commonly used in cases where ovulatory problems were an issue, also frequently used as a starting point for couples facing the problems she and Harm were facing.
"That was going to be my recommendation, so I'm glad you like it!" said Dr. Kendall with a little laugh. "You have 2 options with the pills - you can to try them in conjunction with artificial insemination, or you can take them and try naturally, which would you prefer?"
Mac looked over at Harm, and she saw the wheels turning in his mind - they hadn't thought about this little detail.
"Does the fact that we've already unsuccessfully tried naturally for several months have any bearing on what the best choice here is?" asked Harm. Mac was wondering the same thing.
"Well, it might, but we don't really know" answered the doctor. "Those cycles you were trying on your own were completely on your own, you didn't have the benefit of ultrasound monitoring to track ovulation or of the drugs to help make sure ovulation actually occurred. For all we know, those were hopeless cycles with no ovulation, but this will be a whole new ballgame".
Harm and Mac looked at one another, and he asked her what she thought. "I guess we could try for a couple cycles on our own with the pills and see what happens" she said.
"Are you sure? We can do the insemination if you want to Mac, it's up to you" said Harm, wanting to avoid pressuring her in any direction.
"I'm sure" she said, "let's try for 2 cycles and if it doesn't work, then we'll move to the pills combined with the insemination, if that's OK?"
The doctor said that was fine, and Harm had no objections, so that was the final decision.
"Alright, Sarah, here's how this will work" said Dr. Kendall. " I'll want to see you here on day 4 of your next cycle for an ultrasound. If it looks good and there aren't any cysts or anything, I'll have you start taking the pills that day. You'll take 1 pill once a day for 5 days, and then I'll want you back on day 11 of your cycle for another ultrasound so we can see how well the pills worked."
Mac looked over at Harm and saw he was glued to the doctor's every word, which made her heart smile.
"If the ultrasound shows at least one follicle that's large enough to have a nice, healthy egg inside, we'll give you a shot to trigger ovulation and instruct you on when to 'do the dance'". The couple chuckled a bit at the no-big-deal way the doctor referred to the more intimate side of things. It all sounded so simple, but something inside told Mac it would be anything but simple.