Wow - this thread moves at high speeds!
Em, best of luck tomorrow. Scary times, but hopefully the results allow you to get back to TTC as soon as possible.
Phantom, thanks for the info, and the offer if it came to that! I know things are easier in the US, but the cost is the main issue. It's even more complex as if we go for surrogacy, I suspect at that stage we will be living in Australia, with embryos in UK... and surrogate who knows where! I do like to make my life very complicated.
I know there are cheaper ways in places like India, but I'm slightly uncomfortable with that for some reason. I'd have to be convinced that the woman is really doing it by choice, as you hear stories of women being... well, not well treated for doing such an amazing thing. i'd have to think hard if the money saved was worth it.
I did meet with the consultant again today. He doesn't yet have any clear answers, but he laid out the options a bit more. I'm right on the edge of being able to get the smaller operation (removing cervix only), and they want to do another MRI to get a better view. I'm meeting with an expert on the procedure on Friday. There are still lots of options (surgery, chemo/radiation, keep or lose ovaries... full hysterectomy, or just cervix) and it's hard that the doctors don't seem ready to settle on any one choice yet. My doctor said he is taking the time created by me doing IVF to make sure they have all the information possible to make the right decision.
He started to talk about all the potential side effects today, and it terrified me a bit. I know lots of them are not that common, but it's hard to talk about losing bladder function without freaking out a little!
Two more days to moving to Stims. I await a sudden boost in my mood!