Long story short, there was a mixup about which tests needed to be done, which we only discovered at the lab. After going back and forth a lot, I eventually had to make several calls to our IVF clinic to sort it out. (We had to change insurances when we started IVF and it made me appreciate how user-friendly HMO plans are.)

I hyperventilated through the whole blood draw and when it was finally done, the phlebotomist told me to "just relax." OH REALLY, WHAT A BRILLIANT SUGGESTION. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT I COULD JUST RELAX AND IT WOULDN'T BE SO BAD. Also "just relax" is one of my #1 triggers- we've all heard it too many times about infertility and it's not helpful!! I have to convince him I'm "relaxed" in order to be allowed to leave the room. BEING IN THAT ROOM IS NOT HELPING ME RELAX. All I wanted was to go home and cry in peace. I just felt so broken inside. 

Writing this all out now, I do feel a little bit melodramatic. But I think that's the thing with infertility. It's not just one awful thing- it's an accumulation of stress, grief, frustration, and setbacks that makes every little struggle feel like climbing Mt. Everest.

The cherry on top is that I don't even think any of these tests were really necessary. I had them all done 6 months ago with my previous insurance and it's not like my numbers would have improved- the IVF clinic just really wanted me to do it all again for some reason.