MCFOORD (ivf)

9 = Vulnerability 🤧🤕

KATIE'S POV:

It was a week later, and we had another game tonight but this time it was for champions league. Beth was back and she was starting this gave Cait a couple minutes off before international duty. We had an appointment in the early hours this morning just to make sure everything with Caitlin was fine and the injections were doing what they were supposed to. The injections were going fine, and Cait was nailing it, barely even wincing. I was still doing them, as it was easier and less painful. As we are driving over to the hospital, I bring up small talk before I bring up what happened last time, "So babe, what happened the first time you got a pap smear?" I bring it up calmly, to try and keep a calm atmosphere. Cait hesitated, but I just waited for her, "you know how I started the national team so young, and I kept getting injured I had to get my pap smear at 17." I wasn't too shocked as this happens in quite a few cases, I wait for her to continue, "It was sprung on me, and I was all alone, my mum and sister didn't know and yeah." I nod rubbing her thigh comfortably, "Well you have me now I will always be there when you need me." Caitlin smiles and we continue to drive. It hurts me to know that she struggled so much in her early years of football.

When we get there, we are immediately pulled behind and Caitlin jumps straight up ready for her ultrasound. The doctor smiles, "It all seems to be good, lets just check your blood pressure and then I can send you on your way."  As she is doing Caitlins blood pressure she goes through the egg collection surgery, "You will be sedated, and it is only a short 20-minute procedure. You will not be able to do any heavy lifting for 1-3 days after, and you may experience bleeding and cramps, which is all completely normal." We nod already researching all the information. "Right, you blood pressure is fine, as well." I also bring up the headaches the other day, knowing Caitlin wont, "Last thing Doctor, Caitlin had a really bad headache the day after the first injection and has been experiencing bad body aches her and there." The doctor nods hearing this happen many times, "That is all completely normal." I breathe a bit since I was worrying a little. Caitlin soon speaks up, "I am going to Australia tonight I was just wondering if that is okay." The doctor thinks and looks at her clipboard holding all my information, "Yes this will be fine but make sure someone there knows you are undergoing this." We nod already having this conversation. "Right are they all questions?" We nod and walk out the doctor tells us to book an appointment for a week time before we do the actual procedure.

We finish and go back to the car. "Right babe we need to pack your bags and load them in the car, because you are going straight to the airport after the game, right?" She nods, "Want to know the game plan?" I nod Caitlin then goes over the starting 11, Steph is still injured, and Kyra starts, "I am being subbed on in the 70th minute." I smile knowing this was the right decision.

We get home pack Caitlins bags and then get back into the car to go to the training ground where the game was taking place this night. We get there and all the girls are all hyped up about this game, Beth being louder than she ever has before. She wraps her arm around my shoulders, "I'm starting woooooo." I jump up and down with her for a couple minutes before I hear my phone going off, Beth notices, "Go I will distract." I thank her and grab Caitlins hand. We nip into the bathroom and lock the door behind us, "You ready babe?" She cleans her stomach and looks to me, "Yeah don't count down." I do it and she winces slightly due to the number of bruises on her stomach. "I wish I was starting." Caitlin says as I get rid of the used needle, "You will be back in 2 weeks running down that wing and scoring goals." Caitlin smiles I hug her, and we go back to the changing room to get into kit. Beth smiles when we walk in. Me and Katie are next to each other again, I pull my shirt and jumper off and turn to Caitlin. She has her top of forgetting about the bruises, I stand in front of Caitlin before anyone can notice. Not trying to make it a big thing. "Thanks babe." She was able to move now, and I put my skins on.