REACH in Charlotte NC

[REACH-AEJ]

Hi girls, hope you had a good V-Day!

Hey there Sonya - I had a normal period this time, so I am waiting for my LH surge and then I can proceed with the ER process - probably do ER 2nd or 3rd wk of March. i will wait to do the FET - probably end up early June - maybe mid June. This is a guesstimate because it all depends on my cycles. These drugs really mess me up and so it could push me back to July. Hopefully the acu will help keep everything running smoothly!

Saralee - glad to hear your appt with Dr. Whelan went well. I'm really sorry you are still having mixed emotions about this process...I wouldn't feel guilty about wanting to have your own child. It's natural to want to experience this - we all have the option of adoption, and maybe some of us will ONLY have that option at some point, but it's ok to want this! At least put that behind you - your emotions and stress levels are the only things you can control in all of this!
Let us know what you find out after you speak further about cost, etc. It can be overwhelming...I think about all the lucky people who don't have to spend a thing - it's amazing.

Keep me posted on how you guys are doing!

Ashley

[sokru8]

Hi Girls
Dang its cold today!!!

Ashley: You and I should be at the clinic at the same time. I should start with bcp's march 1st so my e/r should be end of march or so. Maybe we will get a chance to meet!
Have a great weekend!
Sonya

[REACH-AEJ]

Great Sonya! We can go through (at least the ER) together and then I can cheer you on as you proceed straight to a BFP!
Do you know your protocol yet? How long do you take BCP's?
I never took those in my last protocols...

Hope things are going well Saralee ~ hope you are able to find some peace with this!

Ashley

[sokru8]

Hi Girls
Ashley: In the first IVF I did BCP's for 5 days. I wont really know the protocol until my AF starts. What is your protocol?

Sonya

[REACH-AEJ]

My protocol is very different -it's called the ZEV protocol.
I do estrogen patches 10 days after surge and then do a Cetrotide shot on day 12 after surge. I should start my menses about 3 days after shot and then I start my stims on day 1 of my cycle. Last time I went until day 13 before ER...this time we'll see what happens!!

I skip the suppression stage all together (lupron). I did not do well when I did the lupron - low # of eggs and no fertilization. My protocol without Lupron went very well with lots of fertilized eggs and 5 blasts...much better!

Ashley

[saralee]

It's cool to read the updates on your cycles. How do you two concentrate on anything else? I'm being serious! I keep trying to foucs on other things and goodness knows I have genuine distractions!

Well, just wanted to drop in and let everyone know that I am still here ... still nervous ... stiall waiting on Aunt Flo. There is NO way she's coming unassisted but alas, I have to wait until March 1 before I make the call to REACH!

We're still obsessing over the money. A bit complicated getting a good idea of costs because we would like to use a known donor who is in NY (thus, she would be cycling remote). Seems all of their price models have anonymous donors through the clinic built-in.

Also, our pharmaceutical plan is being difficult and I still don't know what type of coverage we might have on meds. I've got my fingers crossed. Going to fax a letter to them tomorrow!

Spoke to the ed coordinator at REACH again today. She really is a darling woman. I asked her about their matching process again and she told me that one can lessen their wait time by being less restrective when submitting their "wish list." So, it seems they are flexible. We really, really want to use a known donor but, an anonymous donor might actually be more economical and simpler logistically. I'll share details when we get more into the process.

Thanks ladies.

Sincerely,

saralee

[sokru8]

I totally know wht your saying about this process consuming you. I am waiting on AF. Should be on March 1st or so. And I wont know my protocal until then so our lives are on hold.
I cant imagine how stressed you must be with this whole donor issue. That would totally consume me if I was in that postition. You havent had any luck in Charlotte finding a donor? Can I ask what your "wish list" for a donor is? How do you even begin to set parameters for that?
Stay strong! I know how stressed things can get! If we could just win the lottery there would be no money stress!
Take Care Sara!

Sonya

[saralee]

Hi Sonya!

OK, so we're both waiting on Aunt Flo ... only problem is mine is totally unpredictable! But, Dr. Whelan wants to give my body until March 1 to see if it will perform on its own.

No luck finding a local donor although it's not something I persued aggressively, and maybe I should have. There's still time. We put an ad in a couple of places online and had a huge response. I'm quite taken by a specific young woman. We just "clicked."

I think a lot of women base their parameters on their own characteristics, which is understandable. However, since I've already accepted that this child will not be biologically related to me, my wish list is wide open. I'm not interested in letting more time go by, as I search for a clone of myself. In our ad we asked that the young lady be H/W proprotionate (now, I should say here since I am only 5'3 I wouldn't be comfortable with a woman whose 6'0), no history of automimmune diseases in family, kind, and we would prefer someone whose already had children or a repeat donor and open to the possibility of keeping in touch post-donation. We are open as far as race and ethnicity, no prefernces on hair, eye color, that sort of thing.

I'm working on staying strong. You do the same. I am eager to hear about your next step.

Hugs,

saralee

[REACH-AEJ]

Hi Girls!

Saralee - my first time I was very consumed - I researched on the internet constantly and always thought about the what if's....this time is a little different because I know what to expect and since I'm not doing an ET- it's not as exciting for me just yet...although...when I start the stims I will be completely consumed by it!!! Praying for lots of great embies!!
I agree with Sonya, the donor situation is much more detailed and would definitely consume anyone!! Hang in there and I hope you have success finding a perfect match.

Sonya - Waiting for AF is nerve racking! I am waiting to surge and had to call in today because it's day 17 and the home test kit didn't pick up a surge. However, my cycles are very long (31-35 days), so I could be surging this w/e...hopefully ! If not, I will have to go in Monday morning to do bloodwork and make sure I did or are about to...so send me some surge dust this w/e!

I will be doing an AF dance for both of you!!!!

Ashley

[saralee]

Bad news ... our pharmaceutical plan does not cover any fertility meds. We have absolutely no coverage for medications. I'm still stunned. I thought there would be SOME coverage. How typical is this? It all seems very unfair to me. I wasn't shocked to find out our medical plan didn't cover any ART but for some reason I thought we'd get some assistance with the meds.

saralee

[ann argent]

Hi,

I just returned from Buenos Aires, where I was treated by Dr. Nabel and his team. He is one of the most considerate and kind fertility drs that I have ever met and top of it, the price for ICSHI is only $3,500 and the meds only $1,500 -- a savings of over 50%. He even told me that he is willing to share his private email with other women at nabeladan@hotmail.com. His site is ww.cegry.com. You may want to contact him and find out more as his service is the best that I have ever experienced. Now it is just to wait and see.

Good luck

Ann

[sokru8]

Morning Ladies!
Sara Lee: Sorry to hear about your insurance company! That is pretty typical that they dont cover the drugs. It really sucks! The drugs can get expensive. My suggestion to you would be inform Reach that you are paying for all the drugs yourself. They will give you some samples that will cut down on the cost to you!
Ashley: Did you surge this weekend? I hope you did. Good luck on your blood draw!
Im stilllllll waiting on AF. Im going to call the clinic if I dont get it before next weekend!
Take Care Girls
Sonya

[REACH-AEJ]

sorry about your news Saralee....that is tough . I guess it's typical, we just got lucky with our insurance. Sonya is right to let REACH know and maybe you can get a discount or some samples to help. Sometimes they order more than you need and you have left over meds...if I go before you and have left over meds - maybe I can donate (Gonal F Pen is the most expensive -$1k per pen!!). I have had a pen leftover in past processes and I usually save it for the next time b/c the expiration is year.

Sonya ~ any sign of AF yet?

Ann- thanks for the info. I have never considered going out of the country. Is it hard in terms of time - do you have to move there for a period of time? This may be a great alternative for people. Does this doctor have a good history or track record?

As for me, finally showing a surge today!
I will still go in tomorrow to confirm. That means I start stims in about 15 days...ER probably around March 24th.

Enjoy the rainy, lazy day today!

[REACH-AEJ]

Sonya - how do you get the personal info under your ticker?? Can not figure it out...arghhhh....I'm sure it's simple .

thanks!

[ann argent]

Hi,

Just wanted to respond that to go to Buenos Aires you only need 2 weeks.. they prefer 3 weeks to follow your cycle. I stayed 3 and could leave a few days after my procedure. The Dr.'s are highly certified and are the best in their departments. There were couples from all over the world there, some of whom had fallopian tube problems, or needed donor egg. I needed donor sperm and the procedure itself was similar to the rest of the world, except the price is less than 50%, with patient care exceeding 150%. Again, I have never encountered such great care from any of my previous fertility specialists, men or women doctors. And it takes a lot for me to be impressed and for me to share these comments.

Good luck,

Dolores

PS - The meds combined only totaled $1,500, not $3,500 (the price in Europe and the US).