REACH in Charlotte NC

Discussion forum for those particularly interested in IVF and embryo transfer including frozen embryo transfer.
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saralee
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Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:52 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by saralee »

Sonya,

I'm thinking about you. In fact, I thought about you all night long. I want this to work out for you and DH. We could never just suddenly come up with that kind of money either and I'd be heartsick. Just thinking about IVF I've wondered many times how other couples reconcile the cash. I've wondered if we were the only ones with difficulty just "coming up" with it. Please keep us posted. I really hope that REACH does the right thing by you and DH.

I already disclosed DH's meds and I will remind everyone in fact. I've read before that hypertension drugs can be an issue when trying to conceive. I only hope it doesn't bar us from shared risk. That might prevent us from going forward altogether or perhaps we'd give Affodable IVF a try instead. Oh, I shouldn't think so far ahead.

As you ladies said. DH is being a real pain but it's good to see this is "normal." I tried to get him to schedule his SA but he insisted that I do it and then of course, he complained about the day I chose. He could have had an appointment this week but because I am oh so considerate, I pushed it off to next week so he could give his job ample warning that he'd miss a few hours. I've already told him that I won't ask him to any appointments he doesn't have to be at. The money issue is complicated enough without us worrying about his job. I already know protocols won't be his thing and I'll have to constantly remind him about where we are in the process. The good thing? Because he likes remaining clueless when I get a BFP I can actually make it a surprise event for him. He won't see it coming. :lol:

And finally, AF arrived late Tuesday evening. Actually, it's not a flow at all just some spotting but I believe they told me to give them a call no matter how "light."

May you wonderful ladies day go gently.

saralee
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saralee
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Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:52 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by saralee »

Sonya,

We were posting at the same time. I'm rooting for you. So glad your parents are pulling through for you ... ah, major benefit of allowing people in on what you're going through.

Contacting an attorney would have been my next step too.

Sounds like a plan!

Patients deserve better than this unless REACH wants to be accused of running a less than professional operation.

Many, many hugs,

saralee
ckl
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Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:54 pm
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by ckl »

Saralee - I hope that you didn't think that I was suggesting that you hide things from your doctor that could effect your success! Now that i read my comments back, maybe i was interpretted wrong. All i was trying to say was that in the Shared Risk process I wouldn't volunteer any information that they don't ask for, they will get the information that they need from your doctor. We talked with Dr. Teaff at length about our medical hisotry - which wasn't that thrilling, but I am a bit of nut job when it comes to medical stuff and I tend to over think things sometimes - so I had a lot of questions. So, I totally agree with AEJ that you should disclose everything to the Doctor...apparenty the computer system that REACH uses is accessible by the shared risk people (I acutally think that they are affiliated somehow) so anything that your doc. thinks is necessary to report, I am sure that they will. Anyways...i wish you all the best. have you applied yet or no? that is great news that you had some development...light or not at least that mans that something is going on down there right?

Have a great day ladies...
saralee
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Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:52 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by saralee »

ckl,

No, I didn't think you were suggesting I hide anything!

We haven't actually applied to shared risk yet, I only expressed to Dr. Whelan on my initial consultation that I was specifically interested in the program. We really are at the very beginning stages. Heck, if it weren't for the wonders of modern medicine, I'd likely still be waiting for my period to start.

Integramed did offer to run the numbers in advance, to see what we qualify for financially so I'd have an idea of the repayment scale, and I chickened out. I know it will have to be done but the numbers made me very nervous just considering. Maybe, maybe I'll do that today. MAYBE.

My Day 3 testing will occur Friday morning. Since my cycle began after 5 PM yesterday, today is is actually CD 1.

DH's SA is March 14. Did you guys escort your husband for this procedure? Believe it or not, I'm worried about sending him alone! I don't want to be controlling but I'm worried he won't do something right. Sounds terrible I know.

Per Selina it takes about two weeks to get the results back from both sets of tests. I had no idea it took that long! So, we'll likely schedule a discussion meeting with Dr. Whelan near the end of the month.

We're on the move.

saralee
CMSAllen
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Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:58 pm

Post by CMSAllen »

Saralee ....Glad to see things are moving in such a great direction for you!!!!! I got to meet Dr. Wheelan for the first time the other day, and I thought he was just tooo awesome. Dr. Teaff is my primary, and it seems as though each time I am at the clinic, each Dr. goes out of his way to really give me as much time as I need!

*Sonya .... I am really sorry that you are going through this. I hope that things perk up and get better soon.

*As for Affordable IVF ...I found out that the HAVE NO success rates yet because they are not yet established in NC. Apparently, success rates are measured on a scale that includes exclusive labs. Being that they are brand new...they do not yet have enough patients to establish any sort of success rates in the Huntersville office. ...Doesn't mean that they're not any good ..... but just "un" established!!

~~~Got the PM's ... sorry I haven't had a chance to respond yet.

I took my last BC pill today. I (hopefully start stimming on Monday.
XOXO
Courtney
ckl
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Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:54 pm
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by ckl »

Ladies, here is the info that i just got on Affordable IVF from my friend...apparently they are legit. she said that she actually knew the daughter that the couple moved here to be with (sorority sister) and that they are supposed to be posting their recent success rates online soon. I am not sure what that means then if they told CMSAllen that they don't have any rates to post...maybe the ones on the site are from their florida location then. anyways, according to my friend she said that they looked completely fine. now of course do your own research but at least that is one industry opinion. She did tell me though that even the people at affordable ivf said taht REACH is a great clinic (she told them that I went there), with excellent doctors....which is nice to hear.

CMSAllen....I really liked Dr.Whelan as well...so nice and very patient with questions - he really made sure to answer all my questions etc.

Have a great day!
sokru8
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Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:26 am
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Post by sokru8 »

HI Ladies!

Still no word from REACH. What the hell. I did talk to my Attorney and she is going to refer me to someone who handles medical law.

Thanks for info on the other clinic. Very interesting.

So are we doing lunch on Friday? If so when and where? I guess meeting at a restaurant near Reach may be the best since we all know how to get there. There are a few great restaurants just down the road from there!
Sonya
[img]http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t191/sonyakrueger8/mybabies-1.jpg[/img][img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;53;34/st/20071205/n/Jossilyn+and+Jasmine/k/218d/age.png[/img]
saralee
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Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:52 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by saralee »

Sonya,

Any word from REACH or the attorney? Please let us know. I really am quite upset about this (possible) disruption in your cycle.

saralee
sokru8
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Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:26 am
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Post by sokru8 »

I talked to my IVF Nurse. She said that Dr. Whitesides is supposed to call me tonight. Although he was supposed to call me last night and never did.

We will see. I will post afterwards to let you know what they said. My parents have said they will help us but there is no way they can get the money in time for this cycle. So we may be delayed.

I have contacted my friend about an atty. She is getting back to me. Also Courtney (CMS Allen) gave me an atty to call.

How is everyone else?
CKL: How did EC go today?
Sonya
[img]http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t191/sonyakrueger8/mybabies-1.jpg[/img][img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;53;34/st/20071205/n/Jossilyn+and+Jasmine/k/218d/age.png[/img]
CMSAllen
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Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:58 pm

Post by CMSAllen »

Ugggh ..... Went to the injection class this morning, and I'm not at all looking forward to this whole "intra muscular" thing.

....For whatever its worth .......... (and just to catch some up to speed) ... we ended up conceiving last November (4 months ago) via IUI, at another RE clinic in Charlotte. All was going along really well ... my betas were doubling every 48 hours, and I was struck with acute one-sided pain when my levels reached 799. Although an u/s determined that I had a hemoragic cyst, my 'then' RE was convinced that it was an ectopic (I had a previous ectopic that ended up in a ruptured tube that had to be removed) .... The RE insisted that I undergo an immediate laparoscopy. Long story short .... the pregnancy was NOT in my tube. We ended up seeing the ges sac on u/s the following day, but it was too late. My betas began to fall, and I had to have a D&E the next week.
With that being said, our records were reviewed by an administrative board that governed our RE's practice, and we were told that they had unfortunately "deviated from normal medical guidelines". We spoke with an attorney, and then found ourselves at REACH. Needless to say ... I've shared this info with Sonya...and I am hoping that it doesn't come to this with her. This whole fertility thing is such a stressful ordeal in and of itself!!!

......It seems as though I am seeing woman after woman who IVF has NOT worked for. Someone please tell me that it's because those who it HAS worked for, just don't visit these boards anymore!!! I just cannot gewt rid of this sick feeling in my gut of "Oh My Gosh ...what if this fails"? ..... Our entire livelihood is on the line here. I seriously think it'll put me over the edge!!

Question:: Does anyone know if one is put in a higher success category if they have had prior successful pregnancies and births that were conceived naturally??? Just wondering

Also ... have any of you ever heard of a n IVF cycle resultintg in a BFP ... only to find an empy sac (blighted ovum???)

Thanks girls!
Courtney
sokru8
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Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Post by sokru8 »

Great news Ladies

Dr Whitesides called and told me that he heard that I have been complaining he was willing to do the IVF for free. There are some things we will be paying for. But it is not $6200 and is a cost we can handle. We are so relieved and I am glad I kept the faith in REACH.

Thanks to you all for your support! Why is this such a roller coaster ride??

Courtney: I know exactly what you are saying I see so many devasted women and their dreams have been crushed by this process. We put so much faith in these Dr's. Do they really know as much as we give them credit for??

XOXO
Sonya
Sonya
[img]http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t191/sonyakrueger8/mybabies-1.jpg[/img][img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;53;34/st/20071205/n/Jossilyn+and+Jasmine/k/218d/age.png[/img]
saralee
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Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:52 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by saralee »

Quick responses ...

Sonya, I am quite relieved! May this be the cycle that ends your roller coaster ride called IVF.

Courtney, My goodness! What an ordeal! How terrible that you had to endure such an experience. I admire your strength and courage.

And ladies, REACH has strong numbers (success rates). I believe that if it is going to happen for me and DH, it will happen with REACH. They know their stuff, which is why although I am intrigued by Affordable IVF, I'm not bold enough to take that step.

You're meeting the wrong women Courtney. The ones who have had success tend to move on from these forums. They are too busy posting on parenting with multiples boards. Keep the faith.

Hugs,

saralee[/b]
saralee
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Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:52 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by saralee »

Did everyone go with their spouse for the SA? I'm not sure mine can handle it alone. :lol:

saralee
CMSAllen
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Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:58 pm

Post by CMSAllen »

Saralee .... We collected at home. The Dr.s agree that as long as they have it there within an hour that everything is fine. The first time it look me about 40 minutes to get in there (for my IUI) ... and his count was STILL at 77 million (washed) with 100% motility. ..So, it obviously didn't affect his SA at all. .......Apparently there are many men who just don't feel comfortable collecting at the office. If your DH is one of them, you may want to call and ask if yolu can bring it in for him!
Best O' Luck!!!
Courtney
saralee
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Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:52 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by saralee »

Oh how I wish that were an option for us! But, it takes at least an hour to get there from our home. This morning it took me 1 hr 15 and I left the house at 6:40 AM. Traffic along 74 can be brutal. I'd be a nervous wreck trying to get there in time. Could you imagine me explaining to the officer as he pulled me over? :lol:

I wonder if they allow spouses in the room while DH tried to produce the collection. Not to be graphic but, again, DH is freaking out. He thinks all of this is quite weird.

saralee
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