REACH in Charlotte NC

sokru8 · Post by **sokru8** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:29 pm

Ashley: If you go to the tickerfactory choose to do the "event" one then you can type whatever you want.
Great news on the SURGE!!

No AF yet but Im feeling a little crampy so hopefully soon! I should know sooon my protocal our e/r should be pretty close together!!

saralee · Post by **saralee** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:10 am

Sonya, I'm wishing AF on its way to you!

I can't wait to read about you two ladies ERs.

Please keep posting updates. It's inspiring.

Hugs,

saralee

sokru8 · Post by **sokru8** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:34 pm

Thought you girls would find this interesting! 3 Dr's at Reach were named best dr's of 2006.

http://www.businessnc.com/archives/2006 ... icine.html

If you click on Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Wing, Dr. Crain and Dr. Whitesides all were recongnized.

ckl · Post by **ckl** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:45 pm

Hey Girls,

I am new to the forum but wanted to jump into this conversation. I am also a patient at Reach in Charlotte and am just starting my second attempt at ivf (first was cancelled - wrong protocol). My doctor is Dr. Teaff. i am also a shared risk participant but was just informed that they have terminated my participation in the program due to the cancellation...which is crazy considering that Dr. Teaff is super layed back about this and said that it was completely normal to have to "tweek" the drug protocol. anyways, i am pretty sure that they can appeal this but I am debating just getting out of it while I can. anyone have any advice??? I am 32, my DH is 35 and our issues are mid range male factor. I guess i am just getting a bit frustrated!

sokru8 · Post by **sokru8** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:06 pm

Welcome CKL!!
Great to have another member from Charlotte. I would definatley appeal the shared risk program. If I had the $20,000 at the first time I would have done that. Ask your IVF nurse to help you with the appeal.
When will you start up again?
Sonya

saralee · Post by **saralee** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:08 pm

ckl,

Welcome to this thread! So glad to "meet" another REACH patient!

I am so sorry to hear you were terminated from the shared risk program. This is one of the cons I've read about shared risk ... opponents to shared risk say that the patients are "cherry picked" thereby enabling the clinics to boost their success rates.

I would also be frustrated. It's difficult for me to say definitively but, if there is an avenue for appeal, I would probably persue it. Maybe the ohter ladies will have better insight, this is all very new to me.

When you say "getting out while you can" are you referring specifically to shared risk of IVF? I do hop ethat you will continue your effort, with or without shared risk. Everything I read about REACH gives me good vibes. I worked with a clinic in Jersey (did two IUIs) that was pretty bad.

sonya,

Thanks for posting that article!!! Definitely helps me feel like I chose the right IVF clinic this time around!

ann,

Thanks for the info about the clinic in Buenos Aires! Maybe it will help someone here. I took a glance at their website but they don't have any info in English yet. I've heard of many people seeking medical care overseas to cut down on costs. 20/20 did a program on "Medical Tours" I think it was called. For instance, a senior went to India to have hip replacement surgery. Total costs for surgery, airfare and top notch treatment at a beautiful hotel for a couple weeks was considerably less than the surgery alone in this country. However, I'm not even brave enough to go across the country for medical care, let alone out of the country. I would probably feel differently if it pertained to a life threatening situation.

Ann, where are you in your cycle? Are you in the 2ww? Hang in there. Best wishes.

Ashley,
Did you surge?? And did you figure out the ticker??

Sara

REACH-AEJ · Post by **REACH-AEJ** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:16 pm

Hi Girls!

Welcome CKL!! - that's interesting that they would kick you out because of the wrong protocol...I did not know they could do that. We considered it, but were unfortunately too optimistic since we had unexplained infertility and opted not too. Sounds like they would have kicked us out as well considering our first IVF had no fertilization. It was definitely the wrong protocol as well - 2nd time we had great fertilization. Go figure.

I would appeal if you can~ I hear a lot of times it takes a couple of times to get the protocol correct because it's so specific to each person. I wander what the fine print on your contract says....

Sonya - thanks for the ticker info! I will go check it out. I am doing the AF dance for you!

Saralee - I did surge!

I went to give blood today to make sure and haven't heard back yet. Probably get a call tomorrow with the go ahead. Any sign of AF yet for you?? Are you guys still tossing around the idea of proceeding?

....Today at the clinic, my dh and I went to do some blood tests and ran into a guy and his wife that I used to work with at my previous job (year ago). It took me off guard and was a bit uncomfortable! I did not know they were doing it and they didn't know we were...what a coincidence to run into them. Anyway, I hope to meet you girls some time!

saralee · Post by **saralee** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:46 pm

I went to Dr. Whelan February 14 and he told me to give my cycle "10-12" days to appear. But, he alternately said, "Call us March 1" if my cycle hadn't begun. I opted to call today, and put them on notice that I was on CD 48. The nurse called back and asked if I had taken a pregnancy test ... no. I reminded her that I only get my cycle three to four times a year ... no way am I pregnant. She told me she would speak to Dr. Whelan about the next step, and to call her tomorrow morning after I've taken a pregnancy test. I am NOT pregnant. I wish someone would enter into a bet with me on this one. We could certainly use the money.

Last night I lay in bed thinking of all the things we could do financially if we did not proceed with IVF. We could fence our yard, put in a sunroom, go on vacation (something we are overdue for), etc. I am worried about depriving DH, or the children we have because of my desire to have a child with DH. But DH seemed a bit more positive about it last night, thought we should proceed. Remarked that he thought if we didn't make this attempt, I'd regret it forever. And I convinced myself that the other things I mentioned could be done at a later date.

So we're going to give it a try. Although it's too early to have a good idea of the financial commitment involved since there are some unknowns like the cost of meds, issues related to a donor, etc.

saralee

saralee · Post by **saralee** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:05 am

Ashley,

When we worked with the clinic in Jersey I always worried about seeing someone I knew. That is less likely to happen here since we know so few people. However, as my DH reminded me, if we see someone there, what's the big deal? They clearly have an infertility issue too.

For me I think it would be worse if it were someone I still worked with, or simply had to encounter in another setting on a regular basis (like a relative with a big mouth).

Right now, we're not telling anyone although we likely will but not before we have good news to share. I simply cannot deal with folks giving me their opinions at this point, or even well-meaning people looking for regular updates. We went through that with our adoption and it about drove me nuts.

Sara

sokru8 · Post by **sokru8** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:00 am

Sara Lee: Sorry to hear that you are not pregnant. I know this is such a tough process. It is such a huge commitment the money the time and the emotions. It all comes down to you and your dh deciding what is the best for your whole family.
I think about what we would have done with the money too. Ahhh a vacation sounds wonderful..... We havent gone on one in forever it seems!!!

Ashley: That must have been really awkward meeting your old co-workers in the clinic. As I am doing my second try with IVF I havent told anyone but our family. The last time was so horrid having to tell people about the bfn. My boss told everyone I worked with! So I had to tell 30 people of my bfn or if they heard they felt sorry for me.. So I havent told anyone. I will eventually have to tell my boss but I am going to wait until it is absolutley nesscary. I hope to run into at the clinic though!!!

REACH-AEJ · Post by **REACH-AEJ** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:15 pm

We have told family and close friends and sometimes, like you guys said, I regret the friend part b/c they want "well meaning" updates. And, sometimes I don't feel like discussing or thinking about it!
It's hard though - once they know it did not work, then they want to know what you are doing now, etc. So, I have not been talking about this time really to anyone (my mom and sisters a bit) and that way they have no idea exactly whats going on...I even told some people we are doing "tests" and it wouldn't be until late summer or so before we decide what's next. A little white lie never hurt anyone, right??

I'm glad you are feeling better about going forward with this Saralee. The trips, fences, etc can definitely be done any time! I am all about 'no regrets.'!!! I'm sure your kids would also love a little sis or brother instead of a new fence anyway

! Seriously, don't feel selfish ~ the fact that you even have to think so much about it shows how unselfish you are anyway.
And...they should check your info before asking if you're pregnant if you have a history of very, very long cycles! let us know what's next for you when you get the call back...

Still doing the AF dance for you girls

saralee · Post by **saralee** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:58 pm

Going to start Provera this evening, the nurse just called to say my script was called in to the pharmacist. Five days. Call them as soon as AF begins.

My stomach is doing somersaults and nothing has happened yet. I'm such a cornball.

saralee

sokru8 · Post by **sokru8** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:13 pm

Sara: Is that Depo Provera? Is it injections or pills? I will be on 5 days of BCPs also!
You are fine Sara DEEP BREATH!
You can do it!!!

No AF for me yet!!!!
Sonya

saralee · Post by **saralee** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:55 am

Sonya,

You told me to take a deep breath but didn't remind me to exhale

I have my script in front of me. It's Medroxyprogest or Provera. It will bring on my menses. I've taken it before. It can be dangerous to go too long without a cycle because the uterine lining gets thick, which can make conditions more favorable for cancer. I have to take it for a full five days, even if my cycle begins before I have completed the script. But, I am to call REACH on the very day my menses begin.

Sonya, are you typically regular? When were you expecting AF? Have the meds thrown your body off track?

saralee

sokru8 · Post by **sokru8** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:20 pm

Sara: Ok Exhale!

Normally AF is right on time. I am not really going to worry until I havent had it by this weekend. Then I will call the clinic. After the last IVF my cycle was a little off time wise and the Dr said that is normal.
I am crampy so I am hoping tonight is the night for AF to start. It usually never happens during the day. Only over night. Ahh the joy!
Sonya

REACH in Charlotte NC

Advertisements