Finally!! We’re back up and running…That was unbearable!
I really was going to post during my lunch, but then the system was down, so sorry if I seemed like I ignored any questions or comments…
Jen…Social work...That’s an honorable profession, and I give you the Saint-Of-The-Day award. I did some work years ago with young ladies that were living in a group home and had been in some trouble, and it was the most draining job I’ve ever had. I mentally couldn’t cope with it, go to school full-time, and try to maintain a social life. I commend anyone who can give that much of themselves and still be remotely sane. You’re very sane, so seems that you’re a much stronger person than I…You asked what the rest of us did…I’m a capital accountant with a global company. Our Group head office is based out of Tralee, Ireland. I work at the Americas Corporate offices, so we get quite the international mix of people to work with. That’s probably my favorite part of the job. Sorry to hear about your Mini…So sad, but so good that you did take out that extra protection. That was the best investment…You were talking about the costs we’re paying here in the States…It does vary quite a bit even amongst clinics in the same State, here…I was paying in excess of US$16K for the procedures, blood tests during the cycle, and ultrasounds during the cycle. Then, there was an additional US$1K for anesthesia, and another approx. US$2K for meds…The meds is a ballpark because they were covered by insurance, so I never saw how much they would have been. So, when all was said and done, my first treatment was about US$20K…That doesn’t include all the other preliminary tests I took leading up to this that were needed by the clinic before I started my cycles (HSG, Thyroid, Communicable Disease Panel for both me and dh, etc…) Hurts just to type that figure…All for nothing…Not even a little embie to call my own…Oh well…Hopefully this time will go much smoother…Need to leave the past behind and look to the future…
Sully…Only 26 more days!! Getting excited? What will this session discuss? I’m guessing it’s your first consultation. How’s everything else going for you..? Hope you’re all ready for the holidays…
Souris…I think you may have misread an earlier post, or I misunderstood your most recent, but the doctor is recommending that I not do ICSI this time. I did do it last time…I can’t agree with you more about the weight…I can’t seem to loose an ounce, and yet am entirely unmotivated to at this time of the year. I usually do well during the winter months, but with the IVF and the holidays, right now, it’s just not a top priority. I think once the holidays pass, I’ll be more motivated, but for now, not so much…
WIGal…I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t get anymore answers, but I do think that I would have to agree with your husband, as to why they didn’t pursue a more aggressive protocol. I do, however, believe that if you do go for another with this new protocol, you will have more success. I believe you will get more mature eggs. Whether there is a deeper reason why they aren’t fertilizing is still a mystery, but at least you’ll have a better shot at getting fertilization with a greater number of mature eggs. I think you need to follow your heart, but I know how I’m feeling right now, and I need to know for sure. One more try will do that for us (dh & I), I hope…But you need to do what’s best for you and dh. If this is going to put a wedge in between you two, then it may not be worth sacrificing the love you already have. I wish I had the answers for both of us. The future is such a tricky thing…
Jemma…I am so sorry about your SIL. I read some of your other posts on the dec/jan, and it’s got to be such a blow being so unexpected and sudden. Was this your brother’s wife, your husband’s sister, or your brother’s wife? Not that it matters, but was wondering how the spouse &/or family was holding up, whether it be your brother, your dh (if his sister), or your dh’s brother. So, what’s up with the dh’s surprise adoption idea? I’m not familiar with SMS…What does that stand for? Hope you’re doing well, though, and the family is healing from their loss.
99…Tell us more about yourself…How old are you? How old is dh? How long have you been ttc? Where are you from? Basically, just want to start to get to know you…We’re all veterans of the IVF game right now, but I’m sure we’ll have some other ladies join in the coming weeks that will be on their first round along with you. If there’s anything you need, have any questions, or just fear of the unknown, you have come to the right place. These ladies are wonderful and helped me through my first round in October. I’ve met some women I consider to be friends for life. If nothing comes of this experience with regard to having our baby, I know I’ll be able to take something as equally as valuable…Friends…Welcome again…
AEJ…I’m so glad you’re feeling back to yourself with each day. You have been so optimistic the whole time though. Looking back, some of my posts were so tragic and dismal, but you’ve been staying centered the whole way. You’re a strong chickie, and this one’s not gonna get the best of you. You’re gonna reach your dream. Yes, baby steps, but you’ll reach it. Besides, you’re my inspiration…I hope I wasn’t reading into the embryologist just because I was looking for a glimmer of hope, and that she really was trying to “hint” to me that there was something wrong with the egg quality due to protocol. I so want to have this one work. Even if we didn’t get pregnant, but had fertilization, that would be okay. I have a $25K cap on my insurance, so this will be my last time on mine, but if we have some glimmer, then we will probably try our next option. We would have the option of having me go on my husband’s insurance, as his employer is in Illinois which require mandatory IF coverage. So, I just need to have fertilization. I’ve made a decision on the ICSI too! I am going to talk to the embryologist and RE and see if they can try ICSI on the first 2 or 3 mature eggs they find, and have the others sit. She mentioned to me on the phone that she can usually tell if anything’s going to happen within 20 minutes after injection. If she sees action, then ICSI them all, if not, then let them naturally fertilize. The problem is that you have to leave the granulosa cells around the eggs for proper natural fertilization to occur. So, I won’t even know how many of them are mature until the next day. That’s going to be the longest 24 hours of my life…But! I know you ladies will be here for me, to help me get through that time.
Oh…And I talked my hubby into letting me have one of my mom’s Pomeranian puppies, so I’ll have my little boy come home that week of my collection and hopefully my transfer. I’ll be able to have time at home to help get him acclimated to our house and begin potty training. He might be by then, but if not, then that will keep me busy for sure. That is if I can hold out and not bring him home sooner. He’s sooooo adorable! I tried to take a pic on my cell phone this weekend, but it doesn’t get close enough to see his cuteness. I’ll take one this weekend and upload to myspace. Here’s what he looks like though…Tell me if you could resist that face??
Well…I better get my butt to bed, for now, but wanted to let you know I was thinking about you all…Have a great evening, and a happy Thursday…Only two more days to go…Yeah…