Wednesday, May 28, 2008
OFF ON OUR IVF SAFARI APRIL 24,2008
We leave for Cape Town. This was an overnight flight. We flew South African Airlines. It was a nice airline. They offered us plenty of food throughout the flight and drinks anytime you wanted. It was a very long but comfortable flight. Depending on what time of year you go the flights are cheaper. South Africa’s winter season begins on May 1,2008 .It also depends on where you fly from.
MY FIRST GONAL0F INJECTION APRIL 21, 2008
I had my first Goal-F injection tonight. Read ALL the directions before taking the injection. I made a mistake of reading only part and my husband had to stick me twice. Make sure you pull out the end of the pen after you set the dosage amount. And hold the pen in the skin for 5 seconds after injecting the medication to make sure you get the full dosage. It is a small needle so it doesn’t really hurt. But I had a horrible taste in my mouth for about 10 minutes after the injection.
PERIOD STARTED APRIL19,2008
My period was right on time. Which is great because I can start my first injection on day 3 of my cycle.This is what the doctor in South Africa told me. They use birth control to regulate your cycle and then they can control your period with your travel plans.
BASELINE SCAN FOR IVF
Saw the Doctor today for a post-op appointment and a baseline scan. Everything looked good. So we are a go for IVF #3. We will hopefully start Gonal-F on April 21,2008 if AF is on time.
PLANNING IVF # 3 - IVF SAFARI
PLANNING IVF # 3 - IVF SAFARI
Our plans are set. We have talked to the Doctor in South Africa and they have given us our treatment plan. We are set to fly there on April 24,2008. I am on birth control now and have been for the past 4 weeks. I have 2 weeks until I stop them and wait for my AF to show. The reason for the birth control is so the Doctors can PLAN your cycle. I will stop birth control on April 16,2008 and AF should show 3 days later on April 19,2008. We will then start Gonal-F on day 3 of my cycle.I was told to have a baseline scan done on days 1,2, or 3 of my cycle.Or I could even have it done up to 2 weeks before my AF because I have been on birth control.
Our plans are set. We have talked to the Doctor in South Africa and they have given us our treatment plan. We are set to fly there on April 24,2008. I am on birth control now and have been for the past 4 weeks. I have 2 weeks until I stop them and wait for my AF to show. The reason for the birth control is so the Doctors can PLAN your cycle. I will stop birth control on April 16,2008 and AF should show 3 days later on April 19,2008. We will then start Gonal-F on day 3 of my cycle.I was told to have a baseline scan done on days 1,2, or 3 of my cycle.Or I could even have it done up to 2 weeks before my AF because I have been on birth control.
POLYP REMOVAL # 2
POLYP REMOVAL # 2
March 26,2008 I went in for surgery to have the polyp removed. I later found out that I had 2 polyps removed and a D&C. Everything went well and I return to my Doctor in about a week for a follow-up appointment. I was told that I am now ready to go ahead with IVF (Invitro-Fertilization) # 3 .
March 26,2008 I went in for surgery to have the polyp removed. I later found out that I had 2 polyps removed and a D&C. Everything went well and I return to my Doctor in about a week for a follow-up appointment. I was told that I am now ready to go ahead with IVF (Invitro-Fertilization) # 3 .
Thursday, May 22, 2008
POLYP # 2
I then returned to meet with my Doctor here and discussed removing the polyp and my trip to Raleigh. I was hoping to have the polyp removed and then proceeding with the IVF my next cycle.. But after discussing with my Doctor here about my visit he suggested to me that I find a different Doctor. After listening to what he had to say I agreed to find another Doctor. We then visited another Doctor in Cary and was not impressed with her at all. We felt that traveling back to New York was a better option. In the mean time we had to wait to have the polyp removed because my Doctor was going on vacation we had no choice but to push our IVF another month .During the wait for the surgery I had a conversation with a friend that did IVF 3 times and finally had triplet boys. She knew the emotional stress that came along with the infertility journey and said if it was her and she had to do it again she would take a vacation somewhere and do IVF. She felt it would be less stressful. So as we were talking I was thinking. And later that day I went on the internet and put in IVF Vacation. I could not believe the price difference of an IVF cycle abroad.We made the decision to travel to Cape Town South Africa for our 3rd IVF.
SEARCHING FOR A LOCAL DOCTOR
While waiting for Febuary to come in December we learned of a study that a fertility Clinic was sponsoring . So we decided to try and get in the study. We traveled about 4 hours away from where we live for the intake process. We later found out that we did not get into the study because they had limited the number of people in my age group . So another disappointment. We then started exploring Doctors that were closer to us. Thinking that it would be more convienint. But not less expensive. The closest one to us is about 2 hours away. So we traveled to Raleigh and met with one Doctor. We were told that I had another polyp and that it would have to be removed before we could do IVF. Which we already knew it had to be removed before the IVF because I had one before.
NEW DOCTOR - POLYP & IUI ( Intra-Uterine Insemination )
After that we decided to find a new Doctor here at home and see what he thought our options were. I was now 39 and I felt like my time was running out.To our surprise we found out that I had a polyp in my uterus . We were told that we should be glad we didn’t do the IVF because polyps cause miscarriage.So in August of 2007 I had surgery to remove the polyp.We could not afford to do IVF until after the first of the year. So we talked with our new Doctor and asked him if there was anything we could do to increase our chances after he removed the polyp. He suggested trying IUI again. So since I had one tube blocked we had to go in for ultrasounds to see what side my dominant follicle was on. We did one IUI in September of 2007 and one in November of 2007 neither resulted in a pregnancy. It was nearing the end of the year and we were planning on returning to New York in Febuaury to try a third IVF.
Second IVF ( Invitro -Fertilization )
IVF # 2
We started our medication at home again in July of 2007 and then went to New York on Cycle day 9. We used the same medication as before. I started Lupron a week before my period. Then on day 5 of my cycle I started Bravelle. Then On day 8 I started Repronex. We went to New York after 9 days of stimulation. We saw Dr. B on day 9 after we arrived in New York. There was some concern that I might have a cyst and that we would have to cancel the IVF. We stayed a week in New York going back and forth to the Doctor. We were really hoping that the Doctor was wrong about the cyst. But after I took the HCG injection my progesterone level got very high and it was determined that I did have a cyst. The Doctor said if we went ahead with the IVF he did not think that it would result in a pregnancy because he wasn't sure that he would be able to retreive any eggs. Also I would be at risk for bleeding and possibly ruining my future fertility.We were disappointed that we had to cancel the IVF. It was one of those trips that everything goes wrong.
We started our medication at home again in July of 2007 and then went to New York on Cycle day 9. We used the same medication as before. I started Lupron a week before my period. Then on day 5 of my cycle I started Bravelle. Then On day 8 I started Repronex. We went to New York after 9 days of stimulation. We saw Dr. B on day 9 after we arrived in New York. There was some concern that I might have a cyst and that we would have to cancel the IVF. We stayed a week in New York going back and forth to the Doctor. We were really hoping that the Doctor was wrong about the cyst. But after I took the HCG injection my progesterone level got very high and it was determined that I did have a cyst. The Doctor said if we went ahead with the IVF he did not think that it would result in a pregnancy because he wasn't sure that he would be able to retreive any eggs. Also I would be at risk for bleeding and possibly ruining my future fertility.We were disappointed that we had to cancel the IVF. It was one of those trips that everything goes wrong.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Our First IVF
IVF # 1
After 2 ½ years of no pregnancy we decided to look into IVF.
We started looking at IVF. It was very expensive in our area and we had no fertility insurance . So we would have to pay for it all ourselves. We began our search on the internet looking at the different fertility clinics in our area. The prices were no less than $10000.00 for a single IVF cycle not including ICSI or the medication. Our dream of having a child seemed like it was never going to come true. So we kept looking and tried to find an IVF Center that we could afford. We then found Dr. B in New York. His fees were much less than IVF in our area. I called him in November of 2006 and he answered all my questions about IVF for free. After talking with Dr. B we decided to fly out to New York for the weekend to meet him. After meeting him we then started to plan an IVF cycle with Dr. B. We decided to start our IVF cycle in December of 2006 at home and have my doctor here monitor me until day 9 of my cycle. He called in the medication we needed from the pharmacy and the pharmacy shipped it to us overnight. One week before my cycle was due I went for a baseline ultrasound and then started a medication called Lupron. I took it once a day until the day before the retreival. It was my first injection of many to come. Then on day 3 of my cycle I went for day 3 labs. They drew FSH and Estradoil levels. That night after the doctor received my results I was able to start the second injection called Bravelle. I took 225IU of Bravelle on cycle days 3 thru 6. I went for ultrasound and bloodwork every few days. And my results were faxed to the doctor in New York. On day 5 of my cycle I then started another injection called Repronex. I took 150IU of Repronex on cycle days 5 thru 8 and 150IU of Bravelle. On day 9 of my cycle we arrived in New York and saw Dr. B. He did bloodwork and an ultrasound to monitor my progress. I had about 15 follicles but they were not large enough yet to retrieve. So Dr. B increased my medication. I took 150IU of Bravelle and 450IU of Repronex. I then returned the next day for another ultrasound and more bloodwork. Every day I would go for bloodwork and an ultrasound to see if the follicles had grown. On day 10 of my cycle the doctor increased my Repronex to 600IU. On day 11 of my cycle I went again for more bloodwork and another ultrasound. Dr. B decided that the follicles were large enough for reteival. I stopped all the other injections on cycle day 10. And was given the HCG injection on day 11 of my cycle. I was told not to eat or drink anything after midnight. We went to the Doctor’s office on day 11 of my cycle for the retrieval. I was taken back to the retrieval room while my husband gave his donation in another room. The anesthesiologist and Doctor explained the procedure to me.. He first gave me an IV and then asked me where I would like to go on vacation. I said Jamaica. He then injected some medication into my IV and off on my vacation I went. I woke up about 30 minutes later to the anesthesiologist asking me how my vacation was. The Doctor was there also and said that everything went well. My husband was finally allowed into the room with me. We stayed in recovery for about an hour and then the Doctor gave me my first Progesterone injection. I have to say out of all the injections this was the worst. I was then given several medications. I started Doxycycline to help prevent infection. I was given Medrol which was an Estradiol tablet. And Progesterone suppositories along with the Progesterone Oil injection that I would have to take until we saw a heartbeat. After my time in recovery I was able to leave the office and go get something to eat and then go back to our hotel and rest. Later that day we received a phone call from Dr. B saying that they had retrieved 5 eggs and he would call us tomorrow and let us know how many fertilized. We were relieved that they were able to retreive more than one egg because we knew that meant we would have more of a chance of getting pregnant. The next day Dr. B called and told us that 4 out of the 5 eggs fertilized and that they were good quality eggs. We didn’t have to return to the Doctor until 13 of my cycle. We went in for bloodwork and to talk to the Doctor about the progress of our embryos. We were then told to return for a day 3 transfer which was day 14 of my cycle. All 4 embryos were transferred back to increase our chances of pregnancy.The Doctor said with my age the chances of all 4 taking was not likely. We then returned home on day 15 of my cycle. I caught a bad cold while in New York and was scared to take anything for it. So all I could do was rest. One week and 2 weeks after the transfer I went to my OB doctor and had my progesterone level checked and had an ultrasound to check the lining of my uterus. Every thing was looking good. But during the second week after the transfer I started getting those PMS symptoms and started having a little spotting. And of course I thought I was getting my period and was disappointed. I asked my Doctor if they would do an HCG blood test since a home pregnancy test came up negative. Much to my surprise the nurse called and said I was pregnant. I was happy but also worried because I was still spotting. My Doctor said that it is normal to have some slight spotting early in pregnancy. I then went in every 2 days for bloodwork. My levels were quadrupling. I was told that we might be having multiples. The first thought was fear. We knew we had transferred 4 embryos. The thought of possibly having 4 babies was scary. But we went in at 5 ½ weeks for another ultrasound and there was only one sac. And it was not measuring the size it should be. Our happiness went to worry. We had went so far and done so much to have the baby we had wanted . And then to have someone tell us we may lose it. We were told to come back in a week for another ultrasound and bloodwork. My HCG numbers continued to rise over the next week. But when we returned for our 6 ½ week ultrasound there was no heartbeat and we were told again that we would probably have a miscarriage. We were in a state of shock. hoping the Doctor was wrong.. But my spotting continued and by the time I was 7 weeks it was getting worse. I woke up the day we had the miscarriage and had a feeling that something wasn’t right. And sure enough the spotting got worse and then I began to pass clots. By the afternoon I passed what we believe was the embryo. We were told that it was nature’s way of fixing something that wasn’t just right. We were also told that it was probably something chromosomally wrong. Sadness filled our hearts. The dream of having a child together was gone. After months of grieving we were able to consider trying IVF again.
After 2 ½ years of no pregnancy we decided to look into IVF.
We started looking at IVF. It was very expensive in our area and we had no fertility insurance . So we would have to pay for it all ourselves. We began our search on the internet looking at the different fertility clinics in our area. The prices were no less than $10000.00 for a single IVF cycle not including ICSI or the medication. Our dream of having a child seemed like it was never going to come true. So we kept looking and tried to find an IVF Center that we could afford. We then found Dr. B in New York. His fees were much less than IVF in our area. I called him in November of 2006 and he answered all my questions about IVF for free. After talking with Dr. B we decided to fly out to New York for the weekend to meet him. After meeting him we then started to plan an IVF cycle with Dr. B. We decided to start our IVF cycle in December of 2006 at home and have my doctor here monitor me until day 9 of my cycle. He called in the medication we needed from the pharmacy and the pharmacy shipped it to us overnight. One week before my cycle was due I went for a baseline ultrasound and then started a medication called Lupron. I took it once a day until the day before the retreival. It was my first injection of many to come. Then on day 3 of my cycle I went for day 3 labs. They drew FSH and Estradoil levels. That night after the doctor received my results I was able to start the second injection called Bravelle. I took 225IU of Bravelle on cycle days 3 thru 6. I went for ultrasound and bloodwork every few days. And my results were faxed to the doctor in New York. On day 5 of my cycle I then started another injection called Repronex. I took 150IU of Repronex on cycle days 5 thru 8 and 150IU of Bravelle. On day 9 of my cycle we arrived in New York and saw Dr. B. He did bloodwork and an ultrasound to monitor my progress. I had about 15 follicles but they were not large enough yet to retrieve. So Dr. B increased my medication. I took 150IU of Bravelle and 450IU of Repronex. I then returned the next day for another ultrasound and more bloodwork. Every day I would go for bloodwork and an ultrasound to see if the follicles had grown. On day 10 of my cycle the doctor increased my Repronex to 600IU. On day 11 of my cycle I went again for more bloodwork and another ultrasound. Dr. B decided that the follicles were large enough for reteival. I stopped all the other injections on cycle day 10. And was given the HCG injection on day 11 of my cycle. I was told not to eat or drink anything after midnight. We went to the Doctor’s office on day 11 of my cycle for the retrieval. I was taken back to the retrieval room while my husband gave his donation in another room. The anesthesiologist and Doctor explained the procedure to me.. He first gave me an IV and then asked me where I would like to go on vacation. I said Jamaica. He then injected some medication into my IV and off on my vacation I went. I woke up about 30 minutes later to the anesthesiologist asking me how my vacation was. The Doctor was there also and said that everything went well. My husband was finally allowed into the room with me. We stayed in recovery for about an hour and then the Doctor gave me my first Progesterone injection. I have to say out of all the injections this was the worst. I was then given several medications. I started Doxycycline to help prevent infection. I was given Medrol which was an Estradiol tablet. And Progesterone suppositories along with the Progesterone Oil injection that I would have to take until we saw a heartbeat. After my time in recovery I was able to leave the office and go get something to eat and then go back to our hotel and rest. Later that day we received a phone call from Dr. B saying that they had retrieved 5 eggs and he would call us tomorrow and let us know how many fertilized. We were relieved that they were able to retreive more than one egg because we knew that meant we would have more of a chance of getting pregnant. The next day Dr. B called and told us that 4 out of the 5 eggs fertilized and that they were good quality eggs. We didn’t have to return to the Doctor until 13 of my cycle. We went in for bloodwork and to talk to the Doctor about the progress of our embryos. We were then told to return for a day 3 transfer which was day 14 of my cycle. All 4 embryos were transferred back to increase our chances of pregnancy.The Doctor said with my age the chances of all 4 taking was not likely. We then returned home on day 15 of my cycle. I caught a bad cold while in New York and was scared to take anything for it. So all I could do was rest. One week and 2 weeks after the transfer I went to my OB doctor and had my progesterone level checked and had an ultrasound to check the lining of my uterus. Every thing was looking good. But during the second week after the transfer I started getting those PMS symptoms and started having a little spotting. And of course I thought I was getting my period and was disappointed. I asked my Doctor if they would do an HCG blood test since a home pregnancy test came up negative. Much to my surprise the nurse called and said I was pregnant. I was happy but also worried because I was still spotting. My Doctor said that it is normal to have some slight spotting early in pregnancy. I then went in every 2 days for bloodwork. My levels were quadrupling. I was told that we might be having multiples. The first thought was fear. We knew we had transferred 4 embryos. The thought of possibly having 4 babies was scary. But we went in at 5 ½ weeks for another ultrasound and there was only one sac. And it was not measuring the size it should be. Our happiness went to worry. We had went so far and done so much to have the baby we had wanted . And then to have someone tell us we may lose it. We were told to come back in a week for another ultrasound and bloodwork. My HCG numbers continued to rise over the next week. But when we returned for our 6 ½ week ultrasound there was no heartbeat and we were told again that we would probably have a miscarriage. We were in a state of shock. hoping the Doctor was wrong.. But my spotting continued and by the time I was 7 weeks it was getting worse. I woke up the day we had the miscarriage and had a feeling that something wasn’t right. And sure enough the spotting got worse and then I began to pass clots. By the afternoon I passed what we believe was the embryo. We were told that it was nature’s way of fixing something that wasn’t just right. We were also told that it was probably something chromosomally wrong. Sadness filled our hearts. The dream of having a child together was gone. After months of grieving we were able to consider trying IVF again.
Tubal Reversal
July 7, 2004
Tubal reversal
Our journey to have children began on July 7,2004 . I had a tubal reversal.I was 36 at the time and we both thought this was going to be easy. We thought we would have the surgery and be pregnant soon after. After four months of trying we still didn’t get pregnant. We had post-coital test done and we were told that everything was ok. So we decided in December of 2004 to have an HSG to determine if my tubes were open. We got disappointing news . We were told that one tube was open and one was blocked. But we still had hope that we would get pregnant one day with the open tube. After several more months of disappointment we decided to try the fertility drug Clomid. I took it for several months and still no positive pregnancy test. We then resorted to IUI and more fertility drugs. But still after two IUI’s and hundreds of dollars later we were still NOT pregnant. We were getting very frustrated . People kept telling us to stop trying and it would happen. But it didn’t. So we then tried a drug called Femara. Which still gave us no pregnancy. After a year and a half of trying the two different fertility medications we were no closer to having a baby. But we were determined that one day we would have a child together.
Tubal reversal
Our journey to have children began on July 7,2004 . I had a tubal reversal.I was 36 at the time and we both thought this was going to be easy. We thought we would have the surgery and be pregnant soon after. After four months of trying we still didn’t get pregnant. We had post-coital test done and we were told that everything was ok. So we decided in December of 2004 to have an HSG to determine if my tubes were open. We got disappointing news . We were told that one tube was open and one was blocked. But we still had hope that we would get pregnant one day with the open tube. After several more months of disappointment we decided to try the fertility drug Clomid. I took it for several months and still no positive pregnancy test. We then resorted to IUI and more fertility drugs. But still after two IUI’s and hundreds of dollars later we were still NOT pregnant. We were getting very frustrated . People kept telling us to stop trying and it would happen. But it didn’t. So we then tried a drug called Femara. Which still gave us no pregnancy. After a year and a half of trying the two different fertility medications we were no closer to having a baby. But we were determined that one day we would have a child together.
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