A Bit Clueless

I've been going to the clinic every second day for an echography and blood test. Nothing exciting, they told me to continue treatment and to lower the dose for Gonal F. Normally I should have retrieval on Monday, but the doctor told me today that it is too soon (feeling a bit disappointed). Not really sure if my body is reacting well to treatment, as they don't really give much information. It's a bit my fault too, as I don't ask questions, but they rush us in and out so quickly that I don't really have the chance to ask. Seriously, I'm with the doctor for no more than 3 minutes. I don't even know what to ask specifically. Other IVF blogs seem to know all the medical jargon like beta, fet, etc. and I don't even know what that means. Unfortunately, nothing has really been explained to me. I rely heavily on internet for IVF information. Since IVF is free in France, perhaps they just do their job as quickly as possible, rather than spending some time with the patient to explain the process, their progress, etc. I usually don't chat much when I get my haircut, but I have more of a conversation with my hairdresser than with my doctor. I go back on Friday, so I think I'll write down some questions in advance to ask. At this stage, if I continue treatment, I'll take it as a good sign.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

This infertility thing can always be on the mind and sometimes we need a good distraction or simply an awesome party. My dear friend is getting married this weekend and last Saturday we had a bachelorette party for her. It was an 80s theme party, so we all got dressed up in our 80s outfit (high heels, cut off jeans, leggings, leg warmers, bubble skirts, neon pink necklaces, jackets with big shoulder pads, spandex, big hair with lots of hairsray, hair scrunchies, etc.), put up 80s posters (Wham, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, etc.), put out 80s movies (Dirty Dancing, Stand by Me, Golden Child, Ferris Bueller's Day off, etc.), and had 80s music on (Belinda Carlisle, Madonna, Wham, etc.). Had a blast and I must admit, I would love to dress 80s everyday - best decade ever!

Starting Phase 2

Had my blood test this morning and they have given me the green light to start phase 2 (yippee!!). Therefore, starting today I will have 2 daily injections, Decapetyle + Gonal F. I also had a consultation with an anesthesiologist, as I will go under general anesthesia for the retrieval (which will normally be 21 June IF everything is ok). I know it's a big IF, but I want to be optimistic. I just hope and pray that my ovaries can produce healthy eggs.

On Monday, I will go to the clinic again for another blood test and next Friday, I will go for an echography.

I've got my fingers and toes crossed that this will work out and also for my fellow IVF sisters!

PS: I had the Gonal F injection this evening and thank goodness it does not hurt. It's a very small needle, so I'm quite relieved. Stimulate follicles stimulate!! Gimme me some healthy ones!!!

Answer

Called the clinic and they said that it was normal that I have my period. Phew! I was so worried that my body was not reacting properly and that it was over. Part of the problem is that the doctor does not really explain the process, so I rely a lot on internet for info. Anyways, I feel really relieved and I'm still continuing my treatment.

On Wednesday, I will have a blood test and start phase 2 with the 2nd injection.

Question

I've been getting my daily Decapeptyle injections and tonight I started having my period! Does this mean that my IVF cycle is ruined? If this is the case, I'm extremely disappointed, as I didn't even finish phase 1 of IVF. I just started the process 10 days ago and now it's possibly over already?

I would appreciate any feedback or information. I'll call the doctor on Monday, but I'm afraid that I already know the answer.

The Start of IVF

It's finally starting, day 1 of my journey with IVF! No more discussions, no more speculation, no more waiting, we are taking some hardcore IVF action.

Phase 1 - Decapeptyle Injections - Artifical Menopause

The nurse came by this evening and I had my first injection (Decapeptyle). This injection is to basically put me in artifical menopause, to stop my period and suppress ovulation. She'll come by every evening to give me my shot. The needle is quite small and I felt a little sting after, but really no big deal (and this is coming from a big chicken).

I'm not a fan of Decapeptyle, as I had this treatment last year for 6 months and I had horrible hot flashes the last 3 months, everyday and practically all day. Out of the blue, my neck and face would be sweating up a storm (I didn't even know that my face was capable of sweating). I hope I don't get this undesirable effect again with this new treatment, but I'll try not to complain, because if it's a part of this process and it can help us have a baby, then I welcome it with open arms.

Phase 2 - Gonal F injections - Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Along with the Decapeptyle injections, I will start Gonal F injections on the 9 June. This injection will try to stimulate my ovaries to produce follicles/eggs, hopefully healthy ones that can be used for IVF. I will also have a blood test that day.

This is the start and I hope it goes well so that I can proceed onto the next steps of the IVF journey. I thought university was hard, I thought moving to a different country was complicated, I thought learning a new language at the age of 28 was difficult, but I think this is going to be one of the biggest challenges in my life, especially since I can't control how my body reacts, but I'm ready to do what I can and kick infertility in the butt, once and for all!

French IVF Trivia

I'm a Canadian, married to a French, living in France. We qualify for 100% financial coverage from the government for IVF. I admit that sometimes I complain about living in France, but thank you thank you thank you for being such a great country for women who struggle with infertility. Vive la France! I don't want to get overly enthusiastic, as we do pay a lot of taxes in this country, therefore in turn there are a broad array of social benefits that are provided.

Here are some French IVF facts:

-To qualify for IVF coverage:
1. The couple has an infertility problem
2. Must be married or living together for a minimum of 2 years
3. The woman must be under 42 years old
4. The obvious, but I should mention, you need to have the French "Carte Vitale" (French social security)

-The government will sponsor up to 4 IVF cycles (what a good and generous government)

-3 is the maximum number of embryo transfers allowed for 1 cycle (reasonable)

-33% is the average success rate that results in live births (wish it was higher and I hope I can contribute to raising this average)

There are many other details to IVF in France, however this is the basic information, just to give you an idea of how it works in this country.

From my understanding, Canada does not cover IVF, however Quebec recently passed a law covering IVF for its province. I hope the rest of Canada follows its lead.

I know a lot of you out there have to dig deep into your pockets to pay for IVF, without any kind of guarantee, so I do feel for you. There are others out there that need IVF and simply can not afford it. That sucks and my heart goes out to those in this situation. If the French government did not pay for our IVF it would certainly make a huge dent in our wallet.

I probably will not have any new postings until I start treatment at the end of the month, so over and out for now.