Went to Canada for 5 weeks, visiting family and friends, and enjoying the winter season. I'm now back in France and waiting anxiously for my next IVF appointment, which is the 22 February. I had to cancel the appointment in January, as I wasn't able to get all the tests done, since I was in the land of the true north, strong and free. The Cat Man got all of his sperm tests done and I need to wait for my next period in order to get my blood test done to see where my hormone levels are at (hopefully they are not raging too badly).
While I was in Canada, a new IVF predict iphone app came out, which can apparently give you a "personalised prediction of your chance of success with IVF." I am a hopeful IVFer so I was curious and tried it out. I have a 15.7% chance of success!
OMG! Does this mean give up and forget about it or is there a glimmer of hope?
Is the glass half empty or half full? In my case, my glass is 84.3% empty! Well, no app is going to stop me from trying. For those fellow IVFers that are curious about this app it can be found at www.ivfpredit.com
In the meantime, I'm waiting for the 22 February to roll around so that I can start IVF cycle #3 with a hopeful and optimistic perspective.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, November 26, 2010
New Fertility Clinic
Went to the new fertility clinic and we were really happy to find a doctor that takes the time to get to know our medical history, give us her point of view and answers all of our questions with detail and precision. Really a thorough doctor. She spent an hour and a half with us! It is the complete opposite from the other clinic, where I felt like a number, everyone is always in a hurry, very minimal communication between doctor and patient and we all get more or less the same treatment for IVF.
Here is a summary of our meeting:
-She said that my operation last year for endometriosis was done by an excellent surgeon. In many cases after the operation the ovaries can stop working due to the size of the cysts I had and scar tissues that can develop after surgery. After reading all of my medical history and results, she is surprised that my ovaries are still working.
-Since I have severe endometriosis, along with a cyst that came back last year, plus my age, it is possible to keep trying, however we need to be realistic and hope that nature will be on our side during our next IVF cycle. As my ovaries are damaged goods, I can not expect to produce a massive amount of eggs, however we only need 1 good egg to make this all happen, so we can still hope for a successful outcome, however no guarantees can be given - message received and accepted.
-She wants to re-test the Cat Man's sperm, because the first test had some strange results.
-If we wish to switch over to her, she will change up the protocol a bit and customize my treatment according to our history, tests, etc. Wow, a doctor who actually thinks outside of the box, rather than following the same treatment sheet for everyone.
I asked her if she thought that the other clinic was competent and she was really fair and diplomatic in her reply. She actually used to work there for many years and said that they have a very good team. If I wanted to continue with the other clinic, she said that she would be happy to call my doctor and give some suggestions for the next cycle. She said it was up to me to choose and that both clinics have about the same success rates. I really respected her reply, because she could have been very negative about the other clinic, so that she would get a new patient, but it wasn't the case at all. The biggest difference is that the other doctor always kept us in the dark and this new doctor really knows how to communicate.
This clinic is private so we will have to pay for some of the costs, but it will be minimal, because the government still covers most of the expenses.
We had a really good feeling with this doctor and we will most likely switch clinics for our next IVF cycle, which will hopefully be in January 2011. If so, we've got a few tests we need to get done in December (sperm and blood tests).
Since all of this has started, this is the first time I feel reassured, realistic of our situation and informed. Not sure if it will work, but I now feel confident that we are in excellent hands, so that our chance of having a baby will be maximized.
Here is a summary of our meeting:
-She said that my operation last year for endometriosis was done by an excellent surgeon. In many cases after the operation the ovaries can stop working due to the size of the cysts I had and scar tissues that can develop after surgery. After reading all of my medical history and results, she is surprised that my ovaries are still working.
-Since I have severe endometriosis, along with a cyst that came back last year, plus my age, it is possible to keep trying, however we need to be realistic and hope that nature will be on our side during our next IVF cycle. As my ovaries are damaged goods, I can not expect to produce a massive amount of eggs, however we only need 1 good egg to make this all happen, so we can still hope for a successful outcome, however no guarantees can be given - message received and accepted.
-She wants to re-test the Cat Man's sperm, because the first test had some strange results.
-If we wish to switch over to her, she will change up the protocol a bit and customize my treatment according to our history, tests, etc. Wow, a doctor who actually thinks outside of the box, rather than following the same treatment sheet for everyone.
I asked her if she thought that the other clinic was competent and she was really fair and diplomatic in her reply. She actually used to work there for many years and said that they have a very good team. If I wanted to continue with the other clinic, she said that she would be happy to call my doctor and give some suggestions for the next cycle. She said it was up to me to choose and that both clinics have about the same success rates. I really respected her reply, because she could have been very negative about the other clinic, so that she would get a new patient, but it wasn't the case at all. The biggest difference is that the other doctor always kept us in the dark and this new doctor really knows how to communicate.
This clinic is private so we will have to pay for some of the costs, but it will be minimal, because the government still covers most of the expenses.
We had a really good feeling with this doctor and we will most likely switch clinics for our next IVF cycle, which will hopefully be in January 2011. If so, we've got a few tests we need to get done in December (sperm and blood tests).
Since all of this has started, this is the first time I feel reassured, realistic of our situation and informed. Not sure if it will work, but I now feel confident that we are in excellent hands, so that our chance of having a baby will be maximized.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Change of Plan
Called the hospital on Monday to tell them that I had my period, however they said that legally I was obliged to take the blood test, so I did. Got the results today and of course it came back as a big fat negative. No surprise there.
I really don't like this hospital. They have a set and very basic formula and apply it to all the patients. Everyone starts the Gonal F injections on a Wednesday, everyone has the retrieval on a Monday and everyone has the transfer 48 hours later, on the Wednesday. It truly feels like an IVF factory and that their goal is to see as many patients as possible, rather than focusing on the success rate. No one in this hospital seems to think outside of the box.
I wrote an email to my gynaecologist and explained how I felt, so he has kindly given me the contact details of another clinic that provides IVF treatment. I have an appointment on the 26 November 2010. I think this clinic is semi-private, so we may have to pay for some of the costs out of our own pocket. Hopefully they are more proactive and can help us with our baby dream. Perhaps third time's a charm.
I really don't like this hospital. They have a set and very basic formula and apply it to all the patients. Everyone starts the Gonal F injections on a Wednesday, everyone has the retrieval on a Monday and everyone has the transfer 48 hours later, on the Wednesday. It truly feels like an IVF factory and that their goal is to see as many patients as possible, rather than focusing on the success rate. No one in this hospital seems to think outside of the box.
I wrote an email to my gynaecologist and explained how I felt, so he has kindly given me the contact details of another clinic that provides IVF treatment. I have an appointment on the 26 November 2010. I think this clinic is semi-private, so we may have to pay for some of the costs out of our own pocket. Hopefully they are more proactive and can help us with our baby dream. Perhaps third time's a charm.
Friday, November 5, 2010
&!@#?=]=+%
IVF #2 is a bust. Since the transfer, I was feeling great. I was walking on cloud 9, resting up, even had a goofy and hopeful smile on my face and then it all came to a brutal end. Yesterday I started to feel menstrual cramps and had some spotting and today it's full on. It's over.
I'm feeling a lot of things (pissed, depressed, empty), but most of all, I'm feeling heartbroken. Our embies didn't make it. Had a good cry on my husband's shoulder yesterday. Not sure what the next step will be, this has all been so emotionally draining. 4 years of trying without any results is wearing me down.
I'm feeling a lot of things (pissed, depressed, empty), but most of all, I'm feeling heartbroken. Our embies didn't make it. Had a good cry on my husband's shoulder yesterday. Not sure what the next step will be, this has all been so emotionally draining. 4 years of trying without any results is wearing me down.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Mission Possible
Went to the clinic today for the transfer and they managed to create 2 embryos for us. Yippee! Would have liked more, but we'll take it! Not sure of the quality, as they didn't give any info, but we should receive the details by post in the near future.
The transfer took about 5 minutes, had no discomfort, rested for about 15 minutes and then we were sent home. It all happened so fast, kinda felt like wham, bam, thank- you ma'am. The only thing I thought was strange was that they did not use an ultrasound to guide the embryos.
As of now, I've got 2 embryos floating around my uterus. I hope they grow strong and healthy by the minute and stick to my womb. Blood test is scheduled for the 8th November. It's going to be a long 2 week wait to know the results, however we've waited for almost 4 years and we are very close to making this mission very possible!
Will have bed rest today and tomorrow I'll resume as normal. Thinking of very zen and sticky thoughts.
The transfer took about 5 minutes, had no discomfort, rested for about 15 minutes and then we were sent home. It all happened so fast, kinda felt like wham, bam, thank- you ma'am. The only thing I thought was strange was that they did not use an ultrasound to guide the embryos.
As of now, I've got 2 embryos floating around my uterus. I hope they grow strong and healthy by the minute and stick to my womb. Blood test is scheduled for the 8th November. It's going to be a long 2 week wait to know the results, however we've waited for almost 4 years and we are very close to making this mission very possible!
Will have bed rest today and tomorrow I'll resume as normal. Thinking of very zen and sticky thoughts.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Successful Egg Hunt
I'm totally exhausted so I'll keep this short and simple. Went for retrieval today. Had general anaesthesia and great news, they got 7 follicles! The other day, they only saw 3 or 4 on the ultrasound, but there were actually 7. I hope a lot of them are mature and of good quality - fingers and toes crossed. They will do ICSI. If all is well, transfer is scheduled for Wednesday. Start progesterone tonight.
I've got lower abdominal cramps and my poor ovaries feel like they've been punched, so I'm off to get some rest and dream of beautiful embryos.
I've got lower abdominal cramps and my poor ovaries feel like they've been punched, so I'm off to get some rest and dream of beautiful embryos.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Very Limited Numbers
Good news is that I will trigger on Saturday and the egg hunt is on for Monday.
The not so good news is that they only see about 3 to 4 eggs on the ultrasound. Only 3 or 4 eggs!?!?! Ugh! And how many of these will be mature and make an embryo? The doctor said that both ovaries do not seem to be working well due to Endometriosis, thus the limited numbers. This seems to be an uphill battle.
Last time, they retrieved 6 eggs and only 4 of them were mature, which resulted in 0 embryos. This time, who knows what's going to happen, but I will keep hanging onto the glimmer of hope and pray for my miracle baby.
The not so good news is that they only see about 3 to 4 eggs on the ultrasound. Only 3 or 4 eggs!?!?! Ugh! And how many of these will be mature and make an embryo? The doctor said that both ovaries do not seem to be working well due to Endometriosis, thus the limited numbers. This seems to be an uphill battle.
Last time, they retrieved 6 eggs and only 4 of them were mature, which resulted in 0 embryos. This time, who knows what's going to happen, but I will keep hanging onto the glimmer of hope and pray for my miracle baby.
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