What a crazy ride this has been and we haven't really even started yet!! First off, I lied. Don't keep May 15th open, keep the 23rd open...Sorry had many schedule changes to make this work, but it is purchased and set in STONE!!! BBQ of HOPE will be May 23rd at 11am at Sago Park in Palm Springs, FL. I'm stoked, its a beautiful park and we already have so much planned! Just need some more fine tuning and a guest list. $10 a head for food and drink, but we will also be having a bake sale and raffle to help with the $$ raising. Its gonna be a great time! Come one come all!!!! Bring your kids, bring a friend!
So Matt and I went out to eat tonight just to sit quietly for 2 1/2 hrs and sign consent forms for IVF. Holy gracious sakes its about 20 pages of forms. What we want fertilized, how many to put back in my womb, what to do with left over embryo's, what to do if one or both of us dies, who do we want to care for the embryo's if we both die, do we give them up for donation, do we destroy them (hell to the NO), how many to freeze, do we freeze if only one survives and on and on and on...Needless to say, both our heads were spinning by the time we were done, and that was on iced tea only!!! Sheesh, such complication to have a kid! Gracious!
Thankfully we can just not sign what we don't understand and this Thursday we will have a meeting with the IVF nurse to go over the consents, questions, finances, all that fun stuff. We have a LIST of questions a mile long, but at least they are written down, so if there is any confusion we'll remember what we wanted to ask. OH MY GRACIOUS I feel some hyperventilating coming on....HEE HEE HOO!! HEE HEE HOO!!! I guess this is practice for Lamaze breathing. HA!
So Thursday is the next appt. I have CD2 labs and u/s done and then sometime in the next week or so I start birth control pills (BCP). EEEK! I can't believe this is happening! We are ACTUALLY STARTING IVF!!! Just freaks the crapoley out of me, but yet I know that God is in control. Need to do more of that deep breathing! Good Lord help me! We are excited though. I'm ready, finally ready to proceed forward. Ready for closure, ready for answers. And so ready to hold a little one in my arms. I know I'm jumping the gun, counting my eggs before they hatch (HA!! Or before they even get LAID!), but I'm hopeful. Hopeful that God will bring us the desire of our hearts. But yes, I'm also realistic. Gosh heavy stuff for 10 at night!
So there you have it. Fundraisers, updates, BCP's and the start of the ride!! I feel like the shoulder bars just came down and clicked in to position, and the ride is about to start!!! Aren't you SO excited you get to come on this ride with us??? :-) Well its now or never, and all I can do is look straight ahead, hold on for dear life, and pray that I come out of this still breathing!! (and hopefully not puking! HA) Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
FUNDRAISING!!!
I'm so excited! So after some research and planning, it SEEMS we are going to have a BBQ Fundraiser for IVF $$...I'm totally stoked. Found this FABULOUS park (that is only $75 for the day!) and it has all kinds of fun stuff, volleyball, a dock to fish from, horse shoes, playground...Plus a lot of land to run around on. I'm hoping and praying its available on the 15th of May b/c if it is WE ARE GONNA PARTY!!!
Details are to come (after confirmation for getting the pavilion) but it looks like it will be a BBQ with a requested $10 a head, plus raffles and games where money and prizes may be won. (we'll see how that flies) Plus food fun and fellowship!!!
I've been so amazed at the response already, at those who are willing to give to help us toward this goal, to support us and HOPE for this child too. Knowing that its not 100%, that IVF isn't necessarily going to work, but willing to hope with us, sacrifice for us and our hopeful child(ren). That means the world to me. More then you will ever know...
So save the date... MAY 15th, 2010 at lunch time. We are going to (hopefully) have a BBQ OF HOPE!!!! Thank you for loving and supporting us. Your thoughts, prayers and kindness is what gets us through every single day!!! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Details are to come (after confirmation for getting the pavilion) but it looks like it will be a BBQ with a requested $10 a head, plus raffles and games where money and prizes may be won. (we'll see how that flies) Plus food fun and fellowship!!!
I've been so amazed at the response already, at those who are willing to give to help us toward this goal, to support us and HOPE for this child too. Knowing that its not 100%, that IVF isn't necessarily going to work, but willing to hope with us, sacrifice for us and our hopeful child(ren). That means the world to me. More then you will ever know...
So save the date... MAY 15th, 2010 at lunch time. We are going to (hopefully) have a BBQ OF HOPE!!!! Thank you for loving and supporting us. Your thoughts, prayers and kindness is what gets us through every single day!!! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Sorry been a little crazy...
A bit of an update. OK a HUGE update!!! :-)
So on Tuesday I went for whats called a Trial Transfer...Basically my RE was measuring the length of my cervix and uterine wall so when we ARE transferring embryo's, there is little trauma as possible. Thankfully trial transfer was a piece of cake. I have a "retro easy entry cervix" woohoo! Aren't we excited. IUI's were pretty easy for me when I had them (very similar process)So this was fine and dandy...bonus for me! YAY One thing that is EASY!!!
Now I told you before that Matt has to be tested and all that, and they were greatly concerned. Well get this. They checked all of Matt's blood minus a few tests that they are still waiting on and everything is 100% perfect. Doesn't look genetic either. So the SA retest showed that even with such a low count there was still about 1% normal out of 500,000...Still a decent enough number for ICSI which was the plan all along. SOOO, she wants him to still see the urology male factor specialist on the 23rd, but they (RE and uro) have already been discussing his case and b/c everything looks normal lab and genetic wise, it is probably secondary to him sitting all the time. No way for the guys too cool b/c he sits in the wheelchair, and, short of him sitting on an ice pack all day, there isn't much we can do. Kinda like a perpetual sauna for the spermies!
BUT we can still move forward w/ICSI and IVF!! YAY! AND, barring any complications, WE ARE STARTING NEXT MONTH! So we need the Uro's go ahead, but b/c everything so far looks normal there is no real reason he would halt the IVF, so with my next period, I start with CD2 labs and u/s, then go on BCP's and Lupron!! Followed by stim, retrieval and transfer! EEEEKKK!!!!!!
This is really happening! I'm so excited. Cautiously excited, but excited none the less. The will freeze 1-2 "samples" from Matt and then collect fresh the day of retrieval (when they pull out my eggs) with the hopes that in those samples they will have enough normal sperm to do the ICSI.
One unfortunate is Dr. K is moving back to NY and will not be the one that does the retrieval, :-(, but she is going to work with the new RE (also a lady who she said is very sweet/compassionate, like minded to her) hand in hand with our case, so she'll basically just pick up where Dr. K will leave off. So it will be Dr. W.
I have to believe that God is laying out this path how it is supposed to fall for a reason. So I'm not stressing, all tho I'm a little sad, but its OK, we'll take it a step at a time!! Even with the new RE.
So that's our update!! In just about 3-4 weeks, the process will begin!! (assuming the urologist clears Matt) Can you believe it?? We need to do some fundraising b/c overall it will be probably close to $7,000 out of pocket, give or take. And, while we are doing much better financially, we are not farmers of money trees. So ideas appreciated it!!!
Continue to pray, we'll keep you posted. Thank you for joining us on this journey. It helps to have some many people care and love us through this! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
So on Tuesday I went for whats called a Trial Transfer...Basically my RE was measuring the length of my cervix and uterine wall so when we ARE transferring embryo's, there is little trauma as possible. Thankfully trial transfer was a piece of cake. I have a "retro easy entry cervix" woohoo! Aren't we excited. IUI's were pretty easy for me when I had them (very similar process)So this was fine and dandy...bonus for me! YAY One thing that is EASY!!!
Now I told you before that Matt has to be tested and all that, and they were greatly concerned. Well get this. They checked all of Matt's blood minus a few tests that they are still waiting on and everything is 100% perfect. Doesn't look genetic either. So the SA retest showed that even with such a low count there was still about 1% normal out of 500,000...Still a decent enough number for ICSI which was the plan all along. SOOO, she wants him to still see the urology male factor specialist on the 23rd, but they (RE and uro) have already been discussing his case and b/c everything looks normal lab and genetic wise, it is probably secondary to him sitting all the time. No way for the guys too cool b/c he sits in the wheelchair, and, short of him sitting on an ice pack all day, there isn't much we can do. Kinda like a perpetual sauna for the spermies!
BUT we can still move forward w/ICSI and IVF!! YAY! AND, barring any complications, WE ARE STARTING NEXT MONTH! So we need the Uro's go ahead, but b/c everything so far looks normal there is no real reason he would halt the IVF, so with my next period, I start with CD2 labs and u/s, then go on BCP's and Lupron!! Followed by stim, retrieval and transfer! EEEEKKK!!!!!!
This is really happening! I'm so excited. Cautiously excited, but excited none the less. The will freeze 1-2 "samples" from Matt and then collect fresh the day of retrieval (when they pull out my eggs) with the hopes that in those samples they will have enough normal sperm to do the ICSI.
One unfortunate is Dr. K is moving back to NY and will not be the one that does the retrieval, :-(, but she is going to work with the new RE (also a lady who she said is very sweet/compassionate, like minded to her) hand in hand with our case, so she'll basically just pick up where Dr. K will leave off. So it will be Dr. W.
I have to believe that God is laying out this path how it is supposed to fall for a reason. So I'm not stressing, all tho I'm a little sad, but its OK, we'll take it a step at a time!! Even with the new RE.
So that's our update!! In just about 3-4 weeks, the process will begin!! (assuming the urologist clears Matt) Can you believe it?? We need to do some fundraising b/c overall it will be probably close to $7,000 out of pocket, give or take. And, while we are doing much better financially, we are not farmers of money trees. So ideas appreciated it!!!
Continue to pray, we'll keep you posted. Thank you for joining us on this journey. It helps to have some many people care and love us through this! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Update from our Appt...
So we are home from the Bahamas. We had an AMAZING time and just relaxed, slept, baked in the sun, and enjoyed the wonderful time. I love island time, its so easy going!!! Pictures and stuff to come once I get the time to upload them to the computer. We flew in Tues afternoon and my dad was kind enough to take us to our appt with Dr. K. This was the update after finishing all the wonderful tests and procedures prior to us starting IVF. Unfortunately, not all good news...
I'm doing good, I have a good ovarian reserve, thank God. My Hgb A1C was PERFECT (5.4) and I'm NON insulin resistant. So its definitely simple PCOS controlled with Metformin. That's good. I had a little bit elevated testosterone level, but she feels that will work out OK with the kind of protocol we would use for IVF. (explains the facial hair and deep manly voice. OK I'm kidding about the voice, unfortunately not about the hair. Thank the LORD I'm a blonde!) I do however have a little liver thingy going on. I have elevated liver enzymes and extremely elevated triglycerides (350 yea I know CRAZY!), all tho the rest of my panels are PERFECT and so is my cholesterol. So I should have a liver scan done eventually, just to be safe. (I have history of a fatty liver, runs in my family and has always given me an elevated liver enzyme) Just to be SAFE tho..They found an itty bitty fibroid in my uterus (which is new, never had one of them) and weirdly enough, I'm no longer immune to chicken pox. Go figure. So i have to get a varicella shot! LOL silly.
But here is the problem...
Matt's SA came back HORRIBLE, <500,000 and his morphology came back at <2% normal. Normal Semen analysis. He has only abnormal sperm and not many of them. She is greatly concerned, b/c she think she has either a genetic thing going on (one brother is IF also, one is fertile Myrtle) or some kind of gonadaltropin deficiency or hypothalamus issue. We can not go forward with IVF b/c we don't have really any viable sperm to work with and she is concerned that there is something that would prevent fertilization anyway. So now its Matt's turn. He has to see a urologist (which happens to work with my RE and is one of the best in his field for Male Factor IF) and have work up done. They are doing a HUGE panel of blood work on him (ha ha his turn!! :P) and checking a bunch of other genetic anomalies....So at this point, we are STOPPED dead in our tracks. Talk about coming to a SCREECHING halt.
She wants to continue moving forward as if we are doing IVF, so in a couple weeks I'll have a trial transfer and consult with the IVF nurse and go over paperwork/protocol/cost, etc...So that's in about 3 weeks....But before then Matt goes for his stuff....
I'm trying to hold it together, we are trying not to do our normal tantrum fit. I mean we might be halted all together b/c it may not be possible for Matt's guys to fertilize an egg. I'm a bit scared, this stinks....But we're trying to hold faith and just pray THY WILL BE DONE. I want answers and closure, and this may be how I will get it, whether we can do IVF or not...But it is very difficult to think we may not even get the chance to try for IVF. But we might find some underlying issue of Matt's that needs to be fixed and could cause other health issues.
Its hard, no matter how you look at it. One good thing is if we CAN'T do IVF b/c of something with the spermies, my body seems to be A-OK for carrying a baby and we can try for Embryo Adoption. But that is another thought for another day. So as always, continued prayers are appreciated. We will keep you posted as to what the urologist says. For now, I'm headed to bed!!! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
I'm doing good, I have a good ovarian reserve, thank God. My Hgb A1C was PERFECT (5.4) and I'm NON insulin resistant. So its definitely simple PCOS controlled with Metformin. That's good. I had a little bit elevated testosterone level, but she feels that will work out OK with the kind of protocol we would use for IVF. (explains the facial hair and deep manly voice. OK I'm kidding about the voice, unfortunately not about the hair. Thank the LORD I'm a blonde!) I do however have a little liver thingy going on. I have elevated liver enzymes and extremely elevated triglycerides (350 yea I know CRAZY!), all tho the rest of my panels are PERFECT and so is my cholesterol. So I should have a liver scan done eventually, just to be safe. (I have history of a fatty liver, runs in my family and has always given me an elevated liver enzyme) Just to be SAFE tho..They found an itty bitty fibroid in my uterus (which is new, never had one of them) and weirdly enough, I'm no longer immune to chicken pox. Go figure. So i have to get a varicella shot! LOL silly.
But here is the problem...
Matt's SA came back HORRIBLE, <500,000 and his morphology came back at <2% normal. Normal Semen analysis. He has only abnormal sperm and not many of them. She is greatly concerned, b/c she think she has either a genetic thing going on (one brother is IF also, one is fertile Myrtle) or some kind of gonadaltropin deficiency or hypothalamus issue. We can not go forward with IVF b/c we don't have really any viable sperm to work with and she is concerned that there is something that would prevent fertilization anyway. So now its Matt's turn. He has to see a urologist (which happens to work with my RE and is one of the best in his field for Male Factor IF) and have work up done. They are doing a HUGE panel of blood work on him (ha ha his turn!! :P) and checking a bunch of other genetic anomalies....So at this point, we are STOPPED dead in our tracks. Talk about coming to a SCREECHING halt.
She wants to continue moving forward as if we are doing IVF, so in a couple weeks I'll have a trial transfer and consult with the IVF nurse and go over paperwork/protocol/cost, etc...So that's in about 3 weeks....But before then Matt goes for his stuff....
I'm trying to hold it together, we are trying not to do our normal tantrum fit. I mean we might be halted all together b/c it may not be possible for Matt's guys to fertilize an egg. I'm a bit scared, this stinks....But we're trying to hold faith and just pray THY WILL BE DONE. I want answers and closure, and this may be how I will get it, whether we can do IVF or not...But it is very difficult to think we may not even get the chance to try for IVF. But we might find some underlying issue of Matt's that needs to be fixed and could cause other health issues.
Its hard, no matter how you look at it. One good thing is if we CAN'T do IVF b/c of something with the spermies, my body seems to be A-OK for carrying a baby and we can try for Embryo Adoption. But that is another thought for another day. So as always, continued prayers are appreciated. We will keep you posted as to what the urologist says. For now, I'm headed to bed!!! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Update...All is finished...
Sorry it has been so super duper busy, I haven't had a chance to sit down and just write. My goodness its amazing how life can just fly by without a 2nd thought!!!
Update on our newest journey:
All tests are finished!! Hooray!!! I had my HSG last week on Monday. It was rather traumatic and I had a lot of issues, but after 3 tries and lots of repositioning, the doctor was able to finish the test. Thankfully everything looks fine for IVF. My left tube is wide open, the right is questionable, but there are no blockages or fluid build up that would cause toxicity to the embryos. So from and HSG point of view, we are good to go!!!
We have an appt on the 16th with Dr. K and will sit down and come up with protocol, plan, find out all the test results, etc. I'm still a bit questionable if we'll be able to do IVF. I'll be happy to hear her say we're a go...As for the $$ aspect of it, oh my goodness God is so good!!!! He just boggles my mind with the blessings He has given us! Our bills that are in are up to just around $4000 so far. Now per initial conversations with the insurance and the billing people at Dr. K's office, insurance only pays 50%. But I'll have you know, that so far, we have paid only $145 out of pocket!!! Yes that is it!!! I'm so utterly amazed!!! Now the big stuff is still coming, and the need for the finances are still there, but for now, we haven't had to pay for pretty much ANY of the tests and preparation stuff!!!! That is amazing!! I hope that you praise God with me!!!
So here we are, in just about a week, we'll have a game plan. And come the beginning of April, we just might be starting the roller coaster ride of our lives!!!
And to prepare for it, Matt and I are going away!! My work has been so wonderful!! Fabulous actually about all the tests and prep. Matt and I found an AMAZING deal for an all inclusive trip to the Bahamas, including food/airfare/hotel, for 4 nights and 5 days. My boss was kind enough to let me go as is Matt's boss. So we leave THIS Friday until next Tuesday. Yup we come back the day of the appt with Dr. K!! Its kind of our last little getaway, a time to be with each other as we prepare for what is to come. Whatever the result. We are so excited and grateful for the break!! With all that happened in the last year with Matt and with me, and our jobs, well we are ready for a break from life!!!
So that's it. Just pretty much holding right now until we talk with Dr. K. I'm excited, and peaceful, for what is coming. I'm just ready to be DONE. Done trying to conceive, done counting cycle days, done wondering, hoping, praying month after month for a miracle that doesn't come. I'm DONE. I'm ready for this last chance, and I'm ready for closure. I'm so ready to be DONE. So this is it folks!! First comes a vacay, then the news that will change our lives!!!
Please continue to pray for us as the fiances fall into place, the MD appts, and everything else that is to come!!! Thank you for loving and supporting us!!! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Update on our newest journey:
All tests are finished!! Hooray!!! I had my HSG last week on Monday. It was rather traumatic and I had a lot of issues, but after 3 tries and lots of repositioning, the doctor was able to finish the test. Thankfully everything looks fine for IVF. My left tube is wide open, the right is questionable, but there are no blockages or fluid build up that would cause toxicity to the embryos. So from and HSG point of view, we are good to go!!!
We have an appt on the 16th with Dr. K and will sit down and come up with protocol, plan, find out all the test results, etc. I'm still a bit questionable if we'll be able to do IVF. I'll be happy to hear her say we're a go...As for the $$ aspect of it, oh my goodness God is so good!!!! He just boggles my mind with the blessings He has given us! Our bills that are in are up to just around $4000 so far. Now per initial conversations with the insurance and the billing people at Dr. K's office, insurance only pays 50%. But I'll have you know, that so far, we have paid only $145 out of pocket!!! Yes that is it!!! I'm so utterly amazed!!! Now the big stuff is still coming, and the need for the finances are still there, but for now, we haven't had to pay for pretty much ANY of the tests and preparation stuff!!!! That is amazing!! I hope that you praise God with me!!!
So here we are, in just about a week, we'll have a game plan. And come the beginning of April, we just might be starting the roller coaster ride of our lives!!!
And to prepare for it, Matt and I are going away!! My work has been so wonderful!! Fabulous actually about all the tests and prep. Matt and I found an AMAZING deal for an all inclusive trip to the Bahamas, including food/airfare/hotel, for 4 nights and 5 days. My boss was kind enough to let me go as is Matt's boss. So we leave THIS Friday until next Tuesday. Yup we come back the day of the appt with Dr. K!! Its kind of our last little getaway, a time to be with each other as we prepare for what is to come. Whatever the result. We are so excited and grateful for the break!! With all that happened in the last year with Matt and with me, and our jobs, well we are ready for a break from life!!!
So that's it. Just pretty much holding right now until we talk with Dr. K. I'm excited, and peaceful, for what is coming. I'm just ready to be DONE. Done trying to conceive, done counting cycle days, done wondering, hoping, praying month after month for a miracle that doesn't come. I'm DONE. I'm ready for this last chance, and I'm ready for closure. I'm so ready to be DONE. So this is it folks!! First comes a vacay, then the news that will change our lives!!!
Please continue to pray for us as the fiances fall into place, the MD appts, and everything else that is to come!!! Thank you for loving and supporting us!!! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Home Stretch....
So I went to the doctor today and had some CD2 lab work and ultrasound today. All I have to now is have an HSG to check my tubes and make sure nothing is inflamed or blocked. That is our last test, then we'll sit back down with the doctor and come up with a protocol to start the IVF. EEK!!!
Its hard to believe we are just about ready to start!!! I'm freaking out just a tad, but excited too. Its been 7 years in the making. This process, trying...We are to the point where we can try! Oh gracious. I'm so stoked. (I know this is nothing new but it is so surreal to me.)
So let's see, something else. I'm sick. I caught a lovely cold from all the sickies at work, it started as just laryngitis with 1/2 a voice, but now I just feel crappy and have no voice. Plus, as you can figure out, CD or cycle day 2 labs means there are other reasons I don't feel well. Work has been nuts and a vacation would be nice! HA!
Matt finished his scuba class, he goes for his first ocean dive class on Friday. I'm hoping someone will be able to take some photos so that I can post him under the water. It will be pretty cool!!!
OK my sickie brain needs to go to bed, I'm not making sense to myself! HA. I'll keep you posted as to what is next in this fun process. Thank you for your continued prayers!! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Its hard to believe we are just about ready to start!!! I'm freaking out just a tad, but excited too. Its been 7 years in the making. This process, trying...We are to the point where we can try! Oh gracious. I'm so stoked. (I know this is nothing new but it is so surreal to me.)
So let's see, something else. I'm sick. I caught a lovely cold from all the sickies at work, it started as just laryngitis with 1/2 a voice, but now I just feel crappy and have no voice. Plus, as you can figure out, CD or cycle day 2 labs means there are other reasons I don't feel well. Work has been nuts and a vacation would be nice! HA!
Matt finished his scuba class, he goes for his first ocean dive class on Friday. I'm hoping someone will be able to take some photos so that I can post him under the water. It will be pretty cool!!!
OK my sickie brain needs to go to bed, I'm not making sense to myself! HA. I'll keep you posted as to what is next in this fun process. Thank you for your continued prayers!! Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
An update...
I apologize for not posting this sooner. But I've been processing for the last week and a half! Its quite overwhelming this process that we are heading into....
So we met Dr. K. I like her, she is spunky and honest and straight to the point. But kind and compassionate as well. Which is what I need. Looking at all our old tests and such, she agrees that IVF/ICSI is the way to go. She is happy that we are cutting right to the chase and going for it. She explained what the process entails and what we will need to do before hand to get ready. Basically, aside from surgery, we are doing most of the tests over and also doing a bunch that haven't been done.
Matt went in on Friday and his guys were, ahem, tested, and also had blood work. I too had blood work and cultures to make sure I'm not carrying any STD's or disease that would be harmful to a baby (yea I know STD studies are hilarious for me!! LOL). I had the first round of blood work done on Thursday, including Glucose and Insulin tolerance tests. 21 vials of blood. Yup you read that right, twenty one. And the majority of it fasting and then just a few more at the one hour and two hour point of the glucose test after drinking some funk stuff!! BLEH. I'm glad that part is over...It is the most blood that will be taken at one time. Then on day 2 of my cycle, I'll go in for MORE blood work and an ultrasound to check my ovaries and follicles followed by an HSG a week after that to make sure there isn't any fluid built up in my tubes that could potentially harm an embryo. Then we come together and sit down with the doc and decide the plan...
Part of what they are looking for is to make sure that I'm not going into ovarian failure or early menopause. I need eggs to do IVF, if no eggs, no IVF and our trying for a bio child would be over...So I'm a little nervous about that b/c I know something funky is going on in my system. But if all goes well, nothing needs to be corrected, then we will move forward. She will come up with a IVF protocol for me and we'll start first with suppressing my system, then amping it up and stimulating it to produce eggs. Then the process goes from there.
Its NUTS to think we are heading into this!! EEEK! I've been in a tail spin of emotions ranging from fear to excitement, to even frustration that we "have to go there". I was looking at the financials and it is just irritating to have to spend so much money for something that should be FREE and FUN... One total cycle with this clinic is $15,000. Our insurance pays half, so approx $7-8,000 will be our responsibility. That's a huge chunk of money. For a CHANCE....We don't get that back if it doesn't work...
I am ready to move forward, and I know God has a plan for us, but sometimes I wonder why this is our burden to carry. But please know I'm incredibly grateful for the chance, I'm just not liking going over the books to figure out how to do it...MEH...And I'm scared, just plain old scared. This is a HUGE step for us, full of crazies and chaos and finality. Its a mighty crazy ride we are on!
So that's it for now. Currently we wait for my period to start, then go from there. Continued prayers please!! As we start this journey, and for the finances to work out with as little stress as possible!! If you have any fundraising ideas that are easy, I'd appreciate them!! (And we'll always take donations for the Matt and Talley BABY fund! HA!!!) Have a blessed day in the Lord!
So we met Dr. K. I like her, she is spunky and honest and straight to the point. But kind and compassionate as well. Which is what I need. Looking at all our old tests and such, she agrees that IVF/ICSI is the way to go. She is happy that we are cutting right to the chase and going for it. She explained what the process entails and what we will need to do before hand to get ready. Basically, aside from surgery, we are doing most of the tests over and also doing a bunch that haven't been done.
Matt went in on Friday and his guys were, ahem, tested, and also had blood work. I too had blood work and cultures to make sure I'm not carrying any STD's or disease that would be harmful to a baby (yea I know STD studies are hilarious for me!! LOL). I had the first round of blood work done on Thursday, including Glucose and Insulin tolerance tests. 21 vials of blood. Yup you read that right, twenty one. And the majority of it fasting and then just a few more at the one hour and two hour point of the glucose test after drinking some funk stuff!! BLEH. I'm glad that part is over...It is the most blood that will be taken at one time. Then on day 2 of my cycle, I'll go in for MORE blood work and an ultrasound to check my ovaries and follicles followed by an HSG a week after that to make sure there isn't any fluid built up in my tubes that could potentially harm an embryo. Then we come together and sit down with the doc and decide the plan...
Part of what they are looking for is to make sure that I'm not going into ovarian failure or early menopause. I need eggs to do IVF, if no eggs, no IVF and our trying for a bio child would be over...So I'm a little nervous about that b/c I know something funky is going on in my system. But if all goes well, nothing needs to be corrected, then we will move forward. She will come up with a IVF protocol for me and we'll start first with suppressing my system, then amping it up and stimulating it to produce eggs. Then the process goes from there.
Its NUTS to think we are heading into this!! EEEK! I've been in a tail spin of emotions ranging from fear to excitement, to even frustration that we "have to go there". I was looking at the financials and it is just irritating to have to spend so much money for something that should be FREE and FUN... One total cycle with this clinic is $15,000. Our insurance pays half, so approx $7-8,000 will be our responsibility. That's a huge chunk of money. For a CHANCE....We don't get that back if it doesn't work...
I am ready to move forward, and I know God has a plan for us, but sometimes I wonder why this is our burden to carry. But please know I'm incredibly grateful for the chance, I'm just not liking going over the books to figure out how to do it...MEH...And I'm scared, just plain old scared. This is a HUGE step for us, full of crazies and chaos and finality. Its a mighty crazy ride we are on!
So that's it for now. Currently we wait for my period to start, then go from there. Continued prayers please!! As we start this journey, and for the finances to work out with as little stress as possible!! If you have any fundraising ideas that are easy, I'd appreciate them!! (And we'll always take donations for the Matt and Talley BABY fund! HA!!!) Have a blessed day in the Lord!
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