After a week of thought and talking to friends that have undergone IVF and those that had tried other attempts I finally bit the bullet and called my IVF Coordinator. My insurance will not give clearance without some updated blood work and additional testing. I knew that was coming anyway. While our insurance coverage is beyond amazing you do have to jump threw their hoops to get to the pot of gold. I think their hopes are that some people won't jump- well we are will to make the hoops and jump threw them too.. sooo there..
First- They need to so an updated and more in depth SA on DH. (Our Insurance Company says its over a year old so they are demanding a new one.. which is fine we needed it anyway)
Second- We both need updated blood screenings. They will screen for disease and infections as well as an additional hormone test for me to see where my levels are now. (Also the insurance company saying that they are over a year old.. by 1 month but whats a blood draw or six in the grand scheme of things..)
Third I will need a Saline Infusion Sonohysterography AKA a SIS to check to see if my uterus is good for IVF. They will look to see if there are any polyps or issues in the uterine cavity. The issue or hang up per say with the SIS is that it must be done early in the cycle- and I am at cycle day 12, so I will be waiting for cycle day 1 again. (My HSG is over a year old so they would like me to have the SIS which can be done in office..)
I’m okay with that surprisingly. That means that no matter what I have November off from visiting the RE. My IVF RN does want me to go back onto the Dexamethasone because of my high testosterone levels and other high male androgen levels. If you’ve followed me from the start you know that I was placed on the Dexamethasone and had to take it for a full month to control my out or whack hormones.
As much as I don’t want to take anything this month I am going to refill my script and get back on it so that there are no issues with moving forward with our IVF.
The doctor will need my blood work results in order to figure out what IVF protocol I will follow. It looks as though our IVF cycle will be –barring any issues- January/February.
I spent the day with my Mom yesterday who must have said twenty-five times- "Maybe you will get pregnant waiting to do IVF." Or some variation of the sentence. I only snapped once- I told her that we haven’t been that lucky so far, and while I love her optimism I would equally love her leaving the subject alone.
I also spoke with my boss today and made her aware that we were proceeding with IVF. I explained how there would be days I would either need to do a schedule change on the fly or call out and she was 100% supportive. It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
There are a handful of people in our lives that know we are moving forward with IVF and most of the people we want to know or be involved in supporting us know. There are a few people, including my two coworkers, who I need to tell.
When we started treatment and I had to run to the RE every other day they thought I was dying from some disease and wouldn’t tell them. I had to explain to them that we were trying to have a baby- they have been super supportive and so I feel like its only right to let them know about this as well.
So that’s it really. Waiting for cycle day one.. getting our blood work done.. and continually praying that we are making the right decision and our insurance covers us.
The only other news I have worth sharing (or not really I guess lol) is that I am having super serious writers block with NaNoWriMo right now and have no desire to write anything of sustenance at this point.. I’m sure my creativity will return, but for now I’m stuck and feel like anything I write isn’t "right" if that makes any sense..
Tomorrow starts the beginning of my vacation to Virginia. I cant wait to be with my friends and celebrate with them. Some of them are running in the half and full marathon and I can’t wait to watch them cross the finish line!
So I guess here we go moving forward..IVF 2014 ahead...
I'm excited for you! January is just enough time to have a nice break with your friends and enjoy the holidays, and then get things rolling. Have fun in VA! I bet the weather will be perfection :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed I can't wait to get to VA :)
DeleteYay for IVF 2014! I hated the forced breaks but secretly mentally embraced them as well. I had a SIS before our last IVF too! Good luck and allow yourself a little time to relax.
ReplyDeleteI'm embracing it for sure I needed it I was mentally drained after the last few IUI's. I'm working on relaxing and putting my mind at ease as much as I can.
DeleteWhen I did my IVF it was almost a relief after so many months of injections and tests. It is clear-cut. Rest your body and take care of yourself until then.
ReplyDeleteThanks I plan on it. It does feel like a releif. Its a little less of a guessing game I think.
DeleteHope all your appointments are filled with peace and wisdom!!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline!
DeleteSounds like you have a great plan and are ready to move forward. I think deciding to do IVF is a huge step, and now that you guys have taken that step I hope it feels like a little bit of pressure has been taken off of you. I am excited for you and am looking forward to following along in your IVF journey!! Have a great vacation!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristine it really is a huge step, but I think we thought about it and we are ready for sure.
DeleteCongrats on getting the ball rolling. I feel like one of the hardest parts of IVF for me is going to be pulling the trigger with my RE. (Perhaps I'll take that back once I'm actually in the midst of treatment!). Enjoy your vacation to Virginia!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think pulling the trigger and saying go was difficult. My RE said we surely could keep doing IUI's but with no change in treatment there probably would be no change in result.
DeleteHeh, sounds like we might be doing IVF together early in the new year. Hope all the tests and procedures go smoothly and well!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Glad I know someone else going through on the same schedule as us!
DeleteI'm so excited for you! You are lucky to have such great insurance, which is just one less stress added to an already stressful time in your life. Looking forward to following along!
ReplyDeleteOur insurance is BEYOND amazing there are no words for it. We definitely are blessed in that area.
DeleteHow exciting to try something new. I know it seems like a hassle to do all the tests again, but it's probably a blessing in disguise. Your RE will choose the very best protocol possible for you based on any changes in those numbers, so it's useful info. for all parties. Have fun on vacay!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind redoing them so much, its just annoying that they are one month out dated and thats the reason we have to redo them. Thanks!
DeleteI'm crossing my fingers for you.... every time you mention your mom, I am always shocked about how very similar she is to my own.
ReplyDeleteIt will be nice for you to enjoy Christmas with the excitement of the upcoming cycle, and also getting a little break...it is pretty good timing (or, I think so!).
I'm also doing NaNoWrMo and also stuck! I try not to force it, just wait for the flow to return (and hope it returns BEFORE December, lol).
Good luck to you, and I hope you are excited about this new stage of your journey....my fingers are crossed that it all runs smoothly and you have a little bean by the end of next year!
I love my Mom, but holy moly can she make me crazy. Im glad we won't be spending Christmas with running too and fro. My body is happy too!
DeleteWhats your name on Nanowrimo? Im Kassadia add me Id love to read what you're writing!
I have never known anyone else on Dexamethasone for pregnancy. I was on it the first 12 weeks of both my pregnancies and I truly believe that it made all the difference between those and the many we lost. Wishing you all the best with this next cycle.
ReplyDeleteI was placed on the Dex due to my high male hormones it has helped decrease them, but it also increased my appetite and consequently my weight lol. Glad that it made all the difference for you!
DeleteHave fun on your vacay in Virginia. Looks like we might be cycle buddies. Good luck. Hopefully 2014 will be our year!
ReplyDeleteYay for 2014 and cycle buddies! Wishing you guys the best too!
Deleteenjoy your vacay! You are lucky to have such a supportive boss!
ReplyDeleteMy boss is pretty much amazing! Vacation was awesome!
DeleteHi from ICLW...Good luck on your next IVF cycle!!!
ReplyDelete