I have always said, "Il vaut mieux vivre avec des remords qu'avec des regrets." (It is better to live with remorse for what you have done than to live with regret for what you have not.)
So I'm going to see my RE tomorrow and ask to be tested for a variety of things (thyroid antibodies included). I am going to ask to TRY the 0.25 mg of thyroid meds, to see if it makes any difference at all. We may not cycle this month because of it all, but dammit, I have to TRY. I cannot continue to do the same thing, month after month, and expect a different result. Humans are supposed to learn from their mistakes.
I am going to ask for a referral to MTL. I am going to express my concerns (and level of stress) at the moment and I NEED someone to listen.
For today, I have a new light fixture to install in our bathroom and a pile of laundry to do. Oh yeah, and some baddies to kill in my MMORPG. That'll relieve some stress. *nods* Definitely.
Commentathon is done... my total is 59 for the week. My goal had been 50. Not bad. And it was a lot of fun. I added a few more blogs to my sidebar and got to find a bunch of new IF blogs that I hadn't seen before. Well done gang! Gratz to everyone!
Showing posts with label commentathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label commentathon. Show all posts
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
DIUI #5 on the Horizon? Time will tell...
CD3 and back on the Clomid we go; I start tonight and I have an appointment on Monday for a wanding. I have HUGE reservations about this because as I indicated yesterday, I have a few questions that I want to discuss with my RE. Just niggling doubts that his answers don't seem to have satisfied.
As for where we'd go in MTL, it would likely be McGill as our RE is affiliated with them and he can do much of the preliminary work here in Ottawa before we make trips aplenty over the provincial border. The cost there is a little easier to handle at approximately three attempts at IVF for $10,000. Mind you, if we do the TESE to surgically extract and use hubby's sperm (rather than our current donor), that will add costs. And if we require ICSI that will add costs. And if we use all of our current donor vials on IUIs then we'll need to order another vial ($500 each) for IVF in case they don't find any viable sperm with the TESE.
It amazes me that Canada has so much medical coverage and insurance, yet as soon as you enter the realm of IUI and IVF, nothing is covered except medications. And even then, usually you have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed. For all of you American women who have coverage for IVF and IUIs, count your lucky stars. There isn't a workplace in Canada that I know of that covers a dime of it. Pam, I might take you up on getting the details for the insurance agency that covers these types of medical procedures. Something tells me we're going to need it. *sighs*
For Wednesday's Commentathon: 11 comments = 11 points total
As for where we'd go in MTL, it would likely be McGill as our RE is affiliated with them and he can do much of the preliminary work here in Ottawa before we make trips aplenty over the provincial border. The cost there is a little easier to handle at approximately three attempts at IVF for $10,000. Mind you, if we do the TESE to surgically extract and use hubby's sperm (rather than our current donor), that will add costs. And if we require ICSI that will add costs. And if we use all of our current donor vials on IUIs then we'll need to order another vial ($500 each) for IVF in case they don't find any viable sperm with the TESE.
It amazes me that Canada has so much medical coverage and insurance, yet as soon as you enter the realm of IUI and IVF, nothing is covered except medications. And even then, usually you have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed. For all of you American women who have coverage for IVF and IUIs, count your lucky stars. There isn't a workplace in Canada that I know of that covers a dime of it. Pam, I might take you up on getting the details for the insurance agency that covers these types of medical procedures. Something tells me we're going to need it. *sighs*
For Wednesday's Commentathon: 11 comments = 11 points total
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Questions and Answers (plus some fun stuff)
My temps never lie; CD2 today. I cried myself to sleep last night, with my hubby's arm around my waist as he tried to console me and reassure me that I am not a failure. So why do I think otherwise?
Thank you for all your comments and questions. I'll try to answer some of them here.
Dramalish: The RE uses the full vial of donor sperm, but he uses half on the day of the HCG trigger and the other half 24 hours later. Believe me, it isn't wasted. Though I've often wondered about the timing of that; although he usually has good success with that protocol. Just... not with me so far. Money is an issue, seeing as very little (other than the drugs) is covered in Canada so I want to discuss the timing of the IUI with him, along with other options and issues.
Aurelia: Why doesn't the RE do betas on 13 or 14DPO? Well, at that point, it's a bit of a waste; it won't change anything. He does a beta if you get a positive HPT; otherwise, wait til CD1 and call again for another appointment. I mean, a beta on that date won't change the outcome so I don't run for one. When and if I see a positive HPT (if my AF is ever 3 days late, I might bother to check but I've got a clockwork system going here) then I'll go see about a beta. As for why he doesn't keep me on progesterone longer? Good question. He has told me repeatedly that if a pregnancy occurs, the body will make its own progesterone (yeah, right, that doesn't happen for all of us does it?!) and that I wouldn't need progesterone past 13 or 14 DPO. This is one of the things I need to question him about, as obviously many women take progesterone well into their first or early into their second trimesters because they NEED it. I'm not sure he agrees with this. So I'm wary on that point.
Other things to consider: My levels of DHEA Sulfate are a bit low for my age and that combined with semi-high prolactin levels may be a huge issue. I want to discuss this with him. Also, the possibility of hypothyroidism; tests are "normal" but other symptoms make me think otherwise and I'm not satisfied with the answers I've heard. He's also never screened me for any particular antibodies that I know many IF women have issues with, and it's time to do that too and not just assume that everything is normal. I have an appointment with my GP on Thursday this week to show her my bloodwork results and discuss some of these issues with her as well. Additionally, I've contacted my RE's office to say that I want a consult with him (not just a morning appointment for a dildo cam wanding) to chat about these things. We may have to sit out a month while we wait for that appointment.
I am not surprised that hubby and I are having trouble. I don't come from a very fertile family at all. My parents were married for five long years before I arrived on the scene, and that was after three years of actually TRYING (i.e., no birth control and appropriate timing). On my father's side, my grandparents only had one child (my dad) and that was after seven years of marriage; quite long in the 1930s and 40s. On my mother's side... my grandparents had five children (or possibly six, but one died early), and of those five children, there are only six grandchildren. Two of my aunts never had children at all. One aunt had a single son after many years of marriage. My mom had two (me and my sis) and my uncle and his wife had three children, only one of whom has had a child herself. I have a total of four cousins. That's it. So for me to have trouble having a child is not abnormal. But given that we have to work with donor sperm, it is d*mned expensive and we have very little shot at the prize. I'm thinking I need to look at saving and/or a line of credit for IVF if that is a possibility for us.
____________________________
On to the fun stuff. Thanks to Kate over at Kicking You from the Inside, here's a little game to distract your attention.
Go to google and type in "*your name here* needs". For instance, I would type "Gil needs" including the quotation marks. Then write down the first 10 entries that appear. This is one I haven't seen before, so here we go!
Gil needs:
1. Gil needs to get used to what the physical demands of her job as a prostitute will entail. (OMG... you're kidding right?!)
2. Gil needs Brodick's help to locate her sister. (Who the heck is Brodick??)
3. Gil needs bringing down a peg or two. (I do? *blink*)
4. Gil needs sleep. (I'd agree with this one. Yup.)
5. Gil needs to use her myspace and/or empty her vmail inbox NOW. (Um... no? Kthxla!)
6. Gil needs a tutu! (Oh no she doesn't. Really. That would NOT be appropriate!)
7. Gil needs nothing. (Well, I can think of at least one thing...)
8. Gil needs to be in a calm and peaceful environment where she and her baby can eat and rest. (Ugh, this had to come up right? Meh.)
9. Gil needs to stay, no matter what. (Where exactly?)
10. Gil needs to do something about it! (Huh? Colour me stupid, but about what?)
For Tuesday's Commentathon: 10 comments plus 2 return comments = 14 points total
Thank you for all your comments and questions. I'll try to answer some of them here.
Dramalish: The RE uses the full vial of donor sperm, but he uses half on the day of the HCG trigger and the other half 24 hours later. Believe me, it isn't wasted. Though I've often wondered about the timing of that; although he usually has good success with that protocol. Just... not with me so far. Money is an issue, seeing as very little (other than the drugs) is covered in Canada so I want to discuss the timing of the IUI with him, along with other options and issues.
Aurelia: Why doesn't the RE do betas on 13 or 14DPO? Well, at that point, it's a bit of a waste; it won't change anything. He does a beta if you get a positive HPT; otherwise, wait til CD1 and call again for another appointment. I mean, a beta on that date won't change the outcome so I don't run for one. When and if I see a positive HPT (if my AF is ever 3 days late, I might bother to check but I've got a clockwork system going here) then I'll go see about a beta. As for why he doesn't keep me on progesterone longer? Good question. He has told me repeatedly that if a pregnancy occurs, the body will make its own progesterone (yeah, right, that doesn't happen for all of us does it?!) and that I wouldn't need progesterone past 13 or 14 DPO. This is one of the things I need to question him about, as obviously many women take progesterone well into their first or early into their second trimesters because they NEED it. I'm not sure he agrees with this. So I'm wary on that point.
Other things to consider: My levels of DHEA Sulfate are a bit low for my age and that combined with semi-high prolactin levels may be a huge issue. I want to discuss this with him. Also, the possibility of hypothyroidism; tests are "normal" but other symptoms make me think otherwise and I'm not satisfied with the answers I've heard. He's also never screened me for any particular antibodies that I know many IF women have issues with, and it's time to do that too and not just assume that everything is normal. I have an appointment with my GP on Thursday this week to show her my bloodwork results and discuss some of these issues with her as well. Additionally, I've contacted my RE's office to say that I want a consult with him (not just a morning appointment for a dildo cam wanding) to chat about these things. We may have to sit out a month while we wait for that appointment.
I am not surprised that hubby and I are having trouble. I don't come from a very fertile family at all. My parents were married for five long years before I arrived on the scene, and that was after three years of actually TRYING (i.e., no birth control and appropriate timing). On my father's side, my grandparents only had one child (my dad) and that was after seven years of marriage; quite long in the 1930s and 40s. On my mother's side... my grandparents had five children (or possibly six, but one died early), and of those five children, there are only six grandchildren. Two of my aunts never had children at all. One aunt had a single son after many years of marriage. My mom had two (me and my sis) and my uncle and his wife had three children, only one of whom has had a child herself. I have a total of four cousins. That's it. So for me to have trouble having a child is not abnormal. But given that we have to work with donor sperm, it is d*mned expensive and we have very little shot at the prize. I'm thinking I need to look at saving and/or a line of credit for IVF if that is a possibility for us.
____________________________
On to the fun stuff. Thanks to Kate over at Kicking You from the Inside, here's a little game to distract your attention.
Go to google and type in "*your name here* needs". For instance, I would type "Gil needs" including the quotation marks. Then write down the first 10 entries that appear. This is one I haven't seen before, so here we go!
Gil needs:
1. Gil needs to get used to what the physical demands of her job as a prostitute will entail. (OMG... you're kidding right?!)
2. Gil needs Brodick's help to locate her sister. (Who the heck is Brodick??)
3. Gil needs bringing down a peg or two. (I do? *blink*)
4. Gil needs sleep. (I'd agree with this one. Yup.)
5. Gil needs to use her myspace and/or empty her vmail inbox NOW. (Um... no? Kthxla!)
6. Gil needs a tutu! (Oh no she doesn't. Really. That would NOT be appropriate!)
7. Gil needs nothing. (Well, I can think of at least one thing...)
8. Gil needs to be in a calm and peaceful environment where she and her baby can eat and rest. (Ugh, this had to come up right? Meh.)
9. Gil needs to stay, no matter what. (Where exactly?)
10. Gil needs to do something about it! (Huh? Colour me stupid, but about what?)
For Tuesday's Commentathon: 10 comments plus 2 return comments = 14 points total
Monday, June 18, 2007
Commentathon
This week is Mel's week for Commentathon. My goal for the week is to make 50 comments on other people's blogs. I'll be updating this post as required, but for today, I made 14 comments plus one RETURN comment (2 points) for a total of 16 today.
Goal: 50
16 (M)
14 (T)
11 (W)
0 (TH)
0 (F)
0 (SA)
18 (return) (SUN)
59 (Total)
I won't post anything else about IF today. Suffice it to say, my temps have dropped significantly and as I said in my last post, we're off the rails this month. I'm out.
Goal: 50
16 (M)
14 (T)
11 (W)
0 (TH)
0 (F)
0 (SA)
18 (return) (SUN)
59 (Total)
I won't post anything else about IF today. Suffice it to say, my temps have dropped significantly and as I said in my last post, we're off the rails this month. I'm out.
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