Tuesday, November 23, 2010

One Year Ago, and The Little IVF That Could…

One year ago, I met the local doc for the first time. This was my first meeting with an RE. I remember scheduling it for a week or two earlier, and then the receptionist called me to say it would be postponed. Pushing the appointment back made it so we would go through another cycle without treatment, and I burst into tears talking to the receptionist. I remember how impatient I was – how can I go through another cycle? Somehow I thought that walking into that RE’s office would get me pregnant… Oh how much I’ve learned in the last year.

I’d love to talk to that one year ago me. I’d tell her that she has more strength than she knows. I’d tell her that she can persevere. I’d tell her to start her blog sooner. I’d love to tell her that all she’s going to go through is worth it, but I don’t even know that now… Actually even if there’s no baby at the end of this journey, it’s worth it. I’ll always know I’ve done everything I could to have that baby in my dreams. Looking back at my RE journey over the last year, I don’t know that I would have taken different steps. Granted, as I embark on my first IVF (more details below), I wish I would have done this earlier, but that’s not how it works. I had to have the ectopic, and the miscarriage, in order to develop the cajones to request additional testing and take charge of my own treatments, and go talk to another doctor. Now I know about the MTHFR thing, and I know about the NK cell thing, and we can treat these. I had to go through all the heartache to learn and grow, and I’m now finally ready for this IVF step. Part of me is sad, and a little angry, that I stand here, one year later, still without a baby. But I’m stronger, and armed with more knowledge, and I only could have gained this by going through what I have.

Now on to the current update – The Little IVF That Could!

Amazingly, we are on for an IVF cycle – now. I start stimming on Thursday. I didn’t think this would happen – I gave it about a 5% chance! So all the things that I had listed on Sunday as needing to happen before I would do an IVF cycle – they actually happened! I was able to get a phone consult with the local doc yesterday, and he told me that their practice didn’t generally test and treat for NK cells. This is because it hasn’t been recognized the American Fertility Society as a real issue. HOWEVER, he’s willing to take Dr. Sher’s protocols, and implement them. And he has done this before with other docs for other patients. So I gave one of the local nurses the information for Dr. Sher, and she’s supposed to set up a meeting between them. I’m a little nervous about this – I know Dr. Sher doesn’t like the local doc’s IVF protocol, and I hope that doesn’t come between them. I tried to just get the protocol from Sher’s nurse, but he insisted that he speak with my local doc directly. It feels a bit like a pissing contest, but I’m not going to get in the middle of it. Both docs have told me that they are willing to work with the other doc, so I’m going to accept that and assume that happens. Based on my research, I think the intralipid infusion needs to happen by stim day 9, which will be December 3, so we have a little time. And the local doc is ordering the DQ Alpha test as well!

Assuming everything works between the docs, we have the best of both worlds – I’ll be using Dr. Sher’s knowledge in treating the NK cells, and I get to stay home and do the IVF, which will be much less stressful than going to Vegas. Plus we get to do this now – by Christmas, I’ll know if it worked! I can’t believe this is actually going to happen – between the insurance, and only being able to order meds from certain places (required by my insurance), and the NK cell thing, I’ve spent probably 20 hours on the phone over the last two weeks, trying to get this done. And it finally is happening – I can’t believe it. That’s why I’m calling it the Little IVF that Could… Despite all odds against it, this IVF cycle kept chanting, “I think I can, I think I can…” and it’s finally getting to the top of the mountain!

32 comments:

  1. Congrats! I think it's a good sign that it's going so smoothly so far. I can't wait to follow along as the little IVF that could progresses : )

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  2. This is exciting! I am so glad that you got the best of both worlds, here. And I have lots of hope for the outcome.

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  3. Woohoo! Very exciting! :) Will be hoping like crazy for this IVF for you!

    I bet the docs will work together just fine. That's great that they were both willing.

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  4. I love your advice to yourself from 1 year ago. I feel the same way. I'd love to tell her (me) that it's ok. That I will be ok.
    Yeahh for stims! So glad to hear the doctors are willing to work together. FX for this cycle for you!

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  5. Yay! I'm sending you lots of positive thoughts for this IVF cycle!!!

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  6. Yay!! Wow, that is amazing that everything is falling into place and you can move forward now! Fantastic! it seems like only good things can come from this :-)

    Love all of your advice to your year ago self, and totally agree.

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  7. You are so much stronger than you know, Alex. Everything is crossed for your cycle. Things are falling into place here and it's more than exciting!

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  8. Great news! I am so happy that this IVF is a go!

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  9. It's really wonderful to see everything falling in to place! I hope the docs can work together seamlessly and give you the best Christmas present ever! :)

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  10. I love the way you call it!! Remember? We also called the frozen embryo "The little embryo that could" and he certainly did!!
    I'm glad it worked out, I have no internet at home so could quickly read your latest updates but never had enough time to reply! you are so much in my thoughts!

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  11. so glad that this is working out for you. I am crossing every body part for you!!!!!

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  12. Congratulations on everything falling into place, I'm sending good thoughts to your lady parts to listen to all the hard work you've been doing, so they'll work hard too :) Hope you get the best Christmas present EVER!

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  13. this is awesome news alex!! i didn't think that everything could happen so quickly, but i'm soo happy for you that it's going forward. big big relief. everything crossed for you :o) xoxo.

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  14. great news you got everything organized so quickly. Hooray!

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  15. I am so glad, and amazed, that things are going so well for you. It's great that both your doctors at least agreed to talk to/work with each other. I thing it's really important to have a whole health care team, and that multiple opinions can end up being very helpful--even if they are confusing at first.

    I have my fingers crossed for you that everything works out and this cycle is just golden for you. What a wonderful present it would be to find out that your pregnant just before Christmas!

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  16. Such great news!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!

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  17. I am so excited for you!! I think it's a sign that you were able to go forward with your original plan. Can't wait to hear updates!

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  18. I'm SO glad to hear that the green light is on and you are a go for the IVF cycle. Good luck, and I'll be here pulling for you. :)

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  19. The fact that those two doctors are willing to work together restores a little bit of my faith in the kindheartedness of doctors out there--maybe they actually do care more about you getting pregnant than about making money! I'm so happy everything worked out and I'm pulling for this little IVF!

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  20. That is great news!! Fingers crossed.

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  21. Yay! I hope this all points to a fantastic Christmas present for you!!

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  22. WOOO! This is so amazing, really happy for you! Hope the doctors get along and sort out the treatment for you, this is so great :)

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  23. So excited for you!! Can't wait to follow along this ride :)

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  24. Wonderful news! This seems like just the sort of sticktuitive cycle that would yield a baby, don'tcha think? Hooray!

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  25. Wow, that's so awesome things are working out!!! Excellent news and I think great things will come!!! =)

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  26. I just found your blog through Misfits blog.
    I am in the RPL boat too :(

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  27. Wow, that's great! Glad things are lining up to make it all work!

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  28. Way to go girl...Take Charge:) I am happy you were able to get all that accomplished and I think once the Dr's have the meeting of the minds things will go smoothly...but I will warn you be prepared for a little my way is better than his way from each Dr....You are going to have to really research and Know whats going on with this upcoming cycle because even though they say they will work together there will still be times when they dont see eye to eye and you have to be prepared to have your own knowlege to question and or follow who you know is right....Pretty unfair that you have to be almost as smart as the Dr. instead of trusting they know whats best because when it comes to immune issues they dont:( Unless they are very well versed in the area...Sad but true lots of Dr's just tell you what you want at the time....

    When I went through my IVF even though Dr. S and Dr. K said they would work with each other when the IVF process was over Dr. S really took another turn....She thought all Dr.K's extra testing and US were unecessary and not needed...she also thought I was miscarrying to when my beta wasnt rising but Dr.K never gave up and honestly I felt all her testing and changing of my meds...US were all needed in order to see the full story and if she hadnt done all this and continued to do all this throughout my pregnancy then I def would not be where I am today...So Im just warning you there will be times when they dont get along or agree but go with what you know or think is right...

    That being said how exciting to have a plan and to start the process:) I am so happy for you and will be here for support if you need it...Take care!!!

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