Long story short, the first round of IVM has been scheduled!
Initially they were not going to start booking people until November 1st, but with DH’s constant travelling we need to schedule things in advance (and even then some things do not work out) so they made an exception after some persistence and sting pulling!
Our first round will begin mid November into early December!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Details for IVM
“Before you were conceived I wanted you.
Before you were born I loved you.
Before you were here an hour I would die for you.
This is the miracle of Mother's Love.”
Maureen Hawkins
I don’t have all the details nailed down just yet, but I promised to share whatever I had so here it goes.
Firstly, DH and I have to complete a 2 hour information session at the hospital about IVF/IVM together. They told me that these sessions are usually done once per week in groups of about 30, however I am not sure if they meant 30 couples or 30 people (15 couples). Either way, we have been scheduled for the morning of October 7th and after that I have to call to make the appointments for IVM itself. They used to schedule you for treatment before doing the session but they had issues with this apparently and no longer will. The IVF/IVM schedule is currently full up until November from what I understand. From the time they told me this until my session there will be 2 group sessions so that means that those people will call for their appointments before me. I just hope that it won’t be pushed too far back now; maybe the end of November or December? We will see!
In addition to this, the high risk doctor told me that my blood pressure was slightly elevated. I have never had this before and I am attributing this to nerves the day that I saw him. Regardless, he wants me to monitor my blood pressure as frequently as possible and keep track of it for him. I guess if I notice anything out of the ordinary I will let him know but I hope not! I don’t need any more issues! I will be borrowing a monitor from a friend so that I don’t have to go to the pharmacy every day and hopefully buying my own if necessary. Of course, if this does continue up to and through pregnancy, there are possible risks. A “normal and healthy” pregnancy will carry a 10% risk of these complications and I will have a 25% chance.
Another thing that came up is that my blood sugar IS elevated in the morning. My fasting glucose level when I wake up is as high as my post-meal readings and that is not normal. The high risk doctor said that this DOES indicate the earlier stages of diabetes. Since I am already watching the diet and taking medication for this problem he did not add anything to my current regime, but the SECOND I get pregnant I must start taking insulin injections right away before I get any worse. For now though, he said that things look like they are under control. Of course, again, these cause other risks during pregnancy. One of the main issues is that diabetic babies are typically larger and do not do well around the last month of pregnancy so an early delivery is generally required. I will cross that bridge when I get to it.
Other than that, we had a bunch of consent forms to sign (done) and I have to start taking my proper pre-natal vitamins again since I had stopped for awhile because they were too expensive to be taking for no reason... and now I have reason again!
So, basically, things will never really be easy and I will always have to worry and watch out for things but at least it is still a YES!!! I cannot say that word enough now!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
It's a YES!
I am so excited! I saw the high risk pregnancy doctor again this morning for my follow-up, and although there are a list of things I need to be careful of for now and in the future, he said YES for IVF/IVM!!! I was (am) so happy! Tears of JOY for ONCE! He called my usual doctor to let him know and then I went to meet with him right away. I felt like I needed to be pinched! It was a dream... come true!
We have our information session about IVF/IVM on October 7th and we will only book the actual treatment after that, but it looks like it may be in November or December at this point! So excited, so happy, so... so... elated! I can't wait till I get home so I can see DH!!!
As for all the other details, I will post soon. Although there are many, none of them mean no because today was all about yes, yes, YES! Finally!
(Side note: I find it ironic that this day came exactly one decade minus a day that I "lost" my mother.)
We have our information session about IVF/IVM on October 7th and we will only book the actual treatment after that, but it looks like it may be in November or December at this point! So excited, so happy, so... so... elated! I can't wait till I get home so I can see DH!!!
As for all the other details, I will post soon. Although there are many, none of them mean no because today was all about yes, yes, YES! Finally!
(Side note: I find it ironic that this day came exactly one decade minus a day that I "lost" my mother.)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Not a No!
Today I met with the high-risk pregnancy doctor for the first time. From first impressions, I really like him! Almost as much as my regular doctor... almost.
Last night I really didn't sleep well because my head was filled with negative thoughts about how the appointment was going to go today. To make matters worse, I woke up with an upset stomach and a splitting headache. Yes, I know... I did this to myself, but I couldn't help it. The last round really took a lot of confidence out of me and I had convinced myself that today would be filled more more rejection and I wasn't sure how I would handle that. Since DH is still out of town, I asked a very good friend to come with me for the appointment today so that if I had another meltdown, at least I wouldn't be alone.
My friend picked me up at work and we went to the hospital. Of course, even after a number of detours, we got there early and the doctor was still running late. Does that ever NOT happen? Anyhow, after an hour of waiting, he finally called us in (yes, US... I wasn't going in alone). Basically, I explained that I was there because one of my doctors refused to allow me to do IVF because of my last glucose test and that based on my daily tests, I didn't see why I shouldn't be allowed. He said that he has seen many women in much worse condition succeed so why shouldn't I be allowed? Brownie point number one! Then he asked me some routine questions and took a look at my log book. He really did not seem alarmed by my results in the least. Brownie point number two! He explained that, in my condition, the first days and weeks of pregnancy are a very delicate time and I would have to be very careful. I fully agree and understand this completely. Then, he started to hand me papers for some more blood tests that he wanted me to do right away along with another that I need to do next week before I see him again. I thought I was going to get a flat out NO and be sent away, so when he said to see him again after doing tests I think my brain turned off. Does he really want to see me again? Does he want me to do more tests, only to reject me next week? Is today Tuesday? Am I dreaming? This is why I did not hear him say the next thing, but thankfully I was not alone. My friend clearly heard him say that these tests were not being given in order to make a decision; his decision is already made! He didn't say no! Brownie point number three!
I went and took my first set of tests while my friend booked a follow-up appointment for me because we needed to get back to work. In addition, I need to take my blood sugar level 6 times a day (before and after meals) for the next week and keep a log for the doctor. When I go back next week, I will have a second blood test followed by another appointment with this doctor and I have since made an appointment to see my usual doctor right after I get through with all of this.
So why am I not more excited? Bouncing off walls? Jumping for joy? Because as much as he did not say no, he did not say yes... yet. There have been so many ups and downs over the last few years and so many times that I have been let down that I do not want to get my hopes up just yet. It's kind of like when you first find out you are pregnant; you don't run around telling everyone the news until you are certain everything is ok. This is kind of like that for me. Until I have a piece of paper saying I am officially on the list for IVF and my information session is booked... I do not consider this round over. Until then, you can all be happy for me, how's that?
And to my wonderful angel of a friend, once again, thank you so much! I really appreciate you coming with me today and it was nice to spend time together despite being in a hospital waiting room. You are my new good luck charm and I cannot thank you enough!
Last night I really didn't sleep well because my head was filled with negative thoughts about how the appointment was going to go today. To make matters worse, I woke up with an upset stomach and a splitting headache. Yes, I know... I did this to myself, but I couldn't help it. The last round really took a lot of confidence out of me and I had convinced myself that today would be filled more more rejection and I wasn't sure how I would handle that. Since DH is still out of town, I asked a very good friend to come with me for the appointment today so that if I had another meltdown, at least I wouldn't be alone.
My friend picked me up at work and we went to the hospital. Of course, even after a number of detours, we got there early and the doctor was still running late. Does that ever NOT happen? Anyhow, after an hour of waiting, he finally called us in (yes, US... I wasn't going in alone). Basically, I explained that I was there because one of my doctors refused to allow me to do IVF because of my last glucose test and that based on my daily tests, I didn't see why I shouldn't be allowed. He said that he has seen many women in much worse condition succeed so why shouldn't I be allowed? Brownie point number one! Then he asked me some routine questions and took a look at my log book. He really did not seem alarmed by my results in the least. Brownie point number two! He explained that, in my condition, the first days and weeks of pregnancy are a very delicate time and I would have to be very careful. I fully agree and understand this completely. Then, he started to hand me papers for some more blood tests that he wanted me to do right away along with another that I need to do next week before I see him again. I thought I was going to get a flat out NO and be sent away, so when he said to see him again after doing tests I think my brain turned off. Does he really want to see me again? Does he want me to do more tests, only to reject me next week? Is today Tuesday? Am I dreaming? This is why I did not hear him say the next thing, but thankfully I was not alone. My friend clearly heard him say that these tests were not being given in order to make a decision; his decision is already made! He didn't say no! Brownie point number three!
I went and took my first set of tests while my friend booked a follow-up appointment for me because we needed to get back to work. In addition, I need to take my blood sugar level 6 times a day (before and after meals) for the next week and keep a log for the doctor. When I go back next week, I will have a second blood test followed by another appointment with this doctor and I have since made an appointment to see my usual doctor right after I get through with all of this.
So why am I not more excited? Bouncing off walls? Jumping for joy? Because as much as he did not say no, he did not say yes... yet. There have been so many ups and downs over the last few years and so many times that I have been let down that I do not want to get my hopes up just yet. It's kind of like when you first find out you are pregnant; you don't run around telling everyone the news until you are certain everything is ok. This is kind of like that for me. Until I have a piece of paper saying I am officially on the list for IVF and my information session is booked... I do not consider this round over. Until then, you can all be happy for me, how's that?
And to my wonderful angel of a friend, once again, thank you so much! I really appreciate you coming with me today and it was nice to spend time together despite being in a hospital waiting room. You are my new good luck charm and I cannot thank you enough!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Let the Battle(s) Begin!
The weather is getting cooler, warmer clothes are coming out of the closet, and the leaves are starting to change as well. But the most obvious sign to me that summer is over is that doctor’s are finally booking appointments again!
All of my treatments have been on hold since June 14, 2010. This was when I was told that I could not be given permission to do IVF because my glucose levels were too high (according to the tests I had done at the hospital – not my dailies which are still LOW). I was referred to the Metabolic Center, but their first availability was for October 15th. After numerous e-mail conversations with my doctor, and in an attempt to speed up the process, he finally referred me to a high-risk pregnancy doctor back in July. I called for an appointment as soon as he sent me the referral but, of course, they were not taking patients until the first week of September. My original appointment was scheduled for the end of the month but after much persistence (otherwise known as multiple begging and pleading phone calls) I finally got a spot for tomorrow morning!
The high-risk doctor is a colleague of my usual doctor. He will take a look at my daily glucose levels as well as the rest of my charts and decide whether or not I am a good candidate for pregnancy (in his opinion) despite the obvious hurdles I will face. If he feels that I am, I will have a follow-up appointment this Friday with my usual doctor to set up the IVF. If he does not feel that I am ready, this will be another battle lost (not to mention another huge devastation) and then I will move on to the Metabolic Center in October. The last time I was referred to Metabolic, they did clear me for my first cycle of Clomid so hopefully, if need be, they will clear me again!
It has been nearly 3 whole months since I last saw any doctor for TTC. I have tried to monitor my glucose as much as possible; I test myself at least a few times a week, eat healthier, exercise more, and take my medication regularly. I haven’t lost much weight itself but I feel healthier so something is working. Most importantly, I have taken the last few months to pick up the shattered pieces, re-group, and re-focus because that last round really knocked the wind out of me and I needed to rebuild my strength to handle the next round(s) of whatever comes my way!
The question I continue to hear most often is “how do you have the strength to go through all of this”? And my answer remains the same; what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I am now 31 years old and I have come through so much in my life already. It wouldn’t be MY life if there weren’t any hurdles in the way. In order to get where I am today in one piece I had to learn to be strong, independent, and determined. With my past and with so much support from family and friends I have more than enough of my own army to get through any battle I may face in the future!
We will see what tomorrow brings...
All of my treatments have been on hold since June 14, 2010. This was when I was told that I could not be given permission to do IVF because my glucose levels were too high (according to the tests I had done at the hospital – not my dailies which are still LOW). I was referred to the Metabolic Center, but their first availability was for October 15th. After numerous e-mail conversations with my doctor, and in an attempt to speed up the process, he finally referred me to a high-risk pregnancy doctor back in July. I called for an appointment as soon as he sent me the referral but, of course, they were not taking patients until the first week of September. My original appointment was scheduled for the end of the month but after much persistence (otherwise known as multiple begging and pleading phone calls) I finally got a spot for tomorrow morning!
The high-risk doctor is a colleague of my usual doctor. He will take a look at my daily glucose levels as well as the rest of my charts and decide whether or not I am a good candidate for pregnancy (in his opinion) despite the obvious hurdles I will face. If he feels that I am, I will have a follow-up appointment this Friday with my usual doctor to set up the IVF. If he does not feel that I am ready, this will be another battle lost (not to mention another huge devastation) and then I will move on to the Metabolic Center in October. The last time I was referred to Metabolic, they did clear me for my first cycle of Clomid so hopefully, if need be, they will clear me again!
It has been nearly 3 whole months since I last saw any doctor for TTC. I have tried to monitor my glucose as much as possible; I test myself at least a few times a week, eat healthier, exercise more, and take my medication regularly. I haven’t lost much weight itself but I feel healthier so something is working. Most importantly, I have taken the last few months to pick up the shattered pieces, re-group, and re-focus because that last round really knocked the wind out of me and I needed to rebuild my strength to handle the next round(s) of whatever comes my way!
The question I continue to hear most often is “how do you have the strength to go through all of this”? And my answer remains the same; what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I am now 31 years old and I have come through so much in my life already. It wouldn’t be MY life if there weren’t any hurdles in the way. In order to get where I am today in one piece I had to learn to be strong, independent, and determined. With my past and with so much support from family and friends I have more than enough of my own army to get through any battle I may face in the future!
We will see what tomorrow brings...
Monday, September 6, 2010
Back to School Tomorrow
As we have all seen on TV commercials the last few weeks, back to school is usually portrayed as a happy moment for adults; the kids are out of your hair and the old routine begins again. No more "are we there yet", no more "I'm bored, entertain me", and no more figuring out day camps and babysitters while you have to go to work.
For me, back to school is hell. My quiet summer turns into busy, hectic, and mind-numbing days as students return, registration begins, and you can no longer hear yourself think in your own office. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job... but the next 2 weeks I could live without. And to make matters worse, DH left today for 3 whole weeks!!! Ugh...
That being said, I may be absent in the next couple of weeks... but I will try and keep up! And for those of you who read this and work with me... enjoy the last few hours of peace and quiet and good luck tomorrow! At least it's a 4 day week right?
For me, back to school is hell. My quiet summer turns into busy, hectic, and mind-numbing days as students return, registration begins, and you can no longer hear yourself think in your own office. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job... but the next 2 weeks I could live without. And to make matters worse, DH left today for 3 whole weeks!!! Ugh...
That being said, I may be absent in the next couple of weeks... but I will try and keep up! And for those of you who read this and work with me... enjoy the last few hours of peace and quiet and good luck tomorrow! At least it's a 4 day week right?
Friday, September 3, 2010
Loss of Wisdom
My last wisdom tooth has been removed! About 13 years ago I had my bottom wisdom teeth removed, both at the same time. And then, a couple of years ago, one of the top teeth grew all the way in and then I had it pulled because it was cramming my other teeth. Now, a couple of months ago, my last wisdom tooth started to make its appearance and also started to have complications. It hurt because it was growin in almost horizantal and it was pushing on my other molars. To make matters worse, once it broke through the gum I started to get infections. After 2 rounds of antibiotics to clear infection I was able to get it removed yesterday.
My main fear of the procedure was the needle. I HATE needles in the mouth. They had to give me 2 needles to numb me and I held on tight to DH's hand the whole time. And then the tugging and pulling began. The dentist said that I would feel pressure and boy did I ever! I could feel him tearing the gum away, clamping onto the tooth, and twisting and pulling it as he fought to get it out. Thankfully, though, he was able to get it out in one piece. And, I think DH's hand is ok too!
Recovery has been bearable, probably because I am taking a mild dose of Codeine along with using ice packs for the swelling, but I am still in pain. I am mainly drinking liquids and not really eating solid food. I attemted to eat a cookie yesterday and wound up with a chocolate chip in the socket where my tooth was. I won't do that again!
A couple more days of Codeine, ice and liquids and I should be fine, I hope!
My main fear of the procedure was the needle. I HATE needles in the mouth. They had to give me 2 needles to numb me and I held on tight to DH's hand the whole time. And then the tugging and pulling began. The dentist said that I would feel pressure and boy did I ever! I could feel him tearing the gum away, clamping onto the tooth, and twisting and pulling it as he fought to get it out. Thankfully, though, he was able to get it out in one piece. And, I think DH's hand is ok too!
Recovery has been bearable, probably because I am taking a mild dose of Codeine along with using ice packs for the swelling, but I am still in pain. I am mainly drinking liquids and not really eating solid food. I attemted to eat a cookie yesterday and wound up with a chocolate chip in the socket where my tooth was. I won't do that again!
A couple more days of Codeine, ice and liquids and I should be fine, I hope!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)