Journal entries
08/06/2015
Here we are, a vasectomy reversal, 3 years of trying to conceive naturally, and 4 IUIs later. Heart broken to say the least. The desire to become a mother doesn't go away just because you aren't seeing a positive on the pregnancy test. Which by the way, I should own stock in those damn things! We are officially moving on to IVF. All my waking hours outside of work have been devoted to research. We met with a few clinics in California, but have been very disappointed with the level of care and lack of communication. We started the process with one of the clinics here and then they closed up shop for several weeks, without any explanation or warning. Hello?! IVF is all based on timing with your cycle. No email, no phone call, NOTHING!? It felt like a red flag. Since we weren't impressed by any other local clinics, we decided to look outside the United States. Insert Barbados!
I found a clinic in Barbados that has great success rates AND costs half the price! I'm trying to find other people who have done IVF outside the U.S. to see if they have questions I may not be thinking of. I'm 95% sure I'm going to select the clinic in Barbados, because it has the best reputation, videos, information, and communication (most important to us).
08/10/2015
Barbados Fertility Clinic (BFC) is definitely the winner! I contacted them to see what the earliest appointment was, and they were so wonderful. They answered all of my questions and made me feel good. I sent them all the required labs and tests, and they sent me a protocol and prescription for the medications. With airfare, hotel, medicine, all the procedures, appointments, and being there for two weeks, it comes to a total of just over $11,000. BFC has packages that include airfare and hotel, but my husband loves to find places on AirBB and you can book cheaper flights. We booked the cutest condo right next to the clinic. Seriously guys, it's walking distance and has all the conveniences you need for the long stay (washer, dryer, A/C, pool, full kitchen, internet, you feel me). There are cheaper places on AirBB, but we paid a little more for comfort, and because we wanted to feel like we were on vacation (hello relaxation!).
Like I mentioned earlier, we were starting IVF here in California and the total was over $18,000. So we feel like we are getting a great deal.
Another bonus is the medicine is cheaper! I ordered most of them from a European pharmacy and some additional from a Canadian pharmacy. I didn't have any issues with shipping. I ordered early because I heard stories about things being held up in customs, but I didn't have trouble and got the meds in a week (paid for rush shipping to be safe). The IVF clinics in California quoted us $4000-$5000 after the discount programs and rebates. Using the online pharmacies we ended up "only" paying $2000.
I don't have my medicine calendar yet, but I ordered Progesterone, Estradiol, Aspirin, hMG (Menopur), lupron, Prednisone, and Lovenox because I had an elevated antibody. Most of the medicine was no problem ordering, but I had trouble with the Prednisone and Lovenox. I called everywhere, and it was either on back order or they wouldn't take the Rx. The sooner you can get your protocol the better, so you can start researching this information.
Things are rolling fast! I am so excited! I start the IVF meds at the end of the month.
08/12/2015
BFC requires you to be in Barbados for 14 days. We're flying out on the 8th of September, and will be there for 2.5 weeks. We're staying a couple days longer so that we can relax after I'm officially PUPO (pregnant unless proven otherwise).
I'm getting nervous about the medicine and sedation for the egg retrieval. You actually start taking the medicine here, and then fly out a few days later. Before you can start the medication, you have to get a baseline ultrasound to check the thickness of your lining. This is something I didn't expect, so check with your primary doctor or gynecologist ahead of time, in case you have to find another doctor to help.
08/16/2015
The staff at BFC are all so easy to talk to, and they respond immediately to emails. Dr. Skinner was wonderful on the phone! I absolutely love my experience so far, and feel confident we made the right choice. I think that is the biggest hurdle in the beginning of this journey....finding a place you feel comfortable with and trust.
It's starting to get real. I have days where I get scared and days where I'm excited. Today I'm excited.
08/19/2015
I start the daily butt injections soon. Eek!! I wish I would have known how big the needle was before I chose this brand. I might have paid more and gone with the subcutaneous option instead. My husband will definitely be helping with those injections. Should I be worried he's not worried? I better not piss him off. Lol!
So here's the deal with the butt injections (hMG). I ordered online and there were three different versions. Two name brands and one generic. The price difference was huge, so I went with generic. I failed to notice the IM and SQ differences. The rest of my meds are all subcutaneous, thank goodness! But what I saved in cost, I'll pay for in the (rear)end. Lol!!
08/24/2015
BFC said they would call each step of the way, which they did. The nurse called to tell me to start lupron injections, and then said don't worry about anything else until after my ultrasound. They are so wonderful, right? I seriously tell my husband that every time I communicate with them. Email, phone call, it doesn't matter. They are always patient, kind, informative, understanding and professional. I love that they treat me like it's their first time explaining the process. They don't treat me like a number and they don't leave anything out. I'm so happy we found them!!
Any who, so I started the daily lupron injections in my thigh. Not bad! Hope the rest are easy.
08/25/2015
Update on the baseline ultrasound mentioned earlier. It was trickier than expected to get a doctor to order a vaginal ultrasound, but my obgyn finally agreed to help. Actually, she gave me a referral to get it done in the radiology department, but I'm glad they worked with me.
I wanted to mention that Dr. Skinner recommended two embryos for my age, and that was what we were thinking, so w're rolling with it.
08/29/2015
I took my last BCP yesterday, so I should start aunt flow (AF) any day.
08/31/2015
I'm going for my baseline ultrasound this Friday. I'm still on lupron injections each morning. I'm just waiting for my period to start. I took my last birth control pill last Thursday, so it should be any minute.