Hm.
So I just got off the phone with the very calm and personable Dr Schoolcraft of CCRM.
He did not blow sunshine up my skirt, but he was not doom or gloom either. I found him to be pleasant, professional, kind, and curious.
And the conversation? Well, it certainly was interesting.
Realizing that this is his educated opinion, not soothsayer-- he thinks my lack of egg retrieval on IVF#1 might have been due to mechanical/technical issues, not kate's-body-not-working. He thinks my pregnancy proves I make mature fertilizable eggs. And his suggestion? IVF, maybe triggered with both hCG and LH to make sure those eggs are accesible, and add genetic testing since, as he so eloquently said, time is of the essence and miscarriages take time. PGD will make sure that we don't use things that we know won't work and then we can get right back into the game the next cycle. Strange to talk of such emotionally charged issues in terms of efficiency but I get it. But time pressure, well, it is a big part of the story, isn't it? So is shielding myself from heartbreak.
So.
I asked, what of my 14 resting follicles? First, he said, follicle counts are subjective so there might have been an error. Second, between my last cycle and this one I was pregnant. Pregnancy makes hCG and hCG makes androgens in the ovaries that can help stimulate more follicular development. Result? Suggestion/consideration of DHEA priming for 2 months ahead of time (he considers it experimental and not a certain benefit)- BUT he cautioned me that DHEA is not to be taken when pregnant. So..... not sure about what to do about that, a 2 month vacation from TTC? Is he nuts? (kidding) (kind of) But I am not kidding about not understanding how that might work schedule wise considering the time pressure.
What about donor eggs?
He also said near the end of our conversation, that obviously DE offers the best chance of success, and it will be there for me when the time comes.
My initial inclination is to do what I need to do to get out there for an assessment since without that, nothing else can happen there. They are seeing if they can get me in this cycle (aka within this next 7 days)***UPDATE, NOPE***-- since I am unmedicated and therefore assessable. The scheduling person will call back to talk about whether they can sneak me in or not.
If I go, this does not mean I have to DO anything, but it does mean I will know what they would recommend and also, how much it would cost. The finance person will call me later to talk about the price of genetic testing so I can see if we can even consider it- if we can't then we can't and going to colorado may not be worthwhile at all.
About the possible IUIs (medicated)? He said, feel free to go ahead, since hey it worked, but the miscarriage risk side of things makes it potentially costly in oh-so-many-ways.
Oh, yes, I know.
Still hurt? Yup. Do I know what I'm doing? Nope. But I do know I am intrigued.
5 comments:
It sounds like it was a worthwhile conversation and that is good news! I really, really hope that you guys are able to do whatever you feel you need to do. It seems so unfair when procreation, so free to others, becomes so damn expensive to those of us who actually want to take care of the babies we have.
Fingers crossed! Prayers said!
NOOOOOO! I don't like there answer :(
I am sorry that you did not get deffinitive awnsers. Good that you are still intrigued. The positives I got, are that there are a few options he is proposing, and he is not pushing for DE untill you are ready (and lets hope it doesnt ever get to that).
Nic x
Ah, good old Schooly... I would be very curious to know what you think of him should you ever meet him in person.
I am, as we were when we first called him, impressed with his assessment. Because it sounds right on to me. At first I thought, wait, I had a blighted ovum around the same age and he didn't tell us that we had good eggs... but then I remembered that we continued trying for at least a year and a half after that, and that I had another early miscarriage and no other BFPs. So... as I said, I'm impressed at his ability to see the nuances of each woman and move forward, all the while keeping reality in mind. This is why I think he's actually a pretty damn good doctor, at least technically. And I'm really glad the door of conceiving with your own eggs is still open for you.
I just hope that somehow you can swing it financially, to do whatever you decide. Our cycle there cleaned us out, financially. This was why I was suggesting finding a clinic that has a money-back program. But it's also more $ up front, so back to the 'fuck!' factor.
I understand your frustration so well, and so much, and I just hope you can find a clear path out of this maze soon.
There are less expensive clinics than CCRM that have some really good stats for IVF. Let me know if you'd like some names. And if you're willing to cycle abroad, you will be amazed at how cheap it is overseas. But not everyone is up for that.
Hang in there. You'll get it figured out.
Sounds like a fantastic phone meeting, actually. He gave you options, things to think about, and an idea how they'd handle your case if they were on the job. And yeah, it's weird to look at things in terms of efficiency, but also realistic - emotionally and logically.
Miscarriages are expensive - financially, in time "wasted", and in the emotional toll they take on our hearts. I think if I were determined to go through another IVF cycle, I'd insist on PGD. It's not perfect, it might not make a difference, but it might prevent a little bit o' heartbreak, and at this point? That's a very good thing.
Interesting that CCRM is doing DHEA. My clinic is the one that did/is doing all the original research, and while taking the stuff didn't get/keep me pregnant - or even significantly up my production rates - I know many women our age swear by the stuff, and my doc, whom I trust, thinks it works wonders. Having said that, I have leftovers. And since it's pricey stuff, if you decide to go that route, let me know & I'll mail you what I have left.
Take care, sweetie. I'm thinking of you.
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