I have been trying for two weeks to get an order from Dr. K to get the tubal cannulization. At my last appointment he said he thought it was a good idea to at least give it aa try. He only works in the office I visit on Thursdays so I was waiting until yesterday to hear. When I hadn't heard anything by 2 o'clock, I decided I would call.
Dr. K called me about 45 minutes later. He said he had looked at my x-rays again and thought there were also problems with my right tube. He thought it looked swollen may possibly have some adhesions. Then he asked whose idea it was to have the cannulization. I started to chuckle a little. I said, "Umm. Your's." His tune kind of changed then and he said we should give it a try.
So basically I'm now having trouble with both tubes. We're going to try and make sure at least one of them is open and functioning properly. After the test, he wants me to go back and talk to him. I can't have the test until my cycle starts. Maybe that won't happen and all this talk will be for naught. Hmm, that would be nice.
Dr. K called me about 45 minutes later. He said he had looked at my x-rays again and thought there were also problems with my right tube. He thought it looked swollen may possibly have some adhesions. Then he asked whose idea it was to have the cannulization. I started to chuckle a little. I said, "Umm. Your's." His tune kind of changed then and he said we should give it a try.
So basically I'm now having trouble with both tubes. We're going to try and make sure at least one of them is open and functioning properly. After the test, he wants me to go back and talk to him. I can't have the test until my cycle starts. Maybe that won't happen and all this talk will be for naught. Hmm, that would be nice.
Labels: infertility, TTC
Posted
by Hedda on Friday, June 13, 2008
First, let me apologize for not posting after my doctor's appointment Thursday. I was a little upset and came home with a migraine. It was actually day six of my migraine. Last night I was at my nephew's high school graduation. So, I've left you all hanging, but not because I meant to. I'm sorry.
The doctor confirmed that I have a blocked tube. He said it could have been because I was cramping and the muscled spasmed or it could have been that it is actually blocked. Like I said earlier, because of that we only have a chance of getting pregnant every other month. We just don't know what months those are.
So with that said, these are the options he laid out for us.
1. Do nothing. That's what we've been doing and it hasn't worked so far.
2. Take clomid. The cost for that would be the cost of the medicine. Then we're supposed to have correctly timed intercourse. His words not mine.
3. Take clomid. Get a shot of FSH. I am supposed to have a couple of ultrasounds to make sure the clomid is not thinning the wall of the my uterus. Then I would get a shot of HCG. Then have correctly timed intercourse. This would cost about $500.
4. Do all of number 3. Then have dh's sperm washed (that gives me visions of the doctor holding one little sperm in between his fingers and holding it under the kitchen faucet) and inserted into my uterus. (IUI) The cost of this one is $1000. There is an 18% of getting pregnant and a 20% chance of having multiples.
Do you see a pattern forming?
5. In-vitro fertilization. (IVF) This cost between $12,000 and $15,000. This would give us a 50-60% chance of getting pregnant with a lower chance of multiples.
The doctor confirmed that I have a blocked tube. He said it could have been because I was cramping and the muscled spasmed or it could have been that it is actually blocked. Like I said earlier, because of that we only have a chance of getting pregnant every other month. We just don't know what months those are.
So with that said, these are the options he laid out for us.
1. Do nothing. That's what we've been doing and it hasn't worked so far.
2. Take clomid. The cost for that would be the cost of the medicine. Then we're supposed to have correctly timed intercourse. His words not mine.
3. Take clomid. Get a shot of FSH. I am supposed to have a couple of ultrasounds to make sure the clomid is not thinning the wall of the my uterus. Then I would get a shot of HCG. Then have correctly timed intercourse. This would cost about $500.
4. Do all of number 3. Then have dh's sperm washed (that gives me visions of the doctor holding one little sperm in between his fingers and holding it under the kitchen faucet) and inserted into my uterus. (IUI) The cost of this one is $1000. There is an 18% of getting pregnant and a 20% chance of having multiples.
Do you see a pattern forming?
5. In-vitro fertilization. (IVF) This cost between $12,000 and $15,000. This would give us a 50-60% chance of getting pregnant with a lower chance of multiples.
6. Try to unblock my tube with a procedure similar to the HSG. Would probably be covered by insurance and may or may not unblock the tube.
I called my insurance company to see what kind of infertility treatments they covered. That would be none. Nada. It would all come out of our pockets.
So we are left to make a decision. What do we do? Do we take the jump and spend all or our money? I thought we didn't have the money until dh reminded me about a mutual fund we have. I don't know what to do. I know what I would do if money were no object, but that's only in a perfect world. We are military and I thought they might cover it, but no on that one too. I did talk to my brother who is military and his wife is an orthopedic PA. She talked to me a while about it and my brother said he would think about our money situation. He used to work for the Surgeon General of the Army. He knows people.
I have not told anyone else in our families. I'm not looking forward to all of the questions every day.
So that's where we are. We're still trying to make a decision. Any suggestions are gladly accepted. We are also taking donations. Let me know if you want to send us some money.
Labels: infertility
Posted
by Hedda on Saturday, May 31, 2008
Yesterday I suffered through a test I would prefer to never have again. This test I had was a hysterosalpingogram. I still can't pronounce it so I call it by it's abbreviation, HSG. Basically I laid down an a table and hiked my legs up while they inserted a speculum then a catheter into my cervix. After it was inserted they blew up a tiny balloon so that it wouldn't fall out. The radiologist said I would feel a little pressure. Really doc? It felt like my insides were going to come out. Then he pushed some contrast into my uterus and took a series of pictures. They also look to see if the contrast goes through the tubes and spills into the abdomen. He turned me from side to side while he took pictures.
I thought it was pretty bad. They kept telling me to take deep breaths during the test. Kind of like when you have a contraction and you're told to breathe through it. When I got back to work I told my bff about it but said she probably had it worse when she had her cerclage. She said nope, she had a spinal for her cerclage and couldn't feel anything from the waist down. Not fair.
When he was done he said that it looked like one of my tubes is blocked. At this point I don't know exactly what that means. I mean, I know that means that I'm only able to conceive every other month with the good tube. My next doctor's appointment is Thursday morning. Hopefully we will get a plan of action then.
I still have not told my family what we are doing. I slipped a couple of weeks ago before I went to my first appointment and my mom asked me a hundred questions. I just don't want to have to tell her every time she asks that I don't know what is going on. I don't know when I will tell them what is going on. Any assvice would be appreciated.
I will continue to post my story here as long as you all are willing to read. I hope that someday I am able to help someone who is going through the same thing.
On another note, I am planning on moving this blog. Before I do, I would like a new name for the site. I started this site as a resource for others going through the preemie and NICU roller coaster, but it really has been about that so I don't think the name fits. Let me know what you think the new name should be.
I thought it was pretty bad. They kept telling me to take deep breaths during the test. Kind of like when you have a contraction and you're told to breathe through it. When I got back to work I told my bff about it but said she probably had it worse when she had her cerclage. She said nope, she had a spinal for her cerclage and couldn't feel anything from the waist down. Not fair.
When he was done he said that it looked like one of my tubes is blocked. At this point I don't know exactly what that means. I mean, I know that means that I'm only able to conceive every other month with the good tube. My next doctor's appointment is Thursday morning. Hopefully we will get a plan of action then.
I still have not told my family what we are doing. I slipped a couple of weeks ago before I went to my first appointment and my mom asked me a hundred questions. I just don't want to have to tell her every time she asks that I don't know what is going on. I don't know when I will tell them what is going on. Any assvice would be appreciated.
I will continue to post my story here as long as you all are willing to read. I hope that someday I am able to help someone who is going through the same thing.
On another note, I am planning on moving this blog. Before I do, I would like a new name for the site. I started this site as a resource for others going through the preemie and NICU roller coaster, but it really has been about that so I don't think the name fits. Let me know what you think the new name should be.
Labels: blog, infertility, TTC
Posted
by Hedda on Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Friday: Trip to Lowe's to buy supplies to paint weeman's new room
Saturday: Ate out for two meals. Second trip to Lowe's for a new patio umbrella. (Darn storms snapped my last one.) Also bought a new grill cover.
Sunday: Breakfast out. (Weekend tradition) Bought food for Memorial Day and for graduation party for nephew.
Monday: Trip to hospital for lab work. Visited Gymboree, Ann Taylor Loft, and Pottery Barn Kids. Bought new bedroom furniture for weeman. Used tax rebate check to buy furniture.
Saturday: Ate out for two meals. Second trip to Lowe's for a new patio umbrella. (Darn storms snapped my last one.) Also bought a new grill cover.
Sunday: Breakfast out. (Weekend tradition) Bought food for Memorial Day and for graduation party for nephew.
Monday: Trip to hospital for lab work. Visited Gymboree, Ann Taylor Loft, and Pottery Barn Kids. Bought new bedroom furniture for weeman. Used tax rebate check to buy furniture.
This is the collection, but in a different color. Looked at an external hard drive. Didn't buy it because dh didn't like the sale price. Took third trip to Lowe's with mom to buy a new glider. Between you and me, it's too big for her screened in porch. Five bucks she returns it next weekend.
I believe we did our part to stimulate the economy. Your turn!!
Tuesday I will start the day out with a trip to the hospital to have my HSG. Apparently we have to make sure all of my parts are okay. Thursday we go back to see the doctor. I wonder what he will decide to do.
Labels: Baby #3, infertility, politics, TTC