This is our result paper.
Our two embryos that are boys, but have one less or one extra of a chromosome and will not be able to transfer.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Whats next?
It's been a long emotional week. We decided earlier this week though to get the 2 embryos we have frozen to be tested.
PGS testing is fairly new to most IVF clinics. It stands for Pre-Genetic Screening. They can take a biopsy from the embryo and look at the whole strand of DNA. They count the chromosomes and see if their is any genetic disorder. With doing this type of test you are making your transfer more successful.
Since my Dr was going to be gone with other fertility dr, I knew I couldn't do an egg retrieval, but I could still do an IUI. I started the shots at night Tuesday and am being closely monitored now for my IUI. I know this is a long shot, but knowing my infertility disease is unhealthy eggs, all it needs is one good one in the batch to create a pregnancy. So, I do have some hope that this could work again.
Monday, September 29, 2014
IVF # 3
Have you ever done IVF???
Have you ever been on a roller coaster- almost the same feeling
sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down and sometimes you throw up.
Today I was so excited to call the Dr. office to start my ultrasounds and stims. I called in the morning and waited to hear back from the nurse to schedule a time.
I was headed to acupuncture and right as she was putting in the needles the office called. I decided to just wait and call back after, no urgency was needed. Everything could wait.
I was wrong.
I got in my car and listen to her message. All I could hear in the message is "I'm sorry, you can't do another egg retrieval " I just froze and I thought, this must be a joke?!?! Was it April 1st? I made sure I was months before all the holidays. So why wasn't I am to do another egg retrieval this month??
My dr. looked at my previous charts and my eggs are so slow growing that usually it takes 2 weeks of stims but mine have always taken 3 weeks, which will fall right in the middle of his conference and all the other back up dr's too.
I just sat in my car and bawled my eyes out. How could I get sooo unlucky again? I already took a month off to prep my body for the meds and now your saying I have to wait another and then I might not be able to do the transfer until next year.
I was so down. I called my husband and I told him " I'm done" my body and emotions cant take this anymore. I am fine with living with the 1 perfect, adorable kid we have.
Tonight we talked it over together and thought of all our options. There is way to much to type up to describe what our thoughts process is, but we have come to decided what we are going to do now...
next up...my dr app tomorrow morning and talking with my dr about our new game plan.
tomorrow I will explain....
Have you ever been on a roller coaster- almost the same feeling
sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down and sometimes you throw up.
Today I was so excited to call the Dr. office to start my ultrasounds and stims. I called in the morning and waited to hear back from the nurse to schedule a time.
I was headed to acupuncture and right as she was putting in the needles the office called. I decided to just wait and call back after, no urgency was needed. Everything could wait.
I was wrong.
I got in my car and listen to her message. All I could hear in the message is "I'm sorry, you can't do another egg retrieval " I just froze and I thought, this must be a joke?!?! Was it April 1st? I made sure I was months before all the holidays. So why wasn't I am to do another egg retrieval this month??
My dr. looked at my previous charts and my eggs are so slow growing that usually it takes 2 weeks of stims but mine have always taken 3 weeks, which will fall right in the middle of his conference and all the other back up dr's too.
I just sat in my car and bawled my eyes out. How could I get sooo unlucky again? I already took a month off to prep my body for the meds and now your saying I have to wait another and then I might not be able to do the transfer until next year.
I was so down. I called my husband and I told him " I'm done" my body and emotions cant take this anymore. I am fine with living with the 1 perfect, adorable kid we have.
Tonight we talked it over together and thought of all our options. There is way to much to type up to describe what our thoughts process is, but we have come to decided what we are going to do now...
next up...my dr app tomorrow morning and talking with my dr about our new game plan.
tomorrow I will explain....
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Hard day
Today was a real hard day. To say my emotion are all over the place is an understatement.
My miracle two year old had the most meltdowns today with screams in the highest pitch. I wanted to scream back at her how much I hurt inside because I can not give her a brother or sister, how hard financial this is taking on her mom and dad. How we have to rely so much on my family right now for a house over our head so we can figure out how to pay for our next treatment. Or who is going to watch her while I drive 45 mins each way to the dr's/ acupuncture, and who can watch her while I'm getting therapy because sometimes, just sometimes I feel like a failure who is all alone. Infertility can make you feel all alone, and while some may say I would wish this all to go away next month and miraculously be pregnant, I don't.
I'm grateful for this trial! would I want to be done with all of this and hope that Christmas time rolls around and I'm pregnant- YES, but I have to live in reality and focus on what I do have and with Brinley and Joe they make me want to be better and a stronger person for the next person that I have to hear is going through the same struggles.
To all those that are feeling like you are alone, I pray for you tonight.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
6 days past Egg Retrieval
The last few days have been a lot easier.
Today was the last day the embryos could turn into a blast into the last stage before it is ready for a transfer.
Dr. Anderson called me this morning and was happy to report 2 of the embryo were biopsied this morning. So out of the 3 we had we have 2 good ones we will send to PGS testing.
But before we do that we have been thinking and praying what we should do next....
For the PGS testing you pay for 8 embryos to be tested, its a few thousands dollars even it you only have 2 to test. So we decided to do "batching"
What that means is we will do another round of IVF egg retrieval and hope to get any more embryos so we can send them out all together in Oct.
They will test them and come back to tell us which ones are normal.
Because my Dr. has told me both egg retrieval times that my egg look abnormal, I really want to make sure when we do a transfer that the embryo is normal to give a 85% higher chance for a pregnancy.
yes,
It's a lot of waiting and a lot of money more, since we have no insurance left to cover for IVF med.s that could be around 5,000. Hopefully, we still haven't hit our lifetime maximum for IVF procedure and that will still keep the cost low then if we had done this all out of pocket. Reason number 1, why we have been living at my parents for the last year!
I just want those friends starting this process to know they have lots of options when they read stuff out there.
So, for now Sep. will be a quite month as I take my mind off of infertility treatments all together!
Today was the last day the embryos could turn into a blast into the last stage before it is ready for a transfer.
Dr. Anderson called me this morning and was happy to report 2 of the embryo were biopsied this morning. So out of the 3 we had we have 2 good ones we will send to PGS testing.
But before we do that we have been thinking and praying what we should do next....
For the PGS testing you pay for 8 embryos to be tested, its a few thousands dollars even it you only have 2 to test. So we decided to do "batching"
What that means is we will do another round of IVF egg retrieval and hope to get any more embryos so we can send them out all together in Oct.
They will test them and come back to tell us which ones are normal.
Because my Dr. has told me both egg retrieval times that my egg look abnormal, I really want to make sure when we do a transfer that the embryo is normal to give a 85% higher chance for a pregnancy.
yes,
It's a lot of waiting and a lot of money more, since we have no insurance left to cover for IVF med.s that could be around 5,000. Hopefully, we still haven't hit our lifetime maximum for IVF procedure and that will still keep the cost low then if we had done this all out of pocket. Reason number 1, why we have been living at my parents for the last year!
I just want those friends starting this process to know they have lots of options when they read stuff out there.
So, for now Sep. will be a quite month as I take my mind off of infertility treatments all together!
Thursday, August 21, 2014
3 days past egg retrieval
It's been a hard last 2 days.
I've tried everything to distract me and that may have included going to Disneyland twice in one day.
I waited and checked my phone every min. yesterday waiting to hear the update on the embryos. By 4 o'clock I just knew the worst had to happen, we probably dont have any left, so my dr isn't bothering calling me.
I called his office and he was out, so they connected me to the lab to give me my results. I was sooo happy the embryologist (yes, the person who studies my embryos) was so helpful and had good news.
We have 1 shinning through!!! It's a grade A and has 8 cells already, it's our hopeful one and perfect. The other 2 are grade B and only have 4/5 cells so they aren't sure if they will make it to day 6 where it will become a blast (meaning they can transfer it). If the 2 don't keep dividing in cells it will appear as finished because it stopped growing and they can no longer do anything for it.
So right now, I know we have 1 good one.
They hard part is what do we do next.
We could easily go ahead with PGS testing and wait to see if it comes back a normal embryo and then do the transfer in Sep.
Orrrrr (we are most likely doing this one)
Freezing what embryos we have this saturday and taking a month off (Dr.'s orders) then doing ANOTHER (3rd's time a charm, right?) Egg Retrieval in Oct. and hoping we get more embryos to do the PGS testing then have the transfer schedule for Nov. then find out if all this really worked in Dec.
Have I told you yet, we started our treatments last Aug. and I never ever ever ever ever thought it would be taking us this long to have another baby.
Baby B was SERIOUSLY a miracle with our 1st treatment and IUI. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday to be her mom!
With all that said....we love all the prayers and support coming our way and I know they are helping so please remember us in the next few months still ahead we have.
Thankfully I have a great husband and family and soo grateful for a great therapist!!
I've tried everything to distract me and that may have included going to Disneyland twice in one day.
I waited and checked my phone every min. yesterday waiting to hear the update on the embryos. By 4 o'clock I just knew the worst had to happen, we probably dont have any left, so my dr isn't bothering calling me.
I called his office and he was out, so they connected me to the lab to give me my results. I was sooo happy the embryologist (yes, the person who studies my embryos) was so helpful and had good news.
We have 1 shinning through!!! It's a grade A and has 8 cells already, it's our hopeful one and perfect. The other 2 are grade B and only have 4/5 cells so they aren't sure if they will make it to day 6 where it will become a blast (meaning they can transfer it). If the 2 don't keep dividing in cells it will appear as finished because it stopped growing and they can no longer do anything for it.
So right now, I know we have 1 good one.
They hard part is what do we do next.
We could easily go ahead with PGS testing and wait to see if it comes back a normal embryo and then do the transfer in Sep.
Orrrrr (we are most likely doing this one)
Freezing what embryos we have this saturday and taking a month off (Dr.'s orders) then doing ANOTHER (3rd's time a charm, right?) Egg Retrieval in Oct. and hoping we get more embryos to do the PGS testing then have the transfer schedule for Nov. then find out if all this really worked in Dec.
Have I told you yet, we started our treatments last Aug. and I never ever ever ever ever thought it would be taking us this long to have another baby.
Baby B was SERIOUSLY a miracle with our 1st treatment and IUI. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday to be her mom!
With all that said....we love all the prayers and support coming our way and I know they are helping so please remember us in the next few months still ahead we have.
Thankfully I have a great husband and family and soo grateful for a great therapist!!
Monday, August 18, 2014
The first call
Our egg retrieval was yesterday and this afternoon I'm feeling much better. I've been resting in my bed since I got home yesterday and I really think sleeping more has helped my body heal faster.
The bad news...
Dr. Anderson called me and informed me once again we have a problem with my eggs. They were able to get 12 yesterday but they all looked not normal, They ended up doing ICSI which means they fertilize them by injecting one sperm into each egg.
Out of the 7 they did this too only 3 fertilized. Yes 3 is 2 more than we had last time but now I'm not counting on anything. I don't think this IVF is going to last much longer, we are just on day one and there are soooo many hurdles these 3 embies would have to overcome to even make it to a pregnancy.
Right now, I'm just not hopeful
I'm just numb
The bad news...
Dr. Anderson called me and informed me once again we have a problem with my eggs. They were able to get 12 yesterday but they all looked not normal, They ended up doing ICSI which means they fertilize them by injecting one sperm into each egg.
Out of the 7 they did this too only 3 fertilized. Yes 3 is 2 more than we had last time but now I'm not counting on anything. I don't think this IVF is going to last much longer, we are just on day one and there are soooo many hurdles these 3 embies would have to overcome to even make it to a pregnancy.
Right now, I'm just not hopeful
I'm just numb
Egg Retrieval procedure
After I woke up my husband came by my side, he told me Dr. Anderson retrieved 12 eggs and they were all going under to be fertilize. They will call me the next day to fill me in on the report.
I went home and slept for 4 more hours. I'm gonna stay in bed until tomorrow night to relax and feel better again.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Egg Retrieval schedule
I'm so excited when my Dr. called me this afternoon,
oh wait, no the surgery center called me first.
Ha
They told me they have me down for an egg retrieval on Sunday, I told them that was funny because they jumped the gun on my Dr.
obviously he set this all up and they did confirm that he confirmed it all, it was just funny finding out all the details first from them. I can't blame my Dr. though, he is a very very busy Dr. with a TON of hormonal women needing hisattention medical skills.
The surgery center also told me I was the only one coming in that day, sooo special, everyone better be alert and ready. I have to wake up at 5am, leave at 6am, hubby drop off his sample and get in the surgery center by 6:45, I do under at 7:45.
I.Can.Not.Wait
Tons of tons of HOPE!
oh wait, no the surgery center called me first.
Ha
They told me they have me down for an egg retrieval on Sunday, I told them that was funny because they jumped the gun on my Dr.
obviously he set this all up and they did confirm that he confirmed it all, it was just funny finding out all the details first from them. I can't blame my Dr. though, he is a very very busy Dr. with a TON of hormonal women needing his
The surgery center also told me I was the only one coming in that day, sooo special, everyone better be alert and ready. I have to wake up at 5am, leave at 6am, hubby drop off his sample and get in the surgery center by 6:45, I do under at 7:45.
I.Can.Not.Wait
Tons of tons of HOPE!
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Meditation
my therapist gave me some great meditation advice, because I feel like I'm very specific in why I'm doing all this (for my IVF cycle) I started googling infertility mediation and came across
of their facebook page is CircleBloom Facebook
This is the only meditation out there that is specific for IUI/IVF and they have many different programs to pick from. I started doing the meditation IUI/IVF cycle and can really tell a difference. I plan on buying the other programs they have for FET, and giving birth.
Also my therapist told me about Oprah and the mediation she started with Deepak. Just this past monday they started a 21 days program on "Expanding your Happiness"
I think this cycle has been different from the first with all these great changes I have made.
of their facebook page is CircleBloom Facebook
This is the only meditation out there that is specific for IUI/IVF and they have many different programs to pick from. I started doing the meditation IUI/IVF cycle and can really tell a difference. I plan on buying the other programs they have for FET, and giving birth.
Also my therapist told me about Oprah and the mediation she started with Deepak. Just this past monday they started a 21 days program on "Expanding your Happiness"
I think this cycle has been different from the first with all these great changes I have made.
Insurances with Infertility
I just added to my blog my email address because I want to be able to answer or help anyone who felt as lost as I did in the beginning of this journey.
You can always e-mail me at Aubs03@gmail.com
When we 1st started treatments in 2011 we had nothing, we borrowed up front money from my parents to start IUI, and shocked when it worked the first treatment.
In 2013 we started treatments again for baby #2, but this time my husband had a new job with Fidelity Investments and as a company they have infertility insurance in California under United Health Care. I know each state can be different and each insurance company has a ton of different plans but if you find a company that will provide infertility coverage, never ever leave. It's rare. I found it rare that ours covered IVF, and PGS and had a separate lifetime maximum for fertility drugs and procedures.
How can you help afford infertility treatments?
Here's a few links to help you...at Fertilitythoughts.com
Here's a great form with companies that have infertility assistant.
Clinic promotions, clinical trials and ivf discounts.
You can always e-mail me at Aubs03@gmail.com
About Insurances with infertility coverage and IVF coverage with medicine.
Let's just say it....its rare to find any insurance company that is going to pay a dime for what we have to go through.When we 1st started treatments in 2011 we had nothing, we borrowed up front money from my parents to start IUI, and shocked when it worked the first treatment.
In 2013 we started treatments again for baby #2, but this time my husband had a new job with Fidelity Investments and as a company they have infertility insurance in California under United Health Care. I know each state can be different and each insurance company has a ton of different plans but if you find a company that will provide infertility coverage, never ever leave. It's rare. I found it rare that ours covered IVF, and PGS and had a separate lifetime maximum for fertility drugs and procedures.
How can you help afford infertility treatments?
Here's a few links to help you...at Fertilitythoughts.com
Here's a great form with companies that have infertility assistant.
Clinic promotions, clinical trials and ivf discounts.
Ultrasound appt 9
The ultrasound show a few more mature follicles, yes we are up to 14 on the ultrasound. Not the same number that they always retrieve, but the higher the number the better chances of more eggs we have. I really thought this would be it, but I just got my call from Dr. Anderson and he says we are going to give follistim and menapour 1 more night!
We did see smaller ones that could defiantly grow. I'm excited to do one more night too since I have about 1 more night of medicine and I want as many as we can get. It just seems like a FOREVER stimming processes. Even Dr. Anderson said today I was a slow grower but that doesn't effect the outcome. Here's to one more night of follisitm shots then onto trigger and more when we do FET next month.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
appointment 4,5,6, 7, & 8
I have not been doing a good job at all writing down on the blog about my appointments. I have moved most of my focus this IVF to another form of support I have a separate Instagram account, BecomingRichardsonFam. I have kept only friend on there that are going through infertility right now, which has built in a great support system of women all around the world (some down under and some in the UK) that are going through IVF right now or just did or waiting for there turn.
I've been able to post more and everyone is more aware of the infertility lingo.
The last few appointment I was a little down just wishing I was ready for retrieval right now. Now, that I soooo close to the end I can not wait to see how many more pop up! We are at 12 mature follicle as of today.
I'm so great for a great cycle right now and all of the love and support and many prayers people have offered for us at this time. I want to continue to be a great support for everyone that is continuing there journey to pregnancy.
I've been able to post more and everyone is more aware of the infertility lingo.
The last few appointment I was a little down just wishing I was ready for retrieval right now. Now, that I soooo close to the end I can not wait to see how many more pop up! We are at 12 mature follicle as of today.
I'm so great for a great cycle right now and all of the love and support and many prayers people have offered for us at this time. I want to continue to be a great support for everyone that is continuing there journey to pregnancy.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
appt. # 2 & 3
Nothing new to report...My follicle are not growing as fast as I would hope. Which means longer on the hormones injections and time to give these follicle.
Baseline appt.
I'm on top of the world!
HEY!
I had my baseline appointment last Thursday morning with my blood work and ultrasound. I wasn't nervous because I didn't think they could tell anything much, but I guess during the ultrasound Dr. Anderson could count up to 19 follicle that could possible produce an egg, and I haven't even started my shot (hormones yet!)
I was just so excited nothing else in my world felt like it could go wrong.
A few days later my pharmacy called me and informed me we have hit out maximum lifetime for infertility medication!!
I had no idea we were even close. After all our maximum is $15,000. So you can just imagine how much these drugs really cost!!!
There is a reason they call is fertility gold....because it cost more than gold itself!!
I was just so excited nothing else in my world felt like it could go wrong.
A few days later my pharmacy called me and informed me we have hit out maximum lifetime for infertility medication!!
I had no idea we were even close. After all our maximum is $15,000. So you can just imagine how much these drugs really cost!!!
There is a reason they call is fertility gold....because it cost more than gold itself!!
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