Ladies and gentleman, we have lift off. As of last night, Mr. S. has been shoving needles in my gut to get my ovaries a' poppin'. Who knew mutilation would signal progress for me?
The good: I actually got more than 5 minutes of my nurse practitioner's time yesterday. In that time, I was able to get karyotype, thyroid panel, and some immunology blood work ordered, at a measly $10 co-pay for all of them. Booyah! That is assertiveness at work, a skill I sorely lack on my most days, but have been able to sprout all in the name of baby. The NP was awesome enough to order them under 'multiple pregnancy loss', despite the fact that there haven't been multiple. But she totally got my feelings about prevention and went ahead. I almost started to cry because the last time I saw her, she was standing in front of an ultrasound machine which was flickering with a heartbeat and telling me I had 'graduated' to a real OB. I think that helped my request along. Also at my request, we started an injectables protocol (menopur). Although I have responded fairly well to clomid, I wanted to mix things up and get at least one more follie than last time. I go in Friday for my check-up and if all looks well, our IUI is planned for Halloween or the day before...yeah! Despite Af taking her sweet time, I'm right on schedule because as I understand it, injectables speed things up. Love it. I spent over half an hour with a nurse showing me injectables and talking about the cycle, so I was feeling pretty cozy with my HMO path. That is, until I got to the Pharmacy to get my meds.
The bad: It was FAR more expensive than I originally anticipated. In fact, previously my HMO was covering my meds, but this time, I was forced to cough up hundreds. I'm not sure why the discrepancy and I'll have to look into it. Lucky for the raping and pillaging pharmaceutical companies, I want a baby so bad I'll go so far as to walk to work and live in squalor, so I handed over that debit card, as heart wrenching as it was. While it was worth it, financial 'surprises' are never fun.
Also, while I love my NP, she kind of poo-pooed my Luteal Phase/Progesterone talk saying that she's only had one patient who has needed progesterone shots in all of her time in practice. I was too polite to ask, "and how does this apply to me?" So when I go in on Friday, I will take that discussion further and suggest shots. It can't hurt, so if there's even a question about progesterone as the villain, why not?
Overall, I feel that I was more informed and more of an advocate in my appointment yesterday, thanks in large part to all of my online support. I've also been getting so much from my 'real-life' support group buddies, which I will talk about later as it deserves an entire entry. Thank you all, ladies! It is more appreciated than you'll ever know!
30 comments:
Hooray for getting those ovaries poppin'! I think a Halloween IUI is totally good luck. It's my favorite holiday...so that has to mean SOMETHING!
I am really proud of you! That sucks about the extra Rx cost. I hate it when clinicians blow off your concerns. Best Wishes for these next steps.
Yay on getting on the fast speed train! Good luck for the shots and for poppin' those ovaries! Gotta love it huh? :-)
We're both going to be busy next week! You with your IUI and with getting those swimmers to find the "girls" and me with attempting a "nose job" on my uterus, to get it to become prettier looking!
Sorry about the extra $$ - that always sucks. I had a similar conversation today, so I know how that feels. But like I told the nurse I was talking to - "Someone in my shoes will never say no to "additional expense" having come this far". Unfortunate, but true.
Good luck sweetie - and I will wait for your post on the support group. I want to be able to get the courage to come for one soon :-)
Yeah!!! Extra $ always sucks. Sort of sneaks up on you. I'm totally hoping this is your cycle.
***HUGS***
Ok, I have no experience with the shots but I know hearing and watching videos on how it's done, it really doesn't sound easy.
I really do hope this is IT for you, Shelby. I really do.
Would love to hear more about the support group too.
(((hugs)))
Yeah ovaries. A conception on Halloween? Huh- should be interesting. Let's throw a Halloween/Conception party!
Good luck. Whatever it takes.
I was reading about the progesterone thing in your previous entry. For my last (4th) IUI and my IVF cycle, in addition to progesterone supplementation, I also got HCG booster shots after the IUI/ER.
I hope those ovaries get a poppin' for you! I hope that things go as planned and you can do the IUI on Halloweenish!
Sorry about the Rx cost, that's certainly something I'm fearing. Have you looked into freedomdrug online? I know, a little late now, but they are usually a little cheaper than the pharmacies. I agree with you though, having a baby is worth it.
Best wishes!
Good luck this cycle! I hope those ovaries pop some great eggs that a quickly fertilized!
WOO HOO!!! I am excited for you. I always feel so much better when I have been assertive with the doctors on my own behalf. I never wanted to know that you have to "own" your medical attention or to know how to navigate an insurance company. I guess it's a good thing to know, but, not a pleasant experience.
Let me know what you learn about progesterone. I'll be interested to hear that!
Good luck! I am rooting for you!
How exciting! I remember how I just freaking loved getting my injections. Well, not "getting" as I was the one who gave them all to myself, but you know what I mean.
Here's to you getting the # of follies you want. Honestly, injectibles + iui/sex is a frightening proposition due to the chance of high order multiples, but if you keep your head about you if you get too many, you'll be fine and dandy.
Good luck!
Very exciting that it's happening, and that you're taking more control. Very very cool.
Go, ovaries! Halloween seems like it's just a few days away - exciting!
It must be so nice to get that ball rolling.
Happy ovary poppin! Wishing you loads of luck for this cycle.
Here from ICLW
Stacie
P.S. Assertiveness is the key. Seriously. Good for you for standing up for yourself.
I really hope this is the cycle for you. I love your header by the way.
Here from ICLW. Best of luck with this cycle. I hope that you can get better answers to your progesterone questions next time.
Yea for starting anew. That sucks about the money. Good luck this time around!
ICLW
Hey, think of the good side, that you don't have to do Progesterone shots, cuz man those things HURT like a motha! Good luck with the stims and everything else! ICLW.
Very exciting! I think it is so important to be an advocate for yourself, and push for what you want! Good luck with the IUI!!
ICLW
GOOD LUCK!!! I'll be praying those ovaries keep popping!!
That is one thing I have learned from this whole process is that I need to be my own advocate. If I don't speak up then it won't get done. Good for you! Also, this whole IF thing is way too expensive...I guess that is 2 things I have learned. Anyway, good luck to you I hope this all comes out great in the end.
Hey Shelby, you know from my recent rantings that money matters these days, but I agree, we'll go through a lot to get a baby, even financial "surprises".
Hey, good luck this cycle. I'm impressed that you asked about progesterone even when the nurse didn't seem interested. Fight the good fight!
Hello. I just found your site from ICLW and I read a few of the things you wrote. Good luck with the shots. :) I like the way you write about things.
WOOHOO!!! Happy Stimming! Come on eggies!
Hooray for being assertive -- definitely not my strong suit either. I hope the Halloween IUI is a success!! Good luck getting those ovaries going!!
Sounds good! Hoping a spooky IUI leads to a special treat!!!
E
P.S. I hate the pharma companies too. What a bunch of crooks.
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Here from ICLW. Yuck about the med cost, hopefully you get it all worked out. I love Halloween and the day before! I got engaged on Halloween and my dog was born on the 30th. They are both good luck days!
Yah on progress!!! i just know that this is going to work!!! the shots sux and yep they are expensive but if they do the trick then well worth it i say!!! i will be keeping you in my thoughts that thos swimmers find your eggies and make babies! :) yah!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy you have pushed through this to keep moving forward. I was surprised about the cost of the meds when we first did inject-ables too. What's in that stuff to make it so freaking expensive?
Looking forward to hearing more about your support group. (:
Good luck!!
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