It all depends on today, Day 634. If the specialist can do it, we are FINALLY moving forward with our transfer cycle!! I have never been so nervous and excited for an appointment this whole time.
Arrived a few minutes early just to be sure and luckily was even called back early! The nurse brought me into a patient room and I was greeted shortly after by Dr. Bernstein and a student. "This is a learning opportunity for them after all" he informed me. Well, I'm happy that someone is benefiting from me having this.
We took a little bit of time to review my history. When did all of the symptoms start? How long does it happen? What medicine am I or were I taking? Etc... He already had my positive blood test that I sent in over a month ago so this was just formalities. Because the solution that the allergist in Indianapolis used for their skin testing was different than what he used, he wanted to do the same tests again with his solution.
Into another patient room, I was then pricked and poked multiple times with the same doses of progesterone that the Indy doctor did. And, surprise surprise, the same negative results that I got in Indy, I got here. Whole bunch of nothing. This sensitivity is a tricky beast.
After reviewing the results, we met to discuss time line. Come on man... make this happen!! With the timing of this desensitization (I'll explain what goes into the process the day it happens), he scheduled it for the day before the first day I would be starting my progesterone medication for the transfer cycle. He looked at the calendar, I pulled out my IVF calendar, and we established the date! I'm on the books. He can do it!! We ordered some medication that I am to take 2 days leading up to the desensitization and the day of it. If someone didn't know we were doing IVF and they saw my drug store worth of medicine in my bathroom, they would have lots of questions.
I got out to the car and called my nurse to tell her the good news - we are ON!! I forwarded her the medication that he asked me to get so she had them on record, and she gave me the green light to start my transfer meds! This was the best 3 hour and 15 min drive home I've had in a long time.
That night was the first night of the only shot I have to take for the cycle. Every 4 days, I have to take an estrogen shot to help build the lining of my uterus. The doctors want to see it at a certain thickness to ensure the embryo will have a better chance of sticking. It was SUPER thick and DH seemed like he was pushing the needle for so long. But he, as always, did great! No dizziness or side effects that I can feel, so this is going to be a breeze.
Day 635-639 consisted of daily doses of baby aspirin, a prenatal vitamin and one more drug called dexamethasone, and one day with the estrogen shot. Not too bad to start. I get to start the other medicine this Sunday because the desensitization is on Tuesday!! Weee - We are getting so close.
Day 642 - I spoke with the compounding pharmacy for the desensitization to get my medicine for the procedure ordered. With the 10 different doses that they will be administering, I was going to have to get 7 different "levels" of a prescription, which meant 7 different $15 copays. The lady I spoke to was so kind and said, if you want, we can get that down to 3 copays but it will just be more applicators that they have to do each time. If you are fine with that, we can save you a few pennies. DONE - sign. me. up.
Day 643 The nurse calls me to give me an update on the medicine that the doctor wants me to take. With the sensitivity/allergy to progesterone, they want to switch me from the suppositories that I currently have to a progesterone gel called Crinone. Supposedly this gel is EXTREMELY expensive and I have to be on it for 3 months (so long as we get pregnant). But they think this is the best route for us, so, take my money. THANK HEAVENS for DH's insurance, because what would have cost us more than $2,000 a MONTH (for 3 months) will only cost us $30 a month!! Remind me to hug his company's HR person for selecting that insurance plan.
Because the desensitization will technically count as my Day 1 of progesterone, she told me they need to do some calendar adjustments. Either we stick with the current schedule and transfer on the following Sunday, or we get Dr. B to move the desensitization to Wednesday and then we transfer the following Monday. Option B was the preferred choice by all parties. Thankfully, he was able to schedule me at his other location for Wednesday and Option B was a go.
Now we have two more tests to pass before this transfer is a go. I need my ultrasound check up to go well and I need to not have a reaction during the desensitization process. My doctor called me that evening to discuss what could happen if the desensitization does not go well. She didn't want me getting my hopes up that we would continue on if I had a reaction. We would need to stop, and reconsider how to move forward. I told her I understood and would not want to risk one of our 3 embryos just because I wanted this so bad. I know all things must fall into place first before moving on.
We were able to get the consent forms emailed to us and visit a local notary to sign them. This way, Cheyenne didn't have to take work off on the day of the ultrasound to drive to Indy with me just to sign them. All things are looking good!
Next week is a big week: I have to pass my ultrasound, then the biggest day, the progesterone desensitization. Stay tuned to find out how those appointments went!
Until next time...JR.
Commentaires