Brief Update

Sorry I have been absent for a few weeks, we've been having lots of family time and I am trying not to take away from it! Seeing as it is currently nap time and I just finished my book I thought an update would be a good idea.
Talked to the doctor a few weeks ago via phone appointment. Good news and bad news from him. Good news is all of our tests came back normal, no blockages, no abnormal blood work, and Mike passed his quiz with "flying colors". Of course, the bad news is then that there is nothing else that can be fixed. So the next step from there is drug treatment. When my next cycle starts(if it starts on it's own) I will be having quite the eventful time! Day 1 I have to call and schedule an ultrasound for Day 3. This ultrasound will be similar to the first one I had with there office, they will be looking at my ovaries to measure and count the number of follicles. This is to give a general base line. If the ultra sound looks good I will take Clomid from days 5-9. This is a fertility drug that is used to stimulate ovulation. On Day 11 or 12 I go back for another ultra sound, this time again to count and measure all the follicles. Ideally there should be one or two new follicles. If that is the case I am given what is called a "trigger shot". This will ideally release the egg and result in successful ovulation. Our doctor originally wanted to accompany this drug regimen with IUI(inter uterine insemination) which we had to decline because our insurance won't cover it and it can cost roughly 1,500 a cycle. So our doctor agreed to allow us to just time intercourse. He is comfortable with repeating this cycle up to six times. After that we will need to discuss other options.
Needless to say I was thrilled and overwhelmed after talking to him, luckily I took notes during our conversation. : ) I was feeling wonderful and optimistic about our chances. Of course that feeling couldn't last for two long because over the next week I got two different letters. The first was from my insurance company, I was already aware that my coverage for fertility would be lacking because I am a dependent on my parents insurance policy. I was told specifically that they would cover diagnostic tests but very few treatments. Shady Grove went ahead and contacted them anyways to find out a general coverage guideline now that we had an "official" diagnosis as far as they were concerned. So my first lovely letter was yet again another statement that even though I now have a diagnosed fertility problem they would still not authorize treatment. Wonderful, glad to know trying to fix me isn't within the guidelines of something you are willing to cover. The next letter was from Shady Grove. It was a summary of procedures that they would be performing and an approximate cost. My jaw obviously hit the floor when I found out that each of the two visits I would need per cycle would cost roughly $600. With of course no guarantee at success.
After getting over my initial shock I quickly filled out an application for there "Shared Help" program. It's a program designed for lower income families struggling with infertility. They take two years of your combined family income to determine whether or not you meet the income eligibility. They give a very vague idea of what to expect, all I was told is that you must be below $95,000 a year and it only covers a percentage of treatment. I am hoping that means it covers say... 90% of treatments. But we won't know for another few weeks. But of course now I feel like we need to apply for food stamps just to pay for fertility treatments.
Apart from the somewhat crappy news about insurance coverage we have had a really wonderful few weeks as a family. We took a day trip to Sandy Point Park last week and had a lovely picnic lunch, then went out for snowballs later in the evening with close friends. And this past weekend we went to a Frederick Keys game! Molly and Mike continue to keep me laughing, there latest is what they call "sumo wrestling" they both grab a couch pillow stomp like sumo wrestlers and then run full force into each other, effectively bouncing of the others pillow and falling on the floor in fits of laughter. I have to admit just watching I have almost peed my pants a few times.  

Doctors, Doctors, Doctors

That seems to be the theme this summer. Summer is about half way done and I think I have spoken to and visited more doctors in this short time frame then the average person does in a year. And I'm exhausted. Having to repeat my medical history, list current medications, and numerous blood draws. I feel like lately I am at a breaking point all the time. Part of me screaming "I'm done!" the other part still clinging to hope that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Infertility is definitely something I would not wish on my worst enemies. Ok... Maybe a few... But you would really have to piss me off first.
I have found a few things to be excited about the last few weeks. I had my HSG scan done shortly after my last blog post and it was not only a breeze, it also showed no signs of blockage. Which was excellent news. I also got copies of the images they took, who doesn't want a 12" x 20" image of there own uterus. I know I will have a few jealous readers once they find out I have those pictures and they don't!! Mike also passed his Jizz quiz. Which is of course great for him, mildly upsetting for him. I had secretly hoped that there would be something abnormal about his test. Would make it feel like all of the infertility problems were no coming from me. All of our blood work came back normal, and the genetic testing I had done showed I am not a carrier for any of the 13 disorders they tested for. Which is a relief. I have a phone appointment with our fertility specialist on Monday, will know more about what direction our treatment is taking after I speak to him.
I was pleasantly surprised when my period arrived this morning. Surprised for two reasons, the timing shows that I have returned to an almost "normal" cycle with just the assistance of Metformin. Surprised also because my self ovulation testing showed that I did in fact ovulate this month, around the 26th of June. So then of course my emotional(and bloated self) realized that even though I ovulated I still failed to get(or stay) pregnant. Great, now just one more problem to add to the already growing list. I will of course be discussing this with the doc on Monday.
I really did sit down to write and try to focus on the positives in life lately. It's a recent goal, helps me realize my life is complete with or without another child. I do owe a lot of my recent laughs to my dear husband. He sure is a wonderful light in my life. I also have my gorgeous daughter to be thankful for. She has recently taken a real interest in coloring, I can only hope this is going to steer her into an interest in the arts. Maybe I will make a point of painting with her soon. I am also still obsessed with my dog as well as my gardening. The dog currently occupies the background on my phone, I claim that since Molly has had such a long run as the background it was time to give one of our other children the chance at a turn. Mike of course went and set his as a picture of the rats, not wanting them to feel left out. I have managed to keep everything alive in all of my gardens so far, even with the dreadful heat wave we have been having. If they put any sort of water restrictions on us they might be SOL though...

And just because I feel everyone should read this...

http://www.resolve.org/support-and-services/for-family--friends/infertility-etiquette.html

Until my next post... : )