Monday, June 22, 2009

Follow-up with the RE

Will and I finally met last week with the RE to talk about the failure of IVF #5. It was a good meeting but punctuated with sentences from the RE that began with information about stats or various procedures and protocols, and then would end, "but I know you already know all about that."

I guess we've been around the bend with this IVF business enough times that there's not a whole lot of new ground to cover. Still, it was good to meet. The RE seems to think this latest attempt to trigger early was not worth it given the small number of eggs we retrieved (um, I agree). He still maintains that there should be a normal egg in my ovaries somewhere, but he's starting to sound less sure of this. And he doesn't have any better answers than we do on why - 37 embryos into this - we haven't stumbled on a golden egg or two yet.

Despite all of our failures during multiple cycles, our ever-optimistic RE still doesn't think we're at the place of donor egg yet, although I think all three of us are feeling that we're getting close to the end of the line.

So...he outlined a few options:

1. Do another straight IVF cycle - this time he's thinking maybe an estrogen priming protocol.

2. Do PGD "just to see what's actually going on in those embryos." He sounded more encouraging of this than in the past. Although he still thinks it will lower our chances, he thought it might be worth a try just to get a better diagnostic picture.

3. Try to do a blast transfer rather than the "transfer as many as possible" strategy we've been using.

4. Go ahead and use our frozen embryos. (We've been holding off on this - after all, time is ovary. We have six day 1 embryos frozen from cycle number 2, with no idea of quality - of course, examining how all the other embryos have turned out, we can guess, and it doesn't look good).

Given these four choices, what did we decide on?

We told him we were thinking we'd choose option 5.

Which is, to go out to Colorado and give it a try there this summer.

Our RE was supportive of this move (when I'm being cynical, I think he'd like us to go elsewhere so we can go ruin some other poor clinic's stats!) He understands that we're drawn to Colorado's microarray and CGH technology to get a read on the embryos. And that we're just curious to mix things up by trying something different. And he understands that I have some rare time off which would make an out of town cycle possible. He also said, God bless him, that he would be happy to do my monitoring for that cycle before I fly out there, which I greatly appreciate.

There you have it. The summary of WTF #5.

One-day work-up scheduled in Colorado for July 7. Tentative plans to cycle there in August.

Here's to moving forward.

Mo

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38 comments:

  1. Yes, here's to moving forward! I am so excited for you go to CCRM, I've seen them help so many people, I really think this could be the 'magic bullet' so to speak. Good luck, my dear, pulling for you!

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  2. Good luck at CCRM. Even though they weren't our miracle, I'd still highly recommend them!

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  3. Congrats on having a plan. Sometimes that is half the battle. Here's hoping CCRM is the answer!

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  4. I am glad to hear that you are going to CCRM. I hope they make your dreams come true!

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  5. So glad you're going to CCRM, and so glad it's going to work out for you to do so with as little stress as possible. Fingers crossed - thrilled that you're getting in so quickly - and oh MY, I hope this is it for you!

    Can't wait to hear about CO.

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  6. I am so happy to hear you guys are going to CCRM in July! Talk about right around the corner. Good luck and I can't wait to hear what come out of your work up.

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  7. Mo - I hope CCRM is helpful to you guys (and puzzled - why do some doctors jump to the ED option so quickly - after ONE ONE cycle I was told that ED may be the only option... each clinic is different). Lots of people have had great success at CCRM - really wishing you guys all the best.
    Hang in there.

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  8. I am thrilled that you're headed to CCRM, I strongly believe that they are the best. Most importantly, the CGH testing will give you the answers you need to move forward, on the best possible path, to your family. Pulling for you!

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  9. Hooray for moving forward! I am so excited that you have decided on CCRM. I am confident it will bring you some answers and praying it also brings you your miracle!

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  10. Best of luck to you guys in Colorado! I've been following your blog (quietly) while my husband and I were on our own path to having a family and have been rooting for you. I really hope CCRM is your answer!

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  11. Cheers to moving forward! I'm sure it feels good to be out of limbo and moving onto something else. I hope the move to CCRM brings you hope and also brings you a sticky bfp!

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  12. Hello..

    I don't think I can count this for ICLW because I ALWAYS read your blog.. but anyway..

    I had been debating scheduling a WTF appointment.. but after reading this post, I will for sure.. just to have the conversation.. you've been through so much more than I, but i still think talking through options helps..

    I have heard such great things about CCRM - and I think i would go there too if #2 doesn't work in August.

    Also, i don't think i realized you have frozen ones waiting for you.. I also have questions about saving them since we are not getting younger.. so i will add that to my list of questions.

    August is perfect - you have break from school.. and the RE at home agrees to do monitoring.. i see the stars aligning for you to make a baby soon! HOPING!

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  13. Hey, just wondering...did you have a previous phone consult before setting up the 1-day workup? I called a couple weeks ago and the soonest phone consult (not 1-day workup) I could get was 7/7...just wondering how you are getting in so soon, if you don't mind sharing.

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  14. Hi anonymous

    We had phone consult a few months ago and since have scheduled - and cancelled - numerous one-day work-ups. I scheduled the latest one after we found out we were miscarrying, just guessing when I would be in the right days of my cycle. So we didn't get in all that quickly...I just have a tendency to do a lot of scheduling while grieving!

    Mo

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  15. Mo,I think this is a great decision! I know I'm biased but a new set of eyes will be great, as will a change of scenery. I'm looking forward to reading of your progress and glad to see that the workup is so close. I'm sure you're aware of this, but CCRM could even test your frozen embryos for you, if you so wished. All the best of luck to you both.

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  16. I can't even imagine how hard this has been, but it's so good to hear you have a solid plan. You guys are not down for the count. Hoping SOOOOOOOOO hard for you!

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  17. Good luck with your option #5!

    Take care!

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  18. I love your attitude, best of luck in Colorado!

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  19. I know this is HARDLY worth it but at least as a consolation prize, if you're cycling there in August there's a good chance you'll get to meet me. :D

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  20. Option #5 sounds like a fantastic plan. Maybe a new set of eyes, a new lab, the CGH, and blast transfer will get you to the goalpost.
    I like that your RE is open to a variety of options, and not just willing to jump to DE right away to save his stats.
    Can't wait to hear all about CCRM. I'd definitely consider cycling there in the future if this doesn't work out. They sound fantastic.

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  21. Best of luck at CCRM. I know you are already at a great clinic, but a fresh pair of eyes may just do the trick. Keeping my fingers crossed for you guys.

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  22. I'm pulling for your guys and hoping this is your lucky shot. Glad you're moving forward!

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  23. Congrats on finding a new direction! Colorado is a beautiful place to cycle!

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  24. Good for you Mo - that sounds like an amazing plan. We changed REs and chose an obviously a massively different protocol - the newness, the new hope, it is refreshing and maybe this is what will make the difference.

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  25. Woohoo- I've been waiting while holding my breath to hear that you were moving forward! Hoping and praying that CCRM will be the variable that needed to be changed and that this summer will be YOUR summer to become parents :)
    Excited you have a plan and that option #5 was your idea!!!

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  26. Good luck in Colorado! Keep us posted on your time there!

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  27. I'm sorry that you have to take such drastic measures, but happy too that you are moving on. Good luck with your one day work up!

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  28. See you in Denver guys. Look forward, not back. Hang in there.

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  29. Mo ... good luck. CCRM is awesome (though I know your clinic is also awesome) ... I believe that you will feel confident about what CCRM does for you.

    I so hope you can get to blast to do CGH or Microarray - I am so eager for you. I'm looking forward to your 1 day workup results soon.

    Big hugs,
    Polly

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  30. Good luck Mo! I hope CCRM is the magic bullet. It is possible after 5 IVFs to get one to stick. I am living proof and I had a lot of the same feelings about the prospects of a good egg being in there after 5 IVFs. Maybe a change of scenery and no thesis will help.

    Have you defended yet? If not best of luck on that as well!

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  31. I think that is a great move on your part - even though you're at a good place now, CCRM does have a great rep! I hope they are the magic bullet for you.

    And I'm really thrilled you are cycling so soon. Best of luck.

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  32. Hi there,

    I am just catching up on your blog - sounds like a good plan to try a different clinic, with a different approach - it is amazing how every clinic has their own way of doing things, their own beliefs and their own systems.

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  33. Mo I've been thinking about you a lot. I am glad you have a plan and are moving forward! It always feels so much better to know you are actively working towards pursuit of your ultimate goal. I'm cycling in August too. Here's to success for both of us!

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  34. i know the difference between #1 and 2 clinics may not seem like that much, but they are in that position for a reason. they are well respected by everyone else. my RE said that the big difference is in the lab, and although other places have an *idea* of what goes on, no one really understands and that they are pretty secretive about it. i think doing the c/s is a good idea. cycling there in august sounds awesome :) so excited for you!! xx

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  35. Here's to moving forward indeed! I wish you all the luck at CCRM-- I do think that they have awe inspiring technology and it really could help you get to the good stuff-- I hate this ride you're on, love that you have some options, and am looking forward to hearing how things go on your visit in less than two weeks. Bless your RE for being willing to monitor, that was one of my stumbling blocks.

    Thinking of you,
    Kate

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  36. Amen, Mo. Here's to moving ahead - sometimes wherever you go it beats the hell out of where you are (for me, anyway)! Good luck, thinking of you, big hugs, all that. To both of you....

    Keep smiling!!

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