Try 5 Update

Try 5 proved a failure so we're starting the IVF cycle for the drug trial with blood tests on D's days 2 and 3 (day 2 is tomorrow). We're also required to attend a seminar on IVF. Even though we're obviously disappointed that we've had five failed attempts, we're still optimistic. And at least D will be more closely monitored during the trial than she was in previous IUI attempts.

Pregnant Guinea Pig

We've been approved for the drug trial that I mentioned in an earlier post, and that will afford us one free cycle of IVF, which normally costs between 10,000 and 12,000 dollars at CRM. The chances of conceiving are much greater with IVF than with IUI, so we're thrilled that we're candidates and we don't mind being guinea pigs as long as we end up pregnant guinea pigs -- well, one of us anyway. We're still waiting for confirmation, though, on try # 5 and should know by Wednesday. If try # 5 doesn't work, we'll start the testing for IVF; however, we were told that it's not likely that we'll actually complete the IVF cycle until January since it's much more involved than IUI. We decided one free and successful IVF cycle is the best Christmas present we could ever hope for. So, we have a short list this year -- just one item there -- a family.

Brokedom

As you might have guessed, we're waiting to find out if try # 5 worked. We have about a week left. This time Dr. J added a cycle of Gonal-F to our drug regimen -- so now D took the Letrozole from day 3 to 7 and Gonal-F injections from day 5 to 8. We went in on D's day 8 for an ovary check, and one follicle was already 20 mm. so we were directed to take the Ovidrel that night and come in 36 hours later for the insemination, which we did. Apparently, the Gonal-F improves the quality of D's eggs, so we're hoping that this will be our last cycle. Fingers crossed! For those of you planning to go through this process yourselves, 'just a heads up about Gonal-F -- it's really expensive! It was about $260 for the pre-filled syringe and of course the expensive fertility drugs aren't covered by most insurance carriers (the Letrozole is covered so that costs us a copay of $40; the Ovidrel is not covered, but that costs only $50). As we plummet into brokedom, we're praying that this is our last cycle. More later...