The ancient society of Hormonia - Sailing down the Progesterone River, by the Temple of Syneronium
So here we are.
It has taken a very long and arduous effort, but we are back. Round Five of IVF is about to dawn.
In the last few weeks there has been the inevitable lead up.
Suspecting we have been numbed by all ART has brought us so far, other big important life events such as the long overdue release of Wobbles’ book got kind of lost in the maelstrom that is life immediately prior to a new cycle.
The payment of the upfront cycle payment of $4793.25 AU (does not include fertility specialist consultations, cost of day hospital for egg pick up or embryo transfer, additional ultrasounds, anaesthetist and more) has been made. I have resumed acupuncture in my new town with my new Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. I have started my own exhaustive vitamin supplement regime and resumed my low allergy low GI dietary schedule.
The appointment for face to face discussion with the fertility nurse has taken place with mixed results. A nurse who gave birth to one of the world’s first IVF babies, yet is unable to explain a mighty big change in the sequence of cycle events. Either I don’t understand something very fundamental (which is always a possibility with all things in Lifeslurper’s life!) or we risk having a mighty huge cycle stuff up when the initial scan and blood test take place on the day we would normally be having egg pick up. I have twice tried – unsuccessfully – to unravel this mystery, but the nurse will not ‘hear’ me or my evidence that previously when following this identical protocol the EPU happens earlier, rather than later. Direct timeline comparisons mean nothing to her and I am trapped. With this ‘nurse as only clinic contact’ process for running cycles, I stand to really irk my nurse by contacting someone above, beside or below her in the fertility clinic totem to see if they really do know what they are doing.
There was some good though, getting to our new clinic outpost from our new home town location. The round trip is a mere 180 kilometres (112 miles) making it a journey that is now three-quarters shorter. We are grateful for small mercies, this is certain.
In line with cycle protocol, the contraceptive pill has been ceased, to give my aged body a three day break before the IVF medications proper begin.
This cycle is to be a “boost” or “flare” cycle (with pill), I am uncertain of any direct translations of this protocol type to those overseas. It goes something like this:
Cycle Day 1: (nothing happens)
Cycle Day 2: Nafarelin acetate nasal spray (‘Synarel’) AM and PM
Cycle Day 3: Follicle Stimulating Hormone injection 450 iu (‘Puregon’) PM
Nafarelin acetate nasal spray (‘Synarel’) AM and PM
Cycle Days 4 – 11: Repeat Day 3
Cycle Day 12: Ultrasound and blood test
Around Cycle Day 15: If there is anything to collect, have EPU.
This protocol is the one and only that got us to our sole Embryo Transfer (ET) last June. Interestingly, it was on Cycle Day 9 that the ultrasound and blood test took place, resulting in a Cycle Day 12 EPU. I am almost too afraid to worry that there has been a mistake here. The new nurse took no notice of my mentioning of what I have previously been told, that mine have always been “early” pickups.
A few days ago, I came to a fairly serious self-realisation. Even since first becoming acquainted with ART, it has been a very uneasy relationship. While I remain grateful to the existence of IVF, I disagree with so many of the processes involved with being involved with fertility clinics. That in turn causes internal conflict; I feel guilt for having these feelings and pressure my own self to conform and be accepting of the many fertility clinic related issues I cannot change.
I resolve to adjust my attitude, then go on feeling as though I am stifling something that rests very uncomfortably deep within me.
My decision is now to let go of the idea that I can live with a self directed forced peace with IVF. That doing so, is the source of even greater discomfort and negative energy. I have decided to allow myself to have the feelings that the experience of four IVF cycles have allowed me to arrive at. To deny them would be folly. I should not allow the unpleasant experiences of the fertility clinics to prejudice me against all future proceedings. I do need to remain vigilant, yet find a way to live beyond the countless prophecies of failure that have been heaped upon us by the professionals of the ART business.
I resolve to stick with this the best I can, but reserve the right to have unexpected changes of mind in the coming weeks, most likely brought on by huge doses of hormones.
So that’s where we are. Sort of like the line from Dante;
That without hope we live on in desire.
Delurking to say I have read quite a bit of your blog now, and you have really touched my heart, many times. We have a lot in common, you and I! And finding these commonalities has helped me feel less alone in my own travails, so I thank you for that.
You write so well. I love it.
Onto the current hot topic – your cycle protocol and your concern about the scan date. As a fellow IVFer, here’s my opinion, for what it’s worth. I would be concerned too. It just doesn’t make sense. Can you bypass the nurse and speak directly to your FS? Or any FS? Irk the nurse if you have to! This is YOUR cycle and you and Wobbles cannot (financially or emotionally) afford a stupid stuffup.
Just as a comparison, I will be having 3 scans with my forthcoming boost cycle – a ‘baseline’ scan right at the start, which is an extra one because I have been known to have big follicles at that time, which can muck things up; then two more to check follicle growth, one around Day 5 or 6, and one around Day 10 or so.The second two are absolutely standard procedure at my clinic; the extra one is happening because I mentioned my concerns, and my nurse said, ‘Right, let’s make sure we’ve got that covered’ and immediately filled out a third scan request. That’s the level of responsiveness you should demand.
Also just as a comparison, in my first IVF cycle, I had my first follicle-growth scan on Day 7 of stims, and ended up having EPU two days later. On Day 9!!
I have never heard of a first follicle scan being left until Day 12, in any protocol, anywhere.
Soooo…. I really think it’s wrong for you to only get scanned at Day 12, *especially* given your history. I know it’s tempting to think, “Surely they wouldn’t get something so basic wrong?”, but life has taught me that they absolutely could.
So sock it to ‘em Lifeslurper, tell them you appreciate your nurse’s advice and all, but you have some concerns and would like to have them addressed by your doctor before proceeding. Hardly an unreasonable request, especially if you consider what you are paying them. If they can explain the current plan in a way that totally satisfies you, then good. If not, have it changed! You and Wobbles deserve the very best chance! YOU are what matters most!
Sorry to leave such a long and possibly raving comment, but I really care about what happens to you. It’s great you’re doing acupuncture and vitamins and all that jazz for this cycle, it can only help, keep it up
BTW I loved the pic, good one
Great posting. I would really, really express to you that YOUR comfort not the Nurses is the concern here. You need to eliminate that stress which you can. It is your emotions and your well being here that matters. I would say that you should speak up. Maybe the Doc has prepared this new protocol for your current cycle yet, you should know that. You should be involved and informed with EVERY step of this process.
Nurse Rachett can and should stand beside you, not stand behind pushing.
A girl after my own heart – IVF over 40!! I think I’m going to be headed for #3 myself this summer at 42.
Happy ICLW!!
And I beckon thee the mighty Gods of Fertilinia to bless this cycle!
*ICLW*
People should read this.
Wow. By now, you have started the journey……….I will keep you in my thoughts.
And, fwiw, your blog is TREMENDOUSLY informative for those of us unfamiliar with the IF lingo and cycles.
iclw
“The ancient society of Hormonia”…I LOVE that!
Wishing you the very best of luck. And, if you don’t feel comfortably, go ahead and piss your nurse off if that is what it takes to get answers.
Long time reader, but quite commenter…
I’m so happy that you’ve started this and will be visiting often. Good luck on this cycle. Thank you for such a informative blog!
-Mr. Shelby (from iclw)
Wow! One u/s at the end? That’s CRAZY!! I’m a poor responder who cancelled a long lupron cycle and moved on to a micro dose flare protocol. I have 4-5 ultrasounds during this procedure (my first one was Tuesday, before stimming). During the last one (that failed) they saw me every other day for a week. I’m in the US traveling up to Canada because it’s way more affordable. I’m cycling right along with you, looks like and I’m really pulling for you!
Great pic. Best of luck during #5.
*ICLW*
I am stopping by for ICLW and wishing you the best of luck
Erica
Insist on an earlier scan. What your clinic is proposing is crazy.
PS Good luck!
Good luck this cycle! My fingers are crossed for you!
ICLW
Sending prayers, good thoughts and whatever else I can possibly send from the other side of the world… Blessings on this cycle and on you and Wobbles!
Wow! Sending lots of good vibes your way!!!
ICLW
Me and my wife are just starting out, first we tried ovulating medicine such as duphaston. failed. We rested and have a less stressful lives, failed. We talked of having an IVF hopefully it will be a success. I wish you all the best of luck, be strong!
Hi – I am just starting IVF #5 here in the states. Will be following you along, wishing you well in the journey : )
Mo
Okay Lifeslurper – what gives?
DinoD
In life I have learned that our gut instinct is usually more accurate than any polls, studies or research. Always follow it through. If you feel like a mistake was made, see it through. If the staff is offended at you going above then maybe they should not be in that position. As a nurse, she/he should be able to listen and comfort. She should be able to either see the problem that you bring to her attention or comfort you that it was done properly and explain either side. Sorry for your experience.