Monday, September 14, 2009

Being Monitored

First - thank-you for all of your support and comments. It means a lot to me. I can't talk to anyone else about these things (except for H), because they just don't get it.

I went in for my CD3 blood work yesterday. If my FSH came back under 10 we were going to do a naturally monitored cycle. Well, it came back at 9. Not great, but not too high either. I forgot to ask about my E2, but the nurse said that everything looked good to go. So, if it was high I'm sure she would have told me. I also have a total of 6 antral follicles. 2 on the left and 4 on the right - exactly the same as our last IUI. All this means is that I go back to the clinic on Friday for more blood work and another ultra sound to see how things are going. I really don't have high expectations for this cycle, but it will be nice to have the timing downpat, and the possibility of a natural iui exists as well. I think I'd like to go that route, because then at least we know that the swimmers are exactly where they're supposed to be.

On another related subject, we are seriously considering donor eggs (I know I mentioned this in my previous post). It kind of blows me away that we are past the point of casually tossing the concept around and are now at the point of looking at potential donors, arguing (I mean discussing) about how to afford said eggs, and ultimately looking at timing. We are thinking of taking a secured line of credit against our house. Not a great option, but one of the only choices we have to go with that will allow us to do this in the near future. I am still deliberating on this and trying to figure out an alternate source. We are stretched pretty thin as it stands right now.

We could wait a few years - maybe until I'm 41 or 42. I have always said that I wanted to try with my own eggs until I'm 40 so that 's a little over a year away. Who knows. It is such a scary proposition because donor eggs are not a guarantee. There's a much better chance if we do go this route - our chances would go from less that 5% to around 65 to 70%. That's a huge chance - but there's still a 35% chance of it not working. And, let's face it, if luck were on our side we wouldn't even be facing DE right now.

Sigh. I just don't know. We have found a donor agency that works with a clinic in my city. I really like this company and they seem pretty up front about all of their charges etc. We have even looked at some donors and there are a couple that would be a good match. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but hope is looming again.

7 comments:

Mad Hatter said...

9!!! Congratulations! That is a wonderful number! Yay for a monitored cycle and for IUI, too! I think your pre-40 plan sounds great - lots of cycles between now and then. But I understand the need for a plan B - it's good to think about what you might do, just in case. Thinking of you and hoping all goes "swimmingly" this cycle!!!
Love,
Maddy

Kate said...

Good news on the baseline - would be awesome if this works for you!
Isn't it weird how the farther along in IF treatments you go, the more things you never thought you would consider end up being things you do?
I doubt my DH ever thought we'd do IVF (though I did!), but we've got two rounds of IVF stims under our belts.
Hope you get some clarity and a real plan over the next little while. And even better would be a BFP that knocks the DE scenario right out of discussion!

Spacey said...

YAY for the FSH coming back lower and being monitored this cycle. I hope everything works out. :)
As for the DE, I think it's great that you guys are talking about it and creating a plan B. ((hugs))

Hope said...

Good news on your bloodwork I really wish you the very best for this cycle.

It's amazing how the further we go down the IF road, the more we are prepared to compromise what we were initially prepared to do.

Lost in Space said...

Nothing wrong with a Plan B, especially if it keeps your hope alive. It's amazing to look back at how much our perspective changes the longer we battle IF. Those "I could never..." things suddenly start to look pretty good. I'm grateful for these options that weren't available to our IF sisters of years past!!

CHAR said...

So glad the FSH has come down- That is good news. 9 is not a bad number at all.

Yeah for Plan B also. DE & when & how to do it are all very touph decisions. Wishing you luck along the process.

Phoebe said...

I'm glad you are being monitored and your FSH is down! Good luck with the IUI.

I do think you are still in the age where trying with your own eggs is a possibility. I can't remember if you are doing alternative treatments as well, and I do believe they help. I know how the statistics game messes with your head. The DE issue is much more complex than I ever thought it would be!