Introducing Myself

Bonniebonsall · August 2018

Hi all! I‘m sorry that we’re all on this difficult journey, but very glad to have a safe space to come to for support and understanding.

I’m 31, DH is 39, and we live in Philly. We started TTC in December 2017, but month after month nothing but BFNs. I was frustrated and upset (especially since everyone I know got PG after only a month or two!), but I wasn’t super concerned as I know it can take up to a year.

In May, my husband was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. His treatment plan includes both chemo and radiation. He’s responding really well! He just finished chemo, and will be moving on to radiation in September, and then hopefully cancer free by October.

Since chemo can lead to infertility, it was recommended that he have an SA and freeze sperm before treatment. His SA results came back with a diagnosis of severe oligospermia (low sperm count). The doctor thinks it was likely caused by the untreated NHL, but can’t be sure. Either way, a natural pregancy anytime soon was off the table, since its not safe to TTC with chemo in the system, and it could take a long time for his counts to normalize, if they even do. IUI was also off the table, due to the combination of his low counts and the fact that freezing kills half of the sperm. They said that they like to see a post wash count of at least 9 million, and that just wasn’t going to happen for us, even with combining multiple samples.

DH is turning 40 next year and has been really adamant about starting our family before he gets too “old” (his words, not mine!). We decided to proceed with IVF with ICSI, as we didn’t want to wait around for a year or two after treatment, just to find out that his counts were still severely low or that they never came back at all.

My insurance does not cover IVF, but we found out about a program through Livestrong Fertility where they provide cancer patients or their spouses with IVF meds for free. Certain fertility clinics also offer a discounted rate for IVF (we will have to pay $5500 instead of $8500 plus the cost of meds). I know that we are very lucky as IVF can be prohibitively expensive ($5500 is still expensive for us but much more manageable!). I wanted to share in case it can help someone else! Livestrong has been incredibly helpful and easy to work with. If anyone wants more info just let me know!

I just started seeing an RE last month, and we’re currently in the planning stages, hoping to start my first IVF round next month. I had my blood tests last week and my AMH was on the higher side (4.85), and so was my TSH (4.13). My RE said that I have what’s called subclinical hypothyroidism, which is usually considered in the normal range and not treated, but can sometimes lead to early MC. To be safe, they put me on a low dosage of synthroid to get my TSH down closer to 2.5. Today I had my mock transfer (which was actually easy peasy) and my sonohysterogram (ouch! had horrible cramping with that one). I don’t have the results of the sono yet, but FX for no major issues. Next week is my nursing consult to go over meds, and hopefully I’ll start with my next cycle!

Phew! That was a long one. Thanks for reading! Looking forward to getting to know you all. ❤️

ndz2018 · August 2018

@Bonniebonsall Welcome and YGPM

StellaZee83 · August 2018

Hi there! I'm new here too and in a very similar place as you! I actually don't live far (I'm in Lancaster) and we are also dealing with severe MFI on top of my PCOS and ovulation issues. We are gearing up for our egg retrieval next month and then hopefully transfer in November/December (we're doing a FET with PGS testing first). Good luck with your cycle and prayers to you and your DH!

embryoman · August 2018

@Bonniebonsall sounds like you've got everything lined up! Welcome and keep us posted!

mbradfo2 · August 2018

I know someone who had hodgkins during college with the same situation re: fertility. They now have healthy twins! I think they would have an idea if there were major issues with the hysterogram right away -- although it sounds like you had a tech do it? My RE did my HSG and i got the results same day in office. I haven't dealt with MFI or female issues -- our dx was unexplained (but likely poor egg quality due to only 5 fertilized embies and 2 blasts out of 9 mature ones).

I'm glad they have those kinds of financial programs for people already dealing with major health issues! I was lucky enough to have the resources to cover the costs but they are stupidly crazy high...and then you get to keep paying for PIO and estrogen patches thru your first trimester once you get pregnant! I had to get a compounded progesterone oil since I was allergic to the sesame oil one and it was a bit more pricey >.< I am personally an advocate of fertility treatment being a baseline part of insurance coverage.

Bonniebonsall · August 2018

StellaZee83 said:

Hi there! I'm new here too and in a very similar place as you! I actually don't live far (I'm in Lancaster) and we are also dealing with severe MFI on top of my PCOS and ovulation issues. We are gearing up for our egg retrieval next month and then hopefully transfer in November/December (we're doing a FET with PGS testing first). Good luck with your cycle and prayers to you and your DH!

Small world! I grew up in Southern Chester County near the Lancaster County border so I’m pretty familiar with Lancaster — it’s not far at all! I used to go to the Chameleon Club for concerts when I was a teenager, and did my fair share of shopping at the Rockvale and Tanger Outlets growing up!

Thank you for your well wishes and prayers — same to you for your egg retrieval and PGS testing! How long does PGS testing usually take? I have my nursing consult on Wednesday and I might ask my doctor if it’s an option for us.

Bonniebonsall · August 2018

embryoman said:

@Bonniebonsall sounds like you've got everything lined up! Welcome and keep us posted!

Thank you!

Bonniebonsall · August 2018

@mbradfo2That’s great to hear! I wouldn’t mind twins either!

And thank you, that makes me feel a bit better about the sonohysterogram results! It was a resident not my regular doctor, and I feel like she would have said something or someone would have called me by now if there were any issues. Either way I’ll find out on Wednesday at my nursing consult!

I completely agree about fertility treatment being a part of insurance coverage (and not just because I’m not dealing with infertility — I always thought it should be part of coverage!) Certain states do require coverage, NJ being one of them, which is literally 5 minutes from my house. We’re actually thinking about moving there if my first round of IVF doesn’t work and we have to do additional retrievals / transfers.

StellaZee83 · August 2018

Bonniebonsall said:

StellaZee83 said:

Hi there! I'm new here too and in a very similar place as you! I actually don't live far (I'm in Lancaster) and we are also dealing with severe MFI on top of my PCOS and ovulation issues. We are gearing up for our egg retrieval next month and then hopefully transfer in November/December (we're doing a FET with PGS testing first). Good luck with your cycle and prayers to you and your DH!
Small world! I grew up in Southern Chester County near the Lancaster County border so I’m pretty familiar with Lancaster — it’s not far at all! I used to go to the Chameleon Club for concerts when I was a teenager, and did my fair share of shopping at the Rockvale and Tanger Outlets growing up!

Thank you for your well wishes and prayers — same to you for your egg retrieval and PGS testing! How long does PGS testing usually take? I have my nursing consult on Wednesday and I might ask my doctor if it’s an option for us.

Our RE uses a lab in New Jersey, so I think it takes about 1-2 weeks to get the results. They said they used to get them "rushed" but found the quality of the testing suffered. Good luck at your consult this week! We also meet with the nurse this week to go over our meds and timelines!

Bonniebonsall · August 2018

@StellaZee83 Ok good to know! If our fresh cycle doesn't work, we may want to do that before FET.

Thank you! All went well at my consult so we will be moving forward! I'll be starting Lupron next Thursday, then Gonal F the following week, with Menopur a few days after that. If all goes well I'll have my egg retrieval the week of 9/9 and transfer the following week! How did your meeting with the nurse go?

StellaZee83 · August 2018

Bonniebonsall said:

@StellaZee83 Ok good to know! If our fresh cycle doesn't work, we may want to do that before FET.

Thank you! All went well at my consult so we will be moving forward! I'll be starting Lupron next Thursday, then Gonal F the following week, with Menopur a few days after that. If all goes well I'll have my egg retrieval the week of 9/9 and transfer the following week! How did your meeting with the nurse go?

Wow your cycle will move along a lot faster than mine lol! I start Lupron on 8/30, Follistim & Menopur on 9/13 and ER somewhere around 9/24. Our transfer likely won't be till December-ish. It's all overwhelming, but I just need to remember how to do the Lupron shots, my IVF nurse will meet with me again the day I go for my baseline BW/US (also the day I start Follistim & menopur) and will review them again with me. It's exciting, but so nerve wracking too!

Bonniebonsall · August 2018

Yes it does seem to be moving quickly! Almost too quickly haha! I guess the timing could always change depending on my bloodwork and ultrasounds, but that seems to be my best case scenario timing.

The number of medications, injection sites, and types of needles is VERY overwhelming! My nurse showed us how to do all of the injections in person, but as a backup she also gave us a link to this website called Freedom Medteach. I'll probably watch those videos multiple times, but I'm hoping I get another in person refresher the day of my baseline. I think I'll be ok with the subcutaneous injections once I get started, but I'm pretty terrified about the 1.5 inch needle intramuscular ones (HCG trigger and the progesterone in oil). Just going to try to take it one day at a time! I know that if I can get through this, I'm going to be really impressed with myself! I'm already so impressed with anyone who has been through it before.

A December transfer is exciting! Especially if it's early in the month and your TWW would be before the holidays. Then you could find out the (hopefully!) good news in time for Christmas or the New Year!

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