Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Mish Mash

This post is all over the place so I apologize in advance...

Today's beta check is 168. It is finally down to lower than my initial eta so it was a bitter sweet moment for me. I didn't cry though...progress. I also had to get a fasting homcysteine blood test. I am not sure what the results will mean, but it is in relation to the abnormal MTHFR gene. It must not be a common test, because I had to pa $65 (not covered by provincial health care OHIP) and I won't get the results until August 15th. From the very little research I have done on this (and my dad), I think this implicates the spinal development of the fetus, but did not have an affect on the miscarriage I just suffered. Ok, I can relax a little more now. If you have any information on this MTHFR gene, I am all ears.

***

I spoke with the nurse yesterday that is assigned to the GC patients. Here is what I have learned:
1. There is very specific criteria for GCs to be approved at CCRM:
- must be under 40
- must have been pregnant and have child/ren of their own (this means that I cannot ask a friend or cousin that is not a mom - not that I would, but you never know). the reason for this is mainly psychological, but it is non negotiable. ok.
- must have no more than 5 pregnancies and no more than 2 c-sections
- must be a healthy weight
2. There are three agencies that they work with on a regular basis, however I am free to find my own GC. I am hoping to find someone local to me to reduce major complications later on.
- Conceivabilities
- Surrogacy Source
- Creative Conception
3. There is a lengthy timeline between choosing a GC and actually transferring (many steps involved):
- choose a GC
- CCRM needs to review all prenatal and delivery records
- GC needs to have a ODWU
- It will take around 2 weeks to get all testing records from ODWU
- Transfer
*She thinks its about 3 - 31/2 months from ODWU to transfer. Ouch, that is a long wait as it does not take into account the time it takes to find a GC.

I'm a bit bummed by this because I know myself. I know that if my next transfer fails I will need to move on quickly for myself. I don't do well with waiting (hence 32 medicated cycles) and a possible wait of six months or longer seems like torture. BUT, I'm not getting ahead of myself. I am still planning to transfer Sept/Oct and am hoping hoping hoping that that will be it. That it will finally work.

***

In terms of the 32 cycles, they were not all complete. My local RE did not have me take breaks (unless I wanted to) between timed intercourse or IUIs. I was able to cycle back to back. For my IVFs, I was on estrogen priming so even when the cycle was over, I was still on hormones before I started the injectables. For the FETS, well we know how that went, I was prepped a lot and was cancelled a lot. And there you have it.

***

I tried making strawberry frozen yogurt today. Ugh, it's not great. I used fat free plain yogurt and skim milk to make it really healthy and low fat, but I don't think I used enough sugar so it's a bit tart. Oh well, let's hope my next flavour turns out better. It's going to be pistachio gelato and it will be made tomorrow.

8 comments:

  1. It sounds like you got a lot accomplished today. I'm the same way about working on Plan B even while pursuing Plan A. I really really really hope & pray that #33 is your lucky cycle.

    T.

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  2. R--

    I have homo MTHFR C. My understanding is that the MTHFR mutation causes your body to not metabolize folic acid well, and not enough folic acid during early pregnancy can result in neural tube defects. There are some studies claiming a link between MTHFR and m/c, but Dr. Su pooh-poohed this when I brought it up. Also, re homocysteine, I met with a peri (Dr. Laros at UCSF) who is an expert in clotting issues and MTHFR, and he told me the reason they test for homocysteine is that in a test tube, it causes platelets to stick together, which is bad, since clotting can lead to m/c. However, he told met that 5 studies on cardiace patients have shown that homocysteine levels in the body do not correlate with outcome. So his opinion is that a "normal" homcycteine level is neither bad nor comforting in terms of that.

    --Gingersmom

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  3. Wow that is alot of information but I really think that your last m/c was bad luck...not lining related but I'm no doctor!! I've got EVERYTHING crossed that the next FET will work for you. Its just got to. And good luck with your fact finding about MTHFR.

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  4. Hope the testing helps clear things up! I'm also hoping hoping hoping that your next FET is THE ONE!!

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  5. I'm hopeful for Sept/Oct for you. I can't help with the MTHFR stuff, but do know many ladies seem to have this, and go on to have successful pregnancies. So try not to worry too much.

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  6. Just to add a positive note: both of our two little ones (one born January 2009 and the other April 2010) were carried by wonderful GCs.

    We used an agency (not one of the ones you listed) to find our first GC and found the other GC through friends.

    Feel free to contact me anytime at like.niobe.all.tears AT gmail DOT com if you ever want to ask questions or hear more about our experiences.

    I'll be thinking of you.

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  7. I've only heard about MTHFR through what I have read through the IVFC boards so it's total hearsay but it is what the PP said - it has something to do with your body being unable to absorb folic acid. I think the tx is taking prescription strength folic acid (i.e. 5mg every day vs. the 1mg they normally recommend) and maybe a clotting drug called lovenox??

    I hope your next transfer is successful and all the research you did on GC will not be needed. Hugs!

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  8. Gingersmom,

    What kind of treatment does Dr. Laros recommend for MTHFR during pregnancy? The peri I just consulted (at CPMC here in SF)--I'm compound heterozygote for MTHFR--was adamant against heparin or Lovenox and just told me to take a baby aspirin and Folguard. I'm thinking of consulting Dr. Laros for a second opinion and am wondering what his philosophy is.

    Thanks,
    Dsmom

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