Thursday, May 28, 2009

5 wks until Czech

I had a lot of people ask me what treatments we were seeking over in Czech. So I will share a short story of our experience these past 6 yrs. After going through 3 miscarriages we had extensive blood work drawn to see what may be causing me to miscarry. The only positive test that came back showed that I had an auto immune disease called Antiphospholipid syndrome. It's a blood disorder that causes blood clots and will fight off foreign objects in my body. I was told to start taking baby aspirin and an injection daily of Lovenox when we go through our treatment cycles. I thought this was it.. I knew this would be the answer to all our problems (except for PCOS and Endometriosis) I can get pregnant with help.. so I will stick myself daily to have a child if I need to. We did our first IUI procedure November 2008 and it resulted in a pregnancy. The blood test confirmed that we were pregnant but my numbers were low, the doctors we very optimistic and wanted me to come back in 2 days. The 2nd Hcg test, my numbers tripled.. good thing. I was so excited. Then I went back 2 days later and my numbers went back down confirming I was miscarrying. I was frustrated and angry. We took a couple months off and went back to the doctor to discuss more options. He mentioned trying IVF that way he could actually look at the embryos to see if they were good. We would also be doing PGD testing on the embryos, which is pre-implantion genetic diagnosis. It's highly recommended with my past history and with having the immune disease. It is a method of identifying chromosomal abnormalities before implantation of the embryo. So, we were looking at well over $25,000 just for one procedure. That is something we do not have.. Lot's of money. But I was not ready to end it here. We got this far.. why not keep going. I'm too stubborn to give up and I know that God has a plan for us.

Russ' boss, Dan Salvador, brought up the idea of doing our treatments abroad. Hmmm.. great idea. So I went on a search and found Czech. I was floored at the pricing. We are saving 75% of what we would be paying here in the US!! Accommodations, Air Fare, the procedure, etc.. Still so much cheaper there. There had to be a catch... The doctors and specialists are rated very high with the US. We've been praying about it and God has given us peace. So IVF treatments with PGD and an awesome vacation with lot's of memories here we come.


I received my Free medication today. Came in a huge box and lot's of frozen blocks to keep it cold. It will remain in our fridge until we leave. Now.. how to transport it overseas. This should be fun. I guess we will get a cooler and a thermometer, has to remain cool at all times. Our girls didn't know what to think when Russ brought the box in. haa.. they thought he had something for them. :) More to come

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Count Down (5 wks & 2 days)

We both received our passports, took about 3 weeks. Not bad at all. I am so impatient, it felt like it took forever. So much to do and the time is flying by so fast. Made a check list of what needs to be done before we got to Czech. It's hard, I want to pack everything.. Delta charges $15 per bag to check on.. why? That limit's to what I can pack :) I guess I can't bring a suit case of just shoes.. haaa! Passports..check... new camera.. check.. applied for free fertility meds.. check.. WOO HOO!! received a call today and we were approved for free meds!! YES I said it.. FREE meds. That will save us $2,500. God is sooo good! Everything is coming a long so well, I feel like something bad should happen to slow it down. Does that make sense? I know God is in control, so I should not worry. My parents and my sister will be house/pug sitting for us while we are gone (16 days total) What a blessing. So.. what can I mark off my check list? hmmm.. Need to start my cycle so I can get my blood work done and start on the BCP's. Once that is done I will receive my protocol from my Dr in Czech (Reprofit International Clinic of Reproductive Medicine) Exciting.. can't wait! More to come...