I am delight to say that the Lupron I was waiting on, arrived via Fedex this morning - a mere 36 hours after being ordered from the US! Shortly after, the remaining injections arrived and I was able to check it all out.
Surprisingly, I am actually feeling ok about starting the Lupron on Monday. The needles don't look at all that bad. I'm sure it will be just like a bee sting LOL!
I spoke to my Nurse last night who went over my protocol & the logistics of travelling overseas to cycle. She was very helpful & managed to answer all my questions. I feel in very safe hands.
We also have our Consultation set up with GSN for the 31st of March. I am not sure what will be discussed - although I am sure it will provide us an opportunity to ask questions.....
I have now ordered & paid for all my medications.
The order was made in two parts: The Menopur, Gonal-F pens & Doxycycline I ordered from IVFmeds.com. The total price, including the £39 delivery charge (!) was £1526.50.
The Lupron kit, Ovidrel,
Medrol dose pk (steroid) and Estradiol Valarate (
injection) was ordered from a Pharmacy in California & cost US$529.36.
The Lupron kit will arrive here by FedEx with the remaining meds sent to HRC for me to pick up once I arrive. Unfortunately, the Lupron was out of stock with IVFmeds, hence my rushed order from overseas. As it was left quite late to order there is a chance it will not arrive before Tuesday (1st day of injections). I am hoping it does and will think of a back-up plan if need be.
In other news, the "Swab Kit" arrived (via FedEx) needed for the 24 Probe PGD. We will complete the test and return via FedEx tomorrow. Oh & I have no idea how much *that* will cost!
ETA: The "Swab Kit" was returned via FedEx today (International Priority) at a cost of £47.35 (!) Hoping that it is not held up at Customs & in good time. Fingers crossed!
Well, almost! We have just made the large payment to HRC for our 3 x IVF cycle package. It wasn't actually as bad as I was expecting! We made it via "International Bank Transfer" (£20 Bank Charge).
Here is what we have paid for:
$12,000 3 cycle of IVF
$ 4,100 PGD/GSN 24 (1st
cycle)
$ 1,200 ICSI ( 1st
cycle )
--------
$17,300 TOTAL (which converts to around £11800.00)
We still need to pay Microsort $2,995.00, which is payable to Microsort directly. Anesthesia: $400.00, which is paid by cash, payable directly to
the doctor on the day of the egg retrieval, she is not part of HRC & it cannot
be included with total. And, if needed, Cryopreservation of embryos and the first year of
storage $700.00 (if needed, payable to HRC on transfer day if procedure
is
performed).
I am now waiting on IVFmeds.com to contact me for payment over the phone.
I have also booked my first monitoring U/S in London which will happen on Day 5. We will be in California for the remaining scans.
I start Lupron next Tuesday and I am still feeling really nervous about it all. However, inspiring success stories here on IG keep me positive. This will work. I will achieve my dream.
I have had email confirmation that my meds are now ordered from IVFmeds.com. I am just standing by to make the payment. I will have the Lupron, Menopur and Gonal-F Pens as well as the Doxycycline, delivered here to my house. The Ovidrel,
Medrol dose pk (steroid) and Estradiol Valarate will be shipped to HRC for me to collect when I arrive as IVFmeds.com do not stock these. At this stage I have no idea how much the total bill will be but I am hoping it will not be more than £2000.
On the plus side (!), I can buy the 'low dose Aspirin 81mg' I need from Tesco, for under £1 (YAY).
I have been thinking a lot about the injections and tried searching YouTube for information and forewarning (if you could call it that). I am not sure it was a huge help as I came away feeling sick & almost fainting from the sight of the 2 inch needles.
I am not a fan of needles. TBH I am better with injections that I am with blood draws but the thought of doing it day in day out made me feel ill. I am also really scared of having to inject in a sore area & being in pain all day because of it.
Here are a few YouTube links which I came across which other may find interesting - they are from the same poster.
This YouTube link shows the posters IVF drugs all laid out before she starts her cycle. This really surprised me. I am glad to have seen this first so I don't pass out with shock when my meds arrive.
http://www.youtube.com/user/CavieJasper#p/u/8/QbwkOIF7JTs
Here is the link to the poster using her Gonal-F pen:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CavieJasper#p/u/18/fADyj_nLKqs
And now the scary one, the intra-muscular PIO shot:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CavieJasper#p/u/2/2lRmo0D9m7w
Sadly, the posters own IVF cycles were not successful. She went on to post this heartbreaking video 
http://www.youtube.com/user/CavieJasper#p/a/u/0/e5dPXXPxVKs
I have just now received my packet of Prescriptions & Information from HRC. I am feeling VERY overwhelmed with all the information and paperwork. There are instructions for giving myself the shots and many, many highlighted consent forms that DH & I need to sign. I am sure it will take at least a night to read & undersand everything.
The next step is getting the prescriptions filled - well, getting some quotes at least. I am leaning towards IVFMeds.com as they seem to have a good reputation & are reasonably priced. I will investigate if I can have the prescriptions re-written by my local monitoring clinic but TBH it may just be easier to have IVFMeds fill it - less stress & less explaining to do.
We will be making the huge payment to HRC via International Bank Transfer around the 20th of this month. YIKES! In the meantime I have made an appointment for my first Ultrasound on the 31st of the month. This U/S will check the Endometrial Lining & Follicle Size & Number. I will also have my E2 bloods done.
Less than 2 weeks until I start Lupron. Gosh, I am scared but I need to be brave. There have been many, many go before me - this is my time & I am doing this for my dream. A Daughter......
I haven't updated my Blog in a few weeks and I have a lot of things to add!
I started BCP to 5th of February & got my AF exactly 5 days after finishing the 21 pills. I suffered from awful nausea & tiredness for the first 2 weeks on the pills but thankfully that passed as I began taking the pills at night.
I am now back on BCP for the lead up to my cycle!! I have my Protocol & I am just waiting on the precription for my medications. I start Lupron on the 23rd of March and then WE fly to California on the 5th of April. We are heading out earlier than needed as we are planning on relaxing and taking in the sights of LA.
Our ER is scheduled for the 12th with a ET planned for the 17th! We will fly back home after bedrest on the 19th.
Right now I am feeling very excited about the holiday. We are trying to think of the whole thing as a holiday with the IVF as an extra, if that makes sense? The flights are booked, the hotel is organised and we will make the payment to HRC on the 21/22 of the month.
For those that are interetsed, I have the total costs involved with MS/PGD/IVF at HRC. We will be opting for the 3 cycle package and hoping that it will bring us our DD. I will copy and paste the costs here:
Single cycle of IVF $6900.00 (payable
to HRC)
This fee includes ultrasounds and labs
once you
have started the injectable medications, the egg retrieval procedure,
the
embryo transfer procedure, the doctor’s and facility fees, IVF culture
laboratory services, first blood test to confirm pregnancy. Any of these
services performed at another center or facility are your responsibility
to pay
directly to that center or facility. HRC does not reduce our rates for
services
performed elsewhere. No exceptions.
Additional fees above and beyond the
IVF cycle are:
Medications $2000-$5000.00 (payable to
the pharmacy
of your choice)
Anesthesia $400.00 (cash, payable
directly to
the doctor on the day of the egg retrieval, she is not part of HRC,
cannot
include with total)
ICSI $1200.00 (payable to HRC)
AHA (assisted hatching) $550 (payable
to
HRC), done if PGD is not performed
PGD2 probe, gender only $2400 (payable
to HRC)
PGD 24 probe, 24 chromosome genetic
testing $4100
(payable to HRC)
Cryopreservation of embryos and the
first year of
storage $700.00 (optional, payable to HRC on transfer day if procedure
is
performed)
Microsort $2,995.00 payable to
Microsort directly.
Any pre-cycle testing or post OB/Gyn
services (fees
vary, payable to the center or facility where these services were
rendered)
Here is a better breakdown what would
be owed:
An IVF cycle with PGD 2 probe, Gender
Only:
IVF $6900.00 + ICSI $1200 +PGD 2 $2400
=
grand total $10,500.00
An IVF cycle with PGD 24 probe, 24
Chromosome
Genetic Testing:
IVF$6900 + ICSI$1200 + PGD 24 $4100 =
grand
total $12,200.00
These cycle Totals do not include the
extra cost
for: Medications, pre-cycle testing, anesthesia, cryopreservation, and
any post
OB/Gyn services.
Our two and three cycle plans are like
insurance
cushions. You are prepaying upfront for the reduced fee. If you need to
do
another IVF cycle you have already paid for it and received a reduction
in
price. The two cycle option is $9,900.00 and the three cycle plan is
$12,000.00. You have nine months to complete the two cycle and one year
to
complete the three cycle option. These are not refund or shared risk
programs.
If you do get pregnant on your first attempt then the remaining cycle(s)
are
null and void, no refund of money, no using the additional cycle(s) at a
later
date. It is a loss to you. And please be aware that your additional fees
apply
per cycle.
If you purchase two cycles, here’s the
cost breakdown:
$9,900 2 LC cycle of
IVF
$4,100 PGD/GSN 24 (1st
cycle)
$1,200 ICSI(1st
cycle)
------
$15,200 (Paid to
HRC, prior to medication start)
If you purchase the 3 LC cycle, here is
what will
be owed:
$12,000 3 cycle of IVF
$ 4,100 PGD/GSN 24 (1st
cycle)
$ 1,200 ICSI ( 1st
cycle )
--------
$17,300 (Paid to
HRC, prior to medication start)
When purchasing the 2 or 3 LC cycle
package, each
cycle you will need to pay for the ICSI, PGD, Medications,
Cryopreservation
of Embryos( paid on the day of the transfer, if procedure preformed),
Anesthesia Fee of $400 cash on the day of the retrieval, paid directly
to
anesthesiologist and any post cycle testing.
The cost for your 2 LC cycle, you will
owe prior to
the med start:
$4100 PGD/GSN
24
$1200
ICSI Micro Fertilization
$5300 Total due
before the 2nd cycle start.
This does not include: Medications,
pre-cycle
testing, anesthesia, cryopreservation, and any post OB/Gyn services.
Your payment is due in full prior to
the start
of Medication… We accept all major credit cards EXCEPT AMEX!!!
It was very easy. I asked my regular Doctor for a prescription & quoted the name that Dr. Potter had prescribed. My Doctor wrote the script and that was it. I can now pick it up at my local Chemist & I am pretty sure it is covered on the NHS, so, fingers crossed it is FREE!
Still waiting on my Protocol, but Lori is currently working on the March cycles, and as I am an 'April Girl', I shouldn't have to wait too long.
ETA: I officially started BCP (Marvelon) on the 4th of Feb. The plan is to complete one whole cycle, then after AF, I will start the pills again which will then lead up to my 'official' cycle!
I also wanted to add that for the first 8 days on Marvelon I felt miserable: nauseous and very tired. I began taking the pills at night and I think my body has now adjusted. I am certainly feeling much better! Horay!
Our follow-up MicroSort Consent Forms arrived in the post today. I noiced they are marked with 'APPROVED' :) We just need to sign the pre-dated forms, bring them to the US and present them at HRC when we arrive. Easy!
Although I have my ER/ET dates, we are still waiting on my official protocol and my medication prescriptions. This should happen within the month.
The next step is going to my GP and having him re-write my BCP prescription...
I
We had our telephone consultation with Microsort tonight. We are officially approved! Luckily, we started the enrolment process before December 2nd, and therefore classed as 'existing patients', as the Microsort Study has now ended.
The consultation was very quick. Just a brief history of Microsort and the understanding that once our MS daughter (!) arrives, we will need to submit birth/health records etc. The telephone consultation cost $150, if anyone is interested.
We are now waiting on the next mailing from our Nurse and the paper copy of all the MS consent forms.
How exciting!
The Clinic I am working with in London called with my Day 11 results.
My FSH was 6.5, so everything is great and we are ready to go! I am so relieved!
We also got the results back from my DH's S/A and it is great too; and, after an email from HRC, it appears we will qualify for Microsort! We are just waiting to complete the M/S Consultation and then hopefully get the official go-ahead for M/S.
Waiting on the next step.....
Today was the big 'Sonohysterogram Day'. After a long and nervous wait, I went in and had the saline scan. I have to say it was very easy and completely painless! I was so worried about it being uncomfortable but I had a lovely Dr who talked me through the whole process. She was so kind and explained everything clearly.
The whole thing took about 10 minutes and she said everything looked great. She also mentioned I had a nice big follicle on my ovary - all ready to go! LOL!
The blood draw today also completes the CCT and I look forward to receiving the results soon. I hope and pray that everything is as it should be and there are no surprises.
My DH had his blood taken and also supplied a 'sample' for his Sperm Analysis. Fingers crossed all is well and that we get great results which allow us entry to MicroSort.
So far, our Pre-Cycle Testing has cost around £1000, if that is any help to others considering this path....
I got my Day 3 results back today.
FSH: 5.7
LH: 5.0
Oestradiol: 173 (UK measurment)
All the results are within the 'normal' range which I am thrilled about. I am back at the clinic for Day 10 bloods next week.
I had my day 3 blood draw today. They also tested for a number of other things and took *a lot* of blood. I could feel myself fading away in the chair 
but survived. I will be starting my Clomid and completing the CCT with another blood draw and the Sono on day 11.
In other news, we have our ER & ET dates so we booked our flights and accomodation. We also found a website that advertised 25% off our hotel choice!
I am relieved to have this first phase over with. The consultant asked ALOT of questions as to why I was doing IVF, and why I was going abroard. Slightly difficult to answer, especially with my son sitting on my lap. However, I was honest and straight forward and I managed to dodge any further interrogation when it became very apparent my baby had a dirty diaper 
Oh dear, good timing!
I have my Clomid and will start the CCT next cycle. I will then have the bloods done, the sono and we are then good to go!
DH and I going to do the 3 cycle package (if all my testing is ok) and I am feeling much better about the whole process. Reading the stories here on IG make the whole thing sound more 'real' than some crazy 'out there' procedure.
In other news, I have now started my vitamins and RJ/BP. Our plan on using all-organic foods and increasing fruit and veggies is working well and I have lost some weight already! Woo hoo!
Now all I have to do is wait. Bring on AF so I can get on with the next stage.....
x L
Just a quick update: We have booked our Consultation for Pre-Cycle testing! It was fairly straight forward to book as they see a lot of women who then go on to do IVF abroard. My DH can't make it so it will be me and my baby!
The Consultant will also re-write the prescriptions I have from my clinic (Clomid & BCP) which I can then go and fill at any chemist (this will save the huge cost of having them shipped from the US.) I am planning on starting the CCT at the end of the month.
We are also on a 'health kick' - eating mostly organic vegetable and trying new recipes. I will also be starting supplements this month: a pre-conception multi-vitamin (My DH will also take one esp. for men), Bee Pollen & Royal Jelly. I am also reseaching DHEA - although I do not know much about this one yet!
x L
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