My, my it's been awhile. Three months. A lot has gone down. Where to begin?
Well, in a nutshell, IVF is on. I'm headed to Barbados in three weeks! Hard to believe it's just around the corner. I've been terribly busy with life to stop and consider the capacity of what is about to happen. The last three months have been a whirlwind of events...
After the 11th try and accepting the fact that IVF was inevitable, I scheduled about half a dozen consultations with local fertility clinics specializing in IVF, only to cancel each one. I decided instead, to go abroad to do the procedure at Barbados Fertility Clinic, who charge 1/3 the cost that clinics in the US charge. In addition, I could satisfy the travel bug that has been itching me incessantly since my last international adventure to Indonesia.
Since I would need to spend two weeks in Barbados (oh, darn), I decided summer would be the ideal time since I would be out of school. That would give me time to plan, and better yet, do nothing baby related for a little while. Honestly, it was nice to not have to worry about doctor visits, sonograms, injections and wondering whether I was pregnant or not.
As my mind was relieved of all baby thoughts, I took the opportunity to tend to my body. While undergoing injections and protecting the delicate eggs my body was harvesting, I took it easy on my body. Which, understandly so, left my body a little sloppy. So, this was my time to tone up, dance hard and start teaching HOT HULA fitness classes! Teaching two classes a week has kept me busy, my body active and my mind occupied choreographing new routines.
As Spring Break rolled around in April, I started to take serious steps toward planning the trip to Barbados. Since then, I've been cRaZy busy planning for my IVF-vacation....
First, I established contact with the clinic. Since the first day of contact, I can easily say that I have been in touch with the clinic nearly every workday since initial contact. I'm already thinking about what thank you gifts from San Francisco I can bring to the nurses who have been bombarded by my questions and concerns.
Second, I requested all records from Kaiser, pestered my doctor at Kaiser to order countless labs, and acted as the middle woman between Kaiser and Barbados Fertility Center (BFC). If only they could talk to each other in their own foreign doctor language. Instead, I'm caught in the middle and left to ask my doctor at Kasier to perform tests I can barely pronounce.
Third, I visited Kaiser to give countless vials of blood to get current hormone levels for BFC.
Fourth, I visited Kaiser yet again to give even more blood for tests I requested but were not ordered....grrr.
Fifth, I researched sperm banks. It was time to pick another sperm bank since the bank I've been dealing with does not ship internationally. Ironically, I am now dealing with California Cryobank, the sperm bank that I was totally turned off by when searching for sperm banks oh so long ago. Their selling tactics and flashy website left such a bad taste in my mouth that I had no desire to deal with them - until now. My only other international sperm bank option is located in Denmark, and we all know what that means - a selection of ultra Caucasian men - exactly what I'm not looking for. So, Ca Cryobank it is! Luckily for me, after entering in my desired demographics, ONE and only ONE donor appeared. At one time, having very few options made groan, complain and even cry. Now, quite the opposite! My work is done! With only one donor meeting my "standards" I need not look any further! Besides, I wouldn't have been able to even if I wanted. So, not even bothering to purchase a baby picture or the extended profile, I purchased a vial and arranged to have it shipped to BFC. I won't bother shocking you with the total cost to my card, including the sperm, international shipping, and deposit for the tank. Let's just say that Chase card services called me to verify that the charges to my card weren't fraudulent!
Moving on...sixth step - book accommodations! For two weeks, I conversed back and forth with a very patient owner of a guesthouse located minutes from the clinic. After taking too long debating and deciding with friends which style room we should get - one room or two rooms, patio or no patio, one king & sofa bed or two queens - we had no choice but to get a two bedroom apartment with a patio and full kitchen - top of the line! I'm super excited as the pictures of the guesthouse are delightful and its right across from the ocean! (Have I mentioned I LOVE planning vacations??? Tania's Travel & Tours - open for business!)
Step seven - book air fare. After confirming my dates with the clinic and watching the air fare on Orbitz for several months stay rather steady, I went ahead and purchased two tickets from SFO to Bridegetown, Barbados! Yes, I said two tickets! One for me and the other for my "partner," Chrissy! I am so lucky to have the bestest friends ever. Chrissy is going to be flying out and staying with me for ten days. Then, a week into our trip, my lovely Serena will meet us in Barbados and she'll fly home with me. That means I'll have a buddy with me the entire time! So thankful!!!
Eight - order drugs. Since Kasier doesn't cover a dime of IVF procedures, I needed to order all my medications on line from an international company specializing in fertility drugs. And geez, was my list of prescriptions long! This step was quite the hurdle as there was a lot of comparative pricing involved, as well as variance in the names of drugs country to country. Despite shopping smart, my credit card got some good use once again, earning me quite a few miles! Perhaps after all IVF related purchases are complete I'll have enough miles to take another trip! Haha!
Step nine - more research. International fertility clinics require far more protocol than I realized. More tests, more drugs and doctor visits. The clinic has required me to undergo several lab tests that aren't typical here in the states. Once I faxed the results of my tests, I was informed by BFC that I would need yet another drug as one of my tests showed that I have an antibody that has been associated with miscarriage and not allowing a fertilized egg to implant. If that's the case, it would make perfect sense as to why I've never been able to conceive. Despite the results of the tests and being aware of my sabatoging antibodies, I didn't want to sign up for the drug right away. Instead, I was rather hestiant and didn't want to be taken for a ride, so I reserached the drug, asked my doc at Kaiser about it and chatted with women on various fertility forums. I've received nothing but positive feedback, so I've decided to proceed with the adminstration of the drug, despite its additional cost...oughta do things by the book since I'm investing so much money and time into this procedure!
Speaking of additional costs...this next one has me rather annoyed. BFC requires that I meet with their counselor to discuss the challenges of raising a child with donor sperm. Argh, after two years, I've had quite a bit of time to consider the challenges. If I did not comprehend such challenges I think I would have changed my mind some time along the way. Needless to say, BFC needs me to undergo counseling. So, rather than give them even more of my money, I'm trying to take care of the counseling here, so I've been looking into resources close to home. Unfotunately however, I don't think I'll find anything cheaper than what BFC is offering, so they may very well get even more of my money!
Ten - and a partridge in a pear tree. Haha, j/k. Step ten - visit library to pick up books on Barbados! And, even though I've done so, I haven't been able to enjoy them becuase I've been so busy with steps 1-9, as well as getting through the final weeks of school! It's hard to believe that as soon as school is over, I'm headed to Brbados to have a baby! I know it's happening, but it truly hasn't hit me yet - even as I write these words! Well, reality will soon set in. In the meantime, I start my injections soon, will need to get report cards done, my classroom packed up and my suitcase as well!
