Our Third Visit

February 7, 2015

It's day two of my period and it was time for another check. Hubby went with me, though it was not necessary since he down't need to participate in today's process. Anyway, I am grateful to have him with me, and I do want him with me as much as possible. This is, after all, a journey we are taking together.

I was a bit nervous because I don't know if my hormone test results will be good. Same process as before. I went in for the usual checks - temperature, blood pressure. Then I had blood extraction for the hormones. After a while, I was called into the examination room for the ultrasound. This time, it was Dr. Mendiola who performed the ultrasound. After a while, I was called in to discuss the results. The whole process took about 2.5 hours. The clinic was packed so there was a bit of a wait.

My B-HCG hormone is still elevated. In fact, it was higher than last time (1.1 vs. .7 last time). Dr. Mendiola thought that maybe I am one of those women who have a high baseline B-HCG so he felt it is ok to continue. Whew! What a relief. So now I am starting with the follicle stimulation process. He counted a total of seven follicles - three in my left ovary and four in my right. It's actually a good thing! We are hoping that  most if not all of them will mature and qualify for harvest. I was given three meds to take in the next couple of days.

1. Letrozole (Dracenax) 2.5mg - To start today (day 2) and to be taken every morning, except today, February 7th, since it was already late morning so I had to take it at noon. Tomorrow and the next days, it will be at 8am.

2. Serophene (Clomiphene Citrate) 50mg -  To start at day 4, February 9th, for six days. This will be taken every evening, 1/2 tablet each.

3. Gonal F - Now, this is the scary bit. I have to inject this on my tummy on February 9-10 and 12-13. Each dose is 75iu. The nurse taught me and Ariel how to do this. The needle is about an inch long, it's very thin, and the doctor said I won't really feel it. The pack has to be kept in the fridge. I have to do this in the morning.

Then, I go back on February 15th for an ultrasound to have the follicles checked for size, and blood test to check three of the hormones. If the follicles are the perfect size, and the hormone levels are a certain level, then I go back on February 17th for Oocyte Pick Up, or the harvesting of the eggs. Hubby also has to come for semen extraction. More details on that when I actually go back, for now, that's all I know.

So that sums up today's visit. Total cash shelled out today: Php24,920.

5 Hormone Tests (same as last time) - Php7,280
Ultrasound - Php560
Consultation - Php560
Clomiphene Citrate (3pcs.) - Php504
Letrozole (5pcs) - Php1,120
Gonal F-Pen - Php14,784
Insulated Bag (for the Gonal F Pen) - Php112

I know! That Gonal F injection is expensive!!! Please pray that my eggs will grow to the desired size by the 15th. Otherwise, I'll have to inject more Gonal-F and well, I'd like to keep the cost down.

Thanks for taking this journey with me.