IVF #3 (Cycle 10): Cycle Pay Day

Had another appointment at my clinic for IVF #3. My clinic has three offices around the area. This was my first time going to the office that's close to my new work location. It's a lot more smaller than the other offices, probably due to the location.

The Agenda: 

• Sign Consent Forms - the PGS testing consent form was a little confusing 
• Injections Training - didn't really go through it, since this is my 3rd go-around 
• Pay for Cycle - pricing listed below
• Provide Urine Sample - making sure I'm not pregnant. Had to laugh at that. 
• Bloodwork - HIV testing, standard before starting the cycle 

I had to choose which insurance to use for this cycle: 1) Old insurance through old employer (that ends in August) and 2) New Insurance with new employer.

The new insurance has a life time limit of $15,000 for infertility treatments. I could have used the new insurance to pay this cycle and would have been about $2K less... but then I would've cut into that life time limit... So, I decided to use my old insurance for this cycle and pay the extra $2K. I didn't want to risk the life time limit... just in case.

Here's the breakdown of pricing - just for the costs associated with the clinic: 

IVF #3	Pricing	NOTE
Proefessional Fees	$0.00	Billed to Insurance
Lab Fees	$3,215.00
Surgery Center Fees	$0.00	Billed to Insurance
Estimated Co-Pays, Co-Insurance, Deductible (estimated 5 stim visits)	$800.00
Anesthesia Fees	$0.00	Billed to Insurance
Embryo Cryopreservation	$500.00	Should be covered, but billed anyways.
Thaw of existing embryos	$350.00	$175 each
ICSI	$1,525.00
Assisted Hatching	$515.00
PGS/PGD Biopsy Fee	$2,250.00	Up to 8 Embryos
PGS/PGD Biopsy Fee >8	TBD	$150.00/Each
Paid to Fertility Clinic	$9,155.00
Credit at Clinic	$1,387.14
Total Due	$7,767.86	Due on injection training day

Here's the breakdown of other costs, some are estimates:

Genetic Testing Lab - TBD
PGS Multi-cycle Plan	$2,200.00	Up to 8 embryos over 3 IVF cycles.
Shipment	$375.00	Per Shipment
	$2,575.00
Medications/Pharmacy
Order #1: Provera	$0.79
Order #2	$215.00	All meds, minus Lupron
Order #3	TBD	Lupron Only
	$215.79
Other
Baseline U/S	TBD	$25
Donor Sperm	TBD	1 or 2 vials?
Egg Retrieval Anesthesia	TBD	Usually receive bill after insurance reviews.
	$0.00
Total Cost for IVF #3	$11,945.79
Total Out of Pocket Costs	$10,558.65

What's nice so far is that I've been able to cash-roll this IVF cycle. Nothing on credit and no loans.

Here's my IVF calendar:

I'm excited to get this cycle started and to see what's going to happen with the PGS testing. That will really be the tell-tell on what is going to happen next for me with TTC. Hopefully all will go well and I'll have my FET in September.

Really hoping this cycle has good results...!

Next Steps:

• 7/5/16: Stop Birth Control Pills
• 7/8/16: Start Lupron 
• 7/10/16: Day #1 of Stims 

For more on my IVF cycle, check out my IVF Timeline. 

IVF #3 (Cycle 10): New IVF Calendar!

There's something exciting about receiving a new IVF calendar! My Egg Retrieval is scheduled for 7/21/16.

I've been really bad about posting. The last few weeks at the new job have been busy. With the new commute and the lack of a good night's sleep... I feel like I'm dragging most of the time!

But I did want to post that I'm moving forward with my IVF cycle and I feel very excited about it. Not only am I going to be able to cash roll this cycle, but I'm feeling good about the prospect of a good retrieval.

Quick Update 

Since last time I wrote, AF decided to be REALLY late. Surprisingly, I started AF on Sunday 6/19 - the very last day I could start to do the July retrieval (although my RE already said it was OK if I didn't start - but it was still a relief to finally get AF). The bad thing was, it was a few days of very light flow --- then it was so heavy. Ugh. It was a little difficult for me since I was at work and had to keep going to the bathroom. But I survived.

Then, they got me my IVF calendar on 6/21! I meant to update last week when I received it, but no time.  I also received my quotes for the cycle, I'll write a separate post on that.

Pharmacy Vent

The only sucky thing that's happened was I had a HORRIBLE experience ordering my meds! This is my 3rd IVF cycle... my 4th time ordering meds (IVF #1, IVF #2, FET #1, now IVF #3). I have never had a bad experience or a hassle ordering my meds from my pharmacy. But this time... man oh man. I was on the phone for 1 1/2 hours being transferred everywhere and no one could answer the question, "What needs to be done so I can order my meds?"

Simple question right? Well, no one knew the answer. Very frustrating.

They needed preauthorization.
Doctor already sent over the preauthorization.
They needed a form from my doctor stating what type of procedure I was going to have.
They already received it.

Turns out... ALL my meds (minus the microdose lupron) were already authorized from my IVF #1 cycle. The medications were authorized for one year. So, there was absolutely NO NEED to go through all those transfers and waste all that time. They were just lazy and not wanting to look at a second screen.

GRRRRR.

I don't normally get impatient with customer service people, but when they can't tell me WHY they can't do my order and just transfer me all around the company, it pisses me off. I finally did talk to a competent person who did a "warm transfer" to ordering and walked them through how to see the authorizations.

Ok, that aside... I am really excited about this upcoming cycle! It's so strange how I can take a break and hardly think about TTC and even consider not TTC anymore... then I get my IVF calendar and I'm all excited again and keep thinking about the "what ifs."

I'm going to try and write a more detailed entry later and provide my updated calendar (after I make it!).

Next Steps: 

• 6/29/16: Injections/Consent Forms/Bill Due
• 7/5/16: Last day of BCP
• 7/8/16: Lupron Start 
• 7/10/16: Start Stims 

For more info on my IVF journey, click here.  IVF #3 details to be added soon!

IVF #3 (Cycle 10): Cycle is a "Go" for now

As I mentioned in my last post, AF decided not to show up. I'm supposed to start my cycle by 6/19 to have a July retrieval.

I took Provera for 5 days, last pill was last Sunday -- and now it's Friday. Still nothing. I contacted my RE's office on Wed (as instructed) and they told me to wait until today to call if AF still hasn't arrived. When I called today, they said they wanted me to come in for an ultrasound. 

I ended up leaving work early to make my appointment. Good news: no cysts on my ovaries. Also, my RE said my lining is at about 10mm and I *should* start bleeding soon. If I don't start bleeding by Monday, I'm supposed to call back & get the start time for starting birth control. 

My RE said he's ok with starting the IVF cycle even if AF doesn't come, since there's nothing crazy going on (i.e. Cysts). They did take a blood sample to check my progrsterone and estrogen levels. 

He's counting the ultrasound today as my baseline ultrasound. So even if I do start AF, I won't have to go in for monitoring until right before I start stims. 

My antral follicle count was looking good. About 7-8 follicles on the right and about 7 on the left. Which is way better than I had for my last IVF cycle. 

I guess I'm back on the IVF bandwagon. It feels like it's been forever since I've seen my RE and forever since I've  cycled. But it's just like riding a bike (unfortunately). 

I surprisingly have about a $1400 credit at my clinic! Guess the insurance paid more than they estimated. Right now I have double insurance coverage, so I'm hoping the costs will be way down. Will see.... I should get another cost estimate next week. 

It's so weird how "normal" it feels to be going through IVF. I love my RE and the clinic, but I'm so looking forward to the day my RE says I'm released to a OBGYN! Oh... I hope the day comes soon. 

This IVF cycle will be a freeze-all and I'm going to PGS test all my new eggs. I was thinking about not testing my 2 frozen... But I think my RE has talked me into testing those too. I'm hoping and praying for really good results. Then maybe do an Endo scratch in August with a FET in September. 

Will see how it all goes! Fingers crossed for a successful IVF #3 egg retrieval with a lot of embryos to test and great PGS result.

IVF #3 (Cycle 10): No Cycle

Shouldn't surprise me, but AF is late. Normally I wouldn't mind AF not showing up every now and then, but I'm supposed to start my next IVF cycle this month. I need AF to come by June 19, or I will miss the cycle to have my IVF egg retrieval in July. 

I have to say, I was tempted to just "let it slide." No AF = waiting to do my IVF cycle until August. Which I was ok with initially. 

Then my logical brain caught up and my insurance coverage is changing in August, so I really need AF to come and to cycle in June/July. 

I called my RE's office and they prescribed Provera for 5 days, which I start tonight. If AF doesn't come by 6/15, I need to call the office again. 

Here's hoping AF comes and that I can meet the deadline...! 

It's been weird not cycling... Technically I've taken a one month break, which is really nothing at all! But it's been nice not having any vaginal ultrasounds or giving myself injections! 

This is my last go at a full retrieval IVF. 

Jobbing: The New Job - the first 2 weeks

I've been at my new job for 2 weeks now! It's interesting how quickly I've adapted to the new routine. As you know, in my previous job, I worked from home. With the new job, I have an hour commute! So - big change. It's impacted: daycare hours, cleaning routine, laundry routine, wake-up times, etc.  I've had to make MAJOR tweaks to everything. 

The Routine 

The routine was probably the thing that I've had to tweak the most. I actually had to write it down so I wouldn't forget anything and to make sure the timing worked. I've had to move things to the weekend, because it was just too much to take care of during the work week. Here's my work-week schedule: 

3:30 AM	Work-Out: 30 mins?
4:00 AM	Mom's Morning Routine
4:30 AM
5:00 AM
5:15 AM	Son's Morning Routine
5:30 AM
5:45 AM	Out the Door: Son to Daycare (6am drop off)
6:00 AM	Drive to Work (Carpool)
6:30 AM
7:00 AM	Mom: Work
7:30 AM
8:00 AM
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
1:00 PM
1:30 PM
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
3:30 PM
4:00 PM	Drive to Daycare (Carpool)
4:30 PM
5:00 PM	Pick up Son
5:30 PM	Dinner Routine
6:00 PM	Play with Son
6:30 PM
7:00 PM	Load Laundry (as needed) / Bath for son (as needed)
7:30 PM	Son Good Night Routine
8:00 PM
8:30 PM	Good Night Routine
9:00 PM	Mom Sleep

I'm "trying" to eventually get a workout in the morning... I'm not there yet! I'm not sleeping well and I keep snoozing for too long. I have started wearing my Fitbit HR again, so I can track: water intake and steps. I've been trying to make sure I get up every hour and walk around at work. Not successful at being consistent, but it's a work in progress. At least I'm realizing how much I'm NOT getting up and moving. Hoping to make incremental improvements as I go along. 

Meal Planning

Meal planning has NOT been easy for me. When I worked from home, I would just cook my lunches and cook dinner - without feeling too rushed. I am still trying to tweak the meal planning to work for me. I keep making too much food. I thought I would make food for the week for: snacks, lunch, and dinner. But it turns out, that when I get home - I'm not really in the mood to eat a "real meal." I also end up feeding my son a fruit-based meal vs what I made. He refuses to eat chicken or veggies at times... but he will always eat fruit. So, meal planning on Sunday for dinners -- doesn't really work and has led to food waste. 

Since that's not working, I'm making tweaks to only make enough for lunches and plan for an easy to put together dinner. 

Here's an example of a week of food, which includes lunch and dinners: 

Although the meal planning hasn't worked for dinners, it definitely works for work snacks and lunch. Here's an example of one day: 

Here's it all packed up in my cool new "lunchbox": 

Here's it closed: 

I'm absolutely LOVING the rubbermaid lunch blox sets for food storage and the Fitmark Box for a lunchbox.  The blue ice that comes with the rubbermaid lunch blox's keep the food cold all day, that I don't even have to use the refrigerator at work (which is nice because it's on the other side of the floor). I also love how the rubbermaid lunch blox fits perfectly in the Fitmark bag. This has been working perfectly, which is so very nice. 

Cleaning and Laundry Routine

This, I have to admit, was the hardest adjustment for me. I love doing one load of laundry a day. I've been doing that for years and love it. I also was cleaning a little each day, so it wasn't too much in one sitting. With the commute and new work schedule, this had to change.

Instead of cleaning a little every day, I now clean 1x a week on the weekend. I also rotate, so I clean downstairs one week - then upstairs the second week. So, each area of the house gets touched once every 2 weeks (instead of once a week). I was worried about this... because I like cleaning each area at least 1x a week, but it was just too much to maintain with the new schedule. The house is still "picked up" every night, but just not cleaned. Since we are at the house less, it actually hasn't made a huge difference switching to every 2 weeks vs 1x a week. This is a work in progress... I might tweak again as I get used to things.

The laundry has been tough. I'm trying to do one load a day still... I've just switched the days I do them. The only day that I have a lot of laundry is when I do my clothes, since now I have a lot of work clothes and have multiple loads. I don't have time to fold during the week, so I try to save the big folding items for closer to the weekend. Here's the new laundry routine:

• M: Whites
• T: Cleaning Rags 
• W: Rotating Items (Throw blankets, bath mats, pet items) 
• Th: Towels 
• F: My Son's Clothes
• Sa: Sheets
• Su: My clothes (2-3 loads) + iron/steam work clothes for the week 

This may get tweaked again, but it seems to be working out OK thus far.

The Job

The new job is interesting. I'm still getting used to the work culture and the people. Supposedly I was hired as a "change agent" to help implement some changes to the department. However, the team I'm working with is HIGHLY resistant to change! Whenever I ask questions about the process, they are very defensive. If I suggest anything or throw an idea out, they push back on it before they even understand what I'm suggesting. <sigh> It's not "BAD" or anything! But it's going to be interesting as I get more comfortable and trained in their processes/procedures. Or when I actually start making concrete suggestions for improvement. The team has been doing it this way for years and all of them have been in the job for a long time, so they are very comfortable with how they do it - even if there's a more efficient way to manage it.

I do like the job and I know I can contribute a bunch. They are expecting me to take over the team in a few years, when the current manager retires. I'm basically shadowing her to learn everything she knows. The truth of it is, the industry/products are so complicated - so it'll probably take me 3 years or so before I really get all the ins and outs. But it'll only take me a few months to get down the procedures/processes.  She is planning to retire in 5 years and is hoping I'm up-to-speed by 3 years and then I'll be taking over the last 2 years, while she's there as a resource. It's a good plan on paper and makes sense. Will see how it all goes.

I am totally grateful for this job and for this opportunity. I know I will eventually be happy there. I left work on Friday feeling very satisfied with my work for the day and with everything I've learned thus far.

Well, that's my update on the new job and all the changes to my routine :) More to come, I'm sure.

Saying Goodbye to Munchkin

I woke up this morning, like any other morning, & started my routine. For a few minutes I totally didn't register that Munchkin was leaving in a few short hours. I had packed him up last night and had a hard time sleeping. 

This morning, like any other morning, I got Munchkin and Little Guy up and ready. 

Munchkin did his normal "I'm awake!" squeals and giggles. 

He did his normal "I'm going to wrestle while you try to change my diaper." 

He did his normal, "I want to turn off the light and play with the switch" instead of getting dressed. 

He did his normal, "I'm going to eat my toothbrush instead of letting you brush my teeth" routine. 

After I put him in his high chair for breakfast, he did his normal "I'm going to scream and bang until I get my milk" routine.

When he was done eating, he did his normal drama of "I'm done! Get me out of my high hair NOW!" Whines and cries. 

Then Munchkin followed Little Guy around, like normal, annoying Little Guy. 

They fought over toys and chased each other around screaming for joy until it turned into screams of "mine!" 

Then his case manager came over, like normal, to pick him up to bring him to his birth parents. 

What was not normal was, the pile of his belongings waiting by the door. The fact that we were saying "goodbye" & "be safe" instead of "see you soon." The hugs were the last. The kisses were our last. 

When I placed him in the car seat, he cried and cried and cried - with real tears.  I wonder if he realized it was the last time we would see him? 

No, it wasn't a normal morning, although we did normal things... It was our last morning with Munchkin. 

I miss him already... And pray that he's safe and loved. 

This is the hardest part about being a foster parent -- saying that last goodbye and watching the car drive away knowing you'll never see your foster child again. 

Sad day today. 

Gratitude: May 2016

The Gratitude project is still going! May just flew by with so much going on: started my new job, Munchkin turned 1, was notified Munchkin would be leaving, gave a speech in front of a lot of people.

Here's what I was grateful for in May:

• My son helping me with chores 
• Making a new back to work house schedule routine 
• My son asking me for more good night kisses
• Giving a speech in Toastmasters about some of my foster babies. 
• Remembering the times with my former foster kids 
• New appliances to help me meal plan when I go back to work 
• Practicing meal planning for the week!  
• Foster parent appreciation dinner 
• Spending Mother's Day with the boys 
• Meeting with my financial advisor for the first time 
• Takings steps to attack my debt snowball plan
• My new food vacuum sealer, how did I ever live without it?
• Having Munchkin's 1 year old pictures taken 
• Watching Little Guy enjoy the science museum and explore 
• Getting completely lost in a book 
• Being on a reading frenzy 
• Participating in a foster parent panel 
• Watching Munchkin learn to walk 
• Getting good use out of Goodreads to find my next good book to read 
• Giving a speech on my foster kids in front of 150 people 
• Getting positive feedback on my speech and hearing other people's journey on fostering or adopting. 
• Receiving feedback on how to become a better speaker 
• Starting a new job!!! 
• Building confidence 
• Opportunities to excel 
• Learning new job responsibilities 
• Making new connections 
• Feeling so many emotions reading a new book 
• Long phone calls with friends
• Successful meal prepping for the week 
• Feeling successful that I didn't eat out at work and brought healthy options to work