Today brought my second dose of Lupron and a new doctor. Or Nurse Practitioner to be more accurate. She was a dream. Took me at my word and kept me on my treatment. Then she asked me the dreaded fertility question. Give me a break. Is there any woman anywhere who can go through two laps and still think she’s got plenty of time to mess around with her fertility? I’m fully aware of the fact that I’m a ticking time bomb, thanks.
She really earned my love when I complained of the hot flashes (which have started up like little champs) and she whipped out a pen and paper to make me a list of herbal supplements I could take. Then she dragged me out of the exam room and into her office so she could get me information about the RE’s in the area and inform me that Kaiser Northern California does in fact cover some parts of IVF. In Southern California, once they determined that IVF was my only hope, I just got a good luck and don’t let the door hit you on your way out. Can you imagine? All this time we’ve been stressing about how to pay off law school and house and baby at the same time, and there is a long shot that someone else will pay for the baby! Hooray! I’m trying not to get too excited, because Kaiser is still a business, and why would they cover everything if they didn’t have to, but if they only paid for the medicine that would still be outrageously cool.
I just got back from Youth Conference, which is where we take all the little Mormon teenagers 14 – 18 up to the mountains and talk to them about good values and then watch as they have a big dance so they can meet cute boys and girls who believe the same things they do. It’s great fun. I was thoroughly shocked to discover on Friday night that a switch seems to have been flipped in me and all of a sudden I’m doing freaking AWESOME! I was out there dancing my heart out with the kids like I was 16 again. They all commented on how they can not believe how hyper and crazy I was, when really it was more like me rejoicing that my body wants to move again. I just read in my Lupron literature that the estrogen goes up for about two weeks so symptoms may get worse at first (Yup.) But then the estrogen levels drop precipitously and symptoms should alleviate. (Sure ‘nough)
I feel crazy good. And Bear keeps beaming from ear to ear and saying “I’ve got my wife back!” Now I’m back to the job hunt and amazed that I honestly feel like I can work a job now. I do still have some weakness and exhaustion, but good old Dr. Hero says that’s from the inactivity and I just need to rehab. Plus I’m withdrawing from the years of pain pills so every once in a while I feel like crawling out of my skin while simultaneously having a panic attack, but that’s getting better as I’m weaning myself off the pills. I basically am off pills entirely for pain, and right now I’m just on 1/2 a pill a day for the withdrawal and pretty soon none at all.
So, to sum up: WHOO FREAKING HOO!!!
Oh Reese,Awesome, awesome, awesome.I'm so happy that you're feeling better. And yes, you picked the right time (don't slap me for saying that!) to get into the infertility game, because Kaiser *just* started it's pilot IVF program a year or two ago.I'm not sure about your area, but the IVF place in my area was near San Jose, and the rate is supposed to be greatly discounted- meds, monitoring, sperm work-up, retrieval, transfer for under $10K. I hope your area has even MORE of a bargain. What a novel I'm leaving here! Anyway, glad you had fun at YC. Those are a blast, aren't they? -D.
YIPPEEE!!! I can feel your excitement. I loved Youth Conference. Such fond memories. I subbed for the Beehives last Sunday and I was reminded of how cool the youth are. I am serving in Nursery right now and I love that too. I got my first injection of lupron today and am waiting for that first hot flash. ugg. If you wouldn't mind sharing, I would love to have the list of herbs you have is. How long are you going to be on lupron for? I will get two injections before moving to IUI w/ injectables.
Emily – the brand name to look for is Estroven but the magic ingredient is soy and black cohash. So if you can find black cohash cheaper, then go for that because the Estroven is expensive! And then calcium of course to replace our poor bones.I've got five more months ahead of me, four more injections. But it's going by crazy fast. and then it's IVF. Yikes.
I'm so happy you're feeling better, that's fantastic.I'm doing better, too, on the lower dose BC Pill. Better than I've felt in five years. wow.Estrogen really messes us up, doesn't it?