In a nutshell...
Began with Buffalo Infertility and IVF Associates in July 2009 after several rounds of Clomid with OBGYN failed. HSG performed by OBGYN shows clear, textbook perfect looking tubes.
August 2009 - January 2010 - Femara and timed intercourse.
February 2010: ectopic #1. Treated with Methotrexate.
March - July 2010: BFN Femara and IUI cycles
August 2010: break when I went to Florida with a girlfriend
September 2010: found out we conceived naturally while on break. First blood draw over 5800! U/S same day confirmed ectopic #2. Methotrexate again. Levels went down to the 300's.
October 1, 2010: ruptured while at work. Emergency surgery a couple hours later. Left tube removed.
November - December 2010: Introduced injectables. BFN.
January - March 2011: More injectable/IUI cycles. BFN.
April 2011: Becoming frustrated, I demanded another HSG. Confirmed right tube blocked at proximal end (uterine end).
May 5, 2011: Tubal cannulation surgery to unblock tube.
June 2011: Repeat HSG, tube appears unblocked at proximal end. Dr. says surgery was a success.
July - August 2011: More injectable/IUI cycles.
September 2011: BFP on home test. Started to bleed before blood work. Low hCg level. hCg dropped 2 days later and was below 5 just 4 days later. Deemed chemical pregnancy.
October: break
November: qualified for IVF grant money. Prepping for cycle.
December 2011 - January 2012: IVF #1. Antagonist protocol. Bravelle, Menopur, Ganirelix. 10 eggs retrieved, 8 fertilized. Two 8-cell embryos transferred on day 3.
January 26th, 2012: BFN
February - July 2012: BREAK. Lost 50 pounds.
July 2012: injectable/IUI cycle. Overstimulated. 30 measurable follicles. Ovaries "kissing". Triggered with Lupron. BFN.
August 2012: sought second opinion in Rochester. Dr. recommends we repeat HSG on right tube since report from Buffalo said dye filled tube, but did not spill out at distal (ovarian) end. Dr. also feels IVF is the best treatment. Blood work also complete. AMH good. A1C good. FSH good. All results normal.
October 2012: HSG shows distorted, swollen tube. Dr. still recommends IVF but says we could try IUI if we wished since dye spilled out tube. No money for IVF, so we do nothing.
December 2012: There is a new doctor in Buffalo. Consult on Monday, December 17th with Dr. G. Without seeing films from HSG in Rochester, Dr. G believes we have hydrosalpinx (based on what I said the tube looked like on the screen during HSG and progress notes received). Surgery scheduled during consult for December 20th to remove tube. Dr. G says that if it is indeed a hydrosalpinx , that could have been the reason for our failed IVF. The fluid from a hydrosalpinx is toxic to embryos. Wednesday, Dr. G finally sees films and calls me to say that the tube didn't appear as enlarged as he had anticipated. He is on the fence about removing it since this surgery cannot be reversed and he wants to be absolutely sure I am prepared for the finality of it. I briefly doubt my decision to remove it. He consults with Dr. Crickard in the clinic who recommends we leave it. Given time to think between phone calls, I regain my stance that the tube has to go. Hearing my thoughts about the situation, Dr. G suggests that he consult with a former colleague from Rochester. Dr. Queenan, who remembered my case from my brief time in Rochester, agrees the tube should be removed given my history and the recent HSG results. Dr. G and I agree to remove it. On Thursday, December 20, the tube was removed. Dr. G said minutes after getting in there, there was no doubt in his mind that the tube had to be removed. It was dilated, twisted and extremely abnormal at the distal end. It was in worse condition than it was in October. It was filled with toxic fluid and also had diverticulae pockets. Dr. G feels pretty confident that my "chemical" pregnancy in September 2011 was actually a third ectopic. As of 12/20/12, I am completely tubeless and have zero chance of conceiving naturally. I will have to rely on IVF to conceive in the future. My insurance does not cover anything related to IVF, so now we need to find a way to fund a second cycle. Regardless, I am looking forward with optimism that the combination of working with Dr. G and a new year will bring us our miracle child.
January 2013....the future can only bring good things!
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