Thanks to everyone who provided their advice.
Just a few areas that I wanted to clarify...
Anna had asked if IUI was a possibility. Unfortunately, it is not for me. As a result of the ectopic pregnancy last year, my left tube had to be removed. My right tube is partially blocked and I have about a 50% chance of having another ectopic if I were to conceive "naturally" (this would include IUI).
So, I am left with only 2 options - IVF or adoption.
When we started down the proverbial infertility road, DH and I discussed our options and decided that we wanted a biological child.
We chose the IVF route and at this point, that's the road that we'll stay on - no matter where it takes us.
While I'm not against adoption, I'm not sure it's right for us, right now. I feel like we're already so invested in IVF that I don't want to backtrack and start down a new path.
So, I guess the real decision becomes the length of time and money that we want to invest in IVF.
Leah asked about getting a 2nd opinion. To be honest, I haven't really given that a lot of thought yet. I'm not ready to give up on the clinic or my doctor because I still think they are doing the best they can for me.
Realistically, I've only had one fresh IVF cycle and with the exception of the end result, it was a good cycle.
My FSH levels weren't wacky, I stimmed well, had a good retrieval and ended up with almost 50% of my embryos getting to blast stage.
I really only count the frozen cycle as a 1/2 cycle. Partly because we didn't have to "make" new embryos and partly because the success rate was only 30% for my age range.
Erin - I really liked your comment about which would be more painful - buying treatments that might fail or buying 2 more opportunities.
If I were to answer that question, my answer would be that I'd want to buy 2 more opportunities. I think I would always wonder "what if" if we didn't try again.
Hmmmm....
I guess I just answered my own question, didn't I?
So, the bottom line is that we'll wait to see what my RE has to say at my next appointment.
2 comments:
Suzanne-I know you're facing some tough decisions. Just wanted to say good luck to you in whatever your decision might be. Since you were seeking opinions, I'll give mine based on my own experience: seek a second opinion. You don't have to go with the new RE, but I think it's always best to hear what another RE thinks about your failed cycles and any changes they might make. Just gives you a comparison point to your current RE and a little more peace of mind, IMO. Good luck!!
I read your post and comments last night but had come back today to post because Brenda and Erin's comments resonated so much with me.
At the end of the day, our decision to do one final IVF boiled down to which would be worse--to pay all the money for a failed IVF or to not try and always wonder "what if". I found that I needed to do one last IVF cycle. As Erin noted, it's an intensely personal decision without one universally correct or best answer. It sounds like you have found YOUR answer and that's a big and helpful step.
Wishing you all the best as you go forward.
Warmly,
Courtney
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