Lauren - Regarding the foot deal...there is a spot below your ankle bone that is linked to your reproductive organs as well. Prior to getting pregnant I went for a massage and they massaged that spot. Rac actually had a good diagram of it that she posted for me quite a while ago. It is something you can do yourself while you are watching tv or if you are lucky have DH do it!!

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Dana

Dana ~ Do you remember where Rebecca posted the chart or maybe, Rebecca you could repost it???

I need to break out my mini foot spa it seems!

Betsy ~ You are too funny! I'm thinking about you, girl!

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Melissa - I posted that shortly before Dana's bfp. I'll see if I can find a good one again for you.

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The other night just before bedtime, I told Brad about my sister being pg again. He really didn't say much other than asking if she was trying to start her own school (she home schools the kids). Rachel and I both thought that was kinda funny. When I got home from work last night, he was noticeably upset. He told me that he was having a really bad day and started to cry (it just rips me up when he does that). He never came out and said it, but I knew that it was because of fact that my sister is having her 6th baby and we have none. We talked about it for a little bit. He went on about my sister and how will they pay for college, how will they do this, how will they pay for that, don't they know, poor David (my BIL).... blah, blah, blah. I simply said that what they do is their business. How they pay for things and what kind of financial plan they have isn't our concern. I also made it perfectly clear that my BIL is just an active part of this baby factory as my sister. He seemed to be better about it after our chat.

While I was getting ready for work this morning, I was thinking about things. We've had some testing, but there's more that could be done. I called him while I was on my way to work and laid it out for him. Here's what I said (in summary)......

• I will have the endo biopsy and if absolutely necessary the lap - which he said that he doesn't want done because they're invasive
• We both HAVE to quit smoking
• He has to quit drinking (he's only been having a couple during the week and a few on weekends)
• My FSH needs lowered - hence the smoking part
• His sperm count needs raised - again, the smoking and beer
• We have NO idea what his morphology is. We need another SA that is more specific.
• His count is okay, but could be higher. The Ph is good, the motility is good and the volume is good
• We both need to be diligent about taking our vitamins/supplements, especially him and the extras (zinc, E, B12, selenium, L-Argenine) for his 'healty' sperm production.

I told him that our insurance only covers 50% of the testing up until the $200 point, then coverage is 100% (which I will call BC/BS again to verify). If we continue with testing/procedures, insurance only covers up to diagnosis. Our insurance covers NO fertility treatments - including prescriptions, u/s, b/w if we were to go on to IUI and need monitoring, so that would have to be out of pocket. I told him that IUI itself could be a couple thousand dollars.

I told him that I was willing to do IUI and I would consider clomid if that is the only option. I will not do injectables nor will I do IVF (besides that is far more expensive). This is what I will do for him because I know how important it is to him and how badly he wants it.

His reply.... let me think about it. I thought he'd be all for it..... I'm really confused.

So, I am also thinking about finding a new Ob/Gyn. I have been seeing Dr. Cypher for over 10 years, but I don't feel like he is very proactive. He's a very nice man, but very passive. He has a great bedside manner, but is more geared toward general gyn health and obstetrics. I need to see a doctor who knows more about fertility and not so much about pregnancy. I do know that Dr. Cypher has a RE that he works with, but I'm thinking about finding a new Gyn. A woman that I work with goes to a man who is closer to home, at a better hospital and he deals with infertility. There is also a place not far from me that does not require a referral, but then what about insurance?? A friend of mine went here and she loves them. She never had one bad thing to say about any of the doctors there. She's now 21 weeks after IVF due to the dreaded 'unexplained infertility' diagnosis. Here's a link to their facility....

Reproductive Health Specialists

Any thoughts?? Am I doing the right thing?? I know how badly he wants this - I want it too, but I'm "okay" with the way things are.

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There with you RAC, poor Forrest was so down yesterday when Elmo showed (I was a week late). I just can't see going through all that and then the possibility of still not getting pregnant. I can't take that kind of failure myself. I am up and down, and try so hard to just leave it in God's hands, but I get so frustrated when I hear of those who don't want children or don't need children getting pregnant. Until you have been down this road it is hard to understand. The frustrations, the denial, the hurt, and all of it. Praying for you to find the right answer.

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Lisa - A friend of mine (the one who went to RSH - that fertility office) just wrote me..... I don't think it could be said any more perfectly.

And if it doesn't work - then you will know you exhausted every single possibility to accomplish your dream together. You'll have no regrets. That is a life worth living!!

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That is well put, and a lot to think about too. Good luck!

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Rebecca ~ I think your friend put things into the perfect words. May I ask, what part of your list does your DH need to think about?

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Rebecca- Thrilled Thrilled Thrilled to hear/see you put that all down and visualize it. Do not be confused by his response. He was probably expecting a call to discuss what you guys would have for dinner. Remember the roller coaster ride anology I use, let him catch up to you...but you keep moving. Give him permission to think about all those things. Look at how many conversations Carlos & I have back and forth and we've already done all the "fixes" and medical stuff we can do. It's normal.

I don't know about the IUi costing several thousand, especially if you don't do injectibles. You can see the costs thread though.

I would contact fertilitylifelines let them do the legwork on your insurance. However I strongly feel that you should self refer to the RE in your area while working the insurance angle.

Although I'm paying close to $1,000 this month even though my insurance now pays for it, the peace of mind I have right now going with an RE that I love is PRICELESS compared to having to go through a PCP I don't know and go through the specialist nighmare.

And I agree with your friend, it's like my RE said, at least if I fail it's because I tried not because I CHOSE to.

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Melissa - I have no idea. I just talked to him about making an appointment for a new patient consultation just to see what they have to say and he's 'thinking' about that. His words were 'Well, we have a lot to talk about.' I just don't understand him.

Edit...

Betsy - Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I hadn't thought about that... he probably was expecting a call about dinner or something stupid.

My friend said that this facility charges $250 for IUI. I did call and made an appointment for the consultation - March 10. I figured it would be weeks before they could get us in IF Brad decides to do this, but I'd still have time to cancel if he decides that he doesn't want to.

When I called RHS, the woman (Sandy) told me that they will do the legwork to see what is covered under my insurance plan (I gave her my ID number and Group number). She also said that if there's no coverage for the consultation, they will call me. I feel a lot better about that. I think I ended up paying more than I *had* to when I was going through my gyn.

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Betsy~ LOL about "being wet and vibrating in a different way."

Lauren~ I'm so happy that your friend delivered a healthy baby! A little scary about the fluid in the lungs, but it sounds like she's going to be ok. Congrats to your friend!

Rac~ I think your friend said just the right thing. It's worth a shot, anyway. GL to you!

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Lauren ~ Yup, my number is the same. Did the text go through? I sent it as a group thing to everyone in my list, but I'm not sure it I did it right... Congrats to your friend on the baby.

Bec...wowie. {{{squeeze}}}

Betsy ~ Nervous for you. And I'm so crossed for success, I think my head is even backwards.

I have been actively praying, almost like mix between meditation and prayer. 'Lord, please let me deliver a healthy baby this year'. I just say it to myself over and over.

Daniel is doing well with his new job, and a lot of pressure is off me regarding lots of things. We had our own 'State of the Union' last night, based around the list I gave him last week. One of which entailed him committing to ttc really seriously for the next three months. I don't want to think to far beyond that, because that puts me into next year, and I don't have that much brain power.



Thinking about all of you.

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Betsy-I hope Carlos feels better soon, and keep up the positive intentions you are so close.


Rac-the TTC rollercoaster is such a rough ride, no wonder many need a break of even want to get off, but if there are things that you are willing to do then I think it is worth trying them because then you'll never be wondering "what if" and can be at peace with your decision. As for Dh's confusion, I am sure it is because last night you were consoling him and this morning you have a concrete plan of what needs to happen next, I hope you guys make it to that appt

Oh I would sooo go to a NKOTB reunion concert!

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I see an Emily... {{{squeeze}}}

BTW, If I went to an NKOTB concert, I'd probably be dehydrated from ROFLMAO so hard I'd be in tears. I'm imagining them, at their ages now ( I only know what two of them look like now), doing the dance moves...specifically the 'jump forward and roll the hips with arms over head move' that went along with "...second kiss had a twist'. Oh, I'm about to start giggling uncontrollably; I can feel it welling up. And the chin-move thing from 'The Right Stuff'. LMFAO! 'Oh-oh-OH-oh-oh. Oh-oh-OH-oh.' OMG.

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Steph, You are too funny!!

Rebecca-All I can say is wow. I'm excited to hear you thinking/talking about making steps forward. Your friend was absolutely right. And that with this group here is what keeps me pushing forward. I don't think I could give up yet without exhausting our insurance coverage and then later discussing what is feasible for us to pay for. I have even thought about IVF rather than the adoption route if it came to that. Betsy is right that DH will catch up. Once we actually started meeting with the RE is when I noticed that my DH was way more on board, had a better understanding of TTC and willing to try a lot more things. I would at least push him to attend a consult. It can't hurt.

Lauren-Feeling fine.......actually ready for a little naked time with DH. hee hee.

Betsy-That is very weird about only being allowed to attend 1 mtg. when I signed in I put that I was not a RESOLVE member and the leader never mentioned to me that I needed to join. I plan on going again on the 15th. We'll see what happens. She seemed pretty laid back and would hope after my emotional break down at the first mtg wouldn't turn me away either. I don't like that rule either. And their website doesn't promote their peer lead groups like that at all. I checked the CDs yesterday and looks like they are in working order. My plan is to copy them Friday on my day off and get them in the mail to you.

Karyn-I'm thinking of you. Hope all is ok and you're home resting.

Hi everyone!