We did not come to this decision lightly and it is sometimes difficult for those that have not been through fertility issues to understand. It is also difficult for those that care for us to watch us go through the challenges and pain.
For those of you with children try to imagine your life without them, for those of you that have your life plan and it includes children, imagine that piece of your plan has been cut out. It is hard to imagine for most because the assumption is that you will fulfill that destiny with little to no effort. But without that piece it alters your entire imaginable future, at least for the majority of the population. That means no children, no grandchildren and a quiet house for the undetermined future.
Many of you have told us to stop worrying about it and planning it so that we might just magically be pregnant. Yes, there is that slight possibility but I don't think multiple doctors would tell us that IVF is our plan if they think we will just magically get pregnant. We have been trying this for almost 5 years and believe me, we aren't getting younger as the seasons pass.
So on my mother's birthday we went for our consultation with new physicians at the University of Louisville's Reproductive-Endocrinology Center. We met with our new doctor, Dr. Bohler, and discussed where we were and where we are going. He thought we would be a good candidate for IVF and that we would have success this go around. He described a similar plan to what we had done before which is old hat for us. If we could get everything worked out we could be in the November cycle of patients. By the way, thanks to a few special people very close to us, you know who you are, for offering to be a surrogate. That is still not out of the question if we aren't successful with our first few tries at this new program.
UL is different than what we experienced at Fertility & Endocrine. I had no idea how "private" that private practice is, talk about swanky! But a good fertility friend reminded me, all that swanky just makes it more expensive not necessarily better.
Which also leads me to the cost. UL is much cheaper, we get twice as many tries for only $3,000 more than the other round. WOW! They also go through a program that allows a refund of 50% if the treatment is not successful. Again, another fact that is important to our financial future. So it looks like we will be taking a medical hardship from the 401k plan. I know, I know... terrible idea for most! But when you put your life plan in perspective, retirement is only as good as those you get to spend it with.
Our next steps: We applied for the program and wait to be approved then get our money situated.
We need lots of prayers and lots of strength to push through another emotional and physical rollercoaster. Oh, and Happy Birthday to Karson who was just born as I typed this, how appropriate! :)
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