Some Updates To Catch Up

Sorry for the long silence.  A few quick updates.

I FINALLY got my period last Sunday.  It arrived exactly 4 weeks late.  So I went 2 months without getting my period.  That's a new record for me.  Fortunately, it felt no different from most of my other periods.  I was worried that I may have major cramping or it would be very heavy, but it was not.

Babe and I have decided that though we have not made a decision to give up embryo adoption entirely, we would start our process for traditional domestic infant adoption.  On July 10th, we attended an adoption information meeting with an adoption agency from which a few couples in our adoption support group had adopted from.  We like this agency because it works with multiple agencies around the country to match birthparents to adoptive parents.  So we will not be limited to working with birth moms in our state only.   Since then, we have submitted our initial application form and application fee for our home study.  We have receive the first set of application forms and are working on completing them.

Back in June, after my last failed transfer, a friend of mine introduced me to her friend that had gone through embryo.  I met up with her for lunch and we chatted for a long time.  She has 5-year old daughter  from embryo adoption but has had two losses since then.  Her first was 2 years ago when she miscarried at 20 weeks, and her last was just a few months ago when she miscarried at 10 weeks.  She told me about the doctor her doctor who is aggressive about genetic testing.   After my last transfer, I decided that I wanted to get myself tested to find out if I have any autoimmune or blood clot issues.  I want to know if there are any issues, and if there are, if they can be fixed.  Or not.  I just want to know so that we can make a decision as to whether we should shut the door permanently on embryo adoption/donation.

On July 24th, I made an appointment with Dr. T for a consult.  We went over my history and the thing that I like about her is she is aggressive about testing.  To her, no one should have to lose ANY babies, and should have a right to find out.  It's interesting to hear that there are a lot of doctors out there that do not believe in genetic testing after a pregnancy loss and would not treat for it.  It's also interesting to hear that she has had many successes treating her patients once she find out that they have issues.  There are also cases where she finds out that there is no way to treat the issues.  I spent over an hour speaking with Dr. T at my appointment.

In the end, we decided that I would have my blood drawn and have a test called the "Counsyl Test" done.  This is a panel of tests that includes multiple genetic tests.  It is interesting as the company that does the testing guarantees the cost of the test where if my insurance company did not cover the cost of the test, the company would only charge me $99.  I received an email the other day that the company ran the test by the insurance company and our out of pocket cost would be $225.  With the guarantee, the company will only charge me $99.

I have an appointment tomorrow night for an over-the-phone genetic counseling session with the testing company.  They will go over the results with me then and I have a follow up appointment with Dr. T later in the week.  I will update you what I find out then.

Work has been going OK.  I have to admit I do really miss not working.  There is a lot to learn at work and I have been going through a lot of web based training.  And I still have a lot of reading to do.  Projects are starting to get ramped up and I am and will continue to be very busy.  I already am feeling the stress of the job and it will only get worse.  I am know the newness and the need to learn is just a phase of the job but I also know that I will be kept very busy, with very tight deadlines.  I really want to do well at this job but I'm also trying really hard to balance my work and personal life.

Though I miss not working, I am also super grateful for my job as I know how lucky I am to actually have this job.  I just wish tomorrow is not a Monday........