Friday, May 23, 2008

Now we just wait...

Insurance gave the final okay and I went and had my blood drawn this morning. I guess it takes 3-4 weeks to get the results. We are going to do the Sequencing screen, which is more in depth than the basic 32 mutation screen. Meanwhile we will just keep working on our IVF gift application and get it ready so we can turn it in first thing June 24th, not a moment later!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Genetic Counseling Appointment

We just got back from our genetic counseling appointment. It was was surprisingly very educational and useful. Colin and I were presented with 4 different types of CF screenings and had the hardest time deciding which one to do. We finally agreed that we would do a Sequencing screen which was more in depth than the basic 32 Mutation Panel. Our geneticist is going to contact our insurance one more time to verify that they will cover this expense and will let us know if they give the okay today or tomorrow. Then I will get my blood drawn and wait 2-3 weeks for the results. We are quickly realizing that this IVF processes is going to be lengthy; so many decisions to be made, so much information to consider, waiting for results. What happened to the baby being dropped off on your doorstep by a stork?

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Miracles- just the beginning

So we were laying in bed this past Sunday morning and Colin reminded me that it was fast sunday. Dang it!!! I struggle with fast sunday because I love to cook a yummy breakfast on sundays. Being the faithful guy that he is he suggested that we fast for strength and peace as we prepare for and go to our apppointment on Tuesday. Well I fasted all day with a prayer in my heart that our appointment would go well and I have felt the blessings pour out all week.
We had our first IVF consult on Tuesday and it went really well. Even though I have done endless amounts of research on IVF I wasn't prepared for all of the emotion that I felt during the appointment and the rest of the day. Our doctor, Dr. Gibson, was wonderful. He was very friendly and patiently answered our long list of questions. The source of my emotions was from the fact that I want a baby so badly and I felt so anxious because I know this is going to be a long process and I just need to be patient. Both Colin and I were overwhelmed and exhausted. We came home after the appointment and hardly talked about the appointment because we both were so stressed out. But on Wednesday and since then we have been feeling great and able to talk about everything.
Miracle #1
Our doctor wants me to get tested to see if I am a carrier for the CF gene before he sees us again. The reason why I didn't get tested before our appointment was because our insurance did not cover it ( ~$1200, not just pocket change to us!). Our doctor pressed us strongly to get it done so we know what to expect as we continue the IVF process. After the appointment Colin and I decided just to suck it up and pay the $1200 to get screened. Colin called our insurance one more time (I tried once a few months ago with no luck) to explain our situation in the hopes that they would cover it. The next day we got a call from our insurance and they decided they would cover it as long as we went to genetic counseling which was fine with us! That was amazing. We have an appointment with the genetic counselor May 19th .
Miracle# 2
Our doctor told us about a private organization that gives a gift of IVF to couples each year. You have to be referred to this group by your doctor and then you have to meet certain requirements, which we do. Today we met a woman who gave us the application. We can't submit the application until June 24th (our 2 year anniversary) because one of the requirements is that you have to be married 2 years. The only drawback about this is that it takes them 2-4 months to let you know if you are granted the gift. We want to start IVF before then but after much discussion we feel that to wait a few extra months to get pregnant at the chance that it would all be paid for is worth it. To have our IVF paid for would truly be a miracle, a gift that we could never pay back, a gift to have our very own, precious baby.
As I said before, nothing could have prepared me for the strong emotions I have felt this week. I feel extremely blessed to have found a great doctor, a great clinic, an opportunity to apply for financial assistance, have insurance pay for my CF screen and most of all the opportunity to have a baby.