The exorbitant costs of fertility treatment necessitates a tightening of purse strings.
In a way, I’m glad we gave the very tempting 32″ Sony Bravia a miss.
With conception set as a goal, I’m realise I’m structuring my life around this focus such that everything else falls in line with facilitating the achievement of this goal.
I’m learning goal setting and resource prioritization the hard way.
Feel so adult.
Visited Dr Fong yesterday for my second Lucrin jab (sigh $420 gone juz like that), and also to enquire about Hubs SA.
Side effects of Lucine: hot flushes, v.dryness and hair loss.
The last one disturbed me the most. I already have so little hair! Even my colleagues are brushing my shoulders, commenting on more-than-normal dropped hair. But it can’t be helped I guess. It sure didn’t help that Dr Fong thot my hair loss was a little too early on in the treatment phase.
Solution? None actually, other than to use my Regain more religiously. It is afterall a condition brought about by hormonal changes.
Hubs SA showed normal volume, but poor count and form. So the Provironium was to stimulate more sperm production. Hopefully we can see the results by the end of 2 months.
Next month (end July) I’ll be going in for a scan to see if my uterus has shrunk to normal size before checking my fallopian tubes for any blockages.
If all goes well, and Hub’s count improves, we can try for an IUI in Sept.
But what if IUI fails, even after several attempts? Would I want to consider other options such as surgery or IVF ?
Let’s take it one step at a time. Sometimes I feel like I’m walking on a very steep and thin plank across a ravine. I’m not sure when I will fall and each step is taken with much trepidation and uncertainty. I dare not look too far ahead for fear that I will lose balance in the current moment. Yet it’s excruciatingly difficult to focus only on one step at a time, for fear that, when the day is over, there isn’t a pot of honey waiting for us at the end.
Dear Lord, please don’t make this too painful or disappointing a process. Shower us with your mercies and your river of life. We have no other hope but you alone.
Stroll
Distance: 2km ?
Time: 40 mins
Achievement: NIL
Gym: NIL
This morning I went for a morning stroll with mum and kobe along the canal. My heart rate was hardly elevated. But at least my muscles feel less tight and I got some fresh air to start the day with.
Brisk Walk
Distance: 2km
Time: 20 mins
Achievement: Finished 2km 10 mins earlier than last week. Jogged 800m without rest.
Gym: 20 mins
Jogged in the gym today. Somehow I really prefer the treadmill because it shows me my exact speed. On the track, I kinda lose momentum easily. I actually finished 2 km 10 mins earlier on the treadmill as compared to on the track.
Mental note: Work on the tracks only if I have plenty of time to spare, and someone to accompany me.
That’s the name of the new drug Dr Fong has directed Hubs to take.
Provironum is the Schering brand name for the oral androgen mesterolone.
Mesterolone is a derivative of the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is a naturally occurring male hormone known as an androgen hence Mesterolone belongs to a class of medicine known as androgens.
Testosterone is produced by the testicles and is the main hormone essential for normal growth and development of the male sex organs and male sexual characteristics. During adult life, testosterone is essential for the production of sperm, the maintenance of sex drive, erectile potency, and the functioning of the prostate gland and other reproductive structures. The natural production of testosterone is controlled by another set of hormones called gonadotrophins, which are released from the pituitary gland in the brain.
Low levels of testosterone can cause impotence, decreased sex drive, decreased mental and physical activity, infertility due to decreased sperm production and bone loss.
Mesterolone is given when natural testosterone levels are too low, maybe due to decreased functioning of the testicles. Mesterolone therefore allows the return of normal sexual functioning, and is useful in the treatment of infertility caused by low testosterone levels.
The drug is useful to treat disorders where the body is not producing enough natural androgens. It does not stimulate the body to produce testosterone, but is simply an oral androgen substitute that is used to compensate for a lack of the natural male androgen.
This drug merely compensates for a lack of natural androgen in Hubs but it doesn’t solve the root problem. I think it is still worth considering if Hubs should go for the surgery.
I’ve not moved my butt since last Friday or worked up a proper sweat.
There are always a million and one excuses and I hate it when I blame people around me for holding up my schedule.
Deep down I know I should take charge of my own time and I can only blame myself for overindulging and under-exercising, or for allowing myself to follow other people’s schedule.
For others, exercising is merely a matter of keeping fit or losing weight. For me, it’s a matter of preventing further deterioration of my condition, and improving my reproductive chances.
And I can’t even do myself that favour!
(“/) so so mad with myself …
*deep breath… gotta get rid of this negative energy…
Returned Dr Fong’s call first thing this morning.
The nurse said he wants to put Hubs on testosterone pills coz of the SA results. I wonder what exactly is the problem.
I’ve read that Varicocele could be the culprit for a lower testosterones level in men above 30, and Hubs has been diagnosed with this condition by Dr Chen previously.
Varicoceles, which are an abnormal collection of dilated veins above the testicles, are present in 15% of men. Men with varicoceles have a progressive injury to the cells in the testes that produce sperm and testosterone.
Should Hubs consider surgery to correct varicoceles?
The American Fertility Society describes Varicocele as “the most correctable factor when treating poor semen quality.” There have been many studies that show repairing a varicocele improves sperm quality and directly increases spontaneous and assisted pregnancy rates. Following varicocele repair, spontaneous pregnancy rate increases to 40%, with 75% of men having improved sperm parameters.
Information from the web seems to paint varicocele treatement in such positive light. Maybe this would be good for us?
More worringly, would an untreated varicoceles condition, in the long run, lead to a general deteriotation of hormone levels and thus general health in Hubs?
Mental Note: Check with Dr Fong on this option.
How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find refuge in the shadow of your wings.They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
- Ps 36:7-9
Father, open the gates of heaven and literally drench me with the goodness that you talk about in Ps 36.
Where my body fails me, let your supernatural blessings take over to make sufficient.
From your storehouse of abundance, river of delights and fountain of life, pour forth your blessings & favour till my cup runneth over. I hunger and thirst for them like a dry and parched land. Satisfy my need O Jehovah Jireh.
In your mercies, hear my prayers O Lord.
Got a missed call from Dr. Fong.
My heart skipped a beat and a sudden sense of ominous washed over me.
Hubby’s SA results were no good?
I called back but they were closed for the day. Shucks!
Gotta wait till Monday to find out what went wrong.
In the meantime I try not to let any wild thoughts stir my imagination on the reason for the call.
Dear Lord, please heal our bodies in your mercy.
I snacked on a Polar sugar roll and a Timeout mini choc bar after lunch.
Bad girl.
Do I or do I not want to improve my PCOS ?
I could resist the temptation if I wanted to, but the food lay temptingly on the office pantry… and I didn’t have breakfast at home due to a rushed work schedule.
Plus I worked out this morning… so I thought I should reward myself.
Maybe in my situation, shopping for a new blouse or handbag would serve as a wiser reward.
Choose wisely tomorrow… and dinner later.
