Step One and Two:

Step one of 47 is complete! The referral appointment with my new PCM went well last week. They did give me some grief about not seeing a doctor in four years, but really, that was it. I explained that I’ve been very anti-doc lately and it’s only Dr. B out of NY that has gotten me out of hiding. My PCM took almost 45 minutes with me (totally unheard of these days) and agreed with me that I need an RI (reproductive immunologist) but I have to get that referral from my new RE since he/she will need to prove that we’ve exhausted all options (because apparently 3 failed IVFs and 6 failed FETs mean nothing).  Tricare MIGHT even pay a portion of the travel fees if I can play it right.

I have the referral in my hand two days after that appointment. I’m pretty sure it’s always been at least a week to get one in the past. And get this, I got a referral for rheumatology too! My PCM in GA refused to give me one-saying he could treat me himself. Yeah, no he couldn’t and he’s a big part of why I stopped going to the doctor.

I had some basic bloodwork drawn and I’m waiting on the results of that. Next step, getting a new patient appointment for the RE and rheum. Yay for progress!

Thank you to everyone for the smoothie suggestions! I’m still playing with combos and figuring what I can gag down.

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Step two complete! I just made phone calls to set up new patient appointments for both Rheum and my new RE. I was given the option to have my initial appointment here in my town (with the RE) but the first available was the middle of June. NO thank you. I decided that I'll be traveling to Birmingham for it instead and was able to get it for just over 2 weeks away. Not terrible. That appointment is going to be a monster at 3.5 hours long and DH has to go with me (semen analysis right away-good times for him).  I'm really, really not looking forward to all the testing and exams that go along with this part. I asked the receptionist if the doctors there would be willing to work with an RI and she didn't know. She did say that they have referred out before, however. 

I know these posts aren't the most fun to read but it's my way of journaling so I can remember details for later.  Love to you all!

Here's just some pictures of my cute kid wearing a poptart KPea Dress:

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Here We Go Again:

I'm pretty sure I've used that title before for my blog. Well, it's the truth, so I'm sticking with it. As it is...here we go again.

I officially have an appointment set up to get a referral for an RE-in less than a week (a small miracle!). I have no doubt that it will get approved and while I had been slowly researching RE's in our area, now I guess I have to step it up and really figure it out. All I really want out of an RE is his/her willingness to work with an RI (reproductive immunologist) of my choosing and maybe start the basic testing I'd have to do with anyone at this point (including a lap for endo that I'm 99% sure I need). I've been reading websites of potential RE's and man, now I remember why I've put this off for so long. That initial appointment is just plain HARD and icky. I know that my situation isn't all that unique but starting over is daunting and invasive.

I have two choices for an RI. Dr. B out of NY that I've previously mentioned or Dr. K out of Chicago. Dr. B is the leader/pioneer of endometriosis/immune therapies for infertility couples but here's the kicker. He doesn't take insurance of any kind. While he does give a free phone consult, I see no point in that unless I go ahead and do the recommended testing...testing and treatments that he would completely tailor to me. I'd most likely have to get weekly blood draws and monitoring for tweaking meds.  Now, Dr. K DOES take my insurance so while I'd have to travel to Chicago for the initial consult, that consult would be covered by Tricare. She does most of what Dr. B does but is that good enough? Do I go with the best and pay out the nose for it or see someone that is still good at what she does and insurance will help?  I'd eventually have to travel to NY as well because it's required that we meet face to face before he can prescribe meds. BUT if an RE here is willing to work with him (and would be willing to prescribe the meds that he recommends), it would make my life so much easier (and maybe even a little cheaper). I've also discovered a Chinese herbalist/acupuncturist that works closely with Dr. B and what I'm seeing about her is really great stuff-and lines up with what I've been reading. People, this is going to cost a small fortune to do as the initial testing alone can be $3-4k without insurance.  Then add in IVF, IV meds, travel, supplements, etc and wowza...

Positive report:

For my last cycle, I was almost cramp free. That's huge you guys! While I still had some, I did not have to medicate for them. Not once. Whether it's due to changes in my diet or exclusively using mama cloth, I'll take it! It's been years since I've had that happen.

Help: It's no secret that I struggle with eating clean. I'm trying hard to drink a smoothie every day to try and get in more fruits/veggies/supplements but I'm finding it hard to choke down. I'm trying to stay away from dairy, corn, soy, gluten, sugar, and synthetic vitamins (including anything fortified or enriched, vit d, folic acid etc) I tried coconut water mixed with frozen berries, turmeric, chia seeds, and a little bit of spinach in a smoothie today and it was just plain awful.  Any suggestions out there for me?

Thanks for your comments, love, and encouragement!