Kauai & Fertility Update
As you might already know, Hubby and I are on the Garden Isle of Kauai. We are staying on the eastside of the island in Kapa’a, but have ventured all over the island exploring the island. This is our first time to Kauai and so far we like it, but we don’t LOVE it as much as we love Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. But, it’s still Hawaii and we aren’t complaining and it has been a wonderful getaway after our tough week last week when we found out that our FET didn’t work.
Waimea Canyon
Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls
Polihale Beach
Wailua River
Gillin’s Beach at Maha’ulepu Beaches
Plate lunch of Lau Lau/Kim Chee/Ahi Poke at Pono Market
Wailua Falls
Poipu Beach from Marriot
Peanut butter chocolate cookie from Lappert’s
We did have a phone consult with our RE yesterday, I told her that we are seriously concerned that we aren’t going to be successful with the Attain program and she agreed (not reassuring!). She also doesn’t know exactly why we aren’t getting pregnant when we have good quality embryos and my lining has been a good thickness. I asked her if she thought it was more of an embryo quality issue or my uterine environment and she didn’t have the answer. She wants to do the luteal lupron protocol again that we did for IVF #2 and suggested that we could add growth hormone to the next cycle. She also said she would present our case to the other doctors at the clinic and might get more answers of how to help our next cycle be successful.
I have some big career changes happening, so I told her we would be on a break until the spring. She suggested that I start DHEA and CoQ10 in the meantime. Both are usually suggested for older women who have decreased ovarian reserve, but she figured it might help my situation. My RE was realistic that we might be getting the Attain refund and that if we want to continue to pursue active IVF that we go to Oregon or Colorado. We also discussed donor embryos and gestational carriers. Hubby and I have a lot to consider, we really hope life will joyfully surprise us with either IVF #3 or FET #2, but if it doesn’t happen we will address our plan at that time…..I don’t even want to think about it yet.
I’m trying my best to not think the worst yet and to try to enjoy our last few days in Kauai as much as I can. This post will be my go to place when I need a little sunshine on some possibly darker days ahead.
hopefulandhungry 
Have you done any pre-genetic testing on your embryos? That’s something I am considering if this FET doesn’t work. I’ll also be moving on to Attain. Insurance covered IVF #1 and part of FET#1, but we’ve used up our lifetime limit.
These photographs are gorgeous–you certainly deserve this trip! You continue to inspire me with the way you take things in stride, one step at a time. Still rooting for you big time over here!
Yes, the RE did suggest testing an embryo and we will probably do that. I’m glad you can still qualify for Attain, it helps ease a little of the financial burden. I’m trying to stay as positive as I can. 🙂
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On Jan 25, 2013, at 9:11 AM, hopefulandhungry
Beautiful photos – what a fabulous trip!
I’m glad your RE was honest with you, but I understand that it wasn’t reassuring at all.
I took CoQ10 after our first failed IVF and FET cycles and my eggs were fewer, but the embryos were better (Matthew and this baby are from that batch – we’ve had no success with 4 of the embryos from our first cycle). I was 34 at the time and my RE said he was recommending it for all patients regardless of age. I truly think that’s what helped us be successful.
Are you going to share info on your career changes? If so, I can’t wait to hear it!
Thanks Courtney, what dose of CoQ10 did you take? Yes, I will be updating about my career soon. 🙂
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On Jan 25, 2013, at 10:26 AM, hopefulandhungry
I think I took 100 mg? I took it daily.
My RE is recommending 200 mg/day for me, she says women over 40 usually take a 600 mg/day dose, I hope it helps for me like it did for you. 🙂
On Jan 25, 2013, at 12:48 PM, hopefulandhungry
Hey – the more, the better, I say! I forgot to tell you that my RE had me taking extra folic acid too, with the CoQ10. I think I took an extra 400 of that, on top of my prenatal. Anyway, I seriously believe, in my heart, that the CoQ10 helped me, and I hope it helps you too! It helped my friend too, but she is an older mother (38 and 40 during retrievals) so that makes a lot of sense. But I think it’s good for younger gals too!
Kauai looks so lush and green! I hope you are enjoying yourself. Let’s catch up more when you get back…over a sweet treat!
Sounds perfect 🙂
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On Jan 25, 2013, at 1:08 PM, hopefulandhungry
New follower here…You and I have some common interests, in terms not only of baby hopes, but food/travel 🙂 Your photos are beautiful; I hope this sunshine sees you through the days ahead. I’ll be hoping for you that there are joyful surprises in store. Also curious about the CoQ10!
Hi Sadie-Thanks for following. It’s nice to have fellow bloggers with similar interests! I’ll try to post more on the CoQ10. My doctor is having me start at 200 mg/day, but says women over 40 usually take 600/day. I’ll check out your blog as well! 🙂
Hi! I’m just curious, what is different about the clinics in Oregon and Colorado? Do they specialize in particular things or have really good stats? Your pics are lovely, hope you’re enjoying your vacation! 🙂
Yes, they are suppose to have better overall statistics, and I think both are doing treatment protocols that are a little more “aggressive” than the clinic I am currently at.
enjoy your vacation, hopefully it will be a healing time.
Thank you!
Looks like a LOVELY vacation. We loved our time in Kauai on our honeymoon. It definitely is very different from the other islands though. Look forward to following your story and would love to help in ANY way I can. If you guys are considering Oregon, my husband and I would love to meet up with you for brunch or lunch or just whatever…so let me know if that becomes a real possibility! Take care and sending you HUGE hugs!!!
Thank you Danielle, we really enjoyed our time on Kauai, was the getaway that we needed. We still have one fresh IVF and one FET through the Attain program. If we don’t get pregnant with either of those (hoping we do), then we may consider coming down to Oregon. I would love to meet up if we do. I started the DHEA yesterday and received the CoQ10 in the mail and will add that today. I’m so glad to have found your blog, your faith is amazing and inspiring. 🙂