LIT FOR LAT

This infertility has been staying for so long in my system I just can't wait to kick it out.  It was a few years back that my friend already warned me - "you may want to see an immunologist".  She had APAS and so on.  I have PCOS.  I told her that it might not be possible for me to have 2 dreadful diseases.  I stand by what I believe in I have PCOS and that's it.  I'll get pregnant in time.

I let the years pass by.  I enjoyed life to the fullest.  Then I noticed that "the time" that I/We've been waiting for was still nowhere in site.

We started the fertility work ups and still failed all attempts to get my baby bump.

Then here's the wake up call.  I can't be just PCOS and don't get pregnant.  I have a friend who has the same but got pregnant without medical intervention.

I told my husband I got to do all the immunological tests and see an immunologist.  ASAP.

Voila! As I suspected I got a negative LAT score.  I need LIT.

What is LAT?

Leukocyte Antibody Test (LAT) or Leukocyte Antibody Detection (LAD) in the US. It is an antibody wherein the woman's body creates an envelop of protection for the fetus to prevent the immune system from attacking it. Also as according to Infertility Philippines -

"The problem is when the woman shares the same antibodies with her partner; in other words the couple’s DNA is too similar.  Normally the father’s DNA in the embryo tells the mother’s body to set up a protective reaction around the baby.  But when this blocking effect does not happen, the baby is rejected."  

For more details you may check on this link.

And the treatment for this culprit is Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT)

I had mine done at MEL.  In the morning, 12 vials of blood will be extracted from the donor (my husband's my donor until the 3rd session).  Then we went back at around 1pm for the procedure.  Out of 12 vials.  3 small vials of white cells were extracted.

I've got high pain tolerance but this one's just different.

I hate the prick and the push of the white cells into my skin.  Dr. A told me that my husband's end product has a good quality.  A bandage will be wrapped around the area and should not be removed for 48 hours.  (Dr. A said that the area should remain dry and must not be exposed to sunlight).

here's what happened after I removed the bandage after 2 days

I've compiled the photos that day.  

  

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Rematch lost

I'm starting to think that this fertility work up is beginning to be just like PACMAN and MARQUEZ boxing matches.  It keeps going on and on. Both wants to be the winner.  I can see myself as Marquez wanting to win the battle and Infertility as Pacquiao always the winner.

The only difference with us is that once Pacquiao had lost and draw matches.  I neither have any.  I've never felt how it was to be pregnant.  Or just see 2 pink lines on that rectangular box.

When will I get over my battle with infertility.  There was so much expectation that I'm going to conceive this November since I got 2 DF present.  But,  I guess some things are not meant to be.  How I wish I know the reason for it. 

Let me give you a recap of what has happened on my previous cycle:

Oct. 8 - AF Day 1
Oct. 9-19 - Femara (2x a day)
Oct. 20 - Ovidrel shot (12 MN)
Oct. 22 - IUI#2 (collection - 11am; procedure - 1:30pm)
Oct. 22-Nov 8 - Duphaston (2x a day)
Oct. 27 - ff up and Pregnyl shot

Nov. 1 - AF Day 1
Nov. 10-Nov. 15 Puregon (75 iu)

Just an overview on the current cost of my work up.  I tabulated what we have spent for the last 2 cycles.  Hope this would help fellow sis out there who are trying to get pregnant.

To fellow sisses that are TTC out there... 

Have faith that missing single pink line would be appearing for us...

I hope not to soon...

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Let the battle begin

Not so long ago. I'm not taking my treatments seriously.  Sometimes I'd get hyped about it and there are times that I'm loosing the momentum.  For whatever reason.  Most reproductively challenged would understand me. It's a mixture of disappointment, hopelessness - all sorts of pessimism.  Or maybe I was just not ready yet. 

Now, things and time changed.  I think I've reached my peak and I need to do something about it.  Suffering from infertility is pretty painful, especially if you are very much willing to carry a child for 9 months and give all the love and support for him (her) after they were born.

Finally, I (We) are not going to just sit down on this.  We again began the treatment June of this year. And now this is for real. We are sticking on going to St. Lukes Global with the same RE we went to a couple of years ago. 

First Cycle  - JUNE 2012

Our RE had to induce menstruation as I forgot when was my LMP (but it isn't that long.  I just don't track AFs because I wanted to surprise myself with 2 lines on PT!) que sera sera.

I was placed on duphaston 2x a day for 7 days (according to my previous OB, the drug can make you bleed if not preggo or if you are it'll help the embryo stick to your womb.)

Then when I finally got my period.  The RE gave me clomid - 2x a day for 5 days.
Follow up check up for follicle monitoring. She finally saw a large/mature DF and was injected with Ovidrel to assure that the follicle would rupture (to articles I've read online the follies will rupture in 24 hrs. after the shot.)

She ordered us to do baby dance on the particular days.  For first time in ages, I've felt what ovulation pain is like.  So we obliged about the BD even if we have to woke up early to do the deed.

A day after I was instructed to use utrogestan (intravaginally) for 15 days. 2ww ends and negative.

I'm considering infertility treatments as an investment.  It's like a business as it's worth taking the risk.  It's like gambling - you'll never know if you gonna win or lose. The only difference is at the end it's not money that you'll be earning.  It's a birth of a new life.   

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Overview

Blog.
It's like keeping a diary except that what you wrote is open for all.

I've been blogging for quite sometime.  But this one is different as this is my journey towards my road to fertility.

As for many conceiving is as easy as one, two, three... Ours is different.

My main source of infertility is PCOS.  I already knew what it is long before I knew I have one.  Some of my cousins are suffering the same fate.  Maybe it really is genetics. 

My husband has a minor sperm problem.  But that's workable according to our Endocrinologist.

A little overview...

I've learned I got PCOS when I was 26.  I know I got a little worried as my road to conceiving will be struggle.  I just shrugged it off at that time.  As I'm still young.  I've got dreams to fulfill.  I'm also not good at taking meds.  I kept on forgetting until I stop.

Years passed nothing's happening even if we're trying.  We seek help. Gone through different doctors, hospitals, took meds to stimulate ovulation.  Seen a lot of people I know got pregnant but still we got nothing,

Again, I halt from the medications and focused more on growing.  Growing as a person.  Loving what I am doing and forgetting that I am not getting younger.  Until the middle of last year when I was diagnosed to have a herniated disc.  I got hospitalized thrice.  The first one I was not diagnosed properly.  The second one has seen the real problem then sent me on rehab.  Then the third time was a product of being stubborn as I force myself to be back on the institution on where my life evolved for quite sometime. 


My husband decided I should not continue.  That we should be more focus on having a family.  I guess he is right.  I agreed and now we are starting again.

We're seeking treatment and I believe this too shall pass.

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