Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Unexpected Disaster....



Just when I was over confidence that I can have a smooth pregnancy, god has arranged something very special for me. I suffer from food poisoning, severe stomach pain, follow by vomit everything I ate, then diarrhea non-stop ( have to wear adult diapers ). I was admitted to Hospital Besar KL at 6pm on 20 Nov 2014 when having severe stomachache.


20 Nov - 1 Dec 2014
Severe stomach pain
Vomit non-stop,  no joke, its like vomit what I eat & drink, vomit minimum 3 times every hour
Diagnose with Acute Gastroenteritis ( ACE ), then Urine Tract Infection, Asymptomatic Bacteria..& etc.
Babies weight drop as I typically did not manage to eat anything......what I ate, comes out very fast including vitamin & medication
Couldn't sleep during this period, was really suffering..


1 Dec 2014
Night 10pm, my water broke, hubby co-incidentally arrived 10 minutes before...hubby said it was raining, it seems like babies wanted to come out when daddy around.
Emergency cesarean mid night 2 Dec 2014
Babies came out on mid night 


4 Dec 2014: I was discharged but babies stay as they are both pre-mature babies with only 35 weeks. Boy 1.6 kg, Girl 1.7 kg. Doc said weight will drop after they pass motion & gain back eventually
My body very weak, suffer from oral candidiasis, no breast milk, stress 


8 Dec 2014:  First breast milk: colostrum came - really thanks to my confinement lady whom supported me


17 Dec 2014:  Re-admit to hospital to learn how to take care of babies & help them gain weight till 1.8 kg before they can discharge.
Learnt how to feed, how to shower baby, how to massage baby, how to perform CPR during emergency & etc.


18 Dec 2014: Boy 1.74 kg, Girl 1.72 kg
19 Dec 2014: Boy 1.73 kg, Girl 1.765 kg
20 Dec 2014: Boy 1.825 kg, Girl 1.745 kg
21 Dec  2014: Boy 1.86 kg, Girl 1.77 kg
22 Dec 2014: Boy 1.915 kg, Girl 1.895 kg

Very very tired to feed the two every 2 hours, taking care of  twins really challenging.

22 Dec 2014: My twins discharge......my motherhood journey continues...



If ever you success in pregnant, my piece of advice:

1. Have to really really take good care & be careful on what you eat - I just make a mistake to drink outside on a unfamiliar place & it leads me to 12 days in hospital.

2. Register as a patient in government hospital, keep the "Pink Book". It is very important, as we don't know if we were to deliver early on pre-mature babies, as private hospital cost will be a bomb if babies need to stay at neonatal intensive care unit.


I remember few years back, I was looking at Christmas tree decorated outside doctor's room, while waiting for my turn to see doctor, to seek advise on what's next after the failed IVF. I didn't know what is going to happen ahead of me, whether how many round of IVF I have to go thru b4 I can get pregnant, today again, Christmas is coming, I have no Christmas tree at home, but I have twins....
The feeling is mixed - really mixed, I am indeed blessed & happy to have my twins safely deliver and came back,  but on the other hand I am worry of their health & its going to be ups & downs.....

Things can never be perfect, I shall just live in presence in enjoy everyday with what I have, and stay positive...

Life is always full of unexpected despite how much we plan. Miracle can always happen.





Wednesday, November 19, 2014

My Hubby - Daddy to be


When I started this blog, it was early this year, which was the time when I have failed 4 IVF cycles in 3 years since 2010. This blog was a platform for me to release my emotions. It was the time I was at dilemma whether to continue my fertility battle, especially when your fertility doctor whom at first very optimistic on you, after 3 failed IVF. started to hint that perhaps I should think about a cut-off point, and I have quitted my job, hoping that IVF can success without stress, but still, my fourth IVF was a failure.


I must admit, I am not a very determined person, I wanted to give up each time IVF fails, despite running out tears sometimes the day when I receive negative baby hormone test. I thought of adoption, I thought of forget about baby, find a new job & continue my life. It was indeed, my lovely husband whom supported me throughout the ups & downs. Every time after knowing the negative result, I think there were about 9 times failure including frozen embryo transferred , my hubby tried his very best to stand by my side, despite how busy he was during the result day. He just doesn't want to leave me alone to face the failure. I knew, even he kept silence, he must be equally sad, but he never tell me to stop trying, instead, he encouraged me to continue another cycle, until my biological condition doesn't permit me to do so.


His rational is:

1. We only need one sperm to form a good embryo - despite his sperm is not at good quality & quantity, but he believes its just a matter of time to get the right sperm merge with right ovum.


2. Having a baby has age limit, he said he wants me to think seriously whether I really want to give up, coz age is catching up, he doesn't want me to try after 45 years old, too risky & lower success rate.


3. He said if I really want to adopt, he doesn't want to continue IVF cycle, because he said he can't guarantee to equally love our own child & the adopted child, & it will be very unfair to the adopted child.


4. Unless all doctors give up on me & tell me that I can't conceive, he will agree to stop IVF.


5. Base on biological cycle, he said I can only go through about 4 IVF cycles in a year. Budget about RM 80K per year, with all miscellaneous. He said, we can downgrade our life style to save some $ for IVF, & he will take up loan if needed.


6. I suggested why not we go government hospital, fees is cheaper at about RM 7K per cycle I heard, he said we don't have much time to try, unless we have no choice, else try look for good fertility doctor, which usually from private sector.


Along the journey, he believes that eating well & maintain healthy lifestyle will help increase our chances, this was what we did.


1. Dr Prashant advised that he needs to take food with rich antioxidant, he said blueberries & strawberries has very rich antioxidant, so, typically one month before IVF cycle, he will buy lots of blueberries & strawberries to eat....I think about 1 box each everyday for few months or as & when we saw fresh supply in supermarket.


2. He also started to have some exercise - walking on treadmill at night after his busy schedule


3. He wanted me to follow Dr Prashant advise - eat deep sea fish, salmon & cod fish, rich in Omega 3 & protein - until a stage when I actually ate these two type of fish for 1 month and I am so scared of looking at this fish nowadays. I told him the sea fish could be contaminated with mercury, his argument is whether I am concern about lack of essential vitamins or getting poison. He believes my eating habit, where I actually eat more vegetables than meat, posted me risk of weaker body to support pregnancy than the risk of getting poison.


When we are desperate, we tend to find all ways, especially when people said eat this eat that can help have baby, from Traditional Chinese Medicine, to all kinds of Direct Sales Product & even Reflexology. I been thru the journey & I tried all these easy way, also spent lots of money. Imagine I bought RM 10K Shuang Hor Lingzhi and Pollen product at one time for both of us to consume just because the sales lady was so good in hitting my hot button!


My hubby believe go for certified doctor advise, don't spend $ unnecessary on unproven or tested method. Example:


a) He doesn't believe in Traditional Chinese Method (TCM), until one day we met Dr Helena, she did the scanning for me to determine ovum pick up date as Dr Prashant was on leave. We asked her how to increase our chance this round as we failed many rounds previously, her first answer was go for acupuncture after embryo transfer, she said higher success rate, & I can get from contact of Chinese SinSeh from counter, she has patients whom were success with acupuncture.


I did that acupuncture but still fail, after the Chinese SinSeh gave me various Chinese Medication to increase my fertility, I was with this Chinese SinSeh for 1.5 years, especially when I wasn't working, I typically went there twice a week for acupuncture & consultation back with all Chinese medicine powder to drink everyday.....


Until a day when I met Dr Soh for second opinion, his advise is for me to stop TCM since he highly suspect I have hormone imbalance, & TCM worsen my situation. I wasn't too sure if this is right, but after spending so much time & $, I thought I really need to seriously prioritize what to spend financially especially when we are already living with single person income.


Since 2013, I started a jobless life, it was indeed very boring & uncomfortable for first 6 months, for someone whom has very busy schedule, emails & phone non stop coming in a day, suddenly life is so quiet & my corporate friends has no time for me, I was indeed lost myself for a period, again, especially when IVF cycle that I have high hope - failed.


Sometimes I wake up in the morning with fear, I wasn't too sure how many times more IVF cycles I need to go thru. Its not painful physically but its emotional torture for me. I wasn't too sure whether I am doing the right thing or wasting my life, ultimately many childless couple still live happily & those with children have their own pain & challenge, which if given a choice to choose, they rather not having kids than an abnormal one.....



However, every time when I see relatives & friends have new born, cute babies & kids posting on their facebook, I am still a sour grape, & this dilemma went over & over for months until hubby has to use soft & hard method to counselling me....


Being a Chinese, I also follow advice to ask the 'God'. I pay for many "master" consultations, whom gave me different answers whether I will have kids or not, some even want us to change feng sui & etc. I try follow advise & instructions whenever I can, but I can tell you, no one ever told me that I can have Twins! & I also can’t confirm which god has help me eventually.....


For a period of time, I try settle down my mind, I go to gym - attend Yoga class every day. I cook at home every day, I learn how to cook my hubby favourite dish. I go to networking event to meet new friends from others industry. I reconnect with friends whom I seldom contact, especially those whom we share the same pain....whenever I am not seeing doctor...


I stop facial & buying expensive facial product, hubby said don't want me to contaminated with all chemical, also I need to cut my expenses.


I realized, by having a normal life, I eat balanced diet on time, exercise daily, sleep early @ 10pm & well, no work stress, everyday just try enjoy life, my skin complexion was getting much better than when I used to go facial bi-weekly in the past! My mood indeed was better, that I don't easily get irritated by others as in the past.


The pain of failure is like yesterday & I wanted to say without my hubby...I think I won't reach where I am today - 32 weeks pregnant with twins at normal weight. Both my boy & my girl are now 1.5 kg....another 5 more weeks, I am confidence both will reach min 2kg before they see their lovely daddy....





Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Week 14-16: Diarrhea, Nose Bleeding, Vaginal Virus treatment


30 July 2014; Week 16

Weight: 58kg

Scan status:
  • Both Babies growing well & heart beat 
  • One boy & One Girl 
  • Boy at my right, Girl at my left abdomen. Just B4 scan, hubby told me to confirm with nurse so that he can talk to the right bb when talking & touching my tummy. 

Doctor consultation:

1. I asked what to do when diarrhea, he said just let it flush, drink 100 plus without gas to avoid dehydrated. 
Note: I had diarrhea 2 weeks before, stomach pain, luckily it goes off after 24 hours...did not take any medication...was about to see doctor but then it goes off..

2. Nose slight bleeding: He said normal, as when pregnant, the blood veins lift up to the surface of skin. Nose has the tiniest veins & sometimes when I sneeze too hard, the blood come out. His advise is to take 1000mg Vit C daily, 500mg x 2 times daily. Eventually I eat more fruit & the nose bleeding stop without Vit C.








3. Q: I m on Intralipid Transfusion only until 5th month, what about after 5th month? Does the natural baby killer cells continue to be a threat? He said no, by 6th month, baby already growing strong, most organs are formed.

4. Does Intralipid reduce my blood pallette? Ans: Yes, but as you already done the blood test b4, & your blood results shows it doesn't reduce your blood pallette, so no worries. This intralipid is type of soya bean that normally those who undergone stomach surgery woruld take every day, as you are only taking once a month, so no worries.

Vaginal discharge result: I have candida virus, doctor said no harm but need to be treated, & he prescribed one tablet for oral & one tablet for PV. ONE pill & One time treatment only, can take separately, i.e. not necessary oral & PV at the same time, I tool oral on 30 July & the PV I took it a week later, which hubby’s assistance.


This one for PV, although doctor said same as usage as Cyclogest, can insert with finger, but it's a big pill, when insert with finger, its not that easy as it doesn't have the “lubricant” effect as Cyclogest. It's hard & causing pain when try to push inside vaginal especially when the vaginal is dry. Have no choice as it doesn't  go in with finger, so I asked hubby to help with the "applicator", then only can go in slightly deeper....

 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Week 10: Gastric, Bad vomitting




18 June 2014




Check up status update & physical discomfort
Check-up, 56.6. kg, having gastric
Low blood pressure 85/54
Not feeling well, feel sick but actually not sick
Stomach lots of wind continuous for few weeks (almost whole month of June )

Vomit – especially when:
1. Trying to eat food that I cook on my own
2. Spell something unpleasant – even raw fish/raw chicken when trying to prepare for cooking
3. Eating guava – I have been trying to eat at least one guava to prevent constipation, somehow every afternoon when I try to eat one, I vomit along the way, try to force myself to eat, but eventually all vomit out, despite I put some rojak sauce

Feeling very tired all the time, suddenly my insomnia disappear & I can sleep 2-4 hours during day time, about 8 hours at night

Wake up mid night one to two times, usually wake up by hungry stomach, gassy stomach, drink some goat milk + oatmilk, sometimes some biscuits, rest for a while, then continue to sleep.

Remedy:
1. Eat small meals multiple times – it comes to about 6 meals a day for me
2. After eating, try walk for a while, or sit straight to let the food digest first, never try to lie down flat to sleep despite very tired
3. When stomach empty – I try not to eat protein food such as beans, eggs, instead carbohydrate food such as biscuit
4. No more spicy food


Doctor . reduced some medication:
1. Glucophage – STOP
2. Cyclogest: Reduce from twice day to once a day, at night only
3. Clexane 0.4 mi 3 injections, alternate day, followed by Clexane 0.2ml, 3 injections, alternate day – then can stop already
4. Progynova: One week: 2 oral only per day, no PV; Following week: once a day only
5. Dexa: Half tablet daily
6. Proluton: Last injection on 20 June
7. Calcium – can start taking. I asked if doctor I can take my GNC, after looking at the Calcium dosage which is 1000 mg per pill, doctor said too high, he usually give about 600mg, if too high, his concern is I have constipation. I told him I don’t have constipation now, he said if that is the case, I can take this.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Intralipid Transfusion #3


Week 8

Reached 3pm, complete see doctor at 6pm
First stomach scan wasn't success due to my bladder wasn't full
Been no bleeding for a week, doctor said good sign

Medication reduced:
Progynova 2mg; Reduced to 3 pills per day from 4 pills per day
Dexamethasone: Reduced to 1 pill from 2 days per day

Baby growing well, heart beat 178 & 161

Doctor also advised on EDD


Monday, May 26, 2014

Waited 5 hours to see Dr Wong.....



Appointment card stated 4pm-5pm
Reached Sunfert at 430pm
Only able to complete see doctor at 930pm
I was the last patient!
The nurses said today is the latest night that they stay at work....
Pity them have to stay late for the patients, for me luckily I am not working, I feel very blessed that I am pregnant, the wait is worth for me, luckily there is Starbuck at Ground floor to fill up the stomach temporarily.


After 6pm, payment is make at Ground floor Emergency Unit & medication collects at Ground floor Pharmacy

My babies:
Everything ok, can see slight bleeding, but no harm
All medication to be continue







Sunday, May 25, 2014

Bleeding 2


I not sure if it was because I ride on hubby's bumpy car to Klang to visit my mother-in-law, the journey was quite bumpy for about 2 hours on the road, upon return, I saw fresh blood, which eventually turn into spotting look.









Sunday, May 18, 2014

Bleeding!



18 May 2014: I encounter bleeding, as per below!


I have some minor, very minor bleeding in the past one week, on & off, but on 18 May, I discovered I have more than normal.

I wasn't sure if it was because of I mop the floor the day before.

Following day: 19 May - walked in to Dr Wong's office without appointment, the nurse actually advise me to rest at home, claiming that minor spotting is normal.

Hubby very concern, he asked me to confirm if really no need see doctor, spoke to another nurse, she shown doctor on the picture, doctor advise me to register.

Doctor scanned, now both baby heart beat can be seen, he said as long as I have no cramp & pain, no need to worry, 60% of women experience spotting, especially IVF patients.



Sigh! A relief! Thanks God!

Friday, May 16, 2014

Two Yolk Sac ( Ballon-like) 6 weeks


I am trying to get familiar with Sunfert process, long waiting period is always inevitable, as Dr Wong is so famous and many trusted him.

You need to expect to wait minimum 2 hours or more for each visit, its ok, just bring something to read to pass time.

Our appointment is at 3pm but doctor only sees us at 530pm...overheard that doctor last appoinment at 5pm & sometimes his sees his last patient at 8pm....

If come after 5pm, usually registration counter & pharmacy at 2nd floor already closed, so need to register & collect medicine at ground floor...emergency department....

By the time they passed us the medication slip & bill, it was already after 6pm, so have to go ground floor to settle. Pharmacy has no alcohol swap, luckily Sunfert hasn't closed off & still manage to collect alcohol swap for the injection.

Cyglogest, Progynova, Proluton medication is usually collect at Sunfert while the rest of the generic pills from pharmacy.

First call: Nurse will measure blood pressure & ask you to take your weight at baby room
Second call: Another nurse perform vaginal scanned. Two egg yolk sac, possible twins, one with heart beat, another one not yet.
Third call: See doctor.

Doctor said both egg yolk sac shape looks good, twins is ok.
I have to continue Intralipid until 5th month. Once in a month
Clexane injection to be continue until Weeks 12, to be monitored & confirmed ( I realized he increased dosage to 0.4 ml, I was thinking to call on Monday to confirm )
All medication continue.


So happy, its not triplet, no need to do fetus reduction...
I been praying to god, give me one child & I will be grateful....whatever it is, still too early.....I have to continue to eat well, rest well, enjoy the process & relax.

















Saturday, May 3, 2014

Yes, its Positive!



3 May 2014
Beta-hCG result: 596.9 mIU/ml

Dr Wong said the hCG is vey high, possible triplet, when reading is above 500 mIU/ml
Dr scanned abdomen, confirm there is no bleeding.
He said not too worry on minor spotting, 60% women has spotting experience.
I also told him that I have constipation, he said its because I am currently taking lots of hormone therapy, both Cyclogest 400mg & Progynova 2mg both cause body to heat.

Next, doctor said they will arrange me to go for Intralipid transfusion.

5 May 2014:  Intralipid (Admitted for Transfusion)

1m Proluton
4 May 2014:  1.45pm
7 May 2014:  5.30pm
10 May 2014: 3.40pm
13 May 2014: 4.44pm

Medication:
Folic acid ( continue, been taking this since a year ago every day )
Dexamethasone 0.5mg tab ( 2 tabs per day )
Cyclogest 400 mg 11am, 11pm ( 2 times a day )
Progynova 2mg  8am ( Oral & PV, 2 pills ), 8pm (Oral & PV, 2 pills )
Glucophage 850mg ( Once a day , half pill morning & night after food )
Pramilet Filmtab ( Similac Pramilet ) - multivatimin with folic acid - one a day
Clexane 2000 anti-Xa IU/0.2ml : Injection, this is to prevent natural baby killer cells, thinning the blood, 1pm every day, injection once a day
Hyzan Ranitidine 150mg: for gastric, only when needed, twice a day after food
Lactulose 67% syr 200ml  ( Duphalac ) : Fiber liquid since I complain on constipation


Notes:
I observed Dr Wong is a very detail person, despite this is positive, he studied my background carefully and advised me that he is very concern on my natural baby killer cells and hence prescribing me another injection: Clexane. He said there are many antibody, while Intralipid can helps, he is concern and hence added Clexane. This advice, was after I came out of his room, he asked the nurse to call me back and inform me about his decision.

Dr Wong also informed me his handphone number & told me that if I have any problem, I can call him anytime. I am touched, as I think he is the first doctor whom is caring and doesn't mind patient call him direct. I was thinking, doctor, I know you are having a busy & hectic life for your patients welfare, I definitely would not disturb you unless really necessary. He just give me the confidence that he is trying his very best to help, despite he has many many patients.

As for Intralipid, his nurse Catherine updated that the hospital has no stock and stock needs to take minimum  one week to arrive. Dr Wong suggested to Catherine to borrow from Subang Medical Center. The time when I leave, the nurse told me that they will call me on Monday on Intralipid status. Reached home at around 3pm and slept until 5pm. I discovered Sunfert called me few times & Dr Wong also called me 2 times with his mobile, & he sms me to admit on 5 May, 9am. The sms was sent on 421pm, I am again impressed that he really put my case on priority for he has managed to get the Intralipid stock available. I am also amazed that he was the one who sent out sms, instead of his nurses/staff.....

When visiting me at the ward during Intralipid tranfusion, he asked me if I have any spotting, I say no more. You feel good as your doctor remember what you told him before.








Monday, April 21, 2014

21 April Embryo Transfer (ET)


Compare to KL Fertility, I feel that Sunfert manage their ET process more professional.
I know prior to coming, I shall not use any cosmetics or perfumes, & advised only shower with plain water, no shower gel or soup. I remembered there was two times Dr Helena from KL Fertility was on full eye make up when she did ET for me, one was with Dr Prasant & the other time, she did it on her own, half way through she asked me to release urine...thinking back, doesn't give me much confidence.

Somehow I don't know why, I have constipation, tired to push out prior to ET before 11am but it just doesn't want to come out! Ok ok, let it be, don't bother to worry too much any more.

As reminded by CT Ong, I reminded the nurse that I need the CT Ong mp3 to be recharged & rewind.

Next, the embryologist called me for counselling session.  They said they do it for all their client prior to ET. I didn't know about this, else could have asked hubby to be around instead of drop me off.


Result:
11 ovum extracted on 18 April 2014
8 fertilized with ICSI
Quality:
6 Good ( 8 -10 cells )
1 Average ( 6-7 cells)
2 Poor

She said overall the fertilization rate is good, as I have more than 90% embryo that I can use.
She said Dr Wong discussed with her, based on my previous IVF failure, Dr suggested I transfer 4 embryos.
If the event that I have more than 2 heartbeat, they will suggest fetus reduction, which is a process done at another clinic.
I wasn't sure to take up the proposal, called hubby, he said just follow advise, when stick, worry later, now most important thing is I need to get myself pregnant. Ok, make sense, no more hesitation, just follow advise.


ET on 21 April 2014
4 Embryos ( 8 cell, 8 cell, 8 cell, 7 cell )
Frozen: 3 Embroys ( 9 cell, 9 cell, 4 cell )

Hubby not allow in ET room, unlike KL Fertility.
There was a LCD screen on my right hand side, they project the embryo prior on LCD monitor and told em that these are the 4 embryos they are going to transfer.

Perhaps I was listening to the mp3 relaxation music, I feel the entire ET was superb fast & less nervous.

Done - just continue listen mp3 at rest room, cannot pass water until after an hour rest, unlike KL fertility, they let you pass water after 15 min of ET, and resting wasn't on a flat bed, but on a recliner sofa.
Rest was only about half and hour if I could remember in KL fertility.

Medication:
1. Dexamethasone 0.5mg tab ( 1 tablet, 2 times a day after food )
2. Glucophage 850mg ( 1 tablet, 2 times a day, half tablet each time after food )
3. Cardiprin 100 ( Aspirin 100mg & Glycine 45mg ) ( Half tablet a day ) - I remembered Dr Helena gave me this before after one of the ET cycle.
4. Progynova 2 mg ( 2 tablets at 8am (oral), 8am ( PV) + 2 tablets at 8pm (Oral), 8pm (PV).
5. Cyclogest 400mg  ( 1 tablet 11am (PV), 11pm (PV) )

Important when PV, need to ensure the entire index finger is deeply entered into vaginal, it is actually possible, initially I didn't insert deeply, worry about abortion.
On yes, it makes panties very difficult to wash, I used pad along the way, so need need to wash out the cyclogest/progynova or whatever vaginal discharged.

Prolution 250mg injection date ( I did it all mostly around 3-4pm)
22 April 2014
25 April 2014
28 April 2014
1 May 2014

Sunfert does it for free, & outside clinic charge me RM 20.

1 May 2014 night - saw minor brownish spotting, begin to worry.
2 May 2014 morning 1030am after breakfast, saw some extra spotting, called Sunfert, the nurse said since I had injection yesterday, the injection can last for 2 days, asked me to bed rest as much as possible, & go for blood test tomorrow.


Others:
Below is new to me, Sunfert Instruction to patient after ET, these are the fruit that I shall not take:
1. Banana
2. Papaya ( I love papaya, & have bought a few at home, too bad, all will go to hubby's stomach instead )
3. Pineapple
4. Watermelon
5. Honeydew










Sunday, April 20, 2014

HypnoFertility Coaching Program




I was very anxious to go thru my fifth IVF cycle, back in my mind was what if I fail again?

I asked my hubby, what if this round fail? His reply: Try again.
As the days go near to ET, my insomnia comes back, I knew this is no good but somehow deep inside my heart, there is a strong fear of failure, despite I try to control my emotion.
Hubby advised me just focus on what need to be done & prepare for the best, & stop worrying too much.

I then suddenly realised there is this HypnoFertility Coaching Program which is part of the Sunfert package, but somehow it slipped my mind, hence I decided to enquire Dr Wong how to go about it.
Dr Wong issued me a letter, the letter attention to Mind Body Fertility & all I need is to go make schedule appointment with CT Ong at his office.
It was indeed, only about 7 days prior to my ET, apparently CT Ong was scheduled to go overseas on Thursday. I called on Saturday afternoon around 2pm after my visit to Dr Wong, and requested to scheduled 4 sessions in a row. Wendy, CT Ong’s assistance at the centre was really very helpful and with lots of to & fro timing scheduling, I finally manage to to secure CT Ong’s schedule on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 3 days in a row prior to his departure.
He is also willing to do 2 sessions for me on Monday, which is a longer session compare to Tuesday & Wednesday, to make up of the 4 sessions. I was indeed very grateful despite very short notice.


Monday: 4 hours
Filled up a form & personal particulars & complete questionnaires. Introduction, background sharing
Tuesday: 2 hours
Wednesday: 4 hours
It was a busy one week intensive ‘training’ for me. He was indeed trying his very best to take the best approach that matches my personality to coach me, it is very time consuming, the coaching session then followed by hypnosis.
I somehow enjoy the hypnosis, it was more on he tells a story, I have a good sleep, fertility garden, uterus thickening, uterus is going to support my baby for next 9 months, providing all necessary nutrients and best environment, I am pregnant and it's the right time– it sounds so real, so relaxing and the world that I wanted to enter.
In the end of the session, I also realised something on my personality and character that making me very stress out, that in my fertility journey, I tried to control things that beyond my control.
He asked me questions that gave me a wake up call:
When was the last time that you feel relax? Deep inside my heart, it seems like long long time ago….despite I have left work for a year…
When will you feel relax?

Me: When I know I am pregnant
Are you sure you will feel relax when you pregnant? You will worry if the baby is healthy; you will worry about delivery; when baby is born, you will concern if baby is healthy, when baby grown up, you worries about your child’s education, child’s behaviour & etc. & it never ends when endless worries…

Just be a living being, live in present, don’t live in the past, don’t live in future…..

Yes, on second session after I walked out from his office, I decided I leave it to god to decide my faith, I am not god and I shall not try to be god anymore. Hence, the entire 2 weeks bed rest, I would say, despite me stay at home for first day, second day onwards I do go out for lunch & occasionally I have a slow walk at supermarket. I didn’t lay on bed for one week either, I cook & I do house work as per normal. I try not to think too much if the embryos were to implant, all I did was just focus on taking the medication on timely manner, that’s the only thing I can do, the rest, I can’t control, especially the result.

At night, when I sleep, I didn’t tell myself anything, neither I tell myself to sleep anymore. I just laid down on bed at 11pm after the Cyclogest PV. I just laid down on bed thinking nothing and eventually I sleep naturally. New way that I found how to sleep well..


Lesson learnt:
1. Schedule this HypnoFertility coaching session as early as you start IVF with Sunfert, if you believe this helps you. It was published in their website as part of the package but somehow I think the doctor & nurses are so busy that they might not remember to remind you on this.

2. The entire programme ( 4 sessions ), each session duration depends on individual, can range from an hour to four hours, is worth RM 800. You need a referral letter from Dr Wong Pak Seng in order to get the fees exempted.

3. Ideally each session should gap is about a week, as they are some homework that CT Ong will request you to do, such as listening to the music, self-hypnosis, and he will request feedback at each follow-up session. In my case, I didn’t have the luxury of time.

4. The entire coaching session is based on each individual personality, CT Ong is very skilful throughout the entire coaching conversation. I believe in order to reap the maximum benefits of the session, one’s need to have an open minded – to share & to receive feedback.

5. Believe me, once you are open and follow his advice, the outcome is different. After I walk out from his office after the 4 sessions, I realised what I need to change.

6. He pre-amp me that during ET, I can request to listen to his MP3 from the nurse. Make sure I requested MP3 in advanced, & the MP3 needs to be fully charged & rewind from beginning, as some patient has experience it started half way when they start to listen.

7. By listening to his MP3 during ET, I felt my entire ET was very FAST! & the process, was relaxing…






Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Sunfert: IVF Starts 8 April 2014



8 April 2014
Day 3 period, as usual, period about to stop.
Start IVF cycle, Menopur 225IU
The injection solution is totally different from previous experience.
To administer one injection, I need to mix two bottle of solution into 3 bottle of powder. I was a bit worry if I can get it right, luckily it was quite easy step in fact, plus a bit of fun to play around with the medication.
Technic:
Blue ace me, push back to open bottle
Pull water 1.5 ml
Push down, mix with powder
Slide bottle 45 degree, pull up solution
Repeat for second & third bottle


Prescribed medication:
1. Progyoval
Progyoval ( Oral ) 8am, 8pm & Progynova (PV) 11 am& 11pm ( Have to lie down for an hour after PV to rest & need to insert as deep as possible, best is whole index finger is inserted into vaginal so that the Progyoval is inserted into maximum depth, doctor said with some water on hand helps absorption)
2. Dexamethasone 0.5mg Tab : Once a day for 2 weeks ( I make a mistake, I took twice a day until 16 April 2014)



12 April 2014
Scanned, doctor said eggs are growing on track, lining also thicken.
Continue to administer Menopur 225IU same dosage till 16 April
Start Cetrotide 0.25mg 12 April – 16 April
Scheduled Intralipiq Infusion: initially doctor thought it only takes 2 hours, but apparently if 2 hours, my vein will be very painful, also by the time I manage to get a bed & admitted, it was already 3pm, as bed was full initially.
http://www.hah.co.uk/intralipid-infusion-therapy
4pm: Doctor came to visit
5pm: Intralipiq infusion starts
230am: Intralipid infusion completed
Thick white milky water – doctor said its soy based



13 April 2014
Morning 9am, doctor came, no allergic, discharge
http://www.hah.co.uk/intralipid-infusion-therapy


16 April 2014
Lining at 6.5 mm, short 3 lines
Blood test on Progesterone level
Prescribed medication:
Dexamethasone 0.5mg Tab, once day for 4 days
Administer SC Ovidrel 6,500 iu at 11pm sharp



17 April 2014
Commence tab curam 625 mg (antibiotics ) one tablet twice daily for 2 days
Take tablet Dulcolax (laxatives) two tablets at 11pm
Please DO NOT eat or drink after midnight



18 April 2014
Shower with water only, avoid use of soap, perfume or make-up
OPU process, scheduled at 11am
1045am: Empty bladder, escort inside the room at Sunfert, change to hospital cloth, walk into the operation room.
Unlike KL Fertility Center, I was on Light Sediation during the ovum pick up compare to full sediation in KL fertility center.
First they start with pain killer injection when doctor cleaning vaginal
Next they said a medication to put me into sleep, but doctor said I can still hear them talking.
Its something like doctor insert something into the vaginal with pressure, and I can feel the pressure, next was I heard beep beep sound from machine, and nurse said flowing flowing flowing , & stop & repeat almost in sequence, I was thinking, perhaps they are sucking out the ovum and ovum is flowing out from the sucking process.
The process was quite fast, they said about 10 minutes, and I was totally conscious & know what happens.
Next I was push to a rest place, I slept, just a bit uncomfortable at my stomach, then discharge.


Prescribe medication:
1. Progynova 2mg. Oral 8am, 8pm. & PV 8am, 8pm
2. Dexamethasone 0.5mg tab, 2 tablets a day for 3 weeks after food
3. Cyclogest ( need to chilled inside fridge ): 11am & 11pm

19 April 2014
Proluton 250mg injection @ Sunfert

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Sunfert: Dr Wong Pak Seng March 2014: Preparation for IVF, Endo Scratch


6 March 2014
Prescribed medication: Glucophage 850mg 112 tab

See doctor Wong because I m at Day 3 period
My period almost stop when meet doctor
Scanned, doc said many eggs, no need to worry short period flow, as I have no sign of menopause
But he sees sign PCOS sign, where my eggs are seen group together
He prescribe me with Diabetic’s medication: Glucophage 850mg ( reduce blood sugar )
1 tablet a day for first week
After one week, 2 tablets a day
Objective is to improve eggs quality, implantation
The side effect, he said, fat people will lose more weight, compare to me, I will loose a bit of weight


6 – 13 March: First week – I took Glucophage 850mg one tablet a day, side effects is diarrhea everyday, doctor said its normal
14-21 March: Second week – I tried with 2 tablets a day, am feeling very uncomfortable, diarrhea stops but


Glucophage 850mg
Strong side effects on 21 March 2014
Stomach & chest pain
No appetite
Nausea, many winds

Called Dr Wong’s clinic, spoke to the nurse on my symptom, after they checked with doctor, doctor said if I really feel uncomfortable, its ok to stop.

So I stop for a few days, and started back with quarter of tablet after meal, gradually increase to half a tablet after meal every day, each day I take maximum of 1 tablet, as of today 19 April 2014.

22 March: only one pill after breakfast, pain continues, tired, slept afternoon & 11pm at night, 1am woke up, serious chest pain; totally lost appetite, not even wants to drink water.
23 March: 5am – chest pain, massage chest, stop today to observe
Meanwhile, my research on role of Glucophage 850mg supports fertility as follows:



Next visit:  Mid cycle to start endometriosis scratch  


14 March 2014
Day 10, scanned, only 3.5mm,  normal 8-9mm
The scratch as done as his consultancy room, on the spot, first something was insert into vaginal, he used something to knock inside, same like Embryo transfer, just a bit uncomfortable, after that a few blood stain which is normal.
The objective of endometriosis scratch is to stimulate and activate the fertility organ, in our first visit, he explained that just like a mango tree which never fruit before, but when you scratch its truck, the mango tree will start to fruit, natural survival skills.
He said looking at my pattern, my previous implantation failure could be due to thin lining, initially he plans to order special progylynova which can stick to my body for better absorption, but he said they have check, it is not available in Malaysia.
I asked what can I eat to increase the lining, he said ‘Glyline’  & Co-enzymes Q10 ( already taken with Fish oil ).
I realised Protein is important to thicken lining & increase implantation, as Glyline & L-Argnine are both protein.


19 March 2014
I tried find from pharmacy but could not find any Glyline, called doctor office again and doctor advised to change to L-Arginine 500 through nurse.
Side effects: Urine with strong amino acid smell  & my skin started to get a bit itchy, hence I stop for a while.
I realised Protein is important to thicken lining & increase implantation, as Glyline & L-Argnine are both protein.


Monday, January 27, 2014

Sunfert: Dr Wong Pak Seng Jan14-Feb14 Investigation


I waited for one and half month to secure an appointment with Dr Wong Pak Seng, Sunfert.


Jan 2014
27 Jan 2014 Sunfert IVF (Sunway Medical Centre) Dr Wong Pak Seng
Day 8: scanned, uterus lining thin, not good sign
Prescribe with Progynova 2mg ( twice tablet a day ) for 10 days
Schedule scan on 5 Feb 2014
Both husband & I go thru Chromosome blood test: Result – we have no DNA problem, both are normal


Feb 2014
5 Feb 2014
Objective is to check if endometrium thicken after taking Progynova mg for 10 days
Result is positive, but thickness is not as think as expected.
Got 3 lines in uterus, but those lines are not very clear. If the 3 lines are clear, it is the best outcome.
Dr Wong advised no need to go through laparoscopy/surgery to survey and can proceed to cycle.
Dr Wong’s plan:
1. Endometrium scratch – to activate the fertility organ. Dr Wong explained that just like a mango tree whom never produce fruit, once farmer scratch the tree trunk with knife, the mango tree produce mango fruit. The process is just about 5 minute, just like pap smear.
2. Propose I go for Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) on embryo
3. After embryo transfer: High dosage of Progynova ( patch for direct absorption ), steroid, Intralipid, aspirin

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2010 - 2014 Period Pattern




2010 - 2013

Problem: Irregular period flow/pro-long spotting prior to period
Period: Day 28 – day 30 cycle, on time, but usually 2-5 days spotting before period flow.
Sometimes (worst scenario):
Day 1- day 3: Spotting
Day 4: No spotting at all
Day 5: Flow for 1 day only
Day 6: Flow slow down, back to spotting
Day 7: Spotting to stop


If exercise prior to day 1 or during day 1, spotting duration usually shorten





2014
Spotting 2 days
Day 1: Flow
Day 2: Reduced flow to stop
Day 3: Stop