Marla's Story: Uterine Septum, Fibroids, Endometriosis, and IVF
Marla's Story: Uterine Septum, Fibroids, Endometriosis, and IVF
My name is Marla. I just turned 38, my husband Michael will be 32 in a few weeks. I robbed the cradle. We just got married in May 2019. Never-ever did I ever think I would suffer from infertility. I went to my obgyn a year and a half BEFORE our wedding to make sure everything was looking good and in order. We wanted to try to get pregnant right after the wedding because of my age so I was being proactive.
After many tests, procedures, surgeries and months of not getting pregnant, we were referred to a fertility specialist. After more tests and procedures, we found out a month ago that we need to do IVF. It is overwhelmingly frustrating the length of time it takes to determine infertility.
After a couple of fertility appointments, we found out that in addition to the golf ball size fibroid I have that’s protruding into my uterus, I have a uterine septum, my ovarian function is abnormally low AND I have stage 4 endometriosis in my ovaries. My husband and I sat across from the DR as he explained everything. I took notes and nodded and appeared strong. When I got home, I sat in my bed, and I cried... for days. Not only did we have to accept the fact that we could not get pregnant naturally but also the financial burden the IVF process would be. Our insurance covers NOTHING and with our recent wedding (that we paid for on our own) we just could not afford IVF. I cried even harder and for more days.
Michael and I talked and agreed that we would do whatever we had to do to try to have a baby. We feel we need to at least try to have our own biological baby before exploring other options. We cannot afford another loan payment, somehow, we make too much for any kind of assistance with prescriptions and I don't qualify for the grant my DR offers due to my multiple conditions. I guess you have to be the “perfect” IVF candidate to get financial help. We had to max out two credit cards to pay for everything. It was our only option.
Fast forward and my meds were paid for ($5,500) and ordered. I started with applying testosterone gel every night to the back of my right arm. A week In and my face looked like a high school girl on her period. Every day I wake up with a new pimple.
We went to sign our consent forms a couple weeks ago- and pay the remaining $14,500 that we owed- it was then that my DR told me I had a cyst in my ovary that was concerning. Not only that, but my estrogen level was too high. I couldn’t start my injections until things looked better, so I had to go on birth control for two weeks. I had my follow up apt on Monday 1/20. The cyst shrunk and my estrogen level was nice and low. Friday is go time.
I am anxious and nervous but excited and trying to stay positive. Sometimes I just want to cry. I know the world isn’t ending and there are others who are suffering (a lot) more than I am, but lately I feel sorry for ME. Is that selfish?
After the injections, comes egg retrieval. Then the whole fertilization part and testing of potential embryos. IF we are blessed to have healthy embryos, we will freeze them. I need to have the surgery to remove the fibroid first. I have to wait 3 months to heal, and at that time the DR will determine if the uterine septum is still there. He is hoping the fibroid is the cause but won’t know until that’s removed. If the septum is still present, I will need another surgery to fix that. I will have to wait to heal from that surgery before the DR will transfer an embryo. Meanwhile the minutes, hours, days and weeks go by. Tick tock, tick tock.
I keep saying- One thing at a time, One day at a time. As I said, I start my injections on Friday. This is the beginning of my IVF Journey and what an emotional rollercoaster it’s already been.
I’ve accepted this is God’s plan for us. I Remind myself daily that somehow, everything is going to be okay… emotionally, physically and financially.
Please pray for us and thank you for reading my story.
Sincerely,
Marla Chrysanthus
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