On my Day 17, May 11, I was half excited half nervous as we
walk to Mackay Memorial Hospital for the Embryo Transfer (ET). Excited because finally we are getting there
but nervous since only 2 embryos were fertilized, as what was relayed to me.
When we entered the IVF Lab, the embryologist gave me a
thumbs-up sign and was very happy. I was
puzzled by her reaction. She came to us
and explained the grades of the embryos.
Out of 8 eggs retrieved, 7 embryos were fertilized not 2. All embryos that day
looked good and had grades of 1 and 2.
However 3 of the embryos, as explained to me in layman’s term, may not
be as good because during observation stage the embryos did not divide in the
normal sequence i.e. one cell becoming two, two cells becoming four, and so
on. Either they missed it during
observation (timing was not right) or there were really abnormalities during
development. But come day of Embryo Transfer all had divided beautifully.
I was delighted of the good news when I entered the room
where Embryo Transfer was done. This
could have helped in the success of my IVF as I was in a very good mood during
ET.
The IVF Lab staff prepared me and after a few minutes Dr.
Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang came in. He told me
that he would be transferring 4 embryos to me, 2 grade ones and 2 grade
twos. While Dr. Lee was checking on me,
preparing for the transfer, 4 IVF Lab staff stood beside him. When he was ready, the lamp Dr. Lee uses was
turned off, one staff looked at her watch timing the transfer from the time the
embryologist took out the embryos until Dr. Lee had completed the Embryo Transfer. I cannot remember how long the transfer
should be completed but I know it must be quick as explained to me by Dr. Lee.
I asked Dr. Lee if I could have a photo of the embryos he
transferred to me as a souvenir because I normally have it from my IVF procedures
here in Manila. He said it could not be done because embryos
are very sensitive to exposure to light like flash from the camera. This was also the reason why during ET he had to turn
off the lamp.
After the procedure he explained to me that the other 3
embryos would not be stored anymore; that even though all has high grade, development
were not good. I would only waste
NT$10,000 for storage fee. He wished me
luck and said hopefully that one of the 4 embryos would be successful. I was not regretful of the 3 embryos to be discarded,
as I did not want anything for me to come back for anymore. This is it, be it successful or not, this is
my last pregnancy workup.
He then told me that I could do pregnancy test 11 days
after, which was on May 22, Sunday, a day before my scheduled trip back to
Manila. Again, since it was a Sunday, I
need to go to the Emergency Room to request for the hCG blood test.
He repeated the instruction for me to inject 2 vials a day
of progesterone and use once a day vaginal progesterone, Crinone 8%. Since he had already given me all the
injectable progesterone during Ovum Pickup, he counted the number of Crinone I
would need to buy, plus extra 10 more of it so if I tested positive, I will have
time to source it here in Manila after I arrive.
I was left in the room lying down for more than half an
hour. Since there is Wifi anywhere in the hospital, I was e-chatting with people in Manila.
My husband and daughter waited at the IVF Lab. My husband was able to talk to Dr. Lee and
expressed his concern of multiple pregnancies because 4 embryos were
transferred to me. Dr. Lee said not to
worry, in fact at my age, 40 turning 41, we should be happy if I even get
pregnant with one.
My husband went to pay our bill of NT$37,607.00, breakdown
as follows:
|
NT$
|
Php
|
Medicines
|
5,315.00
|
8,042.66
|
Treatment
|
31,650.00
|
47,892.78
|
Laboratory
|
576.00
|
871.60
|
Medical Supp
|
6.00
|
9.08
|
Pharmacy Service
|
60.00
|
90.79
|
|
37,607.00
|
56,906.91
|
This was our last bill in the entire IVF workup. Post IVF procedure medicines are all included
in our bills already.
That day, for the first time we took the cab back to KT
Star.
