IVF Workup in Taiwan (Part 3) : Menstrual Cycle Day 3 Doctor’s Consultation

continued from...  IVF Workup in Taiwan (Part 2) : First Doctor’s Visit with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang

April 27, 2011, Day 3 of my menstrual cycle, I went to see Dr. Robert Lee-Kuo Kuang at Mackay Memorial Hospital.  Before going to Dr. Lee’s clinic, I have to go to the Ultrasound room, which is located at the rear end of the Second Floor area where the Doctors hold clinic.  After my scan, I waited for my result, which takes them only a few minutes to prepare.

I took my result to the nurse at Dr. Lee’s clinic and waited for my turn outside.  By the way, the hospital has free wifi internet access hence you can bring your gadget and chat with someone back home or surf the internet while waiting for your turn.  This will surely keep you busy while waiting to be called.

As you can see from my Ovulation Monitoring Sheet (誘導排卵監測單) there is 1 follicle each on my right and left side ovary.  The sizes are still very small at 0.33 cm and 0.38 cm, respectively.

I was instructed to inject 2 vials of HMG Menopur each day for 3 days starting Day 3 to Day 5.  At the same time I need to inject 225 IU of Gonal-F for 4 days also starting Day 3 to Day 6.

4/25	4/26	4/27	4/28	4/29	4/30
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6
		2 vials HMG Menopur / day
		225 IU Gonal-F / day

My bill this visit was quite high as I started to take home fertility medicines.  Total bill was NT$22,751.00, breakdown as follows:

		NT$	Php
Registration		100.00	151.32
Dr. Examination		300.00	453.96
Medicines
Menopur 6 vials	1,140.00	6,840.00	10,350.29
Gonal-F 2 pens	7,080.00	14,160.00	21,426.91
Treatment		906.00	1,370.96
Ultrasound		360.00	544.75
Medical Supp		25.00	37.83
Pharmacy Service		60.00	90.79
		22,751.00	34,426.81

Gonal-F is a pen type injection where needle is very thin and is injected in the tummy area.  This is easy hence must be administered by yourself.  The nurses at the Doctor's clinic taught me how to do it.  But, injection is still injection.  For someone who is so afraid of injections, it is still hard to get me to poke a needle to myself.  For a video Gonal-F injection guide, you may visit this YouTube site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CRw3vf1oz4.  Menopur, on the other hand, is intramascular injection this is done in the Injection Room found at the Ground Floor of the hospital.

Important reminder, you need to bring along an identification document like your passport before the nurse will perform the injection on you.  It is important for them to be able to identify you first.  No identification no injection!

After my consultation with Dr. Lee and paying my bill, I went to the Pharmacy to pick up my medicines.  They gave me some ice to keep the medicines cold on my way home.  These medicines should be stored in the refrigerator.  Due to the medicines that I need to take home almost every after my Doctor's consultation, I go back first to KT Star before heading anywhere else.

Remember to bring ice also together with your medicines whenever you carry your medicine to the hospital for injection.  Also, always have your injection everyday at almost the same time.  I do mine between 10-10:30am.  This gives me enough time to have breakfast and to prepare myself and my daughter to go out.

My next Doctor's consultation was after 3 days, April 30, 2011, my menstrual cycle’s Day 6.


To be continued...  IVF Workup in Taiwan (Part 4) : Menstrual Cycle Day 6 Doctor's Consultation