First Step to Taiwan IVF (Part 2) : Medical History Interview

continued from...  First Step to Taiwan IVF (Part 1) : Arrival at Taiwan

On our second day, February 16, Wednesday, we went to the 6/F of Mackay Memorial Hospital where the IVF Lab is.  There, Ms. Tsai, the assistant of Dr. Lee met us for medical history interview.  Most people in the lab speak English so it is very convenient for overseas patients to communicate with them.  I told them that I can speak Mandarin, I see a sign of relief from them, at least they need not have a hard time speaking to me as we can mix English and Mandarin in our conversation.

I gave her all the test results that Ms. Vanessa Lin asked me to bring such as:

1.    My TSH, Prolactin, Human Immunodeficient Virus (HIV) and Syphilis test results, which I had just before I left for this trip

2.    Husband’s Semen Analysis, HIV and Syphilis test results, which were also done just before I left for Taiwan

3.    Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) Film

4.    My passport and driver’s license (bring original) and husband’s photocopy of passport and driver’s license

5.    Marriage certificate (NSO copy) – this is very important to get enrolled in their IVF program

6.    Previous IVF and IUI work up history

7.    Laparoscopy report when I had an ectopic pregnancy in 2008

While Ms. Tsai is reviewing the documents, she interviews me.  She jotted down all the littlest details she could squeeze out from me.  The interview was long, I felt like its taking forever since I had to answer so many questions, good thing I can still remember most of the things she asked me about.

After the interview, we went to have our lunch in a nearby restaurant, as we need to go back for my first consultation with Dr. Lee at 1pm.

To be continued… First Step to Taiwan IVF (Part 3) : The Consultation with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang

First Step to Taiwan IVF (Part 1) : Arrival at Taiwan

We arrived Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (桃園機場) on February 15, 2011 at around 10:00 am.  We took the CitiAir Bus (大有巴士) to Bailee Hotel (百利飯店).  Adult fare is NT$90 while senior and child fare is NT$45. 

You may refer to this map for directions I will be describing here.  Print out the map for your reference, I'm sure you will find this very useful.

Mackay Memorial Hospital Vicinity Map

The bus stop to get off is Ambassador Hotel (國賓飯店) (I) along Zhongshan North Road (中山北路).  Actually the bus stop is not in the hotel itself, it is across the hotel but that's the name of the bus stop.  The station before Ambassador Hotel is Tatung University (大同大學) (H).  Mackay Memorial Hospital (A) is between Tatung University and Ambassador Hotel.  When you see the hospital you get off at the next bus stop.

From the bus stop you need to walk back to the hospital and turn left at Jin Xi St. and look for Bailee Hotel (C).

After checking in, it was already lunchtime and we were starving.  There are restaurants near the hotel.  We chose to have shabu-shabu as the weather at that time was cold.  An order of pre-set shabu-shabu meal costs between NT$100-120.  Rice, cold or hot tea and ice cream are self service and unlimited.

After our first satisfying meal in Taiwan, we went to the hospital to check the place out.  It is hard to get lost for our appointment the next day.  I called Ms. Vanessa Lin and she met us at the ground floor.  She toured us to the 6^th Floor where the IVF Lab is located, to the 2^nd floor where Dr. Robert Lee holds clinic, the G/F where the Injection Room, Blood Test Counter and Pharmacy are.  These are the only locations you have to be familiarized with.

Since we have nothing on our agenda that day, we asked her where the service apartment, KT Star (基泰之星) is, we might as well visit the place.  To know more about KT Star, please refer to my blog on KT Star Service Apartment.

To be continued…First Step to Taiwan IVF (Part 2) : Medical History Interview

Initial Taiwan IVF Inquiry

The hospital where my cousin had her successful IVF is Mackay Memorial Hospital (馬偕紀念醫院) and the doctor’s name is Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang (李國光).  For initial inquiry you need to get in touch with their International Medical Service Center (馬偕醫院國際醫療中心).  The email address is mmhimsc@ms2.mmh.org.tw and the contact person is Ms. Vanessa Lin. 

When I emailed Ms. Lin, I gave her an overview of my infertility treatment history.  My first inquiry was how to go about it, what historical data Dr. Lee needs and more or less how much would be the cost.

I received a reply with an attached standard letter and here are the lists of things they will need from you:

1.   Reports on TSH, Prolactin, Semen Analysis, Human Immunodeficient Virus (HIV) and Syphilis tests done within the last 6 months.

2.    X-ray films of Hysterosalpingogram (HSG), can be in picture file or in USB drive or CD, test must be done within the last 2 years.

3.   Infertility treatment history including the dose of FSH or HMG and its response to your ovary, number of follicles and operation report

The first on the list can be done here in the Philippines at any laboratory.  The second, which is the HSG film, is not easy for those who have not done this before.  It will take sometime for you to request your local OB-Gyne to do this, however this is not impossible.  As for me, fortunately I just had my third HSG 6 months ago, before we underwent our last IUI.  Without my readily available HSG result, I would have been discouraged already (unless Dr. Lee can still evaluate me without HSG, which I didn’t try to find out since I have my recent HSG film anyway).  The third requirement is easy, I just gathered all my past transvaginal ultrasound reports.  Hmm…..everything seems to be easy for me…it’s a sign, things are falling into place J

The letter indicated the budget of roughly US$4,500 for the entire IVF procedure.  Not so bad, as it is only about Php200,000 compared to the cost in Manila which I think would reach at least Php500,000. 

I was asked to go to Taipei anytime to take the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test.  This is a blood test to predict the ovarian follicle reserve.  Other things needed are Marriage Certificate (NSO copy) as proof of marriage, original passports and driver’s license of both husband and wife.  They are very strict with the Marriage Certificate before they can enroll you to their IVF Program.

Since it was easy for me to prepare all the requirements needed, I scheduled my flight to Taipei on February 15, Tuesday, accompanied by my mother.  My husband did not come along this trip anymore since all his tests can be done in the Philippines. 

My first consultation with Dr. Robert Lee was scheduled the next day, February 16, Wednesday.  Dr. Robert Lee's clinic time is Monday, Friday and Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.  You have to make sure that you check Dr. Lee’s clinic hours before booking your flight.

We requested Vanessa to book us in a hotel near the hospital, Bailee Hotel (百利飯店).  This is where they usually book their patients as it is just walking distance to the hospital.  Room rate is at NT$1,480/night for 2 staying-in guests.  Vanessa offered transfers from the airport to the hotel but knowing we can get by by bus, I declined the offer.