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Hi there peeps!

I have been writing blogs about my infertility treatment since June this year and would like to know if I am doing it right.  Am I reaching my target readers? Are the information in my blogs helpful? Or do I raise more questions to my readers?

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IVF Workup in Taiwan (Part I) : Arrival at Taipei

We arrived Taipei on April 23, 2011, Saturday and proceeded to KT Star.  Taking the same bus ride I described in my previous blog.  This time we got off the bus at Tatung University (大同大學) (H), cross the street and walked to Nong An St. (農安街) where KT Star is located (B).

Mackay Memorial Hospital Vicinity Map

We went to the Leasing Office to check in.  Upon check in, we were asked to pay our rent for the entire month, NT$1,100 per day which is equivalent to NT$33,000 for 30 days.  It is good that we were asked to pay already so we need not hold on to the cash for the entire month.

We were brought to a studio room (1 Bedroom unit) where there is no sofa set, just a kitchen and a bed.  We felt claustrophobic hence requested for another room.  We were brought to the room, which we saw during our initial inspection in February.  You can view the picture of the room in my KT Star blog, the 16 ping unit. 

Since it was already lunch, we left our luggage and took our lunch nearby.  The rest of the afternoon was spent around the vicinity of KT Star familiarizing ourselves with the area.  We bought some grocery items and of course MRT Cards and Cellphone Sim Cards.  An MRT Card has a NT$20 deposit refundable upon return.  Cellphone Sim Card costs NT$299 which can be bought at 7-11 however you need to bring along your passport as they need to photocopy it to register the Sim Card.

The weather on our first day was really cold, our appetite was up for a shabu-shabu meal.  Good thing there is a shabu-shabu restaurant near KT Star. 

Taiwan Shabu Shabu near KT Star

The next day, with nothing on our agenda, we went sight seeing at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (國立中正紀念堂).

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

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

Some Things to Remember Before IVF Month

After my initial visit to Taipei for my first consultation with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo- Kuang of Mackay Memorial Hospital, I am set to take the birth control pills on my next menstrual cycle.  This was supposed to be at the end of February and I can leave for Taiwan for the IVF Procedure by the end of March.  This is very good timing considering that I will be bringing my 5-year old daughter with me for my one-month stay in Taiwan as it’s vacation time already.

My cousin, who I am supposed to go with, chose to have her procedure done in May so that her baby will be born on the year of the dragon.  Chinese New Year was January 23, 2012.  However, due to my age, I did not want to delay for another couple of months. I wanted to do it as early as possible. Remember, to undergo IVF procedure you will need two menstrual cycles.  The first month is spent taking birth control pills. It is only on the second month that the actual IVF procedure is undertaken.

Anyway, due to work related reasons we opted to delay for a month.  On my second menstrual cycle after my visit to Taiwan I started taking Gynera on the 5th day.  Around this time, we were already booking our flight to Taiwan.  My menstrual cycle's day 1 was March 29, hence I started on my pills on April 2 taken every 9am. I set my cellphone's alarm so I will be reminded daily. I tend to forget especially when I am already busy at work.  This is one thing that I have learned from my workups, you take your medicine or any fertility shots more or less at the same time each day if it should be taken once a day (meaning once every 24 hours). If it should be taken twice a day, then take it every 12 hours say every 8am and 8pm.

The following week, April 9 (Day 12), we had an overnight out of town trip with friends.  We left early that day and at 9am my cellphone alarm turned on.  Oh my! It was then that I realized I was not able to bring my pills!  At that time, I did not mind taking a look at the name of the birth control pills, I remember there are Chinese characters and did not notice its English name.  We then passed by Robinsons Pampanga's Mercury Drug to buy birth control pills.  I asked the pharmacist if I could buy any brand just so I do not miss a couple of days and if all birth control pills can be interchangeably used. I only need 2 pieces of it while we are out of town.  These types of medicine are not sold by piece, it should be bought by pack, as birth control pills should be taken daily without miss.  The pharmacist said they are different from each other because they have different components. Oh no, panic mode on!

Good thing I have Ms. Vanessa Lin's cellphone number with me.  I called to request her to check what Dr. Lee prescribed me.  Luckily everything is in the computer and she was able to give me the name Gynera without having to stay on long distance call for long.  Finally got Gynera from Mercury Drug at around  P700. Instead of having it at a cheaper price from Taiwan I had to buy another set just for 2 pieces!

Counting 21 days, my last day will be on April 22 hence should book our flight to Taipei around April 24.  Unfortunately, there is no flight with Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Sundays and if we delay our flight to Monday I could miss being there by Day 2.  So we just left on Black Saturday, April 23 and set an appointment with Dr. Lee on April 25, Monday.

First Step to Taiwan IVF (Part 4) : Activities after the Consultation

continued from...  First Step to Taiwan IVF (Part 3) : The Consultation

After my consultation with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang, Ms. Tsai led us to the adjacent room to check if we understood what Dr. Lee has just said and to answer questions that we may still have.  She handed me papers I need to present for Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) blood test, hubby’s Semenanalysis and claim of Gynera from the Pharmacy.  I was also handed my bill.

Since there is a cashier at the second floor near the walkalator going down the ground floor, I opted to pay my bill first so I need not come up again.  My total bill was NT$3,432.00 which to our surprise is not expensive.  This is about P5,388.24.  Breakdown of my bill is as follows:

		NT$	Php
Registration		150.00	235.50
Doctor's Fee		263.00	412.91
Medicine (pills)		120.00	188.40
Ultrasound		567.00	890.19
Basic examination		74.00	116.18
Semenalysis		1,365.00	2,143.05
AMH		840.00	1,318.80
Pharmacy Service		53.00	83.21
		-----------	-------------

Total

3,432.00

5,388.24

After paying we proceeded to the ground floor for the blood test.  Though there was a queue in the Blood Extraction Section, they are very efficient and the wait was not long.  Next, we proceeded to the Pharmacy, presented the paper to claim and it was already ready, neatly put inside a paper pouch.  

Overall, my “First Step to Taiwan IVF” experience is not bad.  I have a very good impression of Mackay Memorial Hospital as well as KT Star Service Apartment.  The hospital is very efficient, no long wait for the procedures!  The service apartment feels like a home in a hotel!   With this, I am so looking forward to my workup.  After all, successful or not, my one month stay in Taiwan will be my longest vacation ever.

For detailed blog about each activity after the consultation with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang you may click on the following blogs by Deborah:

IVF Consultation Part 3 : Infertility Treatment Consent Form
IVF Consultation Part 4 : Blood Test
IVF Consultation Part 6 : Getting the Medicine
IVF Consultation Part 7 : Payment

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

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

After a quick lunch, we returned to Mackay Memorial Hospital’s Second Floor where Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang holds clinic.  A list of the day’s patients’ names is posted outside his door so you will know more or less when your turn is going to be.  I was called in after more than an hour wait.  My companion has to stay outside first. 

Inside the clinic of Dr. Lee I was met by Ms. Tsai again.  She asked me some more questions regarding my previous workup like which medicines have I used.  She showed me a board containing all the medicines being used in pregnancy workup.  I tried to point, as far as I can remember, the medicines I have used.

Again, I have to wait for a couple of patients to finish their consultation before it was my turn with Dr. Lee.  My mom was called in then.  Ms. Tsai gave Dr. Lee her notes on my earlier interview.  She also handed Dr. Lee the film of my HSG and Dr. Lee examined it.

Dr. Lee speaks fluent English hence uses the language during our discussion.  

Dr. Lee explained that since I have had a successful IVF pregnancy before, it would likely be easy for me to get pregnant again.  However due to my age, which was 40, he will be doing Assisted Hatching (AH).  He slightly explained in layman’s term what Assisted Hatching is.  As explained, this procedure involves the opening of the embryo’s shell by making the outer layer crooked.  This helps implantation of the embryos into the uterus thus increasing the chances of successful IVF.

Dr. Lee asked me to take the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test, which is a blood test to determine ovarian follicle reserve.  By the way, it takes 2 weeks to get the result of AMH hence you will receive an email from Ms.Vanessa Lin on your result via email.  Aside from this, Dr. Lee also requested me to have an ultrasound of my uterus and ovary.

I went to the Ultrasound Room located at the same area at the far end of the Doctors’ Clinics Section.  There was no queue hence it was immediately my turn.  After the procedure, I was asked to wait outside for the result.  In a few minutes I was handed the result.  I went back to Dr. Lee’s clinic, handed it to her nurse and waited outside to be called again.

When I returned to Dr. Lee’s clinic, I was asked to lie down, as Dr. Lee needs to do basic examination.  He also measured, at the same time, how deep my uterus is from my vagina.  This measurement will be used as his guide during embryo transfer.

Pending my AMH result, he explained that I would likely follow protocol 3.  Well, he was almost sure, as he didn’t give me any other instruction in case my AMH is not less than 1.5 ng/mL.  

Dr. Lee instructed me to start taking birth control pills on the 5^th day of the cycle before actual IVF month for 21 days.  He asked if I want to take the medicine home or to just purchase it in Manila.  I said it is all right to take it from their pharmacy thus prescribed to me Gynera.   My next cycle's period should come one or two days after the last pill.  With this, I can book my flight to Taiwan a month before the IVF cycle.  Dr. Lee also gave me an idea more or less when my husband should be there on the IVF cycle.  Hubby also needs to do semen analysis before the actual IVF procedure.

To be continued… First Step to Taiwan IVF (Part 4) : Activities after the Consultation

To read more about the consultation, you may refer to this blog by Deborah : IVF Consultation Part 2 : Consultation with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang

KT Star Service Apartment

KT Star is located at Nong An St. (農安街) (B) a kilometer away from the hospital.  Although you can take the bus at NT$15, the ride will be too short so it is better to just walk.  The building is very accessible to the food street Shuang Cheng St. (雙城街) (D). Please refer to the map below to see where the location of KT Star is from Mackay Memorial Hospital.

Mackay Memorial Hospital Vicinity Map 

We met with an agent and he showed us the different room sizes such as 16 ping, 25 ping and 35 ping.  Ping is equivalent to a square foot.  All rooms has a small kitchen and has a washing machine with dryer.  Kitchen appliances and utensils such as refrigerator, electric kettle, pots and pans are provided.  

KT Star is accredited by Mackay Memorial Hospital hence they give special rates to patients of Mackay.  Also, rates given are for minimum stay of 21 days exclusive of water and electricity bill.  Do not worry about the cost of the utilities as it is far cheaper than in Manila.   The building is relatively new, from the lobby to the rooms they all look new, modern and nicely interior designed.  All rooms including the lobby has wifi internet access 24/7!

16 ping is a studio unit with 1 bathroom.  This costs NT$1,100/day.  The room that was showed to us is the same room I stayed in when I went back.

25 ping is a 2 bedroom unit with 1 bathroom.  The bedrooms are one big and one small with a queen size bed and a single bed respectively.  This unit costs NT$2,200/day, double that of a 16 ping.

35 ping is a 2 bedroom unit also with 1 bathroom.  The difference with a 25 ping unit is that the rooms are 2 big rooms that has a queen size bed in each room.  The unit costs NT$2,600/day.

For a month's stay you are entitled to free room clean up of up to four (4) times, hence you divide the number of days you are staying by five (5) so your room gets cleaned up every six (6) days.  Clean up includes cleaning of floor, changing sheets, refill of body wash, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste.  In between the 6 days general cleaning, you may clean the room on your own, you need not buy cleaning materials as you can ask the admin for broom and dust pan.  

There are common areas that you and your staying in companion can use for free such as the swimming pool at the roof deck and gym.  There is a videoke room for rent.

It is a very pleasant place to stay.  Feels like a hotel yet feels like a home or it is like a home in a hotel.

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