A check-up at the fertility centre

As mentioned earlier, hubby and I decided to make a trip to KL to the Tropicana Medical Centre to look for Dato' Dr Colin Lee - the well-known fertility consultant.

Before we travel to KL, I've made a booking of appointment through phone, and I was told that the doctor's appointment of that particular day was very full If I go on that day, I'll have to wait for some time before meeting the doctor. Since the doctor will be on leave soon, we have to wait!!!

We arrived at the Tropicana Medical Centre by 9am after breakfast. We've done registration immediately, and waited for 30 minutes before we were called into the consultation bay. A consultant were there to ask about our history and explain what the doctor may do to investigate our issue. The consultant was very friendly and detailed in every explanation.

Right after the consultation, we were sent to another part to do sperm test. Everything was done by 10am. We were to be back 2 hours later for the report and to meet the doctor for further consultation.

We went Ikea to have something to eat, walk around and then go back by 12.30pm.

Again we waited for 30 minutes.

Dr Colin had hubby's sperm test report in his hand and briefly told us that the result is normal. Then I was being scanned and told that my womb is okay too. (Their machine is really advanced compared to Ipoh's, I can see my womb very clearly, and it's very nice. LOL!) Without further discussion, Dr Colin set another appointment date for me, to do Laparoscopy, Hysteroscopy and D&C. I tried to ask if we had other options but Dr Colin told me this is the only way to further investigate.

What is Laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy and advanced infertility specialist training in microsurgery have literally transformed the way many gynecologic and other surgical procedures are performed. The laparoscopy is usually accompanied by only minor discomfort. The laparoscope can be indispensable to the fertility evaluation because it allows the fertility specialist to view the reproductive organs. Many conditions such as endometriosis or pelvic adhesions can be treated during the laparoscopy.

What is Hysterocopy?
The hysteroscope is a small tubular “telescope” like device that is inserted through the vagina and into the uterus. The uterus is filled with carbon dioxide or another media such as sterile saline causing it to expand. The physician can often clearly visualize conditions such as fibroids, polyps, or congenital uterine abnormalities. If hysteroscopy is performed in an operating room, treatment can usually be performed at the same time (operative hysteroscopy).

What is D&C?
The gynaecologist opens (dilates) the cervix with instruments called dilators, and then inserts a hollow tube through the cervix. Suction is applied to remove the retained tissue.

Once walked out from the doctor's room, we discussed about it. Hubby decided not to go for that surgery. Though it was said to be a minor key-hole surgery, but we don't think we need to. May be it's just the timing, we will try on our own without any medication. Not until a year after this, I will consider having myself being cut!

We didn't wait for long throughout the consultant, can't understand why they told me doctor's schedule is full for the day! The total bill come out RM483 for the consultation and sperm test. Expensive huh? But at least we know, from the basic scanning and testing, we are okay. Keep on trying, we will have our child sooner or later! Gambateh!!!

2nd month of Clomid - Failed

2nd month of Clomid didn't bring us good news. But the side effects have been getting worse. I'm feeling hungry all the time, nausea, fatigue - never get enough of sleep!!!

During the previous trip to KL, my uncle's friend had recommend us to go Tropicana Medical Centre for Dato Dr Colin Lee whom is said to be the best doctor in this field.

Hubby and I agreed that we might as well find the best rather than getting a few different advices from various doctor. I wanted to make it fast, find the source of the problem and get the solution - straight to the point.

I've make an appointment through phone earlier, we will be going to KL for an initial check-up to see if we could do something to solve the problem. As if it isn't a big deal? LOL! I trusted that hubby and me won't have big issue with fertility, health wise, neither hubby nor me have problem. A detailed check-up may reveal our problem though.

Okay, will update the status after we come back from the consultant!

Going to the toilet

Most probably due to the side effect of Clomid, I can't remember started when that I needed to wake up every morning around 4am to the toilet.

Now at 5.30am, I'm wide-awake after going toilet. I'm here switching on the netbook to kill the time. We are in KL currently, staying at the One World Hotel. Hubby and my cousin are still sleeping.

Awaiting them to be awake! LOL!

Life insurance

Nowadays, we always hear people saying insurance. Many of the sale person introduce us life insurance too.

According to wikipedia:

Life insurance is a contract between the policy owner and the insurer, where the insurer agrees to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon the occurrence of the insured individual's or individuals' death or other event, such as terminal illness or critical illness. In return, the policy owner agrees to pay a stipulated amount at regular intervals or in lump sums.

As a parent, a spouse, or an individual with intense familial and financial obligations, buying a good life insurance policy is one of the most important things you can do to uphold those responsibilities even if you pass on. Though it's a must to buy, we still need to find a better company which offers cheap life insurance quotes, family insurance coverage, whole term life, and life insurance plans!

Do some research before you make your decision!

Not a good news

First month of Clomid didn't bring us any good news but a bad experience for me.

I have to say that the side effects make me crazy!!! Throughout the month, I'm having tender breast until I needed a bra to sleep, painful ovulation, feeling sleepy all the time, feeling hungry all the time, pimples grow on my forehead (I seldom grows pimples!)

This is the first attempt though, I don't really know how long I can stand the side effects!!!

First month on Clomid

Months passed, and yet to have news.

Hubby took back some pills from our family doctor, which I searched on the Internet named Clomiphene Citrate, 50mg per tablet. The pills stood in our room since last month.

I started this pill from CD5-CD9 every night before bed.

What is Clomid? What to expect?

Clomiphene is usually taken in pill form for one five-day cycle a month. It helps you produce more of the hormones that trigger ovulation (follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH)), prompting your ovaries to produce one or more mature eggs, depending on how often you normally ovulate.

After you finish a cycle of clomiphene, your hypothalamus (the part of your brain that regulates basic functions such as temperature) releases luteinizing hormone (LH), which tells your ovaries to release your mature egg or eggs into your fallopian tubes. If an egg meets up with a healthy sperm on its way to your uterus, you'll have a chance to conceive.

The possible side effects of Clomid:

Fertility drugs can cause a wide range of minor side effects, including mild swelling of the ovaries, stomach pain, breast tenderness, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, irritability, depression, weight gain, and, in rarer cases, ovarian cysts.

You'll also have a 10 percent chance of conceiving twins with these fertility drugs. (Women sometimes conceive triplets or more, but much less frequently.) Though many couples consider this a blessing, multiple fetuses increase your risk of miscarriage and other complications.

Hopefully it helps!

Doctor said

Finally, hubby and I been to ob-gyn for consultation.

The doctor do some scanning on my tummy, and tell me that everything are fine with me, he can see an egg is there too! I'm so relief getting know that I have nothing wrong, I'm so worried that my ovary is having problem due to the last d&c. Thank God!

I'm given an injection and hubby will be eating a tablet each day for 3 months. If nothing happened again, we will have to go back for another consultation!

Finger crossed. Something will happened. Pray hard!

Seek for help

Well, after a whole year of trying after the miscarriage in May 2009, we still couldn't get anything from our hardwork!

So I had come to a conclusion that we truly need professional advices. I've been to Chinese Sifu, boiled and drank the bitter Chinese medicine, but yet to be effective. This time, I'll have to find a doctor's advice.

I'd try to avoid a visit to the doctor as much as possible, since the fee will be probably high or may be sky-high. But I have no other choice, the only way we got is to seek help from them.

Now, I'll pull hubby's belt tight, save some $$ for professional advice.

Hit by dizzy spells

It is probably due to the sleep deprived for almost a week, I'm now down with dizzy spells.

I tried to take a nap in the morning, but woke up with the urge of urination after an hour. Then hubby brought me for lunch. Around 3pm, I take another nap which is most amazing that I also woke up with the urge of urination after an hour.

I didn't take that much of water, why I woke up twice from nap to the toilet???

Anyway, I'm still in dizziness!

Why it takes such a long time?

Yup, this is the question floating in my mind.

I was wondering, why it takes so long to have a proper sperm meet up with a normal ovum? May be hubby's sperms are weak? Or my ovary somehow happen to be weak?

No idea.

Anyway, hubby and I will be going to Hong Kong with my FIL & MIL next month. We will continue trying after we come back from Hong Kong.

Don't bother so much, I'll eat what I like and drink what I want! After such a long time, avoiding cold drinks and foods, I need a break!!!