Moving Forward: With a Plan

After my RE read my email, she suggested we talk on the phone. The main question I had was why she valued the ReceptivaDx test more than the ERA test. As with most things, it really comes down to personal preference. She said she’s seen Receptiva work for patients with repeat implantation failure—her latest success story is her tenth consecutive time—and that she started using it when she saw Dr. Schoolcraft had success with it. She also noted that the ERA test has a lot more marketing money behind it.

But she said that we can do both the Receptiva test and the ERA test in the same cycle. Receptiva and the first ERA biopsy will be done on Day 5, and a second ERA biopsy on Day 7. (I feel my implantation window is Day 6.)

I like this idea. For one thing, we’ll hopefully save a little money by having two of the three biopsies done on the same day. For another, it saves us a little time.

I told her about my lack of success with OPKs and she said when my period comes I can start estrogen. I like this idea, too, because Dr. T said that he would replicate all hormones on the ERA test as during the real thing.

So, hopefully I’ll get my period this week, which means we’ll have the test results early August. If the Receptiva test results say I lack one or both proteins, the treatment will be two months of Lupron.

Ugh, yes, two months of Lupron.

So the soonest we’ll do a transfer would be early- to mid-September; if I have to take Lupron, I guess it would be sometime in November. Depending on the results, we may decide to transfer only one embryo, not two.

All of this feels like a date in the distant future. It’s so hot here in San Diego—and we don’t have a/c, so are surviving with multiple fans blasting air around the house—and all I can think of is wrapping up a major work deadline. It’s actually been nice to have a break from actively trying to get pregnant.

Strangely—or not, perhaps—I hope something comes back on one of the tests. I would really like an explanation (and therefore a solution) to why the first three FETs have failed.

For now, I’m focusing on taking care of myself while I navigate these early days of revisited pregnancy loss and infertility grief. I’m seeing my therapist again. We escaped to the beach Friday afternoon for a little family time. Later, I’m getting my hair cut for the first time in five months (I’ve been growing it long). We have plans to see friends this weekend. And I’m counting my blessings: a loving family, a circle of supportive friends, and a cute little toddler who leaves funny drawings of Peppa Pig and friends all over the house.

Edit: My period arrived today (Wednesday 19th), so we begin estrogen tonight.