Sorry guys, this is going to be a long one...

I met with my RE for the first time today. He is soooo nice and so is his receptionist/assistant. The office is really small, but I think that's good cuz I only had to wait 15 minutes to go in.

So, for the bad news...at least I took it bad. There are two places the tube can be blocked...on the end closest to the uterus or on the opposite end. If my tube is blocked on the end closest to the uterus, and if it is blocked with something they can remove (endo, soft tissue, etc) then there is an excellent chance they will be able to unblock it and the biggest battle will be won. However, if it is blocked with something harder (scar tissue) or if it blocked on the end opposite my uterus, there is NOTHING they can do. I will not be able to get pregnant without IVF, which my insurance doesn't cover, and costs about $14,000 each time at my RE's office. The success rate is about 35%, so, we might have to shell out money we don't have with no guarantee of having a baby.

I have to get copies of the x-rays from the HSG I had done in June. He is hoping they will tell him where the tube is blocked without submitting me to more testing. If not, I will have to get more testing done. My BF also has to make an appt and give another semen analysis. Also, because I have cysts and extra discharge than most women, he thinks I might not be ovulating every month. So, I have to go for blood work (fasting first) the second or third week of September so he can at least see if I ovulate this month. That might be an entire other battle in itself. But then again, it might not - I'm going to try not to worry about that yet.

Anyway, if he can unblock my tube, he said something about using medication instead of doing another surgery, and that will take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, so we are still just wasting cycle after cycle.

I think I'm in shock. This was not the news I expected. I guess I knew there was a chance they wouldn't be able to unblock it, but I didn't know how bad my chances were. I mean, it's like 50/50. I WANT a baby. I want to be a mom. This isn't fair at all.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story. Baby dust to all of you!

Holly~

Oh Holly!

I'm so sorry that your appointment made you so upset! Unknowns, and the possibilities that our minds play out for us, can really cause a lot of anxiety. Oftentimes it's just so hard to stay positive when it feels like all we ever do is wait for things to happen (wait for test results, wait to start a cycle, wait to have a procedure done, etc. etc.), and then we get news that scares us or that we don't want to hear. But please keep in mind that you don't yet know whether you're looking at a fixable blockage, or one that will be more difficult to deal with. Once you have that info, and the info on your ovulation, you'll much better know what you're up against and can start weighing your options. And that knowledge of what you're dealing with -- good or bad -- will truly give you power.

Your RE sounds great -- and I'm happy to hear that he's trying his best not to put you through another surgery unless its necessary.

In the time I've been on this board I've read a lot of your posts -- they are always so sweet, sensible, reassuring, and sympathetic/empathetic. I believe that you WILL be a mother one day -- and a wonderful one at that! My thoughts and prayers are with you ... :angel:

hi hollyncurren,
I agree with Cube. I think some day, and very close, you will be a mommy.

My RE Dr knew I had my tubes plugged, he didn't know how bad they were tho. There is a problem with plugged tubes because there is a liquid inside that can spill out and kill the fertilized egg. So he sent me for a hydrosalpinx test to make sure I didn't have that. So if i did, all our efforts would'd been in vain (btw, i've endometriosis). So IF there was that liquid, they would have had to remove my fallopian tubes totally.

But what I want to get to is that, when they did the test, i didn't have anything like that, and I was blessed i could go through my IVF without any other surgery. Reopening my tubes, wouldn't had worked for me because the were closed on both end and for too many years. It would had been risky business and at the end I would had still have to go through IVF.

So you keep positive, everything will work out well on that test and God will solve your problems the best way he thinks you can handle it. The important thing is that you are taking the steps.


Something I found on the internet:

Fallopian Tube Blockage
If the fallopian tubes are blocked, it is impossible for sperm to reach an egg to fertilize it. Blockage of the fallopian tube where they meet the uterus often comes from a small plug of mucus or tissue, and can be treated with a process similar to an HSG, in which a catheter is used to flush out the plug with dye.

If the blockage is caused by a more serious condition such as endometriosis or severe pelvic adhesions, further surgery may be necessary.

Blockage of fallopian tubes may also occur at the far end of the tubes, near the ovaries. Damage in this area can be serious and is usually caused by inflammation associated with infections in or near the pelvic area. Depending on the amount of damage done by such infections, a woman may not be able to conceive normally. In these cases, in vitro fertilization may provide the best chances of conception and pregnancy.

also found this:

Or it could be that the blockage is an after effect of having had a bacterial infection in the tubes. With a bacterial infection the fallopian tubes become inflamed from within, filling with fluid or pus (hydrosalpinx or pyrosalpinx). Adhesions or thickened walls may cause the tubes to close off completely. This is a condition known as salpingitis. Salpingitis is created by bacteria infections such as untreated PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) in the uterus. This condition can be created by a sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia, from IUD (intrauterine device) use, or as an aftereffect of surgery of the reproductive tract.

Thank you Cubed and Rbettis (and thanks for the info on the blocked tubes) :)
I'm feeling a little bit more positive today. I was so down yesterday! I mean, I know IVF is a wonderful thing, and I wouldn't have any issues with having it done, we just can't afford it. I don't think I would feel right going broke to bring a child into the world & then struggling financially to raise him/her. I guess we are lucky to find these things out while we are still pretty young. There might be time to save up for at least one try. But, I'm getting ahead of myself again. There is a chance the tube can be unblocked - have to keep reminding myself we aren't out of the game yet :rolleyes: .
Oh, I hope hope hope my tube can be fixed. Everyone please think positive thoughts for me - I have such a tendency to get down, I could use all the positive thinking you can send me and all the prayers too.
I just want to hear the dr say that everything is going to be okay. I don't want my only chance at being a mom and having a family to be a $14,000 procedure that I can't afford and that only gives me a 33% chance. Okay, I'm getting down again. SORRY! ((Baby Dust))
Holly~

I just wanted to wish you lots of luck and try to stay positive during the hard times.......all of this will be worth it in the end!!

Holly - I want to say that I think it's wonderful that you are working to get your "conditions" fixed in order to have a baby. I am sort of in the same boat as you are, with waiting for another sugery. We have it scheduled for December, but it seems that the waiting is always the hardest part! (Tom Petty might have said it best!)

I think IVF is such a great procedure and we are very lucky to be in a time and place where it is available to us - however, the expense is unreal with no guarantees. We are in a situation where we could afford the IVF, but if it doesn't work the first time, how many times do we say "well, I'm sure it will work the next time" and keep spending until we are completely broke and not able to afford to raise a family anymore (with still no baby in the end). I have done some real soul searching and I have come to the conclusion that I would rather spend the money to adopt a child and have a guarantee in the end that I will have a family. I know that money isn't everything - my DH and myself were VERY poor growing up and we did just fine, but I don't ever want to have to struggle the way our families did if we are lucky enough not to have to. I really hope that didn't offend anyone - not at all my intention!!

There is nothing I've wanted more in this world that to become a mom - to go through a healthy pregnancy, feel our baby kick inside of me and be able to nourish him/her with my breastmilk - I coudln't imagine not having those things - but in the recent months, I've decided that having a family is more important to me than carrying a child inside of me. Not that I don't still long for the opportunity nor have I given up hope that I will someday experience all of those things - but in the event that I am unable to, I am okay with adopting and giving up some of those things that I have dreamed of to have the ultimate dream - a Family.

I hope and pray that your journey ends with working tubes and excellent chances of becoming pregnant without having to spend $$ for IVF. I am so sorry you are going through all of this and I hope that you are able to stay somewhat positive throughout this journey. Please keep us posted and remember that we are here for you!

~ravae

Holly,
I'm sorry you were feeling down after your RE appointment. I definitely can understand your thoughts/feelings, because I'm sure you were hoping the RE would tell you he could just unblock the tube no matter what. However, like you and the other posters said, you may still be able to get the tubes unblocked! That's good news! A 50/50 chance is better than 0%. :) And at least you'll get some answers either way, and know where you stand. I'm going to be thinking of you and praying for a good outcome for you! Sending you lots of baby dust... :)