Here it goes
Well, first, this doctor is SO MUCH BETTER than the last urologist we saw. Talking to this guy, made me so glad we didn't listen to the last. It was a $1,000 day, but hopefully it'll end up worth it.
We started by going over our history and test results to date. He said that B has NOA, which we already knew. He then took B into an exam room and did a quick exam and found varacoceles in both testicles. The last guy didn't find these. Apparently they are even visible on one side. So, that could be affecting this, or it could not.
They did a repeat s/a, but we didn't wait for the results because it was getting late. The nurse will call tomorrow and see if they found anything. They were going to centrifuge it, so that any sperm cells will be concentrated into one drop, which we're pretty sure the lab didn't do.
If nothing is found in the s/a, he recommends microsurgery at the same time time as an IVF cycle. He opens the testicle, and uses a microscope to inspect all of the seminiferous tubules to look for enlarged ones that may contain sperm. He said that often, patients will have only one or two of these areas, and that this technique allows the best chance to find anything. He said they find sperm about 70% of the time. He recommends having donor sperm as a back up so that it does not become a wasted IVF cycle. We are still pretty far from DS. I think I'd be ok with it, but B not so much.
They also drew blood for karyotyping and y chromosome deletion, which was ordered before, but I guess B's insurance wouldn't cover it, so they didn't do it.
It only took us about 50 minutes to get there, which wasn't bad. We left the office a little after 5pm, and I decided to take the coast home to avoid the 405. It's a longer drive, but I think it ended up being a lot shorted than the other way would have been. Plus, it was much prettier! If I'm gonna be stopped, I'd much rather be able to look at the ocean than just a parking lot in front of me. It took about an hour and ten minutes to get home, which was better than I anticipated.
We have a follow-up appointment in about a month. Fortunately, we were able to get into the office he has that is really close to home. He is only there one day every other week, so it books up fast!
I'm still thinking spermie thoughts and hoping to hear that they found a few in there when they call tomorrow! Thank you SO much for all of your kind thoughts and words. It means the world to me.
We started by going over our history and test results to date. He said that B has NOA, which we already knew. He then took B into an exam room and did a quick exam and found varacoceles in both testicles. The last guy didn't find these. Apparently they are even visible on one side. So, that could be affecting this, or it could not.
They did a repeat s/a, but we didn't wait for the results because it was getting late. The nurse will call tomorrow and see if they found anything. They were going to centrifuge it, so that any sperm cells will be concentrated into one drop, which we're pretty sure the lab didn't do.
If nothing is found in the s/a, he recommends microsurgery at the same time time as an IVF cycle. He opens the testicle, and uses a microscope to inspect all of the seminiferous tubules to look for enlarged ones that may contain sperm. He said that often, patients will have only one or two of these areas, and that this technique allows the best chance to find anything. He said they find sperm about 70% of the time. He recommends having donor sperm as a back up so that it does not become a wasted IVF cycle. We are still pretty far from DS. I think I'd be ok with it, but B not so much.
They also drew blood for karyotyping and y chromosome deletion, which was ordered before, but I guess B's insurance wouldn't cover it, so they didn't do it.
It only took us about 50 minutes to get there, which wasn't bad. We left the office a little after 5pm, and I decided to take the coast home to avoid the 405. It's a longer drive, but I think it ended up being a lot shorted than the other way would have been. Plus, it was much prettier! If I'm gonna be stopped, I'd much rather be able to look at the ocean than just a parking lot in front of me. It took about an hour and ten minutes to get home, which was better than I anticipated.
We have a follow-up appointment in about a month. Fortunately, we were able to get into the office he has that is really close to home. He is only there one day every other week, so it books up fast!
I'm still thinking spermie thoughts and hoping to hear that they found a few in there when they call tomorrow! Thank you SO much for all of your kind thoughts and words. It means the world to me.
Oh, good, an update while I'm still online!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the appointment went wonderfully! It sounds spookily like our story, especially with the new doc finding varicoceles...and as you know once we repaired those we were able to find a few sperm.
Also, one of the procedures we did was some sort of mapping, which looks all through the testes. The flaw of biopsies, of course, is that the sperm might be hiding in another area and you wouldn't know it. Sounds like the doctor has a good fix for that, by looking all over for them.
I'm sorry the donor sperm is going to be a tough issue for you guys. Maybe when you get a little closer you can really talk about how you would feel if you did the cycle, and then didn't end up with any sperm. Although we didn't end up needing it, I'm so glad we had a backup in place.
Good luck with the results tomorrow; I'm hoping they could find a few and you can maybe bank/cyropreserve and go straight to ICSI!
That sounds very promising! I can see how ds would be a tough call. But at least you have some hope and the workings of a plan.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking spermie thoughts for you too...and I'm so glad you found someone who will be as thorough as possible with you guys.
ReplyDeleteGlad that appointment made you feel more hopeful!
ReplyDeleteThe best case scenario is what I know you are hoping for, but I hope if that doesn't work your husband will come around to donor sperm for an IVF cycle as a back up.
I'm so glad that you liked the dr! Hopefully he will be able to help you two! How does B feel about doing the microsurgery?
ReplyDeleteMy crossables are crossed for you! This sounds pretty promising! :)
ReplyDeletei wandered over from WTT on IV and i'm glad i did! sounds like it was a positive day for you! when in doubt, always get a second opinion. i hope you get good news, and i'll think spermie thoughts for you too!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really good! I hope things just keep getting better.
ReplyDeleteEmmy, I am so glad to hear that you found a doctor that seems like he really knows what he is doing. I SO want you to have a real shot at conceiving your own babies, and it seems like this doc may be able to give that to you. When would you be able to do IVF? Keep us posted!
ReplyDelete((HUGS))
I know you wrote this post a million years ago, but my friend IRL B and her husband did do the microsurgery during IVF procedure. They were given a 0% chance of success. B'd husband had had cancer and his first testicular biposy was 20 sperm total. They were told to adopt or do DI. Insurance covered IVF, so they felt they had to try at least once. Some couples will decide to have donor sperm on hold in case the biopsy showed nothing. The fertilized 15 eggs- and now have twins from that cycle. The odds are very low, but sometimes people do fall into them.
ReplyDelete