Thursday, April 24, 2014

Resolve to Know More... Infertility Humor, Dictionary, & Costs

Once you get past the initial acceptance of the fact that you are an infertile couple, you are 1 in 8, you can start easing off the anxiety breaks and start laughing about it a little bit.  If you don't you will be sincerely miserable at all times because having a baby is all you will think about, it will constantly be on your mind 24/7 so you've gotta learn to laugh a little bit about it.  Even though it's a serious disease that causes so much heartache, we can always force a smile through the tears thanks to infertility humor in the form of eCards. 



The more you start to learn about infertility, the more you start to realize it's really a community and a culture. You'll start finding blogs and Instagram-ers & other social media outlets to follow & you'll start delving a little bit further, submersing yourself into that culture.  You'll start using acronyms for everything.  You'll refer to your miserable, old, AF (Aunt Flow), you'll talk about how you got a SMILEY face today on your OPK (Ovulation Predictor Kit), you'll say that you will BD (Baby Dance) with your DH (Dear Husband), and sometimes you might get a little graphic and talk about your CM (cervical mucous) or your FMU (First Morning Urine).  If you'd like to learn some more fun acronyms, check out my TTC Baby Ridley Timeline & Dictionary page that I made specifically to help others decipher what the heck I'm talking about half the time.



Then there are the costs of being treated for infertility.  I can't say much about it because I have insurance coverage for infertility treatments.  Even with coverage, it's amazing how much some of these procedures and medications can cost.  The laparoscopy I had back in October was $20,000, with insurance I paid $575. The first time that I used Follistim, they gave me 900iu which is basically three vile's which cost me about $488.  The 3rd time I needed it, it was no longer covered by insurance and 300iu was going to cost $500 out of pocket.  This is why I switched to Gonal F.  I was able to get a coupon from my doctor and only paid $4 for 600iu.  I just read an IVF statistic that the average cost is between $8,000-$10,000 and can take an average of three cycles to get a positive.  I know that I am very blessed and it's very rare to have insurance coverage for infertility.  I'm not sure without the coverage how we would be paying for it or if we would so willingly be moving forward with IVF.  There are some wonderful grants and different financial assistance programs available to those who are in need of some additional funding.  There are also couples who have fundraisers that you can donate to.  One that is near and dear to my heart is my beautiful friend Jessah @ Dreaming of Dimples.  Her "Piece our Family Together" Puzzle Fundraiser is one of the best ideas I've ever heard of.  For your gift of $25 (or more), your name and/or family's name will be written on the back of a puzzle piece. As all of the pieces have names, the puzzle will be assembled. Jessah will be updating her blog with the progress of the puzzle as it is formed so you can see the beautiful puzzle you're helping to create for their baby.  What an amazing and beautiful way to honor those who have donated.  I urge you to (if you can!) to help those who are collecting donations. The financial burden of these procedures and treatments can cause many people to not move forward because the costs are just too high.  Many people spend their entire life savings on these procedures.



If you would like to know more about NIAW or about the disease of infertility click these links below:
www.resolve.org/infertility101

13 comments:

  1. This post made my day specially the clomid one and the comment about CM. I had to delete a girl from my IG because she posted a picture of her CM can you imagine that lmao. Oh God thank your for making me have a good laugh this morning.

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  2. haha. Love the E-cards!
    Yay for you having insurance that covers your procedures! That has to be a huge relief! Everything adds up so quickly. I've had several times when I had to put off treatment cycles because I wasn't financially prepared that month. I have said many times that I hope we still have money left to clothe these precious babes once they do finally get here!

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  3. it's nice that you are able to stay so positive! I can imagine people can be pretty annoying on the internet about how Fertile they are!

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  4. I've had a hard time with my first trimester, but this really puts things into perspective, and I feel so bad for complaining at all! I'm amazed by your strength, and I'm so excited for you to begin this next journey to having your little one!

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  5. I'm glad your insurance is so baller and that you are so outwardly positive- Also, thanks for the fundraising information too lady!! Hope you have a great day!! xoxo

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  6. I just posted the word baller.... hahaha an old Nelly rap song came on my XM at lunch maybe I'm feeling pretty baller myself haha

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  7. That is great you are able to have a sense of humor and be positive! My cousin went through infertility treatments...I know how stressful it is and I hope I don't face the same thing when I decide it's time to start trying.

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  8. Great images!!! Thanks for sharing girl and bringing awareness xoxo

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  9. LOVE this!!! Infertility humor helped me a TON during our journey!

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  10. Love the ECards. We had trouble conceiving too... I swear I wanted to smash the tv every time 16 and pregnant was on. God is good and has a plan. Sending love your way.

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  11. I love the ecards! It is so awesome that you are able to shed some humor onto the situation! You truly are a brave and strong woman! The cost of infertility is insane! That is so awesome that you are able to have insurance coverage though! What a blessing!

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  12. These are great. I love that you can find some humor in your journey!

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  13. Love the cards! It's so important to try and find the funny on the infertility highway.

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