SO-IUI

29 October 2011
Appointment with Dr SF Loh
KKH, 10:05am

As usual, we were early.  I registered at 9:45am but got to see Dr Loh only at 12:30pm. My enthusiasm at seeing him plummented to rock bottom. I was down with bad sore throat, headache, flu and cough since Tues, my eyes were dry and I was feeling exhausted. Irene had managed to squeeze in an appointment to see Dr Loh as well but hers was at 12:45pm.  I was hoping she'll be earlier and we can catch up like we always do but Bryson was so so slow and  I only saw them after my consultation.

There were a lot of patients today, an overflow because Dr Loh was away for 2-3 weeks on a conference. And long were the consultations today! I guess most of his patients were now very concerned with his leaving KKH end of 2011.

I had alot of respect for Dr Loh.  While he might seem cold and sarcastic, nonchalant to some, I find his patience remarkable.  The first ER for any day is 7:30am, and given the number of patients he sees a day, the nurse said his last patient usually leaves after 6 in the evenings, and even later on Saturdays, though it is supposedly a half-day consultation.  And that is provided he do not get called away on emergencies such as deliveries .. plus, given the number of pregnant patients he has, I cannot start to imagine his weekends .. He works such long hours. He is at the hospital early and leaves late. I say, his wife is truly one remarkable women.  I was told his elder daughter is studying in Australia and his younger in JC.

My menses came on 27-Oct, days after I stopped duphaston.  I wanted to have my FET done as soon as possible but Dr Loh advised against.  Apparently, I needed a month break in between for my body to purge out all the drugs that I had taken these past few weeks.  That meant we can only carry that out after my Dec MC. I am PCO and have irregular MC, so Dr Loh prescribed some med to induce my Dec MC. If all goes well, my FET will be carried out before Christmas.

ProgyNOVA 2mg - 2 tablets every morning for 5 days (from D3 of MC) then 3 tablets every morning for the next 10 days.
Norethisterone 5mg - 2 tablets 2 times daily for 2 weeks (from 12-Nov-2011)
Asprin 1000mg - 1 tablet every morning (once Dec MC starts)
Total cost: $29.44

During ET, Dr Loh said I do not actually require IVF.  He said Vince sperm count is at a very healthy 145million and his sperms are very good swimmers.  I asked and he confirms I can skip 2nd cycle of IVF and instead, go for SO-IUI (Superovulation & intrauterine Insemination).
http://www.kkh.com.sg/Services/Women/KKIVFCentre/Pages/SOIUI.aspx.

Dr Loh will start seeing patients at TMC from 2 January 2012.  Where the IVF at KKH is between $10-11K, TMC is charging $15-21K.  No government subsidy will be given to private hospitals and maximum Medisave deductions is $5K for 2nd cycle. This means I have to fork out at least $10K in cash should I go for 2nd IVF cycle. I only paid $6K medisave & slightly over $1K in cash for my 1st cycle. Thus, I am really happy to know I can explore other options apart from IVF.

Besides cost, leave is also a concern.  My boss has bruntantly said she will not allow me any more hospitalisation nor medical leaves and that I am not allowed to go for 2nd cycle.  Then she added at least until after Dec 2011.  While I am most used to her being unconcerned about our welfare, I am most appalled at her insensitivity during this whole process. She has never offered a word of concern and is only interested to know when I can return to work.  I have always given my best at work and has been with the company for more than 4 years.  I have record low MC and is an experienced & responsible PM, even I said so myself.  Customers were happy with me and positive feedbacks were consistent all these years.  What else is she expecting from me?  I find that I dont understand her at all.  And I miss my ex-male bosses.  They were sympathetic and cares about me.  They trust and  believe in me.

Once I thought I could work till I retire in TI.  Now, my opinions have changed and I will  no longer reject job opportunities.  All these years, I've had agencies ringing me for similiar posts else where and I have never gone for them.  I guess I should start being positive and give them a try. Who knows? I might be just as lucky as Sham?  Sham's last day with TI was on 28-Oct, the day I returned from my leaves.  He has found himself another job as VP of Strategic Accounts with an annual income of over $200K.

So much about my unhappiness.  Anyway, I intended to make full use of this month and do all the things that I cannot do once I had my FET done.  I am going for facial, body massage, foot reflexology, laser off the milia seeds & moles on my face etc etc .. Haha ..

And since I am no longer pregnant, I decided I could use a little break and decided to join my mom, mil and aunts for a 4D trip to Penang (4-7 Nov).  This is organized by a friend of my mom/aunts & his trips are always so fun.  Whatsmore, its only $260 for adult and $178 for Kyros. Vince will begin his new job on 1 Nov so he stays in Sg taking care of all the rest. Oh yes, his 40year old elder brother needs to be taken care of! Rotten guy.