WTF Protocol

I don’t know where to begin. It seems like couple of days ago the only thing on my mind was getting the funds. Now getting the funds is such an event of the past. I haven’t officially started my cycle but I’m already on the rollercoaster of emotions.

To recap: on Wednesday I learned that funds will cover 65% of the treatment cost. I paid my cost share and the balance past due on my account with 0% credit card specifically obtained for IVF purpose and called the clinic to get my protocol. That’s when I was hit with the bomb: no Lupron! I remember clearly that my RE stated that my protocol for this cycle will be same or very similar to the first IVF protocol. Instead, I’m starting what is called Antagonist protocol which involves no BCP and only 2 or so weeks of injections. What? How come? What’s happening? Who dared to change my protocol? Called the clinic, my RE is not in until the following Tuesday. Had a talk with a nurse who insinuated that because this will be a state subsidized IVF, clinic director could be the one who changed the protocol since he approves all state funded IVFs. Nurse cofirms that there is no way to get in touch with my RE, until next week. Talk to other RE from my clinic, he tells me that it’s not unusual protocol. Couple more calls to the clinic, now almost begging to get in touch with my RE to explain such a sudden change in protocol. Researching like crazy new protocol, finding out that start of antagonist drugs on Day 6 has much lower chances of success then on day 4 or 5. My WTF protocol states that I’m to start antagonist on Day 6, frustrated, pissed, exhausted. Finally, 8 pm Friday night I get a call from my RE from his home confirming that the protocol was changed due to the funding. He tries to comfort me by saying that he expects me to respond as good as with Lupron. RE adds that European clinics lately don’t use Lupron and that antagonist protocols are becoming more and more popular since they are as effective but easier on the patient. He agrees to change my b/w and u/s to Day 5 instead of Day 6. Feel a bit relieved until I remember that my RE is out of the country the last 2 weeks in June, which depending on when my AF starts could easily be the weeks when my ET will be scheduled for. What am I to do now? My mind shots back to my first IVF in 2006, ET lasted 3 hours instead of scheduled 15 minutes. My present RE did mock transfer and both FET transfers took 15 min as expected. He is the only one who knows how to get into my screwed up uterus. I’m pissed and frustrated. I contemplate postponing this cycle until July but that’s not an option, my DS’s birthday and bunch of the other family gatherings are scheduled for the mid to end of July. Now, my only hope is that my AF doesn’t start until at least next week so that my ET is after my RE is back. Anyway, I think that my AF is scared away by all the stress of the last couple of days. So much for trying to take it easy and moving one step at a time.