Help
Subscribe to ~MTB~'s Blog
12 Comments
Originally I got my referral for Calgary then when I found out that it would be a 5 month wait list for orientation and 5 or 6 months after that to start treatment, I started looking else where. The benefit of Calgary was that it was closer for us and we have a place to stay there.
I then got a referral to VFC because they have a much shorter waiting list. We have our phone consult in 2 weeks. Treatment should start relatively soon after that (according to the receptionist). I had my head around this and was feeling good about it. I was reading up about VFC and getting excited about going there.
When I got home today Calgary had called and all of a sudden I was in panic mode. They have an orientation spot for us in October (which when I count it out is 5 months from our referral time). They still said it would be 4 - 6 months after that for treatment.
So really nothing has changed. That is still too long and I would still prefer to go to VFC.... right? I am the worst person in the world at making decisions!!!
I wish I could say to them, "I'll put you on a 2 week waiting list for my decision (until I have had my consult with the other clinic) and then I will make a decision and let you know". I don't think that will go over too well though.
My Dh doesn't seem to get panicked over this and a few months here or there more or less wait doesn't bother him. But he is not the one creeping up on 35 and every month getting closer to that dreaded deadline of moving into the next age category in the success rates charts! He is pretty sure it doesn't work like a light switch and that my success rate potential will not change overnight on my birthday. I guess he can think things out a little more rationally without that distracting biological clock ticking so loudly in the background!!
Oh well I guess as I read through this I can see I really don't need to be in panic mode. I still want to go to VFC for the shorter wait. I just needed to reassure myself.
I then got a referral to VFC because they have a much shorter waiting list. We have our phone consult in 2 weeks. Treatment should start relatively soon after that (according to the receptionist). I had my head around this and was feeling good about it. I was reading up about VFC and getting excited about going there.
When I got home today Calgary had called and all of a sudden I was in panic mode. They have an orientation spot for us in October (which when I count it out is 5 months from our referral time). They still said it would be 4 - 6 months after that for treatment.
So really nothing has changed. That is still too long and I would still prefer to go to VFC.... right? I am the worst person in the world at making decisions!!!
I wish I could say to them, "I'll put you on a 2 week waiting list for my decision (until I have had my consult with the other clinic) and then I will make a decision and let you know". I don't think that will go over too well though.
My Dh doesn't seem to get panicked over this and a few months here or there more or less wait doesn't bother him. But he is not the one creeping up on 35 and every month getting closer to that dreaded deadline of moving into the next age category in the success rates charts! He is pretty sure it doesn't work like a light switch and that my success rate potential will not change overnight on my birthday. I guess he can think things out a little more rationally without that distracting biological clock ticking so loudly in the background!!
Oh well I guess as I read through this I can see I really don't need to be in panic mode. I still want to go to VFC for the shorter wait. I just needed to reassure myself.
12 Comments On This Entry
Page 1 of 1
Makana
30 July 2010 - 05:32 PM
So....if you're unsure, why not accept the appointment for Calgary and then have the consult with the VFC, and see what you think. It is always easier to cancel an appointment than make a new one.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Zuu
30 July 2010 - 06:08 PM
Makana makes a good point.
I'm not sure if it makes a difference in your decision, and I'm uneducated about VFC but DH and I did our treatment in Calgary and this clinic has (at least I still think so) the best success rate for IVF. Also, we went on waiting list in July and were told it would be 5-6 months, then we got the call for treatment beginning of October. Sometimes people on the list "higher than you" pass on treatment for whatever reason, which moves you up.
I get what your saying about not wanting to wait - I would say just be sure you check all your facts (costs, success rates, etc...) before you decide. I find list of pros and cons helpful if you're having tough time to make a decision.
P.S. Very cute about the "I'll put you on my waiting list to make a decision". Wouldn't it be nice to make someone at the clinic wait for once.
Good Luck!
I'm not sure if it makes a difference in your decision, and I'm uneducated about VFC but DH and I did our treatment in Calgary and this clinic has (at least I still think so) the best success rate for IVF. Also, we went on waiting list in July and were told it would be 5-6 months, then we got the call for treatment beginning of October. Sometimes people on the list "higher than you" pass on treatment for whatever reason, which moves you up.
I get what your saying about not wanting to wait - I would say just be sure you check all your facts (costs, success rates, etc...) before you decide. I find list of pros and cons helpful if you're having tough time to make a decision.
P.S. Very cute about the "I'll put you on my waiting list to make a decision". Wouldn't it be nice to make someone at the clinic wait for once.
Good Luck!
RainbowsPromise
30 July 2010 - 07:17 PM
Personally if I had it to do over again, I'd go to VFC in a heart beat... we have to travel 8 hours to Calgary anyways so the trip to the Island wouldn't be that much of a deal, plus there are friends and family on the mainland so free accomodations. Calgary might be a really good clinic stats wise but their care overall isn't so hot... I didn't really feel like I got personal care until I got into the donor embryo program (after 2 failed IVFs... or failed attempts as we didn't even get to retrieval and I was pretty much blown off the second time since we didn't have the money to try further). Of course, there are so few of us in the DE program compared to the regular IVF program. With Calgary, you will be successful if you fit into their standard protocols but if you don't have success with them, it's good bye and if you want them to try another protocol, you've got to do the research then fight to get them to do it for you. I've heard wonderful things about the docs at VFC and how your care is much more personalized there. I really wished I'd known this because it would have saved us our wasted $12,000. Anyways, that's just my opinion. I'd say have your phone consult with VFC then see how you're feeling about it afterwards.
Toronto28
30 July 2010 - 07:51 PM
I agree with makana, try the both out and then make a decision and in the mean time, do some more research on both to help you to decide. Good luck with it all.
smc
30 July 2010 - 08:44 PM
Good luck with your decision. I agree with the ladies, try both out and see which one you have a better feeling about!
hopeful4ivf
30 July 2010 - 11:53 PM
Hi we are at the RFC in Calgary. After our initial visit we had to do blood work at certain times in your cycle (over 2 cycles I believe), HSG and ultrasound and it all took just under 2 months. If you are doing Clomid or clomid/iui then after your follow-up appointment (after they had all the test results) we were able to start at our next cycle. If you are thinking about doing IVF you may want to ask if you are allowed to pay the registration fee and get put on the IVF waitlist before your doctor's appointment so at least you while you are waiting to get everything done it cuts down the 4-6 month wait time there (we were wishing we would have thought to do that early on so at least we were moving up the wait list).
I think checking both out sounds like a good idea too! Good luck!
I think checking both out sounds like a good idea too! Good luck!
silverdollar
31 July 2010 - 08:52 AM
I don't know your history, but do you know you'll need IVF for sure? Where you are in the journey would make a big difference. If you haven't done much in the way of diagnostics and are going to try medicated cycles and/ or IUI's being that far from home could be a real challenge. Traveling for a few weeks to do an IVF cycle is one thing. Traveling regularly for months for diagnostics and trying more minimal treatments is a whole other thing. I just wanted to point out that VFC doesn't always have a short wait list. We waited 7 months to get the first appointment & 3 months to start treatment. Good luck with your decision!
tannikka
31 July 2010 - 11:53 AM
I would book the Calgary orientation and still continue on with VFC. What have you got to lose? There is no fee for the orientation, if I remember, and you can always cancel the Calgary orientation.
LisainSK
31 July 2010 - 12:05 PM
We were in the EXACT same position as you last year same time waiting for a call from Calgary for the referral meanwhile awaiting a phone consult with Genesis in Vancouver. In the end we decided to follow through with Calgary - long story. But good luck with your decision.
doodle bug
31 July 2010 - 12:50 PM
First of all, definatley kepp BOTH appt's. you don't need to tell Calgary that you have another appt with another clinic, or vice versa. It's no ones biz but your own. You can always cancel with Calgary after you meet Dr. Hudson- which I know you will do, cause VFC is awesome.
The decor isn't anything special, certainly not as nice as other clinics I've been to- but you're not there for the decor. Dr. Hudson is awesome, and for women who are "unexplained" or" poor responders" or just plain older.. he is THE MAN. I'm not sure if you know about his shared risk program, either? Where, basically you get your 2nd and 3rd IVF for free, if the 1st doesnt work? (you still pay for drugs) this means if you end up having to do 3 you'd save about $12-$14 K !!!!This is such a wonderful safetey net, so you don't feel "this is it" it's now or NEVER. ICSI is also included in the regular IVF price at VFC, wether you need it or not.
The nurses are wonderful, and everyone is so caring and ON TOP OF IT. You will NOT get lost in the shuffle or have an ERROR made by someone not paying close enough attention to your cycle.
We travelled 10 hrs round trip for each u/s even though Genesis and PCRM are less than a 10 minutes drive. And we'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Best of luck!!!!!!!!!!!!
The decor isn't anything special, certainly not as nice as other clinics I've been to- but you're not there for the decor. Dr. Hudson is awesome, and for women who are "unexplained" or" poor responders" or just plain older.. he is THE MAN. I'm not sure if you know about his shared risk program, either? Where, basically you get your 2nd and 3rd IVF for free, if the 1st doesnt work? (you still pay for drugs) this means if you end up having to do 3 you'd save about $12-$14 K !!!!This is such a wonderful safetey net, so you don't feel "this is it" it's now or NEVER. ICSI is also included in the regular IVF price at VFC, wether you need it or not.
The nurses are wonderful, and everyone is so caring and ON TOP OF IT. You will NOT get lost in the shuffle or have an ERROR made by someone not paying close enough attention to your cycle.
We travelled 10 hrs round trip for each u/s even though Genesis and PCRM are less than a 10 minutes drive. And we'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Best of luck!!!!!!!!!!!!
~MTB~
02 August 2010 - 02:07 PM
Thanks ladies for all the replies and input. I am on vacation right now in Nova Scotia. What a great way to get my mind off everything!! The only problem with taking the appointment in Calgary is that just reserving the appointment costs $250. Which I thought about doing... but I think I will just go with VFC. It seems like a great place. We will likely have to go there for the full two weeks or so for IVF but I think it will be fine. I did look into the shared risk program but I don't fit the criteria. Thanks again for the input.
Anne
02 August 2010 - 08:58 PM
We did our DE cycle at VFC in Dec and flew straight across the country to do so. It was "the BEST" decision we had ever made! The ladies are absolutely right when they say you will feel like family. Dr. Hudson has to have the best bedside manner and makes you feel so confident and relaxed (and your DH too, which is often hard to accomplish) that you will just love them all. We stayed in Victoria for about 10 days and it was a very wonderful, relaxing holiday (once the procedures were completed). Lots to see and do, and a great way to come home "fertilized & refreshed". 
You'll be in love all over again!
You'll be in love all over again!
Page 1 of 1
Recent Entries
-
What to do
on Jul 30 2010 04:49 PM
My Blog Links
Recent Comments
← September 2010 →
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
Tags
1 user(s) viewing
1 Guests
0 member(s)
0 anonymous member(s)
0 member(s)
0 anonymous member(s)
Search My Blog
Categories
MyBlogLog
Latest Visitors
Due Date and Development
