Why we chose Dr. Hessla!

Hello friends! Another week has gone by in our world and nothing has changed. I have seen Dr. Hessla twice in the past 5 days. At both appointments I had my traditional ultrasounds and a follow up with the nursing staff. The RN's at ORM are so supportive and informative. Yesterday they had a whole packet they went through with me that gave a mock calender and explained all the additional testing we have to complete. We each have about 50 lab samples that have to be obtained. The lab tests range from checking us for HIV to Rubella. Additionally it was recommend we be tested to see if either of us is a cystic fibrosis carrier. I also started back on the Clomid 3 days ago and I am in so much physicl pain! I can't stand the hormones, but I know it will be worth the wait! I have to say, even though Don and I are RNs, this world of infertility is a whole new ball game for us!

Coming to grips with our infertility has been a process for both myself and Don. I knew right away that something was wrong, Don however thought we just had to try harder. This went on for about a year when I finally said "This is it. We are going to Oregon Reproductive Medicine!" ORM has an amazing reputation in the community. Dr. Hessla's success rates are some of the highest in the country and it is a 6 month waiting list just to meet the man!

Professionally I am a RN at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. I love my job! I don't have a traditional RN role, rather I am in the float pool. In float pool you are not assigned to one unit, rather you call in every morning and find out where you are needed for the day. I float to 6 units; peds medical, peds surgical, peds hematology and oncology, neurological surgery step down, pediatric intensive care unit and and the neonatal care unit. What I love the most about my job is that I get to see something different everyday and follow patients throughout their complicated stays from one unit to another. The other thing I love is bonding with the parents of the kids I get to take care of.

When I first started in the float pool I was in the neonatal care unit all the time. Most of the babies I take care of there are "feeder growers," which basically means they were born prematurely and need time to get big and fat. One of the biggest causes for prematurity is a mom carring multiple babies. Working in the DNCC I was exposed to tons of babies born via IVF, so I started asking the mom's for details. I was amazed at how open these women were with me about the physical, emotional and financial toll that IVF had taken on them. Over and over again I heard Dr. Hessla's name.

Don and I first met Dr.Hessla about 1 1/2 years ago. Going to his office was so strange! Later on I will post some pics from his office.... It is a little weird. The first thing that ORM did when we checked in was take our photograph. Apparently, the 4 doctors in the ORM office have weekly rounds to discuss the patients. When they talk about a specific case they project the couples picture so that everyone on the team knows exactly who they are talking about. At the top of this posting is a copy of the picture they took of us! After our photo session Don and I were lead back to Dr. Hessla's office. He immediately go the ball rolling.

After reviewing our charts he was very honest with us. He said that with each round of IUI we only had a 10% change of getting pregnant. He thought IVF would be better and would have about an 80% chance of working the first time. I can hear people reading this and asking "Why not just do IVF then!" Well, first off Dr.Hessla said that finiacially it would majke sence for us to do 5 rounds of IUI. IUI costs about 5% of what IVF costs. Also with IUI I only have to have two months ultrasounds and the whole process takes 2 weeks. IVF is ridiculously expensive, takes 6 weeks with every other day ultrasounds, injections, ect. Needless to say, the IUI we are doing this month is our last and we will start preparing for my IVF cycle to start in March! Wish us luck! I will post another update next week. Next Tuesday we have a meeting with Dr. Hessla to work out all the details and we will start on out way!