distracted

5 11 2008

Yesterday was a historic day, a fantastic day that may bring about a shift in the entire world. I’m so grateful that yesterday happened in my lifetime, and so hopeful that the change yesterday represents, to so many in America and around the world, will actually come to fruition and make the world a better place for everyone.

So I’m happy, really I am.

But yesterday was also a spectacularly shit day. My spotting turned to bleeding, which has continued to get heavier into today, crushing all hope that this was late implantation. I have a brutal headache that won’t go away. And yesterday morning, after getting to work late because we had a morning meeting with our mortgage specialist, I picked up the phone to call my clinic to report CD 1, and was told unceremoniously that Dr. Rational has suspended fertility treatments at this time because the ultrasound tech is very ill and in hospital, and their backup for u/s can’t accomodate everyone and of course pregnant women get priority over those trying to get pregnant. And that while the u/s tech is likely to be off for 6 weeks or so, that brings us into Christmas when the clinic “slows down” so basically no treatment until after Christmas.

After I bleated out a stunned protest that it might have been good if someone had thought to give me a call so I didn’t have to hear this way, which was met with what sounded to me to be a mild rebuke that “it’s been hard on everyone”, I hung up the phone. And then I laid my head on my desk and sobbed. I sobbed until the anger returned and made me pull it together. Then I realized that not only would I not be at the telling stage by Christmas, there was basically no way that I would be pregnant by Christmas. Then I sobbed some more.

My boss, bless him, asked no questions, just hugged me, told me it would be ok, and sent me home.

Where I stewed about how shitty my clinic is, how little they actually care about what I or any other patient there is going through, how reliant the system is a single individual, how those of us who are struggling to get pregnant are treated so poorly in the system, how we are always last in line, how we are reminded, by the head nurse in my clinic during a follow up call, that fertility treatment is elective and therefore we don’t rate highly enough to tax the system even more than it already is right now. And I stewed also about the fact that my clinic didn’t see fit to make phone calls to people in the middle of a cycle (although they must have phoned people with u/s appointments booked) but instead sent a letter out that I should be getting sometime, and when I challenged them about this they said there were too many patients to call.

Right. Cause leaving a voicemail for the people who are in the middle of treatment right now is too much for the full-time social worker, the 2 receptionists, the head nurse, and the half-dozen or so other people that work in the office there. Not even counting the doctors. Or the entire health region administration, for that matter.

I know it would have been above and beyond, I know everyone would have had to pitch in. But seriously? They couldn’t each have spared a half hour to let people know?

If I can’t get compassion from my clinic, can’t I at least get a phone call so I don’t have to hear that I won’t get another try until the new year on the day that I am calling to report that this cycle is another negative?

Fuckers.

So I’m sad, I’m mad, I’m overwhelmed. I’m glad the world I woke up in this morning is a different place than it was yesterday, but at the moment, my attention is elsewhere. Back in my solipsistic IF hell.


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29 responses

5 11 2008
Searching For Serenity

You have every right to be upset. How dare they not make the effort inform patients that are currently being treated. I think anyone that works in a fertility clinic should take additional training on bed side manner.

I hope you do something nice for yourself today or this weekend. You deserve it.

5 11 2008
JJ

Im so sorry sweetie…hope you have a brighter day today–thinking of you.

5 11 2008
Leslee

Oh, Anna. I am so sorry. Is there any way you could work with another office to have the ultrasounds done and sent to the doctor? I live 4 hours from my RE and I have all my scans done locally at my gyn’s office. Or I had them done there when I was cycling with the RE.

I agree with Searching… pamper yourself!

5 11 2008
loribeth

Oh Anna, that’s just awful. I know people who used to travel for hours to get to my clinic too — bad enough for the locals to be treated that way, but imagine coming all that way & being told “Sorry!” The rotten thing is I imagine there aren’t too many choices in clinics where you live, so you can’t just pick up & take your business elsewhere. :(

I’m glad your boss was so kind. And I agree that some spectacular self-indulgence is in order. ; )

5 11 2008
Jendeis

I’m so sorry sweetie. They are f-ers. Eff them. Or not, they probably are bad in bed. I think it’s time for some mindless TV – HGTV anyone?

5 11 2008
bleu

I am so so sad and so so angry for you right now my dear friend.

Is this your only choice of clinics??? I want to throttle them for their lack of thoughtfulness. How dare they be such asses!!!!!!

I am so sorry for this cycle ending this way also, I so wanted different for you.

Much much love and peace right now.

5 11 2008
MW

I know this is the only place in town that will do IUIs, but would an average obgyn do a basic AI based on using OPK sticks to know when you’re about to ovulate? Or is the sample/specimen (not sure of the correct term:-)) in limited supply and shouldn’t be used for attempts that would probably have a lower success rate?

MW

5 11 2008
Tara

What a bunch of bullshit. There is only one or two people who can operate an u/s machine??? Really??? What a joke!

I am not 100% sure where you are but I think I know what provice you’re in. It’s too bad you couldn’t do a couple of cycles in Calgary because I’ve heard fabulous things about them.

And I”m so sorry that it’s CD1. Man, that stings.

I want to give you a hug.

5 11 2008
Emily

That is ridiculous! Shame on them! You have every right to be upset. I second the question of can you go somewhere else (even if its for part of the treatment)? You deserve better than this Miss Anna and I hope it starts to come together soon.

Thinking of you! xoxo

5 11 2008
Lori in Denver

I can’t add anything that hasn’t been said about the crappy way the clinic handled this.

Abiding with you, Anna.

5 11 2008
emily

I’m so sorry. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Could they not have snnounced it in a more compassionate way? What the heck!??!!

I’m sorry about your period. It is totally unfair. Take care.

5 11 2008
Jamie

I am so sorry. What shitty news on top of already shitty news.

You are in my thoughts . . .

5 11 2008
Nity

I’m so sorry. That sounds awful. I cannot even imagine. Our clinic closes down for 2 weeks at the end of Dec to clean the OR and that means no ER or ET. My cycle got messed up and as I was coming out of anesthesia they told me I couldn’t do the ET and I wouldn’t be able to do a FET until January. Luckily it might work out differently, but I totally feel you on the frustration, pain and anger. For me the whole thing involved lots of tears.
**HUGS**

5 11 2008
Leslee

Thanks for the support… my confidence waivers sometimes in my decision to become an Infertile Doula, but I hope that pregnancy/birth/breastfeeding is my future career.

As far as earlypregtests… I have had issues with them in the past where I’ve missed ovulation because of their sensitivity levels. I stick with CVS brand because they are IDENTICAL to the AccuClear ones (or at least I think it was AccuClear). Plus I poas at work and I don’t really want to take a plastic cup into the stall with me every time ;) That would get some stares!

Have a great night!

5 11 2008
Vee

That totally sucks on all accounts. I am mad for you too ! I am sorry to hear that Anna.

5 11 2008
clare

so so sorry… no words.. Damn I really wanted this to work for you. I wish you could use my clinic. Yours sounds dreadful

5 11 2008
Io

Damn it. Damnitdamnitdamnit.
Oh my dear friend, that is so sucky. And the way they handled it was terrible.
I know how much you wanted this before Christmas and to not even have the possibility now makes me so sad for you.
Poop.

5 11 2008
pj

Tons of random thoughts to throw at you…

That sucks on so many levels! ughhhhhhhhhhhh!!! I’m so sorry.

I know I’m deathly afraid of getting kicked out of my next cycle because of the holidays. I tried to calculate everything based on my last cycle but I don’t know how reliable that is with the wonkiness of the fertility meds screwing with my system.

The day my nurse told me that I miscarried, she also said “oh, but I don’t know if that’ll be too into the holidays for a cycle”. Which made me cringe, on top of the shock of the news. Shitty.

I’m glad you got to go home. That was good of your boss.

I’m on top of the world that Obama won!

I hope your house stuff is going better, and that you have that to focus on. It might be that things are aligned that way, if that makes any sense? #1 Buy House, #2 Get pregnant?

Huge hugs!!!

5 11 2008
Pam/Wordgirl

Oh Anna.

I am so sorry. I understand the hell, I do. I’m here with you, reading and thinking and being with you.

XO

Pam

5 11 2008
topcat

My heart is sore for you today, Anna.

Hope the world has softened edges for you. Hugs and kisses and love, tinsel, rainbows, bubbles that don’t pop … that is what I’m sending you. XOXOX

5 11 2008
s.e.

I truly get how you are feeling. Being out of control once again is just awful. And although there is nothing to say or do, I wish I could change this for you.

Know that it will get better again. Be bitter for a while. Cry. You have every right too. But I know you, Anna. You will be standing tall again soon.

Hurting for you…

5 11 2008
Vintage Mommy

Hi Anna,
I’m sorry to hear your sad news. Sometimes indulging in tears and anger is the best thing you can do. Take care of yourself.

6 11 2008
circlesbecomeme

Still thinking of you… I am home tomorrow morning if you want to chat, email, Im anything. I suspect I am about 5-6 hours behind you (but a day ahead so Friday in my world).

Or if you just want to flick through photos of the only good part of today, check this out… distraction doesn’t cure, but makes the time pass sometimes – at least for me

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/default.asp?page=3

6 11 2008
jodie38

Oh, man. That’s horrible. The show of humanity is just staggering. I’m so sorry it didn’t work, and that you were treated so roughly by your clinic.

“Solipsitic IF hell” – damn, that’s perfect. I’m completely there with ya…..

6 11 2008
lovecomesfirst

oh boo. I’m so sorry. Medical professionals really lack empathy sometimes don’t they?
I’m feeling the indulgance. SO much so, I might have to indulge in something special for myself in your honor.

6 11 2008
Somewhat Ordinary

Oh, that really sucks! I’m mad for you. I can’t believe they would do something like!

7 11 2008
Deathstar

Oh, Anna:

Those people are ghastly! It’s what happens when they know they are your only choice. They ought to be ashamed of their insensitivity. Please know that as much as you are disappointed, you will make it through this and you still have something to look forward to.

8 11 2008
luna

oh anna, I’m so sorry. just catching yup with you know, and this really rots. I’ve had those moments of hopeless exhaustion, when it seems like it will never happen and you won’t even get the chance to try. it is overwhelming. I’m glad your boss was kind enough to send you home.

I can only hope that when they are finally ready to go, the timing will be what it should be…

8 11 2008
Ms Heathen

Oh Anna, I’m so very sorry – both that this cycle did not work out for you, and for the enforced break in treatments.

You have every right to feel angry and upset at the way in which the news was communicated to you – it really does show gross insensitivity on the part of the clinic.

I hope that your impending move will provide some much-needed distraction from the haunting sense of disappointment. In the meantime, I hope you’re following everyone’s advice and pampering yourself! I prescribe wine and chocolate!

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