Gift from science Part 2

First, for those who haven’t read the first article:
Gift from Science

All women are not equal to egg freezing, in addition to the laws prohibiting it in some countries (see first article) the cost can be high, it’s not accessible to everybody and it’s necessary to devote time and to have minimum of stress.

Stress my worst enemy. On 2 occasions I couldn’t start the ovarian stimulation treatment because of an ovarian cyst which had developed just at the wrong time. Besides me who always had perfect scheduled period, from my first appointment at the clinic, everything went unplanned!

I must admit that even being a tower of strength, there were many ups and downs. It's not easy to manage and you must be very well surrounded, and I don’t tell when I was under treatment, I passed from laughter to tears permanently! My friends have been extraordinarily supportive, I can’t thank them enough for having been there for me, and my best friend told me during the first failure, I quote " friends are not only there during good times... " I love you!

10 ultrasounds, blood tests with pages and pages of results and 18 injections in total.

My ovarian follicles were growing slowly, we had to extend the treatment which was 10 days initially, and apart from that I shouldn’t stress ... long live yoga (and sangria, drunk responsibly obviously).

Injections to self-administer every night before bedtime, it's rather impressive, if you are afraid of needles I strongly advise not to do it!

The few days before and after the collection, my ovaries were huge and painful, which made me difficult to move and walk.
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You must be very motivated. In addition, no one could accompany me this time I had to manage it completely alone, well with a million messages and phone calls to my friends!

​A first appointment with the doctor and an ultrasound to establish a first assessment. A very detailed explanation with pictures and diagrams of the process and the expected results. Then, a list of all the tests to perform. Finally, I get a quote. For me, my decision was made without any hesitation, I just had to decide when to come back.
 
When all the conditions are right, which for me took a few months and my body's control by  the pill, we start the treatment with injections to activate the production of oocytes.
Ten years of fertility in this box:

​Then, it’s necessary to prevent oocytes from coming out of the follicles, thus another injection in complement with the first:

​Finally, the last injection and not a small one for the final maturation before the collection.
In addition to being intimidating by the size of the needle, this one must be filled by yourself with a certain quantity of mixture that you make from 4 bottles ... No, no, no stress at all... I never had to defuse a bomb but I think it's pretty close hahaha. If you are hopeless with your hands, get help!!

The collection was performed under general anaesthesia, and I had a few hours to wake up gently, before being told the number of my eggs that was frozen: 10!

The clinic is very well equipped and very welcoming. Private lounges allow you to wait in privacy. I only met 2 patients during all my visits.
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My doctor spoke English but the rest of the staff spoke French, my mother tongue. Everyone was very accessible and it was also easy to contact them. I have absolutely nothing wrong to say about the organisation, they are very professional and attentive. I recommend them without hesitation and the day I decide to follow up, I will call them again.

A little reminder of biology since one of my friends asked me some details. Women produce several eggs per cycle but only one will be released in the hope of being fertilised, while the others will die. As part of the freezing process, hormonal treatment ensures that as many eggs as possible are mature for collection.
 
I don’t know if I will use my frozen eggs one day, but it's the assurance of not having regret. Obviously even with 10 eggs I'm not sure to have a child. All eggs won’t survive freezing, then there is thawing and sperm injection. Next, the growth of fertilised eggs in a laboratory and the uterus to prepare to receive one egg or more. Finally, being pregnant or not, and reach full term.
Somehow, I'm happy to see that nature still impacts even though it can be a hard reality to accept when no treatment works ...
 
This practice has been developed a lot in the last 5 years.
Moreover, research and methods are progressing, which increases my chances of having a child with my frozen eggs. In addition to cryopreservation of oocytes, today it’s possible in some countries such as the United States to cryopreserve embryos. Recently also some doctors talk about ovarian rejuvenation by injecting the patient's blood cells into the ovaries, which would restimulate egg production. Research never stops ...
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I’ve been 4 times in Madrid to achieve my goal but what a great accomplishment.
On the top of that, it gave me the opportunity to visit Madrid, this fantastic city, full of charm and history.

Some people expect from life a happy ending,  my happiness I build it myself day after day, one step after another! Believe in your dreams and give yourself the means to achieve them!

Love,
L.
 
Song: Calum Scott & Leona Lewis-You are the reason.