So I went to the clinic today for my first scan and tonight is my first injection. I remembered to take the Gonal-F out of the fridge so it won't be too cold. My scan was fine. Not with my usual doctor as he's on holiday, but with his colleague who I've seen before. There wasn't much discussion or information. Just an 'all good' and a schedule for injections!
I had to pay the big bill today, but since I've already paid for my drugs, that should be most of the money done for two cycles now. I'll do a cost update at some point with all the costs. I was paying for the egg freezing and talking to the office manager and I complained about how my follow up appointment was not included and that I had to a) request it and b) pay for, on the last cycle. She agreed with me that it wasn't good but needs to talk about it with the doctors. Meaning, she couldn't give me anything for it, but I'm glad I complained.
I was also slightly distressed that my cycle seems to be coinciding with all of the doctors being busy or away. I tried to schedule my next scans and could only schedule the very next one, and a day after what I wanted. So my next (second) scan is on Tuesday. I really wanted Monday morning but there weren't any openings. This means I need to go up to Cambridge, come back from Cambridge, go back to Cambridge, and come back from Cambridge whereas I really just wanted to go up and come back once. Oh well. It's a minor inconvenience really. But the doctors being away is a bigger one. I'll find out more on Tuesday about when and with who my next scans are going to be. Not entirely pleased about it at the moment but I'm hoping it sorts itself out somehow.
Not much else to say yet. I did pick up a sharps bin from the clinic as I didn't get one with my drug delivery (even though I was supposed to). So at least that's sorted.
Right. I guess I better go get it done!
Showing posts with label sharps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sharps. Show all posts
13 June 2013
27 April 2013
Drug Delivery
About a week after I'd sent off my prescription to Healthcare at Home (HaH) I got a call to arrange payment and delivery. They were really helpful and friendly on the phone. There was a bit of a mess because it was going on my mom's credit card and she's in the States and they needed her to verify the payment but actually in the end it was all rather simple and easy and so the drugs were paid for at the price I was quoted (still can't believe it) and delivery was arranged for today.
They made a point of telling me that some of the drugs require chilling and so would need to be put in the fridge straight away and instructions would be provided. This proved to be true. It was marked on the box...
...as well as on the inventory.
So all of that has gone straight into the fridge, super easy. The rest is all the Cetrotide which apparently does not need to be refrigerated. That's a lot of Cetrotide!
The only disappointing thing about this was that the drugs and the inventory were all that was in the box. I had asked if the sharps bin came with the drugs and I was told in my original contact by email as well as over the phone that everything I needed would be included, but I'm sad to report it was not. On the other hand, I don't think it's that complicated to get a sharps bin (I'm fairly certain I can pick one up from a pharmacy or from my GP). It's just a small hassle that I wasn't expecting. In the grand scheme of things, it's fine. And I think it's probably an oversight or error since multiple people told me that it would be there.
I'm really not complaining all things considered.
So it's weird to have all the drugs again. It's still a month away and I've got a three week trip to the States that's going to happen in between now and then. Part of me is sort of looking forward to getting it started though, and part of me is looking forward to just getting it done.
They made a point of telling me that some of the drugs require chilling and so would need to be put in the fridge straight away and instructions would be provided. This proved to be true. It was marked on the box...
...as well as on the inventory.
So all of that has gone straight into the fridge, super easy. The rest is all the Cetrotide which apparently does not need to be refrigerated. That's a lot of Cetrotide!
The only disappointing thing about this was that the drugs and the inventory were all that was in the box. I had asked if the sharps bin came with the drugs and I was told in my original contact by email as well as over the phone that everything I needed would be included, but I'm sad to report it was not. On the other hand, I don't think it's that complicated to get a sharps bin (I'm fairly certain I can pick one up from a pharmacy or from my GP). It's just a small hassle that I wasn't expecting. In the grand scheme of things, it's fine. And I think it's probably an oversight or error since multiple people told me that it would be there.
I'm really not complaining all things considered.
So it's weird to have all the drugs again. It's still a month away and I've got a three week trip to the States that's going to happen in between now and then. Part of me is sort of looking forward to getting it started though, and part of me is looking forward to just getting it done.
25 February 2013
Day 16 - It's the Final Countdown
I can't believe I have taken my last shots of this cycle! I was very good about taking my two shots last night exactly on time. My last Cetrotide was at 7:01pm and my Ovitrelle was at 8:01pm. Go me.
And because it's something new, I also have some new pictures to share. First, there's the Ovitrelle. It needed to be kept in the fridge. I looked online and it seemed reasonable to believe that I could remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before injection so it was less chilly. So I did. Here is the box:
Having removed it from the fridge 30 minutes before injecting, it wasn't noticeably cold in any way or uncomfortable compared to my other injections. Now, you might notice the air bubble that it comes with. I did ask the nurse and she said not to worry about the air bubble. That as the injection was subcutaneous, it doesn't matter. Air bubbles really only matter if they get into your veins. But I wasn't thrilled with the big air bubble so I did get rid of most of it before doing the injection although not all of it- as I didn't want to risk losing any of the injection itself. It went in no problem and then I was done:
I did think one thing interesting about this syringe was how it was sort of "all glass". The Cetrotide syringes had a plastic plunger. I thought this was actually a rather attractive sort of syringe. If such things can be viewed in any was as attractive. Anyway, I put the cover back on the needle and put my last bit of sharp into my sharps bin!
And so that's it really. The only thing left in my bag of tricks is the lovely suppository.
Oh yippee. It's funny to read some of the forums where people get all squeamish about suppositories. Honestly, you've been jabbing yourself with needles for two weeks and getting done by an ultrasound dildo every few days and you can't manage to pop something up your bum? I find this line of modesty sort of amusing. But in reality, that picture makes it look a bit invasive. Really, it's very tiny and I'm sure it will be no problem at all.
And so tomorrow I will have answers to questions that no one can answer for me. Today I am going to drink huge amounts of water and eat sensibly but light (I had a massive Sunday roast yesterday and ate red meat like it was going out of style). No food or drink after midnight- though I plan to be asleep by then. Then up bright and early to have a shower and then avoid putting on deodorant or anything else with a scent as instructed by my clinic, pop in the suppository, grab my sharps box, and get on public transport at 7:30 to be there for 8:30 for my procedure at 9am.
It's hard not to be hopeful. And simultaneously afraid of a bad result. It will be what it will be. There is nothing else I can do but wait and see. And I will update here when I am able. I still plan to travel up to Cambridge tomorrow night though, so we'll see how everything is going. It could all be panic stations around here just due to my life, as of now put on hold, resuming with force.
And because it's something new, I also have some new pictures to share. First, there's the Ovitrelle. It needed to be kept in the fridge. I looked online and it seemed reasonable to believe that I could remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before injection so it was less chilly. So I did. Here is the box:
And here is what is inside the box. One pre-filled and ready-to-go syringe. Oh, and also there was a little instruction and information sheet, but it wasn't very useful or interesting so I didn't photograph that.
Having removed it from the fridge 30 minutes before injecting, it wasn't noticeably cold in any way or uncomfortable compared to my other injections. Now, you might notice the air bubble that it comes with. I did ask the nurse and she said not to worry about the air bubble. That as the injection was subcutaneous, it doesn't matter. Air bubbles really only matter if they get into your veins. But I wasn't thrilled with the big air bubble so I did get rid of most of it before doing the injection although not all of it- as I didn't want to risk losing any of the injection itself. It went in no problem and then I was done:
I did think one thing interesting about this syringe was how it was sort of "all glass". The Cetrotide syringes had a plastic plunger. I thought this was actually a rather attractive sort of syringe. If such things can be viewed in any was as attractive. Anyway, I put the cover back on the needle and put my last bit of sharp into my sharps bin!
So here you see it. The results of my first cycle of sharps. Pretty much filled the bin. you can see that it says not to fill above the line and I'd suggest that it was pretty much filled exactly to the line! This was mainly due to all of the extra and unused needles that come with the Gonal-F pens. Pretty wasteful, those. Anyway, I figure I will take this with me tomorrow morning to the clinic and give it to them for disposal so I got to lock down the lid!
And so that's it really. The only thing left in my bag of tricks is the lovely suppository.
Oh yippee. It's funny to read some of the forums where people get all squeamish about suppositories. Honestly, you've been jabbing yourself with needles for two weeks and getting done by an ultrasound dildo every few days and you can't manage to pop something up your bum? I find this line of modesty sort of amusing. But in reality, that picture makes it look a bit invasive. Really, it's very tiny and I'm sure it will be no problem at all.
And so tomorrow I will have answers to questions that no one can answer for me. Today I am going to drink huge amounts of water and eat sensibly but light (I had a massive Sunday roast yesterday and ate red meat like it was going out of style). No food or drink after midnight- though I plan to be asleep by then. Then up bright and early to have a shower and then avoid putting on deodorant or anything else with a scent as instructed by my clinic, pop in the suppository, grab my sharps box, and get on public transport at 7:30 to be there for 8:30 for my procedure at 9am.
It's hard not to be hopeful. And simultaneously afraid of a bad result. It will be what it will be. There is nothing else I can do but wait and see. And I will update here when I am able. I still plan to travel up to Cambridge tomorrow night though, so we'll see how everything is going. It could all be panic stations around here just due to my life, as of now put on hold, resuming with force.
12 February 2013
Day 3
Okay, that shot hurt more than the first two. I tried more to my side, and a little higher up than my belly bulge and I don't think I'll be doing that one again. I'm not sure- maybe I didn't go at a complete 90 degree angle? To be fair it's hard to tell. And it's not like it was "painful" just more painful than the first two. So tomorrow, it's back to the belly bulge.
Tonight I started my new 900 pen. It comes with a lot more needles (that I also won't use) as you can see here:
It's not clear where you are supposed to dispose of the extra needles- or the empty pen for that matter. I think I'll take it all back to the clinic. They must have medical disposal waste there. Or maybe it all goes in the sharps bin? I don't know. I'll find out tomorrow. So here is a view of the pen with the cap still on. The little black spot there shows the dosage. It's all very easy. Turn the red end until it reads the right number after attaching the needle and away you go!
If I hadn't been annoyed by the sting of the shot tonight I would have tried to take a photo but I was trying to work out if I had the angle all wrong so couldn't manage it. But hey, I have lots of time to mess around with cameras and stuff!
In other news... I can't tell how it's affecting my body. I have a cold so I feel crappy because I have a cold. I also have my period (though it's ending) so I feel sort of crappy because I have my period. And of course I'm taking the Gonal-F, which does have side effects but it's basically impossible right now for me to say if I feel crappy because of my period, because of a cold, or because of the drugs, or some combination of any of the above.
I do feel bloated. And I definitely brought the wrong pair of jeans up with me. Luckily, I go home tomorrow and I can change back to some comfy pants. I have my first scan tomorrow afternoon, so I can find out if the three days of drugs have actually done anything. And tomorrow night I also add the Cetrotide, so then I get to have two shots. And the Cetrotide requires some mixing, so I'll post more about that too.
Onwards and onwards! Grow little egglings, grow!
Tonight I started my new 900 pen. It comes with a lot more needles (that I also won't use) as you can see here:
It's not clear where you are supposed to dispose of the extra needles- or the empty pen for that matter. I think I'll take it all back to the clinic. They must have medical disposal waste there. Or maybe it all goes in the sharps bin? I don't know. I'll find out tomorrow. So here is a view of the pen with the cap still on. The little black spot there shows the dosage. It's all very easy. Turn the red end until it reads the right number after attaching the needle and away you go!
In other news... I can't tell how it's affecting my body. I have a cold so I feel crappy because I have a cold. I also have my period (though it's ending) so I feel sort of crappy because I have my period. And of course I'm taking the Gonal-F, which does have side effects but it's basically impossible right now for me to say if I feel crappy because of my period, because of a cold, or because of the drugs, or some combination of any of the above.
I do feel bloated. And I definitely brought the wrong pair of jeans up with me. Luckily, I go home tomorrow and I can change back to some comfy pants. I have my first scan tomorrow afternoon, so I can find out if the three days of drugs have actually done anything. And tomorrow night I also add the Cetrotide, so then I get to have two shots. And the Cetrotide requires some mixing, so I'll post more about that too.
Onwards and onwards! Grow little egglings, grow!
10 February 2013
First Shot
Well, it's 10pm and I have just administered my first shot. I was more nervous than I thought I would be. I watched a couple of videos online about how to do it, then I got my stuff together and got it done. First things first, I got to open the box that it all comes in, so it looked like this:
So here you see then pen, a shitload of needles that I will not need (for me, this pen holds 2 doses), an information sheet telling you all about what the drug is for and what the side effects are, and then a brochure on how to administer your dose. Another view:
Now it tells you to take everything to a 'clean place'. So I figured my bed was maybe not the cleanest dust-free environment so I took everything down to my dining table which I wiped clean. I also washed my hands (as instructed). Luckily I had some antiseptic wipes in the house. The doctor neglected to tell me I needed any, and they didn't come in the box. And of course I had my sharps bin ready.
Now I didn't take pictures during the needle prep or anything as I was just too focused on getting it done. I had no air bubble in the pen, so I put on a needle, set the correct dose, wiped my side/stomach down, pinched an inch, and injected at a 90 degree angle. I did feel a bit of a poke and didn't like it but that was really just an instant and then I honestly didn't feel anything. I depressed the plunger. It seemed to go very very slowly.... and then you need to hold the pen in for ten seconds. Then I went to remove the pen- and as I removed it I accidentally took my finger off the plunger like you are NOT supposed to do, so I sort of freaked out that I screwed something up, but then pen showed a '0' which meant I gave myself a full dose, and I didn't see any blood or anything sucked back into it so I think it's okay. It did well up with a tiny dot of blood, as you can see here:
Which is probably why they also tell you to have some sterile gauze with you, but I didn't have any of that, so I just gave it an extra wipe with the alcohol pad and it seemed fine. Now it's gone a little bit dark and it's got a bit of a bump to it (fluid underneath?) but it's all fine and done. So that's shot one. Tomorrow, and the next night I am in my 'other' home, so I need to pack up all my stuff and take it with me. 10 pm should be fine tomorrow, although Tuesday night it might be slightly trickier. Wednesday night, which will be day 4, I add the Cetrotide. As I get more skilled at this, maybe I can take some better pictures.
Now what am I supposed to do with all of those unused needles? I guess they all just go straight into the sharps bin. I'll ask the clinic tomorrow when I call to make an appointment for my scan.
So here you see then pen, a shitload of needles that I will not need (for me, this pen holds 2 doses), an information sheet telling you all about what the drug is for and what the side effects are, and then a brochure on how to administer your dose. Another view:
Now it tells you to take everything to a 'clean place'. So I figured my bed was maybe not the cleanest dust-free environment so I took everything down to my dining table which I wiped clean. I also washed my hands (as instructed). Luckily I had some antiseptic wipes in the house. The doctor neglected to tell me I needed any, and they didn't come in the box. And of course I had my sharps bin ready.
Now I didn't take pictures during the needle prep or anything as I was just too focused on getting it done. I had no air bubble in the pen, so I put on a needle, set the correct dose, wiped my side/stomach down, pinched an inch, and injected at a 90 degree angle. I did feel a bit of a poke and didn't like it but that was really just an instant and then I honestly didn't feel anything. I depressed the plunger. It seemed to go very very slowly.... and then you need to hold the pen in for ten seconds. Then I went to remove the pen- and as I removed it I accidentally took my finger off the plunger like you are NOT supposed to do, so I sort of freaked out that I screwed something up, but then pen showed a '0' which meant I gave myself a full dose, and I didn't see any blood or anything sucked back into it so I think it's okay. It did well up with a tiny dot of blood, as you can see here:
Which is probably why they also tell you to have some sterile gauze with you, but I didn't have any of that, so I just gave it an extra wipe with the alcohol pad and it seemed fine. Now it's gone a little bit dark and it's got a bit of a bump to it (fluid underneath?) but it's all fine and done. So that's shot one. Tomorrow, and the next night I am in my 'other' home, so I need to pack up all my stuff and take it with me. 10 pm should be fine tomorrow, although Tuesday night it might be slightly trickier. Wednesday night, which will be day 4, I add the Cetrotide. As I get more skilled at this, maybe I can take some better pictures.
Now what am I supposed to do with all of those unused needles? I guess they all just go straight into the sharps bin. I'll ask the clinic tomorrow when I call to make an appointment for my scan.
07 February 2013
First Drugs
So now I'm just waiting for my period...
In the meantime I thought I'd put up what I got from the doctor. They had it all ready for me in a blue plastic bag. This is probably about half of the drugs (or a bit less) than I will actually need. I appreciate that they are only giving me what I need. I've read some blogs where people were encouraged to buy all the drugs up front and of course they may adjust the dose so then you have left-over very very expensive drugs. You're looking at over £600 of drugs and equipment here ($900).
To give you some idea of size, that paper on top is A3 (11x17). I felt like a serious junkie on my way home from the clinic! I will post more pictures as I go through the process. I don't know. It helps me feel calm and collected to document the process. The first thing I'll be taking is the Gonal-F on the second day of my period.
For the love of... I'm not computer illiterate! I don't know why it insists on rotating this photo. I give up. So anyway, these are two injection pens. I'll give more details when I open my first box. Probably the 450 box. I'm starting on a 225 dose, so the first pen will have 2 doses. The second 900 pen has 4 doses. But they may lower the dose after my next scan which should be on day 4 of injections. On day 4 I also start the Cetrotide which is the one that came with the instruction sheet because I have to mix it. That is always the same dose, so each box is a single dose with everything you need to mix it up. Again, more on that as it happens.
But the thing that really made me feel the most like a druggie? The sharps bin. Here you can see the place for my needles... and the top of my instruction schedule. The nurse was very careful to tell me that as it's shown there it's 'closed' but if I push it the whole way, it will lock. So don't do that. Of course I need to travel around with this thing and I'm thinking, if it doesn't close, can't things fall out of it??? I'll just have to pack it carefully.
Now on with the waiting for my period... honestly. It's worse than being a 12 year old girl!
In the meantime I thought I'd put up what I got from the doctor. They had it all ready for me in a blue plastic bag. This is probably about half of the drugs (or a bit less) than I will actually need. I appreciate that they are only giving me what I need. I've read some blogs where people were encouraged to buy all the drugs up front and of course they may adjust the dose so then you have left-over very very expensive drugs. You're looking at over £600 of drugs and equipment here ($900).
To give you some idea of size, that paper on top is A3 (11x17). I felt like a serious junkie on my way home from the clinic! I will post more pictures as I go through the process. I don't know. It helps me feel calm and collected to document the process. The first thing I'll be taking is the Gonal-F on the second day of my period.
For the love of... I'm not computer illiterate! I don't know why it insists on rotating this photo. I give up. So anyway, these are two injection pens. I'll give more details when I open my first box. Probably the 450 box. I'm starting on a 225 dose, so the first pen will have 2 doses. The second 900 pen has 4 doses. But they may lower the dose after my next scan which should be on day 4 of injections. On day 4 I also start the Cetrotide which is the one that came with the instruction sheet because I have to mix it. That is always the same dose, so each box is a single dose with everything you need to mix it up. Again, more on that as it happens.
But the thing that really made me feel the most like a druggie? The sharps bin. Here you can see the place for my needles... and the top of my instruction schedule. The nurse was very careful to tell me that as it's shown there it's 'closed' but if I push it the whole way, it will lock. So don't do that. Of course I need to travel around with this thing and I'm thinking, if it doesn't close, can't things fall out of it??? I'll just have to pack it carefully.
Now on with the waiting for my period... honestly. It's worse than being a 12 year old girl!
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