Thursday, February 18, 2010

MS update/PCOS

I just wanted to pop in and update everyone on what's going on. I received a phone call from Shared Solutions yesterday and my Copaxone injectables will be able to be picked up (along with a Sharps disposal container) within a few days. Copaxone runs about $2000 a month-I am SO grateful that we have awesome insurance and only have to pay the copay of $25 a month---I thought--while on the phone yesterday, the nurse from Shared Solutions told me that I qualified for an assistance where they pay up to $30 of our copay AKA we.don't.pay.anything!!! I was so relieved. A part of me has been feeling VERY guilty for all of these medical expenses lately. Last night Lou and I watched the most boring DVD ever about my treatment and I'll be scheduling with the nurse soon as well to come and show me how to inject myself.

A lot of people have been asking when/if we are planning on having more children, especially now with the MS diagnosis. The answer is yes....someday..we hope. And here are the reasons why:
1) I cannot be pregnant and be injecting myself with Copaxone. In order to get pregnant I have to be off treatment for 3 months prior. At this time, my neurologist told us that it is more important for me to take care of myself and begin treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage. She advised I be injections for at least one year.

2) I also found out this week that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and multiple cysts on my ovaries. PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility. I have ovulated ONE time in the last 2 years (yes ladies, you know what that means-lucky me! haha!)...and I have ONE child..get the picture. Dominic is a miracle in every sense of the word and I believe that I was destined to be his Mommy. So with that being said, I talked to my doctor and when the time comes for us to expand our family I will have to use fertility treatments to conceive. Most likely I will immediately go to the Clomid route-but we're just not sure when this time will come. We want to limit the time that I am off treatment.

I know this is more TMI than I usually share but it's something that breaks a bit of my heart every time I get asked the question or find out people are having more children. I don't have baby fever by any means (Don't worry Lou!) but I guess I envy the fact that they are ABLE to. I don't have a choice or control of what is happening right now and it's a bit hard to swallow. Everything is happening so quickly that I don't believe I've had a second to really let it all soak in before I'm diagnosed with something else! haha! Maybe that's why I am putting off that dental checkup! hahaha! :)

Thanks for letting me vent! In other news-we are going to Sesame Street Live on Sunday!!! I won tickets on the radio and we have great seats! This way we also don't feel like we wasted $ if Dominic doesn't like it-but he LOOOOOVES Elmo so I'm super excited!!! Have a wonderful weekend! :)

-Brooke

5 comments:

Nicole Schwarz said...

Hey Brooke-

Just wanted to let you know that I am always including you in my long list of daily prayers. It is hard enough to be a Mommy, yet alone have to deal with all the "other stuff"! You are so used to spending all of your time taking care of other people that the thought of having to put yourself first sometimes is such a difficult thought to take in. Trust me when I say I know how you are feeling! Dominic (and Lou!) are both very lucky boys to have you! I enjoy reading your posts because you always keep a positive outlook on life. I wish the best for you and if there is one lesson that I have learned in my life (ESPECIALLY over the past 2 years!)....God has a plan for each of us and it always works out how it is meant to be!!!! -Nicole Schwarz

E said...

I remember when you found out you were pregnant. I have no doubt that you will feel that joy again. You are such an amazing mom and friend and I appreciate that you are sharing so much of something so personal.

There will be a cure and you will have your 2nd "cold" :)

((HUGS))

Jessica said...

No one said that you won't be a Mommy to another child. There are a lot of women out there that have PCOS that have conceived. It may take a while and it will probably be an emotional rollercoaster but it can happen! Have faith! At least you have your Dominic! ;)

XOXO

Panamamama said...

I am suffering a mc at the moment too. I have PCOS and the light at the end of the tunnel is that I have 3 miracle kids. The drs told me "no kids without IVF" but we didn't want to do that and gave up. (That's when we got pg!) Anyway, my kids are pretty spaced out, but I did get lucky. This time is hard because I haven't had a mc in so long (9 yrs) and forgot how painful the mental part is. Sending you lots of good thoughts.

Grasso10 said...

Jess, we don't have time to wait for a cycle if it would happen at all. I have to spend the least amount of time off of the Copaxone as possible.