I received a last-minute request earlier this week from Elizabeth Lee, reporter for 39 News. Since I had two surgeries and an IVF to perform that afternoon, she and her video team made their way to the lab in central Houston for some interesting cryo shots after catching me at our Sugar Land office.
We talked about egg freezing and using the technique to preserve future fertility for women diagnosed with cancer, as well as for young healthy women who are worried they may not find "Mr. Right" before their egg cells age.
You can see the video on the 39 News website.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
You Asked For It: Losing Hope, Considering a New Treatment Plan
A question from Robin, in response to "Are Simple Fertility Treatments Pointless?"
I've had three IUI's. Two after clomid and the last after injections of follistim (very expensive - my insurance doesn't cover). Is my only other option now IVF? It is not an affordable option for me. I'll be 38 Monday.
I'm losing hope.
My response:
First -- I hear your feeling of hopelessness, and my hope is that I can help you feel otherwise.
It would be unwise for me to advise you specifically, since I don't know your medical history or current patient information. The treatments you've been through already -- intrauterine insemination (IUI), clomiphene citrate (Clomid), and injectable FSH (Follistim) -- are prescribed for a number of different infertility causes. Since I don't know your diagnosis, I can't comment on the efficacy of these treatments for your individual case.
Obviously, though, you are wise to start considering new treatment plans to resolve your infertility, get pregnant, and have a baby.
Truthfully, IVF is not easy to afford for most patients. Not many of us start out trying to get pregnant with enough money in the bank to cover infertility treatment. There are ways to make the treatment process more affordable.
That said, it may not necessarily be time to talk IVF. There may be other pieces to the conception puzzle that are still missing. If you'd like to schedule a consultation with me, my staff will be happy to take your call.
I've had three IUI's. Two after clomid and the last after injections of follistim (very expensive - my insurance doesn't cover). Is my only other option now IVF? It is not an affordable option for me. I'll be 38 Monday.
I'm losing hope.
My response:
First -- I hear your feeling of hopelessness, and my hope is that I can help you feel otherwise.
It would be unwise for me to advise you specifically, since I don't know your medical history or current patient information. The treatments you've been through already -- intrauterine insemination (IUI), clomiphene citrate (Clomid), and injectable FSH (Follistim) -- are prescribed for a number of different infertility causes. Since I don't know your diagnosis, I can't comment on the efficacy of these treatments for your individual case.
Obviously, though, you are wise to start considering new treatment plans to resolve your infertility, get pregnant, and have a baby.
Truthfully, IVF is not easy to afford for most patients. Not many of us start out trying to get pregnant with enough money in the bank to cover infertility treatment. There are ways to make the treatment process more affordable.
That said, it may not necessarily be time to talk IVF. There may be other pieces to the conception puzzle that are still missing. If you'd like to schedule a consultation with me, my staff will be happy to take your call.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Another Great Day Houston
Following last July's show, I was asked to visit Great Day Houston again to talk more about fertility-sparing treatments for women who wish to delay conception.
Tune in to Great Day Houston with Deborah Duncan - Tuesday, October 21
at 9 AM Central on KHOU-Channel 11. Or watch online by clicking the Live Video link from http://www.greatdayhouston.com/ during airtime.
The techniques to retrieve and freeze egg cells for future conception are primarily offered to women who have just been diagnosed with cancer. We're working on collaborative relationships with cancer specialists and other professionals who can quickly refer patients for fertility preservation before they undergo sterility-causing cancer treatment.
As long as patients are willing to educate themselves and be fully aware of the process involved, women without cancer can also utilize fertility preservation technology to have a baby later.
Learn more about fertility preservation (for women and men) at http://babylater.com.
[Edited 10-31-08 to add link to view video here...]
Tune in to Great Day Houston with Deborah Duncan - Tuesday, October 21
at 9 AM Central on KHOU-Channel 11. Or watch online by clicking the Live Video link from http://www.greatdayhouston.com/ during airtime.
The techniques to retrieve and freeze egg cells for future conception are primarily offered to women who have just been diagnosed with cancer. We're working on collaborative relationships with cancer specialists and other professionals who can quickly refer patients for fertility preservation before they undergo sterility-causing cancer treatment.
As long as patients are willing to educate themselves and be fully aware of the process involved, women without cancer can also utilize fertility preservation technology to have a baby later.
Learn more about fertility preservation (for women and men) at http://babylater.com.
[Edited 10-31-08 to add link to view video here...]
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Spreading the Word About Fertility Preservation
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with and speaking to the Educational Committee of the local Susan G. Komen Foundation group.
What a thriving organization! Just a few days after their annual Race for the Cure®, with participants this year numbering over 26 thousand, the women who lead Komen's educational charge gathered again in an office crowded with boxes of materials and mementos.
Lorianne Classen, a Health Education Specialist with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Komen volunteer, remarked that the meeting was particularly well-attended that evening, likely because of interest in our topic: fertility preservation.
Judging from the many raised hands with questions, including several from survivors and their loved ones, I'd say that interest in the concepts of preserving fertility for use after surviving cancer was indeed very high. Good questions. Poignant situations.
I left feeling very positive about sharing the realities of how women and men can take action to preserve their fertility before engaging in life-saving cancer treatment. I also came away seeing the need for education *now* is possibly greater than I thought.
As I emphasized to the Komen Education Committee, timing is crucial in this matter. I'll be continuing my pursuit of pre-need connections among oncology specialists and their patients -- through http://babylater.com -- so that the information about real hope for having a family isn't only wistful hindsight for cancer survivors.
For more information, visit the Houston affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
What a thriving organization! Just a few days after their annual Race for the Cure®, with participants this year numbering over 26 thousand, the women who lead Komen's educational charge gathered again in an office crowded with boxes of materials and mementos.
Lorianne Classen, a Health Education Specialist with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Komen volunteer, remarked that the meeting was particularly well-attended that evening, likely because of interest in our topic: fertility preservation.
Judging from the many raised hands with questions, including several from survivors and their loved ones, I'd say that interest in the concepts of preserving fertility for use after surviving cancer was indeed very high. Good questions. Poignant situations.
I left feeling very positive about sharing the realities of how women and men can take action to preserve their fertility before engaging in life-saving cancer treatment. I also came away seeing the need for education *now* is possibly greater than I thought.
As I emphasized to the Komen Education Committee, timing is crucial in this matter. I'll be continuing my pursuit of pre-need connections among oncology specialists and their patients -- through http://babylater.com -- so that the information about real hope for having a family isn't only wistful hindsight for cancer survivors.
For more information, visit the Houston affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
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