So today was our long-anticipated initial appointment with the urologist. We went in expecting it to be just a consultation, probably he'll just order some bloodwork and we'll wait a few days to hear that, right? Well it turns out we have made another huge discovery today, which is kinda good and kinda bad.
Of course, we had to start with ALLLLL the paperwork. Then the doctor came in and asked us about our reproductive history, any family history that we know of, yada yada. Then the fun part when DH got to drop his pants. So the dr. is feeling around for a while, then asks DH to lay down. All the while he is feeling him up, he again asks DH if he is sure there wasn't anyone in his family who had difficulty conceiving, and if he is sure that nobody in his family had cystic fibrosis...
You know what's coming next, don't you?
After DH is re-clothed, the dr. started drawing a diagram of what the typical male reproductive system looks like. Then goes on to tell DH that HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE VAS DEFERENS ON EITHER SIDE(???!!!!) If you're wondering what the heck are vas deferens- those are the tubes that transport sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
I'm going SERIOUSLY? You can tell that just by feeling aroud his balls? (Dang if only I'd known how to look for 'em maybe I could've figured that out already LOL)
Now the good news is the dr. says everything else feels fine and most likely he is producing healthy sperm that they could retrieve for IVF. The bad news: absence of the vas deferens is usually caused by a mutation in the gene code if he is carrying the gene for cystic fibrosis. Actually, I don't know that there's anything else that would cause that unless he is carrying that gene.
So of course, he had bloodwork ordered: testosterone, FSH, & LH, and of course testing for that CF gene. The doctor also ordered to do a renal ultrasound next month because there could also be a possibility that DH has only one kidney (???!!!)
Mentally, we are both feeling a lot better now knowing the cause. There could still be some tough decisions ahead of us if DH has the gene. When we first started seeing the RE, they did some genetic testing so I know I don't carry th gene. If he has it, and we have kids, they will not have CF, but there will be a good chance they could be carrying the gene. It's a pretty big ethical decision to make. Let's see what happens.
Yay Ruth!!! That is the best news you could have hoped for. If he does turn out to be a CF carrier, you can do PGD to the embryos and only transfer ones that are not carriers.
ReplyDeleteI'm really happy(and jealous) for you. I hope the blood work all comes back normal.
Wow, that is big news. It does sound promising for your chances of having a baby, but I can see the ethical dilemma there too. I'll be thinking of you guys.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope his kidneys are fine!
Wow, I'm glad you finally have some answers and they appear promising! Lots of positive thoughts and wishes as you and DH ponder the next steps.
ReplyDeleteGood Stuff!!
ReplyDeleteAs others have said, wow! Just to know specifically what is causing the problem has to be a blessing, even with the possibility of the CF gene. Knowing you are not a carrier also helps. I hope you and DH are feeling at least a little relief or peace after the appointment, now that you have a specific plan. The ethical decisions aren't always easy to make, but you and he will know the right path for your family.
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ReplyDeleteI have been searching too for quality plumbing services. This article is not related to plumbing in any way. Hope God will bless you with a healthy baby.
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