Oral Pills for 21 Days

I just finished taking the birth control pills (Gynera) today.  How time flies... it's been 21 days already... in a few more days, off we go to Taiwan...

IVF - Protocol 4

It's been more than a year since I went to Taiwan for the consultation for IVF.  We did not push through with it at that time for some reasons and also of course, we were hoping that it would come naturally.  Unfortunately, it didn't.  

It was just a few months back when I finally started to do something again.  See my post regarding it here.  

So fast forwarding it, we've finally gotten the courage to go through the IVF process and this is it!

I contacted Vanessa Lin of Mackay Memorial Hospital and asked if I still need to go to Taiwan for consultation and or re-examination.  She responded to me through email that there is no need for me to go to Taiwan for reconsultation and I can just proceed with protocol 4.   

Protocol 4

Before, there were only Protocol 1, 2 and 3 and the usage of this depends on the result of your AMH.  However, since Buserelin is now out of stock in the Philippines and Taiwan, Dr. Lee has changed it to Protocol 4.  So, this is what I am following right now.

I started to take the birth control pills on the 5th day of my menstrual cycle, which was August 28 and will continue to take it for 21 days.  Good thing, the birth control pills (Gynera) prescribed to me by Dr. Lee, which i bought in Taiwan last year is not expired yet. So far, I've been taking it for 10 days now.

Preferably, you should take the pills more or less at the same time each day.  I take mine every 1pm.  I set the alarm on my cellphone so as not to forget it.

That's it for now.  I will post again soon the preparations I've been doing for this one big fight.

Update on Taiwan Visa Application

I started to process our Taipei visa just recently for our IVF in Taiwan this coming September and found out that effective March 1, 2012, it is required to fill up the visa application forms online, print them out and bring them along with other documents required in applying for a visa.

So before going to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) located at 41F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines or before you apply through a travel agency, please make sure that you fill up the online visa application form, which you can access from the website https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw and print them out.

Other requirements needed are the following:

1. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5”x2” with white background taken within the last three (3) months

2. Passport valid for at least six months and old passport showing previous visa stamps, if any

3. Birth Certificate issued by NSO

4. Marriage Contract issued by NSO (if applicable)

5. Bank Book or Bank Statements

6. Optional: Other supporting documents such as Certificate of Business Name Registration and SEC Registration (if owner of the company), Income Tax Return, confirmed round trip air ticket, etc.

All documents submitted to the office should be original with 1 photocopy.

Visa Fee: Same as before

Single entry – P2,400, +1,200 if with expedite fee for one day processing

Multiple entry – P4,800 +2,400 if with expedite fee for one day processing  

** Fees could be higher if visa application is coursed through a travel agency  

Visa Processing time is 3 working days, but better to allot 4-5 days for it.

Filing Time: Monday to Friday 8:45am to 11:45am

Releasing Time: Monday to Friday 1:45pm to 4:45pm

If you are a Filipino and have a valid, existing US Visa, you don’t need to apply for a Taiwan Visa anymore.  But you need to register your documents and personal data with the "Advance Online Registration System for the Visitors of Nationals from Five Southeast Asian Countries to Taiwan" in this link and print out the confirmation sheet for online boarding and immigration check.  

Results of LAT and NK Cells Post LIT

Here are the results of my LAT and NK Cells after 2 LIT sessions using 2 donors each.

LAT after 2 LIT sessions using 2 donors

My LAT has improved! Thank God! :) From 10% and 5%, it has gone up to 76% and 41% with reaction code of 6 (strong positive) and 4 (positive reaction).    

NK Cells test results after 2 LIT sessions using 2 donors

As for my NK Cells, it is now within normal range.  Cut-off is 12.  From 14.39, it is down to 10.61.  Finally!

Though results are quite good, my immunologist still suggested that we go for another set of LIT using 2 donors to further increase my LAT score and also to lower my NK cells.  This we have done last September 4, 2012.  Hopefully, with this LIT session, my LAT will go as high as 100% and my NK cells will also decrease.  All of these we are doing in preparation for the IVF.  

Hope it works...