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Normally I add a picture about the topic I am writing about
however I don't have a good picture for today's topic. So
I added this picture from Pioneer Trek of my wonderful husband |
So as we move forward trying to expand our family, we made the decision that I would have a HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM (HSG). A what? Can you pronounce that for me? So one question that I have had all along is how much damage has been done because of the endometriosis. I had hoped that something would happen pregnancy wise before it came to this step, but it hasn't and we are not pregnant yet. So I went to see a specialist. Deep sigh, pause and as I suspected all along, yes I am definitely the root cause of the problem. The specialist had a few suggestions and the HSG was a starting point. So next week I get to go in for this procedure - an x-ray exam to determine if everything is the right shape and size and to identify if there is any blockage. I am nervous. This test has such a potential finality to it - depending on what the results show this may bring trying to get pregnant to an end. I mean seriously I am 40 years old. I didn't get married until I was 37 and so the proverbial clock is ticking and not really in my favor. So I am worried. My sweet husband says that I should stop worrying over things that I don't have any control over. He is right but often that is easier said than done. So now I wait again until next Friday. I am trying hard to have faith that I can accept and understand what plan our Heavenly Father has for our family - whatever the test results show. For me this is a very big leap of faith and hope that I made the choices I was supposed to years ago in regard to my health. Life is about learning and this is another step in the process.
Now on a frustrating side note - I called my insurance to make sure this very baseline procedure would be covered. However I learned that fertility is an elective process. So if I can get pregnant fertility no longer becomes an option but a standard process that has to be taken care of because I would be carrying another person inside of me. So because I can't get pregnant, like I personally chose that option, fertility or testing for infertility becomes an elective procedure and insurance companies are not really willing to pay for elective procedures. I found out that my insurer will only pay 50% of the procedure up to $1500 per year with a lifetime max benefit of $5000. I also learned that each hospital has a different cost for the procedure I need done. Since my physician is paneled at several hospitals - I went shopping for the lowest rate. Oh my this feels very backward but at this point I guess it is what I have to do in order to get this test done. Wow I am learning a lot by not being fertile. My bigger question is who defined this process as elective? It makes me feel like the infertility procedure is being compared to a tummy tuck or breast augmentation. I would really like to chat with them about that potentially inequitable comparison in health care. Hmmm....well that's all for now, waiting, faith and courage...we move forward.
