It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job of supporting your sister through a difficult time. Well done!
I think it would be fine to have you at the appointment, just get her to introduce you when she is called in and explain she thinks she'll benefit from having the extra set of ears paying attention in the appointment. I think she will appreciate having someone other than her DH, who knows all the ins and outs, to talk things over with. i would have likes that, anyway. My DP had a limited tolerance of discussing the fine details and the possibilities.
Be aware that the clinic may well have a standardised protocol whereby the FS gives the overall picture, and then more specific information comes from different individuals along the way. For example, regarding costs, we had an appoitment with the accounts person who went through the costs in detail with us, just after the first nurse appointment. The FS didn't really know what the out of pockets would be for us, as he said, he puts his effort into staying up to date with fertility techniques, not medicare rebate changes! But the accounts appointment was absolutely clear and specific about all aspects of payment. My clinic also offered a monthly group session with the embryologist, which was extremely informative. Ask anyway, just don't worry of he asks you to get more detail from another memnber of the team. Obviously for certain issues the FS is the one to ask - re ICSI vs IVF, other tests, egg supply, etc.
Other questions might be:
Are there any other tests which are worth performing on your sister under the circumstances?
What days does the clinic perform the key procedures (I've heard of one clinic that only does EPU on a Wednesday - too bad if your follicles aren't quite ready yet!)
Given the low egg quality, are there any strategies they should consider for the future, eg, would they push to collect more eggs now to increase the chances of having viable frosties, in preparation for them expanding the family in a few years time? Or, for example, do a freeze all, and then another stim cycle, if not many good embryos developed first time, rather than transferring what they've got straight away?
I second N2L's suggestion of inviting her to join BB.
good on you for being there for your sister - being young and facing fertility issues is really scary, so definitely a good idea to have someone a little further removed that can take in the facts, and try and take the emotional filters out of it (as much as a sister can anyway)
i agree about taking notes
most of the questions i'd have suggested have been answered already - one that i waited til my tenth cycle to ask (cos i was scared he'd not think it relevant) was whether he could think of any alternative therapies to use alongside the IVF for increased chance of success. i had hit desperation point, and after much reading and research myself, i asked if accupuncture would help. he admitted the studies were inconclusive, but he wouldn't say no it wouldn't help, as he'd seen success with others. he couldn't recommend anyone as he wasn't local, but he asked the clinic nurse to research it for me. i ended up finding someone myself, and it was that cycle which resulted in our DD. it was the only thing we changed from previous cycles too. it may not be a first appointment question, but something to check out at some point. if she doesn't want to ask the FS, perhaps do some research on the help it can provide. i just had basic cycle support, but others have used accupuncture immediately before and after transfers to great effect
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks