Monday, July 11, 2011

Do You Remember Me?

I'm now back teaching in school for the past 3 weeks. And "Do you remember me?"  is the question that I'm been asked almost everyday in school. Ex-pupils will come up to me, greet me and ask me this question. I remember most of them. But sometimes, I look at their faces and I really can't remember who they are but obviously they remember me.

Just yesterday, a P6 girl came up to me and asked me the same question. I looked at her and her name tag but I honestly don't remember having taught her. She explained that I had once read a story to her in the school library when she was in P2, that was 4 years back. I almost asked her which story. Silly me :P

I'd like to think I've indeed made a difference and that's why they remember me. I like it when children sees me, waves to me and calls me. I do remember my days back in school when I will purposely avoid certain teachers who crossed my paths. I'm glad I'm not a teacher the children normally avoid.

I'm not the best teacher but I'm certain I'm one of the better ones. I try my best and I believe I touch lives and make a positive difference!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Day 2 Blood Test

Went to KK this morning for a blood test. The following will be tested:

1) Follicular-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
2) Luteinsing Hormone (LH)
3) Estradiol (E2)
4) Prolactin
5) Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)

Results will only be revealed and reviewed on my next appointment with Dr Loh which will be in a month's time.

Decided to find out a little more about all these tests...


1) Follicular-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hormone released by the pituitary gland to start follicle development. If the ovaries do not respond promptly or are producing fewer eggs, the FSH levels will be high. 

2) Luteinsing Hormone (LH)
- a surge in the LH level indicates ovulation
- however, LH level also rises during menopause 

3) Estradiol (E2)
- a sex hormone, used to access ovarian function

4) Prolactin 
- to diagnose infertility

5) Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)
- to test for the ovarian reserve

It's amazing and scary what a small tube of blood can tell us. 

Costs (GST not inclusive):
1) FSH $32.30
2) LH $32.30
3) E2 $34.70
4) Prolactin $32.30
5) AMH $40.00

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The Answer...

We seek to find answers to our questions and ask why and sometimes we don't like the answer...

Last Friday, hubby and I went to KK and met our 3rd fertility Dr. He's the 3rd one we've seen in KK within 2 years. He was recommended by a friend who has conceived under his IVF treatment. He was the head of the department and was reputed to be the one with miracle hands.

Before we started on our long journey trying to conceive, we didn't think we would have to 'travel' so far and now to consider IVF. Just like the other appointments we had, we had to wait for over an hour to finally see him. In his office was a large display of photographs of babies and children successfully conceived from IVF.

Finally, Dr Loh came and he was friendly and asked some questions while he flipped through my medical file and noted that I've been through many cycles of clomid and Letrozole. Then just like the other 2 doctors I've seen before him, I was given an ultrasound. But what followed was pretty unexpected. He said that I had small ovaries! Finally, he had found the answer to explain the infertility problem that we're having! Although the other 2 Drs had done the same, all they could say was that everything looked normal. Now, Dr Loh had found something and I don't like what he found.

At that point in time, I didn't know what was the real implications of having small ovaries. But one thing for certain was that I could sense a certain urgency in his decision to let me start IVF as soon as possible, looking at August and with a high dosage of medication. While we were waiting for Dr Loh at his office, I had asked the nurse when was the earliest time we could start IVF and she said October. So August is half the usual waiting time.

But before that, I still had to go through some blood tests to check certain things before we're ready to start IVF.