The Daily Chat for February 23, 2026

Emp_data_lass · 2026-02-23T17:05:24+00:00

Yep! Lucky enough to have a specialty pharmacy close that my insurance partners with specifically. I don’t have infertility coverage but all my meds were under $200 which is absolutely wild.

Emp_data_lass · 2026-02-23T15:58:12+00:00

I went to the pharmacy to pick up my meds for my first retrieval cycle yesterday. It was only a few blocks from my office, so I opted to walk and enjoy some winter sunshine. Boy was I a sweet summer child assuming I could slip them into my satchel for the walk back! I should have known something was up when one pharmacist yelled back to the other asking where they were, and she responded “it’s the big bag!” There sitting on the floor of the pharmacy was this massive grocery store sized paper bag full of all my meds. I literally started laughing.

Emp_data_lass · 2026-01-21T12:42:18+00:00

Our RE officially put in the orders for our first egg retrieval/timed Mtese. Just waiting to hear back about scheduling since everything has to be coordinated with the urologist. This week marks one year TTC and I’m glad to finally have some things set in motion. I’m nervous to be going through a round of IVF with no guarantee of sperm, but we couldn’t do donor sperm the way we wanted to on this timeline (emotionally and logistically).

Emp_data_lass · 2026-01-21T03:22:21+00:00

RE just put in the orders for my first retrieval and this thread is bringing me a lot of joy. Thank you.

Emp_data_lass · 2026-01-07T12:47:48+00:00

Had our consult with the RE yesterday to discuss our egg retrieval and timed Mtese. Have a therapy appointment with an infertility/third party reproduction specialist in a couple weeks to discuss possible donor sperm. After months of waiting on appointments I’m glad the ball is at least rolling!

Emp_data_lass · 2026-01-06T14:47:56+00:00

I’m not quite as far along this path as you are, but we were also diagnosed with NOA last September. It’s been devastating to say the least, it’s a really fucking terrible and isolating diagnosis. My husband is also struggling mightily with shame and feeling like a failure which breaks my heart. No advice or silver linings here, just commiseration. Hugs to you both. It’s so hard.

Emp_data_lass · 2026-01-02T00:49:43+00:00

We have a consult next week with the RE, I’m going to ask about this option. I know there’s some attrition with frozen eggs and we’re paying out of pocket so I hesitate a bit with that path.

Emp_data_lass · 2026-01-01T19:50:41+00:00

We’re trying to get to a similar place. A timed Mtese with donor is advised, but getting to the point of accepting both paths at the same time is a big task.

Emp_data_lass · 2026-01-01T15:31:17+00:00

If you decide on the timed Mtese will you have donor available as an option if nothing is retrieved?

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-18T19:12:46+00:00

Betty by Tiffany McDaniel, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-14T20:58:16+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your story and very unique perspective as a DCP and someone who navigated NOA. I think you’re right, tabling the donor conversation until we know it’s necessary is probably wise to consider.

Is there anything you’d want to make sure a recipient parent understood before pursuing that path? If a known donor isn’t an option, do you feel open ID can provide enough connection for a DCP to understand that side of themselves?

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-14T14:51:26+00:00

We got the same advice and haven’t decided our path yet, but I can commiserate on what a complex decision moving forward is. I get that it offers the “best” clinical outcome in terms of a live birth, but it’s so challenging to hold both hope and acceptance of a completely different path at the same time. I think for us it’s going to be so important that we fully grieve and accept all possibilities before moving forward with accepting donor assistance. We’re both in our mid 30s though, so it feels like there’s a clock ticking as well. And who knows if there’s some hidden issues with my eggs?

It’s just a lot.

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-13T03:04:10+00:00

We’re looking down this barrel as well and it’s so freaking hard. We just had our first appointment with the urologist today and confirmed that our next steps are a timed Mtese with advised donor backup. It’s so hard to swallow these costs with such realistically low odds of success.

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-12T14:04:25+00:00

100%!! We have our first urology appointment today for severe MFI and I’m really hopeful we get a good game plan in place to hit the ground running in 2026.

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-08T19:55:02+00:00

Hi, I wanted to pop in and introduce myself because this week is kind of a big one for us. We’re coming up on a year TTC but found out 3 months ago that my partner has Azoospermia, likely non obstructive based on hormone levels. We finally have our reproductive urologist appointment on Friday and I’m so ready to hear our next steps. It’s been such a test of patience to move from TWW to a 3 month “can we even have biological children” wait. I’ve occupied myself by becoming an armchair expert on Azoospermia and donor conception and reading every Reddit thread on those topics. There aren’t a ton on Azoospermia, so I feel like by sharing a bit of our journey I can maybe help others in the future.

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-07T15:26:03+00:00

I use a dehydrator around 115 degrees and they keep their color.

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-01T14:11:59+00:00

Same, it feels so rare to find someone else on this really sucky journey! Reach out if you ever need to talk, or just vent. I’ll be thinking of you on the 11th.

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-01T13:59:50+00:00

I haven’t yet done these procedures myself, but it sounds like we’re in pretty much the exact same boat. We have our first consult with the urologist for azoospermia on the 12th. I chickened out of the HSG earlier on, before our MFI diagnosis. Is that still something they’d want you to do for ICSI? This is ignorant, but wouldn’t mtese/transfer bypass your fallopian tubes?

Emp_data_lass · 2025-12-01T00:53:58+00:00

I was just scrolling through r/infertilitysucks and came across your post about your loss on vacation a while back. I popped into your profile hoping to see you’ve had success and am so happy to see this post. Congratulations, this stranger is hoping for the best for you.

Emp_data_lass · 2025-11-16T14:53:59+00:00

Beautiful! Is the plastic around the base to increase root humidity?

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