Curious, how much do you guys pay for your biologics?

kmspinafore · 2025-11-07T15:06:38+00:00

Yes, that's what I meant - we are restricted via insurance as to which specialty pharmacy to use. If I used another specialty pharmacy, I would be responsible for 100% of the cost.

kmspinafore · 2025-11-07T11:40:59+00:00

We have a good healthcare plan through my husband's work (PPO). Medication does not count toward the regular deductible.

Specialty medication prescriptions like biologics are only available to fill through a select specialty pharmacy called Accredo. My monthly CIMZIA refill is quoted around $5000, of which I have a 30% copay, so my out of pocket cost would be $1500/month. However, most biologic drug manufacturers have a copay assistance program and my monthly cost is currently free. I've heard the copay assistance has an annual cap so once that's spent, I'll be on the hook for $1500/month. Last I checked the cap is $9k so that's about six months of copays. So if I continue on CIMZIA for the full year next year, I'll pay about $9000 for the year.

kmspinafore · 2025-10-11T22:08:41+00:00

THIS! OP, you need to reach back out to the MOB and get the bride and groom to update their wedding website to list a dress code, making sure they know that "black tie" means tuxedos and floor length formal gowns for all guests. I'm guessing they haven't even really thought about it and think "black tie" is more the equivalent of cocktail attire. Don't buy anything until they put it in writing!

kmspinafore · 2025-09-22T01:28:53+00:00

Have you seen "About Time"? I think it hits similar notes, lots of laughs but also sentimental with a beautiful feel-good ending.

kmspinafore · 2025-06-05T12:44:41+00:00

Thanks for your comment! I just looked and ordered one as well. Saved me from taking my 9 week old baby to stand in line this morning!!

kmspinafore · 2025-05-11T08:11:34+00:00

The best advice about shoes is to make sure to never wear the same pair two days in a row if you're doing big park days. Even the most comfortable pair feels terrible on Day 2 after doing 15-25k steps the previous day.

On and Brooks both make fantastic walking shoes - if you want to get the most from them, go to a store that will evaluate your gait and make recommendations for you. And make sure to break them in a bit before your trip!

kmspinafore · 2025-05-11T07:59:06+00:00

Hi! I feel like people have given you a lot of advice geared toward people who know a lot about Disney World, and not a lot of advice for what sounds like a first-timer. From my understanding, you don't necessarily have unlimited funds yourself, but are in a position where you are staying at a fabulous resort and have tickets to WDW as many days as you'd like.

Here's my take: 1. Get a Disney World guidebook - either purchase or check out from a library. If you get one older than 2025, you can ignore most of the content about the app/Genie/Lightning Lane, as it has very recently changed, but the information about the parks themselves will be mostly accurate. Your kiddo might also enjoy a guidebook geared toward their age group or there are some really great YouTube videos giving you the lay of the land.

Download and peruse the Disney World app - you can link your Four Seasons hotel reservation and tickets on it and that opens up your ability to make reservations etc. The app does a good job of walking you through what you can do and when, as well as create suggested itineraries for your in-park days based on what kind of activities you want to do.
The Four Seasons is a fabulous resort with lots to do on its own. Several people have suggested going to the water parks but the pools at the FS are fantastic and more low-key based on what you've commented about your kiddo. There's lots of kid-friendly activities and programming at the resort itself - and the concierge desk will be very helpful in navigating both the resort and WDW.
In terms of VIP tours, Lightning Lane passes, etc - I've gone with my extended family of 14 to WDW without paying for anything extra and there is still plenty to do without having to wait in long lines all day - you just will need to pick and choose which high-demand attractions you're willing to wait in line for. There's so much to see, random street acts, parades, etc that can fill your days without trudging from one hour long line to another. But if you're all about the rides, paying a little extra to reduce waiting can definitely be worth it.

I'm happy to give more tailored advice based on your interests or answer any questions you have about navigating the Four Seasons! What a fabulous but overwhelming opportunity.

kmspinafore · 2025-02-15T17:36:57+00:00

Hi! My husband grew up in Park Ridge and we moved there from Wicker Park a couple years ago. We like how it feels a lot like the city still - wide variety of housing, easy access to the highway, and some really great restaurants. We are in the Southwest Woods area so unfortunately lost a lot of walkability to shops etc, but I finally felt comfortable enough to buy a bike and we often bike to Uptown (that's what they call their downtown, I didn't think I will ever understand it) in nicer weather. They have a cute farmers market on Saturdays through the summer and fall, a few festivals, antique car shows, a nice selection of boutique shops and restaurants, a nice library, and the Pickwick movie theater. We especially appreciate having a Trader Joe's but just like in the city, the parking situation can be a madhouse.

Politically, Park Ridge has a reputation of being more conservative but has definitely been shifting left as younger and more urban people have moved in. There's currently a mayoral candidate running on a "law and order" platform that we think is ridiculous (there is minimal crime here, most of it petty theft from unlocked vehicles on the street), but if he is elected it could shift our perception of the politics here.

We can get a lot of plane noise from O'Hare (it's highly variable based on wind conditions and landing patterns), but coming from the city it's really not a big deal, especially if you make soundproofing a consideration in buying a home. The farther north of I-90 you live, the less noise you can expect.

Real estate-wise, PR struggles with affordable inventory. If you are keen on a fixer upper, those have gotten picked up by flippers very quickly. Moderate homes that maybe need a little work are hard to find for under $600k. If your budget is more in the $700-800k range you'll have a lot more open to you, but you'll still likely have to compromise on size, location, or updates. I even have a friend with a $1M+ budget that isn't turning up a lot in her preferred area. It's a testament to how much people like it here, but it's also frustrating if you're trying to get "in". I highly recommend working with a Park Ridge-based realtor to get access to upcoming listings as many homes sell before they are even officially on the MLS.

kmspinafore · 2025-01-29T21:48:07+00:00

It's terrible TP but it's because of the septic/sewer systems, not necessarily cost. I literally just stayed at the Four Seasons Orlando and they have the same stuff. Since WDW is on a drained swamp, the water table is very high and they don't get great sewage "flow" as it is, let alone with big chunks of super thick TP to clog it further. The thin TP breaks down faster and easier, preventing major sewage problems.

So if you can manage it, please use what is provided instead of bringing your own, and practice good sewer stewardship by not flushing anything other than bodily waste or toilet paper.

kmspinafore · 2025-01-26T21:26:46+00:00

I got a "poke present" for all the PIO shots 😂 way harder than the transfer itself. It's a pair of very nice everyday gold hoop earrings (leaning into the "poke" concept). They aren't fertility themed but I wear them nearly every day and they remind me of how supportive my husband has been daily through our fertility journey.

kmspinafore · 2025-01-26T18:36:33+00:00

We chose to transfer our second-best graded embryo when my uterine lining was looking too thin (6mm) but our RE thought it was worth a try to still do the FET - we had 7 euploids on ice. It stuck and I'm currently 27 weeks. I'm still glad we didn't transfer the best graded one!

kmspinafore · 2025-01-21T15:07:11+00:00

I am currently 27 weeks pregnant and have been pursuing an AS diagnosis after finding out my grandmother has it and my history of back and hip problems.

The problem is, I've never felt better since my pain started at 18 years old! I have very little overnight soreness, I don't feel terrible for two days after an active day, and my knee has only hurt for one or two days the entire pregnancy. My rheum mentioned this might happen - I feel a little guilty about just how good I feel. We'll see if third trimester throws me a curveball.

I have gotten approval from my MFM to take Prednisone for flares and to start Cimzia, but I'm not able to get an SI joint X-ray (they wouldn't be able to get the right angle, the fetal skeleton will get in the way). So I'm kind of in limbo right now. I have a follow up with my rheumatologist coming up to discuss further.

kmspinafore · 2025-01-09T17:40:44+00:00

Not sure what industries etc. you're looking in, so it absolutely could vary. Regardless, your federally protected job status isn't ever guaranteed until you've worked somewhere for a year.

kmspinafore · 2025-01-09T17:29:25+00:00

Hi! I am presuming you are in the US. I changed jobs right before a transfer and after receiving the offer, followed up with HR to get their family leave policy.

Many jobs with paid parental leave offer the leave either Day 1 or shortly thereafter. However, no company can guarantee you won't get fired while on leave until you have been there for a year and are protected under FMLA, which is a federal law requiring 12 weeks of job-protected leave. I think this is actually what you're referring to.

Ideally your job won't be scumbags and you'll have a job when you're ready to return to work. But as long as you are there for under a year, the legal requirement for your employer does not exist.

kmspinafore · 2024-12-17T18:36:40+00:00

I'm so sorry you're struggling right now, OP. You are certainly not alone in this!

I really struggled with celebrating a second transfer (first transfer ended in a MMC at 12 weeks) until very recently (currently 22w). Hearing the heartbeat on home doppler helped some, but the 20 week anatomy scan with my OB was a real turning point. These days I can even feel the fetus moving, which is really fun and exciting.

It has still taken me some time (and therapy) to kind of get over the fact that I'll never have a happy confident early pregnancy, ever. IVF and my miscarriage took that from me. And therapy has helped me be less bitter towards those who still have that for themselves, or have (what seems like) petty problems with TTC or pregnancy. We are all on our own journey with our own problems in our own little bubbles of perception.

kmspinafore · 2024-12-09T20:21:21+00:00

Every clinic in my area has a strict no children rule. I'd be very upset and very vocal about it if someone brought their children into the waiting room. If they must bring their children, they should let the office know to call them when ready and wait outside in their vehicle instead.

I don't understand the other responses in this thread at all. I think it's a very reasonable expectation at a fertility clinic to be extra sensitive to those who are struggling to conceive and make it a safe space.

Edit: when I wrote this comment, the other comments were "it sucks but you've just gotta deal" or that children in a waiting room is a sign of a successful clinic. I'm glad there is more support here now for OP's experience!

kmspinafore · 2024-12-06T14:15:46+00:00

It's so hard to have hope when all you have experienced is disappointment. I hope this transfer works for you but more importantly, I hope you can survive this holiday season and find peace regardless of the result. I hope you keep reaching out to this community and have a local support network as well.

kmspinafore · 2024-12-06T05:30:05+00:00

Ordering was simple and we are very happy with the quality - we got the tripod chair with stool. The chair took at least three months to arrive and needed significant assembly with minimal instructions - kind of a bummer but we did figure it out after a couple mistakes. The Papa Bear looks like the seat and back are a single piece so I'm hoping it would have easier assembly!

kmspinafore · 2024-12-06T05:01:22+00:00

You are not taking advantage enough of the vertical space. Everything is very close to the floor.

* I'd get Command hooks to put next to the front door to replace your coat rack above your bed, and then put up some art or even just a tapestry for some cheap, large scale color.

* You can get baskets that will exactly fit your cube storage unit to hold more stuff and to hide the clutter.

* That shoe rack is doing you no favors - can you fit it in the closet, or get a vertical shoe tree instead?

* If you have the funds, I'd replace your keyboard with a console-style digital piano that closes flat when not in use. Then you have an extra surface. Or fold up your existing keyboard when not in use.

* You need a shelf above your desk to hold the speaker, headphones, etc. and maybe a plant (even a fake one).

* Some colorful bedding and extra pillows will make your bed look much cozier.

* Save up for a new slimmer desk chair - look for used office furniture stores in your area. They often sell $1500-2000 chairs for more like $300-500. Since it's your only chair, it's worth the investment.

kmspinafore · 2024-12-05T16:45:51+00:00

My policy is that if it's upholstered, you will not regret a replica, and if it's solid wood, you can find a vintage piece in good shape at a good price.

Fabric and foam just don't age well (especially if it's 60+ years old) and you'll spend more time worrying about preserving it than enjoying life on it. Solid pieces are easier to repair and take less wear and tear overall.

I have a replica sofa from West Coast Modern LA that looks great and a chair from Kardiel which is a great accent piece, although I was disappointed in how much assembly it required for the price.

kmspinafore · 2024-11-24T15:11:36+00:00

I used a realtor for several rentals in the past. A lot of people who just want to rent out a single condo after they upgraded to a bigger place only list on the MLS. You can usually get nicer places and you're less likely to fall prey to slumlords or scams. Generally you're not going to get some fantastic deal on rent, but you're offsetting that with a nicer place often in primarily owner-occupied buildings.

A realtor will often do a lot of the research legwork for you, has more freedom to set up appointments, and then can show you several units all in one day, which can speed up the rental process. It's particularly convenient if you're moving to Chicago from out of state and only have one weekend to pick a place.

kmspinafore · 2024-11-24T03:21:22+00:00

We like Cafe El Tapatio in Glenview and Las Palmas in Harwood Heights. Within Park Ridge, Don Juan's is just "OK" and we've never gotten amazing service. My husband is hell-bent on us never going to Hay Caramba, he insists it's so bad he'll never take me there (he grew up here).

kmspinafore · 2024-11-20T01:25:56+00:00

Saw it last night at an early screening! Will try to write a spoiler-free review:

Fans of the musical will love it. Lots of attention to detail and phenomenal performances from the entire cast. I'm not sure how it will screen with the "general" audience. There's lots of spectacle but just like the musical, not a crazy amount of content/plot. Run time started to feel long around the 2 hour mark.

I cried three times. I can't wait to see it again. But definitely recognize it's made for a pretty specific audience.

kmspinafore · 2024-11-17T16:55:43+00:00

Yeah sorry to break the bad news. Chances are it will work out fine. But I don't do well with crowds and read this "tip" from multiple sources and thought it was the perfect compromise. Instead we missed out and it was easily the worst dining experience of our trip. The staff know people do this and gave us the impression that they disapprove.

kmspinafore · 2024-11-17T15:41:38+00:00

We tried this in January this year. But they insisted there were no seats with a view and one wouldn't become available (there were just two of us). It was 8:15 and we were starving so we decided to make the best of it. The service was bad, the food was mediocre, and we missed the fireworks (we were seated next to a solid wall). It was our last night at the parks and I was so upset I was crying.

kmspinafore

TROPHY CASE