(cross posted under CCRM and CFC)
I was a patient at CCRM from April 2003 until last month, when I took my name off the DE wait list, after being on it for 11 1/2 months without a match. (they did match me last October, but it was not a good physical match and she had several red flags, that when combined, made me leery) I did one cycle with my own eggs and uterus, freeze-all then FET, BFN, then a cycle with my egg (yes only one MB) transferred to a family member GC, also BFN. While getting tired of the waiting, I decided to give Cape Fertility and Renew a try. After getting the right protocol, (thanks to my insistence for more testing at CCRM) Dr. Le Roux helped me re-create the DE cycle, I would have done at CCRM, and surprise, it worked!
My feelings about CCRM are that they are THE best clinic in the US. Unfortunately, they've gotten very popular and unless you stay on top of the nurses, who are basically the only ones you will have contact with after your initial phone consult and \"one day work-up,\" you will feel like a number. And they do make MAJOR mistakes. Their wait for a clinic donor has recently been quoted at 4 to 6 months (I was quoted 3 to 4 months, and I was looking for an average height and weight, blond or brunette, hazel, green or blue-eyed, proven donor, that the nurses match for you, no pictures). If you want to bring your own donor in, agency or known, be prepared for CCRM's rigorous testing. I had such a hard time getting my GC cleared, that I didn't want to go through the expense of having multiple donors tested, so I went with their pool. Also, be prepared, if you are not matched within 6 months of your work-up, your bloodwork and hysteroscopy (maybe other new things that I don't know of) will have to be repeated AT CCRM. Pricey.
I still pinch myself when I think that I had success at CFC. They are SO laid back down there, I was sure it wasn't going to work. DH thinks that's why it did finally work, they don't try to overthink everything there. I was pretty used to the overkill at CCRM, and even my 1st clinic's procedures) Honestly, though, before my beta, I told everyone I wouldn't go back to SA. The flight alone, was so long, and we didn't have any frozens. Now I can't even think of going anywhere else. Renew, our proven donor and Cathy Smit were the best part of the whole experience, IMHO.
Don't let my honest opinion bring you down too much about CCRM. If you are matched, you will have your best chance of getting pregnant at CCRM. They are #1 in the US for a reason, you just have to keep an eye on them. Oh, and just yesterday, I finally got my deposit back from them, minus $100 for some reason. So, yay...baby shopping! I forgot to mention they tried to match me 5 days after I requested my deposit back and my name removed from the wait list. Hmnn...coincidence?
Good luck!
Anon
1/2 way through with DE G/G twins
