How was your experience with Mark Sauer at Columbia University?
He was honest and forthright. I had seen other doctors before and his manner was much softer and gentler. As the leader of the practice, he set the tone. There was no "wall of shame" to look at. There was no cattle herding. There were no awful voicemails left. People talked to you gently and with respect.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Mark Sauer at Columbia University?
He is VERY smart. He has seen a lot and done a lot. Ask questions and you will be answered.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Mark Sauer at Columbia University?
They talked to me. I was a person - not a uterus. There were choices to be made and my opinion was solicited. Words that echo in my ears to this day "We can do a lot with technology but after the transfer, which embryo will become a person is left up to G-d."
Describe the protocols Mark Sauer used in your cycles at Columbia University and their degree of success.
Lupron - Stim - HCG shot - Retrieval. That is all I remember... my children are 10 now so this was 11 or 12 years ago.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Columbia University. (Assigned nurse: I know I had a care coordinator)
They were busy but they always knew your name and what was happening with you.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
The billing was chronically a mess. The whole situation is sad and frustrating but compared to other clinics, it is cheerful and efficient. The embryologists are good. The doctors are kind. They helped me become a mommy
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Columbia University.
It was as pleasant as it possibly could be. You weren't there forever. It was at these monitoring appointments that I discovered that the intrauterine ultrasounds did not have to hurt.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Mark Sauer at Columbia University.
It was totally covered by insurance
Describe Mark Sauer's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Columbia University.
The normal protocol was to transfer up to 2 day 5 blasts. I had two good looking ones (undifferentiated cells) and one not so good looking one. He knew this was my last cycle and asked about the 3rd one. Since I had been trying for 9 years with no success, I said sure put it in - you couldn't freeze just one so there was no point. I have triplets.