Egg Preservation: A Patient’s Journey

Do not index

Getting to Know Sama

Liz A.

Can you kind of walk me through how you got connected with Sama? How you got connected with Dr. Olcha?

Michela B.

I explored other options after discovering my low AMH, and that led me to Sama.

I had a positive initial call, which differed from what my friends experienced elsewhere. Often, consultations felt like a sales pitch, pressuring them to freeze eggs with promises. Expecting a similar encounter, I was surprised.

Sama felt authentic, with a focus on genuine care and a commitment to prioritize my needs professionally, without cutting corners.

That assurance held true throughout the process.

What did you all discuss during that first consultation?

Dr. Olcha set realistic expectations, avoiding a sales-oriented approach.

His demeanor conveyed deep scientific knowledge without making me feel uninformed. It was never condescending; I felt at ease asking any questions.

Dr. Olcha is very good at that. I really enjoy spending time with him because I feel like I can ask all sorts of questions. I appreciate his approachability.

Exactly. No judgment for asking.

Getting Started with Sama

Okay. From there, then did you get started? How long was it between when you had that first meeting with Dr. Olcha and when you got started?

I arranged my care in May, but commenced in November.

I prioritized a summer vacation, and then life intervened. I informed the nurses not to let me skip November, and they supported me, ensuring I stayed on track.

I know at a lot of clinics, you are very much on their timeline: you’ll get it done when we can fit you in.

I think that's cool, that you prioritized living your life. And then you had the team support you – and helping to promote your priorities – when you are ready. I think that's what it's about.

So you got started in November. What did everything look like from there? Did you do Anywhere Monitoring or Local Monitoring?

I did local.

So what was that process like? Did you feel like you could ask questions?

The process involved shots, bloodwork, and monitoring at a nearby clinic every few days.

Sama located a clinic, so I went to one close by every three or four days. And the clinical team was outstanding.

So when you had questions, they tended to be responsive, tended to be thorough. Did you usually text questions or email questions or call?

Absolutely. I usually texted; it's more my style, especially for medical matters.

I get that, especially for medical stuff.

Sometimes I'm like, I really just need the answers. So, as far as procedure day goes, what happened from there?

Dr. Olcha was most involved on the procedure day. He reassured me, acting more like a friend, genuinely concerned about the process and my well-being. He even introduced himself to my partner.

Anywhere Monitoring: Care at Home

I know that I have been to doctors for more intimate procedures and I've not felt like my wellbeing was respected.

How do you feel like Dr. Olcha and the team made you feel cared for?

Yes, I definitely have had experiences where my care did not make me feel comfortable.

But at Sama, the trust I built during my care allowed me to ask for anything. Their immediate responses within 5-10 minutes were incredible. It felt warm and welcoming, like discussing with a friend. The extensive education and 24-hour support line added reassurance.

Okay, so post procedure, you are kind of waiting for your outcomes. How did things go?

Given my low AMH, expectations were minimal, but we ended up with 14 eggs, of which ten survived. I'm pleased.

Congratulations!

So in terms of Sama, I'm interested - if a friend of yours comes to you and is like, I'm thinking about preservation, what would you tell them?

I'd say, "Go for it. You won't regret it."

I'd definitely recommend Sama, emphasizing Dr. Olcha's welcoming approach and the nurses' familial atmosphere. Overall, I trusted Sama to do their best for me.

Have Questions?

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