Newbie Here....Hi all!

[Almaduke]

Hi everyone!

I'd like to introduce myself. I'm from Toronto, Canada, 35 in a few weeks and hubbie is 36. We've been ttc for 1.5 years and the doctors recently told me, after they removed a 7cm chocolate cyst from my ovary, that I have stage 4 endometriosis and that my tubes are completely blocked. They told me that my best bet would be to do IVF.

We are starting our first cycle next month and I am petrified! I suffer with anxiety disorder so having to go through this emotional rollercoaster is extremely challenging, to say the least. I am particularly concerned with the physical symptoms of the medications that I will be taking. Also, I am dreading the egg retrieval procedure, since hospitals scare me.

My concerns led me to this board. I was hoping that by meeting other people in similar situations as myself, that I would not feel so alone and afraid. I am passed the stage of feeling sorry for myself....now I'm trying to put all my focus on becoming a mom, somehow and someway.

Thanks for listening, good luck to all of you in the process of trying having babies and to all of you who have been successful. I hope that I am one of the success stories!

[Sand]

Hi there Almaduke ... Welcome to the Site. It's only natural to be scared of the unknown, but I can assure you that once you get going on your cycle, it really isn't that bad.

There's a book by Zita West called "Fertility and Conception" that we rave about on this site. It's full of useful info and tips, and has a whole section on assisted conception. I think that the more informed you are, the less anxious you'll be. It's worth the £15.

If you look over on the General Forum you'll see that girls tend to group together in months, according to when they are cycling. There's already a June/July thread. If you post over there I'm sure the girls will welcome you with open arms.

Re symptoms of the medi ... there are so many different meds used, and everyone reacts differently to them. My last 2 cycles, I didn't have any side effects from the meds.

Re egg retrieval - again, there are different protocols. Some hospitals offer sedation, some a General, some both. Even just with the sedation, most girls report to remembering very little about the experience.

Try to arm yourself with as much info as possible, learn from the experience of folk on these boards .... and I'm sure you will soon be wondering why you got yourself so worked up. I'm not saying that cycling is easy .... it does take a lot of strength and committment.... but you don't need to be scared. You are not alone !

Sandra x

[Almaduke]

Thanks Sandra!

You are so right.....knowledge is indeed the key!

In fact, your supportive words have put me a lot at ease already. I can't tell you how good it feels to know that I'm not alone!

I posted in the topic for the June/July cycle, as you suggested....thanks!!

Take care and see you around!

[AliasR]

Hi Alamduke

I'm rita, Welcome aboard. Hopefully you'll soon feel you're not alone any more, there's lots of people in different stages with different problems but everybody knows what it's like not being able to conceive naturally.

Some are having treatment, some are standing by, some find it here to be the only place where they don't feel different from everybody else. I do hope we can help you feel better.

There are threads on the general forum just to have a chat so don't be shy and drop in any time, the more the merrier!

Wishing you all the best for your tmt and eagerly waiting for news!

Rita

[jamato253]

Alma

You are in the right place!!! Welcome! Hope to talk to you more in General Forum!!

[Almaduke]

Hi Rita and thank you for the welcome!

That's exactly how I've been feeling......"different" than everyone else. Reading every one elses stories, however, really helps to put things in perspective and is very empowering.

I would love to join in on chat one day...I'm sure I'll need it!

All the best to you too!

[Almaduke]

Hi jamato,

Thanks! I hope to talk to you more too!

Mind if I ask you what ICSI means?

Take care,

[AliasR]

ICSI - Intracytoplasmic sperm injection

A single sperm is injected in one egg and then implanted just like IVF. It's used when there's severe male infertility or chromossome problems.

Take good care and hope to see you soon!~

Rita

[Almaduke]

Thanks for the explanation Rita!

Hope to get to know you too!

[AliasR]

Have you joined the June / July buddies yet?

It's on the general forum...

[Almaduke]

Hi Rita,

Thanks for asking and yes, I did join the June/July group already. I'm so new to this that I'm feeling a bit shy . I haven't started any sort of treatment yet so I don't have any experience to share and feel so out of tune right now. I'm still waiting to get blood test results back to make sure everything is fine to proceed with the IVF.

How are you doing?

[AliasR]

I don't know if i'm going to have tmt let alone starting... I'm new too but this had been a life saver... Don't know how i have coped before i joined the board. It really helps.

So, don't be shy... Just cheering everybody up and supporting eachother in the hard times is good enough i think. And it gives you strength to move on whatever the road you decide to take.

So just drop in, tell us how was your day and soon eill be totally adicted...

[Almaduke]

Rita,

Addicted? I have a feeling that pretty soon I'll have this computer strapped to my back everywhere I go.....grocery shopping...the gym...doctors appointments...! hehehe

I know what you mean about the coping. I didn't know how I was going to do it either since nobody in our family (as supportive as they try to be)really knows what it's like being infertile. I actually feel that I can do it now and that even if I fail I will have the strength to move on. The way that I look at it is that every step that I take, even if it seems wasted, is actually bringing me a step closer to being a mom. Enough about me....

I'm very happy to hear that at least you were able to find some solace on this forum. Sending lot's of warmth and emotional support your way and wishes that your journey continues in the most positive direction for you.

So you're from Portugal....must be such a beautiful country.....what is it like? Were you born there?

Have a wonderful day!!!!

[LittleP]

Almaduke

Don't be shy - we're all very friendly and it doesn't matter about how much experience you bring to these boards, it's supporting each other that matters.

It's good to have you here and June is full of some very good and friendly people to chat with.

PMA, hugs and loads of luck to you

Little P

[Almaduke]

Little P,

Thanks for the re-assurance. All the people here that I've come in contact with so far have been very kind and friendly!!

I notice that it says 1 day to phone call on your ticker timeline....may I ask what the phone call is about?

Lots of PMA and bear hugs from me too!!!!!!!!!! Good luck !!!!!