The Over 40 Crowd

[Kat]

Hi all

I think it must be the weather and the fact that everything is getting greener - I am feeling better this weekend than I have felt for such a long time. More calm somehow.

OK so it has clouded over now but it has been beautifully sunny. And today I have booked a week in Mallorca for the beginning of June. Just a little thing to look forward to has made a big difference. It will be a walking in the mountains type of holiday rather than a British pub/wet t-shirt type of holiday before you get worried!

Of course it could also have something to do with the fact I think DH finally 'got it' the other day - I pointed out that for the past 40 years I have always been going to have children, as a girl this is what you do, you push your baby dolls in a pram, then when you grow up you have the real thing and that to find out that is not actually going to happen takes a bit of getting used to. He has been very sweet since then (well I was in a bit of a mess) and later on that day just came and sat down next to me and gave me a hug. That's what I need, just to know he is there.

Kat xx

[AMck]

Hi ladies, hope everyone OK today.

Kat, hi, glad to see you are seeing some sunshine through the clouds. Thank you for your support with Barcelona x

Jo, hope your 2ww is flying by. Not long now. Are you keeping busy? Sending babydust your way.

Lisa, good to see the shots are going Ok. Spring is a good time to be in the garden isn't it. I love it. Mind you DP does all the work I just sit back and enjoy the view!

Yasmina sending hugs to you x

hi Bev, my donor buddy. When is AF due?

Alette, good luck with apptmt tomorrow.

Caz, have you started bc pills? Is all on schedule? Good luck with this cycle!

Gail, hope you are Ok. Good luck with next step. Have you booked an apptmt with your consultant/ visit to Barcelona? You have got a lot going on, hope the move goes well and the new job is fab. Keep us posted.

Our list:

New 40+ Mommies:
Alette (own eggs). Son Nov 05
Jude - twins (DE) 05
Joy - twins (DE) 05
CarolineP - Daughter Nov 05
Squew - twins 05

Ladies in waiting:
Debbieed - own eggs, BFP August 05. EDD - April 06?
BigJ (Jules) - BFP 9/12/05 - EDD 15/08/06 praying hard
DPerry (Donna). DE. BFP July 05
Darby (DE) - BFP

On 2ww:
Tammy- BFN hugs to you
Jules - blood test 3rd April
Yasmina -BFN hugs to you
Jo - 3 embryos transferred 10 April. Test date 24 April

On meds:
Randa - end of April start to stim

Preparing:
Bev- DE cycle in Kiev, waiting for AF
Anna - off to Barcelona 3rd May for tmt DE
Amfy - FET March/April
Debra - Will start a natural FET after April AF
Alette - 3 frozen embies, apptmt 18th April
Caz - start bcp 16th April, stimming in May for 5th cycle
Lisa - FET May 2nd
Jen - Taking time out then, next IVF in May...
Kat - deciding next step
Robyn - ?
Gail - considering DE tmt abroad

I've just got back from visiting my sister. She, as luck would have it, is a trained reflexologist. I took full advantage and had a mega session! I feel really good today. if you haven't tried it I can fully recommend it for fab relaxation and a feeling of well being.

Hi to Randa, Tammy and all other lovely ladies here. Hope all had a good chocolately Easter and going back to work isn't too bad.....
Bye for now
Keep smiling
Anna x

[BevT]

Hi all, hope everyone is having a good easter break and eating lots of loverrrly chocolate!!!

Anna,

AF came and is on the way out now, I have just had my day 5 scan this morning. All is ok, thank goodness, the cyst on my left ovary has gone, and my endo is 3mm. So I am hoping that the Dr at Isida will be happy with that and will give me the go ahead to start with my shot on day 19 (last day of April). I think that will mean I may be going back to Kiev for ET last week in May (approx). I have sent the sonographer's report via e-mail to Isida, so am waiting for a reply. Then maybe we can pay our deposit, and find out who our donor will be (characteristics only though). I hope she will be really young (early 20's) to give us our best chance, apart from that, I don't really mind - but I am a little bit excited to hear about her!

My brain is so full of stuff, forgive me if I got this wrong, but are you a school teacher or is it one of the others? Just thinking ahead, because I wondered if you were aware that IM in Barcelona closes for most of the summer hols! Of course, this may not be relevant to you, but thought I would just mention it. Getting excited for you for your visit - only 2 weeks to go!!! x

Kat,

Glad to see that you are feeling a bit better now. Spring does always help to lift the spirits eh? I'm sure that you and DH will have a well deserved "rest" in Mallorca trecking about the mountainside. Hope you have a fab time. Know what you mean about the hugs, it makes all the difference when you really need it. Take care honey.x

Lisa,

happy to see you "happy". Glad the shots are going ok. I have a bit of good news today, with the disappearance of my cyst! Not much to celebrate - but a step in the right direction. I'm still keeping everything crossed for your cycle. Really hope it works this time (goes without saying really). You take care too, Lisa.x

Tammy,

I like the chinese proverb! Good to see you being so positive and am visualising your little Elena already.

Hope all you other loverlies are ok.

Lol Bev xxx

[randa2006]

Hello Friends!

Reading up on everyone's progress. Good to see some upbeat hearts in our group.

I am in sunny Phoenix, Arizona seeing my daughters and old friends. Left cold rainy spring behind in Seattle. DH will be joining me in a week.

Is anyone else noticeably tired? Either I'm just now admitting it or it's just now hitting me, but I have an energy shortage going on. Don't know if it's age or all the meds taking their toll. I've also gained 5 pounds. And I'm soooo hungry all the time. Maybe being here in the sun will help. It was an unusually cold winter in Seattle and when I'm cold, all I want to do is be still, keep warm and EAT!

Sorry to whine. I am thankful to be on vacation. Two weeks of no work (except projects here at the girls' house). Life is good.

Hope everyone had a nice Easter! I was traveling so I missed church.

God Bless!

[AMck]

Hi Ladies

Bev, congrats on your scan. Glad to see all is progressing nicely! Bye bye cyst! Fingers crossed you get the go ahead soon. Can I ask you about your schedule of events. How long from initial consultation to ET? Not that I am thinking ahead or anything! You are right I am a teacher, your brain isn't too fuddled! I have contacted IM about their closing dates. But to be honest I will take time off work if/when I need to. I am not planning to have the addded stress of trying to time things around the school hols and have tmt at the same time. That would probably finish me off altogether!

Hello to all other lovely ladies here. x
Bye for now
Keep smiling
Anna x

[BevT]

Anna,

Our initial consultation was at the end of March. I had to wait for AF who was late then I had my first scan to monitor tmt yesterday, day 5. Apparently I will start meds day 19, wait for another AF, then day 3 start more meds to aid the endo, then look for ET to be somewhere around day 15 - 18. So that should take me to the last week in May for estimated ET. This could of course change if AF doesn't play ball, or there is a problem with the donor, but that is the time frame I am working to.

Depending on when your AF is due, I guess you will be working towards 6 - 8 weeks after initial consultation, so mid to late June for you honey!

It all seems a bit more real for me now, I have had the go-ahead from the clinic, just need to transfer the prepayment now, then they will tell me my donor characteristics. Getting quite excited in a quiet sort of slightly hesitant way now.

Glad you are happy to take time off work for tmt when you need it. As you say, the added stress you can well do without.

Take care of yourself. Only two weeks to go for you before you visit Barcelona.

LOL Bev xxx

[DebraP]

Hi, I've not had much to say recently plus had an attack of the killer miseries. It all seemed to hit at once and I finally went to see my GP about it today. Not met him before and he was lovely, so very kind and appeared genuinely interested in trying to help. He wants to talk more next week.

Today is Day 1 but I've had some old blood bleeding for 11 days so the clinic suspect this monthmight be abandoned. The Day 10 scan is next Friday but we're not keen to abandon, as prev. we just want it over. Fingers crossed we can go ahead the week after next.

We're both down about it all but recognise that's a part of recovery and have past the raw pain stage.

Will come back if we're going ahead.
Best of luck with all the treatments being prepared for.
Debra

[randa2006]

Hi Debra,

Glad to hear you are seeing someone about your blues. The emotional side of all of this is so huge and probably none of us address it as seriously as we should. I know our nurse has asked me several times (and even had the counselor call me) if I need some emotional support. She has picked up on a vibe that says I'm about wrung out.
After what you've been through (more pain than many) you are wise to get support.

Geeze, I can't imagine going through another round when your heart has given up. You must feel like you are split in half right now. We are here for you. Let us know if you go ahead now or have to wait (ugh!) another month.

Bev,
It's good to read about your building enthusiasm. It's very positive and reminds me of when I was more hopeful. Thanks for sharing.

Hello to Anna, Kat, Lisa, Yasmina, Tammy and others who may not have posted for a while.

[AMck]

Hi ladies

Bev, I have been in touch with IM about their closure and they have assurred me that they stay open all year round. Somebody is telling porkies Thanks for the info on the time scale of things. It's good to see all is going well for you! You must be getting excited now.

Any advice ladies? I had my cycle abandoned due to poor response and low e2 levels. I had a bleed on day 14. Do I now count that as day 1, do you think it was a proper AF? If it isn't counted as a AF I calculate that this is day 33. So is AF late or am I really on day 19? I am so confused

hi to Debra, you are so brave and strong. Hugs to you x

Randa, hope you are having a fab holiday!

PMA to all here
Bye for now
Keep smiling
Anna

[Kat]

Hello
Anna - they told me they shut in August so I went 1st Sept - maybe that was for first appts rather than for actual tmt - who knows!
Hi to everyone else, will post more another time
Lots of love
Kat xx

[AMck]

Hello
Kat, thanks I will push them on this. The admin lady told me they were open all year round. I wonder what's going on?

Anna x

[Kat]

Anna - I have worked out timings - my tmt was 54 days from first appt to ET.
You have 88 days before the end of July after your appt so even if they do close for everything in August you will not have any trouble fitting in tmt. 88 days even gives you the chance to have one of your mega long cycles before starting bc pills! Hope that puts your mind at rest a bit...

Hi to everyone else, hope everyone is doing OK, I am trying to take each day one at a time, some better than others but I think I'll get there. Just waiting to see a glimmer of light at the end of what seems like a very long tunnel....I know it's there but I can't see it yet. How philosophical for this time of a morning!
Have a nice day everyone
Love
Kat xx

[BevT]

Hello everyone,

The weather here this morning is dull and wet. Need a bit of sunshine to lift our spirits here in the UK. Any chance of you girls in warmer climates sending us a bit please?

Kat, so glad you are keeping in touch with us all. We will miss you if you decide not to continue. I just wish that things had worked out better for you, and I know that you have to make your own decisions as to whether it is time to call it a day or not, but I do wish I could persuade you and DH to explore more tmt - maybe come over onto the Isida gang? I'm sorry, I don't think it is fair of me to try to sway you from your path. I do so wish you could fulfill your dream to become a mother. My heart, as always, goes out to you. Lots of love to you both. x

Anna, I am getting excited (a bit). Am trying to keep a level head - all I seem to be able to do these days is talk on these forums and plan my tmt. The house is a complete shambles and the diet!! Well, that has gone totally to pot. It would really help the whole picture if I could shed some pounds before end of May, but my head just isn't in the right place. You would think that with such a HUGE thing about to happen, I would be desperate to make everything the best I can. The more I try, the more I eat. I keep saying "tomorrow, I will start tomorrow". Unfortunately "tomorrow" never seems to come. Just another packet of biscuits!

Not sure what to make of your AF and this odd bleed on day 14! Could you by any chance have become pg by some fluke? A bleed on day 14 in the middle of a cycle - could that be an implantation bleed? I don't know Anna, maybe you need to speak to someone at the clinic you were having tmt with.

Randa, how are things going with you? Where are you now with your plans and tmts? I can empathise with the 5lb gain. Mine is double that!! Glad you had a good time with your daughters and old friends, you need that to keep your pecker up. Take care. x

Debra, sorry you've been feeling so miserable lately. It's not surprising, from what you have been through. Good that you have been to see your GP and that he is sympathetic. We all need more guys like him eh? Hope it all pans out for you over the next week or so. Thinking of you. x

Where is all the rest of our "crowd"? Hope everyone is doing ok. Love to all out there.
Bev xxx

[AMck]

Hello all

Kat , thanks for your message. Can't believe you took the time to work out the days of your tmt. Ta very much, it did put my mind at rest. Glad to see you are on the up.

Bev, the anticipation is a killer. I know what you mean about all around you going to pot. Same here. From a dedicated gym bunny to couch potato, from Monica to Waynetta Slob in one easy move! Trying to keep on an even keel at work is very difficult at the moment too. We had a major senior teacher meeting today and put all the term dates in the diary. My mind kept wondering , will I be here then or having ET etc etc etc....I really don't think my bleed was implantation bleeding! The lining was beginning to disintegrate on my previous 2 scans and the e2 level plummeted. Just good old body not responding to meds as usual! Thanks for the thought though. Hope you are Ok and the days are flying by to your next visit to Kiev. Do you have a proposed date yet?


Hi to all lovely ladies here, hope all Ok
Bye for now
Keep smiling
Anna x

[erjumper]

Hi ladies,
Just checked and updated on everyone's progress whether emotional or cycle wise. Todays my b-day so i'm 41 and my fertility has officially gone over the cliff. Doing well with EV shots. Levels are rising as should, lining is 11 so we just have to hope some of our 3 frosties survive the thaw on May 2nd. Just need this all to be over. Getting jerked around by the agency doing our foster paperwork. People quitting and we've fallen through the cracks. We may never get a baby! More later....
Hugs,
Lisa