December-January Cycle Buddy's Our New beginnings

[lara312]

Thanx lasdies for all the birthday wishes i will try and enjoy myself(not much of thay in work but when i come home i will) your all like my family now so this is great .
love Rachel x x

[Sully]

Lara



Have a great day!!!!!

Angie - hope your transfer goes very smoothly, sending lots and lots of sticky baby dust your way. There is always something in the news about the drugs we take for infertility etc and I know it's hard but try and forget about it. The whole issue with infertility is a minefield and if you look at other posts regarding things like drinking water, eating pineapple, taking baby aspirin - seems like every clinic suggests something different , sadly seems like no hard and fast rules about what works for everyone - best thing is lots of PMA PMA PMA PMA

Good luck to those ladies starting your cycles - lets have lots of BFP's to end 2006 on a high and start 2007 with the same

Nimble - good luck and hope you get the answers you need

Sonya - I agree with Aunty and call the clinic if you're at all concerned

I haven't managed to get on here for a couple of days and feel like SO much has happened! I'm gonna try very hard to make much more of an effort to keep up with what is going on

Sorry to those I haven't mentioned personally but my thoughts are with you all, bring on those BFP's

[shantala]

good morning ladies!!

how are we all today??

TC - you made me laugh when you said DH keeps texting you. usually they dont like AF!!

lara - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! have a fantastic day! (and sorry to hear about the adoption and IVF. its horrible when you have a plan and then something else gets in the way. we're all thinking of you and just keep thinking of that BFP!! )

julie - welcome to this thread! you'll find tremendous support and help on here. gosh, cant believe how long you have been waiting. where abouts are you?

welsh bugger - i'm fine thanks. sorry to hear you're having AF troubles too. she is a nightmare! well i must sound you are sounding much better today so i hope you're feeling it! did have to giggle when you said about the rum (i wish! ) and nearly fell off my chair laughing about the socks and the eskimos!! watched the programme last night too and it was so sad!! happy at the same time though! (if you know what i mean). i made DH watch it with me last week (i babysit for my mum tuesdays so made him come with me) and it opened his eyes a bit. he admitted that he thought it would just work and didnt realise how many hurdles there are to overcome and even then it sometimes just doesnt work. so i'm glad he understands a bit more now. he then was going to go to bed early last night while i went to my mums and at 8.45 the door knocked and it was him! he said we're going through this together and he wants to be there for me, even if its just to watch a programme. he said at the end of the day the programme affects both of us. he's so sweet.

angie - good luck with the FET!! did you watch that programme last night? also, good luck with the appointment today. keep us updated. like babyblue said, have you decided on 1 or 2?? best of luck!!! BFP here you come!!!

carolyn - good luck with your follie scan in a couple of days. xx

ss - where are you? hope everything is ok. xx

fed - make sure you rest! lots of get better hugs coming you way!!

sonya - sorry cant be of any help with bcp and AF but can certainly have the most sympathy for you!

nimble - good luck with the follow up appointment today. hoping its good news. let us know how you get on as soon as you get a minute!! xx

as for me, i'm having a bit of a dilemma with my work. i'm currently on a maternity cover contract at my work where i have temped for the last couple of years on and off. the lady on maternity leave is not meant to come back until may, which i thought would be great as my boss is very flexible with my hours here and i thought that would be great for tmt. she knows about it and said to take as much time off as i want, basically i can choose my hours. so then i found out that the lady on maternity leave is coming back on the 15th january!! so now i'm stuck. i have applied for this other part-time receptionist job for the time being. the ups are that the hours are Mon and Thu 7-2 and Wed and Sun 12-7, which means i would have mon and thu afternoons and all day tue, fri and sat off so could arrange a lot of the hospital appointments in those times. (except of course the ones that i cant avoid). and that job is permanent. however, the down side is that i'm still not sure what to do if (and when ) its a bfp and whether i will work for the first 3 months. the new job is standing up all day and not sure if i want to be doing that after ET. now, the job that i am at, which finishes on 15th jan said they might have something coming up at the end of feb but they are not sure. aahhh...not sure what to do (it would be so much easier if i could look into the future and know when the tmt will happen and what the end result is!! )....sorry about the long post but i'm not sure whats best to do. dont want to stay here and hope something comes up in feb (which would be better as its seated and less stressful) or do i go for this new job and know i'll have a job next year. any thoughts??

xx

[Ems1971]

Morning ladies, just a quickie as I'm at work. Aunty - could you alter your fab list as I'm an IVF lady not a FET lady, starting downregging on or about 21st Dec.

Thanks so much.

Ems xxxx

[Haylie]

Shantala - that was so sweet of your DH - bless him!

What a dilemma you are in, you don't need this stress as well as everything else! I don't think anyone can tell you what to do it depends whether you want the security of having a permanent job or you take the chance of waiting until February but then you also don't want to go to a job that is going to be more stressful. You need as little stress as possible.
Sorry I haven't really helped your dilemma, I'm sure you'll make the right decision. Just a thought - why would someone want to return early from maternity!! I wouldn't want to return at all!
Have a good day
x

[shantala]

Haylie - thanks..you did make me laugh when you said who would want to come back early from maternity!!

xx

[CarolynB]

Wow - away 24 hours and 4 pages to read. Well beats working!!!

Angie - wish that I could give you a huge hug. Media are always peddling these sensationalist stories and we are vunerable when loaded with all these drugs. As others have said, the main thing is to stay as calm as you can. Hope that your scan tomorrow will be just fine and then you'll have the little one(s) back home. You'll be leading the way. Take good care and try to stay calm - I know easier said than done!

Julie - welcome - this thread is awesome. What a wait you have had! It is so good that finally you can start in just 3 weeks.

Erin - Sorry that you are still feeling sore after the op. Took me a while to feel like normal again after my lap. Think that you just need to take your time and really look after yourself. Wishing u well

Aunty - I loved the verse at the top of the board. Made me well up just to read it - I blame the hormones!

Em - Great that you have a plan. Less than a month to go. With Xmas coming sure that it will whizz by. You'll be down regging before you know it

Rachel - Hope that you are having a nice birthday and dh has bought you something nice! I am sorry that you cannot do ivf & adoption together. I think that they worry that the tmt may work and then you might decide to back out of the adoption or end up with two children with v simialr ages- I wish! I treid to do what you said and visualised my eggs growing whilst I was having acu last night. Hope that it helps! Think that u asked about AF and acu. Certainly made mine more regular post ivf drugs. I slipped to like 35 day cycles and after a few rounds of acu was back to 31 days almost like clockwork. Think that it can help

Bec - now that I have been visualising my eggs - now I need to talk to them too!!! My dh will think that I have completely flipped out! Excuse my question but what does the prometrium do? Never heard of that drug before. Agree with u re-being pushy. My consultant told us after tubal surgery that we had to wait until New Year. We could not stand waiting & so booked to see him again. We presented our case for doing now and he caved. Otherwise we'd have been the same as you and not starting til Jan/Feb. I therefore consider this a bonus round!!!

Babyblue - your pictures really made me laugh. As Aunty says law in UK is 2 back up to 40 and 3 back above 40. That said, I asked my consultant about 3 back this time and he will not do for me as worried of the risk of multiples and the additional risks. He said that he would consider 3 back if we did more cycles that did not work.

Sonya - sorry not done BCP so cannot help. But as other girls have said if u r at all worried then I'd call the clinic. It never does any harm and might put your mind at rest

Haylie - your holiday sounds fab. Been both wet and cold here so v jealous. Glad that the wedding was great too. Sure being back is a real shock to the system! It is good that you rang the clinic and all is well. I hate making those calls when u think that it will be bad news and u put them off. Now u have called it must feel so much better. I was crying for the twins last night - so happy & yet v sad all at the same time.

Becky - sorry that your clinic is still making u wait. That really stinks. Thanks for cheering me up by reminding me that it is movies on Saturday. We are out with friends in Oxford so will have to record and watch on Sunday. Gives me something to look forward too

Shantala - how interesting that u looked at Hammersmith. My lady gp recommeded me there. Close to home for me too which certainly does help when you are going there a lot for scans/bloods etc. Dh likes it as Winston used to be there so figures it must be good!!! We will move elsewhere though if we continue to not be successful. 2 fresh & 1 FET and then we move in my mind and try another clinic. So sweet that your dh watched the programme with u. Bless. Managed to make my dh watch episode 1 - he hates programmes like that. No way last night that I was going to get him away from the football!! Programme is sad and happy but I think that at least they have made it realistic and pretty factual. I am so interested in it.

Sammy & Christine - Hope that all has gone well with you both starting today. All aboard the ivf train!!!

Hugs to everyone else who I have missed. Am thinking of you all.

So to me. Acu last night was really fab. He gave me a good long session as lady after me cancelled. Really focused on relaxing and using my energy to help my eggs grow. Simply cannot believe that next time I go will be ET day when he is going to see me twice - before and after.

Watched TV all night and put warm hot water bottle on my tummy for 20 mins as know that helped me last time when my eggs stalled at 10mm.

Cannot believe that I am 6 days in to stimmies already. Loaded 2nd cartridge of puregon for tomorrow. It is weird how such small steps seem like another hurdle overcome. Needed 12 days of stimmies last time so may be half way??? Wow 2nd injections are causing a little bit of grief but am so much less bruised than last time when I was black & blue on my legs and tummy.

Busy day tomorrow so apologise in advance as may struggle to post. My scan is Friday at 8am. Will come on as soon as I can with news. Don't feel as bloated as last time so worrying that I have far less eggs but it may just have kicked in the final few days of stimmies.....I hope so.

Hugs & baby dust to to you.
Lots of Love
Carolyn xxxx

[shantala]

oh its not fair - i'm at work having a really good day. then a work colleague asked me if i watched that programme last night so i said yes. she said that her daughter (who is currently undergoing chemo for breast cancer) got really upset this morning after the programme as she wishes that she had frozen her eggs before she started tmt and didnt. she has 2 boys already. so everybody is saying how hard it must be for her (i've had no support from work) and dont get me wrong i do feel for her. so i said at least she has 2 boys. and a work colleague said well it must be harder for for a woman who already has children as she knows what it feels like to have children than for a woman who doesnt know what its like. bloody thanks. (am i being too sensitive??)

x

[CarolynB]

Hey Shantala

I am sorry that someone said something so insensitive in front of you. Some people just don't think. Or may be they were trying to be super supportive of the lady and her daughter and by saying that not appreciating the impact that it would have on you. Other people just don't think and come out with this utter rubbish. Unless a lady has been through this then how can she possibly comment on how it feels not to be able to have a child.

Try not to get upset. We all do from time to time - it is natural. But we are all here and this is the best place in the world for support and comfort as the people all know what you are going through.

Chin up.

Big hugs.
Carolyn xxx

[shantala]

Thanks Carolyn - i dont like moaning on here but you're the only people that can understand! the lady who made that comment (who is my SIL as well) emailed me afterwards saying sorry if she upset me, she didnt mean to so thats made it a bit better. still feel like there's an atmosphere in the office now though but we'll get over that. i've sent her an email back trying to explain what it feels like and that her comment did hurt.

thanks for the kind words carolyn - it does help to know its not just me and that others udnerstand.

xx

[Welshgirl38]

Just a quickie,

Shantala hun - Im so sorry that people have upset u at work People can be so insensitive sometimes, they dont stop to think what u must be going thru. At lease she realised that what she said hurt you, and apologised, but im glad you told her how it feels for you.
The woman who already has 2 boys would have been asked before her treatment if she wanted to freeze any embryos, so she would have had a chance. But i do understand her changing her mind and getting upset - as i was steralized over 10years ago, and am now divrced from the girls dad (he was a prick - sorry for language lol) and now im married to DH who has no children, is a wonderful hubby and step dad, and i want to be able to give him a child of his own.
Your SIL comment about it being harder for a woman who already has children is poppycock (language again - soz lol) I know deep down that altho i am rying as hard as i can for another baby - iam already blessed with 2 wonderful girls - and if that is my destiny, then thats my destiny. I would never complain to anyone that cos of them im more desperate than a woman who has never experianced what i have. I would love to give every woman on this earth that chance - and i honestly would give up my chance to have another baby, and give it to a woman who hasnt.

you hold ur head up hun, you will get there

Becky Xxxxx

[tcbalgord]

Angie, best of luck to you sweetie my prayers are with you.

Shantala, I almost think they hate AF more then us! We haven't told our families about this yet, so I know tomorrow will be the day we will; due to him asking me every 5min if AF is here. I will say this though, it has taken the IVF process to make him more sensitve to PMS!!!!!! Bless men!!!!!

Well ladies, to the Americans, Happy Thanksgiving! And to everyone, warm feelings and sweet baby dreams that will be coming true!

Christine

[babyblue]

Shantala - your DH is a dear. That was very sweet of him to think of you and what lies ahead. That is rare in a man. On the other hand, the lady at work was very insensitive, rude, harsh, what ever you want to title it. Unfortunately, we have to deal with them every day. Keep your chin high and your heart light and know that all these ladies on here care about you and are cheering you on. Wow, a delima on the job situation. Sounds like some tough decisions to make. I'm with Haylie, in that you need to think about what is less stressful, and the security of a permanent job, but in the end it will have to be your decision and one that will make you happy. I'm sure you will make the right decision.

Carolyn - you mentioned that you were going to have acu before and after ET. Are you not restricted to bed for a few days after ET? We have very strict orders that you can't even sit up, and can only get up to go to the bathroom. Not even to take a shower. The 4th day trip back to the Dr. office was funny because all the ladies in the waiting room had their hair pulled back or under a cap and in jogging suits. Keep us posted on the scan results.

Haylie - you made me laugh with "who would want to return from maternity leave early". I'm like you, I wouldn't want to come back at all and I have a great job.

Ems - Sounds like we will be starting about the same time.

Lara - Happy Birthday today.

Angie - We are cheering you on. Lots and lots of sticky baby dust to you this weekend.

SSalgado - how are you progressing? How are the patches going?

Jemima - how did the blood work turn out?

[becleo]

ok, time to catch up a bit!
Happy 30th Lara, hope it was a blast!

Sully- it is crazy how every time we turn around there is different advice. but I agree PMA is the way to be!!!!!

Shantala. DH sounds like a keeper!!!! in regards to the job, go with your gut. it is a tough call, and only you really know what is best for you, sometimes though the place you know is better than what you don't and it sounds like the people there know what you are trying to accomplish and are ok with it??? As for the comments, it is so hard because we are surrounded by people who just don't get it. and sadly they never will for the most part. I put up my "SHIT SHEILD" around those people. I can't let it get to me or else I would drive myself crazier than I am already hehehe, so chin up girl, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU TO VENT!!!!!

Carolyn Bst of luck with the scan you are getting there sweetie! the prometrium is usually used after ET to help the uterus support the nesting process. my doc wanted to get my uterus in great shape for my next cycle that is why he has me on it right now. usually I inject it up the vagina (YUCK!) but because I am not doing ET right now I can take it orally.... the downside of these pills is that for me they mimic a pregnancy to the tee. so after ET I have felt every pregnancy symptom, so when I did the test it totally crushed me to find out it was BFN. the last time I finally "smartened" up and tried to just go with the flow..... still thought I was though.. ahhhhh. SUCKS!
I pray this bonus round gives you the ultimate bonus!!!!!! happy Shooting!

Rachel. Accu has helped bring on my AF, I hadn't had a period in 7 years on my own, and I started accu about 9months ago, an I have begun cycling on my own. so yes for me it really works!

Baby Blue THE VERIZON commercial is exactly what I had pictured too in my mind SOOO funny! I tend to go over board myself sometimes DH knows I am silly so whatever works right!
WOW. your clinic is strict. mine says you can go back to work same day as ET, limit activity for the 2ww. can go for walks after 5 days but listen to your body. be kind to yourself and such... should I try bedrest you think... all the research they have done has said that there really is nothing specific you can do to up your chances. you can be cautios and careful, but the most important thing is to try to stay stress free. ??
drives me crazy how there are SOOOOOOOO many different views.. I just want the one that works heheheh!

Haylie hope DH was surprised by the balloons!! very sweet!

Angie - Good luck with the scan!!!! try to take deep breaths, it willall work out, I know it.

Sonya- definitely call, you will feel so much better!

Becky-great advice. you are a awesome PMA source!!!!

I know I forgot some.. sorry, I wish you all the best, but Have to work at some point today!

All my American Chickies...
HAPPY THANKSIVING, I am thankkful I fond you all and that i get to spend tomorrow with the people I love the most, and I am most thankful that I haven't lost my marbles this paast year yet!!!!
LOVE TO ALL!
Bec

[CarolynB]

Christine - I did not tell any of my family for cycle 1. My mum had a scare for breast cancer and did not want her to worry although all is thankfully fine now. Think that I also figured that if it all worked out then I could just tell them then & Not put them through the worry - if only it was that easy. Then with giving up my old stressful job, not drinking tea/coffee, plus the 2 ops over the summer - felt that I had to let her know or she would have known that something was up anyway. She has been great. And it helps to know that I can pick up the phone to her when I need and she'll be on my side. She tries hard not to ask me too many questions unless I want to talk which is great. Sure that your families will be a big help for you

Shantala - rant, moan - what ever helps - we are all in this together. Sorry on the job front to not help you before - I would just figure out which job will give you the least stress. Tmt is v stressful and the more we can do to be calm & unstressed the better. Write down what would stress you in each role - new company vs. old; people who know vs new people; permanent vs temporary; money etc etc Then I would take the one with the shorest list. You'll know which one you want by doing this as you'll add loads of stress factors to the other job!!!!

Bec - love the idea of the 'shit shield' for people who are . I shall build one of those right around me. Like the idea of going with the flow too. I am trying to do that too but it is so hard especially when you are a control freak like me!!!!!!!

Babyblue - Very interesting to read what you wrote about bed rest after ET. I was going to ask opinion of everyone but when I was closer to that stage. I have read so much different stuff. Zita West who is like the goddess of fertility in the UK says that you should go straight home after ET and stay lying down for a minimum of 3 days. Only get up to go to the loo. Nothing else at all. So that is exactly what I did 1st time around. However, I found it really quite stressful as well as dam boring. It made me think of nothing else and think that I got myself into a bit of a tizzy.

I quizzed my consultant about it after BFN, even about lying down for the entire 2 weeks if it would help. He said that if they are going to stay they will stay & it is simply not possible for them to fall out. Only things that you should not do is heavy lifting or hot baths - he told me that I should just do everything else as normal. Anything else goes basically. He encouraged me to try to carry on as normal as he thought iy would stress me less??

Then acu man said that he really wanted me to do before and after ET and that he felt that it was this piece of acu that really can help make the difference. All his patients have fertility issues and I really trust him so decided to go for it.

Was undecided about whether then to go to bed for 3 days. Saw a good friend for lunch yesterday. She is pregnant on attempt 5 of ivf (mix of fresh and frozen). She did acu after ET this time. Never before. She swears it made all the difference - who knows. And while she took it really easy after ET, she got up and wandered around the house and was told that circulation/blood flow is critical.

ARRGGGG. Really wish there was a simple formula that would work for all of us.

Please let me know what people think the best approach is after ET. I am definitely going for acu straight afterwards but what is best after that????

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American chums.
Love Carolyn xxxx