The Over 40 Crowd

[teachertam]

Hello Ladies!

Everything is fine with the baby and I. Thanks for asking Bev and Yasmina. I have been reading the posts, just have not taken the time to post myself. I am preparing for the end of our Fall semester, as next week is finals week!!! I'm also nursing a horrible cold, that I'm blaming on DH. He had it first and now the poor guy is chilling with some other ailment. When you teach, it seems that you are exposed to so many germs. During my last night's class, I had several students coughing so loudly that it became difficult to drown out their noise.

Bev: I'm so glad to hear that everything went well at your appt.! I'm sure that you would not want to do anything to induce labor. It sounds like he is big enough to deliver now though. My DH's son was born 2 weeks early and he weighed only 4.75 lbs. I don't know how big Andrew is, but I have a Dr. appt. next week. I will have the glucose tolerance test then. I'm sure the 3D photos were great! I will have another scan the week after Christmas. I will be almost 31 weeks by then.

Kat: So glad to hear that you are at the top of the donor list. You will be cycling before you know it. I can't wait to deliver Andrew and begin a diet and exercise program. I've gained 25 lbs so far!! Have fun with your sister and nieces.

Yasmina: Good to hear from you also. I am having the glucose test next Thursday. I will be almost 29 weeks by then. I think this test is normally done during weeks 28 or 29. Maybe you should call your Dr. about it.
Luckily, it looks like I'm nearly done with the Christmas shopping. I have the tree all decorated along with the entire house. My chocolate lab, Max, keeps stealing ornaments from the tree.

Kim: Good to hear that you have your next cycle all planned out. Good luck!

Anna: How are you doing? When does your semester break start? I have one more week!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell that i'm excited?

Hello to JacJac, LuAnne, Sonia and Jen.

Take care all,
Tammy

[erjumper]

Hi ladies, So sorrry to be absent for so long and now pop in and be needy but it's exactly one of those days. Turns out that all the OT I was working in the ER got me this wretched flu that has had me down with cough, fever, weakness, vomiting, shortness of breath and just general misery. So last night I send hubby out to the drug store for cough and cold med and fruit juice and he has an accident in my car. He's fine which is the only important thing but now we're more in debt again not only from the insurance deductibles but from the week of work i've lost with no sick pay. So I get up today feeling like I have an hour to live but need the money so I drag myself in the shower and get in the car after which I have little recollection. I recall feeling lost and turning the wrong way down a one way street, almost hitting a man on a bike and then being head on with another car! I got out of there and found my way to work by asking directions and went straight to the ER (as a patient this time) where i got 2.5 liters of IV fluid because i was so dehydrated my heart rate was 165 and i had no palpable blood pressure. (so now more bills to pay! and hubby still has no job.) Then to add kerosene to the fire, my sister in law who delivered her baby last year just before christmas announced that she is 3 months pregnant! I'm still sure we're DONE with the infertility battle but i really could stand to see something go in our favor. I mean MERRY F###ING CHRISTMAS! Why is it every time things straighten out and my spirits are lifted I get punched in the face? I wouldn't be surprised if we're looking at bankruptcy in 6 month or so. I just don't get the in justice of it all! Can someone help me see through this fog?

[teachertam]

Lisa:

It is good to hear from you, but sorry to hear that you've had such a run of bad luck. Sometimes when it seems that everything is going bad for us, but we need to hang in there. I'm sure that things will get better.

Are you still on the foster parent list? I'm not sure how it works.

Please keep in touch more often and let us know how you are doing.

Please take care,
Tammy

[babyblue]

Lisa, Sorry to hear of your pain. It comes in all forms around Christmas (money, physical, despair, and just plain blues). I took time out and said a special prayer for you and DH. I sure hope you get to feeling better, then find a road to recovery for your financial situtation.

Kat, Hope we are all fat by next year (pregnant). Hang in there. I just know you will hear something soon from your clinic.

Bev, Yippie! You are on the final stretch.

Yasmina, No scan can be good. That means that the OB is not worried about the baby being anything but healthy and growing. My OB told me they usually only scan if there is a problem or a risk. I would hope they would do one more before you are due. Keep us posted.

Tammy, Fall finals - yuck!! Be careful and don't overdo.

Take care everyone,

Kim

[LuAnne41]

Hello Everyone!!! I've been a bit overwhelmed lately w/a lot going on, not to mention the obligations of the holiday season. I've taken the time to jump in & read up a few times, but haven't had time to post. I thought I'd post while I have a moment & let you all know where I am at on my quest. I've had consults w/3 clinics so far, & have 2 more scheduled, one of which is tomorrow afternoon. And, yes! I'm suffering from a bit of information overload. The good news is I've found a consistent opinion among the clinics/doctors re my APA. They all tell me antiphospholipid antibodies are nothing to worry about, that any risk that may exist is bypassed w/the IVF procedure anyway. (They certainly used to sing a different tune about APA!) I do have other issues, which can easily be addressed, but would not likely be a factor until later in pregnancy anyway. I was looking for consensus among the doctors, as well as different methods, opinions, and/or techniques. So far I've consulted w/Advanced Fertility of Chicago, The Infertility Center of St. Louis at St. Luke's Hospital, & the Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine. The consult tomorrow is at The University of Louisville, & the other one is w/Shady Grove Fertility Ctr. in D.C. Since DH & I both want to participate in a "Shared Risk", or "Outcome Based" Program, the clinic in St. Louis is eliminated, as it is around 25K per cycle w/no guarantee. That does not include any fees associated w/a frozen cycle. I must say they are really good at what they do though! The others all have some type of shared risk/outcome based program, so I also consider their success rates, their donor program, & of course, the gut feeling I have about the clinic & doctor in general. I won't know when I'll cycle again until I select a clinic, & that may not be until after Christmas, although I hope not. I'll keep everyone posted.
LuAnne

[BevT]

Hi all, not much time this morning, but just wanted to pop in to say hi to Lisa in particular. Life, Lisa, can be such a ***** at times, things WILL get better. I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and DH at the moment. Take care,

Bev xxx

[AMck]

Hi everyone...where has the past week gone? The days seem to be flying by with lots to do before Xmas.

Lisa, sorry to see your run of bad luck. Hope your cloud soon has a silver lining. Thinking of you xx

Bev, how are you? Is the BP behaving itself?? Hope you are OK and have no need of any more hospital trips. The pictures sound amazing!

LuAnne, you have been busy! Where do you get the energy? Hopefully you will be able to make a decision on which clinic and will cycle soon. Good luck.

Tammy, the end of term beckons for me. I can't wait. Mind you Christmas time with little children is fab...even if they are overexcited, tired and grumpy at times! The concerts, parties and card making are all under way! We finish on 19th Dec for a well earned rest. Hope your cold is better and you are not working too hard. Look after that bump!

Yasmina, hope you are OK. Try not to worry, I'm sure all is fine. Sending you relaxing vibes.......

Kat, any news from donor clinic? Fingers crossed it won't be too long and you will be cycling again. Good to see your dad is on the mend too.

Babyblue, not long now to cycling again. Have everything crossed for you xx

As for me, not much to report really. All going well. We have a midwife appointment on Friday. My only symptom at this stage has been swollen ankles at the end of a long day Xmas shopping. Hoping all will continue to go smoothly.

Hi to all lovely ladies here, JacJac, Kim, Jen and all
Keep smiling
Bye for now
Anna x

[babyblue]

Hello ladies!!

A few questions. Have any of you tried AcuLaser or Acupuncture for Infertility?

Yasmina - I am starting to worry about OHSS with this cycle because they plan to be more aggressive and we are using pure FSH this time. Since you had this, is there early symptoms to clue you in that you may be going into OHSS? I guess it worries me because of what you went through. But look at you now - Pregnant. I have heard the bad stories about OHSS as well - like permanent damage. Is OHSS rare or fairly common? Sorry for so many questions, but I thought you may had already researched this.

I believe AF is not far off. I was expecting it yesterday, that is if I was back to my 24 day cycle. I will start the BCPs on 2nd day after AF, then MicroLupron on 1/3.

I admire those of you who have so much of your Christmas shopping done. Even Anna with her swollen ankles. I have not bought the first present yet. I have been working on my lists, but bought nothing.

Christmas cheer to everyone,
Kim

[children]

Hi to everyone here!

LuAnne,

I promised that I would update you about my friend (1st ivf and 31 years old only) who is undergoing treatment with Advanced Fertility Center at Chicago: she started the stimulation on 12/1/06 and got 14 eggs collected, 12 fertilized. The transfer will be this coming Friday. We will see the outcome in 16 days!

Kim,

The only sign of OHSS that I had was feeling bloated. I was stupid enough to ignore and kept running twice a week, 5K each during my stimulation. I found out afterwards, that was extremely dangerous because hi E2 level can leads to blood clots and I could have died!

For your information, my friend (31 years old, 1st ivf cycle, 6 failed IUI before) who is using Chicago fertility center is using Follistim (266 U for 4 days and then 150 U for the rest 6 days of stimulation) and Luveris (75U first 6 days of stimulation). End result: 12 of 14 fertilized – very good outcome so far. You are monitored by blood E2 level and ultrasound to check follicle size every 2~3 days. If your E2 level rises too fast, you will be asked to decrease the amount of FSH. For people who are over 40, it is not common to have OHSS. My RE and nurses were all surprised that I had produced so many eggs. Today, I went to see another RE at Nashville, he said, “you, OHSS, at this age?!” He was obviously in shock!

Anna, Tammy, and Bev,

Very glad we are approaching the end of the preg nicely! I am not overly worried, I developed some kind of headache and backaches. Heartburn and insomnia still come and go, but my frequent peeing problem is subsided, I get up 2 times per night now to pee and drink. I am still gaining weight slowly (8 lbs heavier), but I feel a lot heavier and can’t bend my body anymore. Baby dose not do small kicks anymore, instead, she shifts the whole body from one place to another, makes lumps at different places on my belly, so weird! She responds to DH’s voices - he likes to talk to her through my tummy.

Lisa,

Life sucks at times; you should not feel sorry at all to post your misery here. This is the place to vent and we are here to listen and support. I can not believe so many unlucky events occurred to you at once and I admire your strength to deal with these misfortunes. The way I deal with problems like this is to cry a lot and then to practice yoga. Please take care of yourself and get better soon!

Yasmina

[teachertam]

Happy Friday Ladies!!

I had my glucose tolerance test yesterday and will get the results next week. My appt. with my OB doctor went well. He said that Andrew is measuring at 31 weeks, even though I am only ~29 weeks pregnant.

I give my last 2 finals today!!!!!!

Yasmina: I have frequent heartburn also. My doctor told me to take "Prilosec". It is an over-the-counter pill. Andrew is moving also, not just kicking. Last night he was kicking low and moving high. I'm assuming he was using his arms too.

Kim: It sounds like your next cycle should begin any day now. Good luck!!
You had better start Christmas shopping, as it will be here before we know it. I need to wrap my presents.

Anna: Today is the end of term for me!!!!!!! My cold is nearly gone now.
We have a faculty/staff luncheon today, but I will be late, as I have 2 final exams to give.

LuAnne: When are you going to pick a clinic? Good luck with your decision!!

Lisa: I hope you are feeling better!

Bev: I hope all is well with you and the little guy!

Kat: Waiting for news of a donor from you.

Take care all,
Tammy

[children]

thanks tammy, I am going to call my ob tomorrow, if he oks it, i will get some of prolisec too, i used it before and it was very good acid reducer.

[jen babes]

Hi ladies....
i am taking a bit of time out from posting...

just wanted to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all



love jen
xxxx

[children]

Hi all,

I still have not found out what my blood glucose level is because they said they won't call if it is normal. I assume it is ok. I was in the hospital for 6 hours yesterday because of 1) headache; 2) pain at somewhere between lung and liver; and 3) less movement of the baby. The on-call doctor suspected pre-eclaimpsia and had me in to monitor baby’s heart rate for more than 4 hours and checked blood and urine samples and blood pressure, finally, they ruled out everything and had me swallowed two extra-strength Tylenol pills and then released me.

I was a bit worried when they asked me to check in delivery because we were not ready for her coming out yet. The baby shower will be Jan. 6th next year and we are only going to do shopping for her during Christmas holiday!

People at work either sick or gone for the Christmas holiday, feeling quiet at work. If I won’t write again before, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone here!

Yasmina

[teachertam]

Yasmina:

I'm sorry to hear that you had a scare today. It it good to hear that they ruled out pre-eclampsia. I called my doctor and found out that my glucose level is in the normal range. It was 112 and the normal range is 65 - 139. My iron level was also in the normal range. Call your doctor to find out your test results. Take care of yourself and listen to your body. A lady on my 2nd trimester site did have pre-eclampsia and had to deliver her baby 14 weeks early. Sometimes Andrew is less active than at other times. I think he just gets off schedule. Usually he is active when I go to bed. He was not active last night, but very active in the morning.

Jen: Merry Christmas to you.

Hello to everyone else.

Take care all,
Tammy

[AMck]

Hello lovely ladies....seasons greetings to you all!

Tammy, good to see your glucose test results...well done. I finally finished work. Phew, so glad to be able to relax and look forward to the festivities. Hope you are well and Andrew is behaving himself!

Hi Kim, you asked about acupuncture. I haven't undergone treatment myself but I know lots of ladies here have, with very positive results. Me....I prefer reflexology, which definitely helped me to relax during tmt. Hoping AF behaves and arrives when expected. Fingers crossed for this cycle.

Yasmina, what fun having DH talk to the bump, maybe I should get my DP to do the same! So sorry to see you are having some unpleasant symptoms and that you spent some time in hospital. Glad to see you are back home now. Take care xx

Hi Jen, christmas cheer to you ! Have a wonderful xmas, 'see' you soon!

We are doing fine...had a m/w appmt last week. All OK. We heard the heartbeat again and my uterus is measuring 'spot on'. The m/w was lovely and answered all my very silly questions without batting an eyelid!
Am really looking forward to xmas, spending time with family and friends.

Have a great xmas everyone.
Hugs all round
Bye for now
Anna x