May/June Cycle Buddies

[shantala]

hey everyone

i'm gonna try and be a bit better with posting from now on....but i cant promise anything as i'm sure i'll be shattered when i come home from work these next couple of weeks...not used to working (have had the last couple of months off) and what with a new job i'll have to take a lot in no doubt....lol

jen779 - thanks hun for having me back!! i'm definitely with you on the whole feeling crap about other children/babies one day and fine the next. its so hard. but i try and remind myself that there's a reason why those people have "easy children" and we have to work for ours!! (although thats definitely sometimes easier said than done!) anywyay, i really hope the hematologist will get some answers for you!!

jackie - glad it was ok about the app. no, we didnt look into the argc coz of money issues really. i know they charge quite a lot so we havent considered them at the moment. we have said that we'll consider them as a final option at some point (if it gets to that!) though....did you get my email about going out as a 2 or 4 some time?? maybe week after next?? hope you're ok anyway....

nicky - the reason i'd have to wait till october if we cant do may is coz of work. their busy period is august/september when we have a holiday ban. however, i have a feeling that this new department is also busy october/november time so it may be worth trying to get in in may. but i'm fearing we may not as we're looking to go with a new clinic. anyways, dont know if you remember where i was working but its at the same place, just a different department. (i'll pm you if you cant remember but dont really wanna mentione names on here!)....anyway, how you feeling now??? oh, and by the way i'm so with you on the weight gain...i put on about three quarters of a stone with the ivf but then have lost it all as i can barely eat since my bfn. dont know why but i hardly eat and dont miss it either, which is really weird! and ive gotten over my bfn now so its not mentally...although i guess it could be subconsciously...anyway, i'm sure a lot of it were the bloated ovaries.

carolyn - thanks for understanding and welcoming me back!! cool, that you only live 20 mins from hammersmith...what a small world this is sometimes! thanks for the offer on the questions about the london clinics...sounds like you know a lot so may have to take advantage of that! we are looking to possibly go with st georges house in reynes park who do their EC/ET at the fertility centre in harley street. so i may have to ask you some questions on harley street...and hammersmith was another one. anyway, i'll pm you...thanks hun!

tans - forgot to say well done on your first shot!!! ooohhh, a full body massage!! looooovely!! oohh, not long now till your egg food!! 4 days and counting.....

ltaylor - welcome hun!!!!! and so sorry to hear about your bfns and m/c. you're a very strong woman to do this again and we'll be here to support you through it. how exciting to try something new (FET)!!! well, if there is anything we can do to help, let us know!!

hrobinson - dont worry about the comment on the money thing (although i completely agree with jen that would do anything for a baby!!)...money is an issue that crossed most, if not all, of our minds at some point. unfortunatly! and i think by thinking that could be your daughter's college money is completely normal as i'm sure you want to give her the best in life. if we had the chance for a child we would want it to have the best in life too!! anyway, you have to do whats best for you....a sibling i think would be much better than college money!!! only joking, you have to do whats right. sorry i cant help on the BCPs but i hope you get things sorted. let us know what the outcome is if you phone the clinic.

does anyone know if sophie (PMApsy) has gone on her honeymoon yet?? i know it was april but cant remember when...well, if you have gone sophie, hope you're having a fantastic time!!

hi to everyone else!!!

xxxxxxx

[CarolynB]

L - welcome. Sounds like you have had a rough journey to make it this far. Let's hope that it will be 3rd time lucky for you hun. It is good that you have some snow babies so you can try something else without all the drugs in your system. This is a great group so sure that everyone will make you feel welcome

hrobinson - of course it is alright to say what you did about the $. We all worry about the cost - financially as well as emotionally. It is such a big spend especially when it does not work. My acu guy told me of one lady who spent £100,000. Can you imagine???!! She got a +ve on attempt 15. How mad is that. Not sure about bcp as I have not had to take them but sure that someone will help you out or else call the clinic tomorrow if you are worried

Shantala - good luck with the new job. Don't tell us the company but do tell us what you do. Sounds like they have a lot of busy periods. Must be able to take holiday at some stage!!?? argc is very much the last chance saloon for us at least with my eggs. I just cannot give up on the dream without a roll of the dice there but it is v v expensive as you say

I know that Sophie was going to Egypt. She did not say that it was her honeymoon or else I missed that bit. Wow. I thought that she was off around the 20th but not totally sure. You may be right as she has not posted for a few days

Jen - hoping that the testing that we are both having done will give us answers

Nicky - really hope that you are starting to feel better. Some of the weight gain will be fluids that will drop away as your bosy starts to recover

Tanya - hope that shots are going well. When will your scan be to check that you are all switched off and ready to go?

Hope that everyone is having a great weekend.

My AF is due tomorrow (well she is overdue by 3 days but usually shows 4 days late after a failed tmt!). No real signs as yet. Hoping that she'll show so I can get on with all these new tests.

Speak soon.
Love
Carolyn
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[jen779]

Carolyn is right she wasn't leaving until the 20 or 21st...I remember because it was close to when I leave for my cruise. That is strange that we haven't heard from her lately!
I will write more later. I have got to get ready for church!
Happy Sunday everyone!!!

[hrobinson]

Jen779-
I had a laparotomy (I think...where they commpletely cut me open) to get rid of the endo. It was everywhere and completely shocked everyone how severe it was. anyways, the doctor told me that the endo was gone and I should have no problem getting pregnant on my own. After about 6 months of nothing I finally scheduled an appointment with a new endocrinologist. He found out that my one and only tube was blocked and recommended that we remove the tube. So, we removed the tube and then a year later did IVF and ended up pregnant.
So, I don't think you have waited too long to do the IVF. I know it will work for you...just stay positive.
I hope everyone else is doing well.

[TansRN]

Hey guys...

I am so excited! I just got an ipod like all the kids have! hehehe I can't figure out how to work it! How do they know how to work all of this crap and I cant figure out how to turn it on~ LOL I have been downloading movies and stuff. I work nights at the hospital and some nights I literally have 3 hours of doing nothing...this is after all my patient care is done and I have cleaned my desk and asked the other nurses if they need any help. Some days are so busy and then some are soo slow!!!

Anyhow...

hrobinson-Wow that must have been a terrible surgery to go through. I mean I am so happy for you that it is over and all gone. Wow! You must have had it soo bad. They usually stay away from those kind of surgeries if they can..I know what you mean about the money factor...I try not to think about it like that but it is so hard. Its like wow what I could be doing with that much money but then I look at my boys and I think how much would I pay for them and the answer is more than I have spent in IVF already. They are gems and I love them to pieces. It is all about reframing your mind girl. We all have those thoughts when siging the dotted line.....you are not alone in this.


CarolynI will have to call the clinic on the first day of AF and then they do the scan I guess. A little gross if you ask me but whatever right. Whatever I have to do to get started on the meds. I am wishing the AF fairy comes to pay you a visit tonight so that you can get on with your tests!!!

LI know what you mean I had to deal with the same thing this year and it is hard. My good friend and I got pg at the same time last summer. Our due dates were only 5 days apart in early March 2007. Then I lost mine at 12 weeks and it was so horrible for me to go and see her at the hospital. I was so happy for her but I kept thinking about my own baby that I lost and I was saddened by this. I did not stay long. I felt like such a bad friend for having those feelings. It was so hard. I totally understand how you feel. I am so sorry for the loss of your baby. Heres to hoping for BFP's for all of us!!!!


NicolamarkThis may sound dumb but what is a stone? Obviously a unit of weight but approximately how many lbs is that? I would just look it up but I have no time right now...I have gained some as well and it is terrible. I just dont look in the mirror anymore and I try to be as active as I can be! What more can I do I like fertility medication and food. LOLOLOLOL

ShantalaThanks for thinking about me. The massage was so great and I am thrilled that I went to do it. I have been trying to go twice a month now for the last few months. It forces me to think about myself at least that often! I feel like I am always doing for others...not that this is bad but you know what I mean. Cleaning the house, making dinner, working....very busy.

SophieHope that you are doing well...thinking about you...




[/b]

[arizonakiwi]

Nicola - Hang in there, you will feel better. I am sorry you are feeling so uncomfortable. I had my cycle cancelled for the same reason last cycle. The weight gain is a pain. I put on a lot of weight – most of it has gone but I think the reason the last couple of kg is hanging around is my inability to get motivated about it. Take care, as I said in a post before you will wake up one morning and feel a lot better. To be honest it is scary starting again but I hope by putting one step in front of the other we will get through it. (Hugs)

Shantala - welcome back, I hope the new job is going well and you are feeling ok, fingers crossed you can get started in May

Jenn779 - I hope all went well today. I think most of us find it difficult being around family and friends with kids. We are only human !!!!
Enjoy the spring weather – it will be summer before you know it…. Lucky you !!!

Nimble – Thanks you so much for your kind supportive words – I got a little hit of excitement today when I collected my meds so I hope I am turning the corner a little.

Carolyn – It is nice to know I am not the only one feeling delicate!!! I am normally totally rational and in control of everything – I think one of the reasons I am finding this hard is the fact my ability to be in control of what is going to happen is not there. I am away for work tonight and for the next couple of days, I’m missing my DH and feel really bad that I was such a horrible person to be around during the weekend… Perhaps I’ll find something special to send him to let him know I’m sorry for being on such a downer……
How are you doing? I hope your eggs come through for you – give them a little pep talk each night, get them doing a few exercises to build up their strength – they can do it. My DH’s boys were on the older side (his words not mine) he is sure all the pep talks he gave them were responsible for the success during the aspiration!!!

TransRN - Full body massage – mmmm that is one of the treats I am going to give myself during this process. I have never had one and I’ve promised myself if there is ever an excuse to indulge in one this is it. It sounds like you had a lovely dinner together. PS How is the I-Pod going !!!

ITaylor - I am sorry you lost your baby after the excitement of a BFP. It is hard trying to be happy for others especially since you have just lost yours. I am sure there will be a couple of strong little frosties waiting to grow into little babies who will be wonderful cousins for your SIL’s son.

Hrobinson - Tough-call. It frustrates me that IVF causes people have to take a gamble with such large amounts of $$ to have a family but if you didn’t give it a go you would always be wondering if it could have worked. There are scholarships and grants your daughter may be able to gain in the future for college – chances are you will be the best of both worlds in the future.

Have a good Monday everyone,
Lots of hugs,
Angela

[arizonakiwi]

It sounds like we are all having a hard time being positive and feeling good about this cycle, I personally have been surprised how mentally challenging the last couple of weeks have been (and I haven’t even started my injections yet !!!)

Wouldn’t it be good if somehow through the power of the internet and this random way we have all meet each other we can work out something to help us get through each day for the next few months.

I don’t know what “it” is but I’m wondering if collectively we can come up with something that is going to help us feel good, positive and encouraged about this cycle.

The best I can think of at present is creating a list of “perk me up ideas” We could add it to part of our day list so there are always a few things to encourage us and ideas to help us stay strong and keep putting one foot in-front of the other.

Also while I can’t promise to put all the fancy emoticons in each day I am happy to try and keep the list up to date while Sophie is away – or if anyone else is keen……

Take care everyone, have a good day, stay strong, smile – there is a community of us scattered around the world sharing the same common link, feeling the same fears, dreaming the same dream we are all in this together and step by step we will make it.

Hugs to you all.
Angela

[TansRN]

BRING ON AF!!!!!!!!!!

I NEED SOME AF DANCING!!!!!!!

WOOOO HOOOO

[PMApsy]

Morning ladies!

LOL I'M NOT AWAY! STILL HERE! HA! Thought you could get rid of me that easily? I'm leaving on the 19th! Seriously though, you guys are the BEST! Thank you SO MUCH for noticing my absence from the forum these last few days! *HUGS*

I will make this post as quick as possible, and here's why. I'm so sorry I've been away for the past few days; I barely had the time to check the board at all. I have a big flamenco show coming on May 12th and I've decided to sew myself a skirt. I did it during the Easter weekend, skirt turned out the way it should, but it failed the "road test" when I took it to class. Too tight around mid-calves so I could not dance as freely as I wanted. It's the pattern that wasn't right. So I've figured out a way to change it a little bit and make it perfect, but I needed extra fabric... and the store didn't have any left! Ack! So I went to another and *hear angels sing here* I found fabrics SO NICE that I bought enough stuff for THREE skirts. Basically, I spent almost all my time from Saturday evening to right now arguing with my sewing machine. The rest was a little cooking (some was peanut butter cookies yesterday to stop myself from banging my head against the wall.. it worked!), lots of work and lots of flamenco rehearsals.

So sorry if I don't do as many personals as I would like...

arizonakiwi: sweetie, it's so normal to be apprehensive and I'm so sorry you've been feeling that way. This is a part we all come to hate at one point or another, but we have little control over that process. Your docs have some, you have some, but that's pretty much it. The more you jump into this ride accepting that fact, the smoother the ride will be, and the better you'll take the unexpected turns it's bound to take at one point or another. *HUGS* Hang on, sweetie, we'll soon know how this cycle turns out and we're all there waiting along with you.

shantala: HEY! HELLO THERE! Nice to see you back! I understand your need for a break; we all need one at some point. You still gave me a little scare there, though! I thought there was something wrong with your DH and he was back into the hospital again or something like that. Congratulations on getting the new job dearest! I think changing clinics was a great move especially if you had lost some faith in yours. Keep us posted about your next cycle... but I still don't get how you could get an apt in late May and still being your cycle in May? You'd begin BCP without seeing your new clinic's protocol? And thanks for your offer to take care of the list. I think I might hand it over to you right now, because life will keep being crazy till I leave. I'll email an updated list to you and I'll also add the other parts of the list (stimming for example)

ltaylor: Hello there! WELCOME to the nut house! Thank you for posting your story; I'm so sorry that you had to go through a miscarriage... having the great news of a BFP thrown at you and then receive that slap in the face must be horrible, and I really feel for you *hugs*. You're very brave to jump back in the train right away. It looks like you have nice plans for the future sweetie! The best of lucks for your next cycle!

Carolyn: doing the jiggy dance for you so AF shows her ugly face! I'm starting to wonder if she'll show for me! No sign either, except being super cranky this weekend at times! lol!

Okay, I have to go now. The list will follow in a couple minutes. Sorry for the personals that are lacking... nimble, jen, jenn, hrobinson, literatriz, Jul1e and all the others, a big hello and have a wonderful week!

Sophie

[PMApsy]

Ovarian stimulation

TansRN starts stimming April 19th (?)

Ovarian vacation
TansRN.... started Lupron April 12th Fresh ICSI cycle
Jul1e.... injection on April 19th, scan May 16th
My2LnT.... starts Lupron April 18th
souris.... starts downregging April 28th
Literatriz.... starts Lupron May 16th
hrobinson.... starts Lupron May 22nd

Birth control pill
arizonakiwi.... Fresh cycle started April 5th
My2LnT.... Fresh cycle started April1st
Jul1e.... Fresh cycle has begun!
hrobinson.... Fresh cycle

Waiting for AF
Jenn.... Fresh cycle (flare protocol)
PMApsy.... Fresh cycle

Eagerly waiting for cycle to begin
ltaylor.... FET cycle in June WELCOME!
Souris.... short protocol again?
Nimble.... Fresh cycle in May/June
Shantala.... Fresh ICSI cycle starts in May
Literatriz.... Fresh cycle starts May 1st, donor embie(s)
Jen779.... FET cycle starts May 16th or 17th
CarolynB....Fresh cycle starts in May or June

[ltaylor]

Thanks to shantala, carolynB, transrn, arizonakiwi and pmapsy for the kind words of welcome. It’s nice to know that there are other people out there that know how I feel. My DH tries to be supportive but doesn’t exactly know how I feel. He tries not think of the mc but I think of it all the time.

Transrn, how did you get through it? I’m thinking it will just take time. Also, if you don’t mind me asking, how did you know you were having a girl? I asked our clinic and they said that they didn’t test for gender.

L

[nimble]

wow sophie you must have nimble fingers - when I was little i wanted to be a fashion designer - no such luck !! I so admire those that are able to make things with their hands - good luck with the rehersals.

Shantala - sorry yes did get email and yes would be great - will email you back with some dates etc. As its been so nice this weekend, I was determined not to spend all my time on here and try and get out to make the most of the sun - however I've now spent all night catching up!!

Carolyn - thank you for the info - our pack came through and the actual cost of ICSI compared to our clinic is cheaper however it doesn't give you the cost of drugs etc which I suspose could bump it up a bit. We are still uumm and rrrr'ing over it and whether to go ahead and make an appt. We also have an appt with St George's clinic (same as shantala's) - I'm sure one day we shall bump into each other in the waiting rooms

Tanya - I'm dancin for you !! Hey, an ipod - they are so great - i love mine so so much

angela - glad you're feeling a little more upbeat - take each day as it comes. Its a great idea - you're little perk me up ideas' unfort mine may involve chocolate and loads of it

Itaylor - welcome and so sorry for the circumstances that you are here. I really hope that the FET work out for you.

Right, I know I have missed personals sorry but thinking of you all - but going to have to go to bed, got a real early start in the morning...yuk!

love Jackie xx

[mommytobe]

Hi Ladies,

Very new to this forum, just found this board was not sure where to post. Anyway, I must say I read most of the post to catch up and there is so much support here and love. I feel soo good to have found you ladies.

My DH and I have been trying for almost 2 years. We were told to see a RE after my HSG exam in February and we did that then found both my tubes were damaged and that IVF was our only hope to have a baby. Needless to say I was devistated, DH was very supportive at that time. After interviewing a couple of RE we were lucky to have found one who is said to be one of the top doctors in our state and after meeting with him we were very comfortable. He then told me to increase my chances with IVF i needed to remove my tubes. I just did that a week and half ago still in recovery.

Now I am waiting for AF to start in a few days, after will begin Luporn on or about May 11th, then on to Follistim a few days later then retrieval on or about June 2 then transfer on June 5 or 7th. I am soo scared because I really don't do well with needles .


Any support would be great. Soory for the long letter.


Baby Dust To all

Tia

[CarolynB]

Jackie - I really don't want to put you off argc. For god sake I am going there. But there are lots of 'extra' costs that I did not have at Hammersmith. Like they charge for every blood test and every scan when you are not doing a cycle & they make you have lots before you get too start. They also recommended a hysterscopy and immune testing for me before i start tmt. Those two alone will cost £2,000. It all depends on you personally and what they recommend for you. Don't want to scare you off but I have been warned to expect the best part of £10,000 for a cycle at argc including all tests and drugs.

Just did not want you to get a nasty shock down the road. It will likely cost me three times the amount that it cost me at Hammersmith (even though when I look at the base price they look similar at about £2,500 each) but I figure that looking at all the stats that may be they will uncover something that has not been found by anyone else.

Sorry if this puts you off but just trying to let you know what to expect.
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Hugs to everyone else. Still no dam AF for me either. Please do a jig for me and Tanya.

Tanya - love my ipod. Not sure how I lived without it!

Angela - all for adding the positive thoughts to our list. I would add onto the list - the fact that I have family, friends and a dh who I love and who love me whether I get a BFP or a BFN. Like the idea of the egg exercises! I shall start sending them vibes to behave themselves

Sophie - have a fab trip if i don't get on here before you leave. Enjoy every moment of it. Sure that Shantala will do a great job on the list whilst you are away

Nicky - hope that you are feeling a little better with each day that passes

Hugs to everyone else.

Off to bed just in case AF does show and I need to get up v early for bloods. Some chance!

Love
Carolyn
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[My2LnT]

Welcome Tia the women here are great support to have.

Ok ladies I know that I have been quiet but still reading and wishing all the best. I have a acupuncture question ..... For any of you that have been do you know about how many needles they use? I went today and not sure that I feel any better about going to him.... I scheduled an appt with another practice to see if they are better but figured that it would be easier to just ask here. Thanks

Steph