The Over 40 Crowd

[Gracielope2]

Yesterday, we got confirmation that we are pregnant BFP - we are still being very cautious. RE said the next 14 weeks are most crucial. Next week I go to see if HCG is rising. I'm very thankful to God, and hoping for the best. I have a little cramps, weird cramps and experiencing some backache.

Chriss: Thinking and praying for you. The 2WW is torture, I hope you're doing better than me. I was a basket case. Put myself through a lot of stress especially when 1st HPT came out Negative.

Sonia: How did you appointment go. Wishing you the best. Thanks for you well wishes. The train was really cute.

Catherine: How are you feeling? Hope much better....

Yasmina: Sorry to hear you're so stressed out. Hope things are looking a little better.


Hello to Tammy, JenB, DJB, Andrea, and anyone that I've missed!

Thanks so much for your support! Big Hug to everyone.....

[chriss]

Gracie... YEAH!!!!!!!!! ok, i'll try not to over do it. But that is FANTASTIC NEWS! I felt like this was your time. So when do you go back in? Saturday? THinking good thoughts for you! Now, remember you can't just leave us when you get a BFP. We need you to stay here with us! Have an awesome day! -chriss

[Gracielope2]

Thanks so much Chriss. I'm thrilled, still in a bit of shock. I"m "really" trying to keep PMA. DH was crying yesterday, from shock as well.

I go back Dec. 19th - Wednesday.

My BF said it's constant worry. Worry about getting pregnant, worry about MC, worry that the baby being heathly, Constant worry. LOL....

Hey! I'm wishing you the best. Third time will be "the charm" for you. I just know it! Please keep us posted.

Prayer is what is keeping me from losing my mind.

[chriss]

Gracie,
I AM having a hard time with 2ww. See, I'm back again. Yeah, it is making me bonkers. I'm trying to be normal, but how can I? I had some tears this morning. They just pour out sometimes. Especially when people are kind about it. Crazy, huh? Sometimes it just touches a nerve. Who knows better than an IVFer? Well, I am just so happy for you I'm teary eyed right now for you. It is so wonderful. It's the best holiday gift ever. Enjoy every second of it. You and your family are in my thoughts! I'll check in with you soon. -chriss

[Gracielope2]

Chriss: I was teary eyed reading your response. This whole IVF is extremely hard. I'm been very emotional myself. Please don't think you are alone - you're not.

You transferred 5 embies, that's GREAT! You been through so much, just believe that God is going to answer your prayers, and we will both be pregnant together. I know it's easier said then done, believe me, I'm still a nervious wreck. But, I've been trying to repeat to myself, God is in control, and everything is going to be ok. Try repeating to yourself, I know that I'm pregnant, this time it's going to work out for us.

When is your test date? Don't look for any symptoms, I still don't have any. Hang in there! Can't wait to hear the good news.... sending you PMA and will be praying for you!!!!

[DJB]

Gracie - Congratulations on your confirmation of you BFP! I hope so happy for you. I wish you a very health baby/pregnancy!

Chriss - as I have just finished my 2 week wait I sure can feel your anxiety. I hope for the very best for you. Like Gracie, I hope you both are pregnant at the same time!

Just a a update on my what I thought was my AF turned out to me a miscarriage per my GYN. : (

Everyone please take care.

[children]

Gracie, congratulations! Enjoy and be patient for anther few weeks to see how many heartbeats.

Chriss, sorry that you will have to wait for few more days. 2ww is the hardest, you have my sympathy. Looking forward to your good news though - me too, feel good about this cycle of yours.

DJB, sorry for your loss. I have not done iui before and have no idea how promising that is. I only heard from my 33 yr old friend who had 8 failed iui before her first ivf, which brought her twin boys. She said that she should have not wasted so much time on iui. My take on iui is that it depends on your RE/GYN's skills more than ivf. Good luck on your next try.

LuAnne, so, boys? girls? or one boy and one girl? getting anxious here.

happy holiday seasons to everyone else here.

Yasmina

[children]

Gracie, congratulations! Enjoy and be patient for anther few weeks to see how many heartbeats.

Chriss, sorry that you will have to wait for few more days. 2ww is the hardest, you have my sympathy. Looking forward to your good news though - me too, feel good about this cycle of yours.

DJB, sorry for your loss. I have not done iui before and have no idea how promising that is. I only heard from my 33 yr old friend who had 8 failed iui before her first ivf, which brought her twin boys. She said that she should have not wasted so much time on iui. My take on iui is that it depends on your RE/GYN's skills more than ivf. Good luck on your next try.

LuAnne, so, boys? girls? or one boy and one girl? getting anxious here.

happy holiday seasons to everyone else here.

Yasmina

[Gracielope2]

Chriss: How are you doing today? I hope you're feeling better.

DJB: How heartbreaking - so sorry to hear about your loss. How are you? How is your grandmother doing? Thanks so much for your well wishes.

Yasmina: Thanks for your positive words of encouragement. I'm very blessed and happy - but also scared to death. Before I know it Wednesday will roll along and I'll know if the #'s are rising.

Everyone else - Hello. Christmas is right around the corner. Happy Holidays to Everyone!

[chriss]

hi girls,
I am barely hanging in there. I keep checking how my boobs feel and analyzing every twinge. I know that there is no way to really know. Last time by boobs hurt then stopped hurting about two days before my BFN. So now of course I keep feeling them to see if they are still sore. It never ends and I have all the way till Tuesday! I've been stress eating and that is not good! During all these IVF cycles I've gained about 15 pounds. I used to be in great shape and now nothing fits. I wouldn't mind the weight gain if I was pregnant or if I was guaranteed to become pregnant. It seems like each cycle I gain another 5 pounds. Did any of you have that problem too? I don't seem to have control of anything anymore. I am ok, just need to vent to you guys cause I know that you understand!

Hope you are well Gracie. I test on Tuesday. Wishing you the best for Wednesday!

DJB, how are you? Any decisions about future treatments?

Yasmina, as always, thanks for support and well wishes.

Bye all, -chriss

[Gracielope2]

Chriss: Trust me when I say not to look for any symptoms. The first 3IVS I had really sore boobs, and it came back BFN. The 4th & 5th, I didn't have any sore boobs. I asked my RE if I should be feeling any symptoms and he said it was too soon. I was having anxiety attacks, I would wake up in a cold sweat. Craying like crazy! The not knowing was driving me insane! Take a deep breath every now and then, and when you find yourself, down and feeling negative, try and turn it around.

Tuesday will be here before you know it - and you will be celebrating a BFP. Think good thoughts!

[Gracielope2]

Chriss: BTW: I did gain weight with IVF each time. I would say a little over 5 pounds.

[Kiwi expat]

Hi all

Chriss - How are you?!! I'm with you all the way - fingers AND toes crossed for next Tuesday... We definitely need more BFPs for Xmas!!! And don't worry about the weight gain at this stage. For a while I only fitted into 2 dresses as I put on weight too with each cycle. So I went out and bought a whole lot of stretchy clothes (comfortable but kind of stylish tho...) Now, that I've shrunk back to my normal weight, I have 2 wardrobes! - A fat one and a thin one but I was thinking, if I do get pregnant again, I can always wear my 'fat' clothes until I need to get some proper maternity gear!

Gracie - Well done and Congratulations! Chriss is right - Do't leave us now that you 've got your BFP! We need to hear all about your scans HCG levels, first HB etc etc

DJB - Sorry about your news but IVF definitely has a higher chance of success for our age group than iui. Best of luck with your next move.

Catharine - nice to hear from you and that AF has finally arrived! Will look forward to hearing all about your next steps in the new year!

Sonia glad your computer's now working - when's the big day? ET?

Tammy - Adorable Santa photo of Andrew. I can't wait to take my kid(s) to see Santa one day and do all those fun Christmassy things with them. (I know - its such a simple dream to have but I gotta have something to hang onto...)

As for me - well, its funny how the tide turns so quickly in the space of one week (yet again!). I had a couple of hairy days when I felt like jumping out the window, then I went to this new clinic on Wednesday which has connections with an overseas egg donor program. I had seen this dr once before to check her out so she already knew my miserably history. I was talked into a DE programme that started in Jan so was put on the pill immediately for a mock cycle next month! It is really just to explore my cycle in preparation for DE in the upcoming months. I'm moving some frosties over from my old clinic (own eggs from last cycle) so have the option of turning it into a FET in Jan!

Thanks all for your words of encouragement. Yes, you guys were right of course . I now believe that it wasn't my time and the right donor will come along when the time is right. (Do you guys believe that your children choose you? I'd like to believe that, but what happens if no one chooses me???!!! LOL )

Anyway, Hi to JenB, Amy, Jasmina and all. Have a lovely weekend!

Andrea

[chriss]

Hi Guys,
Andrea, great to hear from you. You sound great. You have a good plan. I try to believe that things happen for a reason. Sometimes it's hard to see the reason when you are in the middle of it. I'm sending you tons of good wishes. Thanks for your response. I fell better after reading it.

Gracie, ok, I will try not to keep analyzing. It's tough. How are you doing? It must be on your mind all the time! Like every second. We are all sooooo happy for you. We know the long road. Keep posting. I enjoy hearing from you. Thanks for the encouragement.

Hi everyone. Hope all is well. I know we are all very busy right now. I am trying to keep distracted. I'm going to my sisters to make a gingerbread house with my nephew. I baked it last night and today we are going to decorate it. I need to keep busy this 2ww. Hope you are all well. I miss hearing from those of you who have not posted in a while. Keep us informed. -chriss

[Sonix]

Hey Gracie, yipeee. Congratuations! I suppose you won’t be feeling like you can really celebrate just yet but I’m sure you’ll get more reassuring news on Wednesday. Good luck and do keep us posted on all your progress!

Chriss – how are you getting on? Looking forward to you joining Gracielope on Tuesday with a strong BFP! Another BFP before Xmas is what we need here. Hang on in there, it’s such a struggle, I know. Sending you loads of PMA xxx

DJB – hope you are OK. Keep looking ahead and it’ll soon be time to focus on a new schedule for IVF. Take care xxx

Andrea – good to hear from you again. Glad things are moving forward and your new clinic is getting a plan worked out for you.

As for me, I’ve been preparing myself for the wait for a transfer date. My scan on Thursday went well, my lining is about ready and I’m to increase the E2 meds but there’s no way of knowing how long I can hold out. NO jigging for me please!!! Apparently the potential donors are going to be ready later than expected. This is going to be a nerve-wracking business but we have our faith in the clinic that a donor will be found in time. I’ve managed to move some of my holiday to January.

Apart from today when I’ve been feeling slightly low, I have actually been remarkably relaxed just recently. I’m sure the acupuncture is helping. I’ve got 2 more sessions next week then they close for 2 weeks. My next scan is on Thursday…

A big hello to Amy, Catharine, Anna, Yasmina, Tammy, Bev, Jen, LuAnne, BigJ, Kat - hope I haven't missed anyone. Thinking of you and wishing you all the very best.

Bye for now
Sonia