AUG/SEPT BUDDIES!

[JDC]

Goodmorning ladies! I've been slacking a little on posting because work has just gotten insanely busy for me, and I've been quiete tired. AF arrived this morning a day early so I will be starting my stims on Sunday I'm excited to get this ball rolling!

I have been reading everyone's posts everyday and keeping track. Babyloves, you are in my prayers right now! Like the other girls said, it does only take one - it is possible, and miracles do happen in life. We are all pulling for you and your little embies!

Everyone have a wonderful friday (thank goodness!), and I will catch up with personals over the weekend as I'm thinking of everyone and always hoping for the best!

[jharris12]

Good Friday morning ladies!! Wow, am I so glad it's finally Friday!! This seemed like such a long week! Looks like I need to catch up! So much going on!

MzTia: Glad to know I'm not the only one watching SYTYCD!! Love that show! I'm also glad the pain isn't constant during AP for you. Hope it continues to get easier.

SueQiwi: Try not to feel down. It is hard for others to relate to this process, but the more you talk to them, the better they can understand and actually help you through it. I think it's too early for you to be thinking adoption too!!

babyloves: Sorry ou didn't get the best report, but you did get a really good one! You had 4 fertilize!! My 1st ER we retrieved 10 eggs, but only 3 fertlized, so I know what that's like. Best of luck on your 4 embies!

bell: Sorry you got some bad news, too. My DH has poor morphology, less than 3% are normal, so we are using ICSI. The doctor suggested us some male fertility vitamins, and also a supplemental juice w/acai and other nutrients daily, The embriologist says it takes about 3 months for them to begin changing the sperm. Good luck this go round.

JJJAKE: Welcome to the group! I too have my tubes tied, and am now on my 2nd IVf cycle. Way to go being part of a study to get free meds! That should be extremely helpful! Lupron is also an injection, but sounds like you will only be taking stims, and no suppression meds. Several of us are on the same protocol. Feel free to ask anything you need to know!

valerie: Yay for the sun coming out!! Yes, it is a lot of visits. I had to go in again today. Looks like I will be in every day through ER! At least I know what's going on. Glad your Sub-AP went well! I too love the contemporary, but my DH doesn't get it at all!! I gave up trying to explain it! In my head, I'm a great dancer, until I try it!

karen: Simplifying things makes you so much less stressed! So do what you have to do! Your miracle is coming!

JDC: Yay for AF arriving!! Stims in a few days!! You are almost there! Best of luck to you, too!

OK, think I'm about caught up! As for me, yesterday, my E2 was 956, they counted between 15-20 follicles and began measuring a few. They kept my doses the same and added the Ganirelix. Then I went back in this morning for BW again. I won't get the results until this afternoon. I'm getting closer!! Anyway, hope you ladies have a great day! Thinking of you all, even those that don't post often!

[JJJAKE]

Hello ladies, I have a big question: I have read alot of posts about taking it easy not doing to much during the ivf cycle, well can anyone give me any feedback as to when do you begin slowing down your pace? I am a firefighter/paramedic for Philadelphia's Department and my job is physical. Plus I have started working out at my local gym......When i start my stim meds should I start slowing down my routine?

valeria68 i believe they are placing me on follistim at 200. The study is to see if there is a difference between 200 and 250 (units?). However they do have me on birth control until 7/20 and my next app. is 7/25 and I hope to get my next set of instructions. I'm also in a study that involves Harp playing during the procedure.....Has anyone ever heard of this? I figured it couldn't hurt.

Jarris Your tubes are tied....were there any other problems you or your dh had? If not did they give you a reason as to why it may not worked the first cycle?

[jharris12]

JJJAKE: You will definitely want to ask your RE about your job. My job isn't physical, so I don't know about changing anything during stims. Harp music, huh? I don't think I have ever heard that!! Sounds interesting! Can't wait to hear how that goes! My DH has poor morphology, so we have to use ICSI. Other than that, that was our only problem. I ended up on the max dosage of Gonal-F, which was 600 units. I only produced 10 eggs at ER, and only 6 of those were mature. Of the 6, only 3 fertilized. We transferred all 3, which weren't perfect quality, but not bad, but none implanted. My RE said there is no real way to know why they didn't implant. He says he thinks the Lupron over-suppressed me, so that's why I ended up on so much Gonal and didn't produce more eggs. This time, we are using a flare protocol and I didn't take any suppression meds. Went straight to stims. So far, I ahve about 15-20 follicles! So it is working better this time. Good luck to you!

[Kate21]

Hey Girls!

Just checking in to wish everyone a good weekend.

JJJake - I would speak to your RE about your work, my job is also fairly physical (I'm a phys ed teacher) and I really believe that going back to work too soon after all bar one of my tmt's contributed to my BFN's. The one that I did stay at home for I got a BFP (but later m/c). Can't hurt to ask your RE and put your mind at rest.

SueQiwi - I can totally relate to what you say about others. Not many know about my tmt and on the whole they are pretty good about it. One girl once asked me how it was going and said she understood how I felt as it had taken her 9mths to fall, I then said I was about to start tmt #5 - she shut up at that point!!! It is totally natural to feel the way you do but I do think the more you talk to those you trust about it the more it helps x

BabyLoves - it only takes one and I'm sure your 4 will do you proud. Your BFP is just around the corner!

JHarris - great news on the tmt and the follies! Way to go!

Nothing to report for me, just going to relax and enjoy the weekend!

Kate

JDC, Karen, Valerie, Bell - hope you guys are ok, enjoy your weekends.

[valerie68]

Good evening! How is everyone doing?
This might be a quick post as it's getting late and I'll be working tomorrow to catch up on lost time this week.

JJJake~ I too have a very physical job and have been wondering about how much to do. They tell me to listen to my body and stop when I feel it's too much. Well, on my first cycle, I rested the day of transfer and took it easy for the next 3 and then went back to work. I take care of orchids for private collectors so it involves a lot of walking ( miles every day), pulling hoses that are 100/150ft long full of water, bending over, carrying things around,...
I do believe that I did too much too soon. I did get pregnant but had a chemical. How much did it have to do with that? I will never know but I think this time around will listen to my body very, very closely and when I feel it's enough, I'll stop. Maybe work 4 hours every day, something like that until the pregnancy is further along.
I have the freedom to do what I want unlike you where you have to be at work. My work is my biggest concern for sure. And since I work hard and put demands on myself, it's hard to slow me down. But this baby is more important than anything else and I'll have to be good !
Towards the end of your stims, it would be good to start slowing down a bit and especially after ET !!

I have never heard of playing harp during procedures. Sounds lovely and relaxing to me!!

jharris~ WOW!!! lots of follies in there. How do you feel? More meds is a bummer but you are almost done. When do you think you'll go for ER?
I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you!
Kate~ I'm waiting just like you...we're starting together!! Yeahhhhh.

babyloves~ How are you beautiful embies growing, any news from your embryologist? Hope you get a great report.

JDC~ How exciting to be starting...get ready to show them how great you can make those gorgeous eggs of yours.
You're going to prove everybody wrong!!!
You're in my thoughts. Good luck!

That's it for me tonight...I won't be posting tomorrow as I have a very busy schedule but I'll catch up on Sunday sometime. No so quick post after all!
Have a fabulous weekend!

Much love to all.

Valerie

[JJJAKE]

Hi guys, thanks for the feed back it's great!

jharris12:Wow you do have alot of follicles....wonderful I hope it works for you. You might have told me already, but when is your ER?

Valerie12:Yeah you may have me beat on the physical job thing....I treat and carry sick people out the house into the e.d. alot but it depends on how sick the person is. It's not a desk job, but I also have alot of people that call 911 and walk to my ambulance I will ask the doc, next app. on the 25th. My job is para-military also so I have to report alot of what i do personally (to the fire dept.) if the issue will affect my performance at work! Oh well desk duty it is....

Thanks you guys, your a big help and thanks for letting me pick your brains.

Oh before I forget, The Harp Therapy: It will either relax me or make me giggle......... so what the heck!

[JDC]

Valerie Thank you soooo much for that last personal! That's right, gorgeous eggies! Definitely brought a smile to my face!

SueKiwi Unless someone has walked in our shoes, it is impossible to understand - it's not their fault, they just can't. Someone I considered a very close friend of mine said "so, you can always adopt" after I informed her of my first failed ivf cycle. This was our first and last conversation about my ivf! Needless to say, I was a little upset by that statement. That is why I'm so into this message board now - this is where I can talk about my true feelings and experiences and know that one of you ladies has either experienced it or felt it too.

JHarris It is so awewome how many follies you have going on! I think really good things are going to happen for you!

Babyloves How are you? Have you scheduled your ET yet?

Karen I was good to hear from you, but I do understand about the "busy brain".

Bell, JJJake, Kate, MzTia, to_have_fun, ......hope you all are have a relaxing and peaceful weekend!

As for me.....AF was brutal this month. I've had terrible cramps for two days straight which is highly unusual for me. I'm thinking the Estrace may have something to do w/ it. Tomorrow is b/w and u/s for me (I dread the u/s with AF!!!) and if everything looks good, I start my stims tomorrow! Yeah again! I'm so ready for this.

[babyloves]

Hi guys!!
i'm officially PUPO!!! Its funny i felt sooo sick the am of ET - nausea, headache, then on top of that drinking to fill up my bladder..but afterwards...all my symptoms disappeared, and i'm laying low..ordering DH around ...i cried when the 2 embies went in...it's the closest i've been to preggers. Thanks ladies for ur support..will write more later!

[karenvancouverisland]

hey everyone..

babyloves- WOW..i'm smiling for you (and all of us ) right now...unbelievable. i'll be praying for you and i have to say, this is the happiest and most present i've felt all day. thanks!

i've been blue today..kinda zombie-ish. i have a birthday coming up, and i just feel like life is passing me by. i actually had my first real thought about adoption the other day (not a very serious one though). i think underneath my disconnectedness, i'm quite sad and scared about the future. maybe when i get closer to my september cycle i'll get more excited like many of you seem. this is all hard to talk about anywhere but here; even with my DH. i just feel heavy hearted today. everywhere i go i see families and it just hurts and i want to turn back the clock. i've said it a hundred times, but it still enters my mind- ' i can't believe this is happening to me'..

anyways, that's my blathering for now. i am so hopeful for all of you in stims and closely approaching them. lots of baby dust, karen

[babyloves]

karen: that was so sweet of you to say..thanks so much. I totally understand what you mean about families and kids. My DH and I feel pretty alone, even tho are families are supportive. We've been together for 6 yrs, hhave ad done all our skydiving (b-day present to DH to impress and international travel...all the stuff couples with kids envy...and now time to really "settle down." I have a feeling this will be YOUR time Karen...don't lose hope. I think once you're sept cycle starts, you'll move fast to PUPO and BFP

i'm actually reading a book right now to kill some time during the 2ww...its called "A Thousand splendid suns" - same author as the kite runner. Makes me realize how much we have to be thankful of...half way thru and highly recommend it

[valerie68]

Babyloves~ First of all, CONGRATS on being PUPO!!! Soon you'll be even closer to being preggers, actually totally preggers.
Sending you all my good vibes and tons of baby dust!!!
You're so right that no matter what we have soooo much to be thankful for. That's what's helping me to let go more and just go with the flow. And sometimes I can feel myself regress and right away I stop those thoughts.
Thanks for suggesting that book! It's going on my list, sounds like my kind of book.

Karen~ Try not to feel so bad, life is what it is and you can't go back, you can only look towards the future and what you can do to make your life even happier. You're doing your best and soon you will be on your way to your next BFP ! This is just the road to get there, might as well make it as happy as you can, so that one year down the road you won't tell yourself that you should have done this or that and have regrets. Don't let life pass you by, live it like there's no tomorrow!
I'm actually really sad that you're going through all this and I just want to give you a hug...
Do you do AP? If not, I'd strongly suggest that you do it to help you get re-centered. That has helped me so much, I feel so much calmness inside that I did not feel before, it can help you heal after your miscarriage!

Have a great night and catch you all later.

Val

[SueQiwi]

First of all--thank you all for your thoughtful and supportive words about my college roomate with new baby reccomending adoption to me. (!) It's funny how somebody's careless words can hurt so much when you are in the midst of infertility. I wish I wasn't so sensitive and irritable--but this process wears you down. (I know you guys can relate--I am so thankful for this board!) Your reponses Babyloves, toHaveFun, Bell, Valerie, Karen, JHarris, Kate and JDC really made me feel better and I really appreciate your energy.

BabyLoves~congrats on being PUPO!! I am thinking of you and your two embies!! Take it easy and enjoy being pregnant. I also read 1000 Splendid Suns and LOVED it! What a wonderful book about female strength and bonding.

JHarris~wow! 10-20 follies! That's heaps! You are sure to have PLENTY of eggs this go.

Valerie~Im so releived you like your substitute AP. How cool she comes to your house! Whenever you talk about your orchids I get such nice visions in my head.

Bell~I am thinking of you and hoping your DH sperm improves in time for this cycle. I dont know much about male factor as Im the one who has the problems in our situation. But I feel for you--that has got to be tough.

toHaveFun~that 4th of July parade of kids sound like my worst nightmare! I hate how infertilty can trasform a normally wonderful event into a heart-wrenching experience.

Hoping~I hope stims are going well and your follies are plentiful!

Karen~I feel for you. This is so tough and none of us deserves this to happen. But you are doing your best during a hard time and its only natural to have down days especially with another birthday on the horizon. But take heart--you know your body can do it! You were pregnant very recently (even though it ended tragically) and this means it can (and will!) happen again. You are an inspiration to me for getting pregnant with only 2 eggs retrieved! This means your body is very powerful.

[karenvancouverisland]

thanks everyone i'm teary right now..feeling grateful. got out of my funk earlier..went for a nice walk downtown with my dh..had tea and dessert and watched the sunset. things are looking up. my love to you all. karen

[jharris12]

Hey all you wonderful women!! Hope you have all had a great weekend, and hope your weather is as nice wherever you are!

kate21: Hope you are having that relaxing weekend you were planning?!

valerie: Did you get some work accomplished this weekend? i'm feeling okay. Nothing too bad. I'm a little crampy and tired, but other than that, I'm great. I'm getting closer again! Thank you for all your kind words!

JJJAKE: I think the harp therapy should be relaxing. I was thinking last time it would be nice to have soft music in the background, but it was over really quick, so I wouldn't have gotten through one song before it was done! Good luck!

JDC: So how did the BW/US appt go?? Do you start stims now? You are so close now!!

babyloves: Congrats on being PUPO!! That is great that your 2 embies are back where they belong.

karen: I'm sure when it's your time to stim, your thoughts will become more positive. The whole waiting part is the worst.

SueQiwi: I agree with you. All the wonderful women on this board has made this a much more stress-free and positive experience! and thank you for all your kind words.

I went in for BW & US again this morning. My E2 yesterday was 2189!!! So they dropped my Gonal-f back to 412.5!! They measured about 14 follies this morning with a few more still kinda small. The nurse said I will probably stim today, and then trigger tomorrow!! That means ER is still on schedule for Wednesday!! I am so excited. This cycle is going so much better than my last. And I want to thank you all for helping me through this. I'm praying for each and every one of you!! Have a wonderful weekend ladies!!