Sept 2008 - stimming buddies :)

Discussion forum for those particularly interested in IVF and embryo transfer including frozen embryo transfer.
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karenvancouverisland
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Post by karenvancouverisland »

hi angelaezra...i'll be praying for you for an amazing ER tomorrow. all the best.

sue- wonderful news, i'm so happy for you as you enter the wait..please keep believing in miracles. hope that pineapple was good :D

and nicole...congrats on ER.. all the best to you and everyone else out there tonight! karen
38 yrs. DOR, TTC since '04, recommended DE but didn't listen
3 IVF's & 1 FET: 1 cancellation, 1 m/c @ 12 wks, 1 chemical, 1 miracle boy & miracle 'natural' PG right now while waiting to cycle (WTF?)
feb 21 hb 154
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kez01
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Location: England

Post by kez01 »

Hi everyone,
I hope your all well today.

Sue: I'm so happy for you, your embies sound great. Here in the UK they only allow you to have 2 embies put back also, it is really frustrating. I will keep hoping that your little embies are in for the long hall. Remember to take it easy for a few days and try not to go too insane, we're all here for you :) :) Dont overdose on pineapple though.

Nicole: Way to go on 35 eggs you must have been desperate to have those retrieved and I'm so excited for you having 15 embies, you should have some to freeze for future siblings. I am sorry you have felt so lousy, lets hope after going through all this you have a problem free pregnancy that you will just sail through. Keep us posted on their progress :) :)

Karen: I hope your doing well, how are you getting on in your cycle are the meds driving you crazy or are you coping. Let us know we're thinking of you. :) :)

Priya: I hope your having a great vacation, we're thinking of you too. :)

Towachi: well done on getting your paper in and way to go on having another one to hand in at the end of the week. I hope your managing to chill out sometimes too. I also did the protocol where they do not down regulate you and I felt it was much easier on your system and also didn't take as long. I stimmulated for 10 days and started the cetrotide at day 5 to stop me ovulating, I got 12 eggs and 6 fertilised, this was much better than my first cycle. Good luck to you and take it easy :) :)

Hi Angelaezra: Welcome to the boards and to our thread, everyone here is wonderful and a great support. I hope your ER goes well tomorrow, remember to take it easy afterward and try and relax, its good for your system to be relaxed. This is a very difficult process and you and your DH will need eachother, stay strong and know that we are all here for you and hoping for you too. :) :)

Well I am feeling absolutely terrible today, I have a head cold and my AF is terrible, although it started at the weekend it didn't really kick in until yesterday and today, so my tummy is very sore and I have a terrible headache too. Just looking at the computer is not good but I just had to check in on you all. I have got my neices over tonight for dinner so will have to put on a brave face (can you tell i'm feeling sorry for myself). Anyway, take care everyone.

Kerry xx
angelaezra
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Location: Ohio

Post by angelaezra »

Hello everyone,

Well, I am back from my ER and they retrieved 11 follicles with eggs. I am wondering if anyone has any other suggestions to assist me in preparing for my embryos to attach to my uterus. I heard about the pineapple and acupuncture in the past. Have any of you utilized acupuncture prior to or during your IVF process? The good thing about this board and my reproductive doctor’s office is that I understand a lot of the process because I am a registered nurse but when it comes to you as the patient most of your previous experience goes out the door :lol:. I feel so much better now that I have you guys to talk with. My husband is very supportive and excited but he truly doesn’t understand what I am going through but you guys do.

Thanks for everything…!
Image
1 miscarriage 2002 (nat)
1 ectopic pregnancy 2006 (nat)
1st IVF 10/08-BFP twins/misc-6 1/2 wks & stillbirth 21 wks
2nd FET 6/09-BFN
3rd IVF 2010-April-BFP - DD born 12/7/10

Lost Ashley Nicole Thomas at 21 weeks
angelaezra
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Location: Ohio

Post by angelaezra »

Hello Towachi,

I was reading some of the previous post and I have to say that it is amazing that you are earning your MBA, going through IVF, and working full time. I know what you are going through, I just completed my MBA in January and I don’t know how you are doing it all. I thought I would go insane with completing my MBA and working full time because I travel a lot with my job as a pharmaceutical sales representative.

How much longer do you have before you graduate? If you need any support just ask! I am so happy to be a part of this board because it makes me feel like I can relate to everyone here.

Angela
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1 miscarriage 2002 (nat)
1 ectopic pregnancy 2006 (nat)
1st IVF 10/08-BFP twins/misc-6 1/2 wks & stillbirth 21 wks
2nd FET 6/09-BFN
3rd IVF 2010-April-BFP - DD born 12/7/10

Lost Ashley Nicole Thomas at 21 weeks
Towachi
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Post by Towachi »

Hello beautiful ones, I hope everyone is as happy as I am this morning that I am here, not sick, have a job, have my family without any health issues irrespective of what the economy is doing. We are all grateful to God that we are alive.

I did see my RE yesterday, it was a good meeting. We agreed on the protocol, just waiting for AF, we will use Bravelle again 450mg and go from there, no more Luprone, I am still suffering from hot flashes from the last cycle.

Sue: My dear how are you doing, did you take two days off work to rest you back after transfer? Be happy, think positive thoughts, no negatives, no thought of what if. Just focus on it is well with my soul and my child and my household. Two weeks will go by sooner than you think and we will be praising God for your babies.

Kerry: How are you love? Is the AF cramps going away? Please use your heat pad to releive the pain. My is yet to come but I am patiently waiting, it will come at the right time. You are so sweet, but listen I do not boost of my own strength, my energy comes from above. I have school, I have a full time job, I have a 71/2 year old plus DH who I classify as another of my babies. But God is able to see me through.

Angela: Welcome back sweetie, I guess we can connect outside the board somehow. You are wonderful and I look forward to be establishing a TTC and MBA student relationship and who knows my dear what God has in stock for both of us. I am one more class to finish after this is one "Managing Global Business". It tought to combine all, but what can we do, we rely on God to give us the strength. Last week, I did a paper on Nestle's business model and its relationship with globalization, the forces that are impacting the company. This week I will write a 10 page paper on Nestle's expansion into Mali. So, talk to me if you can my dear on the country profile and the framework of globalization into a new country.

Priya!!!!!!!!!! How are you baby? Are you enjoying your time with your family? Come back to us soon.

Karen: I have not heard from you my dear, how are you doing today? Please tell me more about your protocol in relation to what my RE has proposed.

Nicole: I am happy for you for all those follies, they shall fertilize and implant my dear. Take care now and I will write later.
karenvancouverisland
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Post by karenvancouverisland »

hi ladies, well i've had a couple of rough days, feeling very sad and hopeless about still no baby. had a crying meltdown at work today. it's been rough but i feel like i've released some of it at least. as i get closer to cycling, i fear i get closer to failure and needing to make a decision to stop trying. i don't know how much longer i can take the emotional roller coaster and the financial strain. so to answer your question kerry- yes i am crazy, but it has nothing to do with meds (maybe i need some meds!)

so towachi, i start stims around oct 20, flare (no down reg), i'll do 225 ui of gonal f 2xday for the first 4 days, then add in cetrotide and luveris (prevent premature ovulation- and really to slow down those lead follicles i had last time, as the smaller ones couldn't catch up in time for ER). i start injections on day 3 after AF.

hi priya, angela, kerry, sue and nicole. sue, i hope those embies are settling into you well. love to all, karen
38 yrs. DOR, TTC since '04, recommended DE but didn't listen
3 IVF's & 1 FET: 1 cancellation, 1 m/c @ 12 wks, 1 chemical, 1 miracle boy & miracle 'natural' PG right now while waiting to cycle (WTF?)
feb 21 hb 154
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kez01
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Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:03 pm
Location: England

Post by kez01 »

Hi all,

Karen: I'm so sorry your feeling low at the moment and sorry for getting your cycle mixed up, I just remember you saying your meds had arrived so I thought you were starting iminently. You deserve to have a breakdown everynow and then so dont worry about it as long as you have a cry then come and talk to us all about it, dont stew for too long as that leads to becoming alittle depressed, trust me I've been there. This time it has to work for you and your protocol sounds like my last one which got me more eggs so I am keeping everything crossed for you. take care :) :)

I dont know if I'm going to be able to afford my FET this month which makes me really sad. With starting a new business we are low on funds. I got my AF and I'm taking my metformin so that I hopefully ovulate. We are having a party on the 18th to cook our first hogroast pig and then hopefully the orders will come flooding in so that we make lots of money so I can have as many treatments as I need and want.

Towachi: you should try and get some reflexology to balance out the hormones in your body, I'm sure that would help with your hot flashes. I am a gynae nurse and I also do reflexology sorry I couldn't live nearer I would do it for you :) a couple of treatments can be very effective. Its also good for relaxing your mind and body which I'm sure you could do with with all that school work.

Sue: I hope your doing well and not over analysing everything. I'm just visualising your little embies taking hold and bedding down for the next nine months, you keep positive now. :) :)

Nicole: how are things going with you and your embies, any updates for us yet. :)

Hope your well Priya.

Angela: how are you doing today, hopefully you haven't turned into a pineapple :lol: A fellow nurse, what field do you work in? and yes your right all the experience in the world still does not prepare you for going through fertility treatment, I work in gynae and I still have lots of questions for my doctors it is very different when you become the patient. I wish you lots of luck and hope your little embies take hold. :) :)

I hope I didn't miss anyone,
Take care all and hope you all have a great day.
Kerry xx
trippsmomma
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Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:44 am

Post by trippsmomma »

Hey ladies,
I love reading all the updates on everyone.

We met blast criteria and tomorrow is our ET. We don't know how many we have as of right now. The Dr. will talk to us tomorrow about that. We are only doing one blast, though, because of my age. I'm hoping we have a least one to freeze!

Starting to feel better after the retreival. Those retreivals are kind of tougher than I thought. You women are amazing who keep doing it over and over!

I'm thinking our beta will be the 19th... they'll tell us tomorrow. God bless everyone on their journey!!

Nicole
Me- 28
DH-45
One beautiful boy who is my world born 12/21/05.
Started stims 09/25/08
ER 10/05- 35 eggs, 30 mature, 15 embies
ET 10/10 1 blast transferred!
Beta 10/19 hcg 103!!!!
2nd Beta 10/21 206!!! We're preggo!
angelaezra
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Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:18 am
Location: Ohio

Post by angelaezra »

Karen,

I sorry that you are feeling down. It is very understandable! Please take it easy and try to relieve your stress; it will be good for you. Please know that we are hear for you.

Angela
Image
1 miscarriage 2002 (nat)
1 ectopic pregnancy 2006 (nat)
1st IVF 10/08-BFP twins/misc-6 1/2 wks & stillbirth 21 wks
2nd FET 6/09-BFN
3rd IVF 2010-April-BFP - DD born 12/7/10

Lost Ashley Nicole Thomas at 21 weeks
angelaezra
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Posts: 1180
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:18 am
Location: Ohio

Angela's ET transfer update

Post by angelaezra »

Thank you Karen, Towachi, Sue, Nicole, Priya, & Kerry for welcoming me with open arms… you guys are wonderful!

I received a call from my doctor’s office this morning and they said out of the 11 embryos 9 are progressing to the blastocyst stage. According to my doctor, my ET will be this coming Sunday. The twice daily heparin shots are driving me crazy and really bruising my stomach but overall I hope it will be worth it.

Everyone take care!

Angela
Image
1 miscarriage 2002 (nat)
1 ectopic pregnancy 2006 (nat)
1st IVF 10/08-BFP twins/misc-6 1/2 wks & stillbirth 21 wks
2nd FET 6/09-BFN
3rd IVF 2010-April-BFP - DD born 12/7/10

Lost Ashley Nicole Thomas at 21 weeks
SueQiwi
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Location: New Zealand

Post by SueQiwi »

Hiya Everybody~

Karen~big hugs for you. I agree--It is easier to feel hopeful when the next cycle is more remote in the future. When you are once again looking IVF in the face--it is so scary to think of getting a BFN again! But don't forget this is also your way to a BFP! And you are so ready this time after taking DHEA and having some good downtime to regroup. You are going to do great!

Kerry~I hope you are feeling better after your rough AF and and feeling sick. That is so cool that you and DH are roasting pigs for a living! Did you have to go to training to know how to do it? What an unusual and festive kind of job--I hope you get tons of engagements! I have friends form Cook Islands who had a huge pigroast in their backyard--tons of fun and dleicious too!

Towachi~your posts are inspiring to me! Thank you for the words wisdom and caring--you give wonderful advice and I appreciate it. I did rest up the day following my transfer--but then I had to head back to work. In New Zealand they do not prescribe bedrest as I see mentioned on the boards so often. Here they encourage us to get right back to our normal routine. There is not even a rest period directly after transfer! They encourage us to just get up and go. But this time a laid there for a half-hour after transfer--but all the nurses kind of chuckled at me!

Angela~Congrats on egg retrieval! 9 embies heading to blast is super news! Success rates are higher for blastocyst transfers--so rest easy your chances are good! Sounds like you will also have enough to freeze for a sibling down the road.

Trippsmomma~Im glad you are recovering from egg retrieval. I was sore for a good while after mine too. The Doc told me that is normal. I am happy to hear you are headed for blast as well! You have a very good change with a blast transfer.

The 2ww is really getting to me. I was sad as we found out our two embies in the lab did not make it to freeze. And now I fear the ones inside me may not be strong either! I am trying so hard to squeeze the negative thoughts out of my head--but they creep in and I'm scared of another BFN.

I have been analyzing every detail and googling everyday on the www! Today I had some discharge that looked like boogers (Im sorry that's gross--but that how it looked!) I am hoping it may be implantation mucous plug? Have any of you ever gotten that? I've stopped eating entire pineapples--I'm down to about a third a day.
43 high FSH 13.4
IVF1 May 08 BFN
IVF2 Sep 08 BFN
IVF3 Feb 09 BFP! beta 151
DD born Nov 09!
IVF4 June 11 BFN
IVF5 Oct 11 canceled 1 follie
IVF6 Jan 12 BFP! beta 171
MC 10.5 weeks after HB at 7.5 - gutted
Natural BFP!
MC 9.5 weeks - gutted again
PriyaC
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Location: Boston, US

Post by PriyaC »

hey guys - how r u?
I just read all of the posts today !!!!!!!!!! lots going on - I still have to read all of them thoroughly .........
Welcome Angela :).
Sue Nichole and Angela - congarts on the ERs and ETs .... BFPs in 2 weeks - cannot wait to hear the good news...
Kerry , Karen - I hope you guys are feeling better now - sending loads of hugs and love your way.

Towachi - I hope work load is a little better today. You have a paper due Monday right - sorry if I am wrong - still have to read all of the posts.
I visited a lot of Cathedrals (am in Paris) and did remember you :) .
Even though my faith is not as strong as it should have been I have still lit candle for all of us in one of the Cathedrals here .......
Kerry - I keep on remembering you as well since I am so close to UK :) :)

Vacation was going fine until yesterday - I got a cool hair cut here - have not done any shopping yet. I think the BCPs have kicked in and am having such terrible mood swings .... am trying not to let them take over and am going to go and enjoy my last day here today :) ......

Sending lots of love and loads of hugs for everyone ... hopefully I have not missed anyone.

Love
Priya
Towachi
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Post by Towachi »

Karen:

This is for you this bright early morning, YOU CANNOT GIVE UP, YOU NEVER GIVE UP, YOU NEVER STOP TRYING, YOUR TORNS, YOUR TRIALS, YOUR DISCOURAGEMENTS, YOUR CONFLICTS, YOUR PAINS ARE BEING FELT IN HEAVEN. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP, PLEASE DO NOT ACT LIKE THOSE WITHOUT HOPE. YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD AND HE LOVES YOU DEARLY. PLEASE WE ARE YOUR SISTERS AND WE LOVE YOU DEARLY. PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T FEEL THAT WAY AGAIN. LOOK UP THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF YOUR FAITH. IT IS NOT OVER WITH HIM.

I love you sister, please don't make me cry as I am doing this morning. I don't even want you to feel that way again.
karenvancouverisland
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Post by karenvancouverisland »

thank you everyone for your kind words. i'm deeply touched by your compassion and my heart needed it right now. i'm touched by all of your heartfelt words and that you lit a candle for us priya.

i've gotten in touch with my gratitude again. and although i'm still scared, i'm not folding into despair. i wish i could hug you all right now and just sit together, laugh, cry, tell stories, drink tea and be with eacch other. these relationships across the miles have meant the world to me and i think they've saved me from hopelessness..

thanks for being a part of my journey..karen
38 yrs. DOR, TTC since '04, recommended DE but didn't listen
3 IVF's & 1 FET: 1 cancellation, 1 m/c @ 12 wks, 1 chemical, 1 miracle boy & miracle 'natural' PG right now while waiting to cycle (WTF?)
feb 21 hb 154
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kez01
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Location: England

Post by kez01 »

Hi everyone,

I just typed a lovely message to everyone and then lost it.

Priya: I'm glad your having a lovely vacation, I thought of you being so close and it was a nice feeling. I hope your still chilling out and will be back with us all soon.

Karen: I'm sorry your feeling so down lately, I truely wish that I could give you a hug and tell you everything will be ok, but I know the reality of this journey can be awful and traumatic to us all. I hope you can make it through and know that we are all here for you. I guess we will all have to keep doing the lottery and eventually meet one day and have that cup of tea, thats a lovely thought hey :) :) . Take care now.

Sue: I'm sure that your little embies are doing wonderfully, dont think too hard about the ones in the lab, the ones in your body are the important ones now, take it easy and let us know how things are. What day is your test again. :)

Angela: I hope your ET went well yesterday, We will all be keeping a PMA going for you, take it easy and let those little embies bed in for the long haul :) :)

Nicole: how are you doing in your 2ww, are you going crazy yet or have you been keeping busy to occupy your mind. Your little embies should hopefully be nice and snug now and starting to grow. We should all use visualisation I hear that the mind is powerful thing and seeing it helps it to become reality, lovely thought hey. :) :)

Towachi: I hope your well, did you get your second paper in, I do hope your not working too hard and are taking some time to enjoy yourself too and allow your mind to relax. I hope you had a great weekend :) :)

a big hug to everyone.

I was working all weekend and have today off. Lots to do though as I only have today and wednesday off and working the rest of the week. We are having our first hog roast party at our home on saturday therefore lots to organise with only 2 days to do it in. I think my fertility is taking the back seat this week, it is maybe a good thing, people are always telling me to just forget about it and it will happen, yeah right. I just pray I ovulate this month and if God truly is listening maybe he will cut me some slack and just make it easy for me this month. Wishful thinking hey.

Well I hope everyone has a great week and will keep in touch.
Kerry xxx
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