March/April cycle buddies??

[CT_Michele]

melanie_100 - ER 3/4 - 18 eggs - Awesome! ET 3/9
lionoe - Stimming! ER - Mar 11 ET - Mar 16
kimbob - Stimming! ER - Mar 11
Wishing4Baby - Stim start Mar 6, estimated ER Mar 18



babymex - ET Mar 1, Beta Mar 12


Trying for another angel – IVF early March
Sara30 - down-reg start - Feb 8, estradiol start - Feb 22, FET w/ DE Mar 10 or 11
Sisi1 - IVF start Mar 9
SunMoon&Stars – DE w/icsi, ET Mar 16
Latinosunshine – Last BCP Mar 16, ER around Mar 30
Sari - Start stims Mar 18, ER Mar 30? ET Apr 2?
Waiting For 4 - Consult w/ RE Mar 13
sprouthaus - ganirelix/antagonist cycle - Apr
milpagan - BCP start Mar 7? RE consult Mar 9, ER/ET early Apr
tabatha1975 - on lupron
cymplicity27 - Lupron start Mar 2, waiting for AF
biancajb - Last bcp Mar 20, stim start Mar 25
wishfull27 (carolyn) - ET around early April, ICSI/DE
Hjw – down-reg start Mar 5, baseline Apr 2, ER around Apr 13
CT_Michele – Polypectomy Mar 12, Start stims 4/10, ER/ET/fresh TESE week of 4/20

[CT_Michele]

ok, I updated the list...if there is anything that needs to be changed , or if I missed anything, please let me know and I will fix it. Now that we have so many people and so much going on, I will update it more frequently.

cymplicity- still doin the af dance for ya! Isn't it crazy this is the only time in our lives we hope to see her rear her ugly face.

Tabatha- welcome! I hope you can get your signature set up. You could get a ticket too and count down to whatever you are counting down to.

Babymex- our first 2 week waiter! Kepp up the pma and I am sending a lot of sticky dust your way.

Sara- This thread is getting pretty big, but I think the jan/feb/mar one was bigger. (I think you were over there with me). I still pop in over there, but I just can't keep up with everyone, and since I got delayed, I moved over here, but you are right, it is a really nice group of ladies here. You must be excited about having 3 weeks off, that is nice! Good way to stay stress-free.

hjw- so sorry about hulu- I thought for sure that would work. You are one season behind in the biggest loser, can you believe it was not that long ago and I already forgot who won...ooh, I remember now....who are you routing for? I am working hard on the blood pressure, thanks for the calming vibes, I just don't know how much calmer I can get, I haven't worked in like 9 months, I don;t really go out much with the baby. I can't imagine what the blood pressure would be if I were working, but even with only a few days on being really good with sodium, it is already reducing, so it is working. Oh, and happy sniffing!

Melanie- any fert reports yet?

Mil- hows the financing going? Are you starting bcp's yet?

ok- I know I missed people, but I will catch you later. Hope all the ladies waiting to start are doing well. I am actually going to meet an ivf friend today. It is amazing the people you meet on these boards, and I met someone who lives very close by and we decided to meet for lunch a while back and it was great to talk to someone going through the same stuff. We enjoyed it so much, we are going for lunch again. The bonds built on these boards are truly incredible...the 2 of us are hoping to be pregnant together soon! If she is reading this, you better join our thread we have here so we can route you on!

[kimbob]

Hi Ladies!

I should totally be doing my one last big task I have to do so that I can feel confident about leaving work for a week if I have to. But, I just have to be with all you lovely ladies instead!
I am so excited that we have so many new ladies joining us! Welcome, welcome everyone! I find it so much easier to go through all of this with all of the support I feel from all of you. It's good to share our experiences and help each other along.

Lee, you made me laugh out loud! In the literal way I mean. Withdrawl symptoms!! I wish I could say that wouldn't miss the always runny nose, but I have these terrible allery/sinus problems anyway so I know that I will have a runny nose for the rest of my life! Unless what the acupunturist says is true and he can cure me after I'm done with my pregnancy. Love your quote of the day! And thanks for reving up the PMA! I am so glad you get three weeks to be good to yourself and prepare for your pregnancy. You deserve it!

Michele, Yeah - T minus 6 days 'til surgery! I don't see how your BP can't go down. You are doing all the right things and you have a secret weapon -- all of us sending you PMA vibes! I'm glad Ella is making you think about your health - the world needs all the friendly, kind caring people like you that it can get!

Latino - I love that - "thaw and install"! Tee hee You are absolutely right - the injections are for a short time. My brother was a Type 1 Daibetic. I now understand better how hard it was for him to be 14 and find out that he had to do multiple injections everyday for the rest of his life. At least we get such a wonderful pot of gold at the end of our injection rainbows!! And we can still eat chocolate, too!

Speaking of chocolate... Yeah, Hazel - your first sniff! I love the tea excuse, but I think the chocolate excuse takes the cake... mmmm.. cake... Oops, sorry! I got off track there.

I'm sorry everyone else - I will have to get to you later - I have to get off to work, but I promise I'll be back this afternoon!

Kim

Oh yeah - had 2nd BT - keeping meds the same (is that good or bad?) and going for BT/US tmorrow am. For some reason I expect they will bring me back on Monday for BT/US and hopefully I'll get to trigger on Monday with ER on Wednesday. (That's Dh's birthday. Poor guy - he gets to have birthday 'sex' with himself in a room in a clinic so that someone else can 'impregnate' his wife!! )

[kimbob]

Just thought I'd copy and paste the list of abbreviations for the newbies. I was a newbie about 6 weeks ago and found this all so overwhelming. Someone told me that there was a sticky thread on the general forum that I could read. I was like, "General who? Sticky what?".


So anyway, this list may be a bit overkill, but I hope it helps everyone feel comfortable. We really do need each other through this!

2WW = 2-Week Wait
ABF = Adoptive Breastfeeding
AF = Aunt Flo or Menstrual cycle
AI = Artificial Insemination
AO = Anovulation
ART = Assisted Reproductive Technology
ASA = Anti-sperm Antibody
BBT = Basal Body Temperature
BCP = Birth Control Pills
BFN = Big Fat Negative
BFP = Big Fat Positive
BH = Braxton Hicks Contractions
BMS = Baby making Sex
BW = Blood Work
CB = Cycle Buddy
CD = Cycle Day
CF = Cervical Fluid
CM = Cervical Mucus
D&E = Dilation & Evacuation
DE = Donor Eggs
DES = Diethylstilbestrol (a synthetic estrogen)
DI = Donor Insemination
DIUI = Donor Intrauterine Insemination
DOST = Direct Oocyte-Sperm Transfer
DPO = Days Post-Ovulation
DPR = Days Post-Retrieval
DPT = Days Post-Transfer
Dx = Diagnosis
EC= egg collection
E2 = Estradiol
EBM = Expressed Breastmilk
ED = Egg Donor
ENDO = Endometriosis
FHR = Fetal Heart Rate
FSH = Follicle Stimulating Hormone
ET = Embryo Transfer
FE = Frozen Embryo
FET = Frozen Embryo Transfer
FSH = Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
GC = Gestational Carrier
GIFT = Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
GnRH = Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
GP = General Practitioner
GS = Gestational Surrogate
HCG = Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HOM = High Order Multiples
HPT = Home Pregnancy Test
HSG = Hysterosalpingogram
HYP = hyperstimulation
ICSI = Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
IF = Infertility
IM = Intramuscular injections
IM = Intended Mother
IF = Intended Father
IOR = Immature Oocyte Retrieval
IP's = Intended Parents
IR = Insulin Resistant
IUI = Intrauterine Insemination
IVF = In Vitro Fertilization
IVIg = Intravenous Immunoglobulin
LAC = Licensed Acupuncturist
LAP = Laparoscopy
LH = Luteinizing Hormone
LSP = Low Sperm Count
LPD = Luteal-Phase Defect
MC = Miscarriage
OD = Ovulatory Dysfunction
OHSS = Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
OPK = Ovulation Predictor Kit
OV = Ovulated
PA = Pelvic Adhesions
PCO = Polycystic Ovary Disease
PCOS = Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
PCT = Post Coital Test
PG = Pregnant
PID = Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PIO = Progesterone In Oil
PYL - is that the one for Piss Yourself Laughing?!
PIP's = Previous Intended Parents
PMA--positive mental attitude
PMS = Pre-menstrual Syndrome
PMSL - piss myself laughing
POF = Premature Ovarian Failure
Prog = Progesterone
PUPO = Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise
RE = Reproductive Endocrinologist
RPL = Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
ROFPMSL - rolling on floor pissing myself laughing - when it's really really funny!
SA = Semen Analysis
SC = Subcutaneous Injections
SI = Secondary Infertility
SIS = Sister in surrogacy
SM = Surrogate Mother
SP = Sperm Count
STD = Sexually Transmitted Disease
Stims = stimulation drugs
Stimming = using drugs to stimulate the ovaries
TET = Tubal Embryo Transfer
TS = Traditional Surrogate
TSH = Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TTC = Trying to Conceive
TX = Treatment
UR = Urologist
US = Ultra Sound
ZIFT = Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer

Kim

[CT_Michele]

Aaaw- Kimbob- your such a sweetie...thanks for the nice comments.

And I am sure posting that list will be helpful to a lot of the newbies here. Heck, I consider myself a veteran and I don't know half of the ones on that list!

Just wanted to say that I think keeping everything the same is a good thing when it comes to stimming. I think it means they got it right. If your follies were to small or not enough of them, they would increase meds, if you were stimming to fast, they would decrease meds, so it sounds like you are just right!

And hahaha about your dh...well, I mean I feel bad for him, no birthday booty from you...but it was funny to read your description about him in a room in a clinic having sex with himself. Tell him to look at it in a good way, maybe b/c it is his b-day it is good luck. If you get a bfp it could be the best birthday memory ever!

[latinosunshine]

Kim: Poor Dh! Well, I suppose the end result is the same for him however. He gets the big O! Guys have it so easy!

Just looked at the IVF packet they gave us. Apparently, Im doing the Microdose lupron Flare protocol. Can anyone educate me on this? Are they choosing this because of our Male factor or my advanced maternal age?

[Sisi1]

Exceitment.....the one and only time I am happy to see AF she arrived right on time and is here already. Yay!

Baseline B and U on Sunday morning, really hoping I am a go this time and there are no silly cysts around.....

Cath up on the personals tonight....

A very warm; hallo I am back, to everyone!

[Babymex]

Thank you ladies for your wonderful wishes!!!



I took an extra day in bed today, but I'm seriously planing my weekend going to the grocery store for a big shopping, after watching five days food network channel, I have excellent recipes from all this five days... I'm planing to cook something special and delicious for my uncle, I'm his visitor since i stared the IVT, they have been very nice with me...also will keep me busy for next week

Thanks Kimbob and Michele for all your information, very helpful!!!

[melanie_100]

Hey Everyone and welcome newbies
It's getting too much to remember what everyone is doing, so I will post my experiences, and wish everyone good luck.
As some of you know, I had my ER on Wed 3/4 and they got 18 eggs out. RE called the next day to say that of the 18, 15 were mature, and 13 had fertilized. FYI, I guess the 3 that weren't mature in my case aren't going to be used at all. I had talked to embryologist at length the day before ER, and got some info I didn't know. If you freeze the fertilized eggs real early, day 1 (day 0 is the day of ER), those embies have a better chance of surviving the thaw because they are less complex than day 3 and day 5 embies. So what we decided to do is we froze 6 embies on day 1, will allow the remaining 7 to go to day 3. We will then transfer 2 on day 3 to me, and freeze any that remain (hopefully). The reason we wanted to make sure we had some for frozen is that DH has agreed to do IVF with the condition that we do one retrieval, then any frozens we have, and if that doesn't get us a baby we're done. I think it is a good plan for us, so that this doesn't go on forever.
My ET is scheduled for tomorrow at noon (3/7), so I will know then, how many of my 7 fertilized embies made it to day 3! Hopefully all the little guys will hang in there. We were initially going to do a day 5 transfer, but decided that it was risky, since many embies can't make it that far. You have to realize that the conditions for the embies to get this far has not been perfected as much as day 3. It is still something their perfecting, and I didn't want to take the chance of losing my embies.
I also wanted to let you guys know how the ER itself was, since we have a lot of newbies. Someone asked if my belly hurt with all those eggs, and yes, I was uncomfortable, and really ready for them to come out. The procedure day went wonderfully. I don't even remember leaving my recovery room to go to the OR since they gave me drugs in my IV before hand. When I was waking up and they said it was done, I insisted that we hadn't done it yet!! My husband got some good laughs since I was acting silly. Anyway the pain there was as much that day as I had had prior to the surgery from having all those eggs. I just felt kinda tender in my abdomen. The day after the procedure, I was more sore, but used my pain meds. Today I feel back to normal, just a little achy in abdomen if I bend over, but nothing more. The whole thing really was a piece a cake, I would just advise you to take the day off for ER and the day after as well to really rest.
To the lady that had 3 follicles on your first US after stim, hang in there, I didn't have that many either, and they just upped my dose of gonal F, and it worked, so don't get discouraged, they were constantly changing my dosing as I stimmed based on my u/s and mostly my E2 levels.
One more very important piece of info. It may be TMI, but you'll be glad I told you. I was prescribed narcotic pain meds for my ER recovery, which I gladly took. One side effect of these meds is constipation. Please make sure you do something to keep your bowels moving, whether it be a stool softner, laxative teas, pills, etc. Just don't do what I did and not take anything. Today I felt like I gave birth , except without a cute little baby at the end. You get the point. Keep yourself moving to avoid this experience. Anyway, sorry to go there, but I don't want others to go through what I did today.
Well enough info for know. I will be on bed rest for 48 hours after ET tomorrow so I 'll try to write as soon as I can to let you know how that went. My doctor has me take a Valium 1 hour prior to ET, which is really cool with me. Looking forward to it actually
Have a great weekend, Melanie

[Babymex]

Hi melanie_100,

I have one ovary, and i had 12 follies with bad cramps after ER, now i can imagine the cramps you had with two ovaries.. ouch!!..but that it goes away with in 12hrs. Drinking Gatorade during the day and Ensure (shakes) for breakfast ..it will help your uterus fast recovery and you will retain less water...

Good vibes for tomorrow!!!

[kimbob]

Sisi - yeah - AF!!! I'm very happy for you. Good luck on Sunday. Let us know how it goes!

Babymex - I hope you get to do some wonderful cooking next week. It's great that you have a plan to help keep you busy during the horrid 2WW!
I'm sure your uncle will appreciate it, too!

Latino, I don't know anything about the flare protocol or even what that means. I'm sorry I can't help. If no one on this thread knows, maybe you could post a thread with your question.

Michele - you're welcome. You have a good point about the birthday memory. I'll just keep reminding DH about that part! And thanks for updating us. It helps me to keep us all straight!

Melanie - Good luck tomorrow! It's so exciting!! Thanks for all the details. I don't care if it's TMI - somebody has to tell us this stuff! In fact I would be freaking out about all the mucus right now feeling afraid that I was about to accidentally ovulate. But instead I'm happy to have it, 'cuz you warned me that its coming! I think that your plan for freezing the embies at two different times sounds good. I would be choked if I had one chance, made 13 embies and then lost them because the dr wanted to wait 'till day 5. I'm glad you seem to be so well informed and your Dr seems to be really trying help be successful.
Again, good luck tomorrow. Sticky baby dust is heading your way!!

Well, hope everyone else is doing well.
I'm off to spend some time with DH. I've been so busy that I've hardly seen him this week.

Take care, Kim

[cymplicity27]

Hello ladies! I hope everyone is doing well. I just wanted to pass along a tool I found from visiting another IVF board. It's basically a public online calendar you can use to track your appts/events. There is no sign up or login/passwords. You simply click on the date and add your note! It would help to put your name, the event and then choose a unique color that no one else is using. You'll notice some of my events already there. No one else has access since I just created it but feel free to share with anyone else. Also be sure to bookmark the page! I hope some of you find it useful

http://freecal.brownbearsw.com/IVFCycleBuddies

[kimbob]

Hi all,

Thank you Cynthia for the calendar! I added my info and I can't wait to see everyone else's on there, too!

I had my BT and US this morning. Looks good. I decided to not get too caught up on the numbers because I can obsess about things if I let myself. I do remember that my lining was 9.9 and that there were several follies in lefty that he said are about ready (18-20 range). Is it mms they measure in? I told the RE that I'd hoped to see more and he said, yeah, he'd like to see about 3 more, but he still thinks it looks good. Righty seems to be a bit of a slow poke. I have been talking kindly to righty all day - sending it love and PMA! I have to go back tomorrow again to take another look and see what the next step is. I'm quite excited now!!

And now for my trials and tribulations... I have to drive a good hour (without rush hour - it's at least 1.5 hrs with the rush) to get to the clinic so I left home just after 6 to be sure I wasn't late for 7:30. I get there and go fishing for $ to plug-in the meter and that's when I realized that all my ID , bank cards and my medical card that I need to show at the lab are in my OTHER coat pocket! So mad at myself!! I just about cried because not only do I have not have my medical card, but I can't even prove who I am! The only thing I had with my name on it was my "player's club card" from the casinos in Vegas! Anyway - the lab was VERY kind. They allowed me to just tell them my medical # and name and date of birth with no proof what-so-ever. To make it worse - they did not get the requisition that the clinic was supposed to send on Friday, but they took me anyway. I think they did because apparently they did not get any info from the clinic at all. They usually get a list sent to them and they take the clinic people seperate from all the other people there for other tests.
When I left - there was a large crowd of women from the clinic that the lab staff were trying to sort out and keep seperate from all the others! Poor lab staff! I am so thankful that I got through it all. I had brought my mom along with me and we ended up going shopping and having a wonderful walk on the sea wall. The weather forecast was for - get this - rain mixed with snow, changing to flurries or showers with thunderstorms in the PM and accumulations of 5cm (2in) and wind warnings for gusts up to 50-70KM! But we ended up having a windy and cool, but sunny and lovely day! We did see some rogue snowfalkes falling at higher elevations, but it was all good.
Now I just need to get up at 5 again tomorrow (at the 'new' time after the time change) and do this all over again! I think I'll have to take Monday off of work just to catch up on my sleep!

I hope that all of you lovely ladies are having a wonderful, stress-free weekend.

Kim

[cymplicity27]

"The only thing I had with my name on it was my "player's club card" from the casinos in Vegas!" Tooo funny!!! I'm glad everything worked out for you in the end. Sending more PMA to "righty"

~cynthia

[melanie_100]

Hey Girls, Had my ET today at noon. It wasn't pleasant feeling, but nothing to cry over either. I had two embies transferred day 3. Update for all newbies, stim started 2/21. ER 3/4- had 18 eggs retrieved, of which 15 were mature. 13 of those fertilized. We froze 6 on day 1, leaving 7 out. Today, all 7 had survived and were grade 4+ (my clinic uses 1 as worst, 5 as best). RE said I was his star of the day. We were able to freeze the other 5 embies for a total of 11 frosties. My last scan for lining showed I was 12 mm. I am praying that with all this good news, it will result in a baby. My acupuncturist even came to my house today for the post transfer treatment. At least I feel good knowing that if it doesn't work this time, I have frosties as a back up. Now I guess I'm officially in the 2ww club
I can't do preg. test until 3/18! It's going to be a long two weeks
Please let me know if you have any questions. To everyone, please take care of yourself and remember to keep your stress down.