FEB / MARCH 2011 Cycle Buddies!! can't wait!

[cindylou]

Hi Ladies! I finally made it to my destination. Its 230 am now in puerto rico but I can't go to sleep without writing. What an eventful few hours since my last post.

Cindylou - some nurses don't like to give #'s because they don't like for us to research and ask questions. Howevern now that you know I'd ask the dr and see what he says. I've had cycles where they are slow and then from one day to the next a HUGE bump up. Hang in there and stay positive.

Thanks for your thoughts Pumpkin! I appreciate your kind words and your support. I do hesitate to ask too many questions of my practitioners because I worry I'll be an inconvenience. I was insistent about getting the E2 numbers but had a hard time getting any explanation for why they might be so low or what that could mean. I do have an appointment for Sunday, and I expect to have both b/w and an u/s that day - I want to be prepared with questions to ask before I go in for that appointment. I'm really trying to stay positive and trust that my body will show some significant E2 increase by then.
I hope you have a wonderful time in Puerto Rico - enjoy!!

[cindylou]

Crissy- I tried staying up late enough to see what happened with the US, but turns out I missed a very worrisome yet happy story. I know you are scared and nervous and every possible emotion, but the fact that they saw 1 maybe even 2 yolk sacs is such great news!!! I have a very good feeling about it and think you will be seeing the heartbeat(s) next week. Try to stay positive and know we are all thinking of you. Sorry you had to go through so much to get here but it will all be worth it when you have your little one(s).

pumpkin- Thats what Im doing- Just staying as positive as possible. I may even change my ticker to pregnant as soon as I know the Transfer date. Even though it would be depressing to have to change it...thats not going to happen this time. 4th times a charm!

cindylou- Im sure that if they were worried about your numbers they would have changed up the protocol. I wouldnt let that get to you since they said everything is still on. Random question- do you require extra stims? I saw that you are on 450 and thought that was more than I have taken...i think I even started out with 75IU of follistim at one point. This time its going to be a lot higher at 225IU, but I wasnt sure how high the dosing went. How are your follicles looking so far?

Hi Blair - thanks for your message, and i so appreciate your thoughts and advice. i'm praying that by sunday, everything will take an upswing to get me on track. it's an exercise in patience and trusting that my body will respond to the meds as it should in its own time. i have noticed that my stims are higher than most - maybe that's because of my age?, my elevated FSH? (my FSH d3=12; d10=18) - I'm not really sure why I would start so high (and still such little response). Since this is my first IVF, i'm not clear on the reasoning for my particular protocol, but during my first preliminary u/s on 3/3 (post BCP and prior to beginning Lupron) there showed 14 resting follicles. I haven't had another u/s since then, the next will be on Sunday. I'm hoping to see some significant improvement in my E2 #s and follicle growth then....keeping my fingers crossed.

Thank you again for your response and your support! How are you doing? AF any moment now, yay! I hope you are doing well!

[cindylou]

You guys are the greatest. One thing I'd never regret in this whole process is joining this forum. It's a God send. This morn I'm buckeled over in pain because my doc practically touched my tonsils trying to reach my cervix and in the process he injured my left ovary. I can't cough or pee without wincing in pain. Never a dull moment. I'm really hoping that I'll get a boring and uneventful pregnancy soon.

Cindy-I agree with what e'one else has said on E2's and remember, no two cycles are the same. The important thing is that you get some nice follicle growth so you can retrieve some good eggs. I'm hoping for you that things start to move in a positive direction fairly soon. I think one girl said she eneded up stimming for 18 days. You just never know, but you definitely need to be inquisitive and be your own patient advocate. You also might wanna pose a question on the open discussion board for Ghost.

Crissylove - sounds like today has been a recovery day - in more ways than one. you went through a lot yesterday, emotionally and physically. doesn't an "uneventful pregnancy" sound like such a luxury now? i hope that you continue to rest and recover well...and continue nurturing those babies!

thank you for your thoughts on my E2s...i appreciate your reminder that no two cycles are the same. i'm keeping that in mind and trying to trust that my body is working in ways i can't control to prepare for a healthy pregnancy. its the only way i can convince myself to stay patient until sunday. at that appointment, i will have both u/s and b/w and hope to show significant elevation in my E2s and follicle growth...and at the same time, ask my nurse questions for clarification about my particular response. thank you again for your support, i am grateful for your insight.

[cindylou]

crissy - I can't believe you went through all of that.. but that is awesome that they saw not just one but maybe two.. YIPPEEE

I need to catch up on more personals later. can't believe that these people at work expect me to work on a Friday and a friday that i get awesome news.. my 2nd beta at 13dpo is 86

YAY!!! That's the most exciting news and it's wonderful to see your happiness!! Cheers to you!

[cindylou]

Thanks everyone. I am feeling fine this evening, and I am not too concerned over my little tumble. I slept all afternoon and I'm about ready to go back to dreamland. Wish I could sleep the remainder of my 2ww

Mamaboo, glad you're feeling fine...you've had a big day! get some rest and try to enjoy the wait, imagining all the goodness going on in your belly right now!

[cindylou]

Sorry I can't catch up on all personals, but Crissy, sorry for all the drama and you are in our thoughts...this could be the happiest of endings with 2! So think good thoughts!

We saw a beautiful heartbeat today...though not without drama. I went into the office and started to take off my pants, but the nurse said the perinatologist was doing a stomach ultrasound, not a vaginal ultrasound...so he did the stomach ultrasound and then asked me to go empty my bladdar so he could do a vaginal ultrasound...it was the longest trek ever to the bathroom and back. I literally ran back to the office and almost pulled my pants down in the hospital hall I was so anxious! He did the vaginal ultrasound and there was the little heartbeat...at just over 6 weeks The doctor said "I was freaking out for a minute there..." not what you want to hear... and dude, you think YOU were freaking out!

Too much drama on the board, but hopefully good thoughts for all!

We go back for another ultrasound next Friday. Will keep you posted

Hugs!

what an amazing moment...seeing a little heartbeat! wow, what a wonderful moment! makes it an awesome day, huh?! enjoy it!

[BlissfulCS]

Mamaboo- congrats on your pregnancy! I got in from work so late last night I couldn't post, but I am up having a cup of chamomile tea because I can't sleep and just had to log in and tell you CONGRATS!!!

Trying- Awe!!!!!!!! Congrats on hearing that little heartbeat! So happy for you.

Fun- I agree with SD. Right now the smart money is on you shopping for a double stroller very soon. Congrats on an incredibly good beta.

Back to bed...hopefully for good this time. Only three more sleeps until Beta. Oh how I wish it were tomorrow!!!

All My Best to the Best Gals In the World!

Bliss (Alisa)

[BlissfulCS]

I did it... I caved and POAS this morning. I am 7dp5dt and it was negative. I know it's still possible, especially with transferring the two late bloomers, but I was hoping for a positive. Used the "6 day before your missed period" First Response test so feel like it should pick it up since AF is due Tuesday. Trying not to get down, it's hard though.

[becca5m]

Blissful, I did the same thing this morning using First Response and EPT. Both were negative. My first beta is set for monday. I'm not losing hope though, because I am having symptoms. Don't lose your PMA. Just a few more days and we will know. Remember PUPO.

[to_have_fun08]

Blissful and becca - don't count yourself out yet.. i was a believer that you should see something by day 12dpo. Well on day 11 i got my first beta and it was a 20. my beta doubling times from my first and 2nd beta were 22 hrs. so on 12dpo my #'s should have been around 40 when i POAS and it was negative. i mean stark white and that was after letting it sit for 10 minutes.. then i finally took apart the test and barely saw the 2nd line. Like you said your might be late bloomers also.. also i used a FRER which is supposed to be one of the best. It was a bummer cus i was so ready to see those 2 dark lines and it let me down..

cindylou- some women are just late starters and for some reason it is us old folks. Give it a few more days and i would think your E2 levels will start to rise..

trying- congrats on the awesome HB. sorry for the drama, i have always heard they couldn't see anything on a stomach u/s this early. wonder why they even tried. oh it was just to throw you off and to drive you crazy..

SD - I would love to have twins but I think i am in limbo right now. I went on my clincs message board and was looking at other girls stats. some started with around the same numbers as me and ended up with singletons and others ended up with twins. I figure i'll do my extra beta's next week and see where they go. right now my doubling time is 22hrs, which i am ecstatic about.

crissy - i hope you feel better sooner than later. i can't even imagine what OHSS is like but i know it isn't comfortable.

AFM- POAS at 3 am and finally had 2 dark lines.. I had to leave the pee stick sitting out just so DH could see this morning. Figured at least now he knows im not a crazy lady making things up and going to pretend im pregnant for 9 months and then steal someones baby and call it my own..

[MamaBoo]

I think betas really are unique to the individual. Both times mine were well over 800. Those are pretty high betas for 12dp5dt. We know our second one was a twin pregnancy at first (and I think the first one that ended in MC was too). It would have been over 400 for a singleton. Most would think that is a twin pregnancy. It just depends. You really can't be certain until ultrasound. I have heard of several betas on the lower side that resulted in twins.

[crissylove]

Bliss-I personally think those FRER tests suck. I'm telling you the first one I took sent me to bed crying, and when I finally got the first real BFP it was beyond faint. Don't give up. It could still be positive. Remember, ppl have gotten BFP's right up to beta. You get a big distraction tmrw cuz it looks like a rematch with you guys for the SEC championship. Game on!

[BlissfulCS]

Thanks Ladies. I'm not going to lie, there have been a few tears shed here. I have spent the day relaxing and watching movies, a little mopey but at least not as anxious as before. I guess anxiety has been replaced with sadness. Neither one is particularly good for me...but hey, I am human. I think next time around I will stay away from the sticks. Lesson learned!

I would be so much better if I was able to go running or have a glass of wine right now!

Crissylove- your post helps. I see you got your BFP on Day 6 and you transferred blasties. I transferred two morulae so I figure they are a day behind. Plus I woke up at 3:30 AM and went to the bathroom and drank tea, so when I took the test at 6:30 this morning I only had about 3 hours of diluted fluid built up.

Fun- I was definitely thinking of you today as well. Also LYD had a low first Beta...there is hope for me and Becca yet!

I am planning to test tomorrow morning. At this point I don't feel pregnant and I am just praying for a miracle, but I know that my child will come to me when she/he is ready.

The challenge for me is when and how I will try again if this isn't it. I have to make a decision this weekend on whether I am going to accept the opportunity to go to a three year graduate program in my field. It will mean going to out of town to school in May for two weeks and will do the same next year and the following. Its a real honor, only a few people from my large company get sent each year. I really want to do it. Which means I would need to do a FET immediately, and I am not sure my RE will do that. If I miss that window, I need to wait until November so I am not on leave during year two of the program. I haven't officially accepted the program, but have to decide Monday. Crazy...this whole process is just crazy. Especially when you are a career gal and the primary breadwinner as well. So much pressure!

Someday, somehow, I am going to have it all though.

Hopefully having it all starts with a BFP tomorrow and an SEC tournament Championship for the Cats!

Thanks Ladies...don't know what I would do without all of you!

[crissylove]

Hey Bliss they say u need minimum four hours. Also, from what I've seen FRER works better with late day urine. Like you said I had blasts and still could not see the line without tearing it apart on 6 dpt. Also, look at Fun's example. Don't mope til you have a reason to. If I were you I'd eat some salty food and hold my pee for four hours late in the day. That's what I had to do to finally see a dark enough line.

[BlissfulCS]

Interesting SD... I just assumed morning was best. Looks like tomorrow afternoon it is!

The moping is done. But I am going to keep the laziness going and allow DH to continue spoiling me too.

My little 2 year old niece is here and she gave me a hug to melt all mopiness when she arrived. Embracing my auntiness tonight!