Hello

[Softball20]

I am new to posting to the board. I have looked at this site multiple times over the past few years just to reassure myself that I wasn't alone in the infertility world. Currently, I am trying to decide if we should try one more IVF cycle this fall or if we should stop trying to conceive.

I have been married for 11 years, I am 33 years old and my DH is 35 and we have been TTC for 8 years. They are unable to determine our cause for infertility. My DH had a varicose vein surgery over 3 years ago and I have been diagnosed with endometriosis. I have been to two different clinics and both have told us that neither of those two issues should prevent us from conceiving.

We have done three IUI's all were BFN, one IVF with two transferred BFN, and one FET with one transferred BFN. I have never been pregnant or showed a positive on any test. There is always a pretty big gap between my treatments because I have a hard time dealing with all of the stress related to this topic. Additionally, there really isn't to many people that I have told about our situation and those that I have really don't understand what I am going thorugh.

I should also add that the first clinic I was using went out of practice with two weeks notice, shipped the frozen guys to Minnesota, and then sent the wrong unthaw procedures with them. When the FET was scheduled it was based on the unthaw that was sent and when they pulled them out of the tank the day of the transfer it was determined they couldn't do it. They then had to bring a specialist in from California to unthaw them and we were told they are not sure why they froze either of them. That neither of them were at the stage they recorded and one was F up beyond recognition. So thye transferred the one hoping that they were wrong on the stage it was at.

I have been trying to make a decision on trying a fresh IVF cycle at my new clinic. The above paragraph explains a little more on my being hesitant. I also feel like I was taken for a ride on the first one and I am just not sure how much more negative tests with all the stress that I can take. However, i am also not sure if I am ready to give up. I know I am tired of seeing all of the women at work pregnant, receiving invites to baby showers, etc.

Julie

[tuffy4u]

Hello Julie,

Nice to hear from you. I'm rather new to these boards to and have found so much good information and support. Do you live in MN? I do (just curious). As for doing another cycle or not I would do it. You really only did one IVF, my first IVF was a total disaster, hardly anything to even transfer. My second cycle produced four blasts so you migth have just picked a bad month. Anyways hang in there whatever you decide will be the best decision for you. Sorry to hear about your embryos being shipped all over, what a disaster. Also I never told anyone about my infertility struggle when it started, when I finally got pregnant with my DD I didn't tell anyone either. Then I nearly lost her at 11 weeks and realized I had no one to lean on. Might be worthwhile to clue in a few close friends or family. They're support can be invaluable if you need it.

Good luck, if you decide to do another IVF come join us on the fall winter board.

Kat

[Softball20]

Thanks for the kind words. I am in Michigan. I guess MN was the closest place that would take them because they didn't do all of the testing that was necessary. I found this out when they shipped them back to the new doctor and we needed to request to keep the tank because of issues with the testing and not being able to put them in their tanks.

The new facility appears to have everything in line which is clearly better than the last one. I settled for some things that didn't seem right because they were supposed to be the best in the state.

I do have a couple of friends that I ended up telling, however they do not really understand the whole process or heart break that it all causes. My family however has said some pretty hurtful things in regards to not being able to concieve naturally. I am sure that they would not have said it if they had known, however with it being said in the context of not knowing shows me their true feelings.

Right now I am leaning on trying again, however I also had a lot of issues with the last one causing my joints to loosen and therefore I am a little concerned about the impact on them this time around. My orthopedic surgeon thinks we should be ok since I am 9 months post op from a major knee surgery.

If my body can fail me it fails all over. So I really shouldn't have been suprised about it at all.

[tuffy4u]

Julie,

Good to hear from you. Sorry to hear about the knee surgery but happy to hear that you are giving IVF another shot. That sucks about your family, I'm would think it was unintentional but still very insensitive. Good luck with your upcoming IVF.

On a curious note are you a softball player? I played in college, I have my alumni game this weekend but can't play because I think I have a BFP! (not confirmed yet).

Keep me posted, if you don't have your family to lean on you have us. Everyone here has been so nice to me and they totally get what I'm going through.

Kat

[Softball20]

I played one year of college softball and then switched schools so I couldn't continue to play. In all honesty my joints couldn't keep up with the demands of playing.

My senior year of high school I had to have major shoulder reconstruction surgery. I played my senior year 3 months post op and couldn't even throw the ball yet. I am an orthopedic surgeons dream patient. I have had 5 shoulder surgers (2 right and 3 left) and 4 right knee surgeries. 3 of the shoulders and 1 knee have been within the past 3 years. Then you throw in the various surgeries related to infertility the post op nurses know me by name.

I love to play softball, so when I am not injured I still play rec league. Right now, I still can't put the pressure on my shin and knee to run from Home to First. I guess when they cut your tibia 90% of the way through to fix your knee it takes some time to heal.

I am sitting here with ice on it trying to determine if I need to go back to make sure something isn't wrong with it again. I need to make sure it is stable enough to carry the extra weight in case the IVF works so I have been pushing the rehab to gain as much strength as I can.

What position did you play or should I say still play?

Good luck on the BFP.

Julie

[tuffy4u]

Julie,

I pitched and played first. Loved it. I don't play much now because of the kids. Its also not as fun without my old teammates. Sorry to hear about your joints. Bummer. I have been pretty lucky with injuries throughout my career. I did get a bfp so no game for me this weekend!

Good luck with everything!

Kat