Update: FET for Dummies =)

[katie99]

Franny - I know you hate the 2ww, everyone does, I mean its like your brain is taken over by some crazy woman and doesnt come back to normal until you hear your results - ugh. Thankfully you dont have too much longer to go though!I had enough trouble making it through my 2wws that were actually 8 days I have no idea how I'm expected to survive this upcoming one which will be 12 days until they tell me the results of both betas so they can compare them Dont stress cramping Franny, I've been crampy with both a BFN and a BFP so cramping isnt always a bad thing, you know.It could be implantation cramping too. And with Ryan I had such sharp cramps on 5dp5dt that I was sure AF was coming, do you remember? I was dumb enough to POAS on that day and it was neg and I spent the next two days in misery until beta and when they said positive I made her recheck like 3 times because I didnt believe it. And BTW, weird and intense dreams are a pregnancy symptom - so I'm sorry that they ruined your rest, but I'll take that as a good sign! Try real hard to keep busy, its not too much longer, your beta is soon and I think we'll have cause to celebrate! Enjoy your Oscar shindig! And dont forget that you've got lots of stalkers just waiting to celebrate with you - much love honey - xoxo

Libby - How are you holding up mama? Dont take on any jobs in Crazytown, ok? I'm sure that James is doing his best to keep you on your toes and you dont have too much longer to wait either (thankfully) I know its next to impossible, but please try to not get too wrapped up in the 2ww frame of mind ( I swear it just makes time move slower, lol) You transfered 3 blasts and I'm thinking that you're going to have a sibling on the way soon..

AFM - I, well both Chris and I have spent the whole weekend going over this hydrosalpinx business and all I can say is that there is NO way I can believe some physician's asst. who may not have too much sono experience over my old RE who was completely scary smart (dually board certified in reproductive medicine and OB GYN), anal retentive and in private practice for 20-30 years. I just cant believe that he messed up my hydro removal and kept it from me for the past 9 ivf attempts in 3.5 years. It seems way more likely that the PA doing my sono isnt too experienced and even though I told her twice that it just cant be that I've had both tubes removed, she must not know what she was seeing, but I do know that tubes dont magically grow back sooo, now I've been worked up since friday and I WILL be calling my old RE's office first thing in the am, because I need that surgical report. My brain wont even wrap around the possibility that on my right side that he did a partial, and it somehow came undone and has refilled again, its too far fetched, isnt it? I have another appt with the same clinic ( meaning same PA who did my sono, oh joy, ugh) and I dont want to insult her, but I'd like to know how long sh'es been doing sono's and why a physician's asst is doing a job that should be beneath her training? To be a PA is 6 yrs in school, I wonder why she's not seeing patients as a PA instead of doing sono's and b/w for a sattelite fertility office (its just her working there) I dont mean that in a mean way, I'm just wondering is all. Cross your fingers for me that I can get this surgical report in time - whew, who doesnt love added, uneccessary stress?? much love girls - xoxo

[Supergenius]

margi - congrats on your twins! that is beyond awesome! how are you holding up?

aims327 - welcome and congrats on being PUPO!

franny - i had the same problem with getting forbidden site - soooo glad they fixed the problem! i'm glad you are having such a fun day/evening. you need to relax and step away from the mayor's office! and no more TP checks, okay? those embies are snuggled in right now and need momma to chill. i agree with katie - i had the weirdest most intense dream while pregnant (and for me that is saying something, since i have weird/intense dreams often). now that i am thinking about it, i did have a weird dream last night. hm. interesting.

katie - i am really rooting for you for tomorrow, that you get those records ASAP. you made me remember something similar that happened to me on my first IVF cycle: the GYN i saw was new to the practice and of course she saw something in the PAP results that looked "borderline abnormal" in her words. i was so pissed that this was going to delay the start of my cycle. so i had another procedure done (i forget the name) to take a closer look at the cervical cells and sure enough, no problems. my PAPs are always normal, so i was very suspicious when i got an "abnormal" one with the new doc. anyhow, long story short, i empathize and really hope you don't have to wait. my fingers and toes are crossed for you!! btw, the PA in my clinic's office does do sonos but not b/w. but that's not all she does, so i don't know if that helps you any.
...did I read you correctly? they are going to take two betas from you but not tell you ANYTHING until they get the second beta? holy moly!

afm, crazytown is largely in check. i feel like i'm going thru the motions with the meds, but somehow not convinced that this could really happen a second time. DH asked me today how i felt about it, since i haven't talked about it with him at all. in retrospect, i never found out what he thought...hm, maybe i am more absorbed in this than i think.
James is certainly keeping me on my toes - he is SO strong-willed (like his parents). This has been not good for things he has decided he does not like...like switching from bottles to sippy cups...or brushing his teeth. On the other hand, once he decides to learn to do something there is no stopping this little boy.

hope everyone is having a fun, stress-free night! xoxoxo, Libby

[Supergenius]

oh and claudia, i hope you are doing well mama!

[katie99]

No time for personals right now - off to Gymboree.

I reached my old clinic's office manager and it only took me 3 phone calls!! Thats almost a record, lol. They're faxing it over and now I just have to wait for RE to review and approve it. Ugh, more waiting and stress, lol. I dont expect to hear anything until tonight thanks to the time difference though.. Write later - xoxo

[turtle0619]

Katie I hope everything is working itself out today! I totally agree with you that it must be some kind of mistake. There is NOWAY you could go through everything you did, and all the billions of u/s without someone else bringing this up! And if it was always there, it obviously didn't matter because you have Ryan, right? I'm so confused! I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this nonsense just for a darn baseline check. I hope you didn't have to drive all the way down to your RE's office to get this fixed. I don't understand why they wont give you your medical history. It's illegal to hold that info from you. You have the right to a copy of all of your medical information so I don't really understand what their problem is. Hopefully it will go smoothly, your new clinic will see that everything is ok, and it will be nice and calm smooth sailing from here on out! I'm thinking of you tons mama. Please update as soon as you can!! xoxoxo

Karin Awww hi girl!! Thank you so much for taking the time to hop in and say hi! Of course I remember you. I guess it looks like you really moved up the coast! I hope you are getting used to it. I think northern cali is beautiful, but I'm sure it's a change from living on the beach of southern cali! I hope all is well with you.

Libby I'm glad to hear you are staying away from crazytown. I went there for a few hours yesterday, and I had to get the heck outta there. It sounds like James is keeping your mind off of everything. I also just feel like I am going through the motions of the meds. I'm trying to keep my mind off of everything so I don't go crazy, but it's been really strange to keep this all to myself. I feel like I am leading double lives. I am trying to act normal at work, and around my friends and family, but in my mind I'm like "don't you understand what I'm going through right now?? How can you ask me to go out to a bar? or how could you ask me to go in the storage closet and grab a case of wine off the top shelf?" And then I remember they have no idea I'm going through anything and I have to figure out ways to get around things. At first I was worried that people would notice something different about me, but then I realized that most people are more concerned about themselves, and don't even notice if someone is acting differently so yay for self absorbed people!!
Anyway I hope you are taking your own advice and staying calm!! Only a few more days!! We can do it! Are you going to POAS??

Claudia How are you doing sweetie?? Thinking of you and Ruby!! xoxo

AFM I'm enjoying my last day off of my 2ww. I wish I was able to take Thursday off for my beta call. It's the only thing that's making me nervous. I just know it's going to be sooooo hard for me to go all day at work without listening to that message. I wonder if I can have them call Barry instead, and make him go crazy instead of me! haha I'm evil I know. Of course at my old RE I always asked them to call Barry's phone because I couldn't take getting that call, and they always said yes, but then always called my phone anyway because the nurse making the call would never read the notes, so I don't really trust that anyway. Then there was the one cycle where I got 3 different phone calls the same day telling me it was a BFN...that was just a mean cruel joke. No wonder why I have anxiety!
Other then thinking about Thursday's phone call, everything is back to normal so far today. I actually had another BFN dream, but I barely remember it, because I had like a million other dreams last night. The cramping has stopped and I am back to having no signs or symptoms so it has allowed me to walk (or run) backwards out of crazytown. Let's hope the rest of my day off will be relaxing and calm!

xoxoxo Much love to you all!!

[katie99]

Wow, what a long and stressfilled day this was! They just called and it seems that the sono was done properly - it is ( was) a hydrosalpinx - BUT when my old RE took my tubes out in 2008, he did it the newer way where you leave one partially still there and burn the ends. So it is the remnants of what made me infertile in the first place, but it isnt in the uterus, sort of pressing up on it though, but thats fine. The reasoning behind doing it this way is that if a partial part of the tube is left in there it can still have hormonal communication with the ovary. It must be because this is on the right side, and that was the only side that ever responded to stims, although still not well enough to give me any decent eggs, lol. So I guess I'll get to "teach" the PA when she does my next lining check on 3/5 hee hee. Cycle is ON! And stress level waaay down Can I ever get through a cycle without some drama, it happens every time it seems like. Hopefully the rest is nice & smooth

Franny - Hmm, I dont envy your beta day of being stuck at work while you know that message is waiting for you. I'd be climbing the walls to know already. Do you think that they would call Barry instead? They seem to be alot more together and patient sensitive than your last clinic. You could have Barry text you if its the right answer - and it will be, I've got such a good feeling for you this time! My old clinic has given me records that I've needed, but my old RE has this thing about not wanting to give out partial records and charges 200 to copy your chart. I asked for my records and could care less about the charge, but I think the office manager was willing to send me what I asked for just so she wouldnt be stuck copying my whole chart. 9 attempts with the same clinic, yes I count the 4 that were cancelled. (they still cost me tears and too much for meds) Can you imagine just how big my chart must be?? No wonder she just asked me what I needed, they were just way too slow about it and ignored my new clinic's requests for them, when I called they were sweet as pie. I still feel weird cycling somewhere else, but what can I do? I had a nice chat with my old clinic and they wanted me to let them know if it works - and I will do that. You stay out of crazytown, ok? You've only got a few more days left of this torture and you CAN do this!! Remind me of that when its my turn, ok? haha. keep busy honey - xoxo

Libby - It is odd how men & women handle the whole process, isnt it? I've tried really hard to have Chris feel included and explain everything little step, but once those hormones get ahold of us during the 2ww, I tend to live on the forums, because I feel like only other ivf girls really get it, you know? You're doing great mama, and its only a few more days for you too. You can make it to beta day without driving yourself too crazy - well at least I've heard that before ( but sort of think its an urban legend, lol) Ok, maybe I'm just not funny today.. I'm with you on the wondering if we could ever be so blessed as to have another baby. Its just that nagging little feeling of almost feeling guilty and thinking that we should be thrilled to have had a child at all. Dont worry mama, its just hormones, and the inevitable mind games that we cant seem to avoid during this blasted 2ww of not knowing what the heck is going on in there. I've always laughed and said that I dont need Valium for the transfer - but the 2ww sure would go easier if we got some for then - just kidding. Oh, yes I'm with you on the strong willed toddler thing! Wow, they sure can be stubborn, huh? I transitioned Ryan to the sippy painlessly by using the sippy with the soft silicone spout so it wouldnt be too different, and I tried it the first time with the afternoon milk because that was the one he didnt really care about. If I'd have tried that with the nightime milk - lookout! it would have been a total meltdown. I dont think it would have went as well if I'd have tried to use the hard spouted type. Teethbrushing has gotten better, but only because I let him "brush" for a few minutes first then I do it and I've forced myself to be consistent about it even when I'm not in the mood to wrangle him through it. Oh, I also noticed him watching me brush my teeth and let him "help" - well if you could call it that, lol.

[Supergenius]

katie - WHEW. i am so glad that drama is over for you. now no more surprises until your first BFP beta!!! full steam ahead! i hear you on the nighttime milk - i think that will be the last bottle to go. we've started watering down that nighttime milk to avoid cavities (since there is no teeth brushing once that bottle is finished). he really hasn't noticed and we are at 50/50 water/milk. we have the silicon spout sippy cup, which was acceptable for water or juice. milk, not so much. he has just transitioned to the toddler room at daycare where all the other kids use a sippy, so he begrudgingly uses it there. and we used to be able to do toothbrushing with no tears, similar to the way Ryan lets you do it. all of a sudden a couple months ago, not so much. he has been teething, so i think the gums have been sensitive. we finally got another tooth to break through as of this morning, so hopefully we can get back to happy toothbrushing soon.

franny - i totally get you on the living a double life thing. it is weird not to have anyone at work know, but lucky for me i don't have to lift anything heavy for my job. and once you transition to a regular OBGYN with your pregnancy, you can tell everyone from the hilltops that you are going to have a baby! or two! or three! hee hee hee hee hee...
POAS? maybe. i don't like the idea of getting the news while i'm at work either and i have a long commute home, so it would be really hard to drive with that on my mind (if it was BFN). so i think i may POAS the night before or the morning of my beta to have SOME idea. i realize that's not always accurate, but it's something.
hang in there my friend!!!

afm, i have had some cramping and a little nausea, as well as weird dreams and general not sleeping well. so i stray into crazytown just a little. i find if i "talk" to the embies, it calms me down. weird, but it works so i go with it. a few more days!!! i don't know why my beta is not the same as franny's. we both transfered on the same day with 5 day blasts.

[turtle0619]

Katie I can't believe how ridiculous that whole situation is!!! I'm so glad that everything got resolved though, and here's to a nice calm, smooth cycle for the rest of the way. There's always gotta be SOME drama right?? It would feel weird if everything went off without a hitch right? haha man oh man. I'm so happy you are a GO!!! You will be on that plane to Nevada in no time, and this will all be in the past. How are the injections going?? Hopefully all that stress of the weekend has left you, and you can get back to your PMA!! xoxoxo

Libby So when I went for my ET, the nurse came in before the transfer, and told me that my beta would be on Friday the 2nd, but then my RE came in and told us it would be on Thursday, and I told him the nurse said Friday, and he said it didn't matter, and I could pick what day would be best for me. Ummmmm well since I have to work both days anyway, and I am going to a concert on Friday night, and cause it was a day earlier we obviously picked Thursday. So I don't really know why the nurse said Friday, but then the RE said Thursday was fine. Now for the concert I'm going to on Friday I am meeting a bunch of friends at a bar next to the venue to hang out before the show (3 of which are my 2 brothers, and my sister in law..none of whom know anything is going on)! So depending on what the news is on Thursday I'm either going to be drinking heavily, or drinking gingerale and hoping nobody looks at my funny....man I hope I'm not drinking!!!
Hang in there hun! We are soooo close now!!

afm So I have been soooo bloated since yesterday afternoon. I know it's a very common side effect from PIO, but I never felt like this before. I also am feeling a lot of pulling and stretching in my lower abs. Totally different then the AF like cramps I was having on Sunday. I never felt that before either....Also common side effects from PIO I think. I will not POAS, I will not POAS, I will not POAS!!!
well that is all in the world of the crazy lady!! I hope everyone is having a great day!!

xoxoxo

[to_have_fun08]

Franny - POAS.. POAS.. POAS!!!!

Katie - So glad that your cycle is on. Sorry about all the stress that you went through this past weekend but glad you have answers now.

[claud662]

Hey Girls!!! Sorry I haven't posted earlier but I've been reading everyday!!!

Franny-those symptoms are sounding VERY promising!!! I give you so much credit for not poasing since I was obsessed and wouldn't even tell DH I was doing it until I was sure there was a line!!! What show are you seeing Friday night?? My "fake" drink of choice was seltzer with cranberry and lime which I usually get anyways bur with vodka!!! Only two more days hon and you can have your clinic call me with the results!!!!

Libby- I just got Mady off the bottle and I can't take too much credit because I always gave in when she cried and gave the bottle but she was at my MIL's house with my two nieces who are almost 2 and 4 and they were drinking from the toss and go cups with the hard spouts and she wanted to drink from it as well!! I then changed up her bedtime routine and she drinks the big girl cup while I read her a few books and then she puts herself to sleep instead if falling asleep in the bottle! It has made life so much easier!!! I hope you POas soon so we can obsess over it with you!!

Katie- yah for the mystery to be solved!! When is your next Sns?!? Let's make a date to meet up at Woodbury commons!!!

Xoxo

[katie99]

Franny - I'm with Claudia!!! Those do sound like good symptoms! Especially those wierd pulling type feelings. But I'm also thinking right along with Chris too - go ahead and POAS, hee hee. Ach, those sticks cant help but pull me in. I'm telling you they just jump into my cart every time I cycle and once they're in my house - well I just cant help myself. lol. Just 2 more days honey - and I think we'll be stalking you all day long, but you knew that already... Franny, you said it sister! it just wouldnt feel like ivf if there werent something wrong, actually all of this has been going so smoothly that i sort of thought that it couldnt be that easy, haha.

Chris - your little guy is too adorable!! I'm hoping that he's got a sibling soon to come and you know I'll be stalking you as always.. How is he settling in? Are you getting close to sleeping through the night yet?

Libby - - You are doing great at not going crazy during this awful 2ww - just hang on a bit longer, ok? You're almost there, just a few more days to go. Oh, I got to finally get one of those shopping carts with the little car in front today - I saw one in the parking lot and aprked pretty darn quick to make sure I got it - what fun, Ryan loved it. I cant say that I loved it as much when I saw him teething on the steering wheel though - blech! Must make mental not to pick up sani wipes to keep in the car, lol. Funny that you mentioned teeth brushing problems as I almost had to wrestle Ryan to brush his teeth this morning - he kept jumping off my lap and running away! On the same note, do you have to wrestle to get James changed or dressed? Ryan is like an anaconda sometimes and I end up running around 3 sides of the bed before we're finished - ahh, big fun, yes?

Claudia - How are you feeling mama? You must be tired from chasing a toddler and being in early pregnancy as well. You know I'm taking inspiration from you regarding a 3 day FET, right?

So tonight was my 2nd estrogen injection and I have to wonder how in the world this smaller amount is to work? I take 0.15ml which is the equivilent (sp?) of 6mg twice per week. While on the pills I was on 4mg 2x day so 28mg per week, I'm not understanding how 12mg will get my E2 levels the same as 28mg? We'll see on Thur I suppose, thats my next b/w. Also I'm not having those awful hot flashes i usually get from the estrogen pills either, so thats a good thing. Both of you try to relax and not drive yourselves too nuts, ok? I'm thinking its going to be BFPs for both of you!!! much love - xoxo

[turtle0619]

I'm so scared and nervous about tomorrow! Why did I do this to myself again!

[klinger13]

Franny - Tomorrow is going to be a great day for you & Barry! And you get mucho credit for not POAS. I don't know how you refrained, but you are one super strong woman. So what time should I start stalking this board tomorrow to read your good news????

[Supergenius]

Franny, YOU CAN DO IT! Seriously, aren't you glad you are getting your beta tomorrow instead of Friday? I also think the pulling sensation in your abdomen is a good sign. Those embies are getting really comfy now. I'm impressed with your resolve not to POAS. DH picked some up at the store today for me, but I promised I wouldn't use one until tomorrow evening. It is REALLY hard to resist the pull now that they are in the house. Dammit!
And there is nothing wrong with drinking ginger ale. Looks like it could be a mixed drink, ala Claudia.
PMA! PMA! PMA!

Katie, yay for getting a cart with the little car on the front! Does your supermarket have the sanitary wipes at the entrance? Mine all seem to, but still probably not a bad idea in general to have them in the car. And yes, for certain things I do have to wrestle or pin James down (like toothbrushing). He's pretty good about getting dressed and sitting still; I usually put him on my lap as I dress him. Undressed is a different story: once he is naked or near naked - ZOOM! Off he goes! Tonight he spend 10 minutes running around naked and giggling like a madman until I finally got him into the bath. Okay, we kind of let him do it too.
I don't know exactly why your estrogen doses are different, but I imagine the pill gets absorbed differently than the shot? At least you don't have to worry about hot flashes (gosh, what a side effect!). Your next b/w is Thursday, as in tomorrow? If so at least you don't have to wait too long.

Claudia, nice to hear from you Mama! Let's hear it for peer pressure! James loves his bottles too much to give into the peer pressure. We spent a week at my brother's house - he's got a daughter about James' age who uses sippy cups only. This did not encourage him to use sippy cups at all. He drinks his nighttime bottle cuddled with me and then I put him in the crib to fall asleep. Tomorrow evening is POAS night! Oh and I noticed that you are at 12 weeks. Have you made the big announcement to everyone?

AFM, just waiting and trying to keep up the PMA. I've had some cramping but little else. Once in a while I can convince myself I have nausea, but yeah, that is a part of crazytown I'm trying to avoid. Luckily James got pink eye this week to distract me. Poor little guy has to get eye drops 3x/day. It does not go over well, let me tell you. It's up there with the torture of toothbrushing. At least he can go back to daycare tomorrow and have some sense of normalcy.

Tomorrow is a busy day at work but I will be checking into this forum to see if Franny gave into The Stick. I know you are not listening to the message until afterwork, Franny. We are all rooting for you! Hang in there!
xoxo,
Libby

[turtle0619]

Bloodwork is done! This is going to be the longest day ever! Thank you all for your support during all of this. I know I say it a lot, but it really does mean the world to me. I love you girls so much! My mind is racing, and I'm trying not to freak out, but I am just so nervous. All those past BFN phone calls keep playing over and over in my mind. I can't help it. Barry is being so sweet, and caring. I know he must be nervous too, but he is so calm and just wants to make sure I'm ok. I just don't want to let him down again. I don't want to fall backwards into BFN depression again after we've come so far, and changed our lives for the better in so many ways in the last 6 months. Why did I have to push for more? ahhhhh geeee. How am I going to get through work today? Sorry to be such a downer. It's my defense mechanism I think.

Libby I can't wait to see your BFP on your HPT tonight!!! xoxoxo

Katie How are you doing? I think the injections get absorbed into your system better so you need less of it?? That's just my thought. You can always call and ask questions...I know you are good at that!!
Hope you are hanging in there!! xoxoxo

OK, I'm off to hangout in crazytown before I have to go to work! I won't be home until atleast 8pm, and then Barry and I will listen to the message together, and I'll let you all know the news soon after!
xoxoxo