The Over 40 Crowd

[DebraP]

Wow Sharon, what a coincidence! and I though I'd be left behind at least we've all got good company for the wait.

Randa, good luck with that cyst. Have you heard yet? what's your new job by the way? I don't think anything can be done re. the LH, I believe it's a natural trigger during normal ovulation so they want to see it very much reduced by the DR before starting stims. I wonder whether it's because I've stuffed up the sniffing somehow. I've not forgotten a dose but only sometimes can taste it afterwards. No matter, I'll have a new blood test on Friday. I've completely messed up my work diary with the change of dates. I'd cleared a fortnight which many clients were unhappy about, now of course I've got an empty week before EC and not enough time off afterwards. To compound it, I was asked today about taking on 2-3 new courses in the next 2 weeks. I feel like telling people to stuff it right now but can't of course.

Paula, how's your daughter doing?

Kat, what's happening?

Jane, any news? how are you feeling?

Lisa, there's nothing any of us can do or say to relieve the hurt but I can only say to give it time. It takes a long while but does pass, eventually. I cried at the weekend seeing a baby feeding but a day later managed to visit DF's cousin's new 4 day old without a tear. It hits you at odd times and you'll need to expect the pain to linger. Take good care.

The DR meds have hit me hard this time. I'm extremely tired by 9pm (my 3.5hour Norwegian evening class probably didn't help), snappish, AF hasn't completely stopped yet either - after 10 days and my throat is sore but might be nothing to do with DR. Off to bed.....

hugs
Debra.

[Kat]

Hi all, still reading just not posting....waiting for AF, should be a couple of days time. then I start birth control pills OMG!!! Here we go again (well different this time obviously but still..)

There was no infection so they reckon DH low sperm level just a one off as has always been reasonable before. It just means we have to use fresh rather than frozen sperm, maybe this is a good thing, better chance? Don't know if it makes much difference.

Feeling positive but then I haven't really started out yet. Once AF comes and I start on the pills I will feel like I'm moving forwards. After the pills, hormone patches to sort out my lining ready for (everything crossed) lovely juicy healthy embryos to find a home in and decide to stick around.

My 20 yr old asst asked for a private word today and told me she is pg. (somehow I knew before she said it or maybe just paranoid) Feeling surprisingly calm (me, not her). She does not want a child yet. Strange what life throws at you isn't it?

Yours philosophically,
Kat xx

[JaneR]

Hi Ladies,

Hope you are all well. If my FSH is lower enough I might be cycling with you all, just waiting for AF to show up shes a little late. I've tried to eat well so hopefully things will be better this month fingers crossed. I'll let you know whats happening.

Keep up the PMA.

Love,

Jane

[Paula]

Hi Ladies, how's everyone doing?

Debra, my daughter is much better now, thanks! Back to her normal self. It's the weekend and she has 2 friends sleeping over tonight
How are you feeling? I know the drugs can make you very tired. They did to me as well. I hope your feeling alot better soon and that you don't have to wait much longer.

Sharon, I think you missed one of my msg's earlier. Right now I have 7 bc pills left and then it's the wait for af. Hopefully on day 2 blood test my fsh will be low enough for me to go ahead with tmt again right away. I'm hoping and praying that this will be this month some time. How bout you? How's the downregging going?

Randa, hope your cyst isn't causing you any troubles. Have you heard back from them yet? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that this won't alter your tmt this time!!! I'm wondering about mine as well now. They said they seen 1 or 2 last scan and I just hope they're gone before I start again. Funny that we're all getting these cysts.

Kat, I feel for you! It's always the way isn't it? The women who don't really want to be pregnant are the ones getting pregnant. Or so it seems *sigh* Hopefully it's going to be your turn soon. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Jane, we need to start and fsh jig I'm in the same boat as you. Few more pills and a wait to see if fsh is low enough. Let the fsh gods be with us both this month! Take care

Hope I haven't forgotten anyone. Thinking of you all and sending out loads of PMA to everyone. Take care ladies and talk to you soon.

Huggs
Paula

[randa2006]

Good news! My cyst is not one that poses a problem. They told me to go ahead with the protocol and I have. Lupron for two days (am/pm) then add the stimms. I feel lucky that it turned out this way.

So glad I learned to give myself the shots as dh had unavoidable plans tonight and I had to give myself the injection. No biggee. My, how far I've come in just 9 months!

My lining is thick, but then it always is. Even before I started all this IVF stuff, my gyno was concerned with how thick my lining is no matter where I am in my cycle. Don't know if that will be an issue.

It's always something.
Hope everyone is doing okay tonight.
Over and out.
Randa

[randa2006]

I forgot to say thanks to all of you for your support and kind words when I was facing a possible set-back. You girls are always there for me.

And now it seems Debra and Sharon are looking at Oct dates for EC?? How are you holding up?

Debra, my new job is a gem! I work part-time for a natural-health pharmacy and I'm learning so much about herbs and natural medicines, preventive care, supplements, etc. I feel like I go to class instead of a job and get paid for it!

I want to share a link to an IVF newsletter that my clinic sends me. Please forgive me if it's some kind of repackaged literature that you are all also getting. I find it very interesting every month.

http://mailcenter2.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm ... 371&sid=c0

[randa2006]

Sorry, link doesn't work. I'll work on getting it right.

[randa2006]

Okay, turns out this link takes you to the free subscription page, but it's the only way to get the newsletter - AND YOU WANT THIS NEWSLETTER - it's full of great info each month!

Here goes!
http://www.integramed.com/inmdweb/conte ... scribe.jsp

[DebraP]

Randa, you said it 'there's always something' and there is, isn't there?

So glad to hear your cyst isn't a problem, you're going to beat Sharon and I out of the traps but we'll be right behind you!

Nothing of interest to report. My hot flushes are helping keep me warm as autumn has hit with a bang not a whimper. We had 2C (35F) yesterday and have very strong winds again today. The leaves are turning fast and some have dropped already. One thing about this place is spring and autumn are lightning quick. Almost overnight things change. Enough of the weather...

I'm keeping my spirits up for Tuesday when we'll get the new LH reading. Can't do more than hope for better news.

I hope everyone is feeling positive, happy, prepared for their next dance with fate?

hugs
Debra.

[DebraP]

oops...

I signed up for the newsletter, there was no privacy statement but I'll have to assume the nature of their business means they don't sell the addresses on.

Great news about your job Randa. It sounds the perfect environment, provided you've not got to carry heavy boxes, it should be a nurturing place to spend the next year..(before you go on maternity leave that is....)

thanks for the newsletter info, I look forward to my first copy.
Debra.

[Kat]

Hi all, AF showed up so I started my birth control pills this morning! Makes it all seem more real. I'll get a call in the next few weeks to tell me to start my hormone patches....then it's back to Barcelona for DH to produce some nice fresh sperm when the donor has had her EC. Scary to think this could all happen very quickly now....
Love to all
Kat xx

[meandmine]

Hi ladies,

It's so nice when everyone posts around the same time with their news. Yes, Debra it's definately getting colder these past few days/nights and that's about the only consolation about getting the hot flushes - they keep you warm!!!

Paula, sorry I missed one of your posts and fell a little behind with your news. Good luck to both you and Jane for your next FSH readings. Fingers crossed for you both and wishing you lots of PMA to set you on your way.

Kat, good luck with your forthcoming cycle - you have so much more to have to contend with - travel and waiting for donor's EC. All the very best of luck to both of you. Keeping everything crossed for you.

Randa, so glad cyst hasn't created a problem and you are on your way!! All systems go now for you - keep us posted now.

Debra, good luck for Tuesday with the new LH reading - hope all goes well for you. Wow, what do you make of the downregging this time around. It has really hit me for six. I am snappy and moody, grumpy and tearful, have incredible hot and cold flushes, particularly at night time and, as you know, have had some pretty nasty migraines this time around. Forgot to mention when I posted the other day - because they put the start of my HRT tablets back one week and I would need another spray, they put the spray, tablets and pessaries on a NHS prescription - that brought a smile to my face - it's very welcome when you get a little unexpected help financially along the way. Debra, seems like you and I are experiencing very similar symptoms, especially the night sweats. Still, such a small inconvenience for what could be at the end.

I have to admit ladies, this time around I have not deprived myself of certain things that I did the last time - I am having the odd cup of coffee although I am still drinking plenty of water and nibbling throughout the day on my mixed nuts and raisins and eating lots of fruit and green veg. But I'm not beating myself up over the odd treat.

Anyway ladies, happy Sunday (evening) - just watching a re-run of Pride & Predjudice with Jennifer Eles and Colin Firth - I love this TV Drama. I've got it on DVD and spent my first 3 days of my last 2ww watching the whole 6 episodes in one day (1 hour per episode!! Happy days.

Hugs
Sharon x

[DebraP]

Kat, another step in the right direction! any idea of when it might all happen? how long has the donor been on meds? is she on stims yet? there could be lots of us on our 2ww together....it always helps.

Sharon. Wahoo re. the prescription. You lucky thing! I'd already ordered my Puregon from my local chemist when we were delayed. I decided to wait until I get the nod before actually collecting (and paying) for them. It will be well over 1000 pounds so a week in my bank account sounds better than in theirs! re. symptoms. To be honest this is better than my last DR but that was because it was 6.5weeks long due to Easter and we moved house in the middle. Crappy timing and HUGE stress. This time, I've felt more tired than I expected, definitely more hot flushes but what I've really noticed is an increased emotional sensitivity. DF has made several jokey comments about all sorts of things, I've stewed on them for days then spat them out in tears at him later. Poor man.....and to top his misery off, I've had a total lack of libido. Completely and utterly disinterested. Other than that...it's been a blast

hugs and looking forward to reading lots of positive updates
hugs
Debra.

[cmg]

Hi, just checking in very briefly to say that I am still alive! I've been reading occasionally to see where people are and I'm really pleased to hear that things are moving forward - great news about your cyst Randa and about getting DH to agree to an actual transfer. But I'm so busy with work right now that I haven't had time to post at all. S'posed to be working now really. Wish I had time to sit down and watch Pride & Prejudice, like Sharon.

Off on hols on Tuesday then when I get back it's 6 weeks of clean living, acupuncture, etc etc before FET in November. I want to do everything I possibly can to maximise my chances as this really is the very last opportunity. Sharon, I find it really strange to think that you are sitting just over the Severn Bridge, same age as me, waiting to do your final FET with (hopefully) two frosties - you're like my twin! But you're a month ahead of me, so I'll be really keen to see how you're doing. Sorry the downregging is getting you down. I'm really glad I don't have to do it. Seems a bit weird that the only visit I have to the clinic is for ET. Convenient, but weird.

Anyway, can't delay writing this report any longer, so better go. Will be back in October, refreshed and raring to go.

good luck to those of you who are in the thick of it now and apologies for the lack of individual namechecks.

love Caroline

[DebraP]

Feeling very happy. The blood test came back OK so I start stims tomorrow. I thought it would be Wednesday so need to dash to the chemist and grovel for my Puregon in the morning and pray they've not sent it back to the supplier! I've a scan on 29th, then EC early the next week. Yipee!

Caroline, have a fabulous holiday. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy...please raise a glass for those of us temporarily abstaining

hugs
Debra.