cycle buddies - Jo, Caz and Sharon

Lorraine · Post by **Lorraine** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 12:55 pm

Hello to you all, I have been thinking of you all, keeping everything crossed for you. Jo How did EC go yesterday? I hope you had a good result. Have you heard from the clinic today? I really hope all is well with you. Are you back at work? Keep us posted. Sharon Gosh it must be hard waiting to hear for news of your embies? I thought waiting til the next morning was bad enough. I am sure they are nicely fertilised and sitting pretty - waiting for you on Friday!! I read your other thread - and you seem to have been given lots of info, advice and plenty of PMA regarding the hydrosalpinx. Hope you are feeling a little better about the whole thing. Caz Wishing you all the very best for ec tomorrow, fingers crossed for DH and his TESE today. Let us know how things go. My embryologist phoned again today - transfer tomorrow lunch time - must admit I'm not looking forward to it as Im still vvv uncomfortable - due to the tear/bleed during ec. But good news is I still have 3 embryos - which are dividing nicely - if there is more than one tomorrow we will have assisted hatch. Thinking of you all - and anyone else having ec/et this week. Happy thoughts to you all!! Love from Lorraine xxx

caz · Post by **caz** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 1:22 pm

Hi there lorraine How exciting for you!! - I kind of think getting embies must be the most exciting bit ?? - as at least you know you've got all the stuff there to make them...what happens nxt is sort of out of your control. Welldone and good luck with et anyway - am sure it wont hurt at all Thanks for thinking of me! Have got ec tmrw - little bit nervous , but PMA PMA!! just back from picking DH up from his TESE - sounds like they found a few sperm and I get the impression a few more than last time, but the bad news is that they aren't motile. Which is the same as last time . Last time they took 24 hours wake up. They apparently need to be showing some signs of movement before they can be used (which I dont really get as I thought ICSI kind of removed the need for them to move??). Anyway - just PRAYING that they start moving so that we can use them tomorrow. If not I just dont know how I'll feel. I HAVE to have ec tomorrow anyway. Bit scary! Actually...completely terrifying?! Speak soon - keep in touch Cazxxxx

sharoninsomerset · Post by **sharoninsomerset** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 3:31 pm

Hi Girls, Lorraine Good news on the 3 embries!! They will all be fine, you'll see. I hope it isn't to uncomfortable for the transfer tomorrow. Looks like we will be doing it around the same time so I'll be saying good luck to you as I have mine. Jo Are you having ET tomorrow too? Hope you got a good result yesterday, let us know what happened and we will be thinking of you. Caz Good luck for EC tomorrow, don't be to nervous it will all be fine, I'm sure. Let's hope those little blighters start doing the front crawl soon!!! Big day for us all tomorrow, DH and I will be thinking of you. Love Sharon xxx

sharoninsomerset · Post by **sharoninsomerset** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 4:02 pm

Well? How did it go today girls? We managed to get all 3 turn to embryos (which was lucky) so all 3 put back with no hitches. So here we go pessaries!!! aaagghh!! and the dreaded 2ww!!! We are all in it together. I'm off work now until Thursday so intend to sit back (hopefully it will be sunny - but forecast not great) and relax. Love to you all Sharon

Lorraine · Post by **Lorraine** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 6:16 pm

Hello Girls, Sharon we really are as one - we managed to have our three embryos put back as well today! Only one grade 1 (which is great) so we deceided aginst assisted hatch and had all 3 returned to give us the best chance. Oh fingers crossed for us all!!! I know what you mean about the pessaries - double yuck!!! It's good you have got some time off - make sure you take things easy - and keep those legs in the air!! Caz how did EC go today?? I so hope everything is ok. Are your boys swimming yet?? Let us know your news - I am thinking of and your DH. Jo - no word from you yet - I hope all is well. Did you have ET today? Much Love and best wishes to you all Lorraine xxxx

caz · Post by **caz** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 5:53 pm

HI Guys Am back!! Been at my mums Great to hear your news. Lorraine - welldone on having your embies put back in safely! Legs crossed for 2 weeks please!! Sharon - welldone you too - getting excited or nervous yet?! My news since we last spoke.... ec on Friday - all fine, got 13 eggs.Slight ovary pain - AND REALLY bloaty tummy! But really not bad overall Dh TESE was day before and we had an AGONISING wait to see if the sperms started moving - I didnt even know when we went in for ec, if there'd be any sperms to use when I came out. Stressful to say the least !!(I have actually REALLY under estimated the stress of all the "waiting for news" bit) Anyway we did get a few motile sperm (thankyou GOD!) and found out yesterday that we have 3 fertilised eggs. They have said that they might call me in tomorrow (seems soon - no??!!) or MOnday for et. Guys I have so many questions!! Do you mind if I jot them here - any answers as always v welcome, Do most fetilsed eggs go on to make embies- we have to call tomorrow to see if they are dividing and am PARANOID that they wont be?? Did you guys have your et 2 days after ec or longer? Sounds like am a little behind you guys, we may end up with nothing I suppose, but at least we got this far. SO SO please for you getting to et stage - am JUST praying my little blighters keep going tonight and I might be joining you. Really worried that as I only have 3 (DO YOU KNOW IS 3 A GOOD NUMBER OR NOT??) theres a chance non might make it.... Final Q!! Promise - when your clinics told you that the eggs had fertilised did they say anything about quality , or did that come after a couple of days?? Speak soon Caz

sharoninsomerset · Post by **sharoninsomerset** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 2:09 pm

Hi Girls, Caz Firstly, brilliant news some managed to fertilise, it must have been very stressful. I had EC on Wed and ET on Friday which is normal. My clinic don't tell you until morning of ET whether you have embries but we had 3 eggs and all 3 turned to 4 cell embries (they should be 2-4 cells) on Friday morning (so I think you are in with a good chance). They didn't tell me a grading but said one was text book brilliant, the other was very good and the other struggled a bit but made it through! I wasn't told this until ET day. I think Lorraine was the same except her clinic told her the next day whether they fertilised. Basically you have a good chance of them all becoming embries once they have fertilised. Fingers crossed for today or tomorrow. Still no news from Jo? How are you Lorraine? Hope your soarness is going. I'm surprisingly fine, in fact hardly any bloatedness/tenderness at all (my tummy was very tender for most of the 2 weeks last time). Its been great though yesterday and today in the sun. Although next weeks not supposed to be great and I have mon-wed off - oh well!! Take care all Love Sharon

Lorraine · Post by **Lorraine** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 3:49 pm

Hello Girls Good to hear from you. Hi Caz, Hope you had a nice time at your mum's - fantastic news that 3 eggs fertilised - special congrats to your DH for producing those motile sperm - Phew!! I know what you mean about worrying about the number of embryos - suddenly you start doing more maths than Carol Vorderman!! But you have a good chance of having three embryos - It would seem the number is lucky for us ladies....you have 3 fertilised eggs so far and Sharon and I have had 3 embryos transferred back... so lets here it for the number three! ET can be 2 OR 3 days (even up to 5 days - blastocyst stage) post EC, I have had both done - 3 days this time - it doesn't really make any difference - if anything you have a little more info about the development of the embryos on the 3rd day although if they go back on day 2 they are a little "fresher" - it's swings and roundabouts! As for embryo assessment for quality (they can only tell you this on day 2/3) - All embryologists assess & record embryo quality (an IMPERFECT way of predicting if an embryo is capable of further development or not). They look for the number of times the embryo has divided, uniform size and shape of cells, and for any fragments. They then grade them 1-4 (I think) 1 being the best. As a rule of thumb the more times the embryo divides after fertilisation the more PROBABLE a pregnancy. But everything I have read STRESSES that even the most "slow" (to divide) embryos are capable of a pregnancy and that most "normal" or "grade 1" embryos will not result in a pregnancy. Prof Winston writes that grading embryos down the microscope is the same as like looking at someones face and saying you can tell if that person is intelligent or stupid! So the upshot of all that is - TAKE IT WITH A PINCH OF SALT!!!! AND REMAIN POSITIVE NO MATTER WHAT!! Good Luck to you and DH for ET - although the 2ww is terrible - I think it is such a relief just to get there - so I know you will be really nervous waiting for the final ET/Embryo news. We will be thinking of you. Hi Sharon, sounds like you are having quite a chilled time in the garden - good for you - hope the soles of your feet aren't burning - with your legs being in the air!! I have so dreaded the 2ww that I forgot the initial euphoria of actually arriving there! It's a funny time with the relief of achieving ET, the hope of what is to come, your not fed up with the pessaries JUST yet, the medical bit is over and the waiting hasn't become an eternity...yet!! So enjoy it while it lasts! Have you got anything planned for your days off? Hope DH is spoiling you - mine's just just bought me a magnum - some girls get champagne......I get ice cream!!!! BLESS! Enjoy your days off, keep in touch, I know we are probably all going to need lots of TLC to get through this next couple of weeks, so we can be there for one another. Jo, I'm not sure if we have lost you - but I have a feeling you may only log on at work, which would explain the absence if you have been off this week for EC/ET. Anyway Jo, we are thinking of you, hope all your news has been good and that you and your DH are ok. Cor! - long post! Love to you all Lorraine xxxx

caz · Post by **caz** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 4:36 pm

HI guys Thanks so much for reassurance, heres whats happened today... had et at 115 - Had 3 embies, first thing this morning one 4 cell, one 3 cell and one 5/6 cell but looked a bit strange to the embryologist So he decided to 2 put back in (the 3 cell and the 4 cell). But by the time we went back we actually had a 4 cell and an 8 cell. We even got a photo of them and got to see the who procedure on ultra sound - wasnt really expecting that. V V emotional! All fine - totally no pain - definately the best bit so far Anyway now just sitting tight. DH looking after me - hooray! Tell me - how long did you take of work? Did you really just lie down and do nothing - am not good at that!! Also, I have very slightly tummy ache - bit like mild period pains. Dont need painkiller - but is that normal? O dear panicing alread and its Day1 - imagine what I'll be like in 2 weeks!! If no af before I test on 11th July. GULP. Lorraine - what you say abou the 2 WW is really intersting - I am suddenly all excited and hopeful again and JUST AMAZED to have gotten this far - but of course its at this stage where the stats suddenly drop to 25% isnt it. Sharron - keep the tan coming on. unlike you am already bloated! The minute its starts fading something else happens to bloat me up again. MASSIVE boobs as well! HelP! Thanks again for all your tips Can I recap - what day of the 2ww are you all on i guess I'm on 1; sharron day 3? Lorraine day 3? Jo??Any news? Cazx

Lorraine · Post by **Lorraine** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 5:06 pm

Caz - delighted to hear your news!! 2 embryos - that's excellent! Isn't it totally amazing to see them???!! I have never looked before - felt it was tempting fate and thought the image might kinda haunt me if unsuccesful - but I am so glad I did this time, it is soooooo weird and wonderful - to think it could be the beginnings of a new life. WOW!! I am definetly the type who doesn't allow myself to fantasise that I might be pregnant and I never join in the "imagine if it's twins or triplets" conversations......but it is THE closest I have ever been to being pregnant and I am so grateful for that much. I must admit I got a kick out of saying to my parents on Friday "I can promise you NOTHING else but I can say you are the grandparents of 3 embryo's"!!! All VVVVVV strange!! Don't worry about the crampy feelings - that's all normal and may even continue during the 2ww - as well as the big sore boobs! Attractive! You do need to rest/take it easy now - I was under strict instructions from my mum to lie with a pillow under my bum for a few hours - despite informing her of the fact that you walk out of the hospital immediately!!! But as a dutiful daughter I did as I was told! As for time off - every clinic gives different advice - some even advise being off the whole cycle - but I understand you can do anything in moderation - although my nurse wisely said "do absolutely nothing that you will kick yourself for in 2 weeks time if this cycle is unsuccessful - if that means doing nothing - then do nothing!" and I suppose she is right. I am "lucky" I suppose and am not working at all at the moment, in previous cycles I have returned to work after 2 or 3 days - but found it so stressful I have ended up off sick. I think it depends on you, your job, your employer etc. I guess just play it by ear. We count day one as the day AFTER ET (ie ET is day 0) so I also test July 11th! Everything crossed girls! Congratulations again to you and DH. With love from Lorraine xxx

caz · Post by **caz** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 7:45 pm

reassured to hear that sore boobs and tum not unusual Can I just say tho , that "attractive" is NOT the word I would use to describe my self at the moment. I have spots, lank hair and have just had to buy myself two pairs of huge trousers in case I manage to venture out doors!! Just as well I'm not relying on natural conception eh?! Um actually on that subject......did you get any advice on whether or not sex is on of off during the 2ww -I'm guessing its fine? ? !! O dear - sorry for the basic questions!! Shall we try and chat tomorrow - is Sharron goign to be about??

Jo Locker · Post by **Jo Locker** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 10:00 am

Hi Girls - here I am - thank you for worrying about me!! You're right Lorraine I only log on at work and I'm back today, TRYING to take it easy but it's proving difficult to be honest stress-wise. Had ET on friday which was horrid - they had to pinch my wonky womb with a metal spikey thing which hurt so much I can't describe it - I yelped really loud!! ANYWAY - that's over now. Two put back, three frozen and the dreaded 2ww. It's all down to good old mother nature now, and those bloomin cyclogest pessaries which are just gross. Been catching up with all your stories - well done to us all I think. We have a photograph of our embryos which the clinic described as "nice" so fingers crossed. I think I'm better prepared for a failure this time though, as for some reason the first time I just assumed it would work (idiot that I am!!!) I feel more chilled and know that we have the frozen embryos to go at, which is a bit of a comfort. Let me know how you all are today physically - I feel a bit sore from the womb-pinching session and boobs a bit sore too but generally OK. Lots of Love and Luck to us all - Jo. XXXXXX

sharoninsomerset · Post by **sharoninsomerset** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 10:56 am

Morning Girls, Well almost afternoon, but then I didn't get up until 9.30 and had long shower, pampered myself, full exfoliate etc. and spend ages on my hair, just to make myself feel a little bit attractive!! However, I'm beginning to think things just aren't working. Last time I was very tender (hurt to drive, you just don't realise how may tummy muscles are involved) but this time no pain, bit of a pot belly and definately no boob pain, but then with 34A I'm sure my bodies not even bothering in that area!!! Typical isn't it, you worry if you are uncomfortable and worry if your not!! I know everyone feels different. CAZ I'm taking until Thursday off, only took 2 days last time. I've taken the extra time off as I'm getting married on 29th August so I'm trying to organise things. I don't think it really matters as long as you don't do anything to strenuous and don't have loads of stress. As regards sex our clinic just said not in the 1st 3 days, but then I suppose it depends on how comfortable you are. JO Good to hear from you at last. Brilliant news from you, frozen embries as well, that's just great, although your ET didn't sound fun! You and Lorraine haven't had it very smooth, but it's all over now. I know what you mean about more chilled out this time. Last time every stage was just to fraught, but this time we were almost blaze about it all - which is a shame as it is all special. LORRAINE, It's great that you don't have to work at the moment, no extra stress for you. We really are as one aren't we - bring on those Triplets!!! My mum is a triplet and I have 2 sisters so we have always said it's likely that one of us has them and I know my sisters are praying that its me and not them!!! I'm spending my time posting to you guys and phoning around organising wedding stuff (we are running away to Gretna Green! really excited) and obviously hoping I'll be a pregnant bride, but not showing by then (but if it's triplets!!) You guys seem to be lucky in terms of your clinics facilites. We didn't have ultra sound/pictures or anything like that. I have mine don't at Bristol (part of the University) so they don't make a profit and therefore haven't the facilites of a private clinic. Must be nice(and weird) to see the little ones! Anyway, that's enough for now, It's now definately the afternoon! Speak to you all soon Sharon xxx

Tracey S · Post by **Tracey S** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 11:15 am

Jo well done you and the rest of you - now just try and relax??? thro the dreaded 2ww. Jo - not a bit of negativity creeping in? well done on the frosties - might make you relax a bit more - have a good feeling for you. Good luck to you all Love Tracey xxx

Jo Locker · Post by **Jo Locker** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 11:49 am

Hi Trace, A good feeling - oooh brilliant thanks mate. No I'm not negative but think I'll handle failure a bit better, just feel more relaxed this time, am managing to think about other things cos last time it was 100% nutcase time. This time I'm thinking about it 80% of the time which I think is quite enough!! Just sooo busy at work which I dont know whether is good or bad. My doc says to take it easy, dont do any bungee jumping or anything but other than that there's not a lot you can do. All I'm doing is sitting down more, walking a bit, not lifting anything heavy, drinking more water. My tummy feels sore but it's just the after effects of the ET so I'm waiting for it to wear off. I'm just not going to do the "pains" vs "no pains" thing this time cos I drove myself nuts last time and I really don't think there's any hard & fast rule - people with "AF" pains are PG and people with no pains are not!! Keep that good feeling going girl and I'll try & do the same!! Lots of love - Jo. XXXXXXX

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