AUG/SEPT BUDDIES!

[baby_crazy]

Thank you ladies for welcoming me, I already feel more positive.

Karen, I'm in Ontario. I traveled to the west coast few years ago, liked it very much. Love the mountains.

I've had so many tests done b4 I go for IVF and all of them came out good except one that revealed I have a bulky uterus and andeomyosis. They both sound scary but my RE said it's nothing to worry about, it wouldnt prevent pregnancy. Anyone heard about those 2?

[JDC]

Hi everyone! I had ac tonight and wow did I feel great afterwards. I had a profound reaction to the first session, and I did this time also. This time she put a lot more needles in than usual, and she also burned an herb on two of the needles.

My meds this cycle will be: Estrace, follistim, low dose hcg, ovidrel and ganirelix.

Karen: Regarding your pregnant friend....you have done your part and you were honest about you feelings. Give her some time....she is probably going through a lot herself just being pregnant. Sounds like you have a lot of fun activities to keep you busy.....I always wanted to kayak, but haven't yet. The self care missions are so important....promotes the healing.

Baby Crazy: I have not personally heard of those conditions. This is also my 2nd cycle and we will also be doing icsi this time - we did not the first time because there was no indication it was needed. Apparently my egg let in way too many sperms.

Valerie: How are you? I noticed your ap recommended soup and hot water with lemon....and a few other ladies are on particular diets. My ap did not suggest I change my diet other than adding things in. I hear a lot about the cooling effect and I wonder if I'm eating some foods I shouldn't.....Maybe I'm being too obsessive!

Coco: My gym offers yoga and I'd like to try it....lately it is a matter of even getting there! I am getting there this Sat. morning no matter what.

jHarris, Hoping, SueKiwi: Looking forward to hearing from you all and hope all is well......thinking of all of you![/b]

[valerie68]

Good evening ladies!
I hope you are all doing well! ..My BIL is in town and I don't have as much time for posts. I will post again tomorrow night.

JDC: I'm glad AP is going so well for you. I had never done AP before and at certain times the session seem to go better than others. My last on felt great too!
On the first 3 sessions, right after she had put the needles in, I started crying...tears just streamed down my face. I don't know why, something came over me. I cried but because I felt great in a way that I did not understand.
Yes, she talks about keeping things warm around the uterus and I never thought that tea would have a cooling effect. She told me not to have any ice in any of my drinks, which I don't do anyways, and it's better if it's at room temperature. No sodas, and again, I NEVER drink soda, no spicy foods, no coffee, no fried foods, avoid cheese, butter and milk. I'll have to ask why about the last 3 items.
She also recommends to eat a warm breakfast which I have been doing. I eat oatmeal with soy milk.
Lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts ( pine nuts,pecans,almonds,sunflower seeds), raisins.
Those are her recommendations. After all this, I should have some of the healthiest embies !
She also says no sugar but I can't stay away from the chocolate and it is one big pleasure I'm not going to take away !!
I feel that I need this little pleasure every day and I won't stress over that.
As is, I think we already do sooo much to get our bodies healthy that a little candy or chocolate is not going to hurt.
Can we obsess too much? Yes I think so. I basically did not change my diet except for the morning drink, the soup, the warm breakfast and a few other things.

Karen: The tests I had were to make sure that I did not have a clotting problem and to make sure my body did not reject the embies.
I was worried because on the third after transfer I had a fever of 102.5 for a few hours, went down a little and stayed there for a few more hrs. I did not have any sickness symptoms at all. So to put my mind at ease, they performed the tests. I do feel good that it's all negative and will have peace of mind on this next cycle.
I'm sorry they were not able to test the remains of your fetus. It would have clarified some things in your mind as well. Answers would have helped you heal I'm sure. Sometimes embryos do not develop because of chromosomal abnormalities and the body rejects them. It's probably what happened with you. The best is to focus on the future and what this cycle will bring you! When you're ready, I think you will feel that it will be time to move forward. It is also important to take the time to grieve and have closure. I hope you are feeling well.

Looks like I've talked enough. Wishing you all a great night !
Baby dust to all of you.

Val

[SueQiwi]

Valerie--Im so glad and relieved to hear that your tests came back negative! That is one less hurdle--and we all know the fewer hurdles the better with Ivf. It is all systems go for you! And it certianly sounds like you will be in tip-top shape this time around--you are doing a great job at preparing yourself.

JDC--it sounds like you are nearly ready to start your meds! I'm excited for you and we will be here cheering you on from the message board. I'm glad you are enjoying AP and thanks for filling me in on your REs advice on the herbs. I am actually having trouble getting an appointment with the local TCM herbalist as she is completley booked until August! (my AP is purely accupuncture) I may save herbs as a bonus for next time, in case this cycle does not work out. (I shouldn't even be saying that--should I?! help me, PMA!)

Karen--yep I have high FSH--so high it sounds like they wouldn't treat me in the USA! I am lucky they dont have a cut-off in NZ as mine came in at 12.9. (gasp! it's ok--i was shocked too). But my Doc is very positive about my success and he specializes in difficult hormone levels. He was very pleased at my response to stims last time beacause he warned me that with such high FSH I may not produce any eggs--let alone good ones. But I had 4 (this is huge for us ladies with high fsh). And they were good quality! I had 100% feritlization and they all divided properly. So I am hopeful for even more this time. But he has warned me that us older girls may have upredictable cycles that vary from one time to the next--so there could be fewer or tons more eggs this time. Fingers crossed for more!

I wanted to tell you that I have a kayak too! We are able to put them in the water right across the street from our house--we live in Island Bay a seaside suburb of Wellington. But it is the heart of winter right now so I havn't been able to paddle at all because of the southerly storms. Alas--it would be so good for the stress. I hope you get a chance to go out soon.

cocosmoma--your yoga sounds awesome. i go too and just love it! It is very soothing mentally as well as for my body. You sound like you are doing all the right stuff to get yourself ready for this cycle and a BFP. you Florida girls have your acts together!

JHarris--i hope all is well. Did you get your schedule from your Doc yet?

Baby Crazy--welcome to you.

I am not starting BCPs unitl August and it just seems like ages from now! But Im glad I can wait it out wih you all. I am just trying to practise some of the ideas from those quotes--patience, hope, relax, get centered.

[SueQiwi]

Hoping in PA--I just realized that you are already underway with BCPs! Congrats! It is so exciting that one of us is already on the road to a BFP! I am thinking warm thoughts and wishing you a successful cycle. Keep us posted.

[jharris12]

Good morning ladies!! Happy Friday!! Sorry I haven't posted much, just not much going on at the moment. So I got my credit card approved, so I can afford IVF!! I have an appt with my RE Monday morning to see if he was able to get me any discounts, and to discuss my next schedule, and to get BCP's to get started. AF should be here around the end of next week, so I guess I will be starting BCP's in about a week and a half!! Hopefully I can get my RE to give me a schedule quick because I have a few things in August I need to plan for! My DH's 30th birthday is Aug 1, and I am trying to figure out what to do for him, so I want to know what "step" I will be on then, and then his family is planning a river rafting trip Aug 8, so I need to know if I will be able to travel or have to stay home. I am so ready to get started again!!

SueQiwi: Sounds like your Doc is very certain he can help! Glad he is confident and is helping you figure out your schedule! Keep up that PMA!! It WILL work for all of us this cycle. I can feel it!

valerie: Sounds like your AP is helping you out and giving you some great information. At lesat you were doing healthy things before, so it won't be such a shock to your body to change anything! I am so glad your tests came back negative and that's one less worry for you!

JDC: I am thinking I am the only one in the group NOT using AP. I wanted to, just didn't have the extra money to afford it. But it sounds like it is working out well for you! I think I am going to start yoga next week though! Me, my Dh and DS are joining an athletic/swim club, and they have aerobic classes. I would think yoga would be very relaxing! Good luck Saturday morning!

baby_crazy: I haven't heard of either condition, but as long as your RE says it is okay, I would trust them. I would still ask for a little more information to find out any concerns with the conditions though, and look on the net. There is always great information out there!

karen: Sorry you won't get the genetic testing you were hoping for. The RE probably wanted to wait until you were a little stronger to tell you the bad news. A person can take only so much bad news at once. Hopefully the hysteroscopy will give you some information though. Sorry your friend hasn't responded, I am sure she will when she finds the words to say. You did what you could and you should feel good about that.

Cocos: I have never tried yoga, but I am thinking I will start next week at our new athletic club. With everything you are doing, you wil be as healthy as possible and should definitely get that much deserved BFP this time around!

OK, so I guess I should get some work done today! I will check in on you all a little later!

[Rinnie]

Hi Girls
Boy, you've all been busy!!! I've just been trying to read through. I've been in Santa Barbara with DH, and it was just gorgeous & wonderful! I didn't think about anything to do with my body...except...well, you know

Welcome Karen I was so sorry to hear about your experience. I had a chemical & that was bad enough. I love vancouver island! My family is just outside Banff now, so we're going up to visit for 10 days next week.

SueQiwi I'm glad I'm making you a "believer" in herbs My AP changes my formula before stimming, so they're just the nutritious kind....like a big vitamin. I loved the LaoTzu quote about patience...I needed that when I was waiting my 3 months when i started TCM.

All you high FSH'ers. I have been around 10..highest 10.6..for the last year. But 3 months after the herbs and AP I was 6.4. That's what messed up my last cycle...they didn't believe it so they went off the 10.6 as a guide.

Coco That's a great idea...i've stopped yoga for a couple of years, and I'm going to get going again... I did ashtanga & it's agony for the 1st month
I also got a Chi Gong dvd that I'm about to try.....it's supposed to do wonders for stress. I don't think it's too physical though.

Hoping I'm so excited you're starting again...def the first BFP for this thread!!!! I did the Flare Protocol last time....great for low responders.
It's BCP for 3-5 weeks, stop, then Lupron 20ml for 3 days ( during AF ). Then 225 Folistim and Lupron in the am, 3 vials menopur and Lupron in the PM. It worked the 1st time, but with TCM the dosage was too much.
RE said my LH was higher, so he's either going to stop the Menopur or at least cut it down.

Valerie You're so funny with the cooking. I can almost smell it when I read your posts That sounds like a fruit compote as they call it in Europe...Mmmmm

BabyCrazy Welcome to you. Good to have another Canuck on the board.

JDC Love that you're doing th AP & that you're feeling it!!

JHarris Are you counting the days?? I'm so glad you get to go again.

Kate Hoping you're well!!

We are in the middle of re-landscaping here & it's going to look so great. We're doing a meditation area...which I'm sure I will really need in 2 months. We got this great stone Buddha in Santa Barbara and he's standing up in the corner sending out peace. Every little bit helps. We"re planting all these white roses and lavender...can't wait to finish it. It's nice to get out of the crazy traffic & relax.

Rin xo

[valerie68]

Rinnie: It's good to hear from you again! I'm glad you had such a good time in Santa Barbara...it truly is a beautiful city and everything around it!
That's great that you're redoing your landscape with a meditation area...sounds like it will be beautiful. I'm very big on gardening as you probably know already ( even more than cooking ) and I can envision your new landscape!
You're right about the compote, that's what it's called in my country...It really was delicious.

All the talk about Yoga and you girls make me want to do it but I don't know when I would find the time to do it!

jharris: Please don't feel bad about not doing AP. I think it's unusual for so many of us on this thread to do AP. I think you will be just fine. If you start yoga, I think that will be very good. I know we talk about AP and it makes you want to do it. Only three more days before you go to your RE and figure out your cycle!

SueQiwi:Time will go by faster than you think. I blink and a week has gone by without noticing it. It will give you time to get ready in so many ways.
Patience has got to be the ONE thing we all deal with and can be so hard to master. But if we learn it, we will be more relaxed.
I map out everything in my head in advance and it's important for me to know what will happen next, I don't care for surprises very much, at least not for this!! That helps me stay relaxed and centered in a way.

Karen: Have you heard back from your girlfriend? It might take her a little while to absorb what you wrote her and figure out what to say.
Are you feeling good?

Hoping: You must be starting soon...how are you doing these days? Perhaps you are on vacation somewhere resting prior to the madness.

JDC: Isn't it good to see your meds again...it definitely tells you that it's starting soon. How exciting! When exactly are you starting?

I'm going to have to keep a sheet of paper with everybody's name on it, their cycle dates, what they're doing, etc because It gets to be difficult. And wait until we're all pregnant, we won't remember a thing we will be in such a daze

One more little anecdote: A couple months back, I found this adorable cat at one of my clients. I took her home since she did not belong to anybody and was not getting fed unless I was there. She has been so much fun and keeps company to our other cat.
But every night, she wakes me up at least 5 or 6 times...she comes purring in my face and rubs her face on me...really cute! Does she go and wake up DH? NOOOO, of course not ...
I told DH that this is to get me used to when the baby will be born, I will already be used to waking up so many times...it will be a piece of cake.

Coco, Kate, Babycrazy...how is everything going for you?
Sorry it's a long post...I've been a little talkative lately!

Much love to all.

Val

[valerie68]

One more thing that I forgot.

Babycrazy: I did a little research about your andeomyosis and did not find much yet. But from what I understood, a bulky uterus and andeomyosis is one and the same. It seems to be a form of endometriosis that sets in the uterus. What the treatment is, I don't know. Are you in any pain? From what I read, it could be painful. Are you taking any medication for it?
What is your RE going to do about it if anything?
If you're not sure, don't hesitate to ask your RE for a full explanation!

I'll try to do a bit more research on it and see what I can dig out.


Val

[JDC]

Hello ladies! Actually, they ordered my meds, but I did not recieve them yet - they come by mail order. Anyway, I postponed the order until July 12 because the low dose hcg only has a 1 month expiration period so I didn't want to get it too early. July 12 will be day 21 b/w for me, and I think I will start my estrace a few days after that. So I still have a bit of a wait!

I have a lot to do today, but I just wanted to touch base with everyone. Everyone seems to be really doing well and taking care of themselves. I finally got to the gym this morning myself....really relieves the stress.

I wish everyone a wonderful day!

[hopinginpa]

Well I have missed alot! Sorry I was MIA, I had family in town for a week. My MIL was here. It was great but DH and I are tired today!

JDC-glad to see you are getting started. July 12th will be here before you know it! I go back to RE on the 11th for BW and US then start stims that day.
I didn't get my meds yet either.

Rinnie-I am doing BCP for 2 weeks then starting on follistim and low dose lupron in am and again at night. I had a great response to follistim back in October so hoping for the same this time. I had used ganarelix and luveris that cycle.
My FSH is slightly elevated, it is 11 and 10 is the normal in my lab...
I think it has lowered, that was after having a miscarriage, I had never had an elevated FSH before.
Your meditation area sounds relaxing!

Karen-hope you hear from your friend soon. I told my brother what had been going on with us, and now he understands. I will see him next weekend.

Jharris-glad you have your appt next week. It is nice to have a schedule so you can plan things. I will be coming down your way at the end of July, to check out houses.....

Valerie and SueQuwi- hope you are doing well.

Hope you all have a good weekend. Talk soon.

[SDtrying]

I'm crashin'

I just wanted to wish you all well, I "know" most of you from our previous threat and hope you don't mind if i follow along (I go attached to you gals!). I can't wait to here about your success stories. You have a very special group and I'm glad you are starting the thread early. I appreciated all of your support during my cycle and hope I can return that support. I can't wait for all the action to begin!!

[valerie68]

SDtrying: Thank you so much for checking on us! That is so kind of you and it touches my heart.
How are you doing with the pregnancy? How's your cute bean growing? Any new US lately? I don't see you on any other thread but I think you'll see this post.

We are all very positive this will be our time and I'm also glad the thread was started early so we can get to know each other even better!

I'd love to hear news from you!

Hugs and kisses

Val

[Rinnie]

Hi SD!! I was wondering how you were doing. Thanks for checking in & I hope things are going well with your bean.

Rin xo

[cocosmomma]

Hey everyone! Hope you had a great weekend. I just hung around the house and took it easy. That's what weekends are for, right? It hasn't stopped raining anyway, so it was best to stay inside. We had a nasty storm come through the other night with major lightning and bone-shaking thunder. Storms don't freak our 3 yr old lab out, but even this one scared her to death. She rarely sleeps in our bed, but she didn't leave us any choice the other night. Either she was getting in or one of us was going to bed with her! In talking with friends, seems like everyone's dog reacted to the storm. Guess there was a barometric drop they sensed or some sort of imbalance. It was scary.

SD! So glad you popped in. Thanks for checking on us. Most of us are just passing the time until we start our meds. How are you and the bean??

Rinnie: Welcome back! Glad you had such a great time in Santa Barbara. I've never been to LA or the surrounding area. San Fran/Napa/Sonoma a few times and San Diego once, but never LA. My husband lived there when he was little. My FIL was a DJ and band manager. Funny story - Sonny and Cher bailed him out of jail once when he as arrested for overdue speeding tickets. LA in the 70's! DH wants to go back so badly and see his old house and favorite restaurant - El Coyote. My MIL and SIL went back last year and brought him back a t-shirt. He was ecstatic. Your garden sounds fantastic! Just what you need. When will it be completed?

JDC, Hoping, JHarris, Val, Sue, baby_crazy: How was your weekend? Anyone have fun plans for the 4th? So excited some of you are getting close to starting. So jeally! Am I the only one doing an FET? I think I am.

I had my AP appt on Friday. I've been going almost a month and she said my blood is starting to do the same thing it was doing the first time she met with me which was right before AF came earlier this month. To be honest, I was completely confused about what the heck is going on, but from the sound of it, the natural way didn't work this month. SHOCKER, right? But the good news is, we are seeing patterns and that's a good thing because we can figure out what's happening and fix it. She was excited and I was bummed. LOL! I'll get a better idea when I see her this week. I was a little distracted Friday about it not working. She could tell I was upset from my pulse, so I got a few more extra minutes and more needles to make me feel better.

It amazes me I was upset when I know good and darn well it isn't going to work the first month. I hate how this plays on your emotions and your mind. It seems no matter how prepared we are mentally going in, we are still weak and fold like a house of cards the first chance we get. At least I did.

I don't do herbs that I need to brew like Rinnie. All of mine are pill form, except the new one she gave me Friday. It's a kidney strengthener also. It's a liquid and comes with a dropper. I have to squirt 1-2 drops 2-3 times a day into the back of my throat. It's the most disgusting stuff I've ever tasted in my whole life. I gag every time. My husband asked what it tastes like and all I can say is s*#t. Never had it personally, but this is what I imagine it tastes like. Mercifully, I can wash it down with a bit of water or tea.

Thanks for indulging me and reading this long "me" post! I hope everyone has a great week. Talk to you tomorrow!