The Sisterhood of the Blue Stilettos

[wannababyIVF]

I am at my desk in tears!! OMG!!! You ladies are hilarious! I can’t stop laughing. Thank God I wasn’t drinking anything while reading, it might have come out my nose (yes that has happened to me before. ) Whew, I hear laughing makes you loose weight (plus some say it helps with implantation) so please….keep the jokes coming.

Angie--Ok, I now realize I need to relocate. NO BABY SHOWERS!!! Now that’s where I need to be!!! Especially right now. Where I’m from they make a really big to do about baby showers. I’m talking about renting halls, having it catered, give out favors, all that stuff. You would think it was a wedding. I’m usually okay with them, until they start opening gifts and I see all the really cool stuff I wish I were getting. The little green monster in me starts to sprout her ugly head. Maybe I can relocate then move back when I get pregnant so I can have one of those huge baby showers that I have been subjected to for so many years. hehehe…..sounds a bit selfish huh?

I was at a friend’s house this weekend for a get together. She is 9 months pregnant and a couple of friends that came over are also mothers. All they talked about was their damn kids. It was only 3 of us there that weren’t mothers. But I am the only one trying, and having issues and 4 of them know that. But guess it didn’t matter. Once someone started the conversation about children it just went on and on and on and on. I thought I was going to slit my wrist or jump out the window (probably wouldn’t have hurt much, I was on the first floor. ). But, they talked about breast feeding, labor pains. potty training. You name it, it was talked about. The bad thing was, I couldn’t even have a drink to take away the pain. Afraid to mix alcohol with all these meds. Bad enough I’m already bipolar. But anyway, this friend had THREE baby showers. Yes, you heard right…THREE! I missed all of them. But I want to know who the HELL needs THREE baby showers!! She has more stuff than she needs. Some stuff she isn’t going to even use. Her house is cluttered with baby stuff. You can’t even walk around with out bumping into something for the baby. Ladies, she has 5 strollers!!!!!!!!! She said some people forgot to take things off the registry and others received a free stroller when they ordered a certain amount so they just gave them to her. Oh yeah, where I’m from, you create a registry so people can purchase things for your baby that you select. My friend had the nerve to put a $500 car seat and a $345 breast pump!!!!!!!! I mean what the hell!!! Who buys a $500 car seat?!?!? I asked her does it drive the baby where it needs to go. Does it pick the baby up and snap it in the car seat itself? Does the car seat feed the baby while you are driving? Does the car seat change the baby? Is the car seat self cleaning? Does it turn into a bike when the baby no longer needs a car seat? I mean……WHAT THE HELL DOES THE CAR SEAT DO THAT IT COSTS $500!?!?!? And about this breast pump???? A breast pump can not be returned so, if you don’t breast feed then someone has just wasted $345?? WTF?? Ironically, this wasn’t even my rant….lol. I will PM you the rant later.

Sassy---I feel the way you do at baby showers! It kind of makes me think of myself as a failure. Like, I’m not up to the standards of these other women because I have yet to get pregnant. (I like to say yet because I still believe there is hope). But it amazes me how some women get pregnant if you look at them and then there are those of us that have issues and struggle with getting pregnant. People take for granted the ability to reproduce. And of course I don’t mind sharing my med protocol. That’s what I’m here for, among other things. Well this time is very similar to my last protocol. BCP for one month. Then 30cc’s of Lupron (which I forgot what this was for) starting a week before AF. Then once AF gets here. I decrease the amount of Lupron to 5 cc’s and take 80 cc’s of Bravelle (also called urofollitropin (yer oh FOE lih troe pin) or Fertinex), which is a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). I take both of these shots at the same time, just in two different legs. Both shots have to be given between 8pm and 10pm. I have my first u/s and bw (to test Estrogen level) about 5 days after I start the FSH, which is this Friday. If I remember correctly I continue taking the Lupron and Bravelle up until I take my trigger drug, hCGs (used to induce the final maturational changes in the eggs and prepare them for retrieval). (which is usually 24 or 48 hours before my ER). I can’t for the life of me remember the name of it. We changed it this time around. I’m going to blame the bad memory on the meds. But what I do remember is the needle is big as HELL this time around. I almost passed out when I saw it. I didn’t have that many eggs last time. Only 10 so he wants to try a different trigger and a bigger needle which I believe will be an Intramuscular injection, instead of a Subcutaneous Injection. Last cycle I started displaying symptoms of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. My estrogen Levels were through the roof so he pulled back on the FSH a little and just had me take the trigger. After the BFN (and the low amount of fertilized eggs), he said maybe we should have continued the FSH. But he was afraid I would get severe Hyperstimulation Syndrome. He was looking out for my health, but once he had me stop the FSH, the estrogen levels did go down and that’s why maybe he shouldn’t have pulled back the FSH and did the retrieval so soon. The eggs weren’t that big when they were retrieved. But I had 10 eggs, 8 follies, only 4 feritlized and only 2 divided properly. Those were the two that were put back, but didn't make it. Also we are doing ICSI again with transfer on day 5, again. I take prednisone for about 5 days while waiting for the ET. This is used to assist pre-ebryo implantation. I also have to take Doxycycline to reduce the risk of infection following aspiration of the follicles at the time of egg retrieval. Then after the retrieval, I have to take Progesterone (three times a day) in the form of vaginal suppositories. Last cycle I took it in the form of vaginal gel but my period came 11 days after the ET. My ER thought that was way too soon. Seems I have an issue with AF. That’s one of the reasons why I need assistance with this whole pregnancy thing. My ER thought I wasnt ovulating. Found out I was but, AF reared her ugly head 8 or 9 days after ovulation. Which is too soon to get pregnant. So I was diagnosed with Luteal phase defect…among other things.

While responding to you Sassy, I went to look Lupron up. Here is the info. lol I’m so happy to find out Forgetfulness is a side effect. LMAO
Purpose
Lupron is used to prepare the ovaries for stimulation with fertility medications. Lupron temporarily shuts down the messages from the brain to the pituitary gland, which then shuts down FSH and LH production. Without the production of these hormones, the ovaries can’t produce the necessary hormones to make eggs. When fertility medications are added Lupron allows the ovaries to grow multiple eggs and suppresses the selection process that only permits one egg a month to ovulate. It also prevents ovulation from occurring before the egg retrieval.
Side Effects
• Headache
• Irritability
• Forgetfulness
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Irritation at injection site
• Ovarian cyst formation.


Vicky, ---well I’m not sure what you want. But I know what I want for you. No period and a natural BFP. Then you can save your money. But if AF does rear her ugly head. Then I wish you the best with your next cycle of IVF and a BFP from that.

Fi---Ouch, sorry about the trigger injection. That sounds painful. That would have freaked me out! Hope everything is ok. Good Luck on your ET on Monday. Will be praying for you and sending you loads of baby dust. Sorry, the punters are not allowing you to spend quality time with us. They are so insensitive to our needs. I just imagined your boss with a shark suit on. lol I have a coworker like that. He doesn’t like to knock, just barges in and interrupts my posting. I can’t even hear when he’s coming, but there he is….constantly.

Amy—Thanks for the description of the Phish food. Sounds yummy! Is it the gummy red fish in the ice cream??? I love those, although they get stuck in my teeth, but who cares. I will also be stopping by the market on my way home. And yes, we have a trader joes, but it’s not close. I will have to venture out there one weekend cause I am a bon bon lover!

Patie—Good Luck with work today. I to need to get back, also. Have a meeting in about 10 minutes with the big wigs. Hope I don’t fall asleep.

Ladies, if I dont PM you before I leave work, I'll promise to do it tonight.

Hope you all have a wondeful day.

And did I tell you guys that I love you all. You all have been such a blessing to me. I dont know what I would have done without you this cycle. I can say you have made it so much easier on me this time around. I wish I would have found you ladies sooner. You are the best!

Now hit me with your best shot...fire away!!!!!

[wannababyIVF]

Vicky---I missed your post while writing my book. Sorry about that.

That nurse has a lot of nerve. Why get you worked up if she doesn't know sh*t!!!! I dont see why you can't take your BCP on the cruise. I'm praying the IVF nurses have some better new for you. Please keep us posted.

By the way, where are you going on your cruise? Can I fit in your suitcase?

[sassynlv]

Vicky: Wow. Clearly this woman has no idea the impact her little flippant "well guess you can't cycle next month" thing could have on a person . I choose to think she is right... she doesn't really know what she is talking about!!! But i also agree... then she should keep her mouth shut and tell you to talk to the ivf coordinators about it. Considering RE doesn't actually need you there 'til cd 10, i CANNOT imagine they wouldn't work around you by trusting you to start the bcp by yourself. i mean come on, this isn't rocket science. That chick definitely goes on the punter list! I am hoping for good news today for you, both on bw and on news for your next cycle. Keep us posted. btw... i too am curious, where is the cruise going, pray tell??

Wannababy: have you been on the lupron b4? I used it in my last cycle and the only side effects i had were headache (dull and constant, but wasn't severe for me), and hot flashes (i was right there w/ all the menopausal women at my church!!!). btw.. what is this about rented halls for baby showers . Wow. Ok, i know you didn't consider it a rant (in my book, it was a great rant ), but the whole car seat thing was hilarious!!! You have a great point... $500 car seat???? And FIVE strollers... why do these people keep allowing others to throw them showers? I have one friend that was having her first girl (after 2 boys). Her friends REALLY wanted to throw her a shower. She didn't think that would be appropriate (ahhh, i love her!), so instead they had a luncheon and invited her good friends and told everyone NOT to bring presents. We had a lovely time, and i thought if you insist on having something, that was the way to go.

Ahhh, hope to be funnier later (i never know when it will hit me ), but will definitely post later after RE consult. In the mean time.... i need another chocolate satin pie... my "bfn celebration" ends in 24 hrs!!! my rule is that any food in the house at the end of the "celebration" is still fair game .

[vicky77]

ok, let me tell you guys about my cruise. It starts in Key West, then it goes to Cozumel (Mexico), then to Grand Cayman, Jaimaica, and other islands that I don't remember right now......I am really looking forward to it, I desperately need this vacations!!!!!!

I talked to the IVF nurse, she says that apparently they cannot even start me on BCP's without me doing the CD2-3 bw and scan , so if AF arrives while on the cruise I guess I am screwed (oopsss, pardon my chinese ). They also said that if my HCG is zero today then they will run estrogen and progesterone on that blood sample to see at what stage of my period I am so they can guesstimate when will my period come.........I am so depressed right now, that you cannot imagine....basically AF should arrive between today and Friday or otherwise I have to wait a whole new month to start, that makes my FET April.....ARRRRGGGGGHHHH (unless AF is really delayed and it appears at the last 2 days of the cruise or even later which will give me time to come do the bw and scan by CD2-3.........who knows!!!!)

Sassy, I guess I need some of your chocolate satin pie, do you have any left???

[wannababyIVF]

Hi Sassy! I took Lupron during my last cycle of IVF. Hmmm, don’t remember the hot flashes. Now I'm trying to remember if I get them now. I am usually cold. Every now and then I get hot, but I thought it was because I had too many clothes on. lol Currently experiencing winter, about 20 degrees. But yes I get the worst headaches!! OMG!! I feel like I'm going to pass out. Can't even bend over. That makes it worse!

Oh forgot to tell you, a long time ago I took Lupron to induce menopause (due to the endo). That's when I had the night sweats, hot flashes, anxiety and I was a space cadet. I couldn't concentrate on anything.

Hi Vicky. Your cruise sounds wonderful. Can I get in your suitcase. I promise not to eat much. That’s going to be really nice. I’m so sorry to hear about your news! That really sucks. Hmm, I wonder if there is anything you can do to stop aunt flow....or bring it? Can you take BCP now and stop right before you get back. That way your period will start when you get back. Hmmm, what else can be done? Sometimes if you have intercourse, it will bring AF? Okay, so now we need to do the AF come NOW dance or AF wait until vacation is over dance! Ladies on the count of three…..

Vicky - Please don’t be depressed it will all work out. Then when you get your BFP, this will all be a faint memory.

Okay, I’m going to PM you guys the rant in a few minutes. Feel free to comment.

[wannababyIVF]

The package has been delivered. Let me know if I missed anyone.

[meg12]

Wannababy! Holy Sh!t! That was quite the rant. I loved it, but I can't believe her nerve. That is just amazing to me. You are obviously a strong person to still even speak to that woman!

By the way, I loved the whole spy-like "the package has landed". It made me feel like we were doing something naughty! I like naughty!

And that last line in the pm--oh man, that was a tough one. As far as I'm concerned you can be a woman who does both. Why does it have to be one or the other?

[Angie65]

Wannababy - renting halls, having it catered for, GIFT REGISTRY !!!!!! WTF - that is truly unreal.

It is reminding of me of the Ep of S*X and the city when carrie has to go to her umpteenth shower and has to take her shoes off and then gets her Manolo's stolen - classic!

Vicky - I really hope AF behaves but if it doesn't you have to go on your fantastic cruise and forget about all this crap for a while. It sounds wonderful.

Fee - not long to the ET - I hope your body has been well and truly tricked into ovulating or whatever they are trying to do, and it is well and truly duped. Doing a trigger shot without having to do EC - that is a good result all round!

Hi to you other sisters.

I'm still feeling remarkably mellow - this Synarel spray which is down regging me is not causing too many problems. But it is sure to be the CALM BEFORE THE STORM -watch out for me next week when (hopefully) I start injecting - I am well over due for a good rant.

[vicky77]

Wannababy, that rant was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!, I can't believe this b**ch!!!!!!, amazing how unsupportive people can be .......can you PM us a hint on her nickname...... , I know we always want more and more, but what can we do????? .....

Got my HCG results.........they are back to zero (I have to admit I was a little dissapointed ), but at least now I know what I want, I want the freacking AF to appear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, please continue dancing girls.......

[hopeful-in-LV]

Mia: hey girl, saw your post on the dec/jan thread. i respect that you are being sensitive on the cycling thread, not wanting to give daily updates on your preg. And i get why you would "cross over" to the other side . BUT... we already have one prego, and room for more! Just wanted to be sure you knew that you are still welcome here (you and your 2 or 3 babies, that is ).

Thank you sassy, I knew I would still be welcome here I will definately be in here to hang with the sistas. I have to admit that I am not a funny person, so sorry. I do love how you all make me laugh though. So you won't be able to get rid of me... ever, ha!

I would like to post more but I have 2 days worth of dishes in the sink (don't ask). so got to get busy now. I still need to read back a page or 2, will do later. happy wednesday eve everyone!

Oh, hey 1st scan tomorrow! I'll let you know how it goes.

[FionaA]

Ladies

Coast is clear of "sharks" so i'll do a quick post!

Now onto this whole babyshower issue, I can't beleive what a massive deal it is over there???? Sounds to damn over the top for my tastes. I'm liking Patie's suggestion of a stripper (male) attending on our behalf in stillettoes??? Patie are you suggesting that we send a tranny stripper to babyshowers instead of ourselves? If so I like your thinking!!

Wanna - I'm hearing you on all the baby talk stuff at get togethers. I hope that when I'm a parent I can still have conversation about OTHER THINGS...like myself (favourite topic at present)...By the way a fantastic rant by PM, that got my morning off to a rollicking good start. Sounds like your punter is just a negative nasty person no matter what the circumstances. I'd get a restraining order if I were you...

Vicky, what the hell??? Why can't they work around your cruise. I'm with Sass, this aint rocket science, there must be something that they can do, the wait is a damn killer and they need to understand that....

Angie, yep not long to go now, looking forward to you "firing up" next week on the new meds...isn't it great, foggy one week fiery the next. Speaking of mood swings my boss is pushing his luck today. It must be karma biting me (you may recall I posted yesterday about DH's gut issues) Well this morning my boss announced to the office that my button on my shirt had popped open yesterday and that he had seen my gut and it was white and ugly. Now don't get me wrong I work in an office with a pretty robust enviroment that is definately NOT politically correct - which I love by the way - BUT, I'm thinking that my boss is on thin damn ice (specially with my hormones and all). I told him that he was pushing it and that he was going to get a slapping from me if he keeps pushing, but man white and ugly, MY GUT??? This is a blow to my conceited ego when I least need it....my gut will be fully exposed to at least three people on Monday....

Sass glad to hear the food fest continues. I had a particularly good Key Lime Pie in Vegas about a year and half ago. Mmmmm thinking about it now.... That satin pie sounds....OK I'm now drooling...

Mia come back after you've done the dishes, I've got at least 3 days worth (impressive since no-one's cooked for a week) but you don't see me rolling up my sleeves to do them...

And Amy where the hell are you? Not taking inventory of the house for EBAY??? I hear shoes can be quite the hot item...

Mego, wassup? Day 3(?) in the 7 day work run. That sucks, how come you have to work on that basis? Do you do rosters or something??

Fat Gut Fee.

[sassynlv]

Wannababy: truly an impressive rant, thanks for sharing! Sounds like she is a true pessimist. I agree... not someone to be expecting support from, i don't blame you for keeping her out of the loop. Hard to believe that someone would be so heartless as to try to tear you down just b/c they have yet to be successful. DEFINITELY, not worth your energy right now! The last line in your pm did make me sad... not just that the children are seen that way... but more importantly, by someone who may become their MOTHER!

Fee: wow... commented on your white, ugly gut??? Wow. He has some cohones to do that to a woman hopped up on hormones. Is he aware of the IVF defense and how applicable it would be for you in this situation??? CLEARLY not! hfffp!

Mia: so excited for your us tomorrow!!! I am expecting 2 good looking sacs. So, do tell! oh, and btw... glad to hear we are "stuck with" you!!!

Vicky: oooo, so cd2-3 bw and scan is the issue? ahhh, harder to get around. Well my ample bootie (getting more ample with each pie) is shaking like the dickens for ya! need me to threaten her again?? and, btw... hon, there is PLENTY of chocolate satin pie for you.. want me to eat a piece for you tonight? Ah, sure dear, i will make the sacrifice and eat it just for you...

Angie: i can't wait for the hormonal angie to reappear!! oh goody, we are getting closer!!!

Now, just a warning here, what i am about to write down below is essentially what i wrote in the Dec/Jan thread (don't have time to redo it and make it too comical... not perfectly personalized for the stiletto sisterhood... so apologies all around ). on my way to hang w/ my favorite "peeps"... bil/sil and nieces and nephew. My nephew is an "aunt sassy's boy" and shares my love of chocolate satin pie, so he is going to help me out. Besides that one, we still have 2 other pies left! . we are going to have a Lost-watching party tonight. Yipee! I can't wait for it to start up again! Ok, that was a VERY long explanation, but here is my consult report...

I always feel better after having a new plan. Luckily our RE is very patient, as dh and i always have tons of questions. So we are doing our karyotypes, just to be sure. At this point, the plan is to stim 3 times in a row, freezing all at 2pn then thawing them all out at once (expect >30), and see if any become healthy blasts (With our history, i would be over the moon if we got 4-5 good blasts). Some of you "old timers" may remember that was the plan before this cycle, but then we had such great fert results this time, we went ahead and did a FET right away. They have had great success with the 2pn thawing to blasts this month with almost everyone so far getting preg (yep, apparently i am the only one not knocked up this month so far... ... someone has to ruin the stats, right?), so i am happy to be doing the 2pn thaw again, just in mass quanitity. Also, it means i will stim 3 times but have only one huge nail biter at the end (ooo, and you guys saw how POORLY i deal with nail biters!!) (Just in warning... i will be hunting you all down on your pregnancy threads to get me through that whopper in August!!!). We like the idea. If it doesn't work... i think we will be calling it quits, and i will become cyber Aunt Sassy to all your hoards of kids! I will get my schedule on Fri and expect to start stimming the beginning of march. oooo, have to say, i am getting just a bit excited for the needles again (what the h*ll is wrong w/me? ).

[Angie65]

sounds like a plan to me sass - what does 2pn mean? Does that mean 3 EC's in a row and then the transfer? we'll be stimming close together all going to plan.

Fee - I have noticeable belly - always have done - rounded shape. In the past women much older than me have offered me seats on crowded trains - in the past I have laughed it off - god help anyone who does this in the next few weeks - I will go psycho. This why I am desperate to get PG coz then I can proudly poke out rounded belly, rather than go red in face sucking it in.

Must go - off for a leg wax - in readiness for Valentine's Day date with Dr D. - bit early as still a week away but like to be prepared.

[FionaA]

Sass, I've posted you in the Dec forum re your exciting new mega cycle. Roll on August I say, I'm getting quite excited for you.

Angie, you cracked me up about your gut issues. I have in the past pretended to be pregnant to explain gut. i.e stood rubbing gut fondly and leaning back and pretending I have a pregnant lady sore back, how freaking sad....Do u know that us PCO girls have a tendency to put on gut weight??? Lucky us. I was particularly spewing about my bosses comments because I have been on a diet between cycles and have lost five kilos - it's almost killed me, 2 - 3 hours of exercise a day and eating bugger all....I thought I was looking good....Oh well, bubble burst.

Oh and on the leg wax....I did mine too early, should be nice and stubbly for ET. I hope Dr D is suitably grateful for your impeccable timing. Fee

[amy]

Holy Batmobile I am behind!!

I don't even know where to begin. Shall I start by apologizing for having to work today? Here in California we have implemented a test known as the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) This brainbuster is to "prove" that our high school graduates have learned all they need to know to earn their diploma. Now I would imagine a strong 6th grader could pass it, but oh no. Not my star students. It takes them years. We start administering it in 10th grade and they have MANY chances to take it before they end in 12th grade. I have MANY not passing it!! (I work with kids who have been kicked out of high school, pregnant teens, and just kids who are a bit off) Long story short - had to give the test today and NO INTERNET!! I was starting to scratch. I knew things were happening here and I wasn't around to "hear" about it!

"Fat Gut Fee" - I am coming down there asap to kick his A$$! Totally unacceptable and you need to immediately find his weakness and go for it. Receding hairline, bad teeth, bad breath, come up with it and go for it. Gloves are officially off. Always say it with a smile, but go for it! (I unfortunately have great talent in the arena and with just a few descriptive adjectives can tease like a 5th grade boy at recess)

Wannababy - I say you better hope "she" puts you as a personal reference. Honesty is the best policy What the hell?? A 500 dollar carseat? I thought Britax were expensive - I am so out of the loop!

Mia - How exciting! Ultrasound with the vagiscope or a real one?? I can't wait to hear about your appointment. Oh, by the way, my name is Amy and they let me in while you were creating dishes....

Vicky - Give me their damn number. I am calling tomorrow as your personal RE from California and insisting on a more proactive drug protocol. Or should I be the Attorney General?? Hmmm. Anyway, this is ridiculous. For goodness sakes, they are going to make you a baby in the back room and they can't work around a cruise? You tell them that you are paying them damn good money to make AF appear!

Angie - What is the synarel spray?? I would love to know what you girls are taking out there as I have only been to my one clinic for IVF and am not in tuned to all these other protocols. PS... Loved that episode of Sex and the City!!

Meg - What is it that you do that would cause you a seven day stretch?? Does it have internet access?? It better also have a freezer for some snacks cause you are not dieting!!


Sassy - Glad you and DH got to meet up with the RE and discuss a new plan. It sounds like a great idea. Just from a cost analysis/ebay business perspective will they charge you for three cycles? I am liking the idea a lot and would love to propose it to the RE and then do what Fiona said and find a lot of shoes to sell. Seems ingenious.

Have any of you ladies ever had the immunology testing done?? Just curious as I had it done in November and found out that I was APA positive. Of course they don't test for these things until you have qualified with two or more IVF failures. oooh oooh Know how you have doing this too long?? When you qualify for immunology testing! Sorry ladies - the humor is lost this evening. Spending my day with all those high school students took it out of me. I had to use my humor to defend myself against all their evil. i.e. - kid in front row "Oh Steven, how did you get that cast on your foot? Steven says, "I was shot taking out the garbage." I say, "Oh wow, your garbage must be really good." He didn't even laugh, but what else do you say to a kid that has a cast with his gang colors on one leg and an ankle bracelet from the DOJ on the other?? Long day... need a bon bon.

a