Started Lupron 10/31...anyone on same cycle?

[MBG]

Hello everyone!

TinaO: I too was dissappointed in only having one emby to freeze. Same thoughts as you...will they do a FET with one emby...not sure.....I too am trying to stay very positive about this cycle. I have been cramping today. It makes me sooo nervous! I just keep telling myself the cramps are the embies implanting...but it is hard keep those negative thoughts out of my head.

Not having the bloating problem...I did have to pee 3 times during my 2 hour drive to memphis this morning ...No nausea.....

I go in tomorrow for bloodwork...not really sure what they are looking for..I will find out tomorrow....I go back next Thursday for beta test!

hang in there ladies every day brings us closer to our beta test's!!

MBG

[tinaO]

Hi, MBG. Cramping means implanting so think positive thoughts!!!! Your b/w tomorrow is for testing estrogen and progesterone levels to make sure you are getting an adequate supply I believe. I think it all goes back to making sure the lining is getting what it needs to remain nice and thick and happy. Are you wearing estrogen patches? I wear them and have to change them every 72 hours.

Girl - hang in there! This cycle is ours and we are going to rock it together!!!

[Jane Doe]

Hi All,

Sorry for vanishing from the face of this planet.

LAIVF- CONGRATULATIONS GIRL !!! When do you go in for check up with OB/ GYN?

tinaO- I am having cramping too. I called my doc and he said it is normal.

Itsgottawork and tinaO- I am bloated too now-a-days and also have lost a couple of pounds. My DH says I have lost weight cos I am worrying too much, may be he is right.

Hope everyone else is doing great.

Now for updating my info-
we went for ET on Saturday thinking that 1 excellent and 1 good embryo will be transferred but we were disappointed when we were told that they would be transferring 3 average embryos (the embryos had some fragmentation and hence the quality went down) 1 6-cell and 2 8-cell ones. The RE didn't talk much and I didn't want to ask any questions for which the answers might cause me aggravation and anxiety. So we come home after ET and I was on complete bedrest for 2 days with my DH doing all the work. On Monday, I got a call from the embryologist saying that we have 5 embies still growing in the lab and that they will decide which ones to freeze on Tuesday, we were so overjoyed that the whole of monday I was actually smiling for nothing. Then on Tuesday I got a call again from Embryologist and he said that there is nothing to freeze. The shock of hearing that made me completely speechless. I broke down and was hysterically crying the whole day. My DH tried to make me feel better but he was himself in a shock. One day there are possibly 5 embies to be frozen and the next nothing. Throughout yesterday, I have been trying to tell the 3 embies inside me to attach to me and I do hope they do attach to me. But now I have a feeling this cycle is just gonna be as bad as the last one. I am going to try and stay positive till the beta on next friday but it is increasingly becoming difficult. Anyways, after reading about LAIVF's BFP I started to feel that there is some hope for us and I am gonna hold onto this small ray of hope.

Jane

[tinaO]

Jane - Oh no you don't! No negative thoughts!!! Remember that you are pregnant until proven otherwise!! You hear stories all the time about women who have embryos placed that are not the greatest quality and BAM - they get their BFP!! So, you hang in there!!! Also, you had 3 which is awesome!!! And 1 6-cell and 2 8-cell is great!!! So, don't stress! Think good thoughts and we will all go through this together.

My DH and I laugh and if one of us cusses or something, I say, "Be careful - you don't want to upset the babies". It is pretty funny. I just keep acting like there are little babies in there and trying to stay positive. Of course, I had a bit of a meltdown when I found out that only one made it to freezing, but my DH & I had a long talk and there is just no reason to think this won't work. We have to think positive. It is out of our hands and all we can do is not stress and try to relax.

So, hang in there! Like I told MBH, we will get there!!!

[tinaO]

Rather that would be MBG! That's it - we are changing your name - we seem to come up with a variety of letters and interchange them too often on you!!

[dancinnancy]

Hi girls!

Had my day five ET yesterday, we transfered two beautiful blastocysts!

I know one of us on this thread said she kept the pictures of the embies on her bedside table - so did I! Actually, we had two copies, so DH has a copy on his table too! After my RE transfered the two embies, he took my hand, and my DH's hand, and placed them on my belly & covered them both with his hands & said the sweetest thing about the power of positive thinking & a few other things I cannot remember b/c I just balled my eyes out - a truly happy and fulfilled cry.

After the ET I had an acupuncture session, I think it was like 45 minutes long. That was pretty cool, it was my first time, and I really just spent the whole time in silent prayer. Very cool.

BETA is next Friday 12/14.

I think we'll be able to freeze 4 or 5. RE showed us pictures of the other blastocysts and said they looked great. So, we'll put those lil' guys on ice for a while & hope we'll meet them sometime in the future!

[dancinnancy]

I go in for an u/s tomorrow, just to check to see if I've hyperstimmed. I haven't had any symptoms, but better safe than sorry!

[MBG]

Hello!
TinaO: Thanks for all the words of encouragement! You are right! We are all prego until proven otherwise!! That should be the new title of this thread...."Pregnant until proven otherwise!!"
Sorry about all the troubles with MBG...thought it would be easy...who knew you girls would mistake me for beer and MBH ( moody, bitchy, hormone girl )

You were correct about the estrogen and progesterone level check....(How did you get so smart!! ) I Have not been using the estrogen patches up to this point....The nurse was supposed to call me yesterday afternoon and let me know if I needed to start...However, I never got the call. I am assuming that means my estrogen level is ok....I will keep that train of thought until I speak to the nurse today.

janedoe: I know how difficult it can be stay positive...I am sure you can tell from reading my posts..it is a constant struggle. But you know what...That is the only thing we have control of. We cannot control how our bodies react to the medicines and the procedures, but we can control how we think! So use this thread as a source of encourgement and keep thinking postive! We are all sending good vibes your way! (Plus..TinaO is a great Cheerleader!!)

dancinnancy: Congrats on the smooth transfer!! Sounds like your expierience was very spiritual! I think that is wondeful. Your RE sounds wondeful! My RE is very statistical and does not have a very compassionate bedside manner. The nurses are great, but the RE not so much! I think she is a good doctor..just very by the book.

I have been carrying the picture of my embies in my work bag...that way I can look at them whenever I feel the need! I also drive quite a bit for my job and have been singing to them on road trips! Some people would think me crazy....but I know you girls understand!

4ourbaby: Where are you??? I hope all is well! Come back to us..I know everyone misses hearing from you!!

[Jane Doe]

Thank you tinaO and MBG for your encouraging words and I am definitely trying to implement on your suggestions.

[tinaO]

Ok, do not, I repeat do not, follow my lead. However, I POAS and there were 2 lines. Yes, one was more faint than the other, but it was definitely there nonetheless. It is 12 days since the trigger shot, so still probably a bit early so I am going to test again in a couple of days. I am trying not to get my hopes up. I know you can get false positives at this point. I was just getting nervous because of all my cramping.

Hmmmm....thoughts girls? I am nervous but cautiously optimistic!!

We shall see....not long till we all get our blood tests!!

[4ourbaby]

Hi Girls!

I'm back and I've missed you all!!!! Ay, yi yi...crazy week. I feel like I rested a lot, but still so much was going on. Computer wasn't working, family was visiting, etc. Anyway....

LAIVF: Yahoooooooo! Congratulations! I am hoping and praying for a beta like yours! You must be floating on a cloud these days. What great news!

tinaO: So much to say to you! Let's see....Well, I'm sorry my last post about my transfer made you cry It made me cry too I don't know why my doctor said that to me then. He wasn't even rude about it. He put his hand on my knee and said it sort of softly and with genuine concern, but wtf? Oh well.

Thanks for asking for me on the boards. It was nice to be remembered! Congratulations on your positive POAS!!! That is just terrific. Are you testing every day like crazy now or are you going to be a good girl and wait for your beta?? I'm sorry that you have only 1 embie left to freeze....but you have 2 great embies that look as though at least one has implanted. Yipee! I was laughing when you wrote about how you talk to them and your husband. I do the same exact thing with my husband!

dancinnancy: Wow...how nice that your DH was with you during the transfer. You really had a much different experience than me. My DH had to wait in the reception area, I saw no pictures of the embies and was given no pictures to take home I'm already jealous! Excellent job on the blastocysts...we were so hoping to get to that stage. I think someone is going to have a positive beta on 12/14 (you)...which also happens to be the day I go for my beta too! Yikes, I'm nervous. Now, send us a video of the "old lady shuffle"...hahaha.

MBG/MGD/MBH: Love all your nicknames! Thank you, too, for inquiring about me! You are so right about the human body being a mystery. Even my doctors had that discussion with us. As wonderful as it is to be able to have a chance with IVF, there is still so much that is unknown. I just know that one day in the future the doctors will be able to implant the embryos for you!

Listen, when I need to meet someone (possibly my doctor) in a dark alley, I will definitely call upon you! Congrats on the two 8 celled transfers! I saw John & Kate + 8 too. The kids were adorable. Can you imagine all that work? Kate didn't seem too nice to her husband, though. But who the heck knows what sextuplets and a pair of twins can do to you. Phew, I was tired just watching!

itsgottawork: I know exactly how you feel starting with 20+ eggs, all positive reports, and then you're left with only a few strong embies. I just have to keep being thankful to even have this opportunity. You and I have to stay positive because we have strong embies in us right now!

Jane Doe: Congrats on your transfer of 3 embies! I'm sending tons of prayers your way for a BFP! It just takes one!

As for me, I was on strict bed rest for 3 days. I was only allowed to use the bathroom, shower, and get up to eat. They wanted me laying down the rest of the time. I took one extra day (just to be sure) and while I have been out and about since then, I am still really cautious and try to take it easy as much as possible.

I am still on 1cc of progesterone daily, 3 suppositories daily, lovenox, calcium, etc. I have had some cramping, but not too bad. No signs of implantation bleeding, which I had last time The first few days after the retrieval were terrible for me. Without giving too much info, I was extremely uncomfortable with bloating, gas, and constipation. It got a little better after the transfer, but it took about a week before I really felt comfortable again...just bloating.

I had b/w on 12/7 for estrogen/progesterone. I haven't heard back from them, so I assume all is ok. My beta will be Friday, 12/14. It's funny, last time for my FET I kept using the HPTs because I didn't want to be told by a nurse over the phone. I needed to have some idea if it worked or not before they called. This time, though, I am so anti-POAS. I know I have to think positive... but I am so afraid it is going to be a BFN that I don't want to know anything before the beta. I want to enjoy this time and consider myself pregnant for as long as possible. Does that make any sense?

Anyway, I've been thinking about all of you and appreciate all the thoughts sent my way. I should be able to keep in touch daily now! I felt so out of the loop and lonely!!!!

Baby dust and prayers to all! xoxoxoxo

[dancinnancy]

4ourbaby - Good to hear from you! Sounds like you've been taking very good care of yourself.

I'm really regretting not taking off work the day after ET. You chilled out for four days, that's awesome! I, unfortunately, was at high risk for OHSS with my 25 follies. My Dr gave me a list of symptoms to look out for, 5-7 days after the trigger shot...and don't you know it, the day after my ET (actually the next night) I woke up with terrible pains in my abdominal area & I ran to the bathroom and tossed my cookies - more than a few times might I say! I called my Dr and he said if it continued to get myself to the hospital, otherwise get some sleep & come in for an u/s in the morning (which I already had scheduled b/c I was at risk for hyperstimming). Luckily, I feel back asleep, went in the next day & saw on the u/s screen big black voids in my ovaries . My Dr said what happened the night before was that I had most likely popped a cyst & that fluid leaked into my abdominal area & that just makes you super nauseous...and boy was I! My b/w and urine sample came back just fine, so they've basically given me the "just take it easy" approach with my mild OHSS. I haven't gained ANY weight, and that is the tell tale sign of OHSS - mostly from fluid retention - like more than four pounds in 2 days. More severe cases of OHSS can lead to that fluid reaching your lungs, among multiple other things. I'll contiue to go for b/w and u/s appts so they can monitor me, but what else is new - I've been doing that for like a month now anyway!

So, as with everything we've all gone through, the question remains...how bad do you want it? Bad enough to face these challenges head on & not let them drag us down! I've got two lil' embies inside me that need my stubborn Irish self to stay strong & power through!

[MBG]

Hello my ladies!!

4ourbaby: So glad you got your computer fixed! We really missed you!
I am glad you are feeling better and have been taking it easy.

I am trying to take it easy, but with the Holidays and all I have been a little crazed!!

I totally understand about not doing a HPT...I too am afraid of getting a negative and I want to believe I am pregnant for as long as I can....I have never taken a HPT and gotten a positive...so VERY scared of them!!

I think I am going to just wait until Thursday...my big beta day! I think most everyone works...how are you going to handle getting the phone call at work? I have thought about asking the nurse about what time I should expect the call so I can be @ home to get the news. I am sooo nervous!!

Dancinnancy: You go girl!!!
I am so sorry to hear about your OHSS...that does not sound like a mild case to me! I hope you are feeling better and taking the time to take it easy and let you DH pamper you!

Take it easy everyone! Our Beta's are this week!!!!! Keep those thoughts positves!

MBG

[dancinnancy]

MBG-

I have a sneaky little plan for finding out my results on Friday. My sister in law's father is a Dr in the area & he's affiliated with the hospital where I go to get my b/w done. She's got an in there, and can call to find the results for me! She's done this mulitple times for herself too! I just would rather hear any news from a close family member, rather than one of the nurses (even though most of them are sooooo sweet). My schedule on Friday is pretty light, so I'll have my cell at my side all day!!

[4ourbaby]

Hi Girls!

dancinnancy: So sorry to hear about that horrible OHSS. I agree, that doesn't sound very mild! But I am so glad that all is ok with everything else. I know all about that Irish attitude! Our family is VERY Irish...both mine and my in-laws!

MBG: I'm glad you understand about the HPTs. As much as I try to be positive, I can't help but worry about the worst outcome. Like we both said before, I just really want to feel & believe I am pregnant for as long as possible. It's the best feeling in the world.

As for work, I actually left my job shortly before we started our last FET. I was always on my feet and working all kinds of crazy hours and very long weeks. My husband really believed that work was part of the reason our first IVF didn't work out (not enough rest, too much stress, etc.). He worked very hard to make it so that I didn't have to work while going through IVF again. He thought it would be for the best. Obviously, dropping to one income brings its own stresses, but I am very grateful for the opportunity to give this cycle 100%. And, my FET was a positive, it just didn't last So I have to believe that the decision we made works.

Can you girls just call in sick on beta day? Or have you had to use a lot of personal and/or sick time just to make the appointments?

I'm so glad that I have you girls! You're the best! xoxoxo