IVF HAMMERSMITH

[lolajones]

GOOD LUCK CAROLYN!!!!!!
I hope you have bonanza crop of eggs!

Can't believe you injected mid encore - I bow to your rock chickdom!

Will send uber vibes of bountifulness down to the ground floor tomorrow.

Don't forget to let me know how it goes lovely

Love
Lola
xxxxxxxxxx

[poochie]

Hi Girls

Wow just popped on to see how you two doing and your both in tomorrow fantastic news good luck to you both.

Lola - tomorrow you will have your babies back on board take care of them and yourself.

Carolyn - good luck with your bumper crop of grade A eggies.

love Vicki X

[CarolynB]

Vicki -thanks so much for cheering us both on. Very sweet of you. Hope that you are enjoying your time out from ivf hun.

Lola - thought of you at 10am as you arrived and looked at ceiling and set up good vibes to the 1st Floor!

Well I was back home soon after 12.30. Will have to make it quick as dh may pack me off to bed to rest any moment. Was in the same bed as last time - number 4 - how spookey is that!!!

Never straight forward is it! Only partial success for me. Was all going too well clearly. Sadly they could only reach the left side and not the right which had more follies. There were just too many blood vessels in the way and they tried but were too concerned about internal bleeding to go there. So first thing that I heard on coming round was that they only got to 1 side. Did manage to get 6 for me from the side that they could reach.

Was upset & a bit tearful when I first came out as seems such a waste of over 1/2 of my yield. Seems like my chances drop by 50% before we really start. Also puts end to plan to go to blast as now too risky which we were going to talk to embryologist about had we got c13 like last time. Dr who did the procedure did come to talk to me & dh and showed us pictures to better explain. However, I am now relieved & thankful that there were able to get to one side and get 6 out. Could be worse I guess. Physically I feel nowhere near as sore as last time.

So we will be on a 2 day transfer again - so back to the blue/yellow sofa city on Thursday. I'll be willing them on over the next 24/48 hours. We got 8 embryos from 13 eggs last time so hoping that we might get say 3/4 from 6.

Think that I'll go lie down for a bit as drugs starting to wear off now. Feeling like all my PMA has suddenly been crushed out of me but will pull myself back together and focus on the 6 that I am lucky enough to have. What an obstacle course this dam process is.

Lola willing you on & sending you super sticky vibes. Hope that you are going to be taking it super easy and have your dh running around after you. Guess that you must test 11th December. Truely hoping that you are getting the best Xmas pressie ever!

Lots of Love to you all.
Carolyn xxx

[lolajones]

Hallooo ladies

Vicki - how're you doing? What're your plans?

Carolyn - don't let the pma disappear!!! I know you must have been disappointed but concentrate on the positives - less pain for you, you have 6 good ones to fertilise, they didn't try any heroics and put you at risk. Hopefully they'll all fertilise and then you'll have 6 more to play with!
Shame I totally missed you! I got there at 10 and didn't leave until 1.
Had acu before - very relaxing and didn't feel rushed as I worried it might.
They thawed 2 and 2 survived and looked good (grade 2, 4 cells). I utterly misjudged the water issue and had to get off the table and have another try... felt a bit of a dolt. I find ET really uncomfortable and tense, a real lack of sense of humour up there in stirrupville.
Had some acu on way home which really wiped me out - I've been sleeping until now - felt lovely and I love Christina!

Anyhoo, sid n babs are back indoors and all I can do now is wait the wait AARRGGHHH!!! This is worst part!
As usual it all feels a bit dreamy and surreal.

Next is your turn!! Its all gone so quickly! Then we face the 2ww together, because of the weekend, your test date will only be the day after mine.... my nerves can't stand it!

So I hope you are resting my sweet and obeying the Zita bible? Check in and let me know how you're feeling

Love
Lola
xxxxxxx

[CarolynB]

Lola

Just checking in on you. So pleased that you got 2 from 2 and they sound v good quality. Fab news.

Really pleased to hear that acu worked well for you. I was concerned that it would all be a mad dash beforehand and create more stress than it solved. What time did they see you this morning?

I've had a cry and a sleep and feel better again. Was so PMA that I was bound to crash at some stage. See that you had a little wobble too (spying on you again!!!) But you are right. Got focused on 1/2 full rather than half empty.

I find ET really uncomfortable too. Sure that you are not the only one who has had water issues. I drank so much that I was worried I'd be a fountain at any moment

I hate the blimin waiting too - for busy people it is the most frustarting part of the whole process. But don't fret u can look forward to the McDouglas bros on Saturday!!! Scared out my mind that they'll make final rather than Ben or Leona. And you don't have to go to work which is a bonus. Loads of rubbish daytime TV for you and me.

Take good care. Glad it all went well for you.
Love Carolyn xx

[lolajones]

Hey Carolyn

How're you feeling today? Are you resting? Are you feeling more positive?
My acu appointment was at 8:45. Left there about 9:30 and was at the 'smith by quarter to.
I'm bored! I'm now worried about the transfer as Zita Goddess says being calm helps implantation - something about uterine contraction??? Too bad. One of my best mates rang today to say she's pregnant - beautiful timing. Know its stupid and selfish but I'm a bit angry at her for telling me today of all days. This is her third child. It put me into downward spiral of this is never going to work for me. When I'm in the floral lounge I often think I'll be coming here for years and years, like suspended animation woman.
NEGATIVE!!! STOP!!!!!!! Sorry about that. Does no good. Pan pipe breathes....

So tomorrow the big day for you!!! Woo hooo!!! Healing calm breathes during ET then bed rest. Hope the 2ww speeds by to a massive pre-Christmas BFP bonanza!

Good luck youngster
Love
Lola
xxxxxxx

[CarolynB]

Hey Lola

Come on girl. You pulled me up yesterday & now I need to have a go at getting you back full of PMA.

Sure that acu made you much calmer before and after transfer than you have been before. I simply cannot believe that anyone cannot be calmer when you know what you are facing. 1st time I was so stressed out it was mad. So sure that you have been a lot calmer this time than ever before.

Silly silly girl telling you today of all days. There really is no need. I would have been really angry too. It just seems so insensitive. However, unless you are actually going through it then I think that people don't have a clue.

I know what you mean about feeling suspended in time. My dh & I were like deja vue yesterday. I really felt it when I was in the downstairs ward area yesterday. They were asking all ladies if it was there 1st time. 3 X 1st attempt. Then me - no I've been here before & no it did not work. Then lady after me said - oh it is my 2nd go. I was like so it is not just me then. Then she said I have a little boy who is 18 months. Nothing like feeling you are the only failure!!! They even put me in Bed 4 which I was in last time. I am like - been here & not got the T-Shirt!

Come on. We are going to do this.

Thanks for letting me know timings. 8.45am - I am right in your footsteps chica. Oh you'll not believe this. Cannot see Daniel first thing tomorrow so have your Christina. She is about to become my top friend too. Then depending on timings I'll either see her or Daniel afterwards. I am relaxed. Love them both.

Feel a little like a rather large lorry drove over the bottom half of me today. Not got out of my PJs! PMA is a little up & down. Know that they'll call if none from 6 worked and not heard anything so take that as good. Trying to focus on getting myself ready for their return tomorrow. I am bored too. God knows what we'll be like in 10 days time!! ARRGGGHHH

Back on those darn sofas again tomorrow. May be we should start a petition to get the colour altered. Might not seem so bad if they were not yellow and blue!

Are you doing bed rest? For how long? When are you going back to work? I cannot do the lie down for 3 days. Did that last time and it did my head in. Only got up to go to the loo. I am going to take it v easy at home Thurs- Fri-Sat & Sunday. Will probably do some work on Monday but hope to take it easyish. Any tips welcome.

Take care. You are going to get the best Xmas pressie ever.
Love Carolyn xxx

[CarolynB]

Hey Lola

Looking on web - found this and thought that it might help to boast PMA.

The German study, showed improvement in IVF outcome when two sessions of acupuncture were added on the day of embryo transfer. The pregnancy outcome improved from 26% to 42% in each of 80 patients who were randomized to treatment with or without acupuncture within the same IVF program.

Go Girl!
Carolyn x

[lolajones]

Carolyn you are a one woman PMA cyclone!
Thank you! You have made me feel much better today.
So, 8;45 for you too with the wonderful Christina - you'll feel so chilled, you'll float into the pastel menagerie. When I was on the table, looking at the desert island picture they have on the ceiling, I was singing Dancing Queen under my breathe as a distraction and picturing Bjorn etc shimmying across the sand.

I hope being "germanned" does the trick for us dude!

I too am stuck in pjs. I can't do bed rest so am on sofa rest. There's no good daytime telly on! What have you got planned for The Wait?

OK then missie - Good Luck for tomorrow! Enjoy the acu and relax for the transfer and then just 12 days (12 days!!!) until B.F.P. Wooohoooooo!!!

Love
Lola
xxxxxxxx

[CarolynB]

Hey Lola

I am right waiting with you & just a day behind on testing.

Literally just got back. dh demanding that I go straight to bed. Had to come here first.

So Christina before hand really chilled me out. Good job as we had to wait almost an hour before saw dr for progress report. 4 from 6 made it. Which based on last time was about the best that we had hoped for. 1 average, 3 good. The good ones were all Grade 2 4 cells. So we asked if we could have them all back. Trewster had said no to 3 when we had asked him at consultation. So they made me sign lots of paperwork & made us speak to another consultant but they allowed us to do it given my advanced years!! If you don't ask you don't get! Right. Plus I knew that there had to be some benefit to be an older lady!

Then we were in the same bed as last time - bay 1. How spookey is that! When we went into the threatre embryologist said good news. 1 had already divided to 6 cell and other 2 were already 5 cells with one uneven looking like they might be 6 cells v soon. Last time the 2 we had back were both 4 cells. So very happy. Followed in your footsteps as a tribute but got bored of singing Dancing Queen as they had to use a dummy transfer first as could not seem to find the right spot as I struggled not to wee. So moved onto The Killers! Think that picture could be Maldives. dh and I went there a few years ago. He took my engagement ring all the way there and then brought it home without asking me as he never found the right moment (men) and proposed in West Hampstead instead so that gives us a laugh!

DH took me back for 2nd session of acu which was with Daniel. They saw me straight away - I am v impressed with them. Had the pins in ears - how mad is that. Seems to have done the job as need to go to bed now.

Feeling happy that it is done. Happy that they allowed us 3 chances. Happy that they divided more than last time.

Thanks for all your support especially when I wobbled. We are in this together right!!! Hope that you are doing ok on the waiting - how bored are you? What the hell are we going to do for next 10 days!!!!???

Will post again tomorrow but said prayers for you Lola when I was having my acupuncture that this works for both of us.
Lots of Love
Carolyn xxxx

[AGallagher]

Hello Indiana

I am under Hammersmith and have just completed my first cycle. I have found the staff to be friendly and have felt at ease. However I have just received news that the cycle failed after implantation.

I went as a private patient and found that you don't have to wait too long to be seen but have just received information that I can have treatment on the NHS. I am not sure which option you are under but there appears to be difference as there are long waits between starting treatment and getting follow up appointments with the NHS.

I wish you luck and would be happy to swap any information with you as I found that the staff do seem to assume that you know everything. There are alot of things that I have found out on the way and raised with staff who are helpful, but you do need to ask the right questions.

[lolajones]

Carolyn - 3 embies - fantastic! And they sound like good ones too! Now - you have to relax and we both have to concentrate on BFPs for Christmas!!!
Acu is the business! I've been sleeping properly for the first time in weeks.
I was also in bay 1 this time. I was in bay 1 the time I got pregnant so it's my lucky bay (ectopic notwithstanding....). Who did your transfer? I had that youngish spanish guy. He's very, um... business-like?
You reckon picture is maldives then? It certainly isn't Canvey island thats for sure.
So dear buddy, we now face the wait....
I so hope this works for us - we really do deserve it!
Any ideas for distraction? TV is not doing the trick for me today, neither is reading. Sex might but thats off limits according to Zita lore. It'll have to be food instead - going to eat my way through the 2ww.

OK dude - rest rest rest and STICK!!!!
Love
Lola
xxxxxx

[CarolynB]

AGallagher - sorry that your 1st cycle failed. I agree with you that the staff at Hammersmith are pretty nice and freindly. I get most of my info over the net or through these boards so don;t feel the need to ask them much. However, certianly felt more abale to 'drive' the process 2nd time around, whereas 1st time we really just went with what they told us. Good Luck for your next steps. Will you cycle there again?

Lola - time so drags doesn't it. Must be week2 already!!!! Pretty Woman passed most of this afternoon. DH out with mates this evening so will lie on sofa in complete control of remote and gorging on rubbish TV! Including final of I'm A Celebrity. Going to write Xmas cards tomorrow and wrap some pressies to while away sometime. Then XFactor and pray that Scots duo go. Barry Manilow and free style tomorrow evening. Something to look forward to.

Feel physically ok but woke up in the night wondering if 0-1-2 or 3 - acu chill must have worn off! God knows what I'll be like in 10 days time. Onwards anyway............

Have good weekends all.
Carolyn xxx

[CarolynB]

Lola

Just checked in to see how mad you have gone so far. I am trying to stay calm but it is so hard not to analyse every single twinge. Feel nothing really other than the odd pull.

Loved XFactor last night. Escapism for a whole 1 1/2 hours plus results show! Thought that Leona and Ray were both great last night - she is class and he is right little fighter. Ben was brave but did not do it for me last night. So happy that finally the Scots bores went!!!!!! Looking forward to next Saturday already............

Wrote my Xmas cards yesterday so feeling pleased with myself for achieving something. Not been out the house since ET on Thursday! AAARGGGG

Going into town to do a little bit of work this week. Staying at home will just do my head in. Dh will drive me in so I don;t have to endure the tube. Planning on taking it very easy and doing lots of sitting in front of my pc. Are you going back to work this week?

Thinking of you.
Carolyn xx

[lolajones]

Hey Carolyn

Yes!! McDrongos are out!! Woo Hoo!!!
Well, I've not gone mad yet but am reckoning on a breakdown in sanity roughly Wednesday at 1300. I'm back at work tomorrow (have that awful sunday feeling....) and have week from satan - kick back from taking last week off. It could go either way, glass half full say - Distraction! Glass half empty, he say Too Stressful and will scare sid n babs off. We shall see.
I too am analysing my twinges and swing between implantation pain (ghf) and constipation (ghe). One part of me thinks of course this isn't going to work. But I so want this. Not that that makes a difference.

Well done on Xmas cards - I bought first christmas gifts today and feel very organised. But its just a feeling and not related to the reality of situation.

Glad you're getting some distraction this week at work - take it easy though, need to be Ms StressFree for 1, 2 and 3 to get settled in at Casa Buena. Man, imagine of you get triplets!!! Hilarious!!

Right, I'm off to wash me locks in proper sunday evening tradition. Why do I have to work??? Eh, WHY???

Take it easy, Miss C and Stick embies, STICK!!!!!
Love
lola
xxxxxx