AUG/SEPT BUDDIES!

[muggsey24]

Chris ~ I have found one thing that I really love. The South Beach diet. Me and Dh have been doing it since April and I have lost a total of 20lbs. and he has lost 25lbs. We look at it as a way of life not a diet. We also have been walking but dont do it like we should. My children are eating the way we do also. I told DH the other day that if I eat to much (we have a free day every now and then) I am sick! Also, this is something that you can do while TTC and pregnant. You just have to up you intake a bit.

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday, we are off to church but I wanted to check in on everyone before I left. We are counting down the days to AF then we get started! I never thought I would be looking so forward to AF(LOL). I will check in later today! Praying for you guys!!!

[karenvancouverisland]

hi all,

jdc- you mentioned the dreaded words 'egg donor'...i sometimes obsess about this. (my RE recommended this was a "better use of our money" last time before we decided to go to ER instead and I got pregnant! (we sured showed them )..but now as we head to cycle 3, i know i will hear this again if we dont' get bfp. and i find myself 'checking people out'- like - would i want her eggs? what about her? it's a bit kooky.
and in canada we can't hire an egg donor, needs to be a known donor. and i don't have any family members of friends in the needed age range that i would consider asking (have 2 older sisters). it's such a huge thing to ask someone to do, and quite honestly, i don't just want anyone's egg, i want someone who's kinda like me. a friend of mine constantly offers her eggs to me which is very sweet- she's 37 and too old for the program, but she really meant it and i was so honored (and i'd take her eggs too )

anyone else do the mental battle with egg donors? ssome days it scares me, others i completely ignore it. anyways, a good day to all. karen

[valerie68]

Good afternoon,

Karen~ I too have told some of my friends about our journey with IVf because I also felt that the more PMA surrounding me, the better.
My Mom, my brother, my cousin, a few close friends know what's going on and it has been very good for me to share that with the others. With my family it has brought me closer to my Mom because before we never talked about children although she knew I adore them.
With my cousin I felt that I had to tell her about my endometriosis and warn her of what it could do...so silently for me. She's a few years younger than me and I didn't want her to have to deal with that, if I could make her aware of those dangers. She went to the OB/GYN after that and found out everything was ok. At the same time I told her we were trying to get pregnant with IVF. She than told me that they were TTC naturally at the same time. While I was doing my first cycle, she got pregnant but she did not tell me, she was waiting for me to have my betas and than we could share that together. Well, the first beta came around and somehow I just knew something was not quite right and miscarried a week later.
After my cousin found out about my chemical, she was dying to talk to me but I was not in the mood. Coming to find out, she had a miscarriage the day of my transfer and didn't want to worry me about my own pregnancy.
Before we started all this, we said to each other that we were going to be pregnant together and we did but also miscarried together. I was extremely sad for her and even more sad because she needed somebody to talk to and I was not available.
So here we are trying again and so is she and I have a good feeling that this time we'll be preggo together, it would be awesome.

As far as the egg donor, it has crossed my mind as well but for now I feel that my eggs are just fine. I do understand about your feelings of not wanting the eggs of certain women, I've caught myself doing the same thing...looking at other women and just saying: no way am I having her children.
How sweet of your friend to offer her eggs, beautiful gesture !!
I also hope that you will find yourself available again for a miracle, that you can let go and feel optimistic about your next pregnancy.
It sounds like you do a lot of soul searching as well and I think you will be just fine, you sound like a strong person!
You're not crazy at all, write to God again if it makes you feel better and tell your friends as well. I think we all handle this situation a bit differently.
I wish I could have surprised my family but there was no way of doing that. And I'm glad they know because it's part of my life, an important part and I want them to know what I live.

jharris, babyloves, hoping~ How are the stims going? Babyloves, do you have the result of your next US? Any more follies came along?

JDC~ How's it going with Estrace? Did you find out more about that drug?
As for me, this first BCP just made me so nauseous! And I'm not even pregnant yet.

I hope all the other girls are doing terrific and I can't wait to hear from all of you.
Sorry about the long post again! But it's so wonderful to be able to share this with ladies that really understand what I'm going through.

Have a good night !

Val

[babyloves]

Good evening ladies,
Val: sounds like you have a really nice sister who is very supportive. I find that you really need people during this procedure and the more we talk about it, the better informed we are. I don't know about you guys, but DH is not as encompassed by it as I am, reading about IVF, etc. Maybe its just a male thing.
JDC - Estrace is basically an estrogen supplement. For me, it is to be taken after ET to replace estrogen...but everyone is different, so it might be based on your hormonal levels?
Cocos: hope your DH's chole went well..i hope you can start soon!
JHarris, and hoping: how are your stims going...i guess this is what happens, but i feel like there's 2 huge softballs in my belly right now, and its actually a little hard to walk...

My update: i'm actually progessing kinda quickly...my ER was planned 7/18, but it's actually this tuesday!!!! I have to get up at 2:30 am tonite to do my trigger shot. I can't believe how quickly things are going along. My E2 is 1200 and today i had a huge 21 mm follie. They said i have 7, but yesterday said i had 12...i'm not sure about these techs and RN's...sometimes i feel they give me answers to questions i don't think they understand....sorry for the cynicism. Anyway, i'm sure we'll find out soon enuf at ER time...hopefully they get as many little ones as possible...i should (GOD WILLING) have ET by this weekend!! This is definitely exciting..

Take care all...and lets head into the world of BFP's...
-[/b]

[JDC]

Babyloves WOW....it is moving along fast for you. That is so great, and it sounds like you have plenty of follies! Thanks for the Estrace info...I'm assuming it is somehow going to suppress ovulation, because last time I had cetrotide for that since I'm on an antagonist cycle. Keep us posted on your progress!

Valerie I have had no side effects so far from estrace....except maybe some irritability? Don't apologize for the long posts! You are free to share what you need here.

jharris and hopinginpa how are stims going for you?

karen I'm sorry for bringing up the dreaded ED word! I really am....it is something I have prepared myself for though...before it was a total worry, but now it is just kind of something I'm aware of as an option. I do feel good about this cycle though.....

To all the ladies I missed....thank you for being a part of this journey with me!

Is anyone else taking dietary supplements besides the prenatal vitamin? I stopped my herbs now that I'm on the estrace, but continuing to take flax oil, probiotic, vit e and vit c. My nurse said they were okay, but I was just curious.

Well, back to work tomorrow. Can't wait to see how everyone progresses this week!

[jharris12]

Hey ladies. Sorry I haven't had a chance to get on this weekend. It's been busy around here! Hopefully I can get caught up with all the activity!!

hoping: Wow, things are moving right along!

valerie: The first injections have been fine. They didn't say what my levels were on the message. But I guess they were good enough to get started on stims! Congrats on starting BCP's. And I'm glad your AP will be back before stims!!

to_have_fun: I'm not using AP because of the expense. With everything out of pocket, the extra money for AP just isn't the budget. I would think physical exercise would be more important. Physical health is going to get you further while pregnant. Good luck.

cocos: Glad your DH is doing okay after emergency surgery. That had to be scary. Get home safe!

JDC: I took Estrace after transfer to increase estrogen levels, but I don't think it caused any side effects. Not sure why they hav eyou taking it now. I would ask your RE. I am also taking another supplement. It's a juice blend that has a lot of nutrients and vitamins, and you take an ounce a day. I think it's helping.

lovesme4me: I'm not far from 20, and my DH is 29. But in this thing, I don't think age much matters. I also had a problem getting my eggs to develop, but when on to ET anyway, but here I go again for my 2nd try. Good luck to you.

karen: Last cycle, only about 4 people total knew we were going through IVF. We are telling more people this time, and I feel like I have so much support, it really helps the PMA.

babyloves: Sounds like your follies must be growing pretty good to feel like that. I would take that as a good sign! I can't believe we have one going in for ER already! Best of luck!

So for me, I'm on day 3 of stims. I go in tomorrow for BW and US. Hopefully my follies are growing nicely. I will let you all now how it goes! Talk to you ladies tomorrow!

[SueQiwi]

wow--this is so exciting! I am thinking of you all that are stimming! JHarris, Hoping and Babyloves. And all that are nearly there~JDC. Im glad you all are blazing a trail to BFPs! Many good thoughts coming your way from down under.

Cocos~That is so scary about the emergency gallbladder surgery and your poor DH! I trust it all went ok and he is on the road to recovery.

Val~Congrats on starting BCPs! You are one step closer. And from everything you've posted--I sense you are prepared both physically and mentally. I never studied Budhism formally--but my best friend is Budhist. The practises and ideas have always resonated with me and it seems like something you would like too.

It seems like ages before I get to start BCPs! It wont be until my August AF. In the meantime I am IVFing vicariously though you all! Come on BFPs!

[Kate21]

Morning Girls!

Can't believe I have been off the boards a few days and there are 3 pages for me to catch up on!!

Val - I totally understand where you are coming from about thinking too much. I was exactly the same and then suddenly I got to a point where I thought I can't do this anymore, stressing about what will or won't happen and so I stopped!! I also went and saw a pyschic a few years back who made me re-evaluate things and told me to stop worrying and it would happen. Literally the first thing she said to me was about having children (which made me cry) and that I have nothing to worry about!! She predicted the 'one in one out' scenario, and DH's grandmother died New Years Eve just gone (which was totally unexpected) so who knows - what will be will be!

Cocos - sending love to you and DH. Good to hear the surgery went well and he is on the way to a full recovery.

To_have_fun - AP or exercise? I think you have to go with what will make you feel better. I'm lucky that I am doing both, I love to exercise and get stressy if I don't and the AP also helps me to relax. My AP deals with a lot of women with fertility issues but not solely that. As for the exercise - does your personal trainer mention anything to you about heart rates? I wanted to loose weight after my last tmt and the only way I could do it was by maintaining my HR within a certain zone. I lost 7lbs in 3 weeks and have managed to keep it off - let me know if you want anymore info

lovesme4me - I wish I was in my 20's!! Age really doesn't make much difference until you get to 35-40 - good luck with this cycle tho

Karen - hardly anyone knows about our tmt - I just couldn't deal with the added pressure! I also don't want people's sympathy or for them to deal with me differently. A couple have when they have found out about us trying and didn't want to tell us when they fell pregnant. Evem ny parents don't know - but that is how I deal with it

Babyloves - good luck with the ER, can't believe one of us is there already - bring on the BFP!!

JHarris & hoping - how are the stimms? Hope your bellies aren't too big!

JDC - how's you?

Hope everyone else is ok?

As for me had B/W Saturday to check on my down-reg. Everything is all ok and my body is bahving as it should. I am now on 2 sprays a day instead of 4 just to maintain things until I start stimming on Aug 7th. Had a pretty manic wkend tho, met up with friends from Paris who we haven't seen since our weeding 3 years ago! They have the most gorgeous little boy who is 21mths and speaks both English and French!!!

Anyway, must dash - lunchtime duty with the kids!! Also got AP later - can't wait, relaxation session!

Kate

[jharris12]

Good Monday morning ladies. Hard to believe it's back to work time. Weekends are entirely too short!

SueQiwi: Thanks for the thoughts! I know the waiting for AF is the toughest part! But it seems to speed up from there. Hopefully the time will go by quickly for you!

Kate21: I was thinking the same thing last night. I'm away a couple days and we have tons of new posts to catch up on! Hopefully this will be your "one in one out" moment! Stims are going well. Not huge yet, but hopefully soon!

I went in this morning for my E2 and US after 3 days of stims. I won't get my E2 until this afternoon. But during my US, the nurse called out 6-7 on the right, and 5-6 on he left! So I already have 11-13 on day 3! I think that was better than my first cycle! She also called out 6 halo, but I have no clue what that means? Any of you know? I didn't think to ask her when she said it. I can't wait to hear my E2 this time. I will let you know how it goes. Hope you are all doing great!

[baby_crazy]

Hi ladies. Wow, so many posts, took me about two hours to read them. Hope my boss did see that.

cocos - hope your DH is well. I have gall stones as well. They dont bother me and hope never will. My family doctor said there is nothing they can do unless it gets very painfull and then i'll have a surgery. He said some people live with them all their lives and have no idea they have them.

karen - this time i decided to tell all the people i think will be rooting for me. last time i was hiding from everyone, even from my parents and it added to my stress. This time i'm doing everything opposite.

babyloves - my DH is not the best supporter, he acted like he didnt really care, but then i had a talk with him and his attitude changed a little bit. and besides he's getting older and realizes that he needs someone to take care of him when he gets very old.

Read this article on friday. Looks like our provincial government (Ontario) decided to help families struggling with infertility. But the funny part about this is that about a month ago i found this website where one woman had a letter posted about how our government is ignoring families with infertility problem and she asked everyone who read that letter to send it to their MP's. So I did and i also asked people that I know to do the same. Maybe her letter has something to do with this article. I dont know when the new law will kick in, it's too late for me b/c i hope it will work for me this time, but at least our government realized that infertility is a desease and we need help: basic IVF cost is 5500, icsi 1000, ah 500, blast 800, meds 2000 - 3000 usually covered by health plan.

As for myself, I'll be starting bcp and lupron tomorrow. AF should be arriving in about 9 days. Yay!!!

Well ladies, i can hear BFP's knocking on our doors.

[valerie68]

Hello girls,

I don't have much time to write as my BIL is staying with us for a couple of days.
jharris~ You're doing terrific !! Lots of follies in there. What were your numbers, although it may not matter much as it seems you're well on your way!
Babyloves~ Wow !! I can't believe you're moving so fast on your stims. Sounds like you're doing very well. We can't wait to see our first BFP on this board.

Kate21~ Looks like we're going to start stims on the same day. I start Aug 7 th as well. Yeah!!! I can't wait.

Hoping~ Any news on your stims? Are you doing ok?
Thinking about you!

Well, I better go...I won't be alone for very long.
To all the other girls, I hope all's well.

Hugs,

Val

[to_have_fun08]

HEY Everyone,
Hope everybody had a good weekend.

Kate21 - I have heard some stuff about keeping you heart rate in the fat burning zone to lose more weight. Is this what you are talking about? I have a hard time doing that. I have tried before but I always have my heart rate around 150 or above.

JHarris - Keep up the good work on stimming. Since they over suppressed me on my last cycle I only had 4 follies on day 3 and one was already 22mm. I read a lot of your post from your last cycle and with the follies that you have now it definatly seems like this cycle will be much better.

karen - All my friends and family know about our IVF journey. There was 4 people in my family trying to get pregnant at once so of course we all talked about it. That was before we found out that 3 years later I would still be trying. Now out of the 4 family members 2 have been able to get PG. Me and my cousin are still trying. I haven't told anyone at work. I work with a bunch of guys and really don't feel comfortable with them knowing. It is bad enough the my RE always calls me at work so I am sure they have overheard some weird converstaions with all the appointments and dealing with the insurance companies.

Val - Your post are very inspirational. I also feel that we just have to let go. Our bodies are going to do what they do and we can't do anything about it. Though that doesn't mean that if we have our cycle canceled or get a bfn that we can't be pissed.

Cocos -- I hope your trip back home was good and that your DH is feeling better.

Babyloves - good luck on ER. Hope you get lots of eggies and that they all fertilize will.

muggsey24 - Thanks for the advice on the South Beach diet. I kind of looked at some info about that today and don't know if I could do it. I love cereal with milk, and fruit. I don't think I could cut that out. I guess it is only for a couple of weeks, I could probably do it. I will look into it some more but I am a bad diet person. That is awesome that you and your DH lost so much weight. One of my problems is that my DH has a very physical job so he can eat whatever he wants and not gain weight. Makes me sick. Also, if I go on a diet I will be on it all by myself because he would never go on a diet with me. He can be so stubborn.

I got a call from the RE today. I am to wait for AF then they will start me on BCP. Once I get AF again I will immediatly start stimming. This protocol will be a lot faster then my last but I have to take more shots. I will be on Generilix, Follistim, and Menopure. Yeah, 3 shots a day. Yeah I have to pay more $$$$ for drugs. I just love IVF.
Thanks everyone for your input on my exercise vs AP. I work on an Air Force base and found a gym on the base that is really nice. I went and worked out during my lunch hour and really liked it. So for right now I am going to try and work out without my personal trainer. The best part about the gym is that it is free. Can't beat that. So I am still undecided about the AP. Right now I am leaning toward not doing AP, if this cycle for some reason get canceled again, then I might look into for the next cycle. I am definatly going to try and eat better. No more fast food, No more fast food, I am trying to drill that into my head. Also no more ice cream, cookies, beer, etc.... Gosh how will I live.

Have a good day everyone,
Chris

[jharris12]

Good evening ladies. Hope you had a good day.

to_have_fun: 3 shots aren't so bad. The price, yeah, thats no fun. Hopefully you won't have to take too much. Enjoy the gym!

valerie: Thanks for checking in. My E2 was only 131, so they are increasing my Gonal-f. Hope the visit goes well.

baby_crazy: Congrats on starting BCP's and Lupron tomorrow!

I got my E2 results, and it was 131, so we are increasing my Gonal-F from 300 to 412.5. That sucks, I was hoping I was going to get to stay at 300, and maybe not have to order any more. Oh well. Hopefully it only needs a little bump. Anyway, hope you all have a great night!

[hopinginpa]

Valerie-it wont be long until you start, August will be here soon enough. Thanks for thinking about me.

Babyloves-Good luck tomorrow.

T0_have_fun08- I am not doing acupuncture this cycle. I did it last cycle, but since I have to pay for most of this cycle, I cut out acu. I did increase my exercising as well. I have to say, I am enjoying it and cant go a day without it. I am toning up and loving it. It has really helped throughout this process. Well the massage helped to

Jharris-thinking about you. Grow follicles grow!

Cocos- thinking about you and your husband! I too had emergency gall bladder surgery 3 years ago. It wasn't a fun week afterwards. Hope he is better soon!

SueQiwi-thanks for the thoughts. I can feel all the PMA!

Thinking about you all....just dealing with the lupron headache here and now bloated and cramping. Hope you all have a good night.

[valerie68]

jharris~Try and stay relaxed...I know it's not easy as I feel your frustration again. But you have lots of follies in there and those numbers are going to go up...I feel it. Again, try to think that you can't change the outcome and hopefully it will help. And let's keep that PMA going !

Hoping~ Sorry to hear about those Lupron headaches, that can't be fun. But it's for a good cause, so I guess we'll take it.
I've heard a lot about those Lupron headaches, I'm glad I'm not on that. Migraines are enough for me.

Babyloves~ Best of luck on ER...I hope they find more than they saw. Lots of rest after that !! Good luck on fertilization...we want lots of embies.
Thinking about you.

Babycrazy~ Congrats on starting BCP and Lupron tomorrow. Another step forward for you too.

JDC~ How are you doing on the Estrace? Everything going well for you?

Coco~ Are you back in town? How's DH recuperating from surgery? I'd love to hear how you're doing. Have you kept with your diet? You're in my thoughts.

Well I better get going before somebody pops up in the office unannounced. I hate to have to hide it but we decided to wait with my BIL and telling him what's going on.

Ladies, have a great night or a great morning depending on where you are.