IVF HAMMERSMITH

[CarolynB]

Thanks Vicki. I so hope that they can reach them too!

I'll let you know if dh will let me on here when we get home.

Take good care.
Carolyn

[lolajones]

Carolyn - GOOD LUCK TOMORROW TROUPER!!!!!
I hope they can harvest both sides with no problems and then we can send grow vibes to make some sticky blasts for you and DH.

let us know how it went lovely

lola
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[CarolynB]

Thanks Lola. Do appreciate you doing the pom-pom routine especially when you are chilling out from ivf right now.

Well the Hammersmith came through for me.

So - Good news. OMG. OMG. I am so relieved. I think that they stood on me to move my ovary but who cares. They got to both sides. 11 wonderful follies for me. I was crying when they told me - guess it was the relief. Lovely lady surgeon - told her it was my 3rd go and I needed her to pull out all the stops for us!!!!

Bed 6 this time which made a change from Bed 4. I think that when you know the routine that it helps keep you calm. The staff were super nice but guess that is because we are becoming regulars!

So given the good numbers, we asked to meet with the embryologist, Hannah, afterwards to talk about going to blast. She was lovely too. She asked us quite a lot about why. We told her - 2 goes, 5 back, some 6 cells. No joy. That we understand that they may not make it to Day 5 but that we almost rather know that sooner rather than later or allow them to select the best ones. She could completely understand our rationale after previous attempts. So we are going for it.

They'll call tomorrow to let us know how many fertilised. Will call Friday to decide whether we have enough running for us or whether we can add back some snow babies (they are Day 2 from cycle 1). Did not know that this was a possibility. We have 6 frosties so that gives us some more options too. They would like us to have 6 looking good at Day 2 stage for us to get over the weekend. Will get another progress report on Saturday. She'll check them on Sunday but I'll likely not get a call til Monday. She is the weekend embryologist so nice to know that she'll be keeping an eye on them for us. At that point, they'll be calling us every half day to decide the best point to transfer them back - if they make it that far. Looks like a transfer on either Monday or Tuesday.

I know that we may not get that far but feel better about them being outside me where they can monitor them and see what is going on. I can also run around for the next 5/6 days without the fear that I am damaging my precious cargo.

So 2ww starts here. Can imagine that the next few days will be agony. But feeling so very lucky & relieved just to have this chance.

Thanks for all your support. It really does make so much difference. I shall keep you posted.

Lots of Love
Carolyn
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[lolajones]

Thats fantastic news!!!! Nice one our Carolyn!
So now we send the fertilse vibes and then the grow-mo-waves. I have a very good feeling about this cycle for you - blasts will work and then its easy street for you. Keep us posted with progress - I'll be monitoring the situation like a CIA agent.

Well, since my last post I've done a 360 - woosh. I have started down regging for FET 4. I did some more thinking and gave myself a telling off. Reading this board, what other people of gone through, gave me a kick out of my downer. So, back on IVF train, woo woo! have scan on the 15th and I guess if all goes to plan, transfer end of March, pregnant by easter - keep it positive!

Hope the girls are good
take care

Lola
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[poochie]

Carolyn

What fantastic news 11 is a fab number. Good luck with blasts my new clinic always tries to go to blasts whenever possible. Less of the running and more resting you need time to heal to be in tip top shape when those embies get back on board.

Keep us posted, good luck.

Love Vicki x

[CarolynB]

Vicki and Lola

Thanks for sending me all your support. Hugs to you both.

Vicki - I am sure that blasts is the way forward based on what I have read in the US - I feel so much better that they are being looked after outside of me and less responsible for how they do over the next 5 days.

Lola - get in there. Pleased that you have piled back in. I know that it is hard but really not sure that waiting too long helps either. Are you going to do acu again? My pom -poms are at the ready to cheer you on.

You go girl. Sofa city here you come. Have to say that there is a lady who now seems to do a lot of the scans - she is very nice and so informative. Wish I could let you know her name........

I was feeling so good after my EC that I even donated my Grazia to sofa city! Without graffiti. But you'll know where that has come from

Must go to bed as feel quite sore now. But no complaints from this lady today. I'll keep you posted.

Love
Carolyn
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[CarolynB]

Hey Hammers

Quick progress report from me.

So got call on Thursday. 6 fertilised. A little disappointed compared to past 2 goes but not too bad. 5 looked like good grade 2's and 1 average.

So I had the call Friday morning. Sat in a car park at a client that I am working with! All 6 ok. Yvonne the embrylogist was really nice. At that stage, we had 4 good 4 cells, 1 average 4 cell (looks a bit murky!) and 1 good 2 cell. So was quite pleased. They had met to discuss our case. The UK authority - HEFA - will not allow frozen from 1 cycle and fresh to be mixed. So if we had defrosted then it would just have been from that batch or this fresh batch - we could not pick best of both. So we agreed not to unfreeze - seemed too much of a waste of our precious snow babies - and to pray that the fresh ones can do the business for us.

Got up to go to supermarket today early in case we were on for ET today. Got call in Sainsburys of all places by the ready meals!!! Embryologist - Hannah - was so pleased for us. The average is now a 7 cell but the other 5 are all 8 - 10 cells. I am so happy. Go little ones Go!!!!!!!!!!! She even said that they were lovely but that if we went for ET today that she would not be able to decide whcih were the best. So we are going for the long haul. She'll go in and look at them tomorrow but she said no point her calling as they go through a transition phase. Next call will be Monday first thing. Come on embies! Then they will decide whether we have transfer on Monday am, pm or Tuesday. OMG. God knows how I am going to get acu lined up before and after??? But we are into new terrotory for us now. Only ever done 2 day transfer before. I somehow feel better that they are outside me for now and being so well looked after - it is like I feel that my dam body will mess things up At least it will all shorten the 2ww for me if we get that far. So I need to work today so that I have time free on Monday/Tuesday if required. I hope that it might take my mind off things - fat chance . We might go horse racing tomorrow together to get out and do something and avoid murdering each other

Have great weekends. Please will them on for me.

Love
Carolyn
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[poochie]

Carolyn & Lola

Lola – Good for you go girl, sometimes its good to take plunge and say sod it this is my time, I'll be looking out for your updates.

Carolyn - go go go embies glad you are getting good support from the embryologists there are a good team at the Hammersmith. The nice lady doc you talking about could be Ann Carby she’s really slim and very nice, I had her alot on my daughters cycle she was very considerate and informative. Keep us updated on your embies, good luck.


Vicki X

[lolajones]

Thanks Vicki - yes! jump in and kick its ass!

Carolyn - SO PLEASED everything seems to be going excellently!!! Grow little ones, grow!!! I bet they'll have 6 gorgeous blasts to choose from come monday and then..... back to the mother ship for the uber 2 (or 3?) to grow some more and then a mere week and a bit until the best news in the world!!! This is your go, I JUST KNOW IT!!!!!! Have everything crossed for you my lovely girl

Anyway, just a quick one, off out

Love love love
Lola
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[CarolynB]

Vicki - if she helped you get your little girl then I am dam sure that it is certainly good enough for me!!! Thanks for cheering me on. Do you know when you'll start again. Around Easter I seem to re-call

Lola - thanks for cheering me on and for being so full of PMA. I need it & hope that it is rubbing off on you too. I am cycling now with one of your Oct 05 pals - Jen. She's been a fab support and I need to try to be the same for her as she is on such a long and different cycle. I so hope that they'll be able to get her a great crop of eggs this time. How are you feeling? Hope that you are living it up for your last 11 days as 'normal' young lady. Surely us long serving ladies must get some joy soon.........???

I am having a really nervous day today. Woke at 6am and just cannot seem to settle. Guess I have been using work as a distraction. And at least most days I have had a call/progress report. Today nothing. I almost inclined to say that it is as bad as the 2ww near the end but then realise that nothing can be like that So I seem to be comfort eating - non stop. At least I'll soon look pregnant at this rate

Was also madly panicking about when I will be going in and how I fit everything else around it work wise and get acu lined up. This is not a good situation for a control freak to be in. So I am so sad that I have written a mini plan for each of ET on Monday am, Monday pm and Tuesday. So I know who to call and what to re-gig in each scenario - even down to including calling my dh. Probably means that I'll not need to go in at all now!!! ARGGHHH

Hope that you are having better Sunday's than me. For once in my life I am really really looking forward to Monday morning. and will not get that heart sinking on Sunday night!!!

Lots of Love
Carolyn
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[lolajones]

Carolyn can understand you nervousness! I can't wait to hear your news tomorrow - I have the day off so will be checking in regularly - monitoring this cycle of yours has been better then watching Greys Anatomy!
Ok OK, pan pipe breathes my lovely girl - not long until the week n a half wait to BFP-ville!!!
Stay sane and grow blastos GROW!!!

Take care
Lola
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[CarolynB]

Hey Lola and Vicki

So the latest episode of the drama is as follows..............

Just 1 has fallen by the wayside but I still have 5 running for us!!! Wow. Really pleased with this. Still at morola (spelling stage) and not got to blasts as yet. But all 5 are still progressing/dividing so they are hopeful that they may make it. OMG. But they want to wait and do a D6 transfer. Any info on D6 transfer - ever heard of that one or am I breaking new ground ladies

As I want to have acu beforehand, they have told me to work on the basis that we go for it tomorrow at 10am for ET. His words were that he would be amazed if there was nothing to transfer at all. I am hoping not to amaze them!!! So another 24 hours to wait. Daniel was v positive about the fact that 5 from 6 had made it this far. Likely will see Christina before hand and Daniel afterwards.

They will not call me again today as they will leave my little ones in the incubator. Don't like to take them out too much. Tomorrow is going to be quite a day as they will tell us the update when we get there.

At least I will only face a 1ww+1day wait at the end of all this!

Love to you all.
Carolyn

Lola - enjoy your day off lovely. Hope that you are enjoying the fact that it is not boring with rain!!! I would prefer Grey's any day!!!

[lolajones]

Fantastic!!
Man alive - day 6!!! They sound very healthy - I know I keep saying it but I really think this cycle will work for you!!! Just think - BFP by a week wednesday!!!! Woo hooo!!!
Have all crossables crossed and even did a bit of chanting for them.
Take care - and good luck for tomorrow!!! I'll be thinking of you and waiting for your post ET update!
Love, Lola
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[poochie]

Carolyn

Wow that is fantastic to get five going to blast. Good luck for tomorrow will be thinking of you and looking out for your post, you will be the first of our 2007 BFP lead the way. I start begin April so not long.

Thinking of you good luck


Vicki X

[CarolynB]

Lola, Vicki

Well crash back to earth for me.

I am just so gutted. Embryologist - Ben - saw us this morning. He said that none of our 5 fighters had made it to blast. 3 had stopped completely and so were no good. 2 showed a little activity but he basically said that our chances of success just plummeted. I was ready to walk out but could not give up on the slim slither of hope. I could not even speak. We asked if they were worth putting back and he said that there was nothing to lose but he could not hold out much hope for us.

So had 2 transfered back through a sea of tears. More tears with Daniel at acu afterwards. Christina did the acu but Daniel came to visit with a box of tissues.

This sucks for all of us. Why does it have to be so bloody dam hard. I am not sure how much more of this I can take right now.

I am sure that I shall pick up the pieces again as we all seem to. What else is there to do

It is so cruel. I cannot even look at my dh as I feel like I let him down so badly. What can I do to make this work for us????

Sorry to be a bummer but I am falling apart.

Love to you both.
Carolyn
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