The Over 40 Crowd

[Catharine]

Hey All-
Hope Everyone had a joyeous holiday. Just wanted to let ya'll know the surgery is on for tomorrow, thursday dec. 27th. I'm a bit buggy over it.

Wishing everyone well.

Catharine

[children]

Catharine, thanks for the update and good luck tomorrow and looking forward to your quick recovery and news then.

Sonia, sorry that the AF arrived so early again. Since I am not religious, I turn into Yago practice when things are out of my control - It good for minds and good for health, why not? Could you be on progesterone in the mean time of E2? Did your Dr. change anything since the last failed cycle? I am a bit angry about this situation and I tend to blame your RE for it. Are you going to consult them? Are you going to ask for a workable strategy? I had one cancelled cycle also due to that a dominant egg was found. I was mad since it caused me another two months for another cycle. But at least my RE changed the protocol to prevent the same situation from reoccurring.

Happy new year, everyone.

Yasmina

[Kiwi expat]

Hi ladies - hope you all survived the Xmas festivities! As for me- only just! We had a great time with all the other Xmas expat orphans (those of us over here with no family to celebrate with...) Thought I could allow myself a wee discrepancy and have a couple of Xmas drinks or three... My new clinic has put me and DH on a strict alcohol free, reduced caffeine diet and rigorous exercise regime for the next few months! But hey - I figured we deserved a bit of a 'blow out' at Xmas and New year after the year we've been thru! Surviving an alcohol free new year will be the next hurdle- not!

Today I'm feeling a little deflated now that 08 is winding down and all the excitement of Xmas is over. I know we have to try not to look back on the failures and think of the positives, but I'm feeling like I've wasted the whole year by over focussing on babies and ivf, so much so, that I've not accomplished anything! So Chriss - keep up the PMA for both of us ok? How are you doing? Sounds like spending a fun Xmas with your whole family would have cheered you up a bit- if not, just keeping you busy and taking your mind of things for a while would have done you some good?! Thanx for the PMA - And I WILL try to picture my dream for next year!

Sonia - It's a bummer about your cancelled cycle. I just hope that they can learn something about your lining this time round so they get it right the next time! It's fustrating and disappointing as it takes so much effort to mentally prepare for a new cycle, then have it dashed away like that. Hope you enjoyed your family Xmas too and the next cycle will come around quickly as possible.

Anna - Hi - It's really nice that a few of you successful over 40 mums pop in still and encourage us! I bet it was magical spending your 1st Xmas with Mathew this year!

Gracie - How are you and the baby(s)?!


JenB - How are you? Did you have a white Xmas in Scotland this year? Vit C is a must in that weather! My new doc has just put me on 1000mg a day (and I'm in the tropics!)

Catharine - Good luck for your op today I think its better to have it sooner rather than later so you can get some definite answers then move forward faster. Thinking of you!

Welcome Mercy!

Hi to Amy, Kim, LuAnne, Kat, Yasmina, Tammy and everyone else!

Take care

Andrea

[Gracielope2]

Merry Belated Christmas Ladies.

Andrea: Good Luck with your alcohol free, reduced caffeine diet and rigorous exercise regime for the next few months - it will all be worth it! It's not easy going after something you really want - Life will always throw you a curve ball, it's catching that ball and achieving what we all want on this forum - a baby! Life's most precious gift.

Chriss: You sound very good! I'm so happy. You've been through a lot - I can't wait for you to start your next cycle. It's going to happen for you. Keep up the PMA. What you said about your sister, made me think about my sister. We would say the same thing. You are so right in saying - not to give up on your dream. If the desire is in your heart - it is there for a reason!

Sonia: I think it really "stinks" that your cycle was cancelled. How upsetting, I really hope and pray things work out for you.

Catherine: Good luck with your surgery. It's best to just get it over with! At least that is what I believe. It will work out ok. Keep the faith - believe that God is in control.

Hi - Yasmina, Anna, Luanne, and anyone else that I might have missed.

ME: I went to get the for U/S yesterday. We had one that hung on. RE said everything looks good. I go back next week. I'm feeling really exhausted. I have been spotting brown, sorry if TMI - which is making me crazy! I also had some bad af cramps this morning that finally went away. I'm constantly going to the bathroom to check. I "know" that I can't control what is going to be, So I'm leaving it in God's hands. I'm going to try and think about to much - I think that is what's driving me a little nuttie.

[Sonix]

Hi,
hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas time.

Thanks very much as always for your support and encouraging posts! It means a lot to me. I’m handling the cancelled cycle pretty well, I suppose because it’s happened many times before. I did feel like I was mentally well prepared, with PMA and hoping that I would at least get to transfer this time, but… unfortunately not. Although communication with the clinic has always been very good I’m glad it didn’t happen over Christmas. Over the weekend I drank a few glasses of wine, went skiing for a day and am slowly getting things back into perspective.

Chriss, thanks for your post last Sunday – made me feel much better. I read something recently in German which made me think. Roughly translated it goes: “Hope is not the belief that something will work out well, it’s knowing that something has a purpose/sense, whatever the outcome”. You were right too about focussing on Christmas instead of your BFN. It was fun celebrating Christmas and having the house full of happy family and friends. Didn’t you have a consult with your Doc end of this week? Looking forward to your news, hope you get some more answers and guidance.

Yasmina, Chriss and everyone- thanks for your advice and ideas on what could be causing AF coming so early – it’s certainly been keeping me thinking about a link. I’m collecting a few bits of information from my past cycles to send to the clinic which might help them decide how to proceed. The doc’s assistant was very concerned that increasing the meds this time didn’t help and said she would consult the doc and send me a long email after Christmas. I think they might end up asking for more screening and hormone tests.

Andrea – know what you mean about feeling a bit deflated after the excitement of Christmas. I’m sure you can allow yourselves to indulge a bit at New Year can’t you(?) and then you can get off to a new start with your diet and exercise regime. You’ll soon be filled with new energy!

Hey Catharine, how are you? Hope you are recovering well and getting all the loving support from DH you need. You can soon put that step behind you and concentrate on getting ready for 2008.

Gracie – glad to hear that everything is looking good and that you can go for regular scans. Look after yourself and don’t work too hard. Have you told anyone yet or are you going to wait?

Hi to Anna, Tammy, Bev, Kat, LuAnne, Amy, JenB, DJB, Mercy and everyone here. It's been great being a part of this forum with all of you. It so helps with getting through it all! Happy New Year everyone; 2008 will be a better one!

Sonia
xxx

[Catharine]

Hey All-
TGIF

Welcome Mercy. This is a great group of gals. You will find lots of support here.

Sonia so sorry to read about your plite. I'm thinking about you during this trying time. I'm right there with you propping up that PMA.

Chriss how are you doing?

Andrea-DH and myself will be joining you with the alcohol free new year. Typically I'm in that mode except during the holiday's. The first week is the worst [mind game really] but then it gets easier and soon you just don't miss it nor think about it. The amazing thing is how many calories are removed from the diet when alcohol is removed. Know that I'm right there with you wishing you and your DH all the best as you embark on this new path.

Thank you all for the well wishes. I made it through the surgery. There was definitely embryonic tissue remains left and with an intact vascular system this proved to be challenging to the docs but in the end they were triumphant and I am home recovering

I will be returning back to the clinic for another sonohistogram next month to ensure all is well. Next tmt looks like feb or march

Hi to all the other lovely ladies wishing everyone all the best.

Catharine

[LuAnne41]

I want to pop in for a moment to let everyone know I have been hospitalized for a while now. I had significant funneling and shortening of the cervix, discovered by routine U/S and underwent an emergent (rescue) cerclage in the hopes of preventing pregnancy loss or preterm birth. I have a long way to go yet, but will be released home to go on strict bedrest. I will not be permitted to sit upright to use the computer, thus no internet access. In other words, I will not be able to read or reply to posts for awhile but I did want to let everyone here know what was going on. I hope everyone had a nice holiday and I hope 2008 is the best year yet for all of us!!! I will keep you all in my prayers and ask you pray for me & my babies.

[chriss]

LUANNE, I really hope that you get this message. OF course we will all pray for you and your little ones. Try to stay calm. Thank goodness there was something that the doctors could do. My friend was on bed rest for most of her pregnancy due to problem with cervix. She made it through. Be strong. We are all here thinking good thoughts for you and your family. Will be thinking of you often. Thank you for keeping us informed. Maybe someone can pop in on the message board once in a while for you??

Catharine, been thinking of you. Glad to hear that you are well and the surgery is over. I am curious about the intact vascular system? I hope that you are resting up? Recovering? Take it easy. Regain your strength. THe next two months will breeze on by, they seem to these days. You are right about the alcohol calories we are saving. Probably saving our livers as well. Thinking of you.

Sonia, glad to hear that you are handling everything ok. You are a very strong person. I admire that so much. Keep pushing for testing, maybe they can uncover something that could make the difference for you.

Gracie, thanks for your encouragment. It means so much. I've been thinking positive. Now you remember to do the same. It sounds like you are. Keep the faith that you've been sharing with me. It is making a difference. How awesome was that sonogram???? Stay strong.

Andrea, it has been a crazy year for most of us. We can relate. Let's keep picturing our positive outcomes girl. Glad your Christmas was fun. My DH and I had a few drinks as well. We've been off alcohol for a loooong time now, but took Christmas off to be a little more merry. Now we are back to the serious business of being as healthy as possible. (Meanwhile we got the stomach flu and were sick for a few days! Yuck) We are recovering. Looks like a very sober New Year's Eve for us. How boring. That's ok, we will survive.

Hi Yasmina, Tammy, Mercy and anyone I've missed.

Had my consult appointmnet with RE. He says to be persistent. He said that I seem to be responding well to meds and embryos look good. We have sperm issues and age factor, so that could be what's holding us up. He sees no reason for us to stop trying. He is tweaking the meds a bit for next time and he sounds confident. He talked about how I was pregnant before (IUI ) and that is valuable information to him. We were successful once, we can be again. We asked him if IUI is better option for us and he said it's certianly something we could go back to if needed... with injectibles. We never did injectibles with IUI, just clomid and that worked so he thinks that one way or another this will work, but we need to be persistent. I have faith in him. He is a great doctor and my clinic has great results. For now, we will continue with IVF, we have the insurance for two more. One day at a time. All in all appointment went well. We have plans. Keeping the PMA in tact. Keeping the faith. Thinking of you all. Be positive. -chriss

[children]

LuAnne,

I am so sorry for your situation. Glad that your Ob found out that you need emergent cerclage early though and put you in strict bed rest now. I hope now you are also under the supervision of Obs that specialized in "high risk pg" since they are usually better and more experienced in dealing with complications like this. I am definitely thinking of you! All the best,

Yasmina

[Catharine]

Greetings to everyone:D and Happy New Year

I just got the pathology back on the tissue and it was chorionic tissue with necrosis, meaning the placental remains. It was a good thing I went in for the surgery as these tissues can devlop into choriocarcinomas and thus become life threatening. I feel like I just dodged a bullet. However, I'm left with a dilema. My RE was on vacation when I had the surgery, the RE on call [he's very nice] performed the surgery. When I called for the follow up appointment, I wasn't sure who to see, my RE or the RE who performed my surgery. I'd prefer to see both at the same time, but that's impossible given how healthcare works here. It would amount to double billing on a procedure. I called my IVF coordinator with this delima and she said it really didn't matter who I saw, but that it would be quicker to see the 'substitute' RE as he is new to the practice and doesn't have a large patient base. A RED flag went up, suddenly I felt like a pawn in a game. I may be over reacting, but I felt like the coordinator was pulling a fast one, especially when she suggested that regardless of who I see at that point we would make a plan for how to proceed forward. She went on to say we should consider IUI. This infuriated me I kept my cool. I'm waiting for the scheduler to get back with me on the availability of both REs for the follow-up appt. I assured the coordinator that we are not in a rush to have tmt on my next cycle that I want to be confident that I have the best circumstances for conceiving. I believe she heard me. My concern is I have a repoire with my RE of record. I love her, she's awesome. More importantly, I don't want to coldly abandon her. Another concern is she has been working with us for nearly 2 y. She has many more years of experience over the 'substitute' RE. So I'm worried that her experience and thoughts will not transfer to the 'subsitute' RE. Perhaps I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. I'm so confused. The call-back will aid in what happens for sure. I hate not knowing

okay enough negative energy, positive thoughts, bright pinks and purples, aqua blue. Ohh a beach would be nice with warm temps and a refreshing breeze. PMA PMA PMA

Happy New Year to Everyone
Catharine
----------------
Me 43 DH 42
ttc>5y
1 IUI nov06 BFN
1 IVF feb07 BFN
1 IVF aug07 BFP, mcg 9wk

[children]

Hi Catharine,

Thanks for the update. Good that the surgery went well. Sorry that you will face some dilemma in choosing doctors. Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings, when it comes to making decisions like this. Go with whoever that you trust. Good luck,

Hi to everyone else here.

Yasmina

[summerbaby]

To Sonia & chriss - thinking of you both - so sorry to recently read about what has been going on, or rather not going on. Hope you are both feeling a bit better and can start to look positively into the future.

To Catharine, I second Yasmina - go with who you trust and feel best about and you are sure to find the right path.

To gracielope - congrats on your bfp! wonderful news! keep us posted on your progress!

To Luanne - I know you aren't able to read this post, but know that you and your babies are in my thoughts.

Sorry to have been MIA for the last weeks - my mother was visiting and I've started a new job, so all was a bit more hectic than usual and I barely had time to check in till recently. Looking forward to getting back in touch.

I go for my thyroid testing on tuesday and should have a result to report to my RE by the end of the week and will go from there. - do hope I'll get the green light to cycle again soon because I am ready!!

To everyone :: Happy New Year! I sincerely hope 2008 brings you everything you wish for.

xx Amy

[chriss]

Good to hear from you Amy, sounds like you've been busy. Good luck on thyroid test today. Let us know asap. Thinking of you. 2008 is our year!

Catharine, how are things working out? Any decisions about doctor? Stay strong. Take a deep breath. We are here for you.

Gracie, how are you? Hope all is well.

Thinking of you LuAnne.

Hi Sonia, Andrea, Tammy, Yasmina, Anyone I missed. Happy New YEar!

I am on a cycle break from IVF this month. I am going in today for natural cycle IUI, why not? Miracles happen. If this is not the miracle month, we will start next IVF cycle in about two weeks. Thinking of you all. Keep posting. I miss you all. -chriss

[Catharine]

Greetings All!

Amy-thinking of you today, PMA

Chriss- Good for you. fingers crossed.

LuAnne-thinking of you and your lil'ones.

Onto myself. In the long run I fretted for no reason. When the scheduler finally called back, I was able to get into see my RE; the appt was yesterday. She is so good at putting me and DH at ease. So, I had an hCG test done yesterday to confirm zero level now that all the remnents have been removed; results on wednesday. To tell you the truth it's such a relief to know that it is all gone. The pix from the surgery showed how the uterus still thought it was preggers Anywho, what also put me at ease by RE was her concluding that I do not have a uterine problem; it appears to be operating like a young woman's uterus given this last glitch. More important, this allows us to enter tmt for February cycle Most likely using the same protocol as last time since it worked. I'll just cross my fingers I skip the OHSS this go around.

Hope everyone is doing well.
PMA all around
Catharine
----------------
Me 43 DH 42
ttc>5y
1 IUI nov06 BFN
1 IVF feb07 BFN
1 IVF aug07 BFP, mcg 9wk

[Sonix]

A Happy New Year to everyone!

LuAnne – so sorry to hear what a difficult time you’ve been having. We are all sending you our best wishes. Please know that we are thinking of you and your little ones. Try to stay relaxed. Hope you will be able to call in again soon.

Chriss - you are sounding strong, a good way to start the year, and who knows… Keeping my fingers crossed for you. xxx

Amy – good to hear from you again. Hope you get the results you need by the end of the week and that long awaited OK to proceed. Good luck with your new job too.

Gracielope – how are you and how did your last scan go? Hope all is well. Please send us an update soon.

Andrea – how are you surviving on your new diet and exercise programme? Hope you are managing to take your mind off things for a while too.

Catharine – Great news about all your test and scan results. Glad to hear that you have recovered well. So you can really start looking forward again… and February is nearly here!

Anna and Yasmina – it’s so nice to have you popping in still to send us advice and encouragement. How did Eloise and Mathew enjoy their first Christmas festivities?

Jen – how are you? Have you had much snow in Scotland? Hope you’ve been getting some skiing in and have had a fab time over the holidays.

We’ve had a couple of days on the slopes in the Alps. The weather wasn’t the best, but who cares? A break from a work, lots of fresh air and exercise, and a change of scene can work wonders.

We’re still waiting for news from the clinic about a new schedule/strategy. Theoretically I should be starting meds again on Friday (cycle day 21) but having so many questions left unanswered is making me restless. I emailed the clinic again yesterday to inform them about my pre-treatment scan appointment tomorrow and will be phoning through with the results tomorrow. Hope to get some answers then.

Hi to Tammy, Bev, Kat, Mercy, DJB and all the lovely ladies here. Wishing you all a good start to 2008!!!

Sonia xxx