Aussies and Kiwis!

[Paula]

Hey you little Aussie/Kiwi girls, where are you? Hope everyone is doing well. Just checking in to say hiya. You know the more I read these threads from girls all over the world the more I realize how very lucky we are with our treatment costs here in Australia. I had no idea!!! It's shocking isn't it?

Anywho, hope everyone is well. Only 4 more bc pills for me YaYYYY
Praying my fsh is low, but have a sinking feeling it's gonna be high, or something else is going to crop up. I keep getting strange pains in my overies this week. First it was the right side and now today is the left. I might go to the dr tomorrow if it keeps up. This one today has lasted about 3 hours now.

Take care everyone.... will write you more soon.

Huggs
Paula

[BelB]

Hi all,

Paula, we have been quiet lately!!, time for a bit of a catch up I say! Annie and I are doing well, can't believe my little girl is almost 10 and a half months, I go back to Qld Health in two weeks time. I'm going back one a half days per week, one day John will be at home with Annie, and the other day I will do my private practice for half a day and she will be in day care..I'm kind of nervous about it I have to say. I work as an Occupational Therapist and I'm quite scared of all the things I've forgotten or have moved on over the last year. I guess I'll catch up soon enough and then it will feel like I've never been away! (hopefully!)..

You're right about our treatment cycles being so much more affordable than overseas. Is sad isn't it that so many couples desperately want children and would be such great parents, but are prohibited by the whole financial demand..

Glad that the bcp's are coming to an end, I have everything crossed for the FSH levels, do make sure you let us know once your results come back..The pain you are experience could well be a side effect from the previous IVF attempt??, our bodies react in strange ways to the drugs etc..my ovaries got quite painful, left and right side, I remember my doctor being very reassuring though that this was an uncomfortable side effect and nothing too much to worry about..Let us know on this as well though won't you??

To all others, Heather, Tiger, MissMolly, Josie etc hello!!!..time for your catch up now please!!

Take care all
Belinda

[Paula]

Hi Belinda,

Thanks for your post. That makes me feel a bit better now. It's good to know it could be something as simple as side effects. I didn't think of that. I keep worrying myself, thinking things like, I have cysts or something else is going to complicate my tmt. I'm trying to stay positive but sometimes it's hard. I'll keep plugging along. Maybe it's my overies getting ready for af hey? They don't normally do this though so that's why I was thinking

Sounds like you have a really great plan with your dh being able to look after Annie while you go in one day. Its so hard leaving them isn't it? I remember all to well the feeling of leaving my baby when she was that age. It was almost impossible. I was the most paranoid mother in the world. Well I guess I shouldn't say was, I still am It's going to be hard to do at first, I know... huggs for you, it's a big step. You'll be ok

Talk to you soon, I'll let you know as soon as I find out my results.

Take care
Huggs
Paula

[Tiger]

Hi Paula, Hi Bel!!

sorry I have been away for so long ! no excuses but my hubby is here (!!!!!!!!!!) and we are trying to make the most of it, every second is so precious...

You know I got my bill for my cancelled treatment 2 weeks after my cancellation - and that was fine - amount was as expected. But when I got a cheque from medicare for my doctor I couldn't believe my eyes because they had written a cheque for my cancellation item AND amount for an OPU item as well (it was a considerable amount too )??? . Of course the hopsital never invoiced me for OPU because it never happend but obviously they made a mistake in making a claim with medicare on my behalf..... lucky I didn't just send the cheque off to the doctor... I promptly went to Medicare office and got them to cancel and reissue the cheque with right amount. I mean, I am not sure what threashold there is for each of us on medicare coverage (does anyone?)
but I wouldn't wont a claim against my name for something I never recived benefit of .

My body is really mucked up by the way, I finally got my blood test result and the nurse says "your hormone levels are soooo out of sync with what your body is doing".. ... so I can't even take bcp. I can only wait for the cycle to come back naturally and then I can get back on IVF ride again..... it really sucks. And they have also told me that I will be using a different down reg drug for next attempt - so probably injectables.... All in all I am quite disspointed but I can only go with where this takes me.... Life was never meant to be easy - right?

Paula, I have my fingers and toes crossed for you. It's so unfair that we have to live with this LIMBO isn't it??? All we want is to get on with tmt again; surely we are not asking for too much??? don't worry too much though - I have a good feeling about you, everything will be fine. Sending you tons of baby dust on your way.

Bel, I know you will do fine when you go back to work, no need to worry my dear . My work is sweet, I have slotted back into the company rather comfortably, can't believe how lucky I am.

My hubby is going back this Sunday so I am not sure whether I can log in again until after that .....

Kisses to you both and other Aussie Babes, catch ya.

Cheers, Tiger xxx

[BelB]

Hey Tiger,

Completely understand you spending time with your hubby, it's really important that you make the best of the time you have together. Can't believe that he goes back so soon, you guys must very much appreciate each other when you're around!!..Thanks for being so supportive re. my return to work. I am really quite scared about the whole thing. I am very secure though in the knowledge that Annie will be in good hands with her dad, John is a fabulous father, very sweet and patient and kind, but I feel so sad about this chapter in our lives ending. Staying home full time with a baby is hard work, incredibly rewarding, but also bloody hard work (some days more than others!!), but I have really really enjoyed it.. Sorry to hear about your rotten hormones being all over the shop..I had no idea that down reg could be done via injection, I have only heard of the sniffing variety, but hey, whatever works!!

Paula, do let us know where you're up to..

Take care all
B

[Tiger]

Hi Bel,

all fun and games at work, same ol' same ol' same old poo.... .

Yea, silly old hormones playing up on my body like that... I know that our US buddies have no option but injectables at thier down reg so I am ready for it when it come to it....

My dear huuby is now suffering hey fever? cat fur fever and he is sneezing endlessly with funny squashed face - nose twitching - all very cute. 2 more sleeps and we're separated again - .

I have decided to barrack for Swanies for the footy grand final this weekend and I am going up to mates house for a viewing. They are all mad mad Sydney supporters.....

So enough of mumbling from me , I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Cheers, Tiger

[BelB]

Tiger,
Good call, as an ex Sydney girl I can only go for the swanies (I would never be allowed back into NSW otherwise!!)
Have a great weekend, enjoy that hubby of yours..
B

[Paula]

Hello ladies!!

Tiger, nice to see you Sounds like you have a fun weekend planned. Also sounds like your having alot of quality time with dh right now. Good for you. Don't feel bad for not posting for a bit, life happens and you need to do what's right for you at the time. Being on here isn't a priority right now. Take care of you! Sorry to hear your levels are mucking you around lately. Hope they sort themselves out quick smart so you can get back on this coaster ride. It is unfair all the waiting around we have to do. All the disapointments, etc. etc. But here's wishing and praying that someday soon that will be a distant memory for both of us

Bel, sounds like your pretty much ready to get back to work. I look at things the same way you do. In chapters! What an amazing chapter you've had this last year with Annie. Now on to the next exciting chapter!! Be easy on yourself, it's going to be hard at first, but you'll manage. Hope Annie is doing well right now.

As for me, well i have one more bcp to take and then it's the big wait for af I guess time will tell whether or not she's going to be kind to me and get it over with or whether she's going to make me wait it out. Hopefully she'll take mercy on me LOL. I only need her here for 2 days to find out what my fsh is. It's either going to be a big high or a big letdown. No two ways about it. If my fsh is to high then i'm back on the waiting game for another month. This really does suck! It's almost torture wouldn't you say??

Anyways, glad your both doing well. Even though things aren't happening the way you want them to right now Tiger, you sound good, and that's the most important part. Take care of yourself! ps. my dh was suppose to be home on monday and he's still over in China. Who knows when he's going to show his head again. Probably not for awhile after I got off the phone with him tonight just teasing. Anyways, hopefully he's back by sun/mon.

Talk to you girls soon. Have a fantastic weekend!!!!

Huggs to you both.
Paula

[BelB]

Hey Paula,

Glad that the bcp's are finished, bring on af I say. She can be a real cow at times, (I have a love hate relationship with her), I always found when I was keen for her to arrive, she took her own good time, and when I was trying to conceive naturally (ha!!) she was always there bang on schedule..Drove me nuts to be honest. Let's hope she makes her presence known to you in the not too distant future! Thanks for your supportive words re. my return to work, it's a hard time to be honest, but yep, it's a new stage in my life and I am reasonably confident that all will be OK. I go back Monday week so think good thoughts for me. Am really keen to hear how your fsh levels are going, make sure you post as soon as you know (no pressure or anything!!??!?!)

Have great weekends to all.
Belinda

[hlloyd]

Hiya Ladies, how is everyone going?

Paula, keeping my fingers crossed that firstly, AF shows up, and secondly that your FSH levels are perfecto!! I also wouldn't worry too much about the ovarian twinges...I have found that since starting treatment I am so much more aware of every little twinge and pain. I am sure they existed prior to treatment, I just wasn't so focused on that area of my body until now. Good luck with your blood test and I hope DH makes it home.

Belinda, going back to work...it is a worry. I can only imagine how hard it is going to be to leave your daughter but it must be a comfort to be leaving her with her dad. Just think, it will give them a wonderful opportunity for some serious father-daughter bonding and also give him an appreciation of how tough motherhood is. I can also understand your anxiety about catching up after 12 months. I am sure things won't have changed too much and you will be back to your regular routine before too long. Good luck to you also.

Tiger, glad that you had a great time with DH but I am sorry that he had to go back to Japan. One small mercy is that at least his hayfever will disappear once he is away from the Aussie spring. Sorry that your hormones are all out of wack. Did the clinic say why this has happened? Was it a result of treatment or just something that our bodies do from time to time? Hoping everything returns to normal sooner rather than later. Congrats to the Swans on their win yesterday...you picked a winner!! I am more of a league person and I am very pleased that my team is playing in their first grand final in 16 years!! Of course, they haven't actually won one since I was 4 but I really hope they surprise everyone next Sunday...go Tigers!!

MissMolly, you must be knackered about now....working 10 days straight...yikes! Your holiday is getting closer, it is nearly October already. I am so excited for you (and also a little envious). I too was watching the INXS thing....I didn't like their final choice but after watching the show I decided they were a bunch of w*nkers anyway. I really hope the Aussie guy goes on to be a huge star!!

I have had a busy couple of week. A good friend was diagnosed with cancer so I have been spending a fair bit of time with her to help her through her op and trying to keep her spirits up prior to radiation therapy. It kind of knocks you for a six when things like that happen...makes you more aware of your own mortality. She should be ok though which is great news. I also started stims today with EC scheduled for 5 or 6 October....can't believe it will happen so soon! I was feeling positive-ish until I had to go to the clinic on Friday, brought back all those horrible memories. I will try really hard to get that positivity back in the coming days!

Hope you are all having a great weekend.

Cheers
Heather

[josiemack]

Hi everyone - back from our holidays on Thursday, enjoying the last hours before heading back to work tomorrow. It is great that everyone is sounding so well (with the exception of Paula's daughter and Miss Annie) although I can understand the frustrations of waiting for AF (Paula and Tiger). Heather- when does your treatment kick off - early October from memory? Miss Molly - your trip sounds fabulous - one of the guys at work went trecking in South America earlier this year and loved it, he sent us back some amazing photos.

It has been really weird being away from work - I love holidays and it was great to spend time with the kids and be somewhere warm (the weather was lovely, thanks Qld and NSW!), but I actually find it quite stressful being away from work - bit of a control freak perhaps??? I work as an exec in one of the major banks, and if you think a week is a long time in politics, two and a half weeks on holidays is an eon in banking..... It will be interesting next year, as I am planning on taking 12 months off, planning for last day to be 20th January, all things going to schedule - I hope that because I know I will be away for such a long time, I will be able to let go a bit more easily.

Krispy Kreme's - you can get them at the airport in Sydney, at both the Virgin and Qantas terminals, it is funny seeing all these business people flying home at the end of the day, carrying their KK boxes!! (I may have been guilty of doing this once or twice...)

Drum roll...... well, we had our scan on Friday, everything went really well, we had the two youngest kids with us (DS11 and DD9), and they came in for the second half, after we had established that everything was as it should be. While we were in the waiting room we were still trying to decide if we would find out what the baby will be - so as we were about to finish up the scan, I asked the radiographer(?) if she could tell what it was - she had been very discrete until then - she had a huge smile and said she had had to manouvere a bit, but she could tell - I said that we only wanted to know if she was reasonably sure - she said she was 99% - you can't get much better than that - its a GIRL - we would have been really happy with either, but we are thrilled!!!! (DS by the way was sure it would be a boy, so keeps clinging to the 1% chance that she may have it wrong!!).

We can't believe how big she is, 15cm from head to rump - I was well padded before we started, so if I dressed carefully, you probably couldn't really tell - jeans don't fit anymore, and have started to buy a couple of things for work.

Decided that 99% is still not exact so wouldn't go mad and buy lots of pink things - then went shopping yesterday, started off with a couple of pastel facewashers and $XXX and four shopping bags later - just about everything definitiely girly!!! Will now enforce restraint, as my best friend has twin girls who are 2 months old and has promised to share her goodies with us.

We have our next ob appointment on the 7th - happy with how everything is going, but have had some niggling pains for the last week or so - when we were in Sydney we walked around Darling Harbour, including up a couple of flights of stairs, and I think I may have overexerted myself - ended up seeing a local GP the next morning who checked blood pressure, baby's heart beat etc, and gave us all clear, just said to take it easy - so it was good to have the scan and hear that all is well - it will also be reassuring to see Dr in 2 weeks, she has an old scan machine in her office, which she uses on each visit, which we love.

Realised yesterday we have not booked into classes at the hospital - not sure how much has changed in 10 years - then realised that we haven't even VISITED the hospital - we had to make the decision so quickly as to which one we wanted to go to, to make sure we could get in - so will give them a call tomorrow and hope that we haven't left it all too late.

Good luck to everyone over the next couple of weeks - Paula, fingers crossed for AF and your testing levels, Tiger for your AF to arrive, Heather for your new cycle and Bel for returning to work!

Jo

[Paula]

Good morning Aussie/Kiwi girls, how's everyone feeling today? It's raining in Sydney but that's ok, i'm still on top of the world. DH came home sat morning and now i have AF with me as well I have to wait for the clinic to answer they're phone and then i'll be booking my blood work for tomorrow. Praying so hard my fsh is down.

Heather, thanks for your msg. Yes, we do become alot more sensitive of our bodies don't we? I was never this aware of every little twinge before. Sorry to hear about your friend. It must have very hard to go through it with her. But!, the positive is she's going to be ok And your going to be getting your PMA back real soon. Oct et date isn't far away. Try not to look back on anything that happened in the past. Leave the past exactly where it belongs and remember it's not going to be the same again this time. ps. my daughter is back to her normal healthy self again

Jo, nice to hear from you. Such exciting news as well. Your post gave me goosebumps. I only hope I can be writing those same msg's one day. Glad your feeling better from your trip to Sydney.

Bel, still thinking good thoughts for you and your return to work Don't worry, you and Annie will both be ok. How is she doing now? Hope you had a great weekend. When are you off to work. Today or next monday??

Tiger, how are you doing?? How was your weekend? Must have had an exciting one sing you spent all that time with those mad mad sydney supporters

Well girls, that's it for me. On my way to work. Keep your fingers crossed my fsh is low enough for tmt. Will talk to you soon. I'll let you know my blood results tomorrow.

Huggs
Paula

[BelB]

Hey gals,

Lovely to see so many aussie and kiwi messages!

Annie and I are doing well, we went to a friends little boy's first birthday yesterday, it was at the Gymboree at Indooroopilly (about 20 minutes from our house). Annie had a FABULOUS time. There were kids, and climibing equipment and parachutes and chocolate cake etc etc etc..Was so lovely to see her interact with other kids so well as well, being an only child she gets so little contact with other kids but she did beautifully. She looked adorable too, she had on a pink and yellow butterfly shirt with striped pants from Pumpkin patch and a fetching pink headband..She is looking so much like a little person now, she has lost her baby looks almost all together..Can't believe she turns one in six weeks!

Paula, am so pleased re. both of your housemates (dh and af!), that's wonderful news that af didn't take her time getting to you as she sometimes can..I have everything crossed for your blood tests, make sure you let us know as soon as you know anything won't you?

Jo, CONGRATULATIONS on your girl..I am incredibly biased but think little girls are just fabulous. The clothes are just divine, we go mad on the pinks (and yellows and greens and purples etc etc etc ). Glad everything is progressing so well.

Heather, I am a west tigers supporter as well, have been since I was a wee girl. I have copped quite a bit of criticism over the years but shows that good things do come to those who wait!! That's great that you are starting stims today, are you a gonal-f gal or a puregon pen person??

Tiger, how are you????, you must be missing that hubby of yours dreadfully. Post soon and let us know how you're going.

Have a great day all
B

[Paula]

Hey girls,

Bad news for me. FSH was 22 so no tmt for me.

I'm so fricken sick of this. I can't believe it. But anyways, sorry bout my PMA but it's not here right now. I'll be back sometime soon to talk to you girls. Take care

Huggs
Paula

[BelB]

Oh Paula, I am so sorry to hear this. What a pain in the bum. Don't blame you for being annoyed and frustrated, how dissappointing..

Where to from here my friend?
B