Fall 2010 Cycle Group

[lou71]

Since we're sharing dog photos... I need to add mine! My dog Roxy is a Boxer and is best friends with our cat. They are the best! They both have the "cute thing" down pat wouldn't you say?

Ryann --- Love your Boxer as well! Aren't they awesome dogs?

[lou71]

Tiger -- How did the IUI go? I've been thinking of you!

[nbfun]

I love all the dog pictures. Thanks for sharing everyone!

I hope everyone has had a nice weekend.

Nancy

[Wondercat]

Wow, good to see I'm not the only dog lover on here!

rypell - Looks like Boots is under a blanket - Spenser wraps himself up in blankets if it's the tiniest bit cold in the house. Like below 65! They're so funny...

Lauren - Barry is such a little cutie! Yes, I had two failed IVF cycles before losing Murph. The pain didn't even compare. He was a very special dog, everybody loved him even my dad who hates dogs. When my sister told my niece, she thought for a minute then said, "If he's in Heaven that's OK then. Nanny will feed him and throw frisbees for him."

Lou - If we're adding cat pictures I think I could out-crazy-cat-lady everybody here - we have FOUR! I will spare everybody from posting pics of my kitty babies...

But I will share a pic of Sean, my little proof that IVF has happy endings! And I just KNOW this is going to be a super lucky board for BFP's this fall!!!

Sean22.jpg

[Wondercat]

PS - How do I post a pic in my signature?

[rypell1985]

wondercat....Sean is absolutely adorable!! His little outfit is TOO MUCH!!!! I had my little cousin stand up in my wedding at 10 months and he wore a little tux with a red tie...it was too darn cute! Yes, Boots loves her blankies! She actually thinks the guest bedroom is hers and she goes and lays under the comforter in there...I always have to wash everything before anyone comes to stay, even if the sheets were cleaned already! No one wants to sleep in dog fur I believe Tammy helped me with the pic in the signature, so maybe she can explain it to you...

Lou...Roxy is too cute...boxers really are the best! I was always a small dog person, but DH insisted on a boxer and I just don't know how I ever survived without her! Our whole house is decorated in black and white, so we had to go with a black and white dog too

lauren1171...Barry is so cute! Chihuahua? My parents have 2!

Klinger...Thanks for adding me to the list!

AFM...Had my RE appt this morning to check my follies. She doesn't say much. All of you who have gone through this...does your RE just tell you how many follies and how big...or do you ask questions? I feel like she doesn't tell me anything. She did say though that my right ovary isn't responding much, which isn't suprising, but the left seems to be doing ok. I peeked at the sheet the nurse had on the desk while she was drawing my blood and I BELIEVE it said I have 10+ follies under 10mm and 7 follies over 10mm. Took bloodwork as well so I should hear this afternoon if my meds are staying the same or need adjusting. On the ultrasound I could see a bunch of little bubbles on the left ovary and the RE said there were some "plump ones" so we shall see! Another appt on Wednesday, so any follie dancers out there are welcome to dance for mine!

[Lauren1171]

Ryann - They usually only tell me sizes when they are over 10mm. Or 12mm? I forget. Sometimes they don't tell me unless I ask though. Sometimes the nurse forgets to tell me my E2 number also! Your boxer is cute. My friend has 3, and they all think they are lap dogs. When I leave there I am covered in fur and my dog goes nuts sniffing me when I get home. Yes, he is a Chihuahua. I am thinking of getting his brother, since another litter is coming any day now. It is crazy, but I want one! My mother watches him on the days when DH and I both work or are on vacation. I mentioned it to her and she said she doesn't mind two dogs if she has no grandkids to watch. Hopefully there will be though! I figure I will stick her with the dog first, then the kid lol.

My F/U with RE is today at 1:00. Hopefully I can stop the BCP Sunday and get started with the horrid patches. Does anyone else have a problem with them? Last FET I had to change the patches every 3rd day instead of 4 days. My stomach had scabs from taking them off. I also had to do the progesterone (Crinone) morning and night which was nasty! Should I request the shots instead? Last time he told me that I would hate them, which is why he gives Crinone.

[karin1]

All of the doggy pics are awesome! I would post a pic of my Jack, but I am not that computer savvy. He is a Coton de Tulear. He's a little white, 16lb bundle of fluff. I love him so much! I love the boxer pics too! My brother has 3 boxers. They are so sweet. I stayed with him when I went to visit and one of his, Jersey, stays in the house. She slept with me every night. I would wake up every morning with numb legs from her laying on me. She wants to sit on your lap. She thinks she's a lapdog.


Wondercat.....your Sean is gorgeous! Pictures like those gives all of us hope. Thanks.

[Wondercat]

Ryann - With my clinic an RE would do the u/s and a nurse would write down the results as the RE dictated them so I would always know exactly what was going on. They are also for the most part (there is just one crappy RE there) good about having the screen angled so that I could watch the whole thing, and clarifying any findings so I would have a clue what is going on. So a typical visit for me they might say, "Here is your uterus. Lining is X thick, which is good. This is your right ovary. Right ovary measuring X by Z. Looks good. For follicles we have etc... Total of X measurable follicles. In addition there are numerous smaller follicles." If you don't feel like you are getting enough info, ASK! There is no reason why you should have to sneak peeks at your own medical charts. You have a right to know what's going on in there. Dancing as hard as I can!!

Lauren - I say get the second one - but I would say that! Our dogs have been happier with a friend to hang out with. In addition to the fact that Spenser was practically suicidal during the 2 weeks he was an "only dog" (like, literally he scratched through a second story screen and was about to jump when my Nana spotted him and yelled at him to stop!) I think it made it easier for them to adapt to having a baby around. For the patches, I would get really nasty red marks from them. I found the best thing was to use a really hot damp washcloth and lots of olive oil to loosen it up, and just peel it off very slowly while kind of massaging the oil into the flap. On Crinone vs. PIO, I only know that with Crinone for my BFN I started bleeding before my beta and I did not for my BFN with PIO. I took that as evidence that the PIO was more effectively entering my system. I have heard of plenty of people who had great success with Crinone, too. That's just my take.

[rypell1985]

Wondercat...I WISH my RE gave me all that info! They have the sreen turned completely toward me so I can see everything that is going on, they just don't explain it. I am pretty shy too, so I guess I just don't ask any questions. I'll try to work on that one! Thanks for the dancing!

AFM Again...I just got a call from the nurse and she said my bloodwork (is that the E2 I hear you all speak of???) was high at 830, so they cut my Follistim in half (75) and I am to start my Ganirelix tonight as well. I have another appt tomorrow rather than Wednesday now. Since I am new to all of this...should I be worried??

[Tiger04]

Okay, sorry ladies, it’s just been super busy! I think I have wrote just a novel, but I wanted to get to all of you!

First, I will start with the fact that I AM PUPO! Yeah…now the dreaded 2WW. Okay, so super great news…since my change in meds…from clomid to Femara, my lining went from a 5 last cycle to an 8 this cycle! I had 3 good size follies, which is down 1 from the previous 2 IUI’s, but it should still be good. So, I’m feeling really good about that. I had my IUI on Sat and Sun morning…all went well. So, another change in protocol this month was starting the progesterone suppositories. So, I did that for the first time this morning and do it twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. This month, because I’m on the suppositories, I have to go in for my Beta, which is on 9/10. I’m kinda excited because I feel like the 2ww is going to go by fast! With labor day and then I’m traveling for work on 9/7 and 9/8, I think it will be here before I know it!

Lauren319- That is a tough one. Oh boy, I think there are pro’s and con’s to both. I can’t speak from experience, but some of the ladies think going through FET is a lot less hard on your body, so that could result in you getting pregnant now, faster…but I agree, maybe saving your eggs for your second child would be better. Gosh, I don’t know…

Amanda1979 – I think it’s great that you are looking at all of your options. I really hope you can get that back! What’s their excuse for not paying it back if that was the deal?

Tammy – so glad you are here! I can’t believe you are just skipping right ahead! That’s super great! Nice that you’re not in limbo and able to jump in. I can’t wait to hear how your fabulous weekend went! You are going to do fine with the menupur. I thought it was kinda fun…felt like a science project. I was nervous too, but it’s super slick!

Annashope – My heart is breaking for everything you have been through. It’s just not right. I am excited to cheer you on and I know that things will go better for you!

Klinger – Thanks for thinking of me! How are you doing? Oh my gosh, your puppy is so freaking cute! Just love.

Wondercat – That’s sweet of you to say, but even if you already have a child, we all know it doesn’t make this process any easier! It’s hard on all of us! Oh my gosh, that is the cutest picture ever! Your son is beautiful! Congratulations, he looks like a super happy baby 

Nancy – if there is anything I have learned from this process, it truly is plan for the worst and hope for the best. DH and my situation is much different than yours, but I went through the whole process of IVF, and they were planning on doing a TESA the day of my ER to fertilize the egg. Now, my DH didn’t have any sperm and hardly any sperm when they did the insizion, so I know it’s much different than your issue. However, we had 2 vials of sperm frozen and they did the fresh TESA day of ER and found nothing! We were so worked up that we ended up cancelling the whole cycle and didn’t retrieve any eggs. We spent a ton of money on all of my monitoring and drugs..about $5000 total and got a big fat nothing! I’m not trying to worry you, but I wish that I would have asked more questions. Like, if there isn’t any sperm and you can’t get sperm the day of, can you retrieve my eggs and freeze them unfertilized? That way your whole cycle won’t be lost. The other thing was that DH and I were so against having a donor sperm back up that day…wow now I really wish we would have done that. Now, here we are going ahead with donor sperm because we found out there were not any other options. We wasted all that time and money and are in the same place! That’s my advice. I wish I would have planned for the worst and had more options that day.

Lou – I had no idea that you had those issues with Lupron. Very interesting…hmm…Gosh, this is all happening so quickly! I know this FET is going to work for you! Look how cute your dog and cat are! Love it!

Karin – so glad you are here! So, any more updates with the donor? I’m dying to know!

Riogirl – Welcome! I’m sorry about your e/p. Wishing you lots of baby dust this cycle! I just love your puppy’s big ears! That’s my favorite part!

Cheri – wow, sounds like you have had quite a journey. I don’t have any insight around endo, but I’m sure a few ladies on here will be a lot more helpful than me! Welcome and I’m so glad that you decided to chime in.

Carrie – I’m curious about your decision to move to IVF. Did they diagnosis an issue? Or, are you just hoping that this will make it happen faster? I am also using donor sperm and going through my 3rd IUI cycle. I’ve heard that switching up donors can help. Just wondering more about your journey, as we’re going through some similar things…

Sher – sometimes we all need a break. I’m kinda a risk taker, so I would put all 3 in. Because then if you put only 2 you’ll have one lonely one left! The more you put in the better your odds should be.

Victoria – welcome! Thanks for sharing your story. Everyone’s story is different, but we’re all here for the same reason and it’s an amazing place with so much support. I’m wishing you lots and lots of luck and love on your cycle. Also, definitely not too late to do acupuncture. Lots love to do it with their transfer date…should help with implantation…

Ryann – of course you can join! Your ER and ET are right around the corner!!! Okay, so I just have to say, we all have to be our own advoacates! I was like you at first, didn’t ask a lot of questions, so even though it’s uncomfortable, ask away! I always ask for exact measurements and numbers. So, on your next visit, ask them to go through all of the sizes. Maybe bring a little notebook if you want to write them down and then you can fill us in too…just kidding…but, that helps me understand where I am at. They want the follies to be around 16-18 mm to be mature..these are the follies that they think will have a mature egg in them. That’s normal to have a bunch under 10…so it sounds like to me that you will have about 7 good eggs which is awesome! Don’t be worried. I stimmed really fast too, so after my first appointment, I went in every day instead of every other. If you’re moving right along you might be triggering soon which will move up your ER and ET! YEAH!

[turtle0619]

hi everyone!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the doggies pics! i wish i knew how to post a pic so i could show you all my dingo piper! he has been my baby for 12 years now and i love him more then anything in the world.

so has anyone seen my AF??? seriously i'm waiting for her to show her evil head. why is it that whenever i dont want her she comes right on time, and now that i'm waiting she's taking her sweet ol time? thought she would be here today...had some spotting over the weekend, and then today...nothing! everyone please do an AF dance for me ok??

ryann grow follies grow!!!!

lauren good luck with your F/U appointment! i'm glad you had fun on your cruise!! missed you! xoxo

the all the new girls to the thread...welcome!!

***much love always***

[klinger13]

Tiger - So happy to hear from you and I'm glad the IUIs this weekend went well! I've got you down on the PUPO part of the list for tomorrow's posting...so exciting!

Franny - I'm doing the AF dance for you right now, hope she gets here soon!

Ryann - sounds like you've got some follies cooking away in there. Hope tomorrow's SnS puts your worries at ease and I agree, ask away!

[riogirl71]

Sorry if I don't catch everyone, I am in a rush at work...

Rypell - don't worry at all if the RE changes your meds, it is good they are adjusting based on the outcome don't worry about that part, sounds like you have a great number of follies, I always had lower #s but it only takes one!!!

turtle - a dingo - how cool! I haven't seen your AF but if I do I will sure send her your way!

Tiger - PUPO!!! Wooo hooo - we have sperm issues too otherwise we could have done it naturally (we can still try , my DH had cancer and it about ruined his count to where ICSI is the only way to get preggers...

Wondercat - sorry to hear about your pup but glad that the 2 pups are working out great, I like having 2 also! I had to put my best friend of 15 years down last year, it was awful. Little Sean is gorgeous! I think that going through an IVF to have a second child has its benefits but also other downfalls. I found that sometimes I felt guilty for already having a baby when so many wonderful women are still trying for #1. I also found that there is no rest after ET because you have to take care of your child and there is no sitting on the couch! The good part is that your disappointment (my ectopic) melted away when I hugged him and you get so busy taking care of them that you don't obssess as much over IVF...

Lauren - if you are using crinone it is nasty but beats the injectables anytime - I could not even walk after a week I had such a bad reaction!

Love all the pup pics - sure puts a smile on your face!

Lou - how was your outing with grandma?

Sorry if I forgot anyone!

AFM - still got AF but started BCP yesterday, trying to get my tentative dates, I got blood tests on Sat and curious to see how it went. I have been taking DHEA, pre natals, CO Q10 and I wonder if it made a difference on my FSH at all. In May it was 6.9.

Hope you have a great MOnday!

[Lauren1171]

Just got back from RE. My INS pays for 5 cycles including frozen. We are supposed to be forced to fo FET since we have 5. But they got an approval before my last cycle for 2 fresh cycles. Must be a mistake, but the doc says if it is in writing the INS has to pay. So I guess I am going for another fresh cycle! My RE suggests doing a D & C first to scrape the whole lining off and get a fresh lining. Then start meds 2 weeks later. The only thing is that he has no openings until October!!! If I were to do a FET without D&C I could start right away. Since this is my final cycle I am going to do the D&C and see what happens. He said he will transfer 4 embryos this time!!! Why not? I think I will still get my 2nd dog lol! But I have to wait 8 weeks fir that too! I hate waiting!!!