I noticed that the other thread ends with December so I was wondering if anyone was going for IVF or FET's for the next few months.

We will be doing our FET in January. I should start bcp's in a week or so. We have 9 embies we'll be defrosting. They will be putting back two day five embies this time.

We have one son from a previous IVF where they transferred three day three embies. He will be two in Feburary.

TTC has been a really rough road for us as it has been for all of us. In the last year we've had five m/c's. They can't figure out why so the only thing they can think of is some genetic problem with the embies. They can do testing but it is $3500 and we don't have the money. This FET we'll do without it but if we aren't successful we'll do it with a fresh IVF. but it will be several months before we do that. This last year has really been tough on us and we need a break from it all. Not to mention we'll be moving into our brand new house in a couple weeks. So we have lots going on.

So anyone doing IVF/FET in the next few months post your stories here. I could really use some good company!

Sarah

Hey Sarah! I have my RE appt today to discuss doing FET. We have an almost 10 month old IVF baby. I'm sorry for all the m/c you've had. We have 7 frozen embies...

Amanda

HI Amanda! I'm glad I'm not alone. I wish you the best of luck today at your appointment. Make sure you come back here and post how it went!
Sarah

I'll be calling the RE first thing next year and we'll be doing IVF for a second time (first one didn't work).

One way or the other, I will be right here with y'all!! :nod:

Hi Ana, I'm so sorry your first didn't work. I hope that this second one is the trick for you!

Suzi, thanks! Hopefully you can be our model pg lady! ;)


I'm just waiting for af to show to start bcp and get my schedule. I swear it seems to be taking forever this time. And I'm not late or anything just anxious. I just want to get this over with. Hopefully it will be the last time we need to even think about all of this!

sarah

Sarah and Ana - I'm happy to have company!!!
Suzi - You're always such a great support! Good luck with your retrieval today!

I'm going to sound a little whiney which isn't usually like me but I guess I'm entitled once in a while. My appt went well and it seems that things are moving a little faster than I expected. My vision for how things would work was as follows... I'm finally have cycles for the first time in my life (amazing how pregnancy could fix 20+ years of anovulation). My cycles are quite long (50 days or so) but I really think I'm ovulating, etc. I was hoping to have a few cycles to try to get PG on our own (and in my fantasy world it would work and I could cancel my RE appt!). I don't think this is going to happen. For a variety of reasons, it's better for us to start the FET process right away. I know I should be excited but I have to confess that I feel a little down. I'm just not looking forward to weeks and weeks and weeks of IM injections! My husband is all excited about the prospect of me being PG again (and I'm excited about that part) but he's not the one who has to be stuck. Plus with FETs, you're on the PIO even longer than a fresh cycle. (ok, that was the whiney part).
My protocol will be as follows... I'm starting provera today. I'm about mid-cycle but since my cycles are SO long, my RE would rather just bring on AF with provera. After 10 days of provera, I wait for AF. Then I call on CD1 to schedule a hysterosonogram sometimes between CD 5-10. Assuming the hysterosono is ok, I then wait for AF again (or take more provera). On CD1 I call to find out when I go in for a baseline. Then I do twice weekly Estradiol injections with twice weekly blood tests (I don't remember if I start the PIO right away or after the transfer). Two to three weeks later I have a sono and then schedule the transfer. We're only planning to transfer 2 embryos.
Now good news: Of our 7 embryos, 6 are 8-celled embryos and one is 4-cell (probably not a good embryo but it looked viable so they froze it). I don't know the "scores" on the embryos but my RE was very, very pleased when he looked at the report (and I don't really want to know the grades b/c it doesn't really matter). He says they get about a 75% salvage rate with defrosting embryos so we may have to defrost more than 2 to get 2 good ones but I think we're still in good shape.
Anyway, I'm trying to get myself psyched up for this as I know I'll be very glad when I have a beautiful baby in my arms. And I LOVED being pregnant with Nathaniel so I'm excited for that, too.
Forgive my whininess. I know that I've been blessed in so many ways, despite our IF issues...

Amanda

Hey don't feel bad about getting things out. That is what this is for! You get out anything you don't like and never feel bad about it. It's good that they will bring on af now so you don't have to wait another month for her to show. Hopefully it will go so well it will be the last time you'll need the PIO!(and it is taken after transfer) I haven't been told I'd be on it longer than a fresh cycle. You only need progesterone until a certain week(week 16 if my memory serves me) Because then they placenta really takes over. I'm pretty sure that is what I was told last time, but that was 2 1/2 years ago!

I'm still sitting here waiting for af so I can start bcp. I should get it Thursday. I'm getting very nervous and anxious for this cycle. I so badly want another child. But given all the m/c's I am scared to death to be pg. What if it ends just the way all the other five have? I hope that the injections will do something different so my body will hold the babies.

I hate the PIO too. The last time I had nerve damage and my tissue hurt for a good 6-8 months and I also had numb skin just above the sore tissue/muscle. Course Brandon gave me the shots and he always felt so bad so sometimes he didn't get it in right. This time hopefully it will be better.

Sarah

Sarah - I know. The PIO sucks! I took it until about week 10 with Nathaniel. I don't know if the Estradiol injections are as bad but at least that's only twice a week. I've been very lucky b/c when I got PG with Nathaniel, everything went well. I feel so bad that you've had so many m/c. That must really be heartbreaking.

Amanda

I've never had to take the Estradiol, I'll be taking lupron daily. I'm sure it is just a sub q shot and those don't really hurt at all. Those I don't mind one bit, it's the big pio's that suck so bad!

My ivf went fine with Riley. I had no problems with carrying him. But since then I have lost every single one. We were never able to get pg on our own since my tubes were blocked. But just being pg helped that but now I just can't hold them. And it is so frustrating that they can't really figure out why. They have ideas but nothing firm. It is pretty heartbreaking. And I know it still hasn't fully set in that we have lost that many. It really just feels like a dream. I know it's there and if someone mentions anything and catches me off guard I start crying right away, instantly. Most times I'm ok talking about it. But sometimes I still lose it. I guess it will just take time. I just can't believe I've been pg 5 times in a year and lost every single one of the babies. It's so unreal. I don't want this to be my life. But I guess we don't really get to choose!

Sarah

OMG Sarah! I can't believe they don't know why this keeps happening. I hope this time you get your miracle!
The Estradiol is also IM...

Amanda

Ah that sucks. Hopefully you won't be taking them too long! Will they give you lupron too?

Yes it's really hard not really knowing the problem. They've done all kinds of tests and all come back fine. They want to do PGD a genetic testing on the embies since that might be the problem but it is $3500 and the insurance won't pay for it. We really don't have the money for it at all. so we'll try this FET without it and if it doesn't work out then our next fresh IVF will have the PGD done. Hopefully we won't need it though.

Sarah

At least the Estradiol is only twice a week. I think I have to take it for a few weeks after the transfer.
That stinks about the genetic testing being so expensive.

Amanda

Hi ladies..

I'll be starting Lupron in 1 week for our 6th IVF (2 canceled FETs)...
Am a wee bit nervous this time because of all the estrodial I'll be taking.
Hope I'm not terribly sick.

Good luck Brenda! Hope you don't get too sick!

I'll be calling my doctor in a week or so - sometime after the holidays. I'll probably have to meet with her first and go over what we might do differently this time around. I'll let you guys know.

Hey Brenda and Ana!
I'm still waiting for AF. I took 10 days of provera and have been waiting for AF for over a week. Really annoying! Especially b/c I was hoping to schedule my hysterosonogram during my vacation (which ends today). What can you do!

Amanda

Hi Ladies. :wavey: Can I join in?


Sarah~I'm so very sorry that this road has been so difficult for you. :sadhug:

I'm not even sure if I'm having another IVF or not, but as you can see from my signature, I've had many and can empathize with everyone who is struggling with IF. :nod: I'm trying naturally right now (what else can I do?) but am trying to change doctors. . .again!!! :furious:

I don't know if another IVF is in my future, but I'd love to hang out with you ladies for support regardless.

And of course, best of luck to all of us in the NEW YEAR!! :party3:

Thanks,

Kimberly

HOORAY Kimberly! So happy to see you!!!

Amanda

I am finally CD1. It took 14 days after finishing provera to get AF. That is definitely a record for me! I have my hysterosonogram scheduled for next Wednesday...

Amanda

Hi everyone. I just finally got internet again since our move!

I just got my tentative schedule from my RE. I will stop bcp and start lupron on the 11th. Af should come around the 14th and 18 days after that we'll do the transfer.

Amanda, looks like I'll be on estrace instead of estridol so I won't have that extra injection. Maybe your RE can give you the pills instead? Also medrol for a few days. I should get my meds in the mail thursday so I can really check it all out then. I was surprised to see the medrol and the estridol. I never took those with my IVF but that was 2 1/2 years ago. I don't know if it is different since this is an FET or if it is just a standard thing now. Who knows.

Friday I will go and transport our 9 embies to the new lab. I have to pick up a tank pick up the embies then drive to the new place again and drop them off. Oh and I need to pay the old lab $200 just to move them. I am so pissed about that. They are holding them hostage to charge such a high fee. I guess they are just mad that our clinic opened their own lab so they don't use them anymore. So this FEt which was supposed to save time, money and stress has been anything but. It is costing us way more than a fresh cycle, my stress is more and with having to run all over my time is more too. I have to drive two hours to the first place and then two hours home. :(

It looks like some of us are very close in cycles. Hopefully we'll get some BFP together too!

Sarah

Sarah, the medrol has always been standard procedure in my IVFs. :dunno: It is a steroid used when ICSI and/or AZH is being used. It is used to stop the mother's immune system from *potentially* rejecting the transferred embryo/s.

Your cycle is so soon - I wish you the best! And trust me...I'd GLADLY do all the running around in the world if it meant we had insurance coverage for IVF! I know it's a hassle but you are very fortunate to have it all paid for!

I took a few days of medrol around the time of my last transfer, too. I had forgotten about that.
My hysterosonogram is today.
Next cycle we start the injections. I'm still not totally clear on the protocol for the FET but I'm going to ask today...

Amanda

Hi Suzi!

I didn't take the medrol for our ivf with Riley. I guess because the only reason we needed it was due to blocked tubes. I didn't seem to have any m/c issues then. Who knows. This time I am glad they are giving it to me. We can use any help we can get! I know we are very lucky to have the coverage. And I am greatful for it. When we first started all this we didn't have it and we were in debt for several years because of it. It is just really frustrating when we have been paying out of pocket for all the frozen fees(insurance won't cover it) to try to save money when it is only costing us a good grand more than what we'd be paying for if we had a fresh cycle. $1K is a ton of money to us, as it is with all of us. we are very strapped so it just makes me nuts to have to pay extra to be driving several hours and they won't cooperate with me. I guess it wouldn't be IF without the stress somewhere! When things settle down, you should write to your congressman or whoever would be best and try to request coverage. That is how it gets started, lots of people writing in then someone will try to do something about it. It may not help you right now, but in the future it might or it would help someone else like you. So many states are doing it now. It might not be too long for yours to kick in. I hope they open their eyes and see how important this is so everyone could have some coverage.

Amanda, looks like we'll be going thru this together. Yeah! It will be nice to have someone right there with me. I hope we both get BFP in the end!

I can't believe how close it is either. I'm getting so nervous. I think I am much more nervous now than I was with our IVF for Riley. We have so many more problems now. Getting pg is only 1/3 of the battle for us. Staying pg is the hardest. I still can't believe we have lost 5 babies in the last year. I am hoping this new year will bring much better times for us. Neither one of us can handle another m/c. I am so scared at the thought of Riley being an only child. I never wanted that for him. I have always wanted at least two children. I had a friend who was an only child and she was so lonely, you could tell in her personality she was an only child. Riley loves other kids and I so badly want him to have a brother or sister to be with. But I also know that I can't handle all these m/c's. It has really changed me. I am so sad inside. Just thinking of where we'd be if we hadn't lost those babies. I'd have a 5 month old right now, I'd be due in another couple months, etc. I try not to think about it but I can't help it. Each baby was a part of me. And with each m/c it brings me further and further down. Our chances of staying pg also fall down. I just wish they could figure this all out so it wouldn't happen anymore.

Wow so sorry for letting that all out. I didn't mean that to be such a long post. anyway, Amanda good luck today, I hope all comes out well!

Sarah

Sarah and Amanda, good luck!

Kim and Suzi, have you guys decided what you're going to do?

I called my doctor yesterday and I have an appointment to meet with her on the 14th. She'll probably have me take Provera because I haven't had AF since before October (I never got it after my failed IVF in October), then probably BCPs and Lupron. We'll see.

I'll keep checking on you guys and update you once I go.

For me, I am just trying to get healthy. I have been sick so often since this last summer and that just isn't like me. Now I am catching everything I come into contact with and I need to get healthy. I don't know the cycles for SURE but if they are similar to the 2004 cycle schedule, we will shoot for a cycle in either April or July.

Until then, I am debating starting up a fertility support group. There isn't a support group here in Wichita and I know that many people never find the BBS for support. I belong to Mothers and More and there is a small group of us who are dealing with IF (about 10 of us) and we meet on an informal basis. Well, I mentioned this to the IVF coord at my center and she jumped all over doing an open group. My center will provide space, any office supplies/mailing literature/stamps, etc., they will spread the word in their IVF education classes, etc. So I am wrestling with if I really want to undertake such a big project. I kinda feel like I am being drawn into it...maybe it's my destiny to help others who are new to IVF? Vick (the IVF coord) said that they have tried to do meetings but they fizzle out eventually. She said they think if the meetings are driven by the participants themselves, they might have better attendance. Hmmm....I just don't know.

As for the meetings (if I coordinate it), I am torn how to set it up. Maybe two separate groups: one for people new to IVF and another group for ongoing IVFs. Then there's the issue of putting people who have done several IVFs and NO success with people like me who already have an IVF baby and are trying for a second. For the new to IVF group I was thinking maybe getting a few people who are experienced with IVF (like me) and dividing into small discussion groups. That way they can ask questions and get answers from people who've been there, done that. You can talk to medical people all day long but there's nothing quite like talking to someone who's lived it. Now I'm just rambling....any suggestions/ideas from you guys are WELCOME!!! I respect everyone's input and would love to hear what you think!

Other than this, we are kinda on hold as far as IVFs go. We MAY do some testing (Clomid Challenge, antral follicle count, etc.) to get an idea where my body is and if it's even reasonable for us to do any more cycles. We will probably start thinking about alternatives, just in case. Just covering our bases.

No matter, I do intend to be around here to lend support where I can. I sure would love to see some more positive news coming from this forum! :nod:

Sarah - I know you've been thru a lot. I totally understand being a bit nervous about this cycle. We'll be with you the whole way!
Ana - Hope the appt goes well!
Suzi - Wow! I think it would be great for you to start a support group!!!
Quick update:
Hysterosonogram went fine. It wasn't very uncomfortable at all (I was worried b/c my HSG was awful!). Everything's normal! Here's the plan... Around CD20 or so I'll start provera for 10 days. Get AF. Go in for a baseline sono and blood work. Start Estradiol injections twice a week. Go in for twice weekly blood draws. After about 2 weeks, have sonogram. If everything's ok, add progesterone injections and schedule embryo transfer.

Amanda

Yeah Amanda for the good hystro! I'm happy to hear everything went fine.

Suzi, I think it is a good idea for you to start a support group. In the beginning I'd keep it to maybe just two groups. Just to see how it goes. If their groups before have fizzled out you don't want to start too many little groups and then have to cut them due to low numbers. Maybe you could do one for newbies and one for the old ivf'ers. I don't even know if there are support groups here but I think that so many people can benefit from it. And who knows it might help you feel better about things too. I think getting those extra tests are a good idea. Any extra info is always good. It might help your next plan of attack if your RE knows more. Hopefully everything will come back fine.

As for me, my FET drugs came today. Well all but two. They forgot the medrol and estrace. Seriously if one thing just fell into place I think I'd fall over. So I am going to call them now to see where they are. The lupron seems to be such a little bottle. I thought I remember having so much more last time. I might give my RE's office a call just to make sure. I don't want to run out. Maybe I just take much less with a frozen since I am not being stimmed? Could very well be. I want to make sure first though. I also would like to double check my lupron date. They've been kinda nuts there and I want to make sure it is right. If all goes well we are looking at a transfer date around January 31 or the first couple days of Feb.

Sarah

Sarah, don't worry about the Lupron bottle - it STILL looks to me like it'll never be enough but we always end up with PLENTY left over. Each shot is SO small...it doesn't take much and lasts forever!!

Sarah - Hooray for the meds arriving!
Suzi - I forgot to send you a message. Wendy (Wendy32501 from UB) wanted to send her regards (she's on BOLU and I am too). She was thinking of you during your last cycle...

Amanda

Oh I MISS Wendy!!! Please tell her that I am thinking of her and her boys and that I hope all is well! There are so many people who went to BOLU from the IF boards (Melissa, Sue, Terri, Kat, Dana, just to name a few) who I miss so much! I keep in contact with a few of them in email but it's so much easier when you are on the same board.

Please tell Wendy that the IF threads are open here and that she can keep up with us here (as if she doesn't have enough to do with two toddlers!). Thanks for passing the message! :bighug:

Suzi - I'll definitely let her know. Her boys are doing well. Evan will be one soon! I'll tell her that she can come visit us here. I ended up joining both places b/c my friends were pretty evenly divided and I didn't know how to choose. Of course, I just lost internet access at work for the next 3 months and I barely have time to keep up now!

Amanda

Hi ladies. I was on vacation with the In-Laws and then a short visit to NYC and now I'm back.

Suzi~You are such a wealth of knowledge and so helpful for everyone in this online group that I think you'd be wonderful at organizing a support group. You'd be helping yourself and tons of other women. I agree that it will probably be a lot of work to set up, but the hope is that eventually, it will be a very positive life experience for you and one that won't really feel like a lot of work. I was in a support group (actually mind/body group) for women dealing with infertility. I found it wonderful and after the formal sessions were done (there were 10 sessions) most of us wanted to continue and had informal gatherings, meeting at restaurants or someone's home. The only reason that it fizzled was because when someone got eventually got pregnant, they would hang out for a few months but then feel uncomfortable coming. Initially as a group however, we did say that none of the women should feel uncomfortable about being pregnant because afterall, we're here to support one another until the end. But of course, as you're nearing the end of your pregnancy, you're less likely to show up for a meeting and then once the baby comes, why would they want to come to a meeting to listen to our sob stories. :dunno: For your group, it would be different because as people leave, you'd still have new women starting. In my support group, most of us had never had children before although there were 2 women who were going through secondary infertility. I was comfortable with it, although there were a few women who weren't and they voiced that privately. . .(for whatever that's worth in figuring out if you will do two groups).

Amanda~Things sound good with you. I was in your neck of the woods this weekend. . .I was staying with my cousin and her husband in Yonkers.

Sarah~Yeah the Lupron bottle is usually small, but it goes a long way. All the best to you this cycle. :crossfing

I called to set up an appointment with yet another Dr. :disbelief: This is the Dr. that BrenS referred me to. He's pretty booked and basically, I'm waiting for his administrative assistant to call me back to set up an appointment. I feel that in the end, it will be worth it to talk to someone else. I'm still feeling very dissed by my Dr. . . . .I'm 39 and according to all records and results, I have a very good chance of getting pregnant and a few months after my 40th birthday (with part of the delay being the ectopic) he tells me that I have a very low chance to getting pregnant!? :furious: It still makes me so mad thinking about how quickly he gave up on me! In the meantime, we're still trying naturally and hoping for the best. :pray:

P.S. to Amanda, have you heard from Melissa?

going to Dr. Keefe? You'll love him!!!! Hope you get in soon, Kim!

Kimberly - Yonkers is very close to me! Maybe next time we can meet up!!! I'll look for Melissa over a BOLU. I don't know if I know her... Hope you like the new doc!

No news for me. Waiting for AF so I can start my cycle. I'm only CD 13 so it'll be a few more weeks...

Amanda

Hi guys!

Well I started my lupron last night. I had one more night of bcp but they were making me very sick. I've never had that before. Every night I'd be up for hours sick as a dog. And Sunday was the worst. So I called yesterday and they told me to skip it and start lurpon right away. So I did and I feel much better. I'm still pretty tired since for over a week now I've been up a good three hours each night but last night I wasn't hardly sick at all. Just felt crappy but not actually sick. Lurpon always seems so small. I swear there was more in there for our IVF. But then again it's been 2 1/2 years so my memory is crap! Shots went fine like riding a bike you don't forget how.

Today I ran and transported the embies to the new lab. All is said and done it took a good 4 1/2 hours in the car and $240 in fees but they are right where they need to be. I wish they still did it at our old hospital. they'd be 45 minutes away instead of 2+ hours. We have to go downtown for the transfer. we are so nervous. If this doesn't work we are in a whole new ballgame. And getting to the very end of our rope with choices. I just can't believe sometimes that this is our life. I was almost 21 when I was first told IVF was our only option. I will be 27 in 4 months man it's been a long time. Most couples our age are just now starting to think about starting their families. And here we are years later still going thru the crap. I really look forward to the day where it isn't constantly on my mind. I know that many of you have been doing this much longer than 6 years so I know you know what I mean. I wish that none of us here had to go thru this all. No one should ever have to go thru IF or a m/c they are both so painful. I hope that all of us will be getting our wishes with beautiful healthy babies in the very near future.

af should come in the next couple days. Hopefully there will be no delays. I think they are shooting for Feb. 3rd last I heard. But it will depend on my RE and my cycle. I'll know more early next week.

Goo, do you mean the Melissa that used to go by Sahara? She is on the home side of the other site. I used to talk to her here and there since we live in the same part of the state but I haven't heard from her in awhile. I'll have to check up on her. If that is who you are talking about last I heard she is doing well. Her and Michael have two dogs now and they are so cute. Her mom had cancer but had surgery and seems to be doing wonderfully.

I'm glad you are able to get a new RE. That is terrible that yours gave up so easily. Hopefully you can get in quick to start up right away. It is so frustrating when you have jerky doctors. :(

Amanda hopefully your cycle will go by fast and you'll start your meds very soon!!

Sarah

Sarah - Sorry you're feeling so rotten. I'm glad the embies are where they need to be! This cycle is coming up so quickly!!! I wish we didn't have to do all this to get PG...

Amanda

I have to get progesterone and HCG drawn soon. Assuming no O (and I know the hcg will be negative) I start provera.

Amanda

Amanda that is great. Hopefully all will look good and you can start your cycle soon!

Sarah

Thanks Sarah! I'll probably get the blood work done today and start provera tomorrow...

Amanda

I started provera today. 10 days of provera then waiting for AF...

Amanda

Yeah for starting provera. Hopefully af will start sooner!!

I got af on Sat. so I am on day 2. Only 16-18 more days until our transfer. I will go in for baselines tomorrow or Tuesday. Then I should get my exact transfer date.

Sarah

That's great Sarah!!!
Day 2 of provera...
We're going to Miami next week!!!

Amanda

BrenS~Yes! Dr. Keefe. My appointment is on Monday, January 31. Thanks for referring him to me. Obviously, I don't know how this will pan out, although I am encouraged because maybe, just maybe, this will do the trick. :crossfing

Amanda~I do plan on visiting my cousins/family more often (it's only about a 3 1/2 hr. trip from Boston) so it would be nice to get together to meet each other. I'll let you know when I'm back again. Oooh, Miami. :thumbsup:

Goo, do you mean the Melissa that used to go by Sahara? She is on the home side of the other site. I used to talk to her here and there since we live in the same part of the state but I haven't heard from her in awhile. I'll have to check up on her. If that is who you are talking about last I heard she is doing well. Her and Michael have two dogs now and they are so cute. Her mom had cancer but had surgery and seems to be doing wonderfully.

Sarah~Yes! That's exactely who I'm talking about. I definitely want to touch base with her. What's the other site again? About 2 weeks before transfer? Wow, that's going fast. :yippee:

Nothing much new for me. I'm glad to have an appointment with a new Dr. coming up. In the meantime, we're still trying on our own. :awink:

Kimberly

Kimberly! I'm going to be there on the 31st too... our embryo transfer is scheduled for that day! Maybe I'll see you. :lol: You'll love Dr. K and his nurse Sue. she's the best nurse I've ever had!

Hey Gals! We are doing yet another IVF. I'm starting stims tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it but at the same time have some little "what-if" type fears. I decided that the only way that I could do another IVF is if we also do PGD. I'm really hoping for a healthy & full pregnancy! Tentative dates: Retrieval 1/30 & Transfer 2/4. I hope this is a lucky thread for all of us!

Pam, that is GREAT news!! You know I am here to see you get a BFP for this cycle!! :nod:

Kimberly - Definitely let me know when you're coming to Westchester again!!! I hope your appt goes well.
Bren - Wow! Your embryo transfer is SOON!
Pam - I hope your cycle goes well!!!

We're recovering from a sick baby (he's better now TG!). I'm on Day 4 of provera. I'll finish the provera while we're in Florida and either get AF on our last day there or the day we get back (or some other day as AF can be quite unpredictable after provera for me!). Then the fun begins!

Amanda

Pam, Good luck. Looks like we will be having our transfers about a week from each other. If this cycle doesn't work or if we have another m/c our next IVF(many months away) will be done with PGD. Hopefully all your embies will look good.:)

Kimberly, good luck at your appointment. Melissa is on www.ourlittleuniverse.com (http://www.ourlittleuniverse.com) on the home side. I have been to her journal in awhile for some reason I'm not getting the notice but I'll run over there tomorrow and let her know you're asking about her.

Well I have our offical transfer date: Feb 11th! A bit later than I thought it would be but that is when they wanted to do it. So I start my estrace on Sunday. I'm very nervous and scared about this cycle. I think I'm more scared of becoming pg than I am of getting a BFN. I'm so scared that something will go wrong again. Hopefully it will be ok. We will be finding out if we are pg two days before Riley's 2nd bday and his party.

Amanda have a great time on vacation!!!

Sarah

Sarah - HOORAY for having a transfer date! Your clinic does it differently from mine. I'll start Estradiol injections after my baseline sono. The injections are twice a week and I go in for bloodwork twice a week. After 4 injections (or 2 weeks) they do a sono and decide when you'll be ready for the transfer. That's when they schedule you.

Amanda

Yeah I guess they all have different ways. Here is my schedule of appointments:

Baseline was Day 3 1/17

start estrace pills 1/23 (they are a progressive dose that changes every few days)

u/s 2/2

u/s 2/4 to make sure all looks good

transfer 2/11

They just need to make sure my lining is thick enough so I don't need to go in so much. If on 2/4 my lining isn't thick enough then they just increase my estrace and check again. But I've never had a problem so much with that so I'm not really expecting a problem. Plus they are really extending my cycle. They are doing the transfer a good 2 weeks after I would have normally naturally O'd. So that is an extra two weeks of building up a lining.

They scheduled everything around my RE's schedule. They schedule my meds by when he will be working to do the transfer.

Sarah

Kimberly! I'm going to be there on the 31st too... our embryo transfer is scheduled for that day! Maybe I'll see you. :lol: You'll love Dr. K and his nurse Sue. she's the best nurse I've ever had!

Wow! Maybe it's a sign! A good sign, that is. :yippee: I'm getting psyched. I just recieved my questionaire packet from NEMC that I will fill out tonight and I was able to get my records BIVF so . . . .so far, so good. I've only had experience with his admistrative person. . .Maria? She's been so nice to me. And of course, all the best of luck to you with this cycle. :crossfing

Pam~All the best! :bighug:

Amanda~Everyone I know has been sick! It's been quite a flu season. I hope your little one is better. . .and I sure hope it's sunny in Florida.

Sarah~I'm confused. . .what is PGD? Thank you so much for the information for Melissa. I'm going to try to track her down. . .but thanks also for letting her know (when you have time). I think I understand where you're coming from. I'd love to be pregnant, but if I have another ectopic, I think I'll just fall apart. So more than meditating upon being pregnant, I mediate that I won't have another ectopic! But stay positive, keep the faith. :nod:

My acupuncturist told me that her most difficult infertility case, found out she was pregnant. My acupuncturist said that this woman was basically asked to stop having IVFs after 3 because she wasn't producing enough follicles. . .I don't think she ever made it to transfer. So, I guess all she was doing was taking the herbs and doing acupuncture treatments and lo' and behold. My acupuncturist also told me that this woman had some similair issues that I do (as far as eastern medicine goes). . .pale tongue, not very strong pulse. . . .so my acupuncturist says that my tongue looks much better and my pulse is much stronger (same changes that occurred with this woman 2 months before she got pregnant). I love my acupuncturist. She said, "This is so frustrating! We have to figure this out and get you pregnant!" I was thrilled that she had the same attitude that I did, and wasn't giving up on me like that other darn Dr. I had! :furious:

So I checked into Dr. Randine Lewis Infertility retreats that she holds in N.C. I got some information sent to me. Holy moly! For a one week session (5-days) plus a 25 day home-based program, it's $3780. However, their approach emphasizes the 90-day (you'd come one week per month for 3 months) program and the cost is $9950. That's a college tuition! Don't get me wrong, you get a lot. . .lodging in what looks like a beautiful spa, one on one with Dr. Lewis with acupucture treatments & herbs. . .3 spa treatments, Asian bodywork, dietary consultation, stress managment, cognitive restructing. . .of course, good and healthy meals. However, it's not about just coming up with that kind of money, but taking that much time off from your job!! It's very, very enticing to me. . .but I know I really couldn't manage it so. . .I BETTER GET PREGNANT SOON! :)

Kimberly

Kimberly, wow that is a lot! I bought her book(my acupuncturist really recommends it) and it has some good things in it. I love going to acupuncture. It has helped me so much. I can really notice a change in my body. I still have lots to correct(well she does:lol:) but we're getting there. Now that we are getting closer she is really going nuts on me. Hopefully it will work. I read somewhere that they have seen a 40% increase in fertility for patients that saw an acupuncturist. Lets hope we're in that 40%! What a great success story. Melissa has given up as far as I know too much stress on her but someday if she decides to try again I will let her know about all this. It has really helped us. I posted a message in her journal to let her know you're looking for her. But she is going on vacation in the next day I think and she's only been online like twice in two months. Her job is keeping her super busy. But I'm sure she'll want to get in touch with you.

PGD is genetic testing that they do on the embies to make sure they look good. It tests for 21(If I remember right) different genetic disorders.(also the sex!) Our RE wants us to do it now but our insurance won't cover it and it costs $3500. So we said we'd try it now but if this doesn't work our next ivf will be done using it. We'll need some time to save up that kind of money, not to mention to get ourselves back on track. Hopefully it won't come to that.

I hope your appointment goes very well, and BrenS good luck to you too!!! I cant' wait to hear!

Sarah

Hey Sarah, tell Melissa I think about her too. I sure do miss the old bunch from UB...we all bonded so well.

Did you see your acupuncturist? Did she have a recommendation for one in Wichita?

I will tell her for sure. Oh and thanks for reminding me I'm sending you a PM right now there are quite a few!

Sarah

Sarah - Your FET cycle does sound like it'll be alot longer than mine. I expect that we'll be doing the transfer about a week after yours (if I get AF on time).
Kimberly - You are always such an inspiration with your positive attitude! I'm glad you have such a good acupuncturist.

Day 6 of provera. Nothing exciting happening. We all NEED a vacation! Between Nathaniel waking up at night and our beepers going off all night...

Amanda

Yeah I know it is pretty long. I'm not sure why. It seems so long but it's not like I'm stimmin so I don't get it. I guess they are just doing it by their schedules. Have a great time on vacation. I hear you, I wish we could get out of here. But MIL is taking Riley tonight until Sunday so we can get some painting done on the house. I'm really looking forward to that. Brandon and I will even get in a nice dinner hopefully. WE have some gift cards from Xmas to use.

I start estrace on Sunday and decrease my lupron. I still can't believe we are doing this!

Sarah

HOORAY Sarah!
Tomorrow is my last day of provera AND we're leaving for Miami (if this blizzard ever ends). We'll be back in time for my baseline (isn't it sad that we're scheduling vacation around my cycles???).

Amanda

Tomorrow is my last day of Provera and then I'll be waiting for AF and then start taking the BCPs.

Ana, that is GREAT!! See....the time since you last cycle hasn't been TOO long, has it?? :biggrin: You know I am praying for you already!!! :pray:

Amanda ~ Thanks!

Sarah ~ I totally understand the fear of getting pg again. As much as I want to get pg, my fear of losing another one is a little greater. :bighug: What I've learned about PGD is that each lab looks at a different number of chromosomes. The lab that my doc's office works with looks at 9 sets of chromosomes (the ones that are of the greatest concern).

Kimberly ~ It sounds like you have an awesome acupuncturist! That Infertility Retreat sounds so nice!

Anna ~ :wavey:

Suzi ~ Thanks!

We trigger tonight at 9 pm & go in for retrieval on Saturday at 8 am. It seems like the time went so quickly (though I was on Estrace for about 3 weeks). I'm vacilating a little between fear & knowing that whatever happens is okay.

Pam, my prayers are with you...I hope you know that! :pray:

good luck Pam. I will be thinking of you all weekend. I hope you get a bunch of perfect eggies!!

Nothing new for us. Just waiting and waiting. I've increased the estridol pills to 4 mg a day and in a few more days it will go to 6 mg. If all looks ok I'll stay at that if not they will just increase it. I'm sure my lining will be fine though they are really stretching out this darn cycle. An extra two weeks! Next week is a busy week. I have my 2 u/s and a few other appointments. Hopefully all will be ok and those cysts calmed down.

Sarah

Pam~I'm thinking of you and wishing you all the best! :bighug:

Pam ~ good luck :bighug:

Good luck Pam!
Ana - HOORAY for starting!
Sarah - Sorry the cycle's taking so long.

Here's my crazy story. We were scheduled to leave for Miami at 9:30am on Monday morning. Sunday morning Tom gets a text message from AA that they have cancelled our flight. He called a re-scheduled us on the 12:30pm flight. We then decided to stay an extra day since we were losing all of Monday. I was a bit nervous since Monday was supposed to be my last day of provera and I wanted to make sure we were back in time (but last cycle it took me 2 weeks to get AF after provera so I figured it was ok).
Sunday night at 2:30am I woke up to severe cramping. Yup. AF decided to arrive while I was still taking provera. This has never happened to me! I was totally panicked. I went in Monday morning at 7am hoping they'd let me have a baseline and figure out how to salvage the cycle. Miracles do happen! It was no problem at all!!! My baseline was fine and I took my 1st estradiol injection on Thurs. TG they cancelled our flight! I never could have gotten a baseline and made it to a 9:30 flight!
Here's my cycle... Estradiol injections on Mondays and Thursday. Each morning I go in for a blood test and get my dosage of Estradiol. On Thurs Feb 10th, I go in for a sono in addition to the blood test. If everything's ok, I had progesterone injections that night (continuing daily). On Monday, February 14th I have my FET!!! I can't even believe it!!!

Amanda

Wow Amanda we will be just a few days behind each other! Our transfer is the 11th. That is a good thing your flight got cancelled. So happy it worked out for the better. And now this even moves your cycle up some!

Sarah

Thanks Sarah! I'm still in shock that it's all happening so quickly! Do you know your test date yet? They want to do mine on 2/25.

Amanda

Miracles do happen! It was no problem at all!!! My baseline was fine and I took my 1st estradiol injection on Thurs. TG they cancelled our flight! I never could have gotten a baseline and made it to a 9:30 flight!
Here's my cycle... Estradiol injections on Mondays and Thursday. Each morning I go in for a blood test and get my dosage of Estradiol. On Thurs Feb 10th, I go in for a sono in addition to the blood test. If everything's ok, I had progesterone injections that night (continuing daily). On Monday, February 14th I have my FET!!! I can't even believe it!!!

Amanda

Amanda~I know there's a message in all of this somewhere. . .:scratch: I can't remember the exact quote, but I think your story hints on "blessings in disguise", "silver linings". . . . .:awink:

FET on 2/14. I thinks that's a good sign:yippee:. . .a day of loooooovvvvvve.:heart:

Kimberly

I will have it about two weeks but last time they tested at 12 in stead of 14 days so I'll make it for then. And of course I am and early tester so I'll be POAS well before that. I am too impatient to wait that long. I have quite a stash of HPT's so I plan to put them to good use.;)

Sarah

Kimberly - Exactly! I still can't believe it all worked out. Now I just have to hope for a BFP!
Sarah - I have a few HPTs at home, too. Since there's no HCG trigger for a frozen cycle, I know I'll be dying to test early...

Amanda

Me too. i am so impatient so I know I'll want to test early. I won't be disappointed if it is - if I test too early since I know there will still be a chance. When we did our IVF I tested on my own too. Well after the hcg would have been gone. The very first one was+. And the line just got darker as I continued to test each day after.

I am getting so anxious I just want to get this over with. I can't believe how long they are drawing this out. I think it is because of all the m/c's. I think they want to make sure that my lining is super thick and all that. I think it must be some protocall for those with my problems. Hopefully that and the acupuncture will help this time.

Sarah

My retrieval was pretty unremarkable. I do have more post-procedure discomfort than usual. It looks like my transfer will be on Thursday. We just got the fert report. They got 8 eggs, were able to ICSI 7, 1 appears unfertilized (not sure why), & 6 are normal. Whew! What a relief! They would have been pretty uptight about doing PGD with anything less. They will biopsy & send the cells to the lab on Tuesday afternoon. They are supposed to call Tuesday afternoon.

I'm with you early testers (though I will wait a while since I had to go the HcG route). I absolutely have to test before I go in for a test at the doc's office. Last time I had to wait until afternoon until they had the results & I kept thinking that I would find out during staff meeting...in the morning. I was so glad that I knew already!

Pam.... :crossfing :pray:

Pam that is great news. I hope they all come back very healthy! and I totally agree with why you test early. When we did our IVF with Riley I was working and would be finding out at work. I didn't want to be told I'm sorry while I was there. Heck even when she called I still cried a bit because I knew for sure. I think it is helpful to prepare yourself for what might happen. Plus I'm not a patient person!

I can't wait until Tuesday to hear. Does your insurance pay for the PGD or did you have to pay for it?

Sarah

Suzi ~ Thanks :bighug:

Sarah ~ Thank you! With my last pg, I knew that I was pg since I had POAS...but it was totally exciting to hear it from the nurse. My insurance doesn't pay for much of anything (other than some of the medication). We have to pay for the IVF, ICSI, PGD....you name it. Other than a co-pay, we didn't have to pay for the IUIs way back when.

That really sucks. I wish that more companies would pay for the IVF and PGD. We are lucky and they will pay most of our IVF(no freezing that is all out of pocket for us) but the won't pay the PGD costs. We don't have the $3500 and we couldn't even charge it if we wanted to. So if this doesn't work we'll take off at least 6 months to save some of the money and to regroup. Hopefully it won't turn to that. That is a crazy amount of money for us. We've been working like mad to get our credit debit down for a few years now and we still have a ton left. So we are really hoping we won't need the PGD. But the peace of mind is really nice with it. Just knowing that those embies they put back are free from some genetic disorders is a nice feeling when you've been thru so much. I wish we could have afforded it this try.

Sarah

Pam - Keeping everything crossed for you. Glad the retrieval went ok!
Sarah - We also pay for quite a bit out-of-pocket. It really adds up!

My E2 was 110 today which the nurse says is normal. Took my 2nd E2 injection tonight. I know it's TMI but I'm having TONS of CM on the estrogen injections...

Amanda

Sarah ~ Hopefully this FET works for you guys & you don't have to worry (well...not for too long, hopefully).

Amanda ~ I had tons when I was on Estrace, too...

I think for us the $$ thing is that we're in CA...& our insurance provides what they are required to provide by state law. I don't think that PGD is totally the be-all, end-all. There are things that can get by the PGD testing. My understanding is that there is about a 10% error rate (small as it is, we all know what its like to be in that small percentage). I was required to do a telephone information session before going through PGD. I was told that there is a chance that there is a false + , false - & "no result" (if they can't determine). There is something called mosaicism where some cells are normal & some are not, so if they are only testing 1 cell, they may not have the information needed. That being said, it will give me some peace of mind having gone through this process...provided that we have some good embies to transfer.

I got a call today from the Embryologist at my doc's office. She asked if we want to do PGD with our 3 frozen embies. I hadn't even thought about it. I'm not sure how well they will hold up but I totally think its worth doing...since I really don't want to transfer any that haven't been PGD'd anyway. Yay!

Amanda... I'm on estrace orally, vaginally... and on 3 patches. I have to wear pads because I have so much EWCM. It's gross... really. :lol:

Bren that is a whole lotta estrogen!!

Amanda I am on the estridol pills(6 a day right now) and I too have a lot of EWCM.

Pam, I heard the same info pretty much. That there is an error rate. But at least you know you are doing all you can. I'd go for it with the frozen embies. Our clinic charges a flat rate no matter how many you use. So if it is the same for you I'd do it. It won't cost you anything more and at least you won't have to pay it down the line. I can't wait to hear your results today!

Sarah

Copied from my journal:
Things are looking good so far. I spoke with the embryologist this afternoon. She said that they thawed the 3 frozen embies & all survived....however, 1 was only 1 cell (I guess that wouldn't quite work. Of the 2 remaining ice babies 1 was a 4 cell & the other was a 10 cell. Of the newbies we had: 1) 2 six cell embies (a grade 3 & a 4), 2) 3 nine cell (from grade 2-3) & 3) a twelve cell (grade 3). I don't quite understand the grades other than 4 is supposed to be the best quality & 3 is average. They sent the cells from each of the embies via courier to San Francisco :lol:

Hopefully I will find out the status tomorrow afternoon. If not, we have to wait until we go in for the transfer. I hope that whenever we find out that the PGD results give us some good options (& that those embies are still looking good on Thursday morning).I'm pretty sure that my acupuncturist is already booked for that time so most likely I will have to go without. I will just do some relaxation & visualization if that doesn't work out. Transfer is scheduled for Thursday at 10:45 am (Pacific Time).

I'm doing a little positive thinking & visualization to help focus myself.

Pam, what good news! Now here's hoping you get great news that all are A-OK!! :aok: I am praying for you! :pray:

Pam - That's great news!
Thanks everyone for sharing about the CM. I wasn't exactly worried but I do feel better knowing that I'm normal! Gosh, a FET seems so uneventful after doing injectibles and IVF!

Amanda

Pam that is great! I hope everything comes back looking good! I'm praying that they all come back looking awesome. Hopefully your acupuncturist can squeze you in. Mine is a one women office so she can make a point of seeing ivf'ers the day of the transfers. So I'll go in on Wed and then again on Friday. I think it is so awesome that you are doing great with relaxation and visualization. That will help you out so much. I've been doing that lately too. Hopefully it will work for both of us.:)

Amanda I hear you this seems so uneventful! I keep thinking there is something I should be doing.

Sarah

Good luck tomorrow Pam!

Today is CD1 for me so I'll be starting on the BCPs.

Holy moly on the CM stories. :awink: At least you're not alone.

Sarah~When is your beta test date? Thinking of you. :thumbsup:

Amanda~Hope things are moving along well this cycle.

Bren~You're post transfer aren't you? :crossfing

Ana~All the best to you this upcoming cycle.

Pam~Interesting information on PGD. I was thinking about asking for that for myself so that's good to know. It sounds like you have some pretty decent embies (both new & old) to work with. Good luck. Keep up the visualizing and relaxation. It can only help.

Well I had my visit with the "new" Dr. Thanks Bren for recommending him. He was great. Unfortunately, what he had to tell me (based on my records) was sort of the same stuff that my other Dr. told me. In short, my egg quality just doesn't look good. PGD did come up, but in order for that to happen, I'd have to do another IVF, and the Dr. felt it wouldn't be worth it, since it seems to be OBVIOUS :furious: to everyone that most of my eggs are going to have some chromosomal damage. :bawl: I did get some sympathy (and perhaps I also needed that). Both my Drs do admit that I've suffered some really bad luck. My 6th IVF cycle produced 6 eggs which is not terrific, not horrible, just O.K. based on the amount of drugs I was taking. Then I took some months off and I got pregnant. Even though it resulted in an ectopic, it 'caused me to believe that I could indeed get pregnant on my own. It gave me a lot of hope. So by the time I had my 7th IVF, I was sure that I would have really good results being that I was doing a lot of acupuncture and being very good with my diet. But, it was the 7th that was the death of me. To both Drs, producing only 3 eggs and only having one to transfer, I guess is a telling sign that my eggs are just not good enough. :tantrum: When I mention that my highest FSH level was 9, they're still saying that my 7th IVF results are most telling. Put it this way, both feel that it doesn't even make any sense for me to even do a Clomid Challenge because whatever the results are, still won't tell us anything that they don't already know. Devastated? You better believe it. Throughout these last four years, I've watched Drs scratch their heads and tell me that by all accounts, I should have no problem getting pregnant. :wtf: The fact that I've been pregnant 3 times was boosting confidence levels. All of my Drs including my current one, had initially told me that we had a good chance of getting pregnant. Now, all of that is changed. Aaarrrrrrggggghhhhhhh!!!! :badwords:

I could go into a long story about what I've been reading that a woman can do to help lower FSH levels and improve egg quality. I truly believe in that and I realize that a Western Dr. won't bring any of that up. It wouldn't be his place or his practice. So, all they can tell me is what's on paper and what the results are based on scientific fact. Fine. I got it. I'm not trying to be ignorant of the fact that I'm 40 and that plain and simple, it is not going to be easy. It doesn't mean that I'm giving up though. I'm still going to continue to work on this on my own. . .

But the biggest result of my visit with this new Dr. is that he somehow talked me into something that I didn't think I could do. . .Ladies, it looks like I'm going to go forward with a donor egg. I want to be pregnant. I want to give my husband some blood relation (he has none because he's adopted). This is the best possible way I can acheive that. My chances of concieving with my own eggs is like 10% or less. With donor egg, it's about 50%. Sure, I'm sad, scared, confused, angry. . .yet also hopeful. I guess I just dream of a day when all this will have just been a little hiccup in my life. I want to get onto other things. We want to adopt, but I can't seem to get past this need to carry a child and until I do, I'm having trouble moving forward. . .with just about everything in my life! I'm just starting to learn about the process, so I still have lots of decisions to make, but that's where I am right now. I'm still trying like heck on my own, but also crossing my fingers that DE will do the trick.

Kimberly

Wow Kimberly. Let me first start by saying you are one amazing women! You are so strong. (and from your profile pic, you dont look a day near 30!) I am very sorry you didn't get some good news you were hoping for.(and we were all hoping for you) That must have been devestating to hear. Maybe there are things and Eastern Medicine doctor could do to help you out more.

I think that using an egg donor would be a great idea since you so badly want to have a baby yourself.(we will probably do that should our next couple ivf's fail or end in m/c) I know it is a hard choice to make but 50% are pretty good odds. Whatever you decide to do we are totally here for you! I'm sending you big hugs!!

Sarah

:jawdrop: :faint:

I am TRULY not making fun but that is REALLY what happened here on my end. Kimberly, I am SO glad that you are considering DE! I know you have a great deal to research and think about - Hell, even pray about - but I am glad that you've opened yourself to this possibility (afterall, it's all about increasing the odds...right??)! :bighug:

WOW Kim...

I'm glad you like Dr. K. He's a "tell it like it is" kinda guy.. so he won't blow smoke up your ass. Donor eggs sounds like it's the way to go now.

My transfer keeps getting delayed because my stinkin' lining is still at 5.6. I go back tomorrow... then it's decision time.

Brenda.... :pray: and :crossfing

Ladies, it looks like I'm going to go forward with a donor egg. I want to be pregnant. I want to give my husband some blood relation (he has none because he's adopted). This is the best possible way I can acheive that. My chances of concieving with my own eggs is like 10% or less. With donor egg, it's about 50%. Sure, I'm sad, scared, confused, angry. . .yet also hopeful. I guess I just dream of a day when all this will have just been a little hiccup in my life. I want to get onto other things. We want to adopt, but I can't seem to get past this need to carry a child and until I do, I'm having trouble moving forward. . .with just about everything in my life! I'm just starting to learn about the process, so I still have lots of decisions to make, but that's where I am right now. I'm still trying like heck on my own, but also crossing my fingers that DE will do the trick.What a journey you have been on Kim. :hug99: I am truly pleased you are thinking of donor eggs. You will love being pregnant, and this baby (babies) will be YOURS. You are a wonderfully courageous woman, and I admire you.

Good luck to everyone here. :)

Thanks gals!

Sarah ~ My acupuncturist has her own practice also. She's always been good about scheduling me in. I think she may have other procedures she needs to be available to do. She will fit me in for a pre-transfer treatment. Yay!

Brenda ~ I hope things work out for your transfer soon.

Woohoo Kimberly! I'm glad you're not given up! I have to admit that I got excited when I saw that you are going to go the DE route (that could happen for us if this procedure doesn't pan out). My guess is that once you have a babe in your arms, the process that it took, important as it is, won't be the most important thing anymore. Related to you by blood or not, you would carry your baby in your womb & heart. My therapist said that when a child is yours, it doesn't really matter whether they are related to you by blood or not, because they are yours (she adopted her son).

I talked to the embryologist this afternoon & let me say that I am sooo glad that we did PGD! Of all 8 embies, 3 are considered normal (one was the 4 cell frozen embie). I don't have any specifics as far as what exactly was found wrong with the others. I'm so relieved that whatever gets transfered is likely to be "normal." I would have thought a 10-cell to be better than a 4-cell (guess I don't know what grades they were, though) but I guess not in this case. I guess there could also have been some question as to whether something was norml or not. I'm a little concerned that we have 3 & not more...but this is so much better than using an embie that would lead to a pg with aneuploidy.

I got a call from my acupuncturist & she was able to rearrange her schedule to fit in a pre-transfer session (rather than before & after). That's fine by me. Its always helped me to relax in the past when she was there (cause she dealt with the doc's office when they wouldn't say what was going on & passed the info on to us).

I will probably lay low the next few days since my doc's office is conservative & says to do the bed rest thing for 48 hours. I picked up a few books & magazines to keep me occupied & a little
I talked to the embryologist this afternoon & let me say that I am sooo glad that we did PGD! Of all 8 embies, 3 are considered normal (one was the 4 cell frozen embie). I don't have any specifics as far as what exactly was found wrong with the others. I'm so relieved that whatever gets transfered is likely to be "normal." I would have thought a 10-cell to be better than a 4-cell (guess I don't know what grades they were, though) but I guess not in this case. I guess there could also have been some question as to whether something was norml or not. I'm a little concerned that we have 3 & not more...but this is so much better than using an embie that would lead to a pg with aneuploidy.

I got a call from my acupuncturist & she was able to rearrange her schedule to fit in a pre-transfer session (rather than before & after). That's fine by me. Its always helped me to relax in the past when she was there (cause she dealt with the doc's office on transfer day when they wouldn't say what was going on & passed the info on to us).

I will probably lay low the next few days since my doc's office is conservative & says to do the bed rest thing for 48 hours. I picked up a few books & magazines to keep me occupied & a little indulged.

Pam that is great. Three likely normal ones are so good! Like you said at least you know these ones have the best chance. It's good peace of mind. Our clinic has me on bedrest for two days too. Can't hurt to just relax! I still need to pick up some things to keep me busy. Any good ones you found? I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! And yeah for getting in for your appointment right before!

Bren I'm praying your lining gets thicker quickly. Keep us posted as we are thinking of you all the time!!


I had my first u/s appointment and it went very well. I am right where I need to be. I go in again tomorrow and if all looks good(which I know it will since I am already over their min lining) I will stop lupron and start progesterone. Yikes getting close!

Sarah

OMG! :bighug: Reading all of your comments has been absolutely wonderful. I've been feeling so anxious and melancholy for the last three days and reading this honestly cheered me up. :yippee: I've been waiting for that moment to happen--when I wasn't going to feel like there was a cloud hanging over my head :sunny: I guess just hearing you ladies congratulate me about this decision makes me even more sure that I'm making the right decision. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh. I just let out a breath. I think I've been holding my breath since my appointment on Monday. Thank you all so, so much! :bighug: I'm trying to get this process going pretty quickly--putting in calls to the donor coordinator, the financial counseler, etc. I just hope this works! :pray:

Brenda~Keep us up to date. I hope things go well today. :crossfing

Pam~That's great about the PGD. Very interesting about the 4-celled being better than the 10-celled. You really just never know I guess. :dunno:

Sarah~:scratch: I'm sorry I guess I was confused. I thought you were post transfer for some reason. :rolleyes: But you're on your way. :thumbsup:

Kimberly

Kimberly I can only imagine how hard this must be for you. We aren't here yet but might if things don't start getting better. So I know a teeny tiny bit of what you are feeling. It is so hard to make that decision but I think that once you have come to terms with it you will/do feel at peace with it. I am happy to hear that you are looking into things. Hopefully it will run fast and smoothly for you.

I know what you mean, this darn cycle is so freakin long it is screwing us all up! Should this had been like most other people, they would have had the transfer last week. But nope not me!;) Mine is on next Friday the 11th. Yikes almost a week away!! I am running around now and this weekend to get things all done. We need to get this place in shape for Riley's bday party at the end of the month. Once I have the transfer it will be 2 days of bedrest and from then on I will not be doing very much. I want these embies to stick and stay around. If I find out it didn't work then I'll be running around but if we are pg I'm not doing anything that might hurt these little ones!

Sarah

I don't have alot of time (I'm going to be late to work) but...

Kimberly - I am SO happy for you!!!! I know how hard a decision this is for you but I'm also glad you came to this. I really want for you to be pregnant and have a child!

I know lots of other people have exciting stuff going on - I'll personalize this weekend!

My E2 was 182 yesterday. I took another estrogen injection. They have me on the lowest dose of estrogen still so I guess everything's normal. Does anyone know what your E2 should be for the transfer???

Amanda

Well I had my last u/s appointment and my lining was 8.2 Lower than the other day. But she isn't worried since the machines or techs can be different. As long as it is over 8. So nothing changes. Here is my schedule:

Sat stop lupron
Sunday start progesterone and medrol

stay on 6mg daily of estridol until 8 weeks pg or - beta.

So I go in on Friday for our transfer and then just the waiting game. I'm pretty anxious to just get this over with.

Amanda I can't remember what is a good E2 number, Suzi knows. They never drew any blood this FET at all for me. Just lining checks, so I don't know what mine is. A week after the transfer I'll go in for E2 and P4 check.

Sarah

WOOHOO Sarah! Things are moving right along.
It's so interesting to me that the protocols are SO different! I haven't had any sonos yet, just blood draws. I go for my first and only sono on Thursday.

Amanda

Monday's E2 was 292. Still on the lowest dose of estrogen. Thurs is my sono and then I start PIO in addition to E2. Yuck!

Amanda

Awaiting the call from the RE but my lining was 8 this morning so I should be all set for Monday.
Good luck tomorrow Sarah!

Amanda

Brenda ~ How are things going? Where you able to have a transfer yet?

Sarah ~ I have my :crossfing for you for tomorrow! Hoping things go well with your transfer!

I've been :sick: since Saturday. I've been feeling pretty yuck since Saturday. I started feeling a bit better this morning.

I remembered how much I dislike the 2ww. I'm impatient & really want to know...but I kinda don't. Could I handle a BFN or, for that matter, a BFP? Well, I think I would be exstatic over a BFP...but tempered by our past experiences. DH & I are going to brave the Valentine's Day chaos on Monday & eat out at a nice little restaurant. He said that depending on the results we would celebrate (BFP) or drown our sorrows (BFN). He's so sweet...

Suzi ~ I'm sure you know this one. How long until the hCG trigger is out of your system? In case I have to test in the next few days. I likely will test before Monday.

Hi Pam!!!

We transferred 3 embryos yesterday. 1 was perfect.. 2 were a little fragmented... but the cells looked good.

Now I just take it easy until Monday... and get the beta on the 21st. I'm scared to death!!! LOL

Thanks for checking in on me... you can follow my blog for more deets:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/fiberdiva/

Brenda, I am so excited for you!! Wow...we're gonna have lots of betas all around the same time!!

Woops!!
Suzi ~ I'm sure you know this one. How long until the hCG trigger is out of your system? In case I have to test in the next few days. I likely will test before Monday.
Of course I know!! TECHNICALLY, the trigger shot can stay in your system for up to 14 days. That said, I have never had it in my system longer than a week or so. My suggestion would be to test NOW and get your negative (because it's too early for a BFP). Then you KNOW for sure the hCG is gone and you can believe a BFP if you get it.

:crossfing

Brenda that is great. I hope all goes really well for you!

Pam I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Amanda that is great. My lining was 8.2 on Friday(lower than the u/s before that) Thanks for the good luck vibes!

Well we are scheduled for a 9:30 transfer. I have an acupuncture appointment at 6:15 YUCK! We'll have to leave here at 5:30. Then after that we'll drive downtown to the clinic. They wanted us to come at 8 and wait around for an hour and a half. I told them no way. 1/2 fine but 1 1/2 that is crazy. She said she likes patients to get there early incase they are running ahead of schedule. Well we are the last ones. We live 3 miles from the Wisconsin boarder and have to go to down town Chicago to do this. I'd have to leave my house at 5 or earlier to get there at 8.(the traffic is terrible going inbound and I still need my acu appointment) It's not my fault that you can't schedule people right. What doctors office runs 1 1/2 hours early? Heck I'd fall out of my chair if these people ever saw me ON TIME! They are always a good 1/2 behind. So the plan is to call my acu lady when we are leaving the transfer and she'll meet us again for a second appointment. She says she really feels it's important to do it. Might as well we can use any little help we can get. So please keep your fingers crossed for us. We won't know our embie report until we get there. I have to call at 7 am to see if we are still on. Hope so cause by then we will already be on our way.

Sarah

Brenda ~ Good luck!

Suzi ~ I knew you'd know that info. Thanks! I remember that sort of info for a little while, like I during a cycle :lol:

Sarah ~ My goodness, you sure have to leave early tomorrow! I think it is better to get the acu before & after if you can, though. They want you there an hour & a 1/2 before your transfer? How crazy to have to wait that long! I don't even have to get to my center until an hour before...if my acupuncturist is coming there to do acu before. Otherwise, they have us get there a 1/2 hour before the procedure. We have still had to wait for every transfer that I can remember.

Pam - I already feel that way and I haven't even had the transfer yet. Fingers crossed for a BFP on Monday!
Brenda - That sounds great!
Sarah - I hope everything goes well today!

I forgot how much I hate the PIO. Yuck! Today I started the medrol and the tetracycline. The embryologist will call on Sunday with a time for the transfer on Monday. My beta is the 25th so right around everyone else.
Fingers crossed for lots of ++++.

Amanda

I am SO praying for ALL of you for a STREAK OF BFPs!!!! :pray:

Wow so much is going on with you guys :lol: I feel so far behind. I'm still on BCP, will start Lupron on the 18th. I'm really praying for lots of BFPs in here in a couple weeks!

I am SO praying for ALL of you for a STREAK OF BFPs!!!! :pray:

You said it. Ditto for me. :nod: :banana:

Unfortunatly our news isn't really good. I never really thought we would have a problem with not having many good embies. We had 9 that looked good. I know freezing them and then thawing causes problems so I thought we'd get 4-5 good ones. Well when we got there we found out that there was only one embie to transfer and it didn't look that super. 5 didn't make the thaw at all. And the four left three didn't divide well at all(didn't divide in a day and a half at all) So that left us with just one left. It was supposed to be a blast but it too was slow to divide. It is the best looking one but still not that great. They wouldn't even bother to tranfer the other ones they looked so bad. I just really can't believe it. I am heartbroken. I really never gave it any thought that we wouldn't have the two we needed. I couldn't hold back crying when the RE told us. I tried to but I just couldn't. Just yet another thing against us. I know it only takes one, and I'm hoping that this one will grow nice and strong. But honestly our chances really really suck right now. It just wasn't a good looking embie. When we had Riley they used three great looking embies and we had one baby. Now we have one not so great embie. Granted it is two days older so we'll see. I'm just praying right now that this is the ONE we need. Lots of bedrest for me so I can give this little one every chance. So please send any sticky baby vibes/prayers you can, we really need them now.

Sarah, at the risk of sounding like I am scolding you...you KNOW that the quality of embryo has NOTHING to do with the outcome!! I can start naming NAMES of people that we BOTH know who had less than perfect (some downright poor) looking embryos transferred and they got their BFP!! Don't chuck your chances just because the embryo didn't look perfect and don't call the cycle a bust already when that embryo needs you SO MUCH right now!! Just work on relaxing, visualize the embryo implanting, keep up a positive attitude and above all, DON'T STRESS!! Stress releases cortisol into the blood and that can be deadly to the embryo.

I know you are disappointed that it didn't go the way you were thinking but if there's ONE thing I've learned about IVF in my 5 cycles, it's that it rarely goes the way you think it will. Don't count this a total loss - that embryo needs you to believe in it!! :nod: :hug99:

Um, Kimberly.....GREAT pic!!! :aok:

Hmm...I guess I should probably post here since I have a few tidbits to update. I have been doing some research on the internet and I came across something called ESTROGEN PRIMING. Dr. Sher uses it at his centers for women who are poor responders. In my own words, he pretty much called the microdose Lupron flare protocal CRAP because many women don't respond to that, either (which is exactly my case). Anyway, the protocol goes something like this: Lupron five days before AF, AF shows and you either drastically reduce Lupron or stop it altogether and replace it with Antagon. You do estrodiol shots twice a week for 7-10 days and THEN you start high dosage of FSH (Gonal-F or Follistim) shots ONLY - NO REPRONEX OR PERGONAL - for a few days and then you reduce it significantly. The combination of FSH Antagon, and estrogen shots is continued for 7 days of stims and then the estrodiol is stopped. The FSH stims and Antagon continue until trigger.

This protocol is VERY different from what I have been doing and I am very excited about it!! I found a chat session dialogue where Dr. Sher said that he would work with your center to customize an estrogen priming protocol specifically for you, that your RE should just call him directly!

And this is PERFECT timing - we have an appointment with my RE next Thursday and I already left a message with the IVF coordinator that we are coming in armed with all kinds of info on this and we want to explore it further. Now I just hope my RE is receptive to it. I'd hate to switch centers NOW but I will if I don't feel like they are treating me as an individual rather than fitting me into the confines of their "normal" protocols. In that case, I'd have to go to St. Louis to see Dr. Sher himself.

Also on my plate is this support group. I make a presentation to an IVF education class at my center next week and our first meeting is March 8th. I am very excited about this and it is all coming together well!

That's all for me...I am praying for everyone and as much as I want to be PG myself, I wish it just as much for each of you - Pam, Brenda, Sarah, and Amanda! I am counting on you to finally get us some :bfp:

Suzi - That sounds really exciting! You are such a wonderful support here!
Sarah - I'm sorry you're so disappointed. I can't put it any better than Suzi did so I strongly recommend that you listen to her! Fingers crossed for you!

I just got the call from the embryologist. Our transfer is at 10am tomorrow morning. Please think good vibes for the thaw and then sticky vibes for the transfer.

Amanda

I didn't chuck this cycle or my chances. As I said in my post I was going to relax and give this little one every chance I could. And that is what I've been doing. I was just saying how bad our chances were. but that I knew that it only takes one so we were praying this was our one. I don't think I blew our situation out of poportion, it is what it is. And I know extra stress won't help anything so I have been relaxing and visualizing the implantation. I think I've done the best I can given what has happened. I don't think there is anyone here who wouldn't be disappointed with only one slowly dividing embryo for transfer given all the problems I have.(most of us share similar ones)Suzi I know you did when you only had a couple your last cycle. I just needed the support to help me thru this.

amanda I am praying for you so hard tonight! I hope that you get some amazing looking embies. Hopefully you will have the pick of the litter so to speak. let us know when you feel better enough to log on. You'll be in my thoughts all day!!

As a side note I have had some cramping the last two days. Never any the day of the transfer. Then yesterday afternoon I started to get some on and off mild period cramping. Strong enough for me to notice right away, but not bad. Hopefully that is implantation cramping. I've never had it before but there is a first time for everything. Another thing is that I've been so sleepy. On the progesterone pills I would be very tired but back when we did our IVF the progesterone never effected me at all. Well this time I guess it is. I've been sleeping for a good 4-5 HOURS in the middle of the day! That is so not like me. Thankfully Brandon has been taking total care of Riley so I can rest fully. Next week we will take it easy and only leave the house when we have to. I don't want to jepordize this in anyway.

Sarah

Got some news ladies...could ya' come by my journal for a peek?

Suzi ~ :wavey:

Amanda ~ :crossfing for tomorrow!

Sarah ~ Got my fingers crossed for you for this cycle :bighug: It's sounding good. I've been having some...I wouldn't call it cramping...but pressure around my uterus. I don't even like the feeling of my stretchy pants or the blanket on my stomach at night.

I've already been and I will say it again here!! I am SO very excited for you!!! Make sure you pass on the good beta nubers, okay??! :yippee:

Pam like I said on OUL I am so SO happy for you!!! I can't wait to hear your numbers today. And I hope I'll get to follow in your shoes soon. I have had this full feeling since Sat. Not bloated I can still fit in all my pants just the same but just very heavy and full. I don't know if it is because my lining is thicker now then usual or what. I have noticed my cysts causing some pain. I'm just praying so hard this little one will stick! And I'm sending you every single sticky baby vibe I have!!!

Sarah

Pam, I'm so excited for you!
Brenda and Sarah, I'm praying that we'll be celebrating for you real soon too!
Amanda, good luck today!

Pam - HOORAY!!!!
Sarah - Fingers crossed.

My story is similar to Sarah's. Our transfer wasn't good at all. We were so optimistic b/c we froze seven 8-celled embryos that looked great. Before the transfer the embryologist explained that our embryos didn't thaw well but we still had 2 to transfer. We were pretty optimistic since we only intended to transfer 2. After the transfer, we got the real story. Apparently our embryos all had something called pitting. She said it's like how a golf ball looks. They know from experience that pitted embryos do not freeze and thaw well (why they didn't EVER tell us this, I don't know). She actually recommended that we don't freeze embryos at all in the future. We ended up with two 2-celled embryos. I'm really not sure why we even bothered to transfer them at all. I feel like we played a part in a huge farce today (one that cost us about $5000). During the actual procedure we were really excited b/c we thought we had 2 good embryos. Then we find out that we have two nothings. I'm very, very disappointed.
Thanks for all the good wishes. Maybe we'll get a huge miracle...

Amanda

I'm sorry Amanda. Stay positive and don't lose hope. I'm praying for that miracle for you. :bighug:

Thanks Ana. I've been having my own little pity party...

Amanda

Oh Amanda I am so sorry honey. You go ahead and have your party.:( You need to get that out. That is how I felt too. I had wished they would have told me that on the phone when I called that morning. I am praying so very hard that both of us will have a great surprise in a week or two. I won't give up hope for you. But for now I know how you feel and you need to work thru that first. Once you can, try to stay positive.(I know it is hard) You never know those two embies might surprise you and fight. If you need anything let me know! Hugs!!

Sarah

Amanda ~ I'm so sorry. Still crossing my fingers that it will work out for you.

Thanks Sarah and Pam. I know the advice I would give someone else - it's never over until after the blood test. On the other hand I find it extremely unlikely that these 2 little 2 celled embryos (I'm not even sure 2 cells qualifies as an embryo?) will stick. But ya never know. I took my estrogen and progesterone injections tonight and we'll just have to wait and see.
Sarah - How's your wait going?
Pam - When do we hear the blood test results????

Thanks to all!
Amanda

Thanks everyone for the congrats!

Thanks for reminding me Amanda...my beta was 265 this morning. I won't go for another beta because its high enough for my RE's office. I go back next Thurs for an u/s.

Pam~You go girl! :rahrah: CONGRATULATIONS :clap: I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a continued successful pregnancy. :crossfing

Sarah~I'm so sorry. I totally understand. . .we go into this with so many expectations (which we should have a right to do) and so it just stinks when things aren't optimal. It certainly makes staying positive a hellofuva tough job. Hang in there, cause Suzi is right, in the end, it seems the quality of the embryo has nothing to do with the outcome. :screwy: :bighug:

Amanda~That totally stinks. I'm so sorry. The things is, it doesn't make sense to me that you didn't know about this pitting before they went ahead and froze the eggs! :down: I'm sending out positive thoughts for your embies.

Suzi~I think it's awesome that you're getting the support group going. :clap: It's also very interesting about the information you dug up regarding low responders. Even though I'm still focusing on the donor egg route, I still wonder. . . .:scratch: My friend, who is 45 and using her own eggs, had an almost identical 7th IVF cycle as my 7th IVF cycle (3 eggs, 1 embryo for transfer, and high drug dosage). My Dr. has concluded that I simply have poor quality eggs yet my friend is now on her 8th IVF cycle and they just retrieved 6 eggs! I believe that Resolve is holding an online chat on Weds. 23th on low responders.

Brenda~When is your beta test? :crossfing

I have a donor seminar tomorrow! :yippee: We're just starting, so according to my "list of steps" for the donor egg process, this is one of the first. It's an hour and 1/2 long group information session. Here, DH and I will learn more about the process, be able to ask questions, and go over financial issues. Oh boy, here we come. :silly:

Kimberly

Kimberly, thanks for that info!! They have LOTS of great topics and I thnk I put 5-6 of them on my calendar!! I also happened to look at the AFA site I usually attend online chats and they are holding one for...THIRD PARTY REPRODUCTION on the 17th!! Just go to http://www.theafa.org/connections/chat.html and you can attend. It is Feb 17th at 8pm EST.

Amanda... I'm so sorry about your transfer.. There's always hope though! Keep your
chin up!

PAM... AWESOME NEWS!!!!


Kimberly... I go on Monday the 21st for my beta. seems like forever!!!

Bren~Good Luck! :crossfing

Suzi~Thanks for the info. I'll definitely try to check that chat out.

The seminar went well this morning. There were about 7 other couples there. I don't know. . . .I don't necessarily like the idea of having to get this information in a group setting, but then again like DH said, "We're all here for the same reason." I have a tendency to want to imagine or "create" little stories in my head about why each couple needs to do this and I can only imagine that someone else in that room is wondering about me. Maybe it's just me who's over curious. . .:dunno: It was very informal and we were able to ask questions. They already had a folder specifically for me. I guess that as soon as one makes the appointment to attend the seminar, they're already going into each persons records and gathering information. They already had a list for me on what tests I need. :rolleyes: This whole testing baloney doesn't thrill me, :tantrum: although I understand it's part of the process. As a matter of fact, you can't even go forward with finding out how much your insurance will cover until you've taken the required tests. Obviously, it's a Catch 22 for some women who don't want to do any testing until they know if and how much they can get covered through their insurance company. This is what I need to have tested:

Uterine Imagining (I guess that's basically the Sonohysteragram?)
Day 3 FSH & E2 (w/Clomid Challenge)
Day 10 FSH & E2 (w/Clomid Challenge)
HIV-1, HIV2
HBsAg
HepCAb
RPR
Prenatal labs (TSH & PRL)
Cervical Cultures (GC, Chlamydia, Pap Smear, Mammogram)

I have no idea what some of these tests are. But can you believe how many tests I have to do???? I don't remember having to do this many for my IVFs! We were told that this process, from the time a couple attends the seminar to the point of the transfer is, on average, about 5 months. I have a lot ahead me. :complain:

Kimberly

Wow Kim, I guess it's complicated. I had some of those tests done for before my first IVF. Maybe it's procedure for NEMC?

I had already had most of those done.. so NEMC didn't do any other than HCG and FSH..... I also didn't have to do the orientation thing since I'd done so many cycles at Brigham.

Oh they did do a physical and bacteria test .. and a pap.

If this cycle doesn't work out.. we're doing another fresh.. then giving up

Kim, with the exception of the clomid challenge and a mammogram, those tests are ALL standard before an IVF cycle at my center!!

Uterine Imagining (I guess that's basically the Sonohysteragram?) Yep
Day 3 FSH & E2 (w/Clomid Challenge)
Day 10 FSH & E2 (w/Clomid Challenge)
HIV-1, HIV2 HIV tests
HBsAg Hepatitis B test
HepCAb Hepatitis C test
RPR Syphilis test - the same one they do for a marriage license
Prenatal labs (TSH & PRL) Thyroid and Prolactin
Cervical Cultures (GC, Chlamydia, Pap Smear, Mammogram) Regular annual pap with the additional cultures and of course, the mammogram

Kimberly, I know it sounds like a long time but those 5 months are going to FLY by!! Just think...around that time I will have only recently found out my beta results (early August)!! So I am dragging it out right along with you! :nod:

Kimberly I too had most of those done just to be able to get the referral to see my RE. So you might have already done them not knowing. Most are blood tests or part of a regular exam. Check with your center or your last OB visit I'll bet you already have them. I don't really see why it would take 5 months to complete those tests. They are all fairly simple. Maybe the 5 months includes the time for the insurance to get back to you with their approval and coverage info? I'm glad the session went well. I hope that you are able to move forward fast.

Brenda good luck I can't wait until Monday. Will you be testing on your own before hand? I am wishing you the best of luck. You are in my prayers!

Amanda how are you holding up? I'm thinking of you.:)

Suzi that totally sucks that your clinic only does 5 cycles a year. Is it because they don't handle a lot of people? Our's is constantly running except for twice a year when the labs shut down for 3 weeks to clean. Otherwise you just have your own cycle. There are boat loads of people though so running only a hand full of cycles a year would never be enough. But there are also 6 RE's so that is a lot to plan for. I hope that your being sick gets under control so you can make the soonest possible cycle.

Well I'm still feeling pretty good. Other than my hips that is. I already have two very large lumps and it is tender just when I walk or lay down. I don't remember it being this painful daily. After a month or so that is when it got painful and the nerve damage happened. It's only been 1 1/2 weeks. I've been using the heating pad and Brandon rubs the area for several minutes each day. Ah PIO is so much fun! My RE's office called today with my E2 and P4 results and they are good. My progesterone is at 34.7 and it has never been that high. So that is good. It is nice to finally not have to worry about low progesterone. I feel pretty good. Having some good pg symptoms for sure. I'm not getting too excited but cautiously optimistic. I POAS this am and there was a shadow of a line. It is super early and it isn't what I would even call a light line just a pink shadow where the line should be. Not reading into yet. I'll test again in a couple days. Might as well use all the stored up tests I have! Oh and my acupuncturist said that my pulse was that of a pg womens. She said it isn't 100% and that being on progesterone could mimic that so don't put much into it. Still it is nice to hear. I feel like I'm in the early part of a pregnancy. Oh and I'm craving red meat like nuts! I've never been a huge fan. I'll eat it but it isn't that often. The last few days I want it like no tomorrow. We've had red meat everyday this week. And this is terrible but I wanted a steak at 9:30 last night even after eating burgers for dinner. How weird is that? Well I'm off to get some work done!

Sarah

Pam - CONGRATS! I'm very happy for you!
Kimberly - That sounds very exciting! I know you've got a long road still but it'll go quickly! We did know about the pitting before we froze the embryos but they never told us that they KNOW that pitting causing problems.
Sarah and Brenda - Fingers crossed for you.
Suzi - You're always so knowledgeable!
Ana - How are you holding up?

This week has been torture. I really didn't remember the PIO as being this bad but maybe I was more optimistic about the cycle last time? I've been working all week, too, which isn't helping. Tom is very upset about the whole thing which makes it harder. At least I have my online friends and real-life friends to talk to. I guess men don't have the same resources!
Thanks for the encouragement.

Amanda

Suzi that totally sucks that your clinic only does 5 cycles a year. Is it because they don't handle a lot of people?
Sarah
Well, it isn't all that bad because you really can't do more than 5/6 cycles in a year anyway (if you did one on top of another). My center does about 200 cycles a year in those 5 cohorts - about 40 women each time. All between 2 REs. Crimeny.

Amanda (and Sarah), hang in there. You just never know what God has in store for you. :pray:

Kimberly, I forgot to say that I am really excited for you about getting this DE IVF going! Sarah is right - several of those tests are all blood draws and can be done from one draw. The HIV, Hep B & C, RPR, TSH, and PRL are all (several vials from) one blood draw. Then there's the Clomid Challenge, pap, and Mammogram. Not so bad! :nod:

YIKES!!! I forgot to mention that I have my consult with my RE tomorrow!! I have to convince him that he needs to treat me with the estrogen priming protocol - and they've never used it for IVF patients before. This ought to be fun. :rolleyes: Wish me luck!!

Can I just say that you guys are awesome. :bighug: When it comes down to it, I guess you're right! It's not that bad at all. I've mentioned before that I'm horrible with medical terms. . .the fact is, when you explain it so simply (Ms. soon-to-be-head and organizer of a support group) :awink: it makes everything so much better. I HAVE had all of those tests in the past. Most were not done in my initial workup, although I've had them here and there during these last, long 4 years. For the DE thing, I have to have had them all done in the last 6 months, so that's why I need to do all of these over. I've never had a mammogram. . . .mammogram. . .boy, that's a term that I didn't think I'd have to concern myself with for another few years. :rolleyes:

Sarah~All those things you mentioned sound very positive! :yippee: I completely understand and agree that you need to continue to be cautiously optimistic. . .but the key word is optimistic, and being optimistic is never a bad thing. It's going to take 5 months for me because after the tests, then I still have set up with the donor agency, choose the donor, time our cycles, etc.

Amanda~Hang in there. :bighug:

Suzi~You are going to be so great in heading up a support group. I wanna join! Oh, and I wish you could've come with me to all my Drs appointments. . .I really could have used a spokesperson. Good Luck with your RE today. :crossfing

I just have to wait about a week and 1/2 or so for AF to arrive and then I'll start on all these tests. :crazy:

Kimberly

Good luck today at your appointment Suzi. I hope it goes well.

Kimberly, can I just say that I LOVE seeing the picture of you wtih the big smile on your face??? Every post I read of your lately it seems that that smile is coming through bigger and brighter with each one!

The mammogram - it's GOOD for you to have one now anyway! :nod: I have been doing them for almost 10 years now because of family history. Just consider it your baseline mammogram!

I am nervous about the meeting today. I am afraid that our RE will not be receptive to doing something just for me outside of what they normally do. Considering we spent $30,000 on IVFs last year and I am not PG, I personally think they OWE it to us to research something new because what we've been doing isn't working. I turn 39 this year, we only have 1 MAYBE 2 tries left moneywise, and I want the BEST shot at success that I can have (and I don't want to leave my center).

I don't suppose if I convince all you guys that'd sway him any, you think?? :lol: Oh, I guess all I can do is present him with the info I have collected, ask him to research it further, give it careful consideration and then make a decision. Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Good luck I'm sure it will go well. Your RE sounds really nice so I'm sure he'd be willing to try something new. And heck it might even help out other patients with the same problem. Let us know how it went!

Well, the appointment went well. My RE knows of the estrogen priming protocol and he agreed to research it more for my case specifically. He actually worked with Dr. Sher a long time ago (but his opinion of him isn't that great). We did find out that I was approved by insurance for the connective tissues test since I have m/c three times but I wasn't notified by the insurance company so I never had it done. Of course not, that's spending their money. :rolleyes: Well, I am going to do that test to make sure there isn't an underlying factor for why I am getting PG but not keeping it. Then we will see where we're at.

Anyway, Chris and I both feel positive about our meeting today. We will discuss our thoughts on the estrogen priming protocol and see what we think. We may do it, we may not. I did have a CD3 done and it was well within normal limits - that's what perplexes me most of all! Given my CD3 results, I should be responding to these stinking drugs like CRAZY! My RE said it's just plain age. God, I hate to think I am really one of those women who waited too long (not completely my fault since Chris and I started TTC immediately after we got married) to have a baby. :tearhair:

I better go - I have some calls to make and things to get done. Hope everyone is having a great day!

Suzi - HOORAY for a good appt! I'm glad your RE is so cool.
Sarah - Hang in there girl!
Kimberly - I'm glad that the tests don't seem so bad. I think I've had most or all of those recently.

I'm in a better mood today. I had a good day at work (a long day but good) and I wasn't feeling as rotten as yesterday. I've decided that even though this cycle is a long shot for me, it's not over yet. Who knows? Crazier things have happened. We've also started thinking about the "what next?" question. I know it may sound like jumping the gun but I know I do better if I've planned for all the options (so I'm dealing with the pregnant with two, pregnant with one, miscarry, ectopic, and not pregnant at all scenarios at once!). I can't say how much this group means to me!

Amanda

Amanda, I don't think the "what next?" question is jumping the gun at all. You have to be prepared for everythng and if planning out different scenarios is what gets you by, then that's the best thing to do.

Personally, I was just thinking today that we have one, MAYBE two cycles left to try before we will have to give up. Then I kinda started thinking I'm not going to know what to do with myself not waiting for the next IVF cycle. The last 3 years of my life have been spent either doing an IVF cycle or waiting for an IVF cycle and not having that is kinda strange to think about. Guess that makes me an IVF junkie! :dunno: :lol2:

amanda I can totally understand how you feel. that is how I am too. We have our plan if this doesn't work. We had it before we even did this cycle since the last 5 pgy's have ended in m/c I felt it was in our best interest to really think about things realisticly. And Suzi's right you do whatever gets you by! But I'm glad you aren't giving up. Like you said stranger things have happened!

Suzi I can understand what you mean about not knowing what to do. I think that is one of my biggest fears if we take and extended break. For well over 3 years now I have