October TTC Vets

[Bawstinn]

Me: Maria, 39
SO: David, 35
History: We have a 28 month old that was conceived w/o a problem but Male factor issues as a result of an accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. IUI #5 last month.


:D

After that little bit of brown spotting on Sunday (when I assumed it was AF - typical spotting for me) I had nothing. So, I was cautiously optimistic when Wed (expected arrival day) came and went and she didn't show. I waited until this morning to test and it didn't take long for 'pregnant' to pop up. I have a call into the RE's office to tell them my results and I don't know what they'll have me do. Whether they'll have me go in for a blood test or just have me do it through my regular doctor.

I'm just so happy that it took this time (despite only having 1.4 million motile little buggers) and now I am just hoping and praying that it sticks. :)

[melis_d]

Maria, congratulations. That is great news.

Sending sticky thoughts your way,

Melissa

[ellery]

Oh my gosh Maria - YAY!!!!! :D :D :D (where are the little green dancing men when you need them?)

Yay yay yay yay yay!!!!! I'll be wishing lots and lots of sticky vibes your way. :D :D :D

Just a little bit longer before Candace hears something too, right?

As for me, I just got off the phone with the RE's office and it looks like I'll be starting something in 3 weeks. Gulp. I have my SHG in two weeks and the RE will decide then if I'm doing a Lupron or antagonist protocol. I did Lupron last time and all I remember from it is lots of mind-numbing headaches. Don't know anything about the other protocol other than that it starts after I've actively started stimming.

Trying to digest that this will be happening so soon, and stressing in advance about how to manage childcare and work schedules since monitoring appointments are usually so darned early in the am and the RE's office is an hour's drive away.

Anyway, congrats again Maria! Yay!!

:D :D :D

[Bawstinn]

Thank you. I need to stop at the lab at some point today or Monday to get blood drawn to confirm so I can make an appt at my regular OB's office. I have an appt on the 23rd with the RE for an untrasound. I talked to the nurse that did the IUI (actually she did almost all of them) and she was so happy.

Leah - too bad that the RE's office is a drive or you. There are some people that go to the U of I (and not just to the RE) that travel 3-4 hours just for an appointment. That's great you'll be starting something soon!

OK, I need to focus. I don't think I've accomplished anything this morning.

[Kerri]

Yay!! Maria!!

[cangoss]

Maria that is so wonderful. Congratulations!!!!

As for me - I got to discover what to do when you're an idiot and leave your progesterone on a plane... I got in to Michigan last night and was on the car rental shuttle when I realized that i didn't have the part of my bag that contained my progesterone. By the time I got to the luggage services desk, the plane had left. Then they couldn't find it when it got to Houston either. After many calls to pharmacies last night I gave up (the RE on call said I'd be OK until morning). This morning I called the U. of Michigan fertility center and asked them if they knew of a pharmacy that might have it and they did. So the crisis is over but it was a stressful event.

I'm on the countdown to beta on Tuesday... hopefully Maria has started a success streak.

[ellery]

Candace, I had a similar situation happen on my IVF too. ;) Are you going to wait until the beta for results or test earlier? I tested at home at 11dpo (8dp3dt) and got an accurate result (I couldn't stand the thought of hearing I wasn't pregnant over the phone, so wanted to prepare myself for it in advance).

Still feeling all bubbly here about Maria's news. I look upon it as a victory for our team. :D

[cangoss]

I have renewed hope for my beta on Tuesday;)

[Bawstinn]

Keeping fingers crossed for you!!!

[cangoss]

I have been waiting for a very long time to post this:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8ce26b3127ccec51a5d3cc23100000060O08Aat2zFo0Ytg e3nwU/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

:D:D:D:D:D

My RE called with my beta a little while ago: 334. I'm kind of freaked out because I looked it up and it's above the median for twins:eek: I asked her about it and she said it's high enough that it's a consideration but we'll know for sure at the u/s in two weeks.

Melissa & Leah - I hope you're next to join the streak that Maria started. It was around the jewish holidays last year that a bunch of vets got pg. I think that fall must be our time.

[SusanPC]

Candace, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you and your DH!

[2HUNGRY!]

Candace -- hooray! I have been refreshing like a mad woman all day! I am so happy for you.

Maria -- Congrats to you too.

I really am so happy for both of you.

Good luck to Melissa and Leah.

ETA: My beta was super high too and I just had the one, so don't freak out yet. Also, it is weird that we all seem to have luck in the fall.

[Bawstinn]

YEAH Candace!!!

Thank you 2HUNGRY!

After a confusing jumble of who actually needed to put the order in for the blood test I had mine yesterday and got the confirmation that I am pregnant. They don't give numbers though, so I have no idea what my beta was. The 'official' confirmation was what I needed to make an OB appointment, which is a few days after my u/s, for all the bloodwork.

[helios7]

delurking to say CONGRATS to Bawstinn and Cangoss.

Wishing you both a happy and healthy 9 months....and hope to see you on the pregnancy boards once you feel ready. :)

[Couperine]

WOOOOOOOOO congratulations to you both!!!!! Happy happy dance time!

[Pony]

oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sooo happy for you both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[melis_d]

Candace yay! That's such great news. Congratulations and fingers crossed for a healthy pregnancy. Just as an FYI, your number is similar to what mine was with DS (who is and always was a singleton). If not, two for the price of one.... I was thinking of you this weekend as you were here during homecoming. We should have exchanged info and I could have given you the progesterone! Keep us updated as things progress.

Maria, great news on the confirmation of your news.

As for me, I have an ultrasound on Friday to see if everything is progressing and if so (fingers crossed, lots of prayers), I'll transfer Monday or Tuesday. If not, I'll be in Boston anyway next week and the transfer will be later. I'll let you know what happens later this week.

Leah, I'm thinking of you and hope all goes smoothly with your cycle.

[ellery]

Yay Candace! Isn't that the most beautiful word in the world to see? :D :D :D

Next up we have Melis and then me... (gulp)...

[Molli526]

YAY! YAY! YAY! Candace!

[ktg0930]

congratulations Candace and Maria!!

[cangoss]

Thanks everyone for the good wishes. It has been a loooong (3 year) road to get here and as my dr. said today, the name of the game is "cautious optimism" - we're not out of the woods yet.

It was fun telling my mom and MIL. MIL has been knitting a blanket for my nine month old niece since before she was born, and it's still not done. So now she's really concerned about getting the next one (or two) started.

[Beth H]

Congratulations! Hope to see both of you firmly on the pregnancy thread soon.

[LaraW]

Congratulations Candace! Such wonderful news for you! Many wishes for a healthy pregnancy.

[mst]

Yay Candace and Maria!

I hope the fall provides the same good luck for the other vets...

[Kerri]

Congrats Candace!

[kabs]

Congratulations, Maria and Candace! Best wishes to the other vets!

[Sarah428]

Congratulations Candace and Maria! :D

[cangoss]

Bumping this up to send good thoughts to Melissa. I hope the u/s was good and the embies will thaw perfectly (and then do what they're supposed to do and implant!)

[Delanl]

Congrats Candace and Maria! So very happy for you both!

[Bawstinn]

Wishing Melissa good thoughts as well ...

[cangoss]

Bumping this up in hopes of getting an update from Melisssa... I hope everything went well this week.

Also - belated happy birthday to Leah!
(and don't you start "something" soon?)

I had my 3rd and final beta this week - it was 2800 which is right on track. Now the countdown until the u/s on the 21st begins.

[ellery]

Candace, thanks for the birthday thoughts, and I'm with you on waiting for Melissa's update.

I found that the wait between the betas and the first ultrasound to be more nervewracking than the actual IVF process, but then I was on the internet way more than I should've been and way too anxious to begin with. The 21st is right around the corner - yay! Sounds like your little one is doubling and growing and waiting to put on a show next week. :D

As for me, I've got my mock transfer on Friday - the saline hysto-something that I don't remember with fond thoughts from the first go round. My RE is supposed to tell me the plan then, so if all looks okay on Friday, I should be practicing my human pincushion skills sometime soon.

How's everyone else doing? (as in, all you pregnant people) :D :D

[Bawstinn]

Happy belated birthday Leah!

Just sitting here waiting for my u/s appointment on the 23rd. I have no idea what my 'numbers' may be but I am taking comfort in my nausea and the fact I am asleep at 9 every night. I'm having a hard time finding things that sound appealing - I turned down chocolate the other day cause it just sounded blech :eek:

[cangoss]

Leah - good luck with the SHG. I didn't think it was that bad - and it really wouldn't have been bad at all if I didn't have the rookie fellow doing the procedure. It was just a couple of minutes of being uncomfortable.

Did you figure out how you're going to manage childcare issues during the cycle?

Maria - that's exciting that you have your u/s next week. You're a few days ahead of me so you should be able to see the heartbeat for sure.

[lbd]

(deluring to say) Yay Candace!!! So happy for you!!!

Can't remember if I congratulated Maria on this thread or another but will throw in another Yay!!! for good measure.

[melis_d]

Thanks everyone for thinking of me. Sorry for the delay in posting; I just got back home from Boston earlier today. The thaw went well and we ended up putting back 3 (:eek:) embies on Tuesday, two six cell and one eight cell. Now we're in the waiting period...testing is on the 29th. Think sticky thoughts for me. My DH has been heroically taking care our of DS (3.5) to allow me to rest. I'm feeling fine, just a little sore from our shots. Overall, we had a good trip, despite the challenges of sharing one hotel room with a young child. It is, however, great to be home.

Candace and Maria, I can't wait to hear about your u/s results. I will caution you that the heart beat might be slow if you are right around six weeks. We looked six weeks to the day with DS and his heart beat was slow (because it had just started). The tech, was, well, not encouraging and we left the appointment sure that this was not good news. Our doctor was much more reassuring when we heard from her later in the day and we had an event-free pregnancy after that. I'm not sharing this to scare you but because nobody told us this could happen and we freaked out.

Leah, hope your procedure went okay and that your doc shared a plan that works for you.

Take care everyone and thanks again for all of the good wishes while I was gone.

Melissa

[cangoss]

Melissa - thanks for the update. Sending lots of sticky thoughts to Ann Arbor!

I am not expecting to see the h/b. I will be exactly 6w, so I know it's unlikely. If we see it, it's a bonus. All I'm expecting to get out of this appt. is the knowledge of whether it's one or two... and the answers to my whole list of questions, which I'm afraid my dr. won't have time to get to.

[Bawstinn]

Thinking sticky thoughts for you Melissa!

My weeks change on Fridays, so I'll be one day short of 7 weeks for my u/s. I'm not sure what we will see although Baby Center tells me the heart starts beating during the 6th week. Last time I did not have an u/s until 10 weeks and that was only because I was measuring ahead and they wanted to make sure there was only one. It was more like my need for carbs that was making me measure ahead :o

[ellery]

So much going on with all of us. :D

For what it's worth, I had my first u/s at 6 weeks (not sure how many days) and we definitely saw the heartbeat. Very cool. :D

Sending glue-y sticky thoughts to Melissa. I'm thinking this would look like "hold on" in BB-ese ((())) although I know it means hug. So I'll send a "hug" to the embryo(s). ;)

Had my SHG/ mock transfer/ whatever thingy on Friday and it wasn't too bad. I'm way out of practice with the indignities that go along with IVF (I'll just leave it at that). RE looked over our stuff from last time and apparently just realized that maybe we have a little male factor issue as well, that I did well on the stims last time but we didn't get good fertilization, so we'll do ICSI this time. Maybe it reveals my character flaws, but I was so relieved to hear that maybe our TTC issues are maybe not all my fault.

I start Lupron next Saturday, stims November 6, and estimated retrieval is probably November 17th-ish. It's probably not a good thing that DH gave me a ginormous box of licorice and gummy bears for my birthday, seeing how much I stress eat over this TTC crap. :eek:

Candace, what kinds of questions do you have that you don't think the dr will have time for? (unless it's too personal)

Maria, glad to hear the pregnancy symptoms are settling in (not sure that came out right). Funny about the chocolate stuff - pregnancy is the one time in my life I've ever not had an appetite for chocolate. Vegetables and chocolate were completely unappealing to me at that time period - all I wanted was cheese. It was a miracle Danny didn't come out orange. ;)

[cangoss]

well, not only did we see one heartbeat, but we saw two heartbeats....
I saw two big blobs come up on the screen and said "uh oh". Thankfully my husband didn't pass out - that was my biggest concern.

The dr. said that both of them are measuring exactly on target for 6 weeks but we're still in the mode of "cautious optimism" - we could lose one or both. I'm going back for a repeat u/s a week from Friday.

I did get all of my questions answered (they were mostly early pregnancy/first time pregnancy things - like is herbal tea OK? (yes) and when can I start swimming again? (now - yay!)

Melissa - hope you're hanging in there during the 2ww. When is your beta?

and Leah - good luck with the Lupron. That was not one of my favorite things for sure. I got horrible headaches.

Maria - now we're just waiting for your report on Friday.

[Bawstinn]

well, not only did we see one heartbeat, but we saw two heartbeats....



YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


When I was pregnant with DD, David came to the first appointment. When the doctor said she wanted an u/s to make sure there was just one, he turned white as a ghost and almost fell off the chair. He was a nervous wreck until the u/s 3 days later.

[2HUNGRY!]

Candace -- double for all of your trouble! Horray! I remember well the feeling of relief when I passed a milestone (seeing heartbeat, passing 12 weeks, hearing eartbeat externally, etc), and then the fear that would set in waiting for the next appointment. You'll know things are going well when they start letting you keep your pants on for your appointments!

Good luck to everyone. I'm thinking about you all.

[Bawstinn]

You'll know things are going well when they start letting you keep your pants on for your appointments!


:p I love it and so true!

[Pony]

well, not only did we see one heartbeat, but we saw two heartbeats....
I saw two big blobs come up on the screen and said "uh oh". Thankfully my husband didn't pass out - that was my biggest concern.

The dr. said that both of them are measuring exactly on target for 6 weeks but we're still in the mode of "cautious optimism" - we could lose one or both. I'm going back for a repeat u/s a week from Friday.


Wow! Very exciting and congratulations!!!!!

[ellery]

Yay Candace and the twinkies!!!!!

I'm guessing that is a side benefit to twins? You get to keep your pants on in appointments earlier than in singleton pregnancies? ;)

Yay for a good ultrasound!!!

:D :D

[Couperine]

Congrats on the great U/S Candace!!! More reward for your long journey to this point!!! Woooo hooooo!

[melis_d]

Candace, congratulations on the twins and on passing the first u/s milestone. Fingers crossed that everything continues to look good. How are you feeling?

Maria, hope you're hanging in there with the morning sickness. My diet consisted of potato chips and lemonade (for the most part) with DS. It was protein and veggies that turned me off during the first trimester. Needless to say I gained half of my pregnancy weight in those first months.

Leah, any side effects with the Lupron? It never bothered me; hope it's the same for you.

I'm eating my way through my 2ww right now with a beta on the 28th. Leah, I'm with you with the stress eating; one of my coworkers just caught me with Ben and Jerry's for breakfast :o

Take care everyone!

[ellery]

Leah, any side effects with the Lupron? It never bothered me; hope it's the same for you.

I had horrible headaches with the Lupron last time - so not looking forward to it again. I seem to recall comparing them to what I imagine an icepick through my brain would feel like. :(

Hang in there until the 28th and actually ice cream for breakfast sounds delicious. :D Are you going to test early?

[Bawstinn]

We had our u/s this morning! :D

Saw the baby, who is already measuring 3 days ahead. Keeping my due date at 6/12 though. Nice heartbeat at 140 bpm. All is well and they said everything looks good!

The tech did give me a scare where she couldn't say for sure that something on the screen wasn't an etopic (sp?) pregnancy or not. Took another tech and the doctor before it was confirmed to be a fibroid.

YAY! One milestone checked off. Nurse also recommended trying B6 for my m/s which I will pick up after work.

[2HUNGRY!]

Congrats Maria! I'm glad it was just a fibroid. 6/12 sounds like a great day to be born.

[cangoss]

yay maria - so glad everything is looking good!

[ellery]

Yay Maria! :D :D :D

This has been such a happy thread lately. I would really like to contribute to all of the good news going on. ;)

[SusanPC]

Just popping in to say congrats to Maria and Candace on the great ultrasounds. Wishing everyone else the same success!

Wow, I'll be back at IVF probably in the spring....maybe I'll be cycling alone :p

[2HUNGRY!]

Wow, I'll be back at IVF probably in the spring....maybe I'll be cycling alone :p

Nope. Unless my body decides to be normal (yeah right) I'll be here with you.:o

[melis_d]

Yay, Maria. That's great news that everything looks good.

I'm biting my fingernails and eating everything in sight as I wait for testing next week...

[Chelle D]

WooHoo Candace! I haven't been around lately, but have been praying for you for so long. I am so excited for you!!!

Congrats to everyone else with good news too. It's so great to see good news on the vets thread!

I was wondering if I can join in here, but I am tta (adopt), not ttc....but I am a vet! I am Michelle, 33, and have a 3.5 year old who was the result of an FET. I did ivf first back in 2003 after 2 ectopic pregnancies. I have no embryos left frozen and DH and I are just starting the adoption procedure. We are doing the Home Study right now (will complete that on Monday, but it's been a few steps). I also co-lead an infertility support group at a local hospital and have been doing that for 2 years so I am still talking about ART procedures all the time. So please can I come into this group for you to cheer me through the adoption stuff...PLEEEEAAAASE?!?!?!;)

[mst]

I can't speak on behalf of the vets (since I happily graduated), but I would love to cheer you on Michelle! Very exciting news...

[Chelle D]

Thanks Meredith!!

[cangoss]

Thanks Michelle!
despite the fact that I hope to be permanently graduating from this thread in a few weeks, I will certainly stick around and support others headed down this long horrible road, and I think it's perfectly appropriate for a vet who's adopting to hang out here.

[Chelle D]

Thanks Candace. I am so happy for you! With all that you have been through, it is such a blessing that those two little ones stuck! Please keep us updated and I will lurk over at the pg thread too until you deliver!

I wish I was a ttc vet, but I just can't do the ivf again and I have no embryos and no fallopian tubes. I am excited to start the adoption process, but also scared about all the unknowns. But, as I did with ivf, I will just pray hard and see how it all turns out (and probably go crazy from time to time, yell at my husband and be a big grump...and I can't even blame it on lupron or gonal f this time! :p)

I would start an "adopting" thread, but I don't know if there would be anyone else out there and I feel like I fit in here since we are all fertility-challenged women trying to get a baby through extreme measures :o.

[2HUNGRY!]

Michelle, I'm not quite ready to join you again yet, but I will very gladly cheer you on. Are you doing domestic adoption?

[Chelle D]

We are doing domestic and our home study final is in an hour and a half!! I really should be cleaning up, but I have no energy. I told our social work at my individual assessment last week that my home will be far from spotless so at least he's prepped.

There is part of me hoping we get a special circumstance that comes up with a little bit of an older infant or toddler, but I also will love to have a tiny baby again. We will see what happens. We are very open to all races and either gender. We are also hoping for a fairly open adoption with birthparents.

[ellery]

Michelle, as a current resident (and hopeful eventual graduate) of this group, you definitely can hang out with us! :)

How exciting about the adoption! I worked for an adoption agency as a social worker for a few years and it's a wonderful thing. Don't worry about the home study and having a spotless house - I'm sure you already know this, but visits are more about making sure that you have walls, exits, a place for the baby to sleep, etc.

Welcome to the group! (and may you graduate soon too!)

:D

Leah

[melis_d]

Michelle, welcome! I hope all goes as smoothly as possible in your adoption process and you are able to graduate from this board soon.

As for me...I'm tentatively coming forward with the good news that I hope to graduate soon as well. I got positive results yesterday 14dp3d(frozen)t with a beta of 368. I test again tomorrow to make sure my beta is rising as it should be and then the ultrasound is on the 13th. We are trying not to be too excited as it is early days yet, but you've been so supportive so I wanted to share my good news.

I'll keep you updated as we get more info...please keep the sticky thoughts coming my way.

[Bawstinn]

Yippee!

Sending LOTS of sticky thoughts your way!!!!!!!!

Welcome Michelle!

[cangoss]

YAY YAY YAY Melissa!
So glad to hear tentative good news.
your beta is very similar to mine (334)... perhaps there's more than one little bean stuck in there...
It's going to be a long wait until the 13th but we'll keep sending sticky thoughts your way.

[mst]

Melissa- I was super cautious too. So, just a tiny yay! from me. But, that number sounds great!

[2HUNGRY!]

Melissa - congrats. Great beta!

MST -- There was no one more cautious than you! :p

Candace -- Good luck tomorrow.

What a good news thread lately.

[SusanPC]

Melissa--Congrats! (I understand the caution but still, so exciting).

Michelle--Hope the home study went well. I am sure it did. How wonderful that you are so open. My mom has been a CASA for many years and there are some wonderful children in need of great homes. Any child will be lucky to have you. BTW, when I was struggling with heading down the IVF path, someone here (was it you?) clued me into www.ivfconnections.net and their message boards. If it was you, you already know this. But if not, they have adoption boards that may be another avenue for support. Like 2Hungry, I will likely not be here until the Spring (initial plan was next Aug but I am now on Cobra and want to cycle before it runs out b/c I have full coverage and my clinic will be out of network when I hop over to my DH's insurance). Keep us posted....I will continue to lurk.

[Chelle D]

Congratulations Melissa! Let us know when you find out your next beta.

Susan - I think it was probably me that pointed you to ivfc. I have been on that board since the summer of 2003. I'm not as active anymore, but I have a couple "oldies" threads I hang out on, and the Michigan Support group thread for the group I lead. For those of you who haven't been there, it's a great site to connect with other people and there are bulletin boards for EVERYTHING there so you are likely to find someone that you connect with easily.

Thank you all for the welcomes. For those of you cycling next year, I am sure I will be here. Our rofile will not go up until late December/Early January and then we will be a "Waiting Family." Then we need to get chosen by a birthmom, go through all the meeting stuff there and make sure she likes us, then wait for the child to arrive.....then pray that everything goes well and she is able to make that sacrifice to give up her child...then wait for the court stuff and hope there is no mind changing. I know God will ultimately give us the child we are meant to have. I just pray we don't have to go through a bunch of hoops to get him or her.

Overall, if we have a child by this time next year, I will feel wonderful! So I'm here for awhile :)

[melis_d]

Hi all, I'm still hanging in there with a beta of 798 today. RE wanted at least a 66% increase from last beta of 368 and we more than doubled, so that's good news. We're still cautiously optimistic.

Candace, good luck with your 2nd u/s tomorrow.

Happy halloween, everyone.

[ellery]

Yay Melissa for a great 2nd beta! :D :D :D

[Chelle D]

Yay Melissa, that is GREAT!

[cangoss]

first the good news -
there is one very healthy looking embryo with a strong heartbeat, measuring completely on track.

now the bad news - which I am not sharing with anyone but immediate family but feel compelled to share with ya'll who have been through everything with me (and I'm including the lurkers and graduates in that ya'all).
the other embryo split into two at a late date, and it appears that there is only one sac and one placenta, which makes for an extremely high risk and bad situation. Best case scenario right now is that their heartbeats stop beating on their own. Otherwise we're looking at reducing both of them at 12 weeks. I go back next Friday for another look and if nothing has changed then my RE will refer me to MFM.

I am absolutely heartbroken. I always thought that if there were three, I would reduce to two. It never entered my imagination that I would lose two. But I have to hold on to the fact that I have one very strong looking little bug in there and in the end I will hopefully still end up with a healthy baby. The next month is going to be really rough in any event. This happened to my doctor once before, and she warned us of the possibility from the get-go, but I just never imagined it would happen to us.

[Pony]

Candace, I am so sorry to hear about the 2nd embryo. I will keep sending you good thoughts for a strong, healthy Baby #1. Take care of yourself.
Michelle

[Chelle D]

Candace - you and your family are in my prayers. Let us know what happens.

[2HUNGRY!]

Oh Candace, I'm so sorry. How heartbreaking.

[SusanPC]

Candace (((HUGS))), I am sorry you are going through this. My thoughts and prayers with you that you have the best possible outcome.

[melis_d]

Candace, I'm so sorry that you are going through this and hope everything turns out okay.

[avariell]

Candace- delurking to say I am thinking of you and DH right now. I am so sorry you are going through this.

[Bawstinn]

(((Candace))) thinking good thoughts for you.

[cangoss]

Thanks for all of the kind notes.
I have calmed down and accepted things a bit, but I'm sure the roller coaster will start over when I go in for another u/s on Friday.
I am not quite sure how someone carrying triplets could work full time. I have just been exhausted. Neither of us can remember the first thing DH said when I told him there were three (he didn't go to the u/s because I didn't think it would be eventful:rolleyes:), but the second was "no wonder you've been so tired!"

I've started a progesterone shot count-down. I taped the remaining needles to the bathroom wall - there are 14 now. My rear end will be so glad when they're over.

Leah, I think it's your turn to start the November thread. It seems to have done well for Maria last month :)
I'm not going anywhere yet. I don't think I'll feel secure enough to join the pg thread until after we find out how this mess will play out.

[2HUNGRY!]

Candace, what would someone think if they broke into your house and saw needles taped to your wall? :D

I'm glad you are feeling better. I'm sure it will be a roller coaster for you.

[cangoss]

Candace, what would someone think if they broke into your house and saw needles taped to your wall? :D



You can't really tell what they are. It's just the needles - the syringes are attached to a separate (even more monstrous) needle that I use to draw up the progesterone from the vial.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cf24b3127ccec5de63d2ffc300000040O18Aat2zFo0Ytg e3nwU/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/631

[ellery]

Oy Candace... thanks for reminding me what's to come. ;)

Chiming in here late to give a virtual hug for all that you're going through. I can't even imagine all the different emotions you're feeling. ((()))

While I'd like the good luck that starting this thread seems to bring, I'm a little afraid to. Plus, I think I'm the only one left?

Just not feeling like there's a lot of good luck in my world at the moment and I'm trying not to be superstitious, but it's hard. I've been sick with three different things in the past week (sinus infection, flu, then stomach bug), we had a fatal tragedy at work, and in other tragedy news, one of my really good friend's husband was savagely and randomly beaten in his backyard last week and is currently in a coma.

So my RE visit with my dour and pessimistic doctor today didn't even phase me too much. He only made 3 "you're so old" comments, and basically tripled the doseage on my meds as compared to my last IVF (starting me on 300 versus 125 of Follistim), and I'm a little terrified that my insides are going to blow up because of this, but he's the doctor... :rolleyes:

My retrieval will be in about two weeks if my ovaries haven't exploded.

Um. Sorry to be a downer. :(

[cangoss]

(((((Leah)))))))

sounds like you have had a horrible week.
I wish you had another option for an RE because that guy just sounds like bad news. How old are you?
I'm 34 and everyone at my clinic is constantly telling me that I'm young - but I feel old.

If it makes you feel better I was on 300 of gonal-f (150 2x a day) until they added Luveris, and then they bumped the gonal-f down a bit.

Good luck with the stims. When do you go in for your first follicle check?

[ellery]

Candace, you're so sweet. :) I've been thinking about you and your little ones and am anxiously awaiting results of tomorrow's ultrasound...

Yes, my RE is a piece of work. I just turned 38, but he called me old when we went through IVF the first time, and I was 35 then. One of the nurses told me that he calls everyone old, and considers anyone over 22 old in terms of reproductive age. :rolleyes: I start stims Saturday and go in for my first check Tuesday. He does follie and bloodwork checks every 3 days, so he'll monitor me all next week and then the following week will be my retrieval. Yikes.

I told him yesterday that I was going to charge him a quarter for every "old" comment he made and he said he was okay with that, as long as I gave him an egg for every quarter he paid out. I pointed out that I produced 20 last go round, which isn't too shabby, and he conceded yeah, but I'm older now. And then didn't give me a quarter for the comment. :rolleyes:

On the bright side, my friend in the coma seems to be doing better. They've put in a trach tube and he's responding to his wife, squeezing her hand and wiggling his toes and opened an eye on command yesterday. Yay!

So um, is there anyone else out there TTC'ing or is it just me? I'd hate to start a new thread just to talk about myself.

[cangoss]

38 is not old in the fertility world! that dr. is full of it.
Glad to hear your friend has improved.

If you're not comfortable starting a new thread for November, let's just stay with this one and maybe in December we can start a TTC vets in transition thread or something like that.

I know Michelle is still on the list with you. And there are plenty of grads who will stick around and support you.

I know how you feel though - I felt like the last one left last year. Everyone got pg at the same time in the fall and then it felt like there was just me (but I know that Melissa and Maria were also left behind with me - the thread just fell apart).

Besides, if we keep this one going, we may reach some kind of record for the number of views vs. posts on a thread:D

[cangoss]

no change since last week - three strong heartbeats, all measuring on track, two in what appears to be one sac (though there's still a chance there's a membrane between them and we can't see it). We're getting referred to MFM.

[Molli526]

(((Candace)))) Good thoughts for you and DH.

[ellery]

Thanks for posting the news Candace. I'm not sure whether to cheer for 3 strong heartbeats? When is your appointment with the MFM? Did your doctor today have any new thoughts?

And wow, we do have a lot of views on this thread. ;)

[Pony]

Candace.....always thinking of you.......

[cangoss]

Leah, I'm not quite sure how to feel right now either.
At this point, it would be a blessing if one of them stopped developing on its own so that we don't have to take any action.
I know that I cannot carry three babies, and if the identicals really are monoamniotic, they are just so high risk that it would be unreasonable to put the singleton in peril because of them. People have done it, but we know that's not the right choice for us.

[2HUNGRY!]

Candace -- Thanks for updating. When do you see the MFM? I'm thinking of you and your husband.

[cangoss]

did anyone else see the turkey injector thread, look at the needle and think "I don't need to buy one of those things - I could just use one of my PIO needles":eek:
My PIO countdown continues... six left. To Leah and Melissa who are just starting/will start PIO h*ll, here's my tip for the day - stick a bandaid on it every day even if it looks like it is not going to bleed. I ended up with stained sheets and PJs after I was sure it was fine:(

Leah - how are things going with stims?
and Melissa - hope things are good at your u/s tomorrow.

MFM is now scheduled for next Tuesday.

[ChristyMarie]

I guess I'm joining you ladies though I'm not sure we've been trying long enough to qualify.

I've had 3 m/c (all unexplained) hand this time we've been trying for 5 months on our own with charting. For some reason, no luck. It has never taken more than 3 months before, my problem has always been staying pregnant. So I went in for a consultation with my RE and I happened to be on day 2 of my cycle so we got things going this month. I started my first round of clomid (50mg) last night and I have an u/s Tuesday as well as a little how to give the shot instruction. DH will go tomorrow for the full SA to see what's going on there. That will determine if we do an IUI or not this month. I kind of want to just do it regardless. I'm also on baby aspirin and progesterone. I've needed progesterone and bedrest with each pregnancy.

And on top of it all, our insurance covers none of it.

I have one friend who went through something similar but just got off the phone with one who got pregnant her first try and she said some pretty insensitive things so now I'm in a mood. I can't imagine the clomid is helping that either.

My thoughts go out to all of you who have been in this way longer than I have. It is just such an emotional roller coaster and unless you've been there I just don't think you understand.

[ellery]

Hi Christy. Welcome to the club nobody wants to be a member of. :) I'm so sorry about the recurrent miscarriages -that has to just be so devestating. Hopefully with a RE's help you'll get some answers and good luck.

Candace, thanks for the PIO tip. Now that you mention it, I remember that from last time. I was also perusing a FF thread that reminded me to walk around after the PIO - fun times, I remember pacing in the den each night. Yay for you only having 6 more of the devil shots left. I remember them being manageable last time but looked at that (freakin' HUGE) needle the other day - I have to use it to draw up the Menopur - and had a mild panic attack at the thought of having to voluntarily stab myself with it soon.

I've been on stims since Saturday and so far so good. No ovaries or emotions have exploded yet, which is a positive thing. Had my first monitoring appointment yesterday and he bumped all my meds up (yay) but otherwise nothing too terrible going on except for my feeling of doom about this cycle. :rolleyes:

ETA: just read Christy's Clomid thread. What to expect with Clomid- I was on it for 3 cycles just recently and essentially had no side effects. The first time I took it I did. I think your emotional state when you're on it may contribute to the severity of the emotional side effects, but that's my purely unscientific hypothesis. Common side effects are hot flashes and irritability. And when it comes close to ovulation you can be in quite a bit of discomfort - my ovaries literally hurt until after I ovulated.

[melis_d]

Candace, sorry to hear about your next steps and hope you're hanging in there. We're all thinking of you. Thanks for the advice on the bandaid; after 4 weeks of PIO I have some stains on the sheets as well. Oh well, it's all for a good cause.

Leah, I hope your cycle goes smoothly, despite the feelings of doom. It's definitely hard to keep a positive outlook with all of these needles and extra hormones.

Christy, sorry you are having to join us here and that you've been through so much. Best of luck with your cycle and know that you can always vent here about those comments from friends that just rub you the wrong way (whether they know it or not!).

As for me, I am very anxiously awaiting our u/s tomorrow to see if we have anything viable and if so, how many. DH (a physician) is taking a very conservative view, reminding me everytime I talk about the "how many" question that we really have to be ready to hear that there aren't any viable embryos at this point. It's hard to imagine that is the case, but course is always a possibility. I will post tomorrow with our (hopefully good) news. Thanks for the positive thoughts.

[ellery]

Melis - thanks for reminding us about your ultrasound tomorrow. It's so hard knowing what to feel as you wait for that day. In our household I had to remind DH that only one of us was allowed to be cautious - the other had to be optimistic. I designated him the optimistic one because I'd spent too much time on the internet to not know all the things that could go wrong in early pregnancy.

If you want, I'll be your designated optimist. :D I'm feeling very strongly that you have at least one healthy little alligator in there. (That's what our first ultrasound pic looked like to me - ;) ). Sending lots of positive thoughts your way. Please post when you get a chance.

:)

Leah

[melis_d]

Well, Leah, you were right!

Cautious optimism continues here as we saw one implanted embryo / yolk sack with a pole and a heartbeat of 109. It measured 6w2d, which is exactly on target. We're hopeful things continue to progress well.

Thanks for all of the good thoughts, everyone.

[Bawstinn]

Yeah Melissa!

Candace - still thinking good thoughts for you too.

My first doctor appointment is next Monday. I am 10 weeks tomorrow. Looking forward to getting through the next two weeks to get the next *milestone* (12 weeks) out of the way. Already dreading the scale as I know I have put 5 lbs on since all I can stomach most of the time are carbs (no Twizzlers Leah :( ). Ah well. I am hoping she is as laid back about weight gain as she was last time.

[ellery]

Yay Melissa and little bean!!!! I think I remember from our first ultrasound that once you hear the heartbeat the baby's chance of making it to term are 90% or something like that. So hopefully soon you'll be able to remove the cautious from "cautiously optimistic". :D

Yay Maria for your upcoming appointment. I (no expert here) think that 5 pounds in the first trimester is fantastic. ;) I gained most of my weight in the first and first half of the second trimesters since all I could stomach was grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, you get the idea...

I have another monitoring appointment tomorrow, so hopefully things will be cooking well, and I'll have a better idea of when retrieval and transfer will be. It's so difficult trying to schedule clients for myself when I don't know when I will or won't be in the office next week.

I remembered this morning that this is probably the least stressful time in all of this process. That the stims phase is still hopeful. The 2ww is torture, and the wait between the beta and first ultrasound is Chinese water torture.

[cangoss]

Yay Melissa! I just walked in the door from spending the day with Meredith and checking on your u/s was the first thing on my mind. I hope the good news continues for the TTC Vets...

Maria - I'm up about 3 pounds so far, but my body seems to have rearranged itself and none of my pants fit. I ordered some maternity pants from jcpenney earlier this week and I'm hoping they get here soon because I start a new job next week and I have nothing to wear.

Leah - hope everything is OK tomorrow to keep you on track.

[Molli526]

Yay Melissa!!! :)

[Pony]

ChristyMarie, I'm so sorry to hear about your 3 m/c'es. I had 2 before this pregnancy and with this pregnancy I have been taking progesterone, baby aspirin, and high doses of folic acid. My old boss had 4 m/c'es and finally had a healthy pregnancy 2 years ago. She had twins. I forget all the details, but she was living in NY and consulting w/ Dr. Mary Stephenson from the University of Chicago's recurrent pregnancy loss program. She is supposed to be one of the best docs. My friend would tell her doc in NY what to do based on what Dr. Stephenson told her over the phone...and she was able to carry her twins. Maybe you already have heard of Dr. Stephenson since you live in Chicago, but I thought I would bring it up in case you haven't. Here is more info (http://www.uchospitals.edu/physicians/mary-stephenson.html).
I'm sorry about your friends insensitive comments. I've dealt with many of those :(.

[Pony]

Yay Melissa!!!!!

[Chelle D]

Congratulations Melissa!!

Christy - I am also sorry for the miscarriages. If you don't mind me asking, how far along were you when you m/c? I ask because my co-leader of my infertility group had 5 m/c and they all happened between 7-12 weeks. They would hear the heartbeat at one meeting and then nothing at the next. And we have had others in our group with similiar situations. I do pray that your RE can give some insight.

Leah - THat's funny you mention foods you had early in previous pg because mine were the same....carbs, cheese, repeat.... Good luck on your upcoming appointments.

Here I am still plugging away at the adoption profile and hope to get it all written and how i like it by the end of the month. I think I am going to do a shutterfly book (or another company like that). Our Social Worker said many are doing that these days. It seems like a little much (since they also need 3 copies), but if everyone else has a professional looking book, I should have one too, right? :o

[mst]

Michelle- I am in the process of a Picaboo book, which have more options than things like snapfish- and it looks more like a scrapbooking album. If you want, I can give you permission to view mine. Just send me your e-mail. And, you can have three printed out.

Yay Melissa!

[ChristyMarie]

Christy - I am also sorry for the miscarriages. If you don't mind me asking, how far along were you when you m/c? I ask because my co-leader of my infertility group had 5 m/c and they all happened between 7-12 weeks. They would hear the heartbeat at one meeting and then nothing at the next. And we have had others in our group with similiar situations. I do pray that your RE can give some insight.

One was very early - the other 2 were between 8-10 weeks. That is why I'm on baby aspirin now and an Rx blood thinner at the next positive test because of concerns clotting could be cutting off the blood supply to the fetus. I had a ton of bloodwork done and the only thing slightly out of normal was blood clotting. I have also read that a good omega3 supplement can help as well.

[cangoss]

Leah - how was the u/s? Is your retrieval scheduled?

No change at yesterday's u/s so it's on to MFM. I got released from the RE.

[Chelle D]

Michelle- I am in the process of a Picaboo book, which have more options than things like snapfish- and it looks more like a scrapbooking album. If you want, I can give you permission to view mine. Just send me your e-mail. And, you can have three printed out.

Yay Melissa!

Thanks Meredith. I emailed you.

[ellery]

Leah - how was the u/s? Is your retrieval scheduled?.

Am actually just getting in from yet another RE appointment. Retrieval scheduled for Thursday. (gulp)



No change at yesterday's u/s so it's on to MFM. I got released from the RE.

Yay for no longer needing to see the RE. Your MFM appointment is tomorrow, isn't it?

And Maria (I think) had an appointment today?

Hi Michelle and Christy and Melissa. :)

[Bawstinn]

Hello!

We actually had a morning of doctors appointments. Dave's accident was 2 years ago tomorrow and he had X-rays and all that sort of fun stuff. Signs of clear healing on this X-ray so he was given a year reprieve for an appointment instead of 6 months.

My appointment went well too although I could have done w/o the med student and therefore an extra pair of hands feeling for everything the doctor was. :rolleyes: Heartbeat was good at 166. I go back in 2 weeks for have the u/s and bloodwork for the sequential screening and then 2 weeks later for my usual appointment. I also think my scale is broken at home - there was a nice (HA) weight gain that my scale is not reflecting.

Leah - good luck to you on Thursday!

[ellery]

I also think my scale is broken at home - there was a nice (HA) weight gain that my scale is not reflecting.



Glad to hear everything went well this morning for both you and the baby bean and for Dave! :D

I hear you on the scale thing, but I think it has more to do with the time of day you're weighed. I always gained what felt like water weight during the days when I was pregnant, and always weighed something quite different in the doctor's office versus what I weighed at home first thing in the morning.

[cangoss]

maria - glad to hear everything is looking good

leah - lots of good thoughts headed your way on Thursday. I hope things are still on track.

as for me - we got some good news. the identicals are monochorionic diamniotic, which means there is one outside sac and one placenta, but two inside sacs. This increases the rate of viability considerably and the main risk now is twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. So the MFM dr. recommended that we do CVS, and that way we can make an educated decision. If both are normal, it will be a tough decision on whether or not to risk the ID twins, but if one is abnormal it will make the decision clear. I have to have a chalmydia and gonorrhea (sp?) test before they can do the CVS and I had a feeling that it would be an issue with the new OB since I haven't been there yet and they need it relatively quickly. So thankfully I thought to run across the hall to the fertility center, and my dr. was there - so I got to update her and she had one of the fellows do the test. We also met with a geneticist today who went over all the background info they need and also explained everything to us. It looked like the NT test would be pretty pointless in our situation so we're not doing that.

the bit of bad news is that because of the placement of the placentas, they want to wait two weeks to do the CVS, and then they need 10 days to get the results, so it pushes the reduction into mid-december and I can't get it over with as quickly as I would like.

[2HUNGRY!]

Candace -- I'm glad you got a bit a good news, but sorry you have to wait so long.

Did you say you were starting a new job too? That must be hard.

Take care.

Congrats to Maria and Melissa. Good luck Chelle and Leah and Christy Marie.

[ChristyMarie]

Well I had my first u/s today and I have two follicles getting ready - one was 17 and one was 6 so we're doing another u/s on Thursday and hopefully then we ca schedule the IUI.

[Chelle D]

Candace - You and your DH are in my thoughts. It's so difficult to go through much and then have to make a very hard decision.

Leah - Let us know when you can how the retrieval goes! I have not been here long....this is not your first ivf, or is it? How many eggs/embryos did you have before?

As for me, I'm still plugging along on our profile. I've been waiting for my little sis with the photography skills to get pics, but she is so busy. We decided to do what we could on Thanksgiving and send it in by December 1. I am almost done writing it.

Meredith - Thanks for the book, it's cute! I haven't checked out the site much, but will do that. Thank you for pointing me that way.

[ellery]

Candace, you're just in an impossible situation. Glad to hear the wee ones are doing okay so far. Is there any way you could carry three to term if things do work out?

Christy, sounds like things are putting along for you. Yay!

Michelle, no, this is my second IVF but clearly the 2 1/2 years that have passed since my last one have rendered it a dim memory. Sorry you're having to wait on your sis to get going on your photo book. Waiting is the hardest part of the baby process.

Okay, I need a hug. I've had this never ending sinus infection and it's worsened this week (after one round of antibiotics before I started stims and me seemingly getting better) and it's just left me kind of stupid. Last night was my trigger shot, and I completely had PIO on the brain, thought I knew what I was doing, didn't bother to look through the paperwork for instructions, etc. Was more focused on getting it over with so I could go to bed.

So I drew up the solvent, mixed everything, etc. using the big a$$ needle, and neglected to change to the smaller needle (would have helped to have read the directions first, but no, brain not working clear enough to consider something sensible like that). So I did the injection with the wrong needle (which you do for PIO, not HCG - urgh!). Probably not too big a deal, as they're both 1 1/2 inch. Except for the fact that for some reason, I didn't insert the needle all the way in. Most of the way, but not all the way. I think my fuzzy brain was thinking, wow, that's deep, I feel like I'm going to hit bone, so I'll stop now. Injected the stuff, withdrew the needle, and then my brain started working again and I panicked.

Spent some time on FF and got feedback that yes, I'd screwed up, probably should call the RE's office. Went to bed very depressed. Asked one of the doctors here at work about it this morning and she said that I should probably be fine, as I'm relatively lean, and the injection probably went into the muscle even if the needle didn't go all the way in. (I did that area a few inches behind my hip bone, and come to think of it, I probably would've hit my hip bone if I'd gone further in - guess I was a little close, there. Sigh.). She said that the only difference is that if the HCG went into fat versus muscle, it would be absorbed a little more slowly, but nevertheless, it's still in my system and there's probably not anything anyone can do anyway at this point. That I probably can't get another trigger shot and I should probably just wait and I'll know how it all turns out tomorrow. (gulp)

I just can't stomach the thought of calling my RE's office and confessing that I've screwed this up. I have no excuse for it, anybody can read directions, and all I can say is that I'm sick and not working on all cylinders. Which I haven't told them about either, because I'm so afraid they'll cancel this cycle, so I've been suffering silently.

I am just in such a funk. All through this cycle I've been feeling negative omens swirling around and this is just yet another sign. :(

I need a hug. :(

Leah

[mst]

((Leah)). Don't blame yourself- blame your doctor (we can always rag on him!:p) So many people make mistakes. With my first set of shots, DH was giving me twice the amount of Lupron. He read the directions on the medicine rather than what the clinic wrote down. (I did not micromanage shots the first time around- I figured that accepting the shots was my job.) My clinic could not figure out why I was having so much trouble with the Lupron!:o

I will also be thinking positive thoughts for you for tomorrow. I will take that on as my job- as you know, you need as many positive thinkers as possible.

The process sucks, but look what you got last time...

Michelle- glad you like the book. Hope it helps...

[cangoss]

Leah,
coming from someone who had self-inflicted drug screw-ups twice in one cycle resulting in after-hours calls to the on-call fellow, don't beat yourself up about it. I really think it's going to be OK. It would be a different story if you had forgotten to do the injection alltogether. I do think you should fess up to the RE but I doubt they're going to cancel your cycle because of it.

Also sending you hugs for your sinus infection. Yuck. Seems like the last thing you need right now. I have a cold and it's driving me nuts not to be able to take anything.
Lots of good thoughts headed your way tomorrow. Fingers and toes crossed for an easy retrieval and good fert report.

about the triplets - for many reasons, carrying triplets is not a possibility.

and about my job - yes, I just got a part-time/substitute job as a reference librarian at a local public library. I have been unemployed since moving to CT in the spring, and this is a good introduction - and I think part-time is about what I can handle right now given everything else that is going on.

[ChristyMarie]

ChristyMarie, I'm so sorry to hear about your 3 m/c'es. I had 2 before this pregnancy and with this pregnancy I have been taking progesterone, baby aspirin, and high doses of folic acid. My old boss had 4 m/c'es and finally had a healthy pregnancy 2 years ago. She had twins. I forget all the details, but she was living in NY and consulting w/ Dr. Mary Stephenson from the University of Chicago's recurrent pregnancy loss program. She is supposed to be one of the best docs. My friend would tell her doc in NY what to do based on what Dr. Stephenson told her over the phone...and she was able to carry her twins. Maybe you already have heard of Dr. Stephenson since you live in Chicago, but I thought I would bring it up in case you haven't. Here is more info (http://www.uchospitals.edu/physicians/mary-stephenson.html).
I'm sorry about your friends insensitive comments. I've dealt with many of those :(.


Thank you. If for some reason this cycle doesn't work I believe I will seek her out for a second opinion.

[ellery]

Thanks Meredith and Michelle. Ugh. I am such a mess with all of this. I plan on asking the RE after the retrieval tomorrow if he could prescribe something to help me kick this sinus infection for good, or if he thinks the Doxycyline I'm already on (for the IVF) will do the job.

Meanwhile I asked (pestered) the doctor here at work again, showing her the precise spot where I did the injection last night, and she said, "oh, no, you're good. Absolutely." I've been poking at the spot all day (ouch, bad idea) and really think there's no fat there (not that I don't have any, just that by your hipbone there's not really any) and that I'm hopefully good.

Lesson learned. Read directions even if you think you already know what you're doing .:rolleyes:

Any positive thoughts for my ovaries doing their job tomorrow morning would be appreciated. :o

[ellery]

Just a quick update as I'm back to work and still feeling like poo. Retrieval went okay yesterday - got 12 eggs, which I suppose is pretty good, but I keep comparing it to my first IVF where we got 20. I guess the number that fertilize is the more important thing, and we're doing ICSI this time, so we should get more than last time hopefully. Last time we got 20 eggs, 12 were mature, 7 fertilized, and of those only 4 were halfway decent.

Hoping for some better numbers this time.

Meanwhile I'm just still a hurting pup. Yesterday was pretty bad, so in comparison today is good. Although in retrospect maybe I shouldn't have taken that Darvocet here at work. Brain feeling a little fuzzy now.

[melis_d]

Just a brief...and sad...update on my end (m/c mentioned for those who don't want to read further).















I'll be leaving this thread at this point after going through a miscarriage earlier this week. MVA is done and now it's on to physical and emotional recovery. Since this was our last chance at IVF, we'll be getting used to having a family of three. We are thankful every day for DS.

Best of luck to everyone who is trying to bring a child into their families. I'll be thinking of you and hoping for wonderful outcomes, but am signing off for now.

Melissa

[2HUNGRY!]

Oh gosh Melissa, I am so sorry for you and your family. That is such a sad and unfair thing to have happened. My thoughts are with you.

[kbs]

(((Melissa)))
I'm so, so sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself. I had a m/c 7 weeks ago and it has been the most difficult thing I have ever gone through. Even with wonderful family and friends supporting us, time has been the only thing to help begin the heal.

-Kim

[ellery]

Melissa, I am so sorry. A billion (or more) hugs being sent your way.

(((((((()))))))))

Leah

[Pony]

Melissa, I'm very sorry to hear your news. Please take care of yourself. (((Melissa and family)))

[cangoss]

((((((Melissa))))))))
I can't imagine the hurt and disappointment you're going through. I'm so sorry to hear your news.

[mst]

Melissa- I am so, so sorry. I am thinking of you and your family. Sending big hugs your way.

[Bawstinn]

Melissa, I am so, so, sorry.

[Chelle D]

Melissa - I am so sorry. There is not much else to say other that I am sorry for your loss and stay close to those around you that love you and hug that DS a bunch.

[cangoss]

Leah -
just wanted to check-in... did you have your transfer yesterday or is it tomorrow? How many are you transferring????

thinking lots of good sticky thoughts for you!

[ChristyMarie]

Melissa I am so so sorry for your loss.:(



I had my first IUI today. Very easy compared to what I was expecting. 100 million of the little guys went in so hopefully at least one can find his way. I start progesterone (and all the lovely side effects) on Thursday.

[ellery]

Thanks for the check in Candace. I was hesitant to post anything after Melissa's post. :(

I actually had my transfer yesterday and transferred 3. RE thinks only one is viable - an 8 celled grade 2. The others were 6 cells with varying levels of fragmentation. Not sure if the other 5 were going to make it to totsicle stage, as RE thought they'd fizzle out before that.

Meanwhile I can't button my pants! (grrr)

Beta is next Wednesday and I'm very busy pretending that I don't care if it's negative. :cool:

Yay Christy for the IUI! Go swimmers go! Sending Michael Phelps vibes to them. ;)

Melissa, you doing okay? ((()))

[Bawstinn]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you Leah!

[cangoss]

Leah - I will keep thinking sticky thoughts for you. One viable is good! Good luck being patient during the 2ww - at least you have Thanksgiving in the middle to distract you. How is the PIO going?

Christy - sending good thoughts your way too. I hope you get your wish and the first time is the charm. It sounds like your husband had a great count. Do you have to do PIO or some other form of progesterone?

[Chelle D]

Leah - Good luck to the three little ones! Hopefully you won't be able to button your pants for a very long time :cool:

Christy - That's good the IUI went smoothly. Good luck to you too!

I finished the written part of the profile and need to figure out photos. My sister is going to take some on Thanksgiving. Hopefully I will be able to get it all together and get it printed before we leave for Denmark on the 17th. I'd like to just be "waiting" when we get back!

[ChristyMarie]

Christy - sending good thoughts your way too. I hope you get your wish and the first time is the charm. It sounds like your husband had a great count. Do you have to do PIO or some other form of progesterone?

What does PIO stand for?

I'll start endometrium on Friday. Twice a day.

[ellery]

What does PIO stand for?



It's an IVF form of torture aka PIA. ;) "Progesterone in Oil", administered by VERY VERY LARGE needle to the arse. Not for the faint of heart. :rolleyes:

PIO is going fine for me so far. Ice, laps in the living room, and brownies are easing the pain nicely.

Michelle, I think a goal of having everything done by the 17th is probably very reasonable. And then you can finally be in your own 2ww. (Hopefully it will only take 2 weeks! ;) )

Looking forward to having Thanksgiving to take my mind off things.