Assisted Conception (and all the bits in between) volume 7

[Italiangreyhound]

Hi ladies Pumplinjoy, Shirley, Lissy, Keziah, Womanly,Val, Late, monkeybumsmum, tametortie and Rowing* - hugs to you all.

woowa of course you can join us.

Choco and Horton and londonlottie do you still look in on us?

Can you all find us?

Hi everyone, am back from my work trip - Was great because I was very busy and as long as I didn't get time for myself I did very well.
monkey have my fingers crossed for your test - since AF isn't here yet that is also positive... best of luck - i know how this time of the cycle is... we want to know but we also don't want to know if it hasn't worked... About my second cycle in May - I do not know what to think.. during cycle one they did not confirm ovulation (which has been my problem from the start..follicle grows..but does not rupture) and they did not give me progesterone for the second half...so not sure what they will come back to me with for round two and if I should have an opinion about that... It's so hard because they are the experts and I feel I need to just trust myself in their care. Emotionally though I am doing very well - lovely weather, feel loved and am doing a lot of pampering...as per Tesco, every little counts :)
Keziah How are you feeling now? I feel terribly for what you have been through but am also amazed by your strength and how you are caring about what's going on with the rest of us when you're working to get back to 100% - Big hug
Italian Well done on the choc biscuits -- if DH were to pack lunch for me and give me chocolate - i would break down and cry.. NOTE: I am not being good about eating..sneaking in the odd chocolate or two - - VERY BAD.. so I take strength from your exemplary behavior :) Good luck too.
Nook Well done with 7 -- fingers crossed for the next step for you.

Italiangreyhound 46 DD aged 6 (from IUI), MC 2006, IUI/failed IVF, awaiting IVF donor eggs May 2011
Monkeybumsmum 36 DS aged 4, 2 MC's 2008, 2nd trim. loss 2010, 1st cycle IUI (failed I think)
lateatwork 40 DD aged 2.5 3 MC, frozen eggs 2006, IVF at ARGC twins due October (using fresh ingredients...)
WomanlyTales 35, PCOS, Clomid resistant, 1st cycle IUI failed, Waiting for next steps

Cross post italian - Have fun at the Spring Harvest :)

Italian have a fantastic break!

Keziah i hope you are feeling better...

Womanly I know what you mean about the weather - really rasies the spirits!!

Italiangreyhound 46 DD aged 6 (from IUI), MC 2006, IUI/failed IVF, awaiting IVF donor eggs May 2011
Monkeybumsmum 36 DS aged 4, 2 MC's 2008, 2nd trim. loss 2010, 1st cycle IUI (failed I think)
lateatwork 40 DD aged 2.5 3 MC, frozen eggs 2006, IVF at ARGC twins due October (using fresh ingredients...)
WomanlyTales 35, PCOS, Clomid resistant, 1st cycle IUI failed, Waiting for next steps
Nooknook 32, low ovarian reserve and thyroid issues, on 1st IVF cycle.

Have a lovely SUNNY day All xxx

Italian - enjoy Spring Harvest, am jealous of you there!

Monkey - no this was totally unexpected and never had anything like this before. All the best for you today.

Italiangreyhound 46 DD aged 6 (from IUI), MC 2006, IUI/failed IVF, awaiting IVF donor eggs May 2011
Monkeybumsmum 36 DS aged 4, 2 MC's 2008, 2nd trim. loss 2010, 1st cycle IUI (failed I think)
lateatwork 40 DD aged 2.5 3 MC, frozen eggs 2006, IVF at ARGC twins due October (using fresh ingredients...)
WomanlyTales 35, PCOS, Clomid resistant, 1st cycle IUI failed, Waiting for next steps
Nooknook 32, low ovarian reserve and thyroid issues, on 1st IVF cycle.
KeziahHopes 36, no children, male factors and testing for immue issues, failed Ist ICSI March 2011, no frosties.Waiting to see consultant in July.

Thanks - role call helping me see where we all are.

all the best Nook.

today dh took me to a marina and I sat on a bench and looked at boats in the sun, had ice cream and saw a grey heron and swans. Nice to get out as feel trapped, have physiotherapy assessment on Thursday (may get a walking stick - yippee!!!)

Keziah that sounds like a perfect day! Good luck with physio tomorrow.

My uodate - went back for another scan today and got another little follicle pop up so now have 8! My right ovary only managed to muster up the energy to produce one (poor thing!).

Egg collection on Friday. The end of daily injections today. Hooray!!

Love to All xxx

Hooray to the end of injections Nook - -
Keziah - Makes me want to go out and do that too.. such lovely weather we're blessed with..

Thanks Womanly although the clinic phoned and I now have to wait until Monday grrr! Do they get your hopes up on purpose??

Hi Ladies, I'm only catching up now...

Keziah-You poor thing, what you've gone through in the last few months! I'm wishing you the best for a speedy recovery. Lots of rest and no stress...sound easier than it actually is, but that's just what you need. Keep your chin up, sweetie...

Monkey-I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, I really am. It ain't over 'til it's over. This will be my third cycle. Had two last year at another London clinic. First time successful, but miscarried, second time was a no go. At ARGC now, so I'm quite hopeful.

Nook-Yay for egg collection! Eight follicles is pretty good, and it's true what they say about only needing one...

Womanly-Sorry to hear that your first IUI failed. Onwards and upwards, right?

Italian-Thinking of you, love. Glad to hear that the eating is on track. It's Passover for me, so all the lovely things I adore eating are on hold for the next eight days. It's basically a modified Atkins diet, with the exception of matzah, which I don't like to eat because it bungs me up something fierce. (TMI?)

AFM, have picked up DR drugs from clinic today, with a view to starting the end of next week. Have managed to get my hysteroscopy covered by private insurance, which was lucky, so that's scheduled for May 14. Still slightly suffering from when I had appendix out...big scar throbs at the end of the day if I'm really tired. Lost about half a stone from that, and actually managed to lose weight while on holiday in Hawaii. I think the no meat thing was a major factor, and I ate a real breakfast every day, which is key (We keep kosher, so when we're on holiday we're vegetarian plus fish). I know I should do that anyway, but my bed is SOOOOO comfy!

I try to remember this: If it was easy, it would be easy to take it for granted.

Love and chocolate boobs to all...

Italiangreyhound 46 DD aged 6 (from IUI), MC 2006, IUI/failed IVF, awaiting IVF donor eggs May 2011
Monkeybumsmum 36 DS aged 4, 2 MC's 2008, 2nd trim. loss 2010, 1st cycle IUI (failed I think)
lateatwork 40 DD aged 2.5 3 MC, frozen eggs 2006, IVF at ARGC twins due October (using fresh ingredients...)
WomanlyTales 35, PCOS, Clomid resistant, 1st cycle IUI failed, Waiting for next steps
Nooknook 32, low ovarian reserve and thyroid issues, on 1st IVF cycle.
KeziahHopes 36, no children, male factors and testing for immue issues, failed Ist ICSI March 2011, no frosties.Waiting to see consultant in July.
LissySilver 36 (almost 37) DH is T4 paraplegic, so IVF a must. 1st cycle May 2010 successful, miscarried at 8 weeks. Cone biopsy following an ERPC. Second cycle Oct. 2010 unsuccessful. Starting at ARGC next week!

Its so lovely to see where everyone is. Looks like I'm the baby of the group!

Lissy so excited for your start next week!

I'm in such a grump today. Ovaries are hurting (well, left one anyway!) And I'm so over the injections!

Grumpy love to all xx

My stats are:

Tametortie 30, 1 dd with previous partner, unexplained fertility, TTC 4 years- 1 mmc in may 2008, currently egg sharing at crm in Coventry.

Could somebody copy and paste for me please?? I'm on hubbies I pad and I can't make it paste!!!

Any news from monkey bum yet??!!

I am with you nook nook on the injections, I did one in my tummy yesterday and it felt horrible- got a huge bruise!! Felt like the needle hit something!!! Probably a rib....

Keziah- hope you are ok x

Love to all xxxx

Gosh sorry, forgot to update - definate BFN on Tuesday AF started today, so am in for a scan in the morning, and then if all's fine am restarting with the Menopur injections tomorrow night.

Tortie where have you been injecting up to now? I have only done my tummy so far. Was okay for most of it but then it got really sore and I started to dread doing it.

Italiangreyhound 46, DD aged 6 (from IUI), MC 2006, IUI/failed IVF, awaiting IVF donor eggs May 2011
KeziahHopes 36, no children, male factors and testing for immue issues, failed Ist ICSI March 2011, no frosties.Waiting to see consultant in July.
Lateatwork 40, DD aged 2.5 3 MC, frozen eggs 2006, IVF at ARGC twins due October (using fresh ingredients...)
LissySilver 36 (almost 37) DH is T4 paraplegic, so IVF a must. 1st cycle May 2010 successful, miscarried at 8 weeks. Cone biopsy following an ERPC. Second cycle Oct. 2010 unsuccessful. Starting at ARGC next week!
Monkeybumsmum 35, DS aged 4, 2 MC's 2008, 2nd trim. loss 2010, failed cycle IUI 4/11, 2nd cycle about to start.
Nooknook 32, low ovarian reserve and thyroid issues, on 1st IVF cycle.
Tametortie 30, 1 dd with previous partner, unexplained fertility, TTC 4 years- 1 mmc in may 2008, currently egg sharing at crm in Coventry.
WomanlyTales 35, PCOS, Clomid resistant, 1st cycle IUI failed, Waiting for next steps

Have put us in alphabetical order, so hope I haven't managed to cut and paste anyone out Also I corrected my age Oops!

Oh monkey, sorry it didn't work. I had high hopes. : ( next time......

I've been injecting in my thighs but they are black and blue.

The tummy jab from yesterday is bright purple, I don't think I can have done it right.

I have a scan on the 2nd may, not really sure why or what for. I'll be on day 27 of buserelin injections. Forget short protocol, long protocol, extra long protocol, I'm on the pissing mammoth colossal stupidly extra extra long protocol. It's going on forever!!!! I'm being treated by people who I really think just sit and look at the phone when it's ringing wondering why it's making that funny noise : ) good job Ive still got my gsoh.

Love to all XXXXXXX

Oh Monkey, I'm so sorry to hear your news. But at least you will be good to go again after your scan.

Tametortie- I didn't really have a problem injecting into my belly. I did get bruised a few times when I hit a vessel, but I tried doing it in the same spot on either side. Good luck for the rest of the time, I'm sure it'll be over soon!

Hi again, adding myself to the list, at the bottom, conveniently I am alphabeticallly last!

Italiangreyhound 46, DD aged 6 (from IUI), MC 2006, IUI/failed IVF, awaiting IVF donor eggs May 2011
KeziahHopes 36, no children, male factors and testing for immue issues, failed Ist ICSI March 2011, no frosties.Waiting to see consultant in July.
Lateatwork 40, DD aged 2.5 3 MC, frozen eggs 2006, IVF at ARGC twins due October (using fresh ingredients...)
LissySilver 36 (almost 37) DH is T4 paraplegic, so IVF a must. 1st cycle May 2010 successful, miscarried at 8 weeks. Cone biopsy following an ERPC. Second cycle Oct. 2010 unsuccessful. Starting at ARGC next week!
Monkeybumsmum 35, DS aged 4, 2 MC's 2008, 2nd trim. loss 2010, failed cycle IUI 4/11, 2nd cycle about to start.
Nooknook 32, low ovarian reserve and thyroid issues, on 1st IVF cycle.
Tametortie 30, 1 dd with previous partner, unexplained fertility, TTC 4 years- 1 mmc in may 2008, currently egg sharing at crm in Coventry.
WomanlyTales 35, PCOS, Clomid resistant, 1st cycle IUI failed, Waiting for next steps
Woowa, 32, DH is C5/6 incomplete tetraplegic, IVF with ICSI only possibility. DD 14 months from 1st cycle, now onto second cycle...

I am injecting buserelin daily, and also still on the pill, have been having period for about 2 weeks - so whoever was worried, don't worry! My fab nurses say it's fine!

I think I have another 10 days or so before baseline scan before starting the second lot of injections. I had forgotten that buserelin makes us menopausal. For me that means losing my memory for things like postcodes, phone numbers and where I have left things! And lots of crying for "no" reason, although i have to say that doing IVf is reason enough for having a good sob from time to time.

I am also taking metformin daily which (I think) reduces the risk of OHSS, but also drops my blood sugar (making me hungry and grumpy) and gives me diarrhoea (making me grumpy). So all in all, it's not much fun is it?!

But the prize at the end will be worth it, hopefully x

Welcome, woowa! You'll have to give me some good baby tips when the time comes, as my DH is T3-T5 complete paraplegic...

Spending some time out in the sun on this gorgeous Saturday....

Hi everyone,
sorry for not getting on here much.
I just wanted to say that I have started taking oestrogen and I think the FET will be at the start of May.
Have to cook dinner, but will check in later...

Hi All,

Just a quik update - had egg collection this am and got 5 eggs! Feeling a bit groggy but ok.

Xxx

Congratulations Nook well done. Yes, you are the baby! But let?s hope we are all joined by some more babies soon! WOW five follicles. . However many, it is good to remember it does only take one!
Keziah big hugs to you, honey.

Rowing wow. We are almost cycle buddies. I mean I am hoping for May so we may be close.

Woowa great name, where is it from? What does ?I am also taking metformin daily which (I think) reduces the risk of OHSS...? mean?

Tamtortie all the best. I was interested to see you are egg sharing. We are awaiting our donor eggs. In the past we had eggs from an altruistic egg donor but this time it might be an egg sharer. It is quite exciting to think that we may be getting an egg sharer, because it will be someone who, like us, wants a baby ? exciting and nerve-wracking in a way.

Womanly hugs to you.

Lissy hugs to you honey. I love matzah is it different from matzo? Yummy. It?s kind of like rice paper! How sweet that you mentioned chocolate boobs! Amazing that you are kosher, that must be hard. I am guessing you have some good kosher shops near you.

Oh ladies, if any of you are prayer-ers, my friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer, please do say a prayer for her, she has two kids and is lovely.

Oooh can?t believe they have bothered to re-make ?Arthur? the film; it all seems to be re-makes now!

Spring Harvest was so fab, genuinely wonderful time, the sun shone every day we went swimming, to the beach and had our groups, DD had a kids group called Whizz kids and we went to the grown up groups in the mornings. The afternoon it was all kinds of stuff, swimming, beach, go carts, fun fair, fab. In the evening we had all age worship provided by a team headed by Steve Legg. He did tricks and there was a lion dancing in a costume - line dancing - get it!
The lion is on this clip! [] and the guys dress up as super heroes and get spotted by the kids around the Butlins site by day and then see themselves on the screen at night. It?s all fun. More to see here!
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[http://www.breakout.org.uk/single.htm?ipg=7783]

No I don?t work for him I just think he is great!

It was really good. Eating at Butlins was hard as the food is kind of unlimited at meal times and is tasty (no, I don't work for Butlins either!). I just ate really slowly! I tried to leave some food each meal. I guess I am needing to remember what a normal sized meal is like!

Next year we dream is that either we will be at Spring Harvest with a two month old baby, or I?ll be pregers or we will be 6 months into adoption process!

Love to all.

Hi greyhound. I'm a pray-er, will pray. Glad you enjoyed spring harvest, lots from my church had a blast. we didn't go!

"?I am also taking metformin daily which (I think) reduces the risk of OHSS..."

Metformin is a pill which (at this hopsital) they get IVF patients to take if they have polycystic ovaries - mine are a little bit polycystic! OHSS is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is when the IVF drugs make your ovaries go crazy and it's v dangerous. So people with lots of cysts anyway need to take metformin to control the hyperstimulation. I don't really understand it any more than that. Last time i don't remember it making me feel ill, but this time it seems to be. ug.

well done nook HOpe you feel better soon. I remember just sleeping all day and night after my last egg collection. I had a terrible reaction to pethidine, and was glad to hear that they don't use it here any more.

Congratulations nook nook- 5 eggs is really good!!! Fingers crossed you get a few good uns for transfer. Is egg collection painful?

italian Yes, I am egg sharing. The whole reason we started TTC was because I wanted to be an egg donor but DH wanted me to have a child with him before I gave eggs away. 4 years later.... So the whole thing has come full circle really- I get to donate which I desperately wanted to do and I also get my IVF for free which is a huge bonus.

My healthy eating has gone COMPLETELY to pot over Easter. I've had chocolate (naughty), white bread (sinful), orange squash (forgive me!!), chips (eeek!), a cream tea (gorgeous but very wrong)...... the only good thing all weekend has been a harvester salad bowl Not a grain of quinoa or a peice of fruit in sight. Feel terrible now and pretty sure I will blame this weekend if the IVF doesnt work. Gutted. On the brightI havent had any alcohol still- not since 5th March. So at least I've kept that up. Still feel guilty though.

Wave to all

woowa thanks for your prayers for my friend. She is lovely and I felt terrible because when she told me all I could think at first was it could have been me! We are a similar age, both overweight and I can't imagine our diets are that dis-similar! I don?t have polycystic ovaries so I guess that was why I had not heard of that drug. Thanks.

tametortie you wanted to donate, how lovely, you sound very kind. If you are willing to tell me about it, why you decided to do it ? I would be delighted to hear, but don?t think you have to reply if you don?t want to, just being nosey!

Hi all,
well done on the follies Nook!
Italian sounds like you are having a lovely time. We have been on holiday(ish) well DS has, I've still been at work (boo!)
That is amazing, after all this time that we may be cycle buddies. Don't want to get ahead of myself because I am now on day 5 of AF and still bleeding, courtesy of the lovely oestrogen tablets. Hope it stops soon!!!
Tortie I completely sympathise with you over the guilty Easter binge. So difficult to avoid (says she eyeing the Toblerone next to her ) Never mind, start again tomorrow. Can you hand half-eaten eggs in to charity shops?
Lissy yoohoo [waves]
And Mexican wave to anyone I have missed out.

Italian, it was an easy decision to make. I am totally madly in love with my dd and the thought of somebody not being able to have a child because of not having all the right bits there, made me feel incredibly sad. I wanted to do something and donating eggs seemed the easiest way to do this. But my dh does not have children of his own and was afraid that there was a risk involved and wanted us to have a child of our own before I donated. I agreed and what a bloody good job I did!!! I'll be needing to use donor eggs at this rate!!!

Egg sharing seemed an incredibly easy way to go ahead and do this and hopefully have a child of our own as well.

Poor dh

Nook-Well done with your egg collection! Will be eagerly anticipating your next post about ET...

Italian-It sounds like you had an amazing time! And you're so lucky the weather was so unbelievably gorgeous. Yes, matzah and matzo are the same thing. There are so many different spellings for loads of Jewish things, I guess it's all in what you're raised with. Thankfully we have loads of kosher shops near us. It's quite a change from where I was in Philadelphia...I had to drive half an hour to get to a good kosher selection.

tametortie-You are so kind to egg share. If I wanted to get myself totally aggravated, I would tell you the story of my former closest friend. You'll have to ask me another time. It involves egg sharing. SERENITY NOW!! (Any Seinfeld fans out there?)

Hi rowing!

AFM, I'm so glad that Passover is finally over, although it really confirms what a total carbohydrate addict I really am. I am going to stuff my face with pizza and other bread-like foods tomorrow (sorry Italian and tametortie), but I got on the scale at the gym the other day, and with my appendix out, not eating any meat for two weeks, and Passover, I'm down 11 pounds! Not my preferred method, but there you go.

I start DR tonight! YAY!

Love and chocolate boobs to everyone! (And for those who are watching what they eat, may those chocolate boobs be fat free, but still taste like the real thing...)

Lissy are you in the USA or UK? Just curious. Go on tell us the egg sharing story (or message me, I am all ears!).

I am not jealous of your weight loss, surgery sounds painful! Hope you are all recovered and well again.

Keziah, Shirley, Rowing - any news?

Love and hugs and chocolate boobs to all