TTC for 10+ months, part 10

[princesschick]

A very friendly and supportive thread for those taking way longer than they had ever expected to make a baby.

cosmos I think you totally made the right call about dinner. I'm on my way to see a friend's new baby and I'm not sure how it's gonna make me feel! But I missed the baby shower so kinda feel obliged.

joy I can't believe you made it into work - you are well 'ard! I hope you are having a restful weekend. The antibiotics sound nasty, but hopefully they will do the job!

Oh artemis can't believe you have to down reg for another whole week. Lucky you are as cool as a cucumber with the injections - for someone who really hates them, this'd be just awful and it shows that the clinic just don't think about these things. But hey, at least you feel ok on them and the week will go all too quickly. Does this mean you def won't make the conference?

euro mooncup fail does not sound pleasant. Screw the environment I say, well, when it come to sanitary protection.

mellow what a helpful comment from your gym instructor. why didn't I think of that?!

sar I'm consuming lots of chocolate milkshake as it's protein (and tasty). Dave keeps threatening me with boiled eggs

frannie please do stay a bit longer. It makes me sad that all the pregnant ladies disappear. I guess if more of us were getting pregnant we could be more of a trying and grads board.

Waves to everyone else. doll hope the situation out where you are is ok.

We've done 2 gonal f jabs and I swear I already have ovary pains! Although I do quite often get twinges early on in my cycle anyway. I ended up yelling 'get the fucker out' during the first injection (I'm so lady like), as I think Dave, who was administering it, wobbled the needle. He'd honed his technique by last night and it didn't hurt/bleed/bruise at all. Anyway, wish me good luck with the baybee visit. As long as no one decides to interrogate me and why I don't have kids, I should be ok.

Just popping in to say joycep I have a tiny little scar too in the bush, they told me they needed it for moving the womble about during the op. It heals up nicely and if you're a bushy girl, like me, it becomes invisible pretty soon!

Waves a loves to the rest of you. I have had much sun, wind and outdoor activity, so I am all rosy and happy. But the PiLs are turning up in half an hour, made banana bread for tea but need to clear a bit of washing up and piles of paper before they ring the door bell.

joy they sound vile. Well done on getting through them!

cosmos I still chart, although by this point I know my cycle pretty well so I just do the days around ov and when I am expecting my period (I find it easier to cope with AF's arrival if I've had the temp drop the day before as warning that it is on the way).

Well done with keeping Dave on track with the injections. . I hope the visit goes ok. I just spent the weekend with some friends who have 2 children. They started trying for the second a month after we started trying. They got a win on the second month. She's one in November. Meh. But it was lovely to see them all.

I have the bush scar too drizz/joy. It's barely visible now.

you know winter is here when Tesco sell out of crumpets [hhmm]

gin can I ask what dose you are taking??

joy interesting choice of anti b's the vile one is usually for dental issues but most certainly has a nasty reputation

artemis I take this is on the NHS, pretty shit that they will make you down reg for another week

cosmos I would strongly recommend life coaching, its all about getting to know yourself better, and how you think and feel about yourself, most people are quite negative about themselves and lack confidence and more importantly esteem, life coaching is about learning to love who you are I suppose, I have alot of negative thoughts and habits taught to me by my mum so its about addressing those right now.
I certainly think its worth it, Its going to teach me coping strategies which will be useful for life and for work, I certainly feel calmer and happier, this is the happiest and more 'like myself' I have felt for well over a year, its nice to connect back to my old self and to remember that there is more to my life than TTC.
We've totally missed the boat this month and usually I'd be upset and think what a waste, but I can't say I'm that bothered, there is always next month.

Well Kayla treats the house like an assault course, Friday she managed to run up the curtains, she is fast becoming Barrys cat though [hhmm] she likes to sit on his knee more than mine. At the moment she is asleep on top of the my washing which I am trying to dry on the storage heater.... but she looks sooooooooo cute [hsmile]

I miss crumpets On the upside, it has been hot and sunny this weekend, so I'll cope with the local baked goods as a compromise. [hgrin]
lemon hope the banana bread was enjoyed. It is a commonly made thing in our house and I think we use a different recipe every time - I blame Dan Leopard - adding ginger, all sorts of nuts, custard powder (makes it a pretty yellow!), with oil/no butter, with butter/no oil, fat free/apple sauce containing . Honestly, DH eats it whatever...now feel like I ought to expand my repertoire....

joy I don't have a scar in the bush (that I noticed [eek] am I just very unobservant !!) But is that better than two in the hand??

I presume the metronidazole is just for one day? that is the standard treatment for trichomoniasis. It sounds like they're just covering all their bases rather than treating something specific. Won't do any harm, but do get some live yoghurt and consider some pre and pro biotics from holland and barrett!

sorry, that sounds very negative - hopefully it will make a difference too!

We've been a quiet bunch today. I hope everyone is ok.

I've had one piece of good news. My smear done as part of my annual medical earlier this month showed no abnormality. Hurrah! After it was mildly abnormal in May, and mild-moderate when repeated in June, I was terrified that it would get worse and I would have to accept treatment. It is a huge relief. Although the smear still showed the presence of high risk HPV so the virus is still there and could attack again. But for now, it looks like my immune system is doing its thing, and things are at least moving in the right direction, now I am off the immune-suppressing steroids. As well as being good news for my health, it means I am not going to have to lie to the IVF clinic about having a clear smear!

buzzy kayla sounds gorgeous. My mum tells me that when the cats we had growing up were kittens, she used to see the neighbours on the way home who would tell her "They've been swinging from the curtains again" and such like. My parents had to tape down the christmas tree, because they used to climb it, tip it over and then ravage the fairy.... [hgrin]

euro yay to good news about your smear [hgrin] can I ask will you take the steroids when you get a BFP??? You can tell me to mind my own business. Love the ravaged fairy story [hgrin], I'm not sure about putting up my tree

I have added a photo of Kayla so hopefully you can see her if you click on my name. I have now been relegated from my usual seat (throne) and have to sit with Barry on the sofa

Euro - that is such fantastic news about the smear!! I really admire the way you researched the pros and cons of the treatment and opted for the watchful wait approach which has poven to be 100% exactly the right thing to do. I am impressed with the way that you follow your instincts and combine this with research and knoweldge to come to sound decisions - you are an inspiration. Please make sure you celebrate this little victory. Sometimes things start to go on a positive roll! Lets see what life brings next for you. Oh, and well done on the freind with children visit - especially considering the circumstances of them trying around the same time as you. You are a very strong lady!

Buzz - Kayla sounds like a right bundle of laughs. I am delighted to hear you feel like your old self - the life coaching sounds amazing and I am impressed at the instant results too.

Lemon - oooo banana bread- yum. Your outdoor activity sounds like it has blown the cobwebs - I am very impressed with your proactive mindset. xx

Gin - well done you and Dave on the stabbings. [hgrin] I get ovary twangs around cd 2 and 3 too. And lots and lots and lots of luck for that baybeeee visit - you are a strong and focused lady and yout you will be just fine. Let us know how it goes.

Joy - looks like I will be joining you soon in the scar in the bush club! [hgrin] How is the tablet munching going? I am very interested in your bacteria expert appointment (only someone from this thread could say such a thing) and look forward to your report. How are you feeling in general after the lap 1 week later?

Cosmos - I think what you did (inviting said freind to later 121 meet up) is smart, sensible and sensative to both of your needs. If you are struggling with it all in front of a load of people, that would be so unfair on you and you matter just as much as any human being whether they are pregant, have 3 heads or indeed if they are an olympic gold medalist. You are such a lovely lady, one day it will be your turn.

Rabbit - I know you wanted time to bury deep in the hole. But I just want to pop my head down your burrow (don't mean that to sound so rude) and say hello, give you a hug and offer you some homeade curry with red wine. It is just the thing on these dark autumn nights.

Mrs Mellow - how are things for you at the moment?

Heart - thank you so much for your pm. I am thinking about you so much.

Art - how are you this week on the prolonged downregging? Hope you are treating yourself to some lovely treats and distractions.

Well I learnt today I am defo on the lap waiting list. When I quized the secretary about it all today, I learnt that I am not actually down for cervix dilation which was the original reason for the operation . So I asked her to go back to the Dr who referred me and check why this is not on the paperwork. Can you imagine if I went through all the prep and trauma of an op only to find out afterwards that they had ommited to do the original medical procedure that they said I needed? . I think I will literally have to check with them whilst I am laid out on the table about to operate about what they are about to do. Also learnt that they will do the hycosopy (?sp), tube dye test and scar removal but also biopsy - this alarmed me - biopsy - shit, hope they don't expect to find anything very naaaaasty. The sensible part of my brain is saying, "relax, just a standard procedure" The emotional side of me is going . Do any experinced lap people know if they had bits biopsied? Also found out they have had some urgent people bumped up the waiting list which means my op will be delayed longer than was told.

Hello to everyone else. Can you tell I have been drinking tonight - it's the Monday night blues.

Euro - hurrah that is fabulous news!! yOu must be so relieved. I know immune suppressing steroids is vital for a lot of people but it's quite scary that it started messing you up like that.

mrsmellow - the metronidazole was only for one day. Thank F*! I felt pretty peculiar all day on Sat but i'm not sure if that was in my head.

Buzzy - i'm so pleased this life coaching is having apositive effect. It sounds invaluable especially as you are feeling like you are going back to your old self.

Lemon/Euro - aahhh so you have the bush scar too. Phew! I wondered what the heck they were doing as i'm pretty sure they never said they would slit there.
It is so nice having everyone on here as there is such a collective experience . It's like having access to medical peple all the time.

Gin - i remember i started getting ov pains just after i started injecting as i wasn't quite sure whether it was pschyosomattic or not. How was Sunday - did any one question why you don't have kids yet? Or tell you how amazing having kids are..etc etc/? Anyway i hope everything else is going ok.

Critter - you aren't in the line of Frankenstorm are you ? I hope not.

Waves to everyone?

x post Sar. Thank goodness you are on the ball. It's so bad that you have chase and check everything the whole time. at the thought of you walking in to the theatre and checking they have all the tools and double checking they know what they are doing. I'm not sure what the biopsy is but could be pretty useful couldn't it? Taking a biospy is quite common in investigations - I wondered whether they were going to do this with me but i don't think they did. That's annoying you are being bumped down the list - do you have the date yet?
Tablet munching is now fine. Just a couple a day for the next 3 weeks so that's manageable. It's quite surprising how quickly you get back to normal after a lap. Tummy button scar still is quite painful but i actually broke out in to a run today as I was nearly mowed down on the Euston road. Anyway that little exertion had no adverse affects!

sar normal to take biopsies, and the hysteroscopy will involve putting a smal scope through your cervix into your uterus - so by definition will dilate it a bit - I have a slightly sclerotic cervix apparently, but they managed to get the scope through fine - and did biopsies. All quite normal. But so irritating that it isn't spelled out for you! Hopefully you get a date soon - it is nice to feel like you're doing something.

euro great news about the smear, long may it continue - I concur - the beginning of good things to come!

joy my tummy scar hurt for a wee while afterwards, I couldn't wear tight trousers for a couple of weeks - not sure, more that the pressure was wrong - hard to describe!

I had some cramps today and have sore nipples, so think AF is on her way -which means the start of IVF - quite daunting - I'm to go and meet the IVF nurse practitioner on CD1 with proof of payment to collect the meds and be shown how to give injections, make an appointment for scan etc. I'm hoping it isn't tomorrow - i have a ridiculous day at work - Wed would be ok, or Fri, but Thurs also a disaster I'm reluctant to go on Wed if things haven't started because the optimistic part of me still hopes to have a miraculous BFP on this cycle and making the payment and getting the meds implies giving in! Damn, that glass is half full (the first half was delicious, hic , thank you!)

hi ladies, I'm a bit behind,

Thinking of you rabbit , hope you are ok.

euro brilliant news, well done.

mellow your pillates instructor sure has some good ideas, I PM'ed you on the ICSI did you see?

artemis hope all is ok with extra special downregging

Glad to hear the lifecoaching is going well buzzy and waves to an upbeat sounding lemon and her banana bread.

joy well done on the meds, sorry the day of metronidazole was gross. In answer to your question I lived in a tent for a year in an army camp in the tropics and ate 90% of my food in the mess tent which made me really sick, all the time. I had to take metronidazole at least half a dozen times for chronic parasitic infections of the stomach (I know, charming) which where really difficult to shift, doses ranging from a day to 21 straight days

Gin well done on injections underway. Ken's injecting ability seems of varying quality, sometimes it is fine other times not so much. Homeland is well under way here (first season as the 2nd season has only just started we thought we'd start from the beginning). There has been alot of "oh my god, that would never happen like that" type comments being thrown around the living room. I'm not complaining though, I love the telly.

Oh and by the way Gin I'm with frannie on this, I don't think high protein will make you put on weight. I'm a bit high protein and low carbs anyway though, just because that's what I like. Interestingly though, I've found the IVF cycle has made me more relaxed about diet rather than more. I've done alot of reading and now put it aside. While I totally respect everyone's efforts and think it makes complete sense to 'make the most of the cycle', I'm personally not convinced there is a big difference to be made, for me, now.

Hopefully there will be some drugged up old lady eggs in there....I start stimming tomorrow. Ken went out last night to barter in pharmacies for Puregon. Yep, everything is negotiable it seems. So that's where I'm at, thanks for asking sar (I've downregged for 14 days so far and will also continue on that drug). And thanks for the good luck for the scan cosmos . So that was yesterday, straight forward apart from a nightmare detail...

So 6 weeks ago I did a mammogram at the same hospital, I was very impressed by the suite and process. My Dr did not have the results on his screen the last couple of times I have been. I asked for follow up again yesterday, he went and checked it out and said they are not 'in the system' and I should go over and see what is up. So I did. The women looked at the screen and went 'oh', 'oh' then whispered to the women next to her with her hand over her month. Without making eye contact with me I was told to take a seat. I admit I'm downregging, have two friends in chemo and just watched a TV where a women finds out she has breast cancer during IVF....but I couldn't find a reason for these events that was not a nightmare. I was just willing that I wouldn't be called into a private room by senior doctor. After 25 minutes I was taken into a room by a senior doctor and asked to take a seat. Meltdown. Turns out they lost some files. I re-did three views of the mammogram then and there, after three (of four views) I'm told I'm done. I question that and I'm told "oh I have the other one". It's not so much that I'm pissed off that they lost some files, more (1) I followed it up not them, even with a partial scan on their system, no contact was made with me or my doctor (2) handling it in this manner when I showed up. Now the anthropologist in me can explain the second part (which caused meltdown) but the anthropologist wasn't in the building yesterday morning.

Anyway..done now. Off out. Waves to all. x

Euro That's fantastic news about the smear! Yay and it just goes to show that you were right to do your research and stick to your guns. At Create they put people on steriods after EC for about 2 weeks. I guess you'll have to have a think about whether you would want to do this. at your kitty molesting the fairy. Poor fairy, although I would quite like to be molested by a kitten.

lemons so pleased to hear that you're feeling back to normal. I am v impressed at the speed with which you've got back there. Hope the banana bread was yummy. I made a Nigel Slater banana cake the other day and it was still a bit raw in the middle. Lucky Dave...

buzzy I'm on a v low dose. 112.5 and 150 alternatively. The life coaching sounds ace. I'm also going to see if I can see that pic of your cat. Cat porn :)

sar That's unbelievable about that they didn't have the dilation recorded. I thought it was cos my clinic was private that their admin is crap, but the NHS sounds equally poor. I'm sure it will all be fine though. Is it still looking like Jan for the op? I'm envious of your Monday night drinking. I've started on the alcohol free wine. It's not the same...

joy I'm still so impressed at your lap recovery. Running now, eh? I struggle even when well!

mellow Ooo not long to go now for the ivf. I find AF always shows at the most inconvenient time... You're doing short protocol right? Am jealous of your sunshine.

doll welcome to the stims! We too have had some bad/some good injections. I yelled at poor Dave again last night as it hurt. It's not bruising this time though, so that's something. God, your hospital admin sounds bloody awful. That was totally the last thing you needed. And thanks for the reassurance about the protein diet. I am getting sick of it and just want to eat chocolate and carbs...

critter hope that the storm hasn't come your way love.

rabbit and mrs d are you both still in the tent of doom? If so, big hugs and have some of my raw banana cake.

I had my first scan today. There are 16 follicles today again, but they expect to collect about 8 mature eggs, as they are all different sizes. I have to start the antagonist tonight, which I'm not looking forward to. It involves mixing up a vial and is fecking itchy afterwards, even with an ice pack. They think EC may be around Sunday. Once again they struggled to find a vein for the blood test. I don't know why, the blood test nurses at the gps never have a problem. I'm still quite up and down about this cycle. I kind of can't be bothered with it and feel that we may well end up with nothing to transfer by day 3, especially if there are a couple less eggs. I also have more back and stomach ache this time. Anyway, moan over. I love the idea of bartering for the drugs doll, having just shelled out another £100 for a gonal f pen. Right, better get on with some work. I working from home mumsnetting today.

gin hope your follicles grow up nicely in the next few days. Do you think the 'not feeling bothered'ness' is a protective thing to avoid getting hopes up? Feel free to moan away, thats what we're all here for!
I have no idea what to expect - I am doing short protocol, so in theory, just a few weeks behind you! I guess we should have our fingers crossed for nausea and alcohol free wine over Christmas not something I've wished for before - particularly as my out-laws are coming to stay for a few weeks and I normally take solace in wine to put up with them!

doll what a stressful clinic visit, hope you're feeling better today.
I agree with you about diet - unless diet is appalling, I really find it hard to believe it makes much difference!

buzzy I don't plan to take the steroids again. They didn't achieve anything over the 6 cycles I did take them. The reading I did after I got my abnormal smear reult indicated that NK cells play a role in fighting HPV, so perhaps my NK cells were up for that reason when I was tested.

Gin thanks for the info about Create using steroids. They didn't mention that at the open day. I won't be taking them, so it's good to be forewarned about that so I am ready to have that discussion with them.

sarlat it is so frustrating that the admin side of assisted conception is often such a battle! I cannot believe they weren't planning to do the very thing that prompted you to go for the op in the first place! Grrr.

joy my bush scar is tiny. I remember when I had the op finding some dried blood there, but there were no stiches or anything. It was only when I had the top inch or so lasered when I had laser hair removal that I remembered it. It's a tiny slit, about 2-3mm long. I'm glad you are well on the mend and managing to move fast enough not to get mown down by the London traffic!

doll how awfully stressful! I am sure they just don't think sometimes how these things look from a patient perspective. A friend of mine, who is a right old shagger, got a HIV test a while ago. When he went for the result, he was dreading being called into a side room. They called him into a side room. His result was clear, they just wanted to give him a bit of a lifestyle lecture. [hconfused]

A friend of mine had a baby yesterday. This was a hard won win, after miscarriages, so I am happy for them but still a little jealous.

Hello hello from Frankenstorm-ridden DC! My dad is staying with us at the moment and his flight home last night was cancelled, so he's with us for another couple of days, which is actually lovely for me. Very high winds and rain, and work has shut down for a couple of days, but the storm seems to be dying down now here. More 'summer in Wales' than end of days, although we are quite a bit further south than the main parts of the East Coast where the hurricane hit. It sounds like New York and New Jersey got the worst of it.

gin thanks for asking after me - and that's amazing news about your growing follies, and how exciting that EC is nearly here. I also think it's great that you're on such a low and slow dose - it sounds like they are watching you carefully and being conservative with how much drugs they are giving you. I'm sorry about the antagonist - it sounds unpleasant - and that you're feeling up and down. You're being pumped full of hormones, so you're bound to be on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. You're doing brilliantly to just hang in there.

mellow you're a hero to manage your ILs over Christmas. We alternate Christmases - one with my folks, one with his, and I think both of us much prefer being with our own parents. Fingers crossed for nausea and no booze or pate!

doll I was and to hear that Ken bartered for the drugs. That is incredible! Good luck for the stimming today. What a bloody awful story about the mammogram results. I am so sorry that happened to you, you poor thing, especially while downregging - no wonder you got upset.

joy you are breaking into little runs already? You're my hero! And glad you managed to escape being mown down!

euro amazing news about your smear. That is such a relief. Hurrah for your immune system doing its thing!

lemon I love banana bread. I have two mouldering and brown speckled bananas here, wonder if that's enough for me to turn them into something tasty?

buzz the life-coaching sounds great. I'm so pleased that you're feeling happier. Kayla's antics never cease to make me !

cosmos well done on the diet and herbs, and thanks for linking to that blog post - very interesting. I had been taking a cacophony of different herbs and supplements, but broke out into a rash and so I've stopped. The same thing happened about two years ago when I first started taking folic acid - I think there must be some filler, like silica or something, in the capsules that I'm allergic to.

sar well done you for checking on what procedures they are doing, and grrr that it was necessary in the first place. I don't know about the biopsy, but hopefully someone else will - sounds stressful! I am sorry that you are feeling a bit sad - but January will be here before you know it, and you'll be able to move forward. In the meantime we will be here for clammy paw-holding.

artemis I was infuriated by the fact that the nurse got shirty with you over you asking about the down-regging. How bloody dare she! It's a huge thing to do to your body, and I can't believe that it's designed to fit around what's best for the doctor rather than what's best for the patient. That's bad enough, but to then get stroppy with you for asking about it? It really isn't on.

nelly how's the wedding prep/IVF drug-taking going?

rabbit hope you're doing ok.

frannie, heart and princess, warm wishes for your little 10+er beans.

Waves to everyone else - sorry I've missed so many people, I got quite behind.

Sar jeepers, they were sending you for an op but weren't going to do the procedure that had originally required the GA in the first place?! I hope you've got that sorted out. The vigilance required to make sense of what's happening and make sure it's all in order is exhausting.

Doll the mammogram tale is shambolic [hangry]. I had that with a smear a few years back. No results, no contact, I rang eventually and they said 'Oh there was a problem, you have to come back and repeat it'. After much anxiety it turned out they just didn't have a good enough sample to test properly but I wouldn't have known if i hadn't followed it up. FX your scans are clear. It's nerve racking enough without administrative trauma. Good luck with the stimming. I'm guessing you'll have a scan in a few days to see how it's going?

Euro good news on the all clear! Vindicates your decision to wait. It's still hard when friends have babies, no matter how hard the win.

Buzzy the life coaching sounds great, really glad you are feeling brighter. Kayla sounds like she's helping too. I'm going to go and have a look at your cat porn too [hgrin]

Joy well done on coping with the evil antibs. I'm really interested to hear what your bacteriologist doc has to say.

Nelly hope wedding planning and drug taking are going well [hsmile]

Cosmos sounds like a good alternative with your friend, I hope she appreciates the effort you're going to. No sense in putting yourself through unnecessary pain by going to the dinner though.

Sending virtual hugs down the Rabbit hole, hoping you are OK. I am very curious to know whether you tried the bicarb douche yet...

Gin good news on the follies. You only need a few though - they would never put more than two back anyway so hopefully you will get some frosties. Thanks for the chocolate milkshake tip. I am worried about my protein intake too, being a carb-loving veggie. Praline chocolates have nuts in, right? Good [hgrin]. And no, alcohol free wine really isn't the same. I am alternately dreaming about a vat of Rioja and a massive bucket of Irish coffee with cream on top. Six weeks off the booze has made me wonder if I am actually a lush. mrsm if this cycle doesn't work the ability to drink again will be more of a consolation than it actually should be. Sometimes I catch myself wondering if I'd rather have a glass of wine than a baybee [hconfused]

I feel shabby. I don't know if it genuinely is the drugs or just psychosomatic because I resent taking them for so long, but my brain seriously isn't working and I feel grim. The first week of downregging was fine but i've been feeling steadily worse, got pretty much constant headaches and a feeling that I'm trying to think through heavy fog. I literally can't do my work. Please tell me this gets better when stimming starts [hhmm]. I've got a big consultation thing to run on Monday and will have to be in super sharp performance mode all day (and remember to put on underwear), really don't think my brain can cope with it

Sorry for the things and people I've undoubtedly missed, major brain fail. Lots to get through today as well. Better go back to staring vacantly at my screen...

x-post Critter. Glad you're OK - I was thinking about you yesterday watching the news reports. 'Summer in Wales', sounds like all our family holidays in the 1970s and 80s [hgrin]

critter I'm glad you are ok. It does look like NY/NJ got the worst of it. Someone has posted a picture on facebook of a small shark swimming down a NJ street.... [hshock]

Artemis I am sorry to hear you are having a tough time downregging. I didn't suffer too much with the headaches (I had one corker, but that was it) but I do remember the brain fog. Eugh. When do you start stimming?

Banana bread is about the only cake I don't like. I like bananas on their own (if not too ripe) but I don't like banana-flavoured things.

artemis Poor you, I am so sorry you're feeling horrible. When do you start stimming? Is it this weekend? That absolutely sucks that you have a presentation to give and have to be on top form.

euro I can understand people not liking banana bread - I really don't like the smell of overripe banana when someone has one at work. But I do like the taste! It's definitely a fruit that gets more pungent with age. [hgrin]

Well I've done some work, so am rewarding myself with a mumsnet break.

critter I'm so pleased to hear that you are ok! And that you have your dad for a few days longer. Urgh overripe banana. at euro's odd dislike of banana flavour things. And you're right critter about the drugs making me feel up and down. In fact, thinking about that has made me feel a lot better and less down about it all. So thank you.

artemis I do feel for you and the brain fog. The first time I was on stims I felt great. Genuinely really good, with no headaches or anything (and I do suffer from hormonal migraine normally). I have to admit that this time I have become extra dim, like PMT dim, using the wrong words etc, have ovary pain and am finding it a little hard to concentrate, but I think that's to do with me not being as happy and as excited about this cycle. It's def no worse than pmt. I reckon after having had your hormones switched off, a bit of gonal f will make you feel ace. Oh and be prepared to turn into a shag beast...

Re the wine, oh the wine, I fear I am a bit of a lush too. We had friends round for dinner on Sat and I was doing really well with the gnat's piss alcohol free stuff, until I saw a bottle of Sancerre being brandished about. I have to confess I did have a mouthful, but not the whole glass I wanted.

mellow I think you are right about the not botherdness being a bit of self-protection. I think I'm also already sick of having things - needles, cameras- stuck into me.The clinic will try to put me only clexane, a blood thinner, after EC and I really don't want to do it. Will have to have a chat with them. In laws and no booze would be hard, but I'm sure you'd be so happy that even the ILs may become bearable . I take it no sign of the red witch yet?

euro I still get jealous of hard won baybees. The one I saw on Sunday was ok. Luckily there were enougth people who've not sprogged to make it bearable and I didn't have to hold him. If given him, I may well have ran outta the door with him...

Nice to see the Fred a bit more happening today. I do fear that it'll just be me and my barren womble left on here.

gin I'm sorry, I can't remember- have you had miscarriages in the past - is that why the clexane? Or do you have a known Factor V leiden or other clotting problem? How long would they want you to have it for? and do they give you aspirin as well? No sign of the red witch and the cramps have gone - who knows?! I don't think that you'll end up alone on this thread. Remember your mid- major messing around with your hormones so you're bound to feel up and down at the moment. Hopefully it will all be worthwhile. I'm intrigued about the shag-fest side of things....

euro I am slightly dubious of the NK/TNF story (I have a background in immunology) and some concerns about the lack of robust clinical trials - or the fact that they aren't really publishing anything. If it really is so effective for a subset of women, then publishing their data would be very useful. I think you're right not to take them again and it is highly likely that your NK cells were high due to an intercurrent infection -whether HPV or not. Measuring any immune cell on any given day is quite arbitary - it would make more sense to look at patterns and changes in cycle etc to determine a problem.

critter my sis is in DC too - according to the guardian, the shops were running low on beer and chips... how far are you from the river? I'll ask my sister if it is like a 'summer in wales' - love it

euro I too hate overripe bananas (and underripe, I am actually banana goldilocks...) and banana flavoured things (yoghurt, milkshake, ice-cream) but somehow, banana cake is ok.

artemis hang in there - I bet you're performing better than you feel.

Ooh mellow interesting that you have a scientific background I am always so impressed and grateful to have the combined expertise of the people on this board. And interesting that your sister is here too! If you ever come out, you'll have to PM me... I'm always up for hanging out with 10 plussers! I live quite a way from the waterfront, but we went out to a friend's house last night 15 minutes walk away and lost an umbrella in the gale... there's still almost nobody outside and everyone seems to be off work and inside. Hmm at your period not being here yet. I would be mentalling... hope you aren't finding the wait too stressful.

gin it's hard to tell what's hormones and what's common or garden miserableness when you are in the IVF 'swirling vortex of awfulness'. I am famed in my family for my steady personality - the adjective my parents use to describe me is 'staunch' [hgrin] but I remember after I stopped taking the gonal f on my cancelled cycle I was unbelievably miserable, tears and listlessness. And now I'm not on the drugs, I feel like I am back on an even keel. So hang in there and just remember that your poor body is being pummelled by chemicals at the moment - be gentle with yourself. And you won't be here on your own - I reckon I'll be here a long while yet. [hsmile] Oh and Sancerre... yum. A gulp probably has medicinal qualities pre IVF.

lemon I have just made banana bread in a fit of Sandy-induced cabin fever. [hgrin] euro you would not like the way my flat smells right now! [hgrin]

at Banana Goldilocks!

And thanks for asking after me critter, I'm just on tablets so all fine. Too busy to notice! Glad you are safe, I was worried about you.

Hooray for good smear euro.

We have booked 2 nights away to coincide with the first 2 days of self-stabbing. A bit of a Pre-wedding treat too.

Sorry again for not keeping up but I'm reading. Special hello to the tent dwellers [hsmile]