Roll up! Roll up! Mount those uni cycles and shake those pom poms. The Elderberry Pavlovas are drumming away in the hope of a Christmas clusterdiff (Thread 24).

[happylass]

The smallprint –
Berries have a strict entrance criteria (TTC #1, over 30, TTC for 12+ months, NO instadiffers, must have a special pot and definitely no mention of baby dust or baby dancing).
Those not abiding by the rules may be escorted from the premises.

The roll of honour:

Gillster 40, TTC Feb 2012, IVF Feb 2014 resulting in 6 frozen one day embies. No transfer due to polyp. Failed FET cycle in September due to polyps. Starting 2nd FET cycle on 4 Nov.
Happylass 36, TTC since Aug 2012. Antibodies in DH's sperm. 1 unsuccessful cycle of ICSI September '14. Starting cycle 2 in January.
Smidge, 38, TTC since Jan 2013. Unexplained. IVF#1 Short protocol July 2014 yielded 1 blasto, BFN. IVF#2 in process - Long Protocol Oct/Nov 2014
Serenity 34 TTC Jan 2013, unexplained infertility, DH has textbook super sperm, 3 rounds unsuccessful clomid, 1 ICSI June 14 with complete fertilisation failure, next ICSI Nov 14.
Jelliebabe - 40, Threw the pills away 8 years ago. Unexplained but have a very low AMH, 1st IVF with clinic in Prague, 2 embryo's, chemical pregnancy. 2nd IVF in London branch of clinic - 1 embryo, BFN. Hoping to go back to Prague for Donor eggs in January
nolly, 32, TTC since Sep 2012, unexplained. 6 months clomid did sod all, next appointment 29th Oct, hoping to start private round ivd soon.
Pixie, 33, TTC June 12, DH has zero sperm count but managed to extract some under surgery, start downregging in a week, long protocol, ICSI Nov
Tigerdog 34, ttc 21 months. Unexplained after all tests and currently on waiting list for IVF.
Beaky 34 ttc since aug 2012. Unexplained with recurring cysts and adenomyosis. 1 failed IUI, IVF appointment in November and hoping to start first cycle in January.
Bushy 36, ttc since dec 2011, low amh, ovarian reserve, dh sperm had low count & motility but improved to 'normal' standard, IVF/Icsi in May bfp, then later missed miscarriage at 12 week scan. 2nd Ivf imminent but not sure if dates will work over Christmas.
HampshireBlues 36 TTC since August 2011, unexplained. 1st cycle of IVF chemical. Had a break over the summer. Cycle 2 planned for November
WildflowerMarmalade , 40, TTC 3 years, unexplained, underactive thyroid + immune issues. Sept IUI - BFN. Due to start IVF in Jan
lumen, 35, ttc since Nov 11 without a sniff of a bfp, unexplained, had only nhs funded IVF summer 2014, no implantation, trying self-funded IVF Nov 14, currently mid cycle
AnnieHoo 41, ttc July 2012. Unexplained. MMC Nov 2012, MMC May 2014. IVF Oct 2014 BFN. Waiting for FET.
Trill 41, TTC since March 2013. Endo with one completely blocked tube and one kinked with adhesions. Currently stimming.

And Gil's handy guide to the current IVFers....

Smidge - PUPO on 3 Nov
Pip - ET on 5 Nov
Lumen -EC on 5 Nov
Trill - day 5 of stims
Pixie - week of DR done
Seren - stimming yet?
Gillster- start DR on 4 Nov
Kuma - you starting soon???

For you pixie

Lovely handiwork, tiger

pixie 5 frozen blastos???! That's fantastic! No more egg collections needed for you

I've discovered a downside to being back in an office apart from the obvious is the bright lighting and massive mirrors in the loos. I can see all my grey hair again!!!!

Nice work on the blind tiger. Now I have finished and delivered the quilts I can get on to some fun sewing, going to make an owl pin cushion for my mate for Christmas.

Great news on being pupo pixie and fan that you have five frosties, the pixie clan are all there ready and waiting

smidge you made me chuckle with your comment about true work lights/mirrors/grey hair as I am in that same situation at the moment. Next appointment not until 18th

Always like a hoodie purchase bushy. Can you drive to all the drinking do's you have coming up? Say your dh can't pick you up? Or that you have to drive to an appointment after?

I survived a weekend with my niece (4) and nephew (2) which included soft play, the park and a birthday party. Nothing like being surrounded by loads of kids and their parents to be reminded of what you don't have yet. My mum was at least more considerate in her reaction to this failed round of IVF.

Anyway, only two and a half weeks until holidays. Hope everyone has a good week

Oh and jellie I hand sewed the quilt labels

Pixie five blasts is fantastic. When is your testing date? And what is your plan for keeping your mind from menkulling?

Smidge you made me laugh with the grey hair thing. Work, hey? It has subtle ways of making your life worse.

Tiger I'm on iPad so I can't see your blind, which I'm sure is beautiful. Do you reckon it worked out cheaper doing it yourself? I'll check it out later on a proper computer.

And on that note Lumen I can't believe how great your quilts are. That will make a really lovely and personal present. There are some seriously talented Berries around here.

Yay, PUPO Pixie! Fingers crossed it's a sticky one.

Also on my phone so can't see your handy work Lumen, will get online this evening and have a look. I knocked out some curtains this weekend, but little skill involved in that. I've had a skirt pattern for weeks that I want to try but never have time for. Looks similar to one I saw in Karen Millen for £99. If it looks ok when done I'll have saved myself a few pennies.

I also have far too many greys, but can't be bothered to colour it yet... Hotel lighting always makes it look bad too, lots of bright spotlights pointing at it over a mirror!

I am planning to try and make some clothes next year kuma. The patterns scare me but I have got and 'easy to make' pyjama set, I figure there is always leeway in pjs as they are best baggy Would like to make clothes though as have some lovely patterns I have had free with a sewing magazine (omg I sound so old with my magazines and all grey hair when not dyed )

Happy advent berries! Mr T bought me an advent calendar and my team decorated the office today, so I feel cosily festive!

I'm impressed with your sewing skills ladies, as the thought of making clothes scares me lumen and kuma. I also think curtains can be tricky. The blind was fairly easy but I have no natural aptitude for sewing, although I am getting better. Wild the price difference was what inspired me to do it. It cost me approximately 60 quid to make myself, but I was quoted 360 for it to be made up using the same material, so huge savings!

Boo to grey hair and harsh office lighting! Ours is terrible, and it is always really hot too. My plants all die, so god knows what it is hapening to my skin and hair!

Smear tomorrow morning (joy) and IVF consenting appointment on Wednesday so a fun filled week of appointments ahead.

beaky did you have a good weekend with your friends visiting?

gill where are you up to now? Can't be too long until FET?

Where is Spare? She's not in the 'copter.

Evening all. Pip I think Spare has gone on holidays? South Africa if I'm not mistaken
Great news on being PUPO Pixie and a great amount of frosties. Hope you're taking it easy! Are you the only PUPO one at the moment? I'm losing track!
Gil how were the Beacons? Not sure if you were still there yesterday but the weather was glorious. How's the stabbing going?
Nothing much happening here. Work is crazy as per usual. Awaiting AF towards the end of the week so I can find out if it'll be possible to do our next ICSI cycle next month.

She has joined the FB grad page.

I didn't know there was a graduates page.

I'm impressed at your ability to both start and finish a project kuma! I'm lying on the sofa looking at the curtains I started over a week ago. I would have finished them but the tension was wrong when I tried to blind hem them and I ran out of time that day to sort it out. As I'd already pressed the seams and ironed them, I didn't want to fold them up so hung them on the pole to keep them from getting creased. They're still there now, one with a pinned hem, the other longer as it hasn't been pinned...
Given I finished sewing my wedding dress on the morning of my wedding and there is no such deadline for a pair of curtains - they're up at the window after all - I don't hold out much hope of them being finished before Christmas!

tiger smears seem like nothing now compared to before don't they?! I had a dildocam a few weeks ago as part of the rmc tests and the nurse took me aside and talked me through it in length, despite asking me if I'd had one before and me saying 'lots'. By the time you're at the acu in the midst of IUI they don't bother with any of that, they just nod to the curtain and tell you to get yourself sorted!
Although having said that I'd prefer a dildocam to a smear any day, it's that bit where they screw it apart . I was in tears when they did that bit for the IUI.
Hope Wednesday is a bit more productive . I'm back at the acu next Monday, talking to the consultant about the next round of iui.

Brilliant work on the blind tiger. I'm impressed! I've never done anything particularly challenging but you guys do inspire me to try more. Maybe I should start with getting a sewing machine for Christmas. Anyone got any suggestions for which one?

Wild 9 days til test day. In terms of keeping busy work's pretty crazy, I have a friend staying Fri, dad at wknd, fireworks Sunday and new carpet being fitted next wk. Hopefully enough to keep me occupied until Wed!
Tiger hope goes well tomorrow and Wed.
Happy yep I think so but gill is soon behind me. Hope af hurries up and you can get plans in place.

Evening Berries hope everyone is ok. Pixie PUPO! Woohoo! Pom-poms are back out and feeling very hopefully for an addition to the clusterdiff! Excellent news on your good quality frosties too.

Jellie - meet your mate, as my auntie would say! I coughed so much yesterday I vommed in my own hand. Sad times. Can I be in your gang??

Rain sorry to hear about your kitty, hope she's better soon. It's so awful when our pets are poorly.

Tiger good work with the Christmas shopping! Your blind looks amazing, very talented. Re the smear, mine was nothing compared to what we've had with this lark! Hope it goes well though and hope the IVF app does too. It was lovely seeing our friends thanks but a bit mental their kids, they are very active!

lumen your quilts are gorgeous too! I do a bit of jewellery making but it's fairly quick, I don't think if have the patience for a large project. Well done on surviving with the kids at the weekend, that is definitely a trying scenario especially given everything you've just been through.

HB so sorry AF didn't turn up and you couldn't go ahead. What did they decide to do about the cyst? What happens now for you?

Bushy how are you doing? Have you told your FC? Sorry if you've said I have missed loads! There is an antibiotic you get given for tooth infections, I can't remember what it's called but you really genuinely cannot drink anything with it at all, not like normal ones. You could try that excuse!

Smidge go light then the greys kind of blend a bit! You looking forward to getting home for a visit?

Happy roll on AF for you (not really sure what this is! Any ideas?!)

Gill how's it going for you? Is it next mon for the transfer? Can we add a January treatment list too for me, wild and.. my minds gone blank arghh! Wild how is everything with you?

Kuma hats off if you can make clothes! My mam used to make me clothes but sadly I didn't inherit that talent.

Nice to see you Barking are you hoping your next iui is January? Hope your consultant appointment goes well.

I'm guessing there are photos of blinds on here somewhere then?! Can't see photos on the app .

beaky I was optimistically hoping to start iui this month when AF arrived early this cycle, but I don't think it will work with Christmas dates so it will most likely be the end of Jan. Must remember to ask about high dose folic acid, why 200 not 400mg cyclogest, whether I could get an earlier blood test and start heparin earlier if I get a bfp or if I have to wait until 14 dp insemination, and get him to convince me that aspirin is not good, as at the moment I'm not 100% convinced it's a bad idea. Oh, and about 100 other questions I'll think of as I walk out...

pixie mine is a Singer but I'm not impressed. Someone told me they stopped making them in the UK and the quality went downhill. Mine is nowhere near as sturdy as my Mum's ancient one, it couldn't cope with multiple layers of thick curtain fabric. It's a case of you get what you pay for, mine was relatively cheap as I don't use it enough to justify an expensive one.

We have some very talented berries here - I am impressed! I'm not too bad at the old cross stitch yet I'm wearing my winter coat with three buttons missing (2 of which are in the pocket waiting to be seen back on).

I am fine for those who have been asking. Getting bloody sick of injecting though. My tummy is getting quite bruised now. I have a scan next Monday and if all goes well then transfer will be the 12th so we will know Pixie's result before I am even PUPO. Hope you don't all disappear off in a drunken Christmas haze!

Is it worth getting a rough list together of Jan/Feb runners and riders or is it a bit early for that at the moment?

Fab news on the frosties Pixie - a whole 5 a side team!

When I went for my scan last week we had to wait in the corridor before the department properly opened. We were actually just outside the cryopreserve room (where I think our frosties are) so I gave them some words of encouragement outside of the door before anyone else turned up thinking I was mental

We definitely need a new list for jan/feb but it's probably a bit early yet. Well, for me anyway, as I won't be able to work out my dates til AF Day 1. And given I had spotting yesterday on the same day as my OPK peaked...wtf?! I am more up in the air than usual.

My cross stitch remains on the settee, awaiting some more effort. The idea of it being a Christmas present for the MiL has vanished. Maybe next year....?!

Aw Gill I bet they are all patiently waiting to get back in their lovely home!

I'd say yes to a list now we don't need to add dates in if people don't know them but it will be easier to remember who is gearing up for treatment in the new year.

Smidge would it be ovulation spotting?

Not long now Gill!

I've also got a Singer which cost around £200. The machine works well but is certainly more plasticy than my old one which I inherited from my grandmother, so I agree with Barking on that front. What I don't like so much about it is that it has no decent storage in it, just a slide out container that you can put your bits in, but you have to slide it out before you can open it. I'm not very talented just and enthusiastic amateur. I did some classes which were really helpful for learning about cutting, hemming, putting in zips etc. I'm doing a dress making course in January. The machines at the centre are Janome and are lovely with lots of built in storage, but are over £300.... which is a bit much for my needs.

kuma that course sounds good. I have a janome which was expensive but I use it a lot. gill I also have missing buttons and holes in pockets, but fixing them are not as much fun as making something new so they tend to get left for ages!

Smear was fine, as you say, a doddle compared with the other stuff. Need to fill in all of my documentation and prepare my list of questions for tomorrow's IVF appointment. I'm not quite ready to be on the list though, as I don't think we'll kick off until March with all the upheaval of moving and new jobs.

I have a Janome, but I don't think it was much more than 200 from John Lewis and I'm very happy with it. I'm only a beginner and it meets all of my needs.

I got an email today saying I had been selected to take part in a MN trial of The Stork conception aid. Rather sadly, I think it proves that I am willing to try ANYTHING. Mr T's face will be a picture when I explain it all to him! Romance will have officially died. sigh.

What is a Stork conception aid???

Yes tell us more tiger