Assisted conception (and the bits in between!) - part 4 - all welcome

[mummycat1]

Starting new thread with massive congratulations to Nanoo I reckon the old man can wait till he gets home! But of course - it's up to you really xxx

Oh Isle I really understand how frustrating it is. At this stage every day seems to count - and being put back to Sun is SO annoying for you. But, being completely rational (not easy during this process!), if the extra day's wait will give you a better chance, then I'm sure you'd rather take them. Doesn't make it less frustrating I know! Enjoy having your Mom around :-)

How are you feeling Gingerwine are you managing to get some rest? I found it so hard to stay still as I felt completely normal - full of energy actually! But I read a book and tried not to lift DS too much (that didn't last long!). Good luck :-)

What news Mummycat? Really sorry you feel sore - hopefully that will get better v v soon. Did they tell you how thick the lining was? Maybe that's what will dictate whether you have to wait 3 months?

Good luck sooty for Thurs - well done with being so calm - good for you :-)

Nothing to report here, except I'm waiting til tomorrow to do another pg test (forcing myself to keep to once a week or it could get very expensive). I'm a bag of nerves. This morning I dropped a full bottle of Fish Oil on the kitchen floor - it smashed and has gone EVERYWHERE. The whole house smells of fish oil. And so do I now. [holding nose smiley] And it was that really expensive Eskimo brand. Boo.

londonlottie I feel the need to respond to your comments as I would hate anyone to read them and disregard this option. All I did was have my hair analysed, take the recommended supplements, cook with and drink filtered water, stopped eating any kind of junk food and stop drinking alcohol. Actually nothing different than what many would argue is a healthy way of life. I didn't think that was too whacky or too arduous to do if it improved my chances of a healthy baby. The supplements they recommend are all backed up by many years of research and successful outcomes - 75% of previously infertile people that follow their program end up with babies.

Of course there are many factors that influence success or failure in any particular cycle. I was simply offering suggestions to those who may be reading that would like to explore other accessible, low tech options for improving your chances.

I absolutely believe that my symptom free pregnancy and resulting healthy baby was due in no small part to foresight's suggestions and that it was a massive factor in becoming pregnant using IUI age 38 and 40.

Of course it is not for everyone, but please, at least have an open mind...

Hi all - just a little update from me. Only 7 out of 34 eggs fertlisied! Apparently lots of the eggs were immature. She also said that there could be an issue with interaction between sperm and eggs. Seems like it was all the fault of my eggs.

I go in tomorrow for a check up and to decide whether to do ET or FET. Isle's experience is very interesting and useful. I think my womb lining is fine.

My tummy is still bloated and sore and I have felt washed out today. I think that ET tomorrow is very unlikely now . Naively didn't realise that IVF was going to make me feel quite so rough.

Sorry for the ramble.

Just to say Mummycat 7 isn't "only" - that's great. I mean I know it doesn't seem many when you started with 34, but it's heaps to be choosing from :-) REALLY good luck with the check up tomorrow - if you think the womb lining is fine, that's surely most of the battle (I've always had an issue with getting mine thick enough for implantation).. Anyway, be brave - if it is a 3 month wait don't worry too much, it'll go by in a flash, and lovely to know you have 7 fertilised You can be positive either way x

mummycat - It's true that isn't a large proportion out of your eggs that fertilised but 7 is still a good number. Don't be too disheartened. Given how your body responded to the drugs I imagine that it's not surprising there were a lot of immature eggs.
I am also not surprised you feel washed out. Like you I naively didn't realise that IVF would make me feel crap at times and compared to your experience I would say I have had it easy. I was still having some amdominal discomfort two and three days after EC and thats with no signs of OHSS. Do take some painkillers and more of that boring rest I'm afraid. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and I know you will be so disappointed if ET can't go ahead. But the main thing is to give those fertilised eggs the very best chance of success.

nanoo - Hope the fish oil smell is fading! Good luck with repeat test tomorrow. I hope it is good news to tell your DH when he gets back. I am feeling fed up and frustrated today. Silly really when all so far has gone well, but I expect all the extra progesterone is having an effect. I have terrible PMT during a normal cycle so taking more is hardly going to have a nice effect. I have had quite a few twinges today and keep worrying about what that could mean. Of course it could be due to all the wind I seem to be suffering from!! Is this normal? I am trying to rest and have watched quite a bit of rubbish TV and a film I had recorded. It's hard to feel calm and rested once the boys get home from school. They will keep leaping around and being noisy! I am planning to have another very quiet day tomorrow and then I will have to start doing some normal things. I can at least lounge around from 9 to 3 so it's not too bad. I get very bored though and then start dwelling on things. Sorry for moaning. Perhaps I needed to though!

Lottie - How was your scan? And did you get outside at all?
I understand your comments about foresight. I am quite open minded but my science background means I feel very uneasy about statistics and theories that have not been tested by randomised controlled double blind trials. I am pretty sure none of us would put ourselves through IVF if we felt there was another way. For me and my DH I know that no amount of lifestyle changes etc would make a difference to our need for IVF.

Isle - That's so annoying about your endometrial lining. I completely understand that the change of timing is so hard to deal with. Am sending you thickening vibes in the hope that it will help! Thick thick thick!!!

Gingerwine I'm hoping one of your two embies is embedding nicely by now.

Mummycat soreness is to be expected esp with all of the aspirations you had. I was so sorry I couldn't laugh, sneeze, or cough without shooting pain (while on pain killers). Although, the pain killers did help a lot. Similar story to you in that I had lots of eggs collected (26) and a smaller amount fertilized (12) However, I wish they had just focused on the mature counts, because a couple of days before they were telling me 14-16 were about the right size, so 12 out of 14-16 seems much better. I think, to some degree the same is true in your case becasue they told you that some were

Hello all, where to begin, we are all posting so much that a day out is hard to catch up on so sorry if I miss anyone.

Nanoo you are so restrained with that testing . . . I admire you. And I think it's a really good policy, Worry is a disease of the mind.

mummycat I agree with Isle(?) about expectations - maybe they weren't managed very well by your clinic, but 7 is still a great number and you should feel confident.

Sorry to hear about your lining Isle, it's so frustrating. But remember those little frosties aren't going anywhere . . . there is no time limit once you have gotten to this stage . . . am v. v. v. v. jealous of your new doggie .

GWine hang in there and try not to symptom spot . . .

LL I hope you get home to see your friends. But if not I am sure they'll cheer you up. You know I am so with you on the lifestlye stuff. . . my theory at the moment is that people turn to alternative therapies, strategies etc just as they are getting serious. I'd like to see a study where the ONLY advice people were given was about correct timing and frequency of sex . . . I reckon it would outstrip any lifestyle approach.

Me - well I made a tough call on Monday which is why I didn't post - I was too conflicted. My Dr wanted to trigger on Monday. As you know I had planned to teach my last class on Wednesday and was quite prepared to wing it, but for the first time in my whole association with the clinic they could only offer me a 10:30 am EC (Class is at 11:30). My Dr didn't have another Dr available to take over so we decided to delay a day - Dr still thinks it's only an outside chance that I will have ovulated so it should be okay - but the seeds of doubt are still there. In a funny way it has been a good choice, because even on the last cycle I would have done the safest option re IVF. Maybe something in me has clicked and I know I just can't put my life on hold any more. Having said that DP and me decided that if we have missed it we will probably do 'just one more' before the end of the year which are determined is our cut off point. Ho hum. Still the reward was my students giving me a round of applause and a number of them telling me it was the best course they'd done this year . . . so cross you fingers for me fellow bloggers . . . lets hope I don't have to pay for taking the risk . . .

Hello all. I thought it might be a good time to introduce myself. I?m 37 and my husband is 35, and we live in London. We?ve been trying for our first baby for two years and have a number of fertility problems ? I have a totally irregular cycle thanks to PCOS, and a short luteal phase, which I am taking metformin and about a gazillion supplements for, and I think they are helping to get things straight. I was on the pill for 17 years and never dreamt that it could be masking all these problems!

My husband has poor motility (36%) and morphology (7%) which were attributed to a varicocele. A year ago he had a procedure to fix that, and very shortly after (too shortly for it to have been influential) I got pregnant for the first time. Cue much excitement and anxiety, only to have a MMC in February at 10 weeks, which I am still really struggling to get over.

We kept on trying for 7 months after that with zero success, because everyone assumed if we could do it once... Eventually got my DH retested and it turned out that he now has antisperm antibodies and agglutination ? signs of an infection quite possibly caused by the procedure that was supposed to help. Gutting.

The combination of ASA, morphology and motility seems to point to IVF so this made our minds up that we should get proper help (we have had intermittent help from a gynae before) and so I got my GP to refer us to an ACU. Unfortunately, the f*cking postal strike is evidently stopping the referral from reaching the clinic , and then our appointment letter is also going to be stymied by them. Just when you feel that you need everything to be working with you, not against you, this is when the law of unintended consequences kicks in.

So that?s where I am currently ? in limbo waiting for the first appointment, which I suppose will require a full battery of tests again. (Am I right to presume that they?ll run everything again themselves as a starting point?) I?m plain terrified of IVF because I know what a basketcase I am with standard levels of hormones and pressure involved, so I fear for the safety of anyone around me once we start. But it?s really really helpful to read all your stories and get a sense of how you live with it, what to expect, and I admire you all for your attitudes. I hope I?ll be able to be as sensible about it if and when we embark on it.

So I hope that gives you the basic facts and you are still with me...

LL ? good luck with the scan and I hope the doctors decide they can risk letting you go home. It sounds as though they are supercautious and I?m sure that?s only a good thing, but I know I would be climbing the walls if I had boxes to unpack back at home and stuff to prepare for the babies!

GW - positive vibes for implantation! I guess the worrying doesn?t ever go away with this process but just evolves and changes. So you worry that you won?t get any eggs, that they won?t fertilise, then that they won?t implant...but you have obviously done really well with every step so far and I hope that luck keeps going for another 9 months.

Nanoo - still keeping everything crossed that your baby sticks...I know how utterly nervewracking it is. Let us know what the test says won?t you, and I bet it will be the best homecoming for your OH. You are strong not to have blurted it out by now! Is he not asking you all the time?!

Isle - how incredibly frustrating to keep having your transfer delayed and delayed. The fact that it?s for the best is not much of a consolation I?m sure. Your dog sounds adorable though, can you take him out for lots of walks to keep yourself occupied? Lean on your mom and aunt too, I?m sure they?ll want to keep your spirits up.

Mummycat - Like Manuel in Fawlty Towers ?I know nothing? but there?s a lot of consensus from those present that 7 embies is a great haul, so I believe that and I have fingers crossed that they continue to develop beautifully and give the doctors a wealth of choice for ET if it?s safe to do so.

Sooty - how great to get a good write-up from your students! You are obviously incredibly diligent to be thinking about that at the same time as doing IVF, not sure I?d be able to give a stuff about work in the circumstances! Best of luck with the ET when it goes ahead.

Catch you later.

Hello Cerubina [waves]

Thank you to all of you for your good wishes and support. It means a lot.

I am now very poorly with OHSS. I seemed to take a turn for the worse last night. My stomach pains veer between agonising and excrutiating. My tummy is very bloated and I feel very dizzy and nauseaus if I move around. The trip to the hospital this morning was very hard on me physically. The chief consultant took us into a nice room and told us that it was unsafe to do ET. To be honest I just want to be well again. He offered me hospitalisation, but I chose to come home where I am moving gingerly between bed and sofa. They took some bloods and I will have to go in to hospital if my condition worsens. I have painkillers, but they're not touching it!

My dad is here to take care of me right now and then DD is with childminder all day for the next two days.

As for my 7 they are now 4 frosties. 3 were not up to being frozen. He said that they would defrost all 4 when I am well enough, but that 2 didn't look so strong. So I guess I have one chance at this. Right now I really can't bear to go through this whole process again from scratch. Just feel so poorly.

Cerubina do not be put off - the consultant said today that this happens in 2-8% of cases. Oh yeah, and here's a warning they will spout a lot of stats at you!

Isle lovely to hear about your new addition. What's he like? Does he have a name?

Good luck LL it's great to hear your positive news.

Sooty totally understand the "not letting this rule my life" sentiment. I'm feeling that way too now. Best wishes for tomorrow. My fingers are crossed for you.

Take care GW and nanoo Baby dust to both of you

Seems like Wednesday was a bad day for us, sorry to hear you are out for this cycle Mummycat and yes you are right to question doing it again - your health and survival is the most important thing, though it's easy to loose sight of that.

Sorry too LL that you didnt' make your escape . . . . it's probably good for you to stick around this thread - reminds you how tenuous getting pregnant can be - and how worth doing everything you can to give your girls the best chance is - even if it feels like a lot to suffer right now.

Well it has all ended in tears my end. The follicle hadn't realeased and the egg was still there but by the time we got it out it had split. They're not sure weather it had happened in the follicle or during the process but it was because the egg was fragile anyway. In some ways it is a relief, my Dr was quite upfront about saying she didn't want me to try again and that it was probably an egg problem. She also said that she doubted I would have had a better result if I had started trying even five years before which made me feel a bit better. Am wondering how I'll shape up from this one . . . hard to say how long the sense of relief will last.

Oh sooty, I am so sorry. That is shitty luck. I would imagine you need to take some time to get your head round that, as I think you were still planning one more go weren't you? Has the hospital offered you and your OH the option of counselling? It might be a helpful move once you feel ready for it, to get to grips with all that's happened. I hope you are bearing up and can take a break from work and any other pressures for a while.

Mummycat and LL, you have both had horrible days too. It sounds grim what you are going through - mummycat, I hope you are under close supervision from the docs to get your recovery underway ASAP. Rest, rest, rest. LL, fingers crossed that the new dosage can keep the pains under control and I hope you can keep incubating the bubs for a while longer yet. Rest, rest, rest for you too I guess.

What a bad Wednesday that was then . Not that this is anything like as bad as your experiences, but my colleague at work told me yesterday that his wife is pg. They have conceived two children in the time it's taken us to (not) conceive one. He was quite sensitive in telling me but it was still like being punched. So off I went to the loos for a good cry! On the upside, at least I work with him and not the wife, so I don't have to see the belly getting bigger, but he's not a stranger to smugness so there'll be plenty of droning about the baby to come.

No internet for 48 hours!! (DH changing suppliers - he took his anger out on BT as well as me it seems!!) - so I'm so sorry to miss you all. I can't believe what I'm reading. Mummycat I'm so sorry you are ill and feel absolutely rotten. I really hope the news that ET has to be put off for a while isn't too bad knowing that there's so much hope with those frosties - 4 is a great result. At least be proud of having achieved that, even if you feel dreadful. The next few months will go past real fast and the drs can help you get ready next time knowing so much more about how your body responds to these drugs.

And Sooty what a heartbreak. I'm so sorry about your news - but well done for being so positive and finding some relief in it. What does she mean "egg problem" - is it something that can be fixed? Maybe you don't even want to think about that now. Take care, and well done for being so brave xxxxx

So sorry you're stuck AGAIN LL. Ugh. It's not too long now - (just thinking of a positive - lucky this happened with your first baby - that you don't have a toddler or DC desperate for you at home!) Any chance you'll get home in time for your weekend visitors?

How are you Isle? Monday is a little bit nearer now :-) Can you upload a little pic of the new puppy to cheer us all up?

Welcome Cerubina - great to have you with us. Don't worry about the drugs turning you into a basketcase - for lots of us they don't have the same manifestation as natural hormones. I felt a bit dizzy or tired at times, but it was my DH who became the basketcase while I remained rational clearheaded....until it got to testing time. Then I fell to bits. I did another test yesterday morning, and it was still positive. Phew. DH arrived back from the US and burst into tears when I told him - he still can't believe it. Actually, neither can I. I'm not gonna think about it again til next Thurs when I have the scan to find a heartbeat. That terrifies me (haunted by past mc and empty sacs at that stage).

Gingerwine how are you feeling? Are you coping with the wait OK? How long til you test or does your clinic do a blood? take care x

Oh dear girls. Just been catching up on last two days.

Mummycat - What an awful experience for you. I am so sorry. I hope you are beginning to make a recovery and are resting as much as you can. You will definately need plenty of support around you for a while. You are so right to concentrate on your own health now. Your 4 frosties will have to wait until you are physically better. I know you must be gutted, worried, exhausted and emotional. Allow yourself to be looked after and take things very easy. Huge (((hugs))).

Lottie - I read your first post from yesterday and thought 'hooray!' But that was shortly followed by 'oh poo'! How cruel to have such a lovely glimmer of hope only to be dashed again soon after. Did the contractions settle? Have you had another hateful canula? I still have a bruise from my one at EC last Friday and I was desperate to get that one out so I can imagine having one in all the time is pretty pants! Makes me think I should have been more empathetic to patients when I was putting them in in my former life! Am I right thinking you are about 31 weeks now? What's the plans from the men in the white coats?

And Sooty - I am so sorry this cycle has ended this way. Time to spend time together just looking after each other and allowing yourself plenty of healing time before you even think about what next. I imagine you will have a follow up appointment with your Dr at some point. Take care of yourselves.

Isle - A puppy! That sounds like lots of fun. Has he chewed much so far? I am sometimes tempted to get one but my DH would heave if he had to pick up the poos! Hope you are ok and have adjusted to your new proposed timescale. Just think if this works waiting a couple of extra days will be so unimportant. Hang on in there til FET day. Then you can join me on the 2WW.

Nanoo - Hope things are ok with you.

Cerubina - Welcome to the mad house! Lovely to meet you. I am also 37 and a complete basket case with my normal hormones and don't appear to have gone too bonkers yet on all the extras! There is still plenty of time of course! Is there anyway you can get a copy of your GPs letter and take it yourself if the postal strike is still affecting things? I made my first appointment myself with my clinic over the phone and just brought the referral letter with me? I had had very basic bloods done with my GP and my DH had had two sperm analyses. Our clinic didn't repeat anything (although they were all fairly recent). They did my AMH and a sperm migration test, and a few hepatitis/HIV and Rubella type tests and that was it but I suppose it depends on what your medical history is. Sorry to hear about the MMC. I know that can take a very long time to come to terms with and I suspect a small amount of that grief will always be with you. My sympathies about your work colleague. It sounds like he handled it really well but of course it still hurts when this happens.

Not a lot happening here. Stayed away yesterday as I think I am in danger of becoming obsessed! If you don't here from me I am just avoiding googlin etc... Apart from feeling bloated and incredibly windy (sorry TMI) I am feeling fairly normal. I am still resting as much as I can although not quite as much as the first three days. The house is getting messier and I am trying not to care! Apart from going to watch a short firework display tomorrow evening I have nothing much planned for the next few days. I bought a new book and some green and blacks chocolate and I plan to use them! Just trying not to think much of either outcome! Was just trying to 'enter my zen space' last night in bed when I was interupted by my DH doing a wee that sounded like Niagra Falls in the bathroom with the door left wide open! Men!!!!

Oh hello Nanoo - I am such a slow typer you got that in while I was doing my very long post! Fantastic that it is still positive and I love to hear about you telling your DH. One day at a time and that scan day will soon be here.

I go to clinic next Friday and they do a urine test to start with. I think they only do a blood test if the results are unclear. Oh help that's only one week away!!!

Thanks for making me LOL GW with your husband's niagra wee! Only one week already - that really is not long.

LL you poor thing. I guess you have to just jump through every hoop you need to to keep those girlies safe. Hope cramps have stopped - maybe they're just braxton hicks eh? Chin up - I'm sure you can find more time for internet shopping.

Sooty an upfront dr is a good thing as I'm sure you know. If it helps - I really cannot see me trying again either. (((hugs))) to you if you need them. You seem like such a strong and capable person - I doubt anything will beat you.

I'm still bedridden and weak, but I think the pain is subsiding a little. My tummy is enormous though - really need it not to be so that I can look good at the Xmas do in a few weeks time!

Went to hospital yesterday. Bloods are all good - liver and kidneys functioning normally. Also had scans which showed that I have fluid under my lungs which means my breathing is restricted. This explains the dizziness, nausea and exhaustion as I am not getting enough oxygen. Feels like I have a nasty hangover and then some. When will it all end? Enough moaning.

I have spent the morning searching and planning a trip to Andalucia and Seville for next April. Want to take my single sister and best friend too as a treat - just received some money from my Grandma and this is how I want to spend it. Can't wait to surprise them

I don't really mean this - just never noticed this emoticon before and wanted to try it out

mummycat so so sorry to hear about your overstimming and the terrible pain. I hope they've given you the right meds to help it pass ASAP! Time seems to move so slow when you don't know what's going to happen. You are so strong, you will make it through this and get to your goal: FOUR TO TRANSFER and one healthy BABY!!!

I think planning a trip is a great idea! I've been pleasantly distracted by my visitors and a nice trip we're planning for next weekend! this thing looks like a giant yawn ----> ha! That made me yawn!

sooty I'd be lying if I didn't say I was holding out the utmost in hope for you and your follie, but when I read about your sense of relief - I felt relieved as well. I'm practicing that just in case I need it for my own situation. I've never heard of an egg "spliting" before fertilization before. Wondering if there is any underlying condition that can be treated or whether this means donor eggs, is that a possibility for the two of you? Everytime I think of it - all I can do is sigh. I'm so very sorry for all you've been through - now I'm curious to hear what your next step will be. Lean on your DH, you both need each other right now. Hugs do help. xx

nanoo I'm so glad the secret is out! YAY for your DH's response, I can't wait til I have good news to tell mine.

cerubina welcome!

LL I was thinking your bum must be so tired of that hospital bed by now!!! I'm so bummed, I was picturing you waddling into your bedroom at home to have a rest! But instead I'll picture your twins nestling in a non-rumbling belly instead - you are a mom, sacrificing for her babies! (That might help your mind from doing backflips about the delay, but I know that doesn't help your backside!!!)

Well - it's official, FET on Monday!!! My estrogen blood levels went up past the goal already - so I'm onto the next step. It's hard to believe, it might actually happen this time. (feel as if I should get that hope out of my head, but it's there, just in case!)

Planning distractions during the tww - we're going to hula show and touring the cultural center, then next weekend we're planning a trip to another island and a helicopter tour of the volcano!!! Also the new dog (3yr old English Black Lab) is a wonderful distraction and has cheered me up immensely! His name is Bear, and he's fast asleep right behind my chair at the mo. My visitors have also provided a good deal of distraction, it's been great to have them here.

Just a few more days!!! I can't wait to POAS and see TWO LINES! (I dare to hope)

Waves to everyone!

pic of new dog is in my profile

Just checking in.

Mummycat - Glad it made you laugh although I hope it didn't hurt too much. It sounds like you are slowly getting better. It is so frustrating when you feel awful (I know because I am the worst patient ever!). Just try and think back to 24 or 48 hrs ago and you will realise you are making progress. Planning a holiday sounds like an excellent plan and Seville is just lovely. What a lovely thing to do for your sister and friend. Happy planning. Hopefully you will be able to have a go at FET later but for now you are being very sensible to focus on other goals. Hope your tummy gets better. If not then black trousers might be the answer with a floaty style of top. At least that style is fashionable at the moment!

Now to me, - they look a pair of boobies!! But that could be because mine are getting a bit bigger and sore (bloody progesterone).

Islegrin - Cute puppy. I love labradors and I'm very jealous. Great news about the date for FET. I think you should have hope. This time you are on your extra folic acid and aspirin(?-sorry I can't remember exactly what you are on), so you are giving things the best possible chance. Sounds like you have a good plan for your 2WW. No volcanos here sadly so will have to make do with school firework display!

Lottie - hope you are ok and things have settled.

Hi Nanoo, cerubina, sooty and anyone else I have forgotten.

nanoo HUGE congratulations on your bfp, such fantastic news, sending you bucketfuls of baby glue xxx

(((mummycat)))) was so sorry to read what youve been going through in past few weeks, you have really been through it! sending you best recovery wishes. (great news about the frosties)

mamachris hugs to you xx

londonlottie was sorry to hear about yoru incarceration...it does sound like they are looking after you and the littlelondonlotties really well though. Your dh sounds amazing bringing you in homecooked food

gingerwine not long for you to wait now... Im really really really really hoping that this is YOUR MONTH.

islegrin was so happy to hear that you are getting your FET soon, keeping my fingers firmly crossed for you. Your new dog is a real cutie, enjoy the volcanos trip, Hawaii must be an amazing place to live.

duplo hope your scan went well

Well my news is since Sept have managed to put on over half a stone!!! arrrghh knew I was being a bit kind to myself on the chocolate front but .. only have 8 weeks or so to lose it before our next and final round of ivf in Jan..

We are hoping to do an iui next month, just waiting for af to come (all the signs are there shes on her way ..am a right old fat grumpy cow today!)

waves to bumpless sooty cerubina and anyone else Ive missed..

Just popping in to say good luck to Islegrin for FET today. Hope you're feeling ready and excited :-) We'll all be thinking of you lots xxx

V quiet on here - everyone else OK? (waves to Bluebell who I haven't seen on here for a while - don't worry about the half stone, choc is just what you need to get ready :-))

Thinking of you Gingerwine - hope the wait not too hard x