Hi everyone! I've missed so much while I've been gone!! The holiday was excellent, however: really relaxing and a marvellous way to press the reset button (desperately needed, I might add).
Anniehoo and happylass (congratulations!), hallo! I am a relative newbie as well, as I've only had one IVF cycle. Good luck starting the process! I found it both hugely stressful and relieving. It was nice to have someone else take control over making sure the sperm and egg were in the right place at the right time. (Having sex for pleasure rather than purpose?! Heavens!)
Shellster, what frustrating news! It's so hard when you know your body, but feel you have to trust the professionals (and even harder when you're pretty sure they're making a misstep). I've got my fingers crossed that they are right this time and you're growing some excellent quality eggs.
Blue, I was thinking about you on my way home and wondering how far into this round you've got -- how are you feeling this time round? Any different? I would find it so hard not to analyse every twinge! I hope you're succeeding in letting them pass unnoticed. Thanks for the links, too. Very informative.
So far being fibroid-free is significantly better. AF descended the day after we arrived in Costa Rica, but, admittedly with the help of a little tranexamic acid, I was able to travel from San Jose to Cahuita on the Caribbean coast with no disasters -- that's a FOUR-HOUR bus ride! My last cycle I couldn't have taken a twenty-minute bus ride across London. I still had two sleepless nights, but that was born of being in a B&B and not wanting to have to explain any accidents to the owner! I understand it takes a couple of cycles to regulate, so it's possible it will get even better!
Purple, let's health-kick together!! After two weeks of taking advantage of Happy Hour whenever it was on offer (re: every night), I really need to get myself back on the health wagon.
A belated note on the swimming controversy: King's didn't say anything about swimming pools; in fact, they were keen for me to continue swimming once the initial two weeks were up. Perhaps I misinterpreted them, but it seemed to me they figured the exercise, plus the meditation it provides, would be beneficial. I'll ask about this properly, however, when we're next there.
Carrie, I'm so sorry to hear your news, how are you feeling? The post-cycle hormone crash is vile, but I hope you've been able to take some time to grieve and be kind to yourself. Be selfish, yes? Whatever you do right now is the right thing to do if it makes you feel better. (Except for crack. I'd avoid that.) Seriously, though, making yourself a priority is likely what you need most right now.
On our front, besides the holiday, there's nothing to report. We don't have our follow-up appointment with the NHS consultants until 3 October, so we're basically kicking our heels till then. I think this cycle is probably a write-off, too, despite having been on holiday. We managed to time it so that I likely as not ovulated on the plane or as we were going through customs -- and although there are ways of circumnavigating that particular obstacle, for the good of our fellow passengers, it was probably best that we didn't.