Starting the journey thread 3

[squirrelnutkins1]

Don't want to lose touch so new thread ready x

Good morning ladies 🌞 Sorry for the radio silence 🤫 Been a combination of running around getting all the pre-holiday jobs done and a bit of feeling surprisingly low as the 6th came around... The 6th was the day I had to have had AF by to start a cycle, otherwise I'd be starting a December cycle because of the clash with Christmas shutdown. I knew AF was going to arrive on the 8th, so there was no way we were going to make it this month but it really, really got to me for some reason! 🤷‍♀️ Now AF is here and I've spoken to the clinic I feel quite a lot better, so I guess it's only 4 more weeks until we get this show on the road (and 1 more sleep until holiday! 🇮🇹😁). I also finally got my EC nightie yesterday, so I'm sure you'll all be relieved to hear the search is over?! 😂 Went for the DKNY hoodie one in the end and I'm really glad I did - it's super, super soft and mega comfy 😊

@CloudSway my clinic nurse told me not to do any exercise whilst stimming - our ovaries can get very swollen/enlarged from the drugs and it's more easy to twist/rupture them. She even said one patient managed to rupture one doing some high dusting! 😰 I obviously took this to mean absolutely no cleaning whilst stimming - every cloud 😉 I'll be thinking of you next Friday and hoping for a bumper egg haul for you (most likely whilst stuffing my face with delicious Italian food and washing it down with lovely wine 🥂😋) 🍀

How are you getting on @2fingers22018? Any pregnancy symptoms kicking in yet? How much longer is it until your scan?x

Sending everyone else positive vibes too 💓

@GreyC you re a really kind friend! Everyone has their own path i suppose adoption is such a great thing to do im not ruling it out for the future either i dnt think we could afford more ivf if(touch wood) this works out and thinking about our kid being an only child is quite sad. Thats not me complaining btw im grateful for everything so far @BambiOnIce80 glad to c u bak gd uve got ur hol to look forward to and the cycle to work towards. Woohoo to the EC nightie i liked your shopping updates made me laugh 💗my scans not for another fortnight the wait seems like forever im worrying about every little twinge x

Hi all. Have just been catching up on posts as took a bit of a break and had a holiday. Had to read quite far back to be sure but congrats @2fingers22018 so pleased to read your news. Hope all is well xx

@veeboo thanks im still very nervous about it all x

Try to be kind and carry one with some friends as if I’m honest no one in RL cares about my struggles they are all happy; pregnant and floating in life. No one wants to listen to little old me feel sad that she isn’t yet. God knows when my period will arrive either.. let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later! I’m getting impatient now 😖
In other great news my oldest friend who is having a hard time of it - with men rather than babies has not long text me saying she’s booked a hotel spa stay for us in a couple of weeks as a early Xmas present for us - so that made me sob as it’s lovely of her. So DP is looking forward to a night of peace and PlayStation with the hounds while I’m away for the night Apparently haha

@GreyC thats great maybe if you have some alone time with your friend at the spa you can both enjoy a few cocktails and share your troubles. It def feels like that when your struggling everyones just like it will happen but its hard when you feel like screaming how do u know?! the unknown is the scariest part u think ppl would get that.

@GreyC your poor OH ☹️ hugs to you both. What a fab friend you have! Enjoy the spa!

@CloudSway all the best for Friday x

@BambiOnIce80 have a great holiday! You deserve it! X

@veeboo how are you getting on? X

I'm feeling brighter than I have lately so pleased about that. I've made some quite big decisions over the weekend and altho I keep getting waves of nerves, I feel good for it. Nothing baby related but still big decisions. I've got an incredibly supportive OH so feel lucky about that x

How's everyone else? @VenusStarr @2fingers22018 @FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF

@2fingers22018 I can imagine the feeling. Hope you are doing okay. Have you had a scan yet?

@squirrelnutkins1 hope the decisions help you feel in control and positive. Sorry things are still tough. What's next for you baby wise? Sorry if I've missed updates. I'm doing okay thank you. Next scan in 2 weeks.

@squirrelnutkins1 oooh I’m intrigued! Care to share lol? I’m ok thankyou am feeling a bit more focused now I’m back at the gym! Not sure about anything else yet and af has just arrived so feeling meh! Xx

Those who have taken progesterone, when I'm the cycle did you start it and for how long?

Well ladies my period is on its way. Only a couple days over what it usually was prior to ivf so I’m pleased about that. Hopefully get back to normal
Now really. Have a dog behaviourist coming Out soon as one of my dogs has decided he is terrified of my tv all of a sudden 😢 and I can not get him to either stop barking or crying when we first put it on so hopefully this guy can help him feel less worried about things!
@squirrelnutkins1 your news sounds exciting. Sometimes having things set in plans helps I think. For some reason the decision to think about starting adoption in a year or so has really helped to calm my mind when I’m getting all worked up over babies and pregnancy etc

So - I had Lh surge today, last dtd on Sunday (hub away for work)
I know the spermies can stay alive up to 7 days? But are the one who haven't gotten me pg all this time bothering their arse to try that hard 🤷🏼‍♀️

Anyway, the question is - I'm supposed to start progesterone this cycle after ov, is there any point this cycle?
Would you bother?

@bunhead34 i started after ET and stayed on them for about a fortnight but everyones different i suppose @GreyC my dogs bein tricky aswell atm i think they can sense when we re stressed out tbh

@bunhead34 i would try it i think its supposed to help with the lining of your womb maybe thats what u need ur eggs could be gettin fertilised but not implanting?

Sorry @bunhead34, not started them yet. Are you nhs? If so it's definitely worth a go, if you can have another go next month too.

I'm so desperate to have a dog, sometimes I joke that's the only reason I want maternity leave lol. Sorry the pups are going through rough patches, how odd that it's only one dog @greyC. Did something scare them at some point maybe?

@squirrelnutkins1 Sounds great 😊 I'm really pleased for you that you have something in motion, it can literally mean the world to have something big and important outside of baby stuff, especially when you can make a solid choice and be in control (seeing as we can barely control any of this stuff)

I'm trying to find something to look forward to at the moment (you know my mantra is having little things that mean life is worthwhile even if this aspect is shite) but I'm struggling. We have a week off in January and I'd love to pop to Italy but we can't even plan to have a few nights away in the uk, or see a show or anything because we just dont know what the hell might be happening and its getting me down. Best I've come up with is the books/tv/games I can indulge in once the transfer happens! And I'm increasingly negative about that too - we have been asked to do paperwork tomorrow so that if there is no live sperm they can just freeze my sad lonely eggs and now it's in my head that we won't even get to transfer. Whine whine moan etc etc, honestly I get so irritated at myself for feeling negative lol.

Drugs wise I can't complain, I've had dull aches in my ovaries but only yesterday started to feel like I really can't do things. Picked up a bag of carrots and was like 'nope, that's not something I should be doing now's. Quite pleased in a way because my clinic just said there's nothing I can't do but to listen to my body. I was like wtf does that mean?! But now I get it, I could do things for a while, but I can tell I can't now. Bring on the scan, I don't want to feel like this for any longer than I have to!!

Oh and @BambiOnIce80 I have found a cracking authentic Italian coffee shop, I literally became obsessed with finding some decent Italian food after threatening to climb in your suitcase and found somewhere literally in an alley round the corner from work!! 😄😍 I think they are genuinely irritated that I call up everyday and order food to collect at lunch, think they offered thinking I'd do it once a month 🤣
Sorry that you've missed this month, (was looking forward to a semi cycle buddy) but you know what now you can really enjoy yourself and be super chilled and prepared when you start - and that's not far off at all. Exciting! Good choice of nightwear btw, now go enjoy your awful holiday with terrible food (jealous bitch much 😏😜🤤)

@veeboo all the best with your scan 😊
I missed last month on Letrazole cus I didn't have a proper period so hopefully if af turns up this month it'll be a proper flow.... but hopefully af won't come 🙏🏻 I'm due on the day after my would've been due date 😏 then back to clinic in Jan to explore further treatment.

@FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF well I've decided I'm going to quit my job! Not quite sure when or how but I can't be there anymore. The horrid woman sent me into a complete meltdown this week. I've never really experienced feelings like it so it just solidified my decision. Secondly, I'm going to try and be less secretive. I find it so hard to talk about this fertility crap and my mc but OH says I'm not dealing with it very well so he thinks I should try and be more open with a couple of people and see if that helps. I told him to get lost initially 🤣 but I think he's probably right. I don't mean I'm going to go round broadcasting my business to everyone but being as private as I am is hard work!
Sorry about af 😔 I've been rubbish with the gym so gonna try and go today and tomorrow at least this week. I was in a good 3 times a week routine for ages but that gone out the window!

@greyc how's your dog now? Poor little thing ☹️ I'm glad the adoption idea helps to keep your mind calm 😊 I think it's a fab thing to explore x

@cloudsway I think you've summed it up there with the word control. I was trying to explain this to OH the other day in relation to diet. I've lost a stone now, taken me ages but it's something I can control in a world where I don't have control over anything else!
Sorry everything's feeling a bit crap. Really wish I could magic all of this away for you. Hugs
Oooh jealous of this little shop you've found! Are you East Midlands too like a few of us are? I LOVE anything Italian! If I could only ever go back to one country I'd pick Italy. It's just sooooo wonderful 💕❤️💕❤️💕

Hope everyone else is plodding on ok. It's absolutely pouring with rain here, this time of year and weather doesn't help my mood, all I want to do is snuggle under a blanket and binge watch boxsets!!

Ooo that’s good news @squirrelnutkins1 - are you going to enjoy some calm for a while or look to find something else?

He’s abit better today - but still abit nuts sometimes! Guys coming out next week - hes comes really recommended so hopefully he has some ideas. Hate to see my doggy so anxious and stressed.
Yes we are extremely excited about the prospect tbh! Hope you guys don’t mind me staying here. Won’t get anything started untill well into next year x

I'm not quite sure how it's going to play out but just having the decision made makes me feel good!

Aww hope your lil guy gets sorted soon 🐶

Of course!! I want to hear everything about everyone's journey, doesn't matter how we get there 💕

@GreyC

Still in Bella Italia, but just quickly jumping on to wish you luck for your scan today @CloudSway 🍀🍀🍀

... Also thought I'd treat you all to some food porn seems some of you are feeling the love for the good Italian food! 😋

Will catch up with you all properly when I'm back in Blighty.x

You call it food porn.... we call it torture 🤣
How are they so good in Italy?! Is that calamari in the second pic? 🤤🤤

@squirrelnutkins1 no I think I'm the only one not in the Midlands, I'm in Essex (I know, I know) but if you ever come down this way I can recommend a cafe you can call ahead to lol 😉
Go you on the job front!! That's incredibly brave and also sounds completely like the right decision for you, no job is worth daily misery, hope you state that womans name as your reason for leaving..! Glad you've taken control 💪👏✊ and good luck on the sharing front too, hope it works for you like it certainly has for me 🙂

Had my scan and was a bit worried because on top of feeling very uncomfortable/painful, I've also been having waves of nausea and was terrified it might be ohss and I'd have to cancel or something. But she wasn't worried about the nausea without other symptoms, and said it was no surprise I'm very uncomfortable as I have lots of follicles! But they are not ready yet, so back on Monday for a second scan, hopefully to have them hoovered up on Wednesday, woop woop.

On the way home we went through this town with insanely crap roads and I thought my ovaries were going to explode! Got to work and just thought what am I doing, spoke to my manager and got the rest of the day off. I swore j wasn't going to take the mick with time off, but I just thought if I'm sitting in pain that's making me feel ill, and I know I'll feel better in bed, why on earth don't I do that? Can't tell you how much better I feel just not moving around, sets me up to be in both days over the weekend 👍😬

Thanks @squirrelnutkins1. I am counting the sleeps. Hope you're okay. Job move sounds like a good plan.

Glad scan went okay @CloudSway. Good luck for monday!

Hope you're alright @2fingers22018 and that everyone else is okay.

@CloudSway I honestly don’t know how I was teaching 30 10year olds and going through ivf. I was chatting to my boss about it and looking back it was such a whirlwind! I took it easy but goodness I think we all deserve a bloody medal!
@squirrelnutkins1
Aw great - I’m the same. Feel like you guys are my friends - never met any of you but feel strangely in each other’s lives.

@CloudSway haha I'll give you a shout if I'm ever down that way!
Ah yes I will def be mentioning her name in my exit interview! Hopefully by the end of the year I'll have more of a plan in place but it feels exciting to have made the decision. I've not managed any sharing just yet, just want to get past my 'due' date next week and go from there.

Yay for all your follicles! That's great! Sorry they hurt so much tho. All the best for Monday, let us know how you go. Good for you being decisive about work 💪🏻

@veeboo keep us posted, we're all very invested 😊

@greyc absolutely agree with you there 👍🏻 really appreciate this support network of internet pals 💕

I hope everyone's having a happy weekend x

@BambiOnIce80 sooooo jealous!!!!!

Good morning ladies ☀ How bloody cold is it back here?! ❄️😨 We had to defrost the car at the airport and everything!! Back to work today too 😩😩😩 Would have loved to have taken the day off to reacclimatise, but think I need to be saving the last of my annual leave for January when IVF 💩 starts getting very, very real 😏 It was fritto misto al mare in the 2nd pic @CloudSway , which did indeed include squid🦑 😋 Essex is only about 7 & a bit hours away from me, so I'll obviously be nipping down for lunch with you at your little cafe! 🇮🇹😉

So it'll be all kicking off this week then @CloudSway ? 🤞🏻Sounds pretty flipping uncomfortable, so hoping you'll be getting your collection sooner rather than later and that there's some live swimmers to make some embies 🍀🍀🍀

You sound a lot 'lighter' after making your job decision @squirrelnutkins1, if that makes sense? I must admit that I've been keeping an eye out for suitable jobs for the same reason, but there's just nothing about in my field 😔 If things get much worse I'm either having to do some lateral thinking and go off in a slightly different direction or have a frank conversation with my boss about not wanting to work there anymore because of the nightmare that works opposite me... not that it'll be a surprise to him - there's been multiple complaints made against them. Things get better for a bit and then the awful behaviour starts up again 😒

Not heard from you in a while @VenusStarr, but I'm thinking of you ❤️ It must be your op soon - I hope it all goes well 🤞🏻

Sorry to hear about your pup issues @GreyC and @2fingers22018 😢 Our kitten was pretty much scared of us when we got home yesterday, but then he gave us a good sniffing and started purring! 🤷‍♀️ Do cats recognise people by smell rather than sight?! 🤔

Hope everyone has a good start to the week.x