CARE Fertility Bulletin Board

Lil Elvis · 01 Jul 2008

Rusty - I really hope that you have just tested too soon ... hang in there because we will all keep everything crossed for you.

Curly Girl - it must be so hard in this 'in-between' stage ... not in your control and with little information. I do know that everyone will be doing their utmost to achieve a good outcome. I am sure it won't be long now.

Alice - enjoy your holiday, relax, have a few drinks and know that it will be very soon when you get the 'call'.

I really do feel so much for you all as I know how much this means. I will keep checking and hoping for you.

Caroline xxx

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Thanks Caroline.
And Rusty, I want to echo what everyone's saying, keep those fingers crossed and stay positive; it ain't over yet!
Fingers crossed for you. Xxx

Lil Elvis · 01 Jul 2008

Fran,

I know it seems so far away right now, but it will really feel like nothing when you get to hold your little one. I was always convinced that it would take longer, and I am still technically on 2 waiting lists, because I was so sure that it wasn't my time. I was so very wrong and Hannah is 19 months today. I really do wish all the best for all of the ladies still on their journey because I know how hard and often unobtainable it feels. All you can do right now is to make sure that you are as ready as you can be, and just have a little faith that everything else will follow.

Caroline xxx

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Thanks Caroline, that's lovely. As my husband keeps telling me, this will all be a blip if this works!! Xx

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Ps, do you mind me asking how many DEIVF cycles you had Caroline?

Lil Elvis · 01 Jul 2008

Hi Fran,

We had 5 eggs, 4 of which fertilised and 2 of which were transferred on day 2 at 4 cell - both grade 2. sadly it was a BFN, but we then tried again with our frozen 2 and though we lost one at 9 weeks Hannah is 19 months old today. It was tough, but I was always sure that we would get there in the end. I now know that Hannah has a 5-a-side team of DE siblings (all girls!) plus a few reserves! Our fantastic altruistic donor must have donated twice in one year. I can never thank her enough for the joy she has given us. I hope that you will be joining me with the Lovely Ladies on the over 40's board. Apologies if you aren't with us on the age, but we do have some ladies who are with us in every way apart from age. We try to meet a couple of times a year and it is always lovely to see a new bump and give hugs to those still trying.

You are only a few steps away now, but like running a marathon those final few paces do seem so much harder.

There will be so many cheers when you cross that final line! and no medal will be better than your 'prize'!

Caroline xxx

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Thank you so much for sharing Caroline, your story is lovely and I really hope And pray we get enough eggs that fertilise and freeze. Having read what happened to you I'm quite excited again!
Fran xxx

Rusty · 16 Mar 2011

Morning ladies. Well as expected it was a bfn this morning. Manchester said to test again on Sunday as I haven't had a bleed yet. But they said it will probably be a bfn again and I will probably get a bleed before then. I'm not getting my hopes up, it's just prolonged the time before I can have a glass of wine!!!

nin100 · 06 Aug 2009

Oh Rusty I'm so so sorry to hear your news. Excuse my language but its a real F***er. Sending hugs to you.
Alice
xxx

nin100 · 06 Aug 2009

Caroline thank you so much for your continued support on this thread, I think I speak for everyone when I say it really means a lot to us.
Please stalk me when I start again!
Alice xxx

Lil Elvis · 01 Jul 2008

Rusty - I am so,so sorry as I know what it is like to pin your hopes on that little pee-stick. IVF alone is hard, but DE just adds that extra dimension . Just take some time out before you decide where you want to go next. I think I am doubly lucky that I am extremely pragmatic so knew that DE just put my chances back to the same as the age of my donor, that I had 2 embryos frozen and that they were successful. As soon as my fresh cycle failed I signed up again, even before doing the FET, and was on another list as well. I really can't say when I would have said that I had had enough, I suppose that realistically I was ready to try at least another 2 fresh cycles. Only you and your partner know what is right for you. I always feel so ineffectual when any lady's IVF fails, but doubly so with DE as I know that it has taken an even tougher journey to get to this stage. Just be gentle to yourself, let your partner love and cherish you. You will find a way through this that is right for you both.

Alice - stalking sounds so bad, but I just want to help raise your spirits a little if I can. I will be AWOL a bit over the next month as we are going to South Africa for 3 weeks, but I will try to check in from my friends computer. I wouldn't want to think what my mobile bill would be if I left it on 'roaming'! I really have every belief that Care are trying to get you matched. I was lucky in that money wasn't a factor in making a decision, but I just knew from the first time that I met Karen at Care that we were in the right place. All of the team there were so lovely and I was convinced that they would be with us every step of the way - and they really were. You have already been through so much and I really hope that your journey will have a wonderful ending soon.

Caroline xxx

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Hi girls
Rusty, So sorry that the news was negative, as Alice says it's a real f****r, do you know what your next steps are?
Have you had your well-deserved wine yet?

Caroline, have a totes amazing holiday, South Africa, sounds so glam!
And you Alice, you're off on hols soon too aren't you? Excited about a nice break?

AFM, I can't be too specific I know but we know how many eggs we've got to work with now and how many have fertilised, just crossing everything that they hang on until ET!
I hope that's not too much info?

Fran xxx

nin100 · 06 Aug 2009

Dearest Fran, so sorry I haven't replied sooner - been up to my eyes in packing and worrying!
Such brilliant news that you have got to ET and are now PUPO!
Please let us know how you are doing.
Caroline, I think I may have missed you! Hope you have a wonderful holiday, you so deserve it!
Fran, sending big hugs to you, how are you feeling now? (hoep that's not a stupid question and please feel free to be completely honest!)
AFM, I was offered a donor a couple of weeks ago but it just didn't feel right so will have to wait til I get back from hols - I feel like the year is slipping away!

How is everyone else fairing?

love Alice x

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Thanks Alice, yes I'm now in the 2WW! Trying to be positive, there's lots of time to be negative later!!
Bit crampy and v. bloated, gotta love those pessaries!!
Not sure what to expect from hereonin but so far feeling ok and particularly fortunate to be off work this week with some very fine weather!
DH is clucking round me, which is lovely although he's making up for almost passing out during ET! He went very white!!

Thank you for thinking of me Alice and sending you lots of relaxing thoughts for your holiday. Am sure when you come back you'll feel totall refreshed and ready to get back on the DEIVF crazy train!!!
Fran xxx

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Ps, Rusty, are you still about? How are you doing? Any idea what next? Big hugs xxx

Rusty · 16 Mar 2011

Yes I'm still around and keeping up with everyone x just taking a bit of time out at the moment. I need to become myself again. I'm a very physical person so I want to get back in shape and let things process in my mind. At the moment I'm quite disheartened with the donor egg situation I obviously have an implantation problem as that's the stage at which I fail. I've dOne 4 cycles I'm less than 2 years so it's been quite full on. I
Ready to look at the adoption route at the moment but things may change I just. Need to let things settle. I hope all is ok with you and thank you for the concern. X

nin100 · 06 Aug 2009

Sorry Rusty, just realised I said 'Fran' instead of Rusty on my last post. Was meant to say...
Rusty, sending big hugs to you, how are you feeling now? (hoep that's not a stupid question and please feel free to be completely honest!)
I completely understand you needing to take time out. It takes a while to feel like yourself again and its completely natural for you to feel disheartened. Hope I'm not being insensitive when I ask if you've had the level one or two immune tests done? That might hold some answers for you.
This is all so hard and I'm really sorry.
Alice x

Rusty · 16 Mar 2011

Hi alice, no I haven't had that test what is it?

nin100 · 06 Aug 2009

Hi Rusty,
They are tests done relating to reproductive immunology. Basically, sometimes the body's immune system works too well and rejects the embryo, preventing it from implanting. There are various drugs which you can take to solve the problem, for example lowering the level of Natural Killer cells. There is a list of level one tests, most of which can be done by your gp if you've got a helpful one, but the level two tests have to be done at CARE and are quite pricey because they send them off to Chicago (can't remember exact cost but at least Â£1000 I think). George Ndukwe was the expert in immunology at CARE Notts but he has now left. I'm sure they would be able to do them at any CARE clinic though, but would probably want to talk to you about it properly first. Have you booked a review? I would have thought that 4 negative cycles would be enough reason to warrant having these tests done. Maybe you could take a look at the Immunology section on this board for more advice and info.
Please ask more questions if you need to, I'm thinking of you.
Alice x

nin100 · 06 Aug 2009

How are you feeling Fran? Hope you're coping with the 2ww
Alice x

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Hi Alice,
Sorry been a bit quiet, got myself locked out of my account.
Am ok, starting to get a bit panicky now even tho I'm still ages away from testing.
Some symptoms which could just be AF, which is due today so am a bit crazed.
My AF symptoms have been pretty low key since I started my HRT almost a year ago so been a bit thrown by very sore boobs and not sure if these pulling feelings are AF cramps or not.
In short, no idea what to think but am missing my sports soooooo much: realised how sane keeping busy keeps me and now I can't do any of it.

Also found I've been eating like a pig! Very greedy, dreading my next SW Weigh-in.
How is everyone else? What news and developments for you guys?

Fran xxxx

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Quick update for you all, got a BFP!! Can't quite believe it so keep testing and keep getting positives!
Not got a scan date yet but so exited about jumping this first hurdle; just hoping and praying it stays!!!
Love to all,
Fran xx

fidyro · 11 Sep 2011

Congratulations Fran Smile

So happy for you x

curly_girl · 11 Oct 2010

Thank you so much Fidyro, it feels so surreal and it's far to early to share the news with friends and family but had to come in here and share it!
How are you doing? Everything running smoothly? Xx

fidyro · 11 Sep 2011

I know what you mean - it's nice to have an outlet Smile

My IPs have told their close family but are waiting until after the 12 week scan to share with the world! We have that scan this week so fingers crossed all is well - so far we have only had one scan at around 7 weeks so I am hoping all is still good. I certainly feel pregnant so that's a good sign Smile

Hope you get your scan date soon and the next 2/3WW doesn't drag too much!

x