[chantalTTC]

I just came from my RE's office. We have a plan! And it doesn't include a mock cycle, yippee...!

Bloodwork today for TSH, FT4 and Rubella (to make sure things are at the right level and to make sure I am immune to Rubella)
I'll start BCP on CD3 next week
I have to repeat the SHG on Jan 4
Start Lupron around Jan 22
ER tentatively Feb 16/17

I'm getting very excited. I received a few childhood photos of the donor today. Very cute... It's all very surreal, but very fun. I told my mom this week that we decided to go for DE. She yelled out loud and was so happy as she believes she'll finally get that grandbaby she's been hoping for (I'm an only child...).

Kay, how are things going for you? odmom2b, I'm sending healthy thoughts to your little embies this weekend! furbaby - it's good to hear from you and I'm thrilled to see your success. H&H 9 months to you and your little beans!

Kristen

[Kay]

Kristen- things are sounding great for you. I'm glad your mom is so excited. Keep us posted.

I was supposed to get my schedule this week, but the egg donor coordinator is backloged. She went on vacation for two weeks (the nerve! :}) I think since I'm having ET in Feburary she has put me at the bottom of the pile. Maybe next week though. I can't wait to have actual dates to look forward to.
Kay

[chantalTTC]

Hi Kay - I hope you get your dates soon so you can start counting down. They're probably more focused on dates with me as my last IVF was last January, so they have to line up a couple of things to get me ready for this next cycle (and plus I'm out of town Dec 12-Jan 2). Since you just did a cycle, you're ready to go!

It'll be here before we know it!

[JADE0199]

Hi Kristen and Kay - I'd like to join you girls here, I'm new here and just learning this site. Its been a very difficult journey for DH and I. We've been TTC#1 since Sept 2005. Got pg fairly easily each time but lost each one all before 8 weeks. Had recurrent m/c workup with the RE in Oct 06 and for the most part did not find anything causing the losses other than "bad luck" and chromosomal problems, more than likely due to age and egg quality. We gave my eggs one more shot and did IVF in April 06 in hopes to have enough embies to PGD but we didn't (4 embies on Day 2 and just cancelled the very expensive and over priced procedure) and transferred 2 embies on Day 3 of excellent quality (1-5 cell Grade A and 1-7 cell grade B) which ended in a BFN and none to freeze.

We already decided that if our 1st cycle of IVF did not work for us we were ready to move onto DE, which we did and finally got our cycle for Sept/Oct which ended disastrously and all our donor's eggs were damaged in the retrieval process because she mistakenly took the HCG on the wrong nite!! We were ALL unbelievably devastated. However, our donor is a very caring young woman and did not take her compensation for the 1st cycle and wanted to cycle for us again to "make it right". And for a low additional expense to us the clinic has helped us to do the cycle over again, which thankfully, is scheduled for Jan/early Feb. I start Lupron on 1/1/08 (HAPPY NEW YEAR) and donor starts stims on 1/20. ER is scheduled for 1/30-1/31 with a transfer either 3 or 5 days later. I am excited and nervous at the same time after going thru all that the last time.

Kristen - that is great that you don't have to do the mock cycle. I did it in August, it was very uncomfortable but glad we did it because my lining was behind schedule so when it came time for the real thing, RE upped my dosage of estrogen.

Kay - hope your donor coord. gets it together for you soon, that'd be a great xmas present to get your timeline! I'm sorry about your recent loss as well ((())).

Cathy

[Kay]

Cathy! Wow, it sounds like you have been through a lot! I'm glad your donor and clinic is making things right for you. I sure hope this is the cycle for you!!
It will be nice to walk through this with some company and support.
I am hoping for my schedule next week.
Have a great Sunday!
Kay

[bd711]

Hi there, Kristen, Kay and Cathy. I'd like to join you'all here if I can. I'll definitely be behind you in this process, but I'm hoping not far.

We're at the beginning of our donor egg journey (although my partner's been entirely clear since before we started our IVF in October that she imagined this would be our next step; after our ectopic pregnancy with our IVF, I'm pretty much in agreement). I'm not sure I can deal with another opportunity for my eggs to disappoint me. Our fertility doc said we can go ahead in 3 months or 3 cycles, though I imagine the hold up will be coordinating with a donor. So I'm envisioning this happening in March or April.

We had our counselling session at our clinic for DE on Friday, and it went well. Of course, since we're using donor sperm too, it's all a little different. The counselor had no more wisdom to impart about the loss of not using my own genetic material than my partner had. Although I'm braced for judgment that we're going this route rather than adoption ("why not? the child won't be either of yours genetically anyway?"), in some ways having been through the sperm donor process makes this much easier. Although there aren't donors at our clinic that we're interested in at the moment, there's one through a reputable agency that we've had our eyes on. The agency's checking on her availability. As this ball gets rolling, I feel myself getting excited again.

Kristen - It's great that your mom's so supportive. It made a world of difference to me when my mom fessed up that she'd been thinking about DE for me. I expected she'd be more proprietary about my genes than I am. Who knew? She just wants that grandchild (and for me to be a mom, I think).

Kay - I hope you get your schedule soon. It's so frustrating to know that your file is in a pile on someone's desk. Don't they know we wait on the edge of our seats?

And Cathy - Your experience sounds so, so hard. After we each have gone through the experience of doing our shots compulsively correctly, to have a donor do them wrong sounds so horrible. On the other hand, it sounds like she's handling it nobly and generously. Both good traits that hopefully will come along with the genes.

It's such a strange journey - it's so helpful to know that there are others out there taking similar paths.

-B (Bethany, but many just call me B)

[Kay]

B, it sounds like you are well on your way in the process. I am sorry about your loss. Ectopic is such a hard thing. I had one in Sept. Belive me that was the farthest from my mind. I didn't even know it was possible with an embryo transfer. What a rude awakening. Well we are on to hope for this cycle! Glad you could join us.
Kay

[JADE0199]

Thanks Kay! Its great to have the company and share all this with someone who truly understands. Hoping you get your schedule next week! KUP

B- sounds like you have had a difficult journey as well, I am so sorry to hear that. I know what you mean about moving on to DE and the disappointment that you've had from your own eggs. That's exactly how I've felt and after 3 m/c's, a chem. pg and a failed IVF, DH and I were just so ready to move on. Even though the wait has been horrific and all the frustration we've experienced along the way, I am still so glad we have chosen this path as I truly believe in my heart it will finally give us our miracle. I hope the donor you are interested in is available, I'll be praying for you. KUP

have a good week girls!
Cathy

[odmom2b]

Wow! You all have such amazing stories of strength and courage! I am so glad that I have the opportunity to share w/you all. When my DH and I first started going through this whole process, I was so overwhelmed w/grief, disbelief and betrayal by my own body that I didn't even know where to turn. Even though I feel that I have a much better grip on all of that now (almost a year later!), it is still so helpful to hear everyone else's story and to know that I am not the only one out there struggling w/some of these issues. I have not told my family members, or any one else other than a select very few, that we are doing DE. However, when I first explained to my father (my mom passed away in '91) about my eggs and how DE was a possibility in our future, my dad was very supportive--more supportive of that than of using my own eggs and risking failure w/them. My DH and I have decided to keep this quiet for now, however, until after we have told our child. We may be making a big mistake in this, and I really sometimes wish that we had just told everyone right off, but that is how we've started w/this and I guess that we'll continue on this way for now. Congratulations to you Kristen for having that family support!

Also, congrats Kristen for getting your schedule! That is SO exciting! Kay, I know what you mean about the coordinator's vacation. Our coordinator went out of town for one week and I just about had a fit. It all worked out, but in my mind there was major potential for problems. I hope that you get your dates VERY soon!!!!! And good luck to you Cathy and B--please keep us all up on how things are going for you, or if you just need someone to listen to your frustrations, your excitement, whatever. I know that our partners are probably all wonderful and supportive (or we all probably wouldn't have gotten this far if they weren't!), but it helps to have that contact w/someone else who is going through the EXACT same feelings, emotions and needle sticks!

[JADE0199]

odmom2b- that was so beautifully written. And you are definitely not alone. That's awesome that your father was so supportive of your choice for DE. DH and I have told some select family members and a few close friends but I have chosen not to tell my parents, not yet; that is. I just feel they wouldn't understand because they are so traditional and "old-school". My mother still thinks they do "artificial insemination". lol But to tell anyone or the child/ren is a personal choice and one that is right for the parents and what they want for they're family.

I see that you just recently went thru a DE retrieval and transfer! That is wonderful and you are almost there!! May I ask how old your donor is? And how do you feel the cycle has gone so far? Looks like you should be doing a 5 day transfer, you must be excited about that. What was your last update on your embryo's?

Saying lots of prayers and sticky vibes for you!
Cathy

[chantalTTC]

Wow! I'm thrilled there are this many of us cycling at the same time. I mean, I wish none of us had to be here, but now that we are I'm glad we're together... Last year around the same time there was only one other potential DE on the site.

Cathy - you've been through so much...surely this is your cycle to be successful! My fingers are for you. to the discussion...!

B - your story and Kay's scare me; I had no idea an ectopic was even possible with IVF...I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I find it so interesting to consider DE for a lesbian couple as it adds a layer of complexity I can only imagine. I'm proud of you for following your hearts to parent a child. Wacky people (probably well intending though completely misguided) say the dumbest things, don't they?! I TOTALLY understand why you'd want to go this route, as this gives you the opportunity to bond physically with the child, for you and your DP to go through the rituals of pregnancy, a baby shower, childbirth, breastfeeding, etc. What a gift modern technology has given all of us. I've always said that I am open to adoption and will most likely adopt in the future, though this is like adoption with benefits! B - your child or children will surely be so loved after all that you and your DP have been through to bring them into this world. March/April will be here before you know it!

ODMom2B - I'm for you tomorrow and I'll be sending your way tomorrow. Are you taking some days off to rest? Pamper yourself - you deserve it!

Kay - I hope you had a good weekend. Every day is a day closer to February

Kristen

[coleboosam]

Sending positive thoughts. This is my first time on and first message. Finally got up enough courage to join a support group. I'm on Bedrest after ET on the 8th. Looks like we are on about the same schedule. Exciting isn't it!!

[Kay]

coleboosam! I'm glad you joined us! Congratulations on your ET!! to you! Tell us how everything went.

odmom- Is your ET on for tomorrow?! to you as well! Let us know how it all goes.

Kristen- Feb is getting closer... how are you passing your time? I just keep finding myself daydreaming about it. It is hard to stay focused.

Kay

[bd711]

Coleboosam! And congrats on being on the 2ww (or 9 day wait, as it were). Sending lots of sticky vibes your way . . .

Odmom - Good luck tomorrow! It sounds like everything's going great, and you've got a fair number of potential snowbabies. Wow.

Kristen - I too was totally surprised (horrified? devastated?) that one can have an ectopic pregnancy after IVF. When we had our transfer, our doctor gave us this great analogy -- that our uteruses are not what we may envision as empty voids, but rather that they are like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and the embryos go in there and stick until they burrow in. During our 2ww, we loved thinking about it that way. Unfortunately for us, one of our little guys didn't like the pb&j - must've oozed out of the sandwich edges. But the doctors we're working with convinced us that it's still terribly rare.

Sending positive thoughts to all. B

[odmom2b]

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