[chantalTTC]

Hi Kay - I hope you enjoyed your last holiday season as a family of 2

Do you have your cycle plan yet? I heard from my RE today and have specific dates:

Lupron starts Jan 22nd
BCPs until Jan 26th
Estrogen blood test to make sure I'm 'downregulated' on Feb 1st
Vivelle patches start Feb 4th

Are you getting excited yet?

[chantalTTC]

Hi again, Kay - so I'm a dummy! I totally missed the point that you have adopted three little angels... Well, I guess my comment about being a family of 2 was silly - oops! I do still hope you had a great holiday though

Kristen

[Kay]

chantal- Wow we are almost identical in our schedule!

Here is mine:
started bcp on Dec. 24th
start Lupron on 22nd of Jan
end bcp on 26th of Jan
start estrogen patches on Jan 30th
DE retrival during week of Feb. 18th
ET during week of Feb. 25th

I am excited. I am also nervous. I am really debating over a SET or transfering 2 embies. I really want twins, but I am questioning if my body can handle it. I am very healthy, but I am 40 (almost 41). I just want to know I can carry them to term and I know there is no way to tell before hand.

You are not a dummy!! I haven't been too vocal about our children (except in encouraging people to adopt) because I know there are many people here who have no children and I want to be sensitive about their feelings. Sometimes I feel very selfish.

I am so glad to have a cycle buddy! Best wishes to you. Oh BTW... I will be in Mazatlan when I start my Lupron injections .
Kay

[chantalTTC]

Wow, Kay! That is incredible timing. It's great to go through this with someone on the same exact schedule.

I know what you're going through on deciding how many embies to transfer. We've settled on 1, though it took awhile to get there... When it comes time to decide, you'll make the right choice.

And you're not being selfish at all about wanting to carry a child and go through all the rituals like baby showers, childbirth, breastfeeding, etc. That's a wonderful experience that everyone should be able to enjoy if they so choose. I personally think you're a saint for adopting 3 children and I long for the day we may be able to adopt as well...

Have a great time in Mazatlan!

[Kay]

Chantal- I know deciding on number of embies to put in is a personal decision, but if you don't mind, could you share with me the reason you have dicided on one? I'm just having a difficult time with this. One day I say one the next I am saying two. My DH is leaning toward two. Any insight would be appreciated. I do know everyone has to make the decision that is best for them.
Kay

[chantalTTC]

Hi Kay -

We decided to transfer only one when we understood our odds jumped from <20% to >70% of getting pregnant. And from there, obviously the rates of multiples increases accordingly... I have a slender build, 5'7" 120 lbs, so I'm terrified of carrying multiples. Plus, I'm an only child and my husband is the only son in his family of 4, so we both are familiar with being on our own, etc. Lastly, we were honest with each other and really, we'd be better parents to a singleton than we might be to multiples. We already have pretty full lives (and I'm the principal breadwinner) and we travel a ton for fun. It's a lot easier to travel with only one child. It may be selfish, though I choose to think it's responsible for us to recognize this...

[Kay]

Thanks Chantal! I think you have very valid reasons. You are right it is better to be realistic about your own situation in life and make the best decision. One question... you mentioned your chances for pregnancy went from 20% to 70%... did you mean from your eggs to donor eggs as being the imporvement for success?
I have been reading that a SET has almost the same success rate and two embies. I want twins. Does age alone give more of a risk for carrying twins? Is there more of a risk because of body size? I am 5'10" 175 lbs. I am at home mom so my stress level can be managed quite easily. I have a good support system.
Thanks for putting up with my rambling. I know this will be a decision my DH and I have to make, but it helps to bounce things off of people who have also had to make the decision.
Kay

[chantalTTC]

Hi Kay - feel free to ramble...this is the best place for it. I say if you want twins, your dh wants to transfer two embies and you think you can handle twins emotionally, physically and financially, than go for it! If we were in a different situation where I didn't need to work and we had enough moolah to bring an au pair when we traveled (ok, now I'm dreaming), there's a good chance I'd go for twins, too... :-)

Kristen

[Kay]

Thanks for the encouragement. You seem to really have it together in your thought process. That is great!
So how are things going for you in your cycle? I think the BCP are messing with me. I'm emo and spotting. When do you start injections? Feb is going to be here before we know it. I have my first b/w and u/s on the 30th of Jan.
Only one week before we fly away to dry and warm weather. I need a vacation. I know I probably shouldn't drink during TCC but a Margarita on the beach is just too tempting!
I sure hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Kay

[chantalTTC]

oh sister, you better have that margarita! Or 2, or 3...! You'll have plenty of time to abstain once you're prego :-) Anyway, I bet the stats would tell us many women get pregnant when they're drinking - lol. I'm not proposing we all become lushes while TTC, but I think when you've reached the point we have, I doubt a few drinks will make a bit of difference in the end.

I'm spotting on BCP, too! It's reassuring to know I'm not alone there. I'm on Seasonelle; it's a very low-dose BCP, so I feel like AF is trying to break free every day! My shots start Jan 22 (I think yours too?). My first b/w is Feb 4. Since I just had an SHG on Jan 4, I suspect that's why our protocols are different on that point.

Tomorrow night is another of those 'counseling sessions' at my RE clinic. I'll let everyone know how it goes...

Oh, my dh and I finalized his travel schedule. He's a filmmaker and he's beginning production on his current film, based in India, China and Tibet... He leaves on Feb 23 and will return Mar 27. It's somewhat insane that we're attempting to do all this at the same time, but our relationship is strong and we really cannot push off our two 'projects' any longer... So Kay, I may be more 'needy' during our 2ww while my dh is away! My mom lives here and my girlfriend has offered to let me do my bedrest in her newly refinished basement 'suite'. I'm looking forward to a little R&R and pampering :-) Still, I'm sure it'll be great to chat with someone going through it at the same time.

Take care,
Kristen

[Kay]

Hi Kristen,
How did the counseling session go at RE?
I can imagine it will be hard to have your DH gone for so long especially during the ET time. What a great welcome home gift..... a BFP!! It is so great you have support while he is gone. You can count on me too!! I'll be here for ya. It is amazing how close our schedules are.
I have been to India twice. What an amazing country. We spent our time in north India (Punjab and Dehradun). India is captivating and heartbreaking at the same time. We did some work in an orphanage there. It was amazing.
My spotting has decreased. Tonight is the last pill in my first mo pack, but I am continuing on with a new pack until the 26th. Then I stop and have a period. Oh how nice to have a year with out one while we are pg and nursing!
I am gearing up for my trip. I am ready for some sunny weather. I leave on Sat. I don't plan on net access, so I probably wont be in contact until the 27th of Jan. but I'll think of you as I inject myself everyday knowing you are doing the same thing. I'll still be around for a couple of days.
Take care!
Kay