[Deej]

susan - sorry to hear you are having pain, that is not good! i have never heard of free fluid either but i am sure someone on this forum has! i agree with jen about how things happen when we least expect them, so perhaps this IS the perfect cycle, even if you did not feel it was. i sure hope it is, but if not, i bet the two month break will be good for your body and spirit!
my fingers are crossed for you!

[silverbrumby]

Hello all,

Firstly, Susan I hope you are feeling better and glad to hear you are "IN" for the next cycle. How is the progress on the european donor bank going? I have a friend in Germany who wants to be a single parent but is running into all sorts of issues with getting donor sperm and treatment because she is single. Getting donor sperm from the US is tricky because of the paperwork involved so I was thinking of suggesting the bank you mentioned. Any insight would be welcome!

As to the free fluid...that is called "ascites". It's nothing to be freaked out about but it could be an indication of a resolving infection or ruptured cyst. It could also be an indication of endometriosis. Definitely something to keep an eye on though as if it doesn't go away it could be an indication of P.I.D. or sepsis. it can cause some bad cramps similar to what is felt when the dye spills out of the tubes during an HSG... take some Paracetymol or Ibuprofen and try to take it easy on the weekend...

Teri, your doc sounds like a star. I agree that unmedicated is a great plan for you especially given your age. Don't fix it if it ain't broken. Some of us older gals need a little boost but I think even older women who have nice regular cycles and produce good follies should be left to let nature take it's course. Me and my cyst are living proof that Clomid is a double edged sword.

Ok, so I am also guilty of downloading a TON of donor photos. Don't see anything wrong with it as I am satisfying the curiosity I had when I began this process and reinforcing that the choice I made in donors is the right one. Plus, it's just fun looking at cute baby photos. So share share share ladies. I'd love to see which donors you all considered.

Jen, your assistant sounds like she needs a formal reprimand when she gets back. Making those comments to you is not only unprofessional but shows a lack of respect for you as her supervisor. Leaving lots of mistakes is just slack and deserves it to be written into her personnel record so it can be taken into account come review time. I'd be polite about it, but if she's your assistant she needs to show a bit more tact, and if she is going to phone it in on important tasks she needs to be put to the coals.

Alright, I don't know about you lasses, but I am really thinking a lot about this next cycle. Can we get a head count of who is in for sprogging in July/August? I really really hope I can get in on it this month!!!!!! Stupid cyst, go away!!!!!!! I am sitting here doing the calculations and if I am sproggified on 28 July that would make for an end of April/beginning of May baby and that'd be great! Just before summer!!! Plus, my dad was born on 2nd of May so I'd love to have a baby on his birthday. I am busy visualizing bursting cysts and pregnant bellies and a baby in my arms. Better be careful or I'll give myself more weird dreams.

Ok, off to try and get my hands on the season finale of Doctor Who.... AGH I am dying to watch it!!! stupid cliffhangers!!!

[Deej]

Ona - i am using 1993 and had used 1966 ( i think) the first one i chose is now in med school so his stuff is more expensive. i have purchased many more photos/profiles but think i have shared them all with you. i will see if later this evening i am able to cut and paste my 'cart' list into a post, and if one of you ladies wants donor info that i have please let me know!

updated/edited here is a list of donors i have purchased photos/profiles for. not all of these did i purchase, there may be 4 that i looked at for free.

1993 2399 1999 2721
2724 2600 2367 2381
2494 2550 2551 2701
2703 2826 1464 1913
1917 1949 1953 1966
1975

[lilac]

Ona, believe me, I did say something to my assistant about her comments. And I did her performance review just before I went for the surgery. Suffice it to say there are a number of things that she needs to seriously improve on if she wishes to retain her job...

You are completely right that looking at the photos does reinforce my decisions. Whew, thank goodness! Not that there aren't a few others I might look at in more detail if the 2 vials I have left don't work...

I am IN for July/August (finally!). That is, if AF ever decides to show up.

Deej, Ona, I thought I was bad on the donor photos... I have a more limited selection (I can only choose from the cmv-negative donors compliant with Cdn health regulations, which drastically reduces the number available). I only have 25 potential donors, and that's before I weed any out. I only downloaded 10 photos!

One of them was on your list, though, DeeDee!

I should just go back and get all 25, shouldn't I? Hmmm....

[Deej]

Jen - i clicked on the canadian release donors and saw one or two that i had looked at! i almost like the idea of less choices... right now i am looking at donor 1999's pic. ADORABLE!
I am off to a candlelight service at a retreat center an hour out of town... A teenage cousin of mine is at a retreat and this thing tonight is a surprise. They do not know their family/friends will be there!
I have had pms for over 4 days, and expect af any second. Probably will show will driving to this thing....

[lilac]

Deej, you are completely right. Having fewer choices is not a bad thing... I don't even bother looking at those that I can't have anyway, but the sheer number must be overwhelming. As long as my choice is not too slim, I'm happy!

Really, most of the pics I've looked at have been adorable... some stand out, of course! I wouldn't mind have adult photos too, though.

[silverbrumby]

Hey Ladies... well, my three donor options are 2700, 2386, and 2652. 2700 is my first choice and the other two are my fall backs...

I'm enjoying looking at the photos. I hadn't seen 2652 before and it's pretty cute.

[styltryn]

Not totally sure, Susan, about the cause of free fluid, but I know it could be from a variety of reasons, and not always bad. If you use meds sometimes when there's more than one follicle that ruptures it can be extra fluid and takes your body awhile to absorb but you said only one follicle, right? So, I think maybe it's from either one or more cysts leaking (multiple small ones maybe)... or from a portion of the ovary itself. I read about it when I did the IVF attempt as I was worried about hyperstimulation, but I didn't experience any problems that way. IVF didn't work, but I did learn a LOT about my eggs, etc. that I wouldn't have known... I'd see the doc if the pain is bad, of course.

Thanks for the input, Terri... also, my accupuncture person says to eat Pesto instead of doing stims! or intense amounts of Basil... I love Pesto, so this sounds a good idea to me! LOL!

OMG, Jen, the co-worker is horrid... to the point my mind is turning diabolical... OH No! I better not say more!

Ya, Ona, as long as you can not commute, I could see hanging on... esp. after your cyst problems are ended and you will be wanting to not commute to work...!

Ladies looking at photos, I must confess, I fear that! I know some ultra cool guys that I'd never select, so I've steered clear... on the other hand... don't we all dream of beautiful offspring in our future... ;-)

I went to a great party on the 4rth and 3 cute guys tried to pick me up but an old (undesirable in many ways) BF had glued himself to my side like a 2 yr. old that clings to momma's leg and I couldn't shake him... so I made no progress with the guys.... YIKES!

Happy weekend everyone!

[Deej]

Happy Sunday Night, Ladies! Did anybody have excitement over the weekend? Please share...

[silverbrumby]

Hello Ladies,

I had a good weekend. Mostly just doin chores and shopping and stuff. Went to the 4th of July party at my friends house on Friday. Then Saturday I was lazy and slept in, then hung with the dogs, then met a friend for coffee and brought the dogs along, then went to Petsmart and spent way more than I should have on things for the puppy. Then today was another lazy day. Went to the farmer's market to pickup my milk for the week and got some berries and green beans. Then had to do a bit of work and swing by the fire station with a computer for my project manager, then since I was down there anyway, I met up with a friend at the bookstore. Then I did a trip to Target, then came home and went on a cleaning frenzy because I have the social worker coming tomorrow morning for my initial home visit.

I'm excited about the home visit tomorrow and also anxious because I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow to try and get another number for a counselor and hopefully get that scheduled. I will also ask about the letter and try to get out of that and I am also going to schedule an appointment with the birthing center because they do prenatal and well woman exams and I am due for my PAPP and all that loveliness...and maybe they can write me a letter! :-)

Ok, I am off to send some emails, watch a movie, and then to bed.

Cheers,

Ona

[peggysue]

Is it nearly Friday yet??????????????

Today I feel better, just have a period belly ache now. Today is day 12 of my cycle and if going by last month I should get my smiley face tomorrow and hopefully treament on Wednesday. I've decided that if I have treatment Wed I'm going to ring in sick the rest of the week. Mainly because I've felt off it for a couple of weeks now and I think a little break will do me good, plus I'm running out of excuses as to why I want annual leave at such short notice, we are meant to give at least 2 weeks notice, plus I work really hard and never get any thanks and there are people in my department who are always off sick. Its not something I'd do but what the heck.

Tomorrow morning at 10am I have an interview in a shoe shop. I've had to tell a lie to my manager so I can come in late at work. Its only for 4 hours a week on a Sunday but will suit me down to the ground as I already work 37 hours a week.

I have to say that if my 4th IUI doesn't work then I'm really looking forward to taking a break. In fact I'm thinking about just waiting for the hospital nearer my house to contact me. Think its a bit much for me travelling all the way to Manchester, when I have a 9.30am appointment I have to get up at 5.30am. Anyway fingers crossed that this cycle works.

Silverbrumby:The hospital is sorting everything out to do with the donors. I think they just buy in bulk from a selection of donors and I understand that there are only certain donors that can come here and with me being rhs- I'll have a limited choice. Anyway the web site it Donor | European Sperm Bank | Sperm donor I've looked at it and I'm quite excited about it. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. But once I'm in touch with the hospital I will defo pass information onto you for your friend.

Deej: hows the 2ww going?

Well thats my 30 minute lunch up, better get back to it if I'm going to be ill this week.

[kblythe]

Good morning all.

I'm back from the beach trip and have a ton of work to get through, but I just wanted to pop in and say hello.

Teri, it sounds like you are handling your m/c like a champ. And I like the doctor's idea of trying an unmedicated cycle. FYI - this time, although it was an FET, I went unmedicated as well and got pregnant. Also, congrats on the apartment.

Jen -- fire your assistant. Or at least let her know the option is on the table. It's enough that she is insolent, but incompetent as well?

Everyone else, keep me posted on where you are in the "sprogging" department. (Since I'm American, I have to use quotes!)

Kathryn

P.S. I'm big as a house and not sleeping well. But d-day is getting closer.

[silverbrumby]

Hello lasses,

I've had a pretty crazy start to my Monday.

Had a server go boom in the wee hours of this morning so was busy logging on remotely trying to get it back up. Then the social worker was due here at 10am but since I had to deal with server issues all morning I hadn't showered or vacuumed... she was nice about it and didn't seem to care/notice but I hate being unprepared. The meeting with her went really well. I talked my fool head off and probably overwhelmed her and then I got all the paperwork from her and got my classes picked out.

I haven't been able to reach my doctor yet because the social working just left and the doctor's office is closed from 12-2... so biting nails waiting to make that call. I'm going to ring up the birth centre now and try to schedule a prenatal exam.

Kathryn, I'd love to see pics of your big house belly and u/s of beebee. Have you figured out how to load photos yet? If you have a camera phone you can just take a pic with that then email it to yourself and then it will be on your computer.

Susan, I think you have a good plan. Everyone is entitled to chuck a sickie now and again.

Ok, off to make calls. Wish me luck!

[Deej]

Good luck, Ona! It sounds like you have had a very busy day so far....
PeggySue: good luck w/ the shoe interview! when i read that i was thinking about how a second income would be nice...
kathryn: i am not sure that i read correctly, but your fet was unmedicated? are they usually medicated? obviously i know nothing...
Today is day 30 for me, my cycles are usually 32-34 days long. I have had insane PMS, the awful cramps and sore bb's... I know that pregnancy and pms symptoms are supposed to be similar, but I am quite sure this is PMS! I did poas, although it was a OPK stick. I read that they can work for either o or pregnancy but not the other way around? Any info on that? BTW - it showed zilch, so I am just waiting for AF. I am planning on doing IUI w/ clomid using my remaining vile that is at my original docs office... Depending on the cost to have it moved, I may just have old doc do the IUI. As much as I liked the new doc, I know he does not do the IUI's himself...
I will admit it, I am stressed to the max, and my relationship w/ my mother is strained. Working for her was supposed to be a help, w/ appts and such, but this helping her w/ the broken arm AND working for her, not going well... Please send positive thoughts and vibes my way, I REALLY NEED THEM!

[silverbrumby]

Hi Deej,

I'm having a short reprieve in my busy day. Will get insane again in a few hours so I am taking this moment to let my dogs out for a walk and catch up with you gals.

As to OPKs, they don't work for pregnancy testing. They check for the Lutenizing hormone which is the hormone that is released to trigger follicles to fully mature and release the egg... obviously if you were pregnant, there'd be very little LH floating around cuz you already O'd so you'd get a negative. Pregnancy tests check for hSG levels.

Your symptoms could be PMS but it could also be pregnancy... since you are on CD30 how many days has it been since you BDed or possibly O'd? If more than 12 you could POAS and see if you get a BFP. Or just wait and see if AF rears her ugly head some time this week... :-)