[lizzie518]

I am adding myself to the list. I think it would be good if we had one person keep up the list to avoid excessive posting of it. What if we each took a week or even a few days and then passed it on to someone else? I'm willing to take a few days when needed. Does anyone want to start?

Upcoming Appointments...
Alisa
Krista
HistoryTeach - 9/30
Lizzie - Consult with new RE 08/27

Cycle before... Waiting
Yogagirl
BottleBrunette - Heather



Waiting for AF
KelliF4
Rana
Anavaz (Anabel)
Val (siren)

BCPs ...
Jenlynnhames
Prayingforjustone
HistoryTeach - Jamie PA


Starting Stims ... Here WE GO!!!



Egg Retrieval
Nese 10/3
HistoryTeach - 10/22


Embryo Transfer
LisaG


PUPO

[alisa]

i agree...I was doing that before but for some reason the list keeps changing - I keep ending up back under appt - as cute as my dr is I don't want to go back yet! LOL! And then the format changed so I just went with it...

Do you want to start? Go for it! Feel free to pass the torch whenever you get tired of it or anyone can take over at some time?

I think its great knowing where everyone is!! All getting to the ultimate goal! yahoo!

[prayingforjustone]

Hi Everyone,

It looks like a lot of new people joined, so !!!

Thankfully, the Integramed stuff is all completed, so we are ready for our Nurse Consult, Trial Transer, and SIS on Friday! I have a couple of questions for you ladies:

Do you do your shots yourself, or does your DH do them?

Does your DH take off from work to go to all of the appointments with you? I am planning on taking off for each appointment, but I was wondering if that is the norm?

Thanks BottleBrunette (great name by the way) for the $500 off coupon...that was so nice of you!

As always, I am praying that each one of you is blessed with the baby you definitely deserve. Have a good day!

Jason

[Nese1972]

Originally Posted by prayingforjustone

Hi Everyone,

It looks like a lot of new people joined, so !!!

Thankfully, the Integramed stuff is all completed, so we are ready for our Nurse Consult, Trial Transer, and SIS on Friday! I have a couple of questions for you ladies:

Do you do your shots yourself, or does your DH do them?

Does your DH take off from work to go to all of the appointments with you? I am planning on taking off for each appointment, but I was wondering if that is the norm?

Thanks BottleBrunette (great name by the way) for the $500 off coupon...that was so nice of you!

As always, I am praying that each one of you is blessed with the baby you definitely deserve. Have a good day!

Jason

Hi Jason, my DH goes to all my appointments with me and it makes me feel like we are truly in this together. He really likes to do it all right along with me. The only thing he was not in the room for was embryo retrieval. I think most of us appreciate our DH being right there by our side.

[Nese1972]

Hey Lizzie. I would be willing to take a week. I only have time in the evening, but I think that will be ok.

[Yogagrrl]

My DH went to all the big appointments with me, but I told him not to take off for the u/s and b/w just because it becomes alot- and I want him to be free to be there with me for the big ones. Actually, I've always been able to have DH in the room during egg retrieval too - which was amazing. I love him being there when I go under and then when I wake up...and he gets to watch the retrieval and all that. Though I don't think my new RE allows this (boo hiss).

I think it is great to be there for as much as you can. The u/s and b/w become really routine so I tend to tell him not to take off from work...but it depends on how you feel.

[alisa]

Hi there! DH is there for all the big appts...just not the BW and US as I go right before work and am only there for abut 10 minutes tops. Plus we have a 2 year old and he does drop off...but he will be there for the ER and most likely for the ET too. So do what works for you both!

[Krista]

Hi Ladies & Jason-
Like the other ladies said, I want DH there for the big appts, but he doesn't need to take time off work for bw & u/s. Those are routine and I just call him when I'm done. So far I want DH to do the shots. I figure it's the least he can do, but he doesn't like the idea at all. I may have to do them myself.

I'm happy to take a turn updating the list. Lizzie, do you want to take it this week and I'll take it next?

[Nese1972]

Jason, just do whatever you can. If you are afforded the time to go to all appts, go. My husband loves to go and is fortunate that his company allows him to have a flexible schedule. I didn't care either way if he went to the us/bw appts, but he liked to go so I let him hope we have all given you enough opinions.

[lizzie518]

I'd be more than happy to take the list for now. I will read all the posts and update at least every other day. If something is wrong on the list, or I somehow miss your info, you can PM me and I will change it. One thing we also did in my June group was post on the main thread when someone had either ER, ET, or beta coming up. So, say Nese had her ER in a few days, I would post on the main IVF forum "Nese...ER 08/30." Then people would reply on that thread with encouraging comments for her. It made everyone feel so good to have that private cheering section when something was coming up. I think that could be included in the list keeper's duties.

We are trying to make a decision about whether to do shared risk through Integramed, or just pay out per cycle. To really save any money through integramed, we would have to do at least 2 fresh and one frozen cycle and if we got pregnant on the first fresh cycle, we would lose well over 10,000 dollars that we would not have had to pay had we not done shared risk. It's such a gamble! On the one hand, I don't want to reach a point when we have to quit trying because of finances. On the other hand, I don't want to waste money. The stress of IVF really never ends, does it?

So - what is everyone doing in preparation for this cycle? I am taking Royal Jelly (yucky, yucky tasting), trying to keep my stress level down, and will be starting the diet recommended in the book, "The Infertility Cure" when I get it in the mail tomorrow. I'm also going to do acupuncture once a week, and massage every other week. Im looking at getting into some supportive therapy too. Lastly, I'm trying to get back in an exercise routine going until I start stims. I went to step aerobics this morning and it felt sooooo good.

I feel so blessed to have this sweet group of ladies for support through this and am looking forward to everyone's BFPs!

[lizzie518]

Jason,

My DH has gone to all u/s appointments with me except one when he had a work comittment he couldn't get out of. He also stayed home with me the day of and after ER and for the three days following ET so that I could have complete bedrest. He even bought me a little mini-portable potty to put by the bed and emptied it when needed so that I didn't have to get up and walk to the bathroom (sorry if tmi).

The thing he has done that has been the most important is to be understanding of my crazy moodiness. Unfortunately, when I am stressed about IVF, and especially when I am on the stims, he takes the brunt of my moodiness. He is understanding and tells himself, "It's just the meds." I sooo apprecialte him recognizing that I have never been a crazy lunatic before and at some point will return to being sane.

I do all my subq shots myself, but DH is usually there with me and helps me get everythign set up to give them. He does my IM shots (PIO and trigger) because it's so hard to twist around and get them in your own hip.

[Nese1972]

Hi Lizzie, I am taking royal jelly, too. I thought i was the only one that didn't think royal jelly tastes all that great. I have been taking it for over a month now and when I complained about the taste so many people replied about how yummy it was. I mean, it could be worse, right??? Are you going to acupuncture in Kingwood? I was going to Huangdi acupuncture on Northpark, but started going to Eastern Harmony recently which was originally opened by Randine Lewis, the author of "The Infertility Cure". It's close to my work so I can go during lunch. I really liked Huangdi, though and may go to him again as well. I am also taking herbs and some other type of supplement that the acupuncturist prescribed.

[jenlynnhames]

To prepare for this cycle, DH and I are exercising together. I'm also eating less/making better food choices. I'd be interested to know what diet tips are in the "Infertility Cure" book, though. I'm trying to keep my stress level down. Not easy with my job. I left on time today and my boss thought something was wrong. Not doing RJ or acupuncture, though I love getting poked with a hundred tiny needles. Makes me feel so relaxed! We're just trying to save every penny we can.

I'm interested in knowing how you guys are financially preparing for this cycle? My dad and I had a falling out so we won't be asking them for money. It's not bad damage, but he thinks I should wait to do this. I don't want to and I'm almost 30. I can make my own decisions. I guess dads never get that, huh? Have any of you dealt with parents who thought you should wait? I don't know what we're supposed to be waiting for exactly...

Gotta run! Hope everyone has a great week!

for a !!!!

[hopeful1]

Hi Everyone!!

I am new to this thread but unfortunately not the process. I had a BFN this month! UGGGG it was really tough!! We are meeting with 2 new RE's next week, I think it is time for a change. Has anyone done PGD Testing??? We are hoping to give IVF another try in Oct. I wish everyone a BFP !!!!!

Jason - My DH comes to the big appts, retrieval, transfer, meds classes and initial consultations. It is too tough to come to all the monitoring appts.

[rana35]

I will be more than happy to take over the list after you Lizzie!!!
just let me know when you are ready and I will pass it one to someone else after me!
I am trying to relax and stay postive. This is it for us so I am giving it my all and I have a list of questions for my RE.
I for all of us!!