May Blossoms Checkin 4/24!

CallaLily30

Welcome to the May Blossoms Check-In!
Check-ins every Monday & Thursday.
This is a check-in for those who are doing IVF/IVM or FET with an ER/ET scheduled for May.  If you are interested in joining, please fill us in on your cycle below (# IVF cycle, where you are in the process, relevant dates, etc.)  Be sure to update us along the way!
Check-in leaders for the month is: @penad5 (Monday) @CallaLily30 (Thursday)
Siggy badge:  https://i58.tinypic.com/33zd3f6.jpg[/IMG]

QOTD:  What is your favorite vacation destination? 

BFPS:

BFNS:

March Angels:

In the 2ww:

Cancelled/Delayed:
ikrystal – FET #1

Between ER/ET:
Cls78 – IVF #1/FET #1
heavenseyes55

Stimming/Priming:
Puzzlefuz – FET #1
SuperPsi – Fet#1.2
Milagros314 – IVF #2
clguerra88- IVF/ICSI #1
Twinkie0612 – FET #1 w/ Donor Embryos
Runforcookies – FET#1

Prep (BCP/Lupron/EPP/waiting for CD1):
tptbabe – IVF/ICSI #1
CallaLily30 – FET #2
Spring78 – FET #1
ExoticAntibiotic – FET #2
Jaztaz1 – FET #4
ksgsmu – FET #1
jbasore1123 – IVF #3
ejrobbi – IVF/ICSI #2
Hernsy – IVF #1
cwoodward777 – IVF #3
hopefulsprout – FET #2
AuroraP725 – IVF#1
Gnl42 – IVF#1.2
Sweetpotato123 – IVF#1
LeggyJeggy IVF/ ICSI #4

cls78

My box of meds for my FET is being delivered today. Just waiting to start CD1.

QOTD: My husband and I loved Negril Jamaica. Beautiful sunsets on the beach!

penad5

I had my blood work yesterday to test progesterone on a natural cycle... and i'm good!  That means I'll have a non-medicated FET!  Very happy about that as those progesterone tab things are messy!  

However it's weird to think i was on meds for over a month to produce those eggs... but now I need nothing

QOTD: We love Algonquin Park.. we rent a cottage just outside the park every year, it's on a lake.  It's so relaxing yet there is sooo much to do (hiking, boating, swimming ect...)

sweetpotato123

Nothing new since Monday. Sent in my Compassionate Care paperwork and started reviewing the clinic paperwork.

QOTD- we love cruising.

@cls78- we are thinking an doing an all inclusive next and Mr has never been to Jaimaca. I may have to pick your brain when the time comes

cls78

@sweetpotato123‌ Go to Couples Swept Away!!! They have a nice stretch of beach in Negril. BTW my siggy pic is from that trip!

Twinkie0612

Not too much going on, I am on CD 6 and just cruising along on estrace. I get to up my dose again tomorrow. My lining check and blood work is one week from today (May 1st) and my transfer if all goes well at my lining check, will be in 13 days (May 7th)! QOTW: DH and I haven't been on too many vacations since we've been paying for treatment OOP. We did get to go to Universal Studios for our first anniversary/honeymoon and it was so much fun. We stayed in one of hotels on Universal Property and it was really nice.

heavenseyes55

hey girls

just got my update from ivf # 1 with isci... 6 fertilized...day 2 show 4 at 4 cell division and 2 at 2 cell division and still dividing all grading between 1 and 2

sunday will be day 5 transfer day!!!!!!!!

jaztastic

Well Im still on BCP, and I may end up having this cycle canceled. Apparently there is a major battle with my insurance company right now. My clinic says that a lot of people who have United Healthcare are having claims denied, for lack of pre-authorization. However, back in November United sent a letter to healthcare providers informing them that pre auths for fertility was no longer needed with the healthcare reform.... Some treatments are being paid for, and some this year have come back denied. For example all my prep appointment and monitoring while stimming for IVF was paid, but not the ER. WTF??!!! I dont know whats going on, or who is at fault. But my head is spinning, this is not my area of expertise. Even crazier, is the insurance is saying I haven't used anything yet towards my lifetime fertility maximum. Ive been cycling since January, with an IVF and a FET to show for it, but nothing has gone against my lifetime maximum? Somebody needs to get this together before I lose it. Im 29 days away from transfer!! 

Thanks for letting me vent that out ladies. I just needed to tell someone who understands the added frustration. 

QOTD: My favorite vacation destination so far...for FUN has been Vegas, for R&R I think the Caribbean, with one of my favorite islands being St Croix. Although Im hoping my trip to Hawaii takes the cake. For sightseeing Europe. I dying to get back and visit more countries. 

CallaLily30

Hi Blossoms!  I'm not sure how many of you saw my meltdown email earlier in the week but I'm back on track and refocused now.  My RE was willing to move up our start date to Saturday (my nurse originally scheduled it for another 2 weeks from now).  It shouldn't be a big deal to wait two more weeks but this super restrictive diet is making me an irrational person and I don't want to stay on it longer than necessary.  Anyways, I'm officially off BC and my baseline is Saturday.  My box o' meds was delivered yesterday so we are ready to get started!

QOTD:  My favorite trip ever was our honeymoon in Hawaii! Selfishly, I asked this question today to get some ideas on where DH and I can go.  We are planning a trip for our 3rd anniversary in September and we need a break from this IF rollercoaster.  I thought you ladies would be a great resource to see where you enjoyed!

hopefulsprout

Starting my meds today! Doc won't be able to give me an ET date until AF comes again. Starting acupuncture next week. Has anyone tried it before?

QOTD:  We went on a huge trip several years ago to Zurich, London, Paris, and Rome. It was incredible! We had purchased a house the year before and gotten a tax credit for it, which was about as lucky as anyone can be. Even though I often wish we had saved the money since we later found out about IF, I'm still so glad we did it together and feel very grateful.

Twinkie0612

@Jaztaz1 I'm sorry you are going through all of this crap, I hope you get your insurance problems straightened out soon!

heavenseyes55

@hopefulsprout i do accupunture with ivf ... i have an appointment Saturday and Monday for the appointment before and after transfer

jaztastic

@Hopefulsprout Ive been looking at multi-city tours. Your trip sounds like something I want to do. Did you use a travel agency to coordinate your trip or did you do it on your own. I'd love any referrals you have. 

@Twinkie0612 thank you... Im sure it will, I just hope it doesnt take too long. 

tptbabe

Well, I had my follow-up appointment yesterday to get a letter from my GP that my thyroid is cleared and ready to cycle. Unfortunately, the ultrasound showed multiple nodules, and they lost my bloodwork?!?!? I had to get 8 vials redrawn yesterday and I have to wait to get those results back before they'll even think about clearing me. Also, he (my GP) wants to send me back to an endocrinologist (if you've been following my drama at all, you'll know that both of the ones they've sent me to have been useless and sent me back to my GP) to clear me. There are long waitlists here to see anybody, so if that happens, I *may* be out again. Also, insurance may or may not approve my Rx coverage now (most likely not). We're already OOP for treatment, and I'm hoping that if this is the case, then I can still be covered under DHs insurance for partial med coverage???

I am so incredibly tired of this. Our IVF has been delayed/postponed for 30 cycles now (this is not including the time we were TTC both with and without assistance before that) and I don't want to be delayed again!!! Why didn't they do these tests when they first discovered an issue with my thyroid TWO FREAKING YEARS AGO??? Why now, 2 weeks before I start my cycle? WHY?!?!?!?

And my rant is over, sorry.

 

QOTW: I couldn't say that we have a favourite vacation destination, since we like going to new places! DHs favourite was Hawaii, and my favourite was in the South of France. We travelled all over the country, but it was just so relaxed down there, and lots of culture and beach time too! (Also, we're history buffs, so we really enjoyed seeing alot of the places we've read about. The only issue is that they don't have alot of information or tours for the sites. We found that the further North you go in the country, the better organized they are with that kind of thing!) Our favourite spot we stayed in was a campground on the outskirts of St Tropez for $20/night and they had everything we needed! We also had a car so we could travel around and see things. Loved it!

SKLH

Is it too late to join this group? If not.... I am prepping for FET #4 (YIKES) This will be my FIFTH transfer. Insane huh? My RE is using a new protocol so I will not be on bcp or lupron to prep for this FET. Since htat is the case, my transfer is in less than 2 weeks and I literally just started estrace 3 days ago. ANyways, I look forward to joining (if that's still a option)

QOTW: I am ALL about tropical weather so my favorite vacation destination is Jamaica. I have some of the best memories of going there and laying by the beach, swimming in waterfalls, riding horses in the ocean with DH! Lots of fun memories! HOpe to go back one day

 

Milagros315

I'm sorry so all of the trouble you guys are dealing with @jaztaz1‌ and @tptbabe‌. I hope everything gets sorted out soon!

AFM: I'm on stim day 9. My ultrasound looked good this morning - I have 24 follies between 13 and 19. I'm not sure if we will trigger tonight or tomorrow. I'm going to be anxious either way. I'm afraid that if we do it today, some of them won't be mature. If we wait I'm afraid we'll lose the lead follicles. There's always something to worry about

SKLH

@milagros315 I actually had some at 21 the day before retreival! and we retreived 25 so don't worry too much about loosing those big ones. They still have a little more wiggle room!

chickyclg

Hey everyone, today is my 5th day of stems and I guess all is doing well yesterday when I went in for my U/S and the nurse said "WOW, you should be able to get pregnant a few times with how your responding."  Needless to say I'm thrilled that I'm responding well since our IUI attempts went so terribly wrong. They did call me to tell me to start the Cetrotride (a little sooner than we expected) and that my E2 levels were at 414, so I went back for blood work this morning to see if they are going to alter my meds any. Which is kind of nerve wrecking because if I was responding well why not keep it the same, but hey, I guess thats why they get paid the big bucks and not me. 

QOTD:  We haven't really done any real vacationing, I keep trying to plan a cruise but the whole "what if I get pregnant" gets a hold of me and I cancel the plans. 

ksgsmu

I am waiting ( and freaking out) for my phone call from the embryologist to tell me how many of my embies made it to blast then PGD.  We won't get the results for a week then we will decide what to transfer.  AF should arrive end of next week so I can start my estrace for upcoming FET. 

UPDATE!!!
Ok I got the call.  Finally.  We have 13 that made it to blast/freeze and out of those 7 are the highest grade they give at the lab so we are going to send those particular 7 to pgd.  Whew.  This part is over.  Now to worry obsessively about the pgd results for a week.


Good luck ladies!!!

penad5

@tptbabe I'm sorry you're having so many issues!  Did the GP say why he wants to send you to another endocrinologist?  Sounds like your getting the run around!  FX someone in the chain will use common sense and you won't get delayed again

LeggyJeggy

@jaztaz1 @tptbabe I'm so sorry you're dealing with all that extra crap - I hope it gets sorted out soon!

@Callalily30 Glad you're doing better  After our last IVF, we booked a cruise for September!  We got sick of living in limbo and figured we would get 2 cycles before that time.  We also got the insurance just in case I can't get cleared to travel and we need to cancel.  But, I'd definitely be fine with that!

 

@clguerra88 that's great you're responding well - I see you're DOR, what protocol are you using??

AFM, I called my RE today to see where I am for insurance approval and apparently the person at my insurance company is out this week.  They're trying to rush it and put me to the top because I start ganirelix next Thursday and will need meds approval after cycle approval.  FX!

QOTD: My all time favorite vacation was our safari on a reserve in South Africa.  I had been to S. Africa prior, but only to Cape Town and it was one of my favorite places.  The eastern coast was just as wonderful.  We can't wait to go back, but we got that trip through a charity for really cheap so it'll be a while....

CallaLily30

@SKLH - Welcome to the group!  It's definitely not too late to join.

mrscsw

Hello Ladies!

@Heavenseyes55 - Congrats on 6 eggs fertilizing! 

@jaztaz - Sorry you are having problems.  Insurance companies usually suck!

@Callalily30 - Way to stay positive! 

@tptbabe - Sorry they lost your blood work and it may delay you.

@ksgsmu - Congrats on your awesome frosties!

@SKLH - Welcome!

 

Nothing new to report for me. 

QOTD - My DH and I love Vegas and Beach time.  We are going back to Vegas this summer for my 40th bday!  Neither of us likes to gamble, but we both love to eat and see shows! 

SKLH

@ksgsmu 7 sound great for testing! My testing took about a week also! What did they do with the other 6 blasts?

Thanks for all the welcomes

Milagros315

@SKLH - Thanks for the input! I got the call that they want me to stim for another day and then we'll probably trigger tomorrow. Hopefully it all works out!

gnl42

I started Lupron today and will just be waiting for AF in a week or so to really get this party started 

It's so hard to choose a favorite, but Thailand was incredible

ExoticAntibiotic

I've been having major issues logging onto thebump Hopefully this response posts, or I'll just go back to lurking!

I started estrogen injections last week and had an early lining check today, due to extreme midcycle bleeding. All is well! My lining is at 10.3 and hormones are perfect. I have another lining check on Saturday and my transfer is set for May 1st.

chickyclg

@LeggyJeggy - Honestly I'm not sure which protocol I'm on, but I started with BCP for 3 weeks then a 3 day break, then I started 150 Menopur/150 Bravelle mix for 3 days, then the mix and added Cetrotide so far. 

Puzzlefuz

Hi blossoms! Nothing new to report here. Just anxiously awaiting lining check next week. 

I do have a question for you ladies. My RE will have me on PIO shots again. Is there a major difference between suppositories and shots? My work is sending me out of the country for two months and if I'm lucky enough to get a BFP this time around I'm worried about my ability to get my PIO shots since I have to use a by mail pharmacy for insurance purposes and the shots are only good for 30 days. I'm wondering if suppositories could be an alternative or not? 

QOTD: We went to Kauai last year for BIL's wedding and had the most amazing time. I wanted to move there after that trip. I just wish the water was a little warmer

CallaLily30

@cls78 - How is the food at couples swept away?  DH and I have been to a few all inclusives and are usually pretty disappointed in the food quality.

cls78

@CallaLily30‌ I thought it was good. At breakfast they had really good banana stuffed french toast. They had a vegetarian/healthy grill option at lunch with Fresh grilled fish tacos, veggie sandwiches, sweet potato chips with hummus, smoothies etc. Dinner one night I got a coffee crusted steak that was really good. I never went hungry!

tptbabe

Thanks for the love everybody :x I don't really have anything to update yet on the whole situation, but I'm hoping to get some answers today before everybody leaves for the weekend!

SKLH

@puzzlefuz Are you doing a fresh cycle or a FET? My RE does suppositories for Fresh cycles (since your body will naturally start producing progesterone after egg retrieval/ovulation) but PIO during FET since we are faking the whole process... At my orevious RE they never used PIO (1 fresh and 2 FETs) They said studies showed they were the exact same thing. The only major difference I know of is that PIO is easily monitored in your blood stream through a blood test and suppositories aren't able to be measured that way so it's kinda hard ot tell if you're deficient or not....

Puzzlefuz

@SKLH thanks for much for all the information! I am doing a FET this time around. I have PCOS and I know my RE prefers to use the shots on his PCOS patients b/c studies have shown some PCOS gals have issues with producing sufficient progesterone. Based upon what you said i'm sure he recommends the shots so he can more easily monitor us. I guess i'll talk to the nurse next week at my appt. and see what she thinks we can do if i'm lucky enough to keep needing the shots. 

LeggyJeggy

@clguerra88 sounds like an antagonist to me, thanks for the info!  

Spring78

Hi all. I hope everyone is doing well.

@jaztaz1‌ I am sorry insurance is causing you headaches. Hopefully, it will all get worked out soon. :-)
@tptbabe‌ I'm sorry they are having such issues getting your thyroid situation under control. I hope a referral to a new endo doesn't take too long, if they decide that is what you need to do. And if it is, I really hope you find an endo that you can work with and who will work with you. Having a good endo can be so important!
@CallaLily30‌ I am glad you are feeling better and they were able to move things up for you a bit.

As for me... I got my calendar in the mail for my FET yesterdsy, and my meds are waiting to be picked up at the FedEx office. Yay! I was surprised, but my calendar actually seems more complicated than it did for my stim cycle. Two different doses pf Lupron, varying numbers of estrogen patches every couple days... Gonna have to keep a close eye on the details. Looking forward to getting started. Lupron starts on Tuesday.

In other news, I akso got the post-insurance bill for my ultrasounds last cycle. They did the same procedure each time... But the bills vary by as much as $200! Go figure. Insurance just doesn't make any sense!

QOTD: I love to travel, so picking a favorite destination is tough. I've traveled to Belize, Mexico, Scotland (5 times), Greece (twice), Egypt, Italy.... I am a student of history & culture with a graduate degree in Anthro/archaeology, so pretty much any place with history is up my alley. But if I could only go one place again.... I think I would have to say the lake in Northern Michigan where my family vacations every year. It may not be exotic, but it is a huge part of my life with 36 years of fond family memories. It helps that it is a stunningly beautiful area with an impressive wine trail nearby. :-)

anitaflora

Hi ladies!

I stepped away for a bit after this last cycle ended in another loss. But I just had my WTF appointment yesterday and it looks like I'll be joining the May group.

This will be our second IVF cycle w/both ICSI and Assisted Hatching. We are going to do the exact same protocol since my RE was relatively happy with how the cycle went overall and my response - at my age of 40, being able to get the 2 eggs transferred on day 5 at the morula stage (I thought they were blastocysts but they weren't there just yet on day 5); and ending up with a BFP was an outcome we were both pleased with. He kept saying that for my age it went "reasonably well."

Can someone help me with the name of my type of cycle? I never know how I'm supposed to refer to it. I am still in the dark about some of the terminology and I don't know what to call my type of cycle I guess.

I'm currently waiting for CD1 and then I'll be on BC pills for 2 weeks, then 300 Gonal F in the morning, 150 Gonal F and 150 Menopur in the evening. That will be until I start the Ganirelix, which this past cycle was on day 6 - then I took that every day plus an additional 75 Menopur. We did that for 12 days. He said we could have pushed it one more day but that my estrogen at that point was starting to plateau and he wouldn't have wanted that to crash.

So what do I call that? Huge-high-maximum-doses-of-stimulation-for-the-maximum-amount-of-time??!? lol

Anyway - look forward to joining you ladies and hope that my birthday month brings us all our take-home babies!

Lots of hugs out there to anyone who needs them!

ikrystal

Most of you already know (and can see in the OP) that I'm canceled for May, but I wanted to stop in and say good luck to everyone!  You have all been a big support and I hope to support you the best I can during your May cycles!

SuperPsi

Hi Blossoms!
It's great reading your journeys each check-in, I have my fingers crossed for all of you!  AFM, we had our lining check this morning and it looks like we are ready to rock.  Already at just over 7, which is pretty good for me.  We trigger tonight (stim protocol for FET), start PIO on Sunday, and are looking at a transfer on 5/2.  I'm starting to get excited again, though that terrible voice in my head says "look where getting excited got you last time."  I hate that voice.  Diet is going...ok.  I've discovered all sorts of gluten free options at the grocery store.  Costco has a great quinoa tabbouleh that is gluten and dairy free.  It's cheese that I miss the most.

QOTD: We took our Honeymoon on St. Lucia and it was the most beautiful island.  Lots of things to do, plus we splurged and got our own little private pool which was awesome.  We did the Sandals there.  I'd highly recommend it.  Great food, beautiful resort.  They have three sister resorts there and you can make use of the restaurants and amenities at all three, which was really neat and kept things as interesting as possible.  We never had dinner in the same place twice.  Have fun researching your vacay!

mrs.willie

Oops! I posted under the wrong day. Hi ladies, could you add me to the check-in? I had my baseline u/s yesterday and will start Gonal-F and Menopur on Sunday. I have an estimated ER between 5/9 - 5/11. QOTD: for beach vacation loved Maui and Barbados. For non-beach, loved Ireland. For somewhere that's not a "big" trip (if near the East Coast) the mountains in NH or Cape Cod. **ETA @jaztaz1 Sorry to hear of your issues with UHC. I've been having major issues with them too. They tried to deny my two IUIs and say they weren't covered when they definitely are. They tried to deny my second one, even after the first one had been straightened out, approved and paid by them prior to it. They also denied my hospital stay after my appendectomy that was done at 7 pm a few days after my salpingectomy. I feel like I'm getting new bills every other day for money I do not owe! It's unreal.

penad5

@mrs.willie, @fizzachaudharyangjohns99 Welcome!