***Hanging on to a Dream Check in 10/9***

princessisadora

Welcome to "Hanging On To a Dream!" This group is designed as a check-in for those that are not currently part of a monthly IVF cycling group but would like some camaraderie while waiting to cycle for any reason. Please join us if your monthly cycling group has not started and tell us how you are doing. Please also let us know if you are (1) waiting for 1st cycle; (2) in between cycles; or (3) on hold for whatever reason. Please also tell us what your next plans are (IVF with ICSI, FET, WTF appt. etc.) and what month you hope to cycle. 

QOTW: For a milIion dollars would give up eating your favorite comfort food for the rest of your life ?

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Check-In leader PrincessIsadora

Posted every Wednesday

Waiting for 1st Cycle

ddvj79 (break before IVF #1)

germangirl6988 (RE consult for a plan)
jen102279 (IVF#1 in 2-3 months)
jodiboch (IVF/ICSI #1)
kushie77 (making decisions)

lebradford (IVF #1 Nov-Jan)

nariadreaming (November IVF #1)

rumbera28 (Dembryo/DE late Fall)

sunni01 (IVF#1 Sept/Oct)

tweetyknicks (RE appt 9/22)

carrieharry79

In Between Cycles

amyelise25 (Summer FET #1)

callalily30 (October IVF#3)

carol77b (Late Fall Early Winter IVF#4)

cml11 (WTF appt)

crmhoney (FET #2 soon)

exoticantibiotic (on break)

jetta83306 (WTF appt then IVF#3)

katemonster1 (break until Fall)

missmarypoppins (Dr. KK 7/1)

mozzerella13 (IVF #3)

o2girl (Oct. FET #2)
princessisadora (RLP and genetic panel? IUI#2 before IVF#2?)

runcc37 (Dr. KK , DE IVF #1 Nov)

shellbeans82 (IVF#3 November)

spring78 (Oct? FET)

tabbytown (Nov. IVF#4)

tea+ (not sure IVF#2)
tptbabe (IVF/ICSI #2 December or January)
twinkie0612 (Nov IVF#4 w/ recs byDr. KK in Sept)

zenysom (Sept IUI,  appt with Dr. KK)

notasycophant

Kcheese

AngM123

stace2524

tbj1 (IVF #2 Jan)

Moved on to October Autumn Acorns

katemonster1

CallaLily30

Chicory

Big (((((Hugs))))):

Welcome new members!

.mrs.matt.

emmuffy

lemonliz

StacyLH24

princessisadora

Hi girls! Sorry for the delay. Nothing really new on my end. Friday meeting up with my nutritionist, FX that all my hard work shows on the scale despite AF being in town and feeling super bloated.

QOTW: Right now a million dollars would solve so much stuff. So without even thinking twice I would give up pizza forever! As I type this I am now craving pizza. FML

ChristieH917

Hello everyone.  I think I'm going to hang out here for a while.  We are trying to make decisions.  My first cycle was cancelled due to low estrogen mid-way through stims.  My second cycle my estrogen was better, but borderline low.  I did go through the ER, but I ony got 1 retrieved and it didn't fertilize. 

I have WTF appointment with my current RE on the 22nd and a second opinion appointment for tomorrow.  If my current RE has a plan, I might be able to cycle again in November.  If I decide to switch REs, then I will be pushed back to at least January because I will have to make some changes to our insurance. 

QOTW:  A million dollars is a lot of money.  I would give up any food for that much money.  If I had to choose 1, it would be bread.  I am a carb loving fool!!  Bring on the bread. 

Spring78

Hi ladies. I hope everyone is having a good week.

I've got a lot going on these days. My meds for my Nov FET arrived yesterday. I still wasn't totally sure what I was going to do when I ordered them, given my MIL's situation. But I took my first dose of Lupron this morning, so I guess I am going for it. Will switch over to Tiny Turkeys once the group gets going. I am totally annoyed with my body right now. I am on contunuous BCP in prep for the FET (skipped the placebo week and went straight to the next pack, as instructed), by my AF seems to have shown up anyway. I know they say bleeding through on continuous BCP is common and my nurse said spotting is fine... but I feel I am way past spotting, though maybe not full blown AF... just don't know what my body is doing and just hoping it doesn't screw up timing of FET now that I have decided to push through.

 In non TTC news... two of my foster kittens are ready for adoption. They will be part of a massive local adoption event (over 25 rescue groups, 1300 available dogs and cats) this weekend. I am heartbroken I have been unable to find anyone I know to adopt them and I will now have to send them off to strangers, never to be heard from again. This is the part of fostering I hate. After 8 weeks and seeing them from sickly little things to healthy, robust, beautiful and loveable little fuzzballs, it is hard not to get really attached. At least we will have the littler two for another couple weeks until they are big enough to be neutered and sent to their new homes... wherever those homes may be. *sigh* I am going to cry just thinking about this...

Twinkie0612

I also will be swtiching to the November Tiny Turkeys check-in once the group is going. I finally had my calendar review monday and ordered my meds, which will arrive tomorrow. I started prednisone yesterday and do my first lupron injection in 6 days. My baseline is 2 weeks from today.

QOTD: I've had to give up many of my favorite comfort foods because Dr. KK wants me to eat low carb, so I think I could give easily give up my favorite comfort foods for a million dollars.

carrieharry79

I started BCPs on Tuesday. I feel really, really lucky because my cycles are from 28 to 42 days long (averaging 34 days) and this one was just 28. It means I will be done with ET before Thanksgiving, which means I will get to keep my travel plans and go see my family. I feel like I will really need that after all of this. AND I'm just super anxious to get started, so I'm grateful that I was able to start sooner than I had expected.

I ordered my meds on Tuesday and they arrive on Friday. I am working from home to receive them. They called me today to tell me my total was about $300 and I said "insurance doesn't cover it?" and she said "It would be over $4k if you didn't have insurance."  Holy crap that's a lot of money. 

I will be moving over to the Tiny Turkeys group once it gets established. 

QOTD: I would abandon any food for $1M. Without question.

carrieharry79

tabbytown I'm so so sorry you're going through this. I wish I could say anything to make you feel better. I hope your new pup brings you some happiness while you sort everything out.

Spring78

@tabbytown, I am so sorry you are having such a rough time of it!  (((hugs))) Congrats on the new furbaby. May she be a source of fun and comfort! It sounds like they have given you a lot to think about. Take care of yourself.

Dyork

I'm sorry you're dealing with that @tabbytown. I hope it all falls into place. 

As of right now we're hoping to start our first cycle in January. As long as everything with the RE and insurance goes okay. I'm nervous, and anxious to get this started. 

QOTW: No. I'm a total foodie, although the money would be nice, I don't think I could do it.

Jetta83306

Hello everyone. Not much new going on here. Hope everyone is having a good week

QOTD: It would be really hard to give up my favorite comfort foods (french fries and chocolate), even for a million bucks...

RunCC37

I think I'm moving on to the Tiny Turkeys once that group gets going. I hope we get to do a transfer in November, but even more so, I'm praying our donor has an amazing cycle. I can't even imagine what it might feel like to have an embryo that is good quality...

I'm sending lots of love to everyone here. This is a tough place to be, and I'm just so grateful that I didn't have to go through it alone.

tbj1

Hi Ladies!

****Warning Pregnancy mentioned**** (Not me)

Nothing new and nothing much going on. Trying to work out and be ready for IVF #2 in January. I need a break from Facebook. Everytime I log on someone I know is posting or announcing their pregnancy. I hate to be bitter, but damn when is my turn going to come. Sorry to vent.

QOTD: I will give up chocolate and pizza in a heartbeat for a million dollars.

@Tabbytown (((HUGS))) Hang in there. I hope your new puppy brings a lot of love and sunshine to you and hubby.

@princessisadora I hope your meeting with your nutritionist goes well.

Have a great week ladies!

AngM123

@tabbytown‌ I'm so sorry for what you are going through. It's not fair. At all. I hope your new furry friend will provide you some smiles and a nice distraction. I'm just waiting for AF to start BC pills. After everything I've been reading, I think these scare me the most! Has anyone's RE ever let them choose their pill? I know one kind that doesn't make me sick, I wish I could just take those. QOTD: I would give up more than my favorite food for a million dollars ETA: sorry, I can't figure out how to space this shit out

stace2524

Hanging on BCPs, will be moving to Tiny Turkeys for IVF in November.

QOTD: I would give up ANY food for a cool mil!

tptbabe

Good luck today @princessisadora!!!

@ChristieH917 - Good luck to you today as well! Waiting until January seems like a long time, but it would be worth it if the new RE is a better fit

@Spring78 - (((HUGS))) I'm glad you're pushing through with the FET. There really is no "perfect" time. While there may be "better" times, you can't put everything on hold every time something comes up. I'm sure your MIL wouldn't want you to stop everything just for her too! I'm sorry you're sad about the kitties too It must be difficult to get attached and have to give them up to a furrever home

@Twinkie0612 - Yay for starting meds!!! Good luck!

@carrieharry79 - That's awesome that everything is lining up! Yes, the meds are ridiculous!!! We were fortunate to have some coverage for our last cycle, but we'll be 100% OOP for our next and I'm dreading the bill. Hopefully it will all be worth it!

(((HUGS))) @tabbytown. I'm sorry that you're having to make all these decisions. IF is bad enough without the emotional toll it takes on us. Are you seeing a counsellor at all? It might help you with making some of these decisions. I hope your new pup brings you some joy while you're going through all of this

@lemonliz - Your RE should let you know closer to the date when you'll be starting everything. I basically was told to call on CD1 of a certain cycle (since we planned a couple of months out as well) and was told when to come in for monitoring, then I got more instructions on when to start other meds. We were doing an EPP, but I'm sure it will be the same for our next cycle. As for how to explain the absences, I think we worry about it more than other people do. Basically, the less information the better. When you start to give details, people will question things, and then it becomes more difficult to explain!

Welcome @Dyork! We're looking at starting in January as well

@RunCC37 - I'm keeping everything crossed for you!!! I really hope that your donor has an amazing cycle and you have some phenomenal embabies!!!

(((HUGS))) @tbj1, I hope your turn comes soon!

@AngM123 - I'm not sure. I know my RE asked me what kind of BCP I was on previously, and how it affected me, but I'm not sure if that was for cycling reference, or just as part of my medical history? I would think that it would depend on the active ingredients in the BCP and how it would affect your hormones? Doesn't hurt to ask! I want to ask for the Nuva Ring for our cycle, as I think it would have less of an affect on my thyroid? I'm not sure though.

Good luck with your cycle @stace2524!

 

AFM - Not much going on. I had a small meltdown on Wednesday, because I found out that DHs insurance will no longer cover me, due to my job. We were OOP for treatment previously, but had pretty good Rx coverage. Now we're 100% OOP and I kind of lost it. It's a stupidly complicated situation, but basically my insurance covers meds for dependants, but not myself. And DHs insurance also covers meds, but won't cover me. AND, his insurance is currently under review and will be covering IVF as well. But not me. I'm really angry about this whole thing. We're still planning on cycling in the new year, it just means that we're probably going to have to dip more into our HELOC to pay for it. Fucking IF. I hate you!!!

QOTW: I don't really have a favourite comfort food? Does coffee count? I think that's the only thing I'd have difficulty with giving up for $1M! Would it be one of those situations where I'd have to pay it back if I faltered? I think I could do it, but it would be really difficult. I've done it before, but I don't think I could make it permanent.

princessisadora

@tabbytown‌ (hugs) you are right it is not fair. You have every right to be resentful. This wasn't the way it was supposed to go. Having a baby wasn't supposed to be this effing hard and it certainly wasn't supposed to be this costly. No need to apologize for venting out what we all feel. I hope that whatever you chose at the end will be the right choice for you. And dogs are awesome!

princessisadora

At all of you getting ready for your Nov cycles, wishing you the best of luck.
@Spring78‌ sending t&p for your MIL. GL with your FET

princessisadora

BTW totally killed it at the nutritionist. Lost 6lbs in 2 weeks and 5lbs of those 6 were pure fat!

tbj1

That's awesome @princessisadora! Keep it up!

carrieharry79

 @princessisadora, Nice work. 6 lbs in two weeks is great!

carrieharry79

Got my meds today.... A bit overwhelming considering the box was the size of my dog. And it was full.

zeynsom

Best of luck to all of you moving on and soon having your cycles. I wish all the others a lot of patience! 

I met with my new RE (old clinic, new RE) on Wednesday. She is on board with my immune treatment with Dr. KK. I am very happy that I found somebody who is not opinionated about immunology. 

The problem is, according to Dr. KK's calendar, I should be doing my IVF cycle in December, but my clinic is closed after Dec 15, and they cant do my cycle! So, either I have to convince Dr. KK to have my cycle at the end of November/early December (after three IVIGs and 2.5 months of prednisone) or wait until January, which means at least two extra IVIgs and 1.5 additional months of prednisone. We'll see.

In the meantime, my NK cells dropped after my IVIg, so yeay! I do not know about cytokines yet. NKs are still not at the preferred level but they are getting there, and that is the whole purpose of waiting for multiple months to do my IVF anyway.

I had a breakdown though on Wednesday because after being on prednisone 10mg for six days my blood pressure skyrocketed. It was 135/95, very high for my standards. I felt awful and started questioning what I am doing to my body. Nurse at Dr. KK told me to cut the amount of prednisone to 5mg but if my body does not adjust to it, we need to increase the frequency of IVIgs and that I do not want given its costs.

Kcheese

We are on the books for IVF in December!  Have my education day & trial transfer in a few weeks.  Slowly getting closer...

QOTW: Yes, without a doubt!  It would make so many of the decisions around IF a lot easier as we could actually afford stuff without loans & all the extra stress!

RunCC37

@tptbabe‌ - I am so sorry about the insurance meltdown. It is so unfair and enraging.... I just want to punch things for you!!!!

@princessisadora‌ - congrats on the 6 lbs!!! You are a machine!!!

@zeynsom‌ - that is quite the hard choice to make, and I can relate to how difficult it is to make all these decisions. I'm learning that there is no perfect way to please both doctors (RE & KK) so we have to pick and choose what is in our best interest. For example, Dr. KK recommends two IVIg infusions prior to my transfer. Logistically, that will be extraordinarily stressful (I need to travel from NJ, and insurance hasn't even looked at my claim yet). Technically, that means I should have my first infusion on 10/20.... Yeah, that's a week away. I can't see it coming together by then (plus I have a concert at work that I can't reschedule, blah blah blah). I think we're going to skip it. We are on the schedule for 11/7, and I may do IVIg then (if I don't chicken out). Sigh. I just don't know.... I'm so sorry to hear the prednisone jacked up your BP. I've been on the prednisone for a few days, and haven't noticed any side effects yet (and thankfully the Metformin s/e have simmered down).

lebradford

@ChristieH917 Good luck at your consults. I hope you come up with a good plan.

Good luck to @Spring78 @Twinkie0612 @carrieharry79 @RunCC37 @stace2524 in the Tiny Turkeys!

@tabbytown I'm so sorry you're having a hard time. It's a tough decision to make.

@tptbabe Ugh!! Insurance issues suck! I'm sorry. :-(

@princessisadora You're a total rockstar! Nicely done!

@AngM123 I think my RE will let you substitute for most kinds of BCPs. It definitely doesn't hurt to ask.

@zeynsom That's good about your NK cells! I hope you can get your blood pressure figured out.

lebradford

AFM, I'm hoping to join Tiny Turkeys too! I have to get medical clearance from my PCP still (that's a long story), which I'm hoping to do on Monday. Once that is done I'll feel more confident that we're actually going to cycle and I'll order my meds. :-)

zeynsom

@RunCC37 It is hard to fit the schedule for IVIg. I was lucky to be in Chicago already for my follow-up appointment and we got it done. I can get the second one in Nashville. Can't you get the second one locally? Do you need to travel again? We are investing so much into this, I just am trying to be on top of everything but it is very hard and sometimes not possible either because of work or personal reasons or because my body or doctors do not cooperate. I feel frustrated and get very close to giving up but for now, I am fighting. If this coming IVF fails I do not know what I will do. 

RunCC37

@zeynsom - I have to go back out there at the time of the second one anyway for my Lovenox Doppler. After the first one, I could find someone local... it's just too much for us to squeeze in the 10/20 trip, so we're going to let it go.