*third-party reproduction check-in* Dec.7th

mm29

**Thank you @RunCC37 for the third-party reproduction check-in's over the last several months! You have done an amazing job.

This weekly check-in is for anyone using/considering or who has used a 3rd party method of reproduction, including: Donor egg, donor sperm, embryo adoption, gestation carrier, or surrogate - also Donors, GC's and surrogates as well! If you don't check-in for 3 weeks you'll be removed from the list but we'll happily add you back next time you check in! NOTE: Board etiquette - please post BFPs separately from the check-in, with a warning in message title.

Check-In: How is it going? What are your next steps? How are you feeling?
QOTW: For those who are comfortable answering, what are the creative ways that you have found to afford for treatments? Currently Cycling/Scheduled
@chicagobride07 – DEg – Estrogen Phase for a Thanksgiving week FET.
@doodiebug18 – DS – IUI #4 GL with your upcoming beta!! Thinking positive (+++)

@Lacyj67 – DEg – BCP and Lupron phase for FET #4 Jan 28TH

@vibeee - DEg - SG’s 3:1 program. FX your Donor has 18 mature follicles

@Thespis7 – DS – AF arrived IUI #4 is underway!

Waiting to Cycle
@ceemonkey – DEg/DS – making a plan for the final transfer.
@Km672 – DEg/DS – on a break while waiting to consult with Dr. KK.
@Love4Labs826 – DEm – Working on some lining issues before next transfer.
@marshmallowevening – DEm – Searching for a match.
@mm29 – DEg/DS – on an emotional/financial break until the spring.
@refeek1 – DEg – gearing up for another FET.
@Rumbera28 – DEg – planning on IVF in Barbados in the summer.

Donors/GC’s/Surrogates
@Mama-Bear – GS – EDD 6/21/15!

CinciSurro – GC – Congrats on the BFP!! When in your u/s and due date?

Pregnant!
@sammer 818 – IP-GC – EDD 11/23/14 (Induce Date 11/21) - It’s a BOY!
@TRexsMum – IP-GC – EDD 1/10/15
@ksgsmu – DEg – EDD 1/12/15 – TWINS!
@datingbettyboop – IP-GC – EDD 2/17/15 - It’s a GIRL!!
@BeckyP005 – DEg – EDD 2/22/15
@pmv81 – DS – EDD 3/12/15 – Team Pink!
@1220winterbride – DEg – EDD 5/25/15 - It’s a GIRL!!!
@JimBobCooter – DEg – EDD 6/14/15
@IRR - IP-GC - EDD 7/23/15
@StephieMK – DS – BFP!! EDD 7/17/15. First ultrasound 12/1
@RunCC37 – DEg – BFP on 11/24! GL with you u/s tomorrow!!

@sorrellam30 – DEg – Thinking about you  Please update us after you second u/s Monday!
StephieMK– DS – BFP!! Congrats on a HB! GL with your 2nd u/s 12/15. EDD July 17, 2015

Parenting
@brooklynesque – DEg – Baby Girl Squeak was born 7/24/14!
@DoublePortion – DEm – Boy/Girl twins born on 6/30/14!
@e74 – DEm – Twin boys born in 2013!
@lincoln79 – IP-GC – Baby Boy Squirt born 10/29/14!
@Lacyj67 – DEg – Parenting foster son!
@Mrs.McIrish – DEg – Twin girls born 11/21/14!!
@2MamazinSeattle – DEg/DS – Baby Simone Louise born on 8/21/14!!

RunCC37

THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking this over @mm29 - great job!! If you ever feel like you need a hand or a substitute or anything, just let me know. I'm so happy that this'll keep going strong and I'm proud to be a part of such an awesome group!

**Pg Mentioned**

Things are going well... so well :') I still have to pinch myself several times a day to make sure I'm not dreaming (or jab myself with another needle!). The meds are beating me up a bit (Prednisone = hyperactivity/insomnia, PIO = lumpy & sore ass, Lovenox = bruises everywhere, IVIg = weekly infusions & shipping kits to Dr. KK) but I've never been happier We have our first ultrasound tomorrow at 5w6d so we're hoping to get an accurate ninja count. I have felt from the beginning that there are two ninjas in there, they have sent me signs, and my betas have been supportive of the theory. So I guess we'll see (and maybe hear?!) for ourselves tomorrow!

QOTW: we are extremely fortunate & grateful to have reaped the benefits of my EXCELLENT health insurance. We are two teachers in a mandated state... we will never make a million dollars a year, but the health insurance more than makes up for that. Even still, we have had to go OOP up to about $20K to get pregnant. So it hasn't been without any financial sacrifice, but our expenses have been manageable. Our friends and family keep hassling us about when we're going to fix up & open our pool. Well, we decided to go "grocery shopping" for some golden eggs, so that pool is going to have to wait!

mm29

GL to those cycling!! 

@RunCC37 GL at your u/s tomorrow. I'm very excited for you.

QOTW:  Our first 4 IVF's were paid for, by refinancing our cars and pulling out the equity.  I made the joke for years that Ioved our vehicles so much we paid for them twice.  

1st DE cycle: we obtained a loan from lightstream fertility financing.

Our last two cycles with my OE/DS were placed on a 0% credit card.

For our upcoming DE/DS cycle I haven't figured out how to how we are going to pay, but I'm considering another fertility loan or a 401.K loan.  I'm hoping to learn other innovative ways to pay for fertility treatments.

AFM:  I had my DE consult. I really like the donor.  I'm very hopeful that our DE/DS this spring will bring us success. I've been on this roller coaster for way to long, and I'm ready to get off of it!

1220winterbride

@RunCC37‌ so happy for you!! & I agree, even when I feel like crap- I am giddy !

@mm29‌ thanks for doing the check in. Fx that things go well!

I am happily 15 + weeks (almost 16!) cannot believe it. I feel like crap a lot but I'll take it! Next scan on the 16th.

refeek1

@mm29-  Thank you for taking on the check-ins!  Good luck with your donor!

 @RunCC37-  Congratulations again on your pregnancy.  Good luck with your ultrasound tomorrow!

@1220winterbride- Wow, 16 weeks already.  That is awesome!

 

AFM:  I'm on Letrozole, today is the last day, then I start taking Estradiol.  I'm shocked that the only injection I have this cycle is Ovidrel.  I haven't heard of a stimulated FET before, much less done one!  If all goes as planned, the transfer will be around December 21st.

QOTW:  For my first cancelled cycle, I took out a 401K loan. For the donor cycle, I took out an ARC loan.  I was able to pay off that loan with an inheritance I received.  I have no idea what I'll do if these last 2 transfers don't work.  I will have to figure something out since I don't have $35,000 sitting in my account! 

I am lucky that my insurance pays for all diagnostics.

 

 

DoublePortion

Good luck tomorrow @RunCC37!

I'm so happy you found a donor you like @mm29!!

SAIF: Sorry it's been awhile since I checked in! The babies have been keeping me busy!! They were both sick last week, with different ailments, and I think G is now teething. Since almost midnight last night he woke up every 20 to 30 min, unless I was holding him. We did cosleep for about an hour stretch 2 different times, but cosleeping scares me so I didn't want to do it all night. Hopefully tonight is better! I got some teething tablets and if those don't work I may have to give him Tylenol.

Thespis7

@mm29‌ thanks for taking over!!
I am in CD 5 and doing well.... Taking my clomid and injections like a champ.

So much good news going on out there. Makes me smile!

Qotw: I am a single mother by choice so I am heading down the financial route alone. However, being single and being a teacher allowed me to qualify for a sliding scale payment plan with my RE. I have been able to get many procedures, test and surgeries covered by insurance.

StephieMK

@mm29‌ Thanks for taking over the check in.

@RunCC37‌ Good luck at your ultrasound tomorrow!

@refeek1‌ FX all goes as planned!

@JimBobCooter‌ Congrats on team blue again.

@Thespis7‌ GL with this cycle!

AFM, today I'm 8w2d. Just exhausted and nauseous all the time. Next ultrasound is next Monday.

QOTW: I live in a state that's mandated, but unfortunately work for a Catholic organization, so I have zero coverage for anything. We've managed to pay OOP for all ultrasounds and bloodwork. My in-laws helped us pay for the actual IUIs each month. So greatful for them! Now that I am pg, my insurance will cover things. Total BS.

Edited because I can't count...

Mrs.McIrish

Hi ladies!
Good luck RunCC!! Can't wait to see the ninja count!

Yay for finding a donor MM29!

congrats on team blue Jimbob!

Hugs DoubleP-- every 20-30 mins is rough!!!

AFM: we are doing well. My mom left yesterday so we are on our own now. I was alone yesterday for the first time bc DH had to work. We survived. Generally speaking my babies are very good so far and will sleep for 3-5 hr stretches but of course have their fussy days/nights when it's not like that. We see the pedi today for a weight check. I'm so in love with these Babies!! Here's a photo of them!
QOTW: we had great insurance for a lot of our treatment with OE. Probably used $100K of coverage. We still spent about $20K OOP with copays etc. Then another $32K for DE. We paid some with cash and put some on a zero percent credit card. We also downsized our house and had some equity. I'm not working so we've made due in a tiny house to allow me to not be as stressed with work while doing treatment and then while pregnant. We still owe some $ on the CC for the girls.

e74

@RunCC37‌ , I'll be looking for an update on how many ninjas! @ jimbob, congrats on team blue! AFM: one of the twins had a helmet due to torticolis and positional plagiocephaly giving him a flat head. He got it off right before a Thanksgiving. QOTW: We were completely oop ( except for non if related stuff (ie some tests and polyp removal were covered by insurance) so some of it came out of savings and some was a loan. We had been saving to do some things at the house and that money went to this. Instead of paying directly out of savings, though and writing a check directly, I put it on various credit cards to get the reward points... That's how we did Christmas that year... We gave gift cards or used the gift cards to pay for the purchases... Our family did not know so reducing amounts spent at Christmas due to financial strain would have seemed odd.... ETA: sorry... For some reason, spaces etc are no longer coming up for me so my responses run together.... Darn formatting!

1220winterbride

@mrsmcirish so cute!!

BeckyP005

@RunCC37‌ how did the u/s go?? @mm29‌ fx for you girl!!

Hey ladies..not much going on except insomnia which stinks 29 wks. Had my baby shower yesterday. Everything was bought off my registry and baby girl recieved so many clothes. Can't believe how thoughtful everyone was! Now everything is in a spare room and I'm looking at it all very overwhelmed lol. Had 1 hr on Thursday and still no results! Praying I passed.

QOTW: Nothing creative except a 0% credit card

J&D2007

Hey all! I've intro'd here before, but sorry I'm not very active on this board. I do know almost all of you though:-). @run, don't keep us in suspense! Let us know how it went today! @jbc, congrats on team blue! @mrs.mcirish, those are truly some beautiful girls! AFM, we are currently in the process of getting our ducks in a row for DE cycle starting in January, but dragging our feet a little as I look into other agencies. This week it's a psychology consult (any advice there? I can't imagine what's going to happen there!) and attorney meeting. QOTW: We have zero coverage for anything IF related, not even u/s and b/w. We are oop probably $90,000 far. Thankfully, we had built up some saving before we started and both have good jobs. We have put each cycle on a 0% credit card and started making monthly payments. We almost have our last cycle paid off, so now we can start charging it up again:-( It makes me sick that insurance companies can deny coverage on this condition. It's just not right.

Km672

Hey ladies-

@RunCC37‌ - hope all went well today!
@mm29 - so glad your consult went well. I have a good feeling about this plan!
@refeek1‌ - best of luck on the 21st! Fx this works for you!!
@Mrs.McIrish - omg your daughters are gorgeous!! So very happy for you!
@BeckyP005‌ - glad you had a nice shower!

Qotw: we paid for all of our treatments as a combination of me staying at a job that I absolutely couldn't stand, but had amazing IF insurance coverage (which is now maxed out) and savings. We have spent around $60k OOP, which was our hard earned savings.
We are currently saving for a potential future attempt and hope to continue to pay as much as we can upfront, but we will cross that bridge if we get there.

No updates here, won't have any for a long time because my Dr KK appt isn't until the end of February.

Just enjoying my time with my husband for now.

CinciSurro

** pregnancy mentioned **

My 7-week ultrasound is next Tuesday 12/16 to count babies ("ninjas" is so cute by the way) and my due date is 8/4/15.  I had the first bits of nausea this morning and my IPs were just way too happy to hear that lol. 

I have a text signature in the My Account section but it isn't showing up on my posts.  Any ideas?

lincoln79

*****baby mentioned*****

We are getting along wonderfully here. I can't believe LO is one month old already. We went to visit my mom this weekend to help her decorate for Christmas. She is recovering well from her double mastectomy and will start chemo on December 29th. She has a PET scan on Thursday to see if the cancer has spread to other organs.

QOTW: We were blessed to have insurance coverage for 4 IVFs and a friend offer to be our gestational surrogate which was much cheaper than going through an agency. We have been able to pay cash because of all this luck.

doodiebug18

Sending hugs and good thoughts to those who need them!


Pg mentioned

Beta 2 came in today at 434. My DH and I are over the moon excited. We'll be having our first ultrasound within the next few weeks, I'll know for sure after I talk to my RE tomorrow.

QOTW- For our first 2 iuis and buying DS I had enough money saved up. Thankfully I borrowed the money for my other iui s off my parents. We are so blessed that they were able to help us.

LittleLady77

** Siggy Warning**

Hi ladies- I haven't been on in a while but I wanted to come in and root for all you ladies.  This group was such a huge support for me when I was going through my DE-IVF and I will be forever grateful for the emotional support I received.  If there is ever anything I can do for anyone on here please ping me.  Hugs to everyone who needs them. 

vibeee

Hello ladies,

I'm late here again.  Work has been brutal...

I got 5 eggs out of my share and 3 of them fertilized.  I will get another report tomorrow. 

I am a ball of nerves.  I was hoping that going through DE it would be a much easier process.  Well it isn't...so much can still go wrong.

We wanted to do PGS and now I don't even know if it's worth it...

I hope our 3 embryos survive to day 5 and then survive the biopsy.

Ugh...

Hugs to everybody who needs them! 

I'll try to update when I get some 'good' news in few days.

IRR

Our surro is 8 weeks today!  We go for the next U/S Xmas eve.  @RunCC37 any updates?  @Doodiebug18 congrats again @Littlelady77 your LO's are adorable.  Hope everyone is having a good week.

RunCC37

Hi girls!! Sorry to leave you hanging. TBH, Dr. KK's protocol is keeping me so busy... I haven't had much time to get online! Plus, I am in catch-up mode at work and it's concert season. I am struggling to keep up!!

***PAIF Warning***
So it seems that we have TWO NINJA BEANS on board!!!! To put it in my doctor's words (with his awesome Portuguese accent), "It looks like you are twinning!" We are SO happy.

I had a bleeding scare on Wednesday at 6w1d. It was terrifying... I thought it was over. Thankfully, my RE got me in right away and we saw both ninjas on the ultrasound, still there and measuring slightly bigger than two days before. The RE found the source of the bleed - a subchorionic hematoma. The bleeding is exaggerated because I'm on blood thinners (Lovenox & baby aspirin). Dr. KK instructed me to stop them until we see what's up at our next ultrasound. Hopefully we'll see & hear two strong heartbeats. I've been having all the classic symptoms of pregnancy, so I am reassured by the morning sickness that they are growing.