~~Zero Sperm / AZOOSPERMIA CHECK IN

Re: ~~Zero Sperm / AZOOSPERMIA CHECK IN

• craschi

  August 2009

  Our vials have been ordered, and my monitoring begins on 8/12/09.  I'm already trying not to get ahead of myself w/thinking all the what ifs.  Just serenity now and expecting miracles! 

   

  Lots of great questions for this week - thanks everyone for your suggestions! 

   

   

  What do you plan to tell your kids?  If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age?  Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children?

  We will tell our child(ren).  When and how is yet to be determined.  I know there are some story books that touch on the subject.  In fact, I was able to read the children's story Sarahkelly wrote, and it was really cute. 

   

  What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries?  Do you plan to register your kids?  Do you have a preference in using a donor who is open to contact?

  I haven't really thought about this.  I would have to look further into it if we decided to register.  The donor we selected was not open to contact.  However, that was not the reason we selected him, and I did not have a preference. 

   

  Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react?

  We have told our family about our dx.  For my side, aside from some initial foot in mouth disease, which is common, we don't really talk about the subject that much.  DH, however, is an open book with his family.  Which is great. 

   

  How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm?

  Aside from close friends and family, I really don't go into detail regarding our infertilty.  I just say we are dealing with infertility and leave it at that.  

   

  Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life?

  No, not at all.  

   

  If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw?

  This does not apply to us.

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• gidge member

  August 2009

  Congrats Craschi!  How exciting

   

  1. What do you plan to tell your kids?  If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age?  Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children

  If we use a donor I think we will tell.  Not sure about the details, but I'd like to have it so they just always grow up knowing and don't have a big memory of a day or time when they found out.
  

  1. What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries?  Do you plan to register your kids?  Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact?

  I am torn.  I think I would like my children to know any half-siblings they may have and have the option to learn more about the donor when they're grown.  At the same time, I don't want any of that to exist or be an issue.
  

  1. Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react?

  My family only knows we are having "trouble" his family doesn't know we're even trying.
  

  1. How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm?

  General public - not at all.  Only a few people know.  I think if we use DS we'll tell very close friends and family.  I am actually really worried about how my parents will deal with that.
  
  

  1. Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life?

  A little bit.  Right after the dx I would cry or wouldn't be able to have sex around when I was ovulating- crazy I know.  Know, I think it's more just IF issues not so much Azoo that has put a crimp in our sex life.
  
  

  1. If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw?

  I don't have any experience with this, but our RE said it does happen sometimes. He also made it clear that it is more likely we won't find sperm than we find some and it doesn't thaw (this is purely for our circumstances).  He wouldn't speculate on the odds of finding a few and them not surviving vs finding some and having them thaw.
  

   

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• dejavu

  August 2009

  What do you plan to tell your kids???If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age??Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children?we do plan to tell our child(ren) how they were conceived when they are old enough to understand. ?we chose an open donor so that when they were old enough they could?initiate?contact. ?i don't know the exact age we would tell, it will depend on their ability to understand. ?not saying we'd wait till age 10, but 1 is to young. ?i plan to buy the X, Y and Me book to explain. ?https://www.xyandme.com/?What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries???Do you plan to register your kids???Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact?we have?already?registered with the DSR. ?there are no other matches so at this point i don't know what kind of contact we would want if other siblings come forward. ?email, phone or in person. ?we only looked at open donors (which can limit the availability) but felt it was important for our son and any other children to know.?Have you shared your dx w/family???If so, how did they react?both our families know. ?shock was the first reaction. ?DH's mother took it the hardest. ?she wanted to blame something/anything, but there were no answers as to why DH has azoo.?How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo???About Donor Sperm?our friends know, but not some random person off the street. if we're close enough to them then we have told them, but i'm not going to bring it up in conversation or anything. ?even if someone says DS looks like DH (which has happened) i don't bother to tell them any differently.?Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life? nope
  If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw? n/a

  
  

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• WhiteysWifey member

  August 2009

  1. We do plan on telling our child(ren)...there's a link on my blog to information that discusses how to talk to your child in an age appropriate manor.
     
  2. I think that at some point we will register on the DSR: Even if only so our children have that chance to find siblings. Our last cycle (which worked) we had decided that once we were through that cycle that we'd start with a different donor...one that was ID consent so that when the child was 18 they could contact the donor...obviously that didn't happen. Our daughter was concieved via an anonymous donor.
  3. We did tell our parents and a couple of siblings: I don't think they know how to respond...they all know that nothing they can say will make us feel better or change the situation. It was a lot of generic "I'm sorry"s.
  4. We haven't really decided how open we're going to be about donor sperm: Some family/friends would be entirely supportive and others not so much. We're pretty much taking it on a case by case basis.
  5. No, not really....for a few weeks after the dx it might have, but I think that was more DH drawing into himself than anything else.
  6. DH had a testicular biopsy Apr 07, and there were no sperm.
     
     If anyone is interested, there is some information on my blog about DS, and there was a website (https://theprivatedi.googlepages.com) that a few of us set up a long time ago...it hasn't been updated in a long time though.
     

  Wife. MoM {1G + BBG triplets}. DIY'er. Quilter. 

  :: Blog :: Pinterest ::

  
  

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• Mrs.AmandaMqn

  August 2009

   H's bloodwork revealed his testosterone was low and we go for a followup with the urologist on the 13th, we're going to request another testosterone test. We dropped off another SA and should get the results tomorrow, doing a third SA next week.

  Craschi-- so happy for you guys!! yay!

  ttc2-- somehow I missed your good news, yay for sperm!!
  

   

  1. Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react?

  My parents and siblings know everything, their reaction in very positive. As in, we shouldn't believe it or give up. They just can't "see" us without children. It makes me sick to hear them go on and on like that and it hurts. My ILs don't know but my SIL and BIL do, H told his brother and I told his sister. H is waiting to tell his parents until we know more. SIL and BIL reactions were awesome, they are both RNs so they give us great medical advice.
  

  1. How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm?

  I am very open to my the handful of people that know but I haven't "come out" on FB yet. Waiting on more testing before I start being very open about it.
  

  1. Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life?

  It definitely has, sadly. The first time we had sex after the dx, we both cried afterward. It was awkward! Now we just do our thing but afterward, I do feel a little sad. I need to just deal with it but I'm guessing it's just going to take some time for both of us. H acts normal and his sex drive hasbn't changed.
  
  

  TTC since April 2008

  Me: PCOS/Amenorrhea DH: Azoospermia due to Y Chromosome Micro Deletion IVF w/ ICSI on hold until further notice

  Hope

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• KayJayDee

  August 2009

  I'm sorry I don't check in very often. ?Usually it's just a matter of forgetting that it's Thursday! ?Thanks for posting a link craschi!?

  What do you plan to tell your kids???If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age??Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children? ?

  We do plan to tell our child (children if we have more than one). ?I think starting at an early age will help us avoid the "big reveal" conversation later on down the line. ?I have some booklets that I've shared with fellow azoo girls in the past that I got from the psychologist we had to meet with as part of our process. ?There are four booklets that address the various questions and concerns that arise at different ages, from early childhood through young adulthood. ?If anyone is interested, I'm always happy to share.. page me on SAIF.

  What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries???Do you plan to register your kids???Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact? ?

  I haven't really thought this far ahead. ?Probably. ?Our donor is not open to contact. ??

  Have you shared your dx w/family???If so, how did they react?

  Yes, both of our families and all of our close friends know. ?Everyone has been very supportive. ?They all had questions, but since we got pregnant it really hasn't been an issue for anyone. ?If it has, they haven't said anything! LOL ?I think they see how totally excited my husband is about this baby and it sets their minds at ease. ?This is our child, even if we had to go about getting him in an unconventional way!?

  How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo???About Donor Sperm?

  DH and I decided to be open to a point and we have stuck to that. ?That means that family and friends are in the know, but random strangers - not so much. ?If it comes up naturally in a conversation, we'll address it on a case by case basis, but we don't bring it up. ?I think it would make people uncomfortable if they're not expecting it. ?I actually had to tell a coworker our situation without necessarily wanting to. ?She was new, I was pregnant, she asked questions (had you been trying? how long?) and got very personal very quickly. ?I'm not the type to just shut someone down with a nasty mind-your-own-business type of retort, so I answered her questions. ?When she found out we'd used a fertility specialist, she actually had the ballz to ask, "so is the baby your husband's? ?Is it a mixture of the two of you?" ?I was shocked at her boldness, but decided to follow through with what DH and I had decided and answered truthfully. ?I have nothing to be ashamed of. ?We are not embarrassed by our decision to use donor sperm and I think that situation presented itself to challenge me. ?She was very embarrassed, by the way! ?Apologized profusely for asking such a personal question. ?It was pretty funny in the end.?

  Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life?

  At first, yes, but I think it was more the year of ttc sex that resulted in nothing and then we found out that nothing we did would work and I just felt burnt out sexually. ?After a couple of months we got back into the groove. ?

  If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw?

  This does not apply to us.?

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• firegirlkorb1

  August 2009

  I go Saturday for a follie check ultrasound and IUI #3 will be after that. 

  We are hoping 3rd times a charm!!!

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• Yellow_Daisy

  August 2009

  Craschi, I am so excited for you!  Looking forward to some updates.  Good Luck!

  What do you plan to tell your kids?  If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age?  Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children? We plan to tell our kid(s) early and often.  Like others have said we don't want it to be a big deal or the proverbial elephant in the room.  SarahKelly's book was really great (any update on publishing?).  I haven't looked into info much since we haven't started our IUIs yet.

   

  What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries?  Do you plan to register your kids?  Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact? We are definitely going with an anon donor.  We don't want to have a 3rd parent in our child(ren)'s lives.  We kind of feel the same way about sibling registries.  While we don't want to deny our child access to siblings we also don't really want the complication of bringing people we don't know into our lives.  I guess we will cross this bridge when we get there.  I will be interested to see what other people think on this subject.

   

  Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react?

  How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm?  Both of our families know with the exception of my dad, but that is only because it has never come up.  Being a single guy he isn't really thinking about his kids having kids until it comes up :-).

   

  Both our families were really great and have been nothing but supportive.  My sister wants to know everything about the IF process.  DH's brother and his wife had IF issues and adopted.  His other sister and her DH had IF issues as well and are pg via IVF so his family is broken in and nothing shocks them anymore.  When it is all said and done they will have adopted grandkids, grandkids through IVF and grandkids through a donor.  What a family

   

  We are very open about our DX.  While we don't tell perfect strangers out of the blue if someone asks we tell them.  We don't feel like using donor sperm is shameful or embarrassing or something to hide.  The more people talk about the more common it will become.  I have been pleasantly surprised by the lack of reaction from people and how accepting they are.  We have not had any negative comments in regards to using a donor.  That is not to say people don't say stupid things but it has never been in regards to our donor situation.  My DH even works with a couple ladies that used donors so it has been really great for him to have that support.

   

  Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life? It hasn't. 

   

  If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw? This doesn't apply to us.

   

  Great questions this week!  I love all the info we are all able to share with one another!

  TTC since 8/2004
  Me - DX Hashimoto's Disease, Hypothyroid, Rheumatoid Arthritis
  DH - DX Azoospermia - Sertoli Cell Syndrome
  DS-IUI #1-4 BFN IVF #1 - BFP! It's a boy!!!
  

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• Mrs.Kiltlifter

  August 2009

  1. What do you plan to tell your kids?  If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age?  Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children? We will definitely tell our kids.  I am not sure of the age.  We will tell them that daddy could not have kids, that he was born without the ability and so we used a donor and how lucky we were to be able to do that and have our child(ren).  There is a book called Talking and Telling that comes out the UK.  It is about donor sperm and used with kids. 
     
  2. What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries?  Do you plan to register your kids?  Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact?We are using a anonymous donor.  I am not sure how I feel about the donor being contacted.  DH is the daddy and I would have a hard time meeting the sperm donor in person.  But we do know what he looks like etc.  
     
  3. Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react?Our family knows. They were sad at first but are now really excited at the prospect of a grandchild, niece.nephew etc
     
  4. How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm? I educate where I can.  I have kept our IUI's a secret because I don't want the pressure.  But everyone knows what we deal with and that we would use donor sperm. 
     
  5. Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life?No, but we always knew that DH had azoo, the question was whether there was sperm in the tissue.  The official diagnosis did not change a thing. 
     
  6. If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw? Unfortunately we are azoo, no sperm. 
     

  DH-NOA confirmed with TESE, ME-Unexplained After 1 Miscarriage, 6 IUI's, our little miracles are here. Proud Parents of Twins.
  

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• Mrs.Kiltlifter

  August 2009

  An update and questions for next week:

  Update:  Follie scan tomorrow and IUI probably on Sunday. Hopefully numero 4 is our lucky number.

  Questions for next week:

  1. If you are unable to get PG using one donor will you consider switching to another donor?

  2. Do you tell people about your treatments or do you keep that secret?
  

  DH-NOA confirmed with TESE, ME-Unexplained After 1 Miscarriage, 6 IUI's, our little miracles are here. Proud Parents of Twins.
  

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• TripMomma member

  August 2009

  Our story is a tad long. After 2 years of not preventing pregnancy we started the testing process. I had all my blood tests done and an HSG, all came back normal. Hubby did an SA and it came back 0. We then got donor sperm and started down our IUI path. We did just 1 IUI per cycle and the first 3 cycles were unmedicated and unmonitored (I used OPKs)....all BFNs. The next 2 IUI's were on 100mg Clomid and again just used OPKs...BFNs. We made plans to try 1 more IUI on 100mg Clomid but this time we did an ultrasound and trigger shot for timing. As I left I bought injectables as both the RE and myself figured it wouldn't work and we would have to take the next step up in meds. Well that was money wasted IUI #6 worked and we were blessed with BGG triplets!

  We plan to go back this December for our last child....we have 1 vile left from the same donor that gave us the trio. He is no longer donating so we hope the 1st time works this go.

   

  1. What do you plan to tell your kids?  If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age?  Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children? I left this up to my husband and at this point he doesn't want to tell them.
  2. What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries?  Do you plan to register your kids?  Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact? We picked an anonymous donor and I don't think we will do sibling reg.
  3. Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react? Only MIL and one of my brothers and one of my sisters know. They were fully supportive.
  4. How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm? We don't talk about it unless we know the person is in the same situation.
  5. Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life? I think DH got a bit depressed so maybe a little.
  6. If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw? N/A

  Good luck everyone!

  

  Xander, Hayden & Lily 5 1/2 and Jericho 3 My Blog!

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• efhoping2010 member

  August 2009

  Yay to everyone with good news, positive thoughts to all.  Update: My DH does have a minor CF mutation it is a 5T repeat anyways we are being sent to the genetic counselor today, the fun never ends with this diagnosis.  So I am not sure what that will bring.  I was tested not to be a carrier so I am not sure if we do anything further maybe test our created embryos for CF but not sure, would rather not.  We go Monday for shot teaching, signing consents, and ordering meds for our IVF protocol.  I am nervous but excited to get going, these BCP are really making me feel icky though.  Oh well I am hopeful even maing it to this step.

   

  QOTW:

  1. We are not in the donor sperm area yet, it all depends if swimmers are found during the PESA/TESE in two weeks.  My guess is we would either use a known close family donor or totally anonymous but at this point my DH will not even discuss this possibility.

  2.  Not sure about this, I think DH would not want this child to know it genetically was not his since if we did ever use sperm donor sperm we would likely tell no one.  I am for using a sperm donor if he has no swimmers so we differ greatly on this.  He has said he would rather adopt at that point.  Almost as if a child cannot genetically be his it cannot genetically be mine either, ugh, selfish.

   

  3.  We have only shared with both of our parents and I have with three close friends.  So no one really knows about our struggles although I think they are curious why we are not pregnant yet and my my usually happy bubbly DH is so somber and quiet lately.

   

  4.  Not verbal/open at all about Azoo, both DH and I are very private in general and he is still totally mortified by his dx.  He keeps apologizing for not having a vas deferens and that I have to go through IVF/ICSI.  It is no one's fault so that seems unecessary.

  5.  Yes when he had the initial 0 SA he did not want to be touched at all and he withdrew both physically and emotionally for about a month.  It was awful but we got through it.  He improved after seeing the infertiltiy urologist.  Though I still think he feels like less of a man deep down.  Things are better now though in that department.

  6.  I think this was my question, we are dealing with this exactly in two weeks and I am nervous not only about finding swimmers but them not surviving test thaw.  That would delay starting stims and would require having a fresh PESA/TESE for ER, plus my RE said if the swimmers do not survive thaw it means the quality is not good.  So it will be a tense few days for us after surgery.

   

  Have a great weekend everyone

  H: 34 dx Azoospermia due to CBAVD from CF  

  ME: 39 IS FINE!!!  DOR and poor AMH/FSH/LH

  IVF/ICSI/PESA #1 Beta 1 373 Beta 2 1783 BOY/GIRL TWINS!! Born April 2010!!

  Natural FET 5/26/12 2 blasts Beta 1 207 Beta 2 513 Beta 3 1377 U/S 6/28 Pregnancy not viable d & c scheduled  

  IVF/ICSI/PESA #2 ER 11/15/12 Nothing to transfer  

  IVF/ICSI #3 April 2013 MDLF 3dt of 3 embryos, chemical   

  IVF #4/ICSI/MESA/CCS/FET EPP April 2015

  ODWU CCRM with Dr. Sch COMPLETE!!!! Put on acai supplement they are studying for DOR and embryo quality.

  DAY 3 Labs Drawn 2/26 put on vitamin D and calcium supplements

  Regroup and Protocol Reveal 3/04 "Bazooka Protocol" EPP with MDLF "Protocol 6 with patches"

  ER/MESA 4/10 ER 9 eggs retrieved MESA success found live swimmers

  Fertilization Report 6 eggs mature and ICSI'd 4 eggs fertilized normally

  Day 6 Report to Blast for CCS 4/16: 2 DAY 5 BLASTS BIOPSIED FOR CCS a 4AB and a 3AB!!!!

  CCS Results BOTH BLASTS CCS NORMAL!!!!!!  call on 4/24

  Regroup call to discuss CCS results and FET call on 5/20

  FET prep: CD 1 6/08 CD 3 Start BCP 6/10, HSG 6/12 Lupron Start 10 iu 6/17 End BCP 6/21 CD 1 6/23!!!

  Start vivelle patches 6/25 change e/o/d reduce Lupron to 5iu 6/25 Blood Draw 7/01, 7/08, 7/15, 7/19

  Increase vivelle patches 7/03 2 change e/o/d and 7/05 change e/o/d 3 and 7/07 4 change e/o/d add vaginal estrace 2x a day

  Lining Check/Blood Draw 7/08 and 7/15 End Lupron 7/18  Start PIO 1ml daily 7/18  Blood  Draw 7/19

  Flight to clinic 7/22

  FET 2 CCS BLASTS   7/23  YES YES both thawed and both fully expanded

  7/26 3dp5dt PM very very faint positive FRER

  7/27: 4dp5dt Neg Digi AM but very very faint positive FRER PM POSITIVE DIGI CLEARBLUE PREGNANT 1-2  

  7/31:8dp5dt AM POSITIVE DIGI CLEARBLUE PREGNANT 2-3!!!!  

  Beta 1 8/01= 408!!!!!!!!!! at 9dp5dt FET

  Beta 2 8/03 = 1014!!!!!!!!!! at 11dp5dt FET

  8/05/2015 AM POSITIVE DIGI CLEARBLUE PREGNANT 3+!!!!  

  First Ultrasound: 8/20!!!!!! TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Genetics says BOTH BOYS!!!!!!!!!

  Second Ultrasound: 9/03!!!!!!!!!!

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

   

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• k827

  August 2009

  can you update me! we are in the middle of FET #2 thanks!

  TTC since 12/ 06: H/Azoospermia Ivf#1 BFP m/c 5w3d FET#1 c/p FET# 2 BFN IVF#2 BFFN IVF#3 March/April

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• sarahkelly

  August 2009

  HI Ladies! I very rarely (read: never) catch the check in's so YAY for making it this week, although it's Friday, not Thursday.

  I wanted to wish you all luck with your journey's and reiterate that you can contact me at any time if you have questions or need to vent or whatever. I'm more than open to sharing our stories, my insight and my virtual shoulder to cry on.

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• SeaSoul member

  August 2009

  Hi!  Thanks for the reminder over on SAIF - I have not checked in with this weekly post for a long time.  I'm not sure how/why I was removed from the original list - I know my name used to be on here, I think even after I had my baby?  But please add me to the success stories:
  
  SeaSoul
  DS success story
  Baby boy, Cal, born 12/13/08
  Emails welcome: kjsp7 at hotmail dot com
  Or send a PM to friend me on FB
  
  

  1. What do you plan to tell your kids?  If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age?  Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children?
     I have found great materials on this subject through donorsiblingregistry.com.  The booklets can be found here:
     https://www.donor-conception-network.org/telltalkpubs.htm
     
     We are not planning to make a big announcement, but, rather, incorporate the reality of the donor into Cal's everyday life from the time that he can comprehend.  The literature suggests ways to do this.
     
  2. What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries?  Do you plan to register your kids?  Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact?
     Already have!    And yes, we used a ID-release donor.  This was VERY important to us. 
     
  3. Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react?
     Yes.  We were open from the start.  Everyone has been incredibly supportive and understanding.
     
  4. How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm?
     Pretty open.  We don't blurt it out to strangers, but family, friends, and acquaintances know.  I've even heard DH himself tell people, i.e. when an acquaintance asked who our son looked like, DH said "actually, we used a donor."  I'm so proud of him for being so cool about it.  And by being so open, I think we help reduce the stigma that's out there.  The guy he was talking to didn't blink an eye either, which was great!
     
  5. Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life?
     Not directly, I don't think. DH doesn't have a very high libido compared to a lot of guys, and I do wonder if it is in any way related (physically) to his azoo.
     
  6. If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw?
     N/A
     

  Childhood cancer (DH) + chemo + radiation = 0 sperm.
  LO #1 - 1 unmedicated/self-monitored IUI w/ donor sperm.
  LO #2 - 1 m/c, 2 BFNs, 4th IUI worked (unmedicated/self-monitored with new donor sperm).
  Life is beautiful!

  
  

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• princess48533

  August 2009

  I'm really late on this but I wanted to participate. I just introduced myself yesterday. Next for us is a biopsy for H, and I guess the results from that will determine where we go from there.
  

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• K8-B

  August 2009

  Hi! I'm Kate. DH and I only just found out we are azoo 8/4. We have an appt with Uro on 8/18 to discuss biopsy.

  DH had a SCI (spinal cord injury) 7 years ago. Our plan is if there are sperm, we will head toward IVF with ICSI, but if there are no sperm, we head to adopction. We both feel that donor sperm are out of the question for us; For no particular reason, just that it's not something we want to do with our family. This past week has been a roller coaster of emotions and discussions.

  So, right now we are in the waiting and seeing stage.

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• September06

  August 2009

  Hi. Can you add us to your list? I'm not that regular of a poster but I've received a lot of information and comfort through this board.

  DH was diagnosed with azoo last year due to a chromosomal abnormality. We decided to do mTESE and IVF with ICSI and PGD. He was on Clomid for 6 months, and then has been on HCG injections since March. We did the mTESE last Thursday and found 0 sperm. :-(

  We used our backup donor sperm and transferred 2 beautiful embies on Wednesday. I've developed mild OHSS and we are just waiting to see what happens now!

  As for the questions:

  1) Yes, we will definitely tell the kids in an age appropriate way so that it is a completely normal thing for them.

  2) We used an anonymous donor. Haven't really thought about sibling registries yet.

  3) Both sets of parents know and have been wonderfully supportive. We even asked them if they had any problems ethically with what we are doing and they did not.

  4) We aren't at all public about this yet. It's still so new to us since until last week we were really hoping that he had sperm. I feel like coming out about IVF will lift a huge burden from me. We'll take the rest as it comes.

  5) The HCG greatly improved our sex life :-)

  6) n/a

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• theworms member

  August 2009

  1. What do you plan to tell your kids?  If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age?  Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children?              We will be telling our children about ds and will start early with age appropriate materials that many of you have suggested.
  2. What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries?  Do you plan to register your kids?  Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact?  Our donor is anonymous and he was the only donor we found with same ethnicity as DH, which is very important to us.  I will not be joining donor sibling registry but will give all the info to our children and they can sign up when they are older.
  3. Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react? We have shared our Dx with our families and close friends and everyone is shocked and just can't understand it (DH is youngest of 12 kids and we have 45 nieces and nephews, no IF in his family).  We will be telling our friends and my parents about DS but DH will not be telling his family
  4. How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm? I am only open with my family and friends that know
  5. Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life? no, but mTESE has affected my DH, TMI, his orgasms are less intense, he's going to see Uro about it.
  6. If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw? n/a

  
  Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, It empties today of its strength. ~Corrie ten Boom
  Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. ~Mary Anne Radmacher (thank you beadinglady)
  
  It's been a long journey. TTC since 9/06. multiple IUI's and IVF's and 4 m/c's. IVF#3 = BFP, twins, induced at 34w6d due to baby b passing away (no explanation). Delivered on 35w1d, Baby A - baby girl, and Baby B - baby boy, our little angel.
  MTHFR A1298C & C677T, Immune Issues and Factor II
  

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• MrsNolan

  August 2009

      What do you plan to tell your kids?  If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age?  Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children? We plan on telling our child(ren) how they were conceived. When we are not sure of yet. I plan on checking out the information I think Seasoul recommended on the DSR website. Looks like they offer some good information. What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries?  Do you plan to register your kids?  Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact? Still unsure how we feel about Donor Sibling Registries. We did however pick an ID consent donor, so we will leave it up to our children if they wish to initiate contact. Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react? Both sets of parents are aware of our diagnosis. And our close siblings are aware. DH comes from a large family, so he has some younger siblings they don't know. How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm? We are very open about DS with our immediate familiesfriends who know about our DX. Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life?  I think in the beginning it did a little, but now not at all! If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw? N/A.

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• Enza member

  August 2009

  I caught your message and SAIF and wanted to share my success. I rarely post, but I am very often on, reading messages and sometimes responding. Anyone interested in asking about our process, especially DH's mTESE, can do so by paging me on SAIF or emailing me directly. I feel so so blessed and grateful to have had TTTC during my process and have even made a dear friend through it all (Ciao ML!!!).
  

  Enza
  Success thorough mTESE & IVF with ICSI
  Baby boy, Matteo, born 05/22/09
  Emails welcome: enzasmiles at gmail dot com
  
  

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• mparket

  September 2009

  My DH was diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia in May 09. After having FNA mapping done, it was determined that he has Sertoli Cell Only syndrome. Unfortunately not even 1 sperm was found during the procedure.

  We have moved forward with donor sperm. We just ordered our vials and our first IUI is scheduled for 9/20/09. Please wish us luck!!

  What do you plan to tell your kids?  If you plan to tell them about donor, at what age?  Can you recommend any books or material for talking to your children?

  We do plan on telling our children. Not sure how or when, but it's very important that they know this critical piece of their history. I would hate the burden of having to keep a secret like that.

   

  What are your thoughts on Sibling Registries?  Do you plan to register your kids?  Do you have a preference in using g adonor who is open to contact?

  We are not using an open donor, mostly because we didn't find one that matched. We will most likely register our children.

   

  Have you shared your dx w/family?  If so, how did they react?

  We have not shared that info. We only plan on telling our child, and then will let them when & who to tell should they wish to. It's important to us that the child know, but not everyone else.

   

  How verbal/open are you to the general public about azoo?  About Donor Sperm?

  Not very open about it.

   

  Has the Azoo dx affected your sex life?

  No, not at all!

   

  If sperm has been detected and surgically extracted, has anyone dealt with sperm not surviving thaw?

   Unfortunately no sperm were found.

   

   

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