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: Summer is drawing to a close, so tell us what was the best most amazing thing you did this summer?

Check-In leader PrincessIsadora
Posted every Wednesday
Waiting for 1st Cycle
chicory (IVF#1 October)
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)
marianass (IVF #1)
nariadreaming (November IVF #1)
rumbera28 (Dembryo/DE late Fall)
sunni01 (IVF#1 Sept/Oct)
tweetyknicks (RE appt 9/22)
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?, considering IUI#2 before IVF#2)
runcc37 (Dr. KK in Sept., DE IVF #1 looking for match)
shellbeans82 (IVF#3 November)
spring78 (Oct? FET)
tabbytown (Nov. IVF#4)
tea+ (not sure IVF#2)
tptbabe (IVF/ICSI #2 December or January)
twinkie0612 (f/u with Dr. KK in Sept)
zenysom (Sept IUI, appt with Dr. KK)
Moved on to September Sweet Peas
Big (((((Hugs))))):
*Losses mentioned*
Me: 34 DH:32
TTC #1 since Dec 2011
HSG = tubes clear, bicornuate or septate ute; MRI= severe arcuate uterus no septum seen
SA #1 low count, low morph; SA#2 4% Morph, count OK SA#3 july 2014= NORMAL!!!
9/2013 IUI#1 w/Clomid 100mg = over response; cycle converted to cryoocyte IVF
IVF #1: 9/15 ER= 9 mature eggs, all eggs made it thru vitrification
10/23 ICSI 6 fertilized; 10/28 5dt of two morulas. Hold on to me babies, stick, stick, stick!!
11/6 BFP EDD 7/14/14 Beta #1= 18; 11/9 Beta #2= 44.8; 11/12 Beta #3= 7 = Early loss @4w6d. No frosties Feb 2014 Hysterscopy = no septum seen ute all clear in the inside
IUI #1.1 4/2/14 Beta on 4/16 BFN
Thinking about IUI #2 RE advised to try 3?????
Natural cycle surprise BFP 8/3/14 EDD 4/11/15 beta#1(8/5/14)=35 Beta#2(8/8/14)=22 CP/Early loss@5w
PAIF/SAIF Welcome
Re: ****Hanging on to a Dream check in 9/3***
I have my hysteroscopy scheduled for next wednesday, I am still waiting to hear if the anesthesia provider can get my anesthesia approved for in network coverage, since they don't accept my insurance and I have no out of network coverage. If not I am OOP on the anesthesia.
I am also waiting to hear back from Dr. KK's office about all of my blood work claims. Everything was denied by my insurance because we don't have infertility insurance (even basic things like CBC, chem panel, thyroid, vit D, etc) and the total is nearly $5,000. I am hoping some can be resubmitted since my office visits and my ultrasounds were covered. If we have to pay the full amount out of pocket, it will be a major blow to our infertility treatments fund.
QOTW: We really didn't do much this summer since we were gearing up for another IVF cycle and testing/treatment with Dr. KK.
TTC #1 since August 2011
My Blog
September 2012: Start IF testing
DH (32): SA is ok, slightly low morph, normal SCSA Me (32): Slightly low progesterone, hostile CM, carrier for CF, Moderately high NKC, High TNFa, heterozyogous mutated Factor XIII, and +APA
October 2012-May 2014: 4 failed IUIs, 3 failed IVFs, and 1 failed FETw/donor embryos
November 2014: IVF w/ICSI #4 Agonist/Antagonist with EPP and Prednisone, Baby Aspirin, Lovenox, and IVIG for immune issues. Converted to freeze all due to lining issues. 2 blasts frozen on day 6!
January 2015: FET #2 Cancelled due to lining issues
April 2015: FET #2.1
PAIF/SAIF Welcome!
**loss mentioned**
AFM, I am waiting for AF to show up after my D&C. I have one more week to still make the window for an October cycle. Never been so anxious to actually start AF!
Otherwise, just going about life. We are fostering a litter of 4 kittens and their momma for a local rescue group. They are totally adorable and pretty much taking up every spare moment I am not at work right now, especially since the runt is requiring a little extra care. We have 3 black&white tuxedo boys and a little girl that is white with black spots. So cute! Anyone looking for a new kitten? ;-)
QOTD: Other than getting through almost a whole first trimester before our loss... The most exciting thing we did was a two week road trip through the southwest visiting national parks and such. We put around 2000 miles on our rental car!
*************Siggy Warning. Loss mentioned.************
Me: 36, DH:37
Married 4/2010, TTC since 7/2011
Dx: Officially Unexplained (I have Polycystic Ovaries diagnosed via ultrasound, but few classic PCOS symptoms, he has mild MF issues. So... not issue free, but nothing so severe as to explain IF)
I also deal with post-surgical Hypothyroidism following Thyroid Cancer in 2009, but under control with Levothyroxine
4 months Clomid (thinned lining) and 10 months Letrozole (every indication that I responded perfectly)
6 failed IUIs in 2013, 3 with trigger
IVF #1 in March 2014
ER 3/21/14, 31R/21F, 12 frosties!
ET 3/26/14, 1 perfect blast transferred: BFN
FET#1 5/28/14, 2 "beautiful" early blasts transferred. BFP!!
Beta #1 (6/11/14) 798; Beta #2 (6/18/14) 7,966.
1st u/s (6/25/14) showed 2 sacs, 1 empty & 1 with a beautiful little bean doing what it needs to do!
EDD 2/14/15, missed miscarriage, DX: Trisomy 21. D&C 8/1/14
FET#2 Transferred 3 embies, 2 looking pretty good, one not so much. BFN.
IVF#2 January 2015, tentative ER 1/23
Good luck tomorrow @Twinkie0612! Hopefully they can figure out the billing too. It's not like this stuff doesn't cost enough already! I've heard Dr KKs office is pretty good about dealing with insurance though, so hopefully they're able to sort it out for you
@Spring78 - I want a kitteh!!! Except my dog is kind of a bitch. She's the stereotypical dog for sure! Hopefully AF shows up for you soon!!!
Good luck with your cycle @marianass! You better not come back here!!!
AFM, we've scheduled an appointment for early January with our RE to start our next cycle. We're looking at a long Lupron protocol next time, so it looks like we'll be cycling in February? I'm starting supplements to improve my egg health (and just ordered "It Starts With the Egg") and we're planning on PICSI next time as well, so hopefully that does the trick
QOTW: We had an awesome summer, and did all kinds of fun things! I'd have to say though, that the most interesting thing we did this summer was go to a D-Day reenactment. It was pretty amazing to witness, and we plan on going back next year, possibly as reenactors? Link in case anybody is a big dork like we are: https://ddayohio.us/
***EVERYONE WELCOME***
QOTD: Hmmm. Haven't done too much being wrapped up in IVF stuff. I did have a blast at the Scentsy Family Reunion. We aren't going on vacation until November.
All Welcome
***Losses mentioned***
***TTC since June 2011
***DH to see urologist Feb. 2013
***BFP #1: Feb. 2nd, 2013; M/C #1: Feb. 12th, 2013 5w3d :'(
***1st RE appt. April 10th, 2013
***IUIs #1-4 all failed
***IVF Consult October 7th, 2013
***IVF #1- January 2014: ER 1/20, ET of 2 embryos 1/23, Beta 2/5 *none to freeze*
***Feb 14th, 2014- M/C #2 @ 5w5d :'(
***RPL Bloodwork---- diagnosed with Factor V Leiden and MTHFR
***appt. w/ Genetic Counselor- April 18th
***hysteroscopy/laparoscopy scheduled for May 22nd- looks good
***IVF #2- July 2014
***7/26 Retrieval- 3 eggs
, 2 fertilized
, none to freeze
***7/28 ET- 2dt of 2 embryos, stick little embies!!!
***8/11 beta- BFN
***WTF- DE IVF best option now
***DE IVF- January 2015
Hi ladies! I'm all set for an Oct retrieval. I paid the cycle fee and ordered my meds. Of course, the schedule didn't work out as well as we hoped so I'm on BCP for 10 days and then off and then back BCPs during our trip to St Lucia. Lupron begins the day after we return. The RE didn't want me on BCP straight for a month and I didn't want to be off them during our trip because we would have to use protection then prior to the Lupron start. Anyways, we finally figured it out! I'm really nervous to try the lupron down regulation protocol since our previous cycles were antagonist. I'm hoping that we get better egg quality this time around.
QOTW: I had a great summer. We tried to do lots of fun thing instead of focus on our IF journey. We went to the beach a few times, two concerts, spend some time at the pool and with family and friends. I'm really looking forward to our 3rd anniversary trip in 1.5 weeks to close out a great summer!
BFP #1: 1/4/13, EDD 9/8/13, Missed M/C confirmed 2/8/13, Misoprostol
2013: Three CPs w/ EDDs: EDD 2/10/14, EDD 3/24/14, EDD 6/24/14
IVF/ICSI #1 (Antagonist) - Jan 2014- 19R, 14M, 11F, 3 penguins (6BB, 4BB, 6BC) PGD tested- All Normal!
IVF/ICSI #2 (Antagonist) - Feb 2014 - 23R, 11M, 10F, 1 penguin (3BB) - Another Normal!
FET #1 - March 26, BFN
FET #2- Beta #1 (9dp5dt) -332, Beta #2 (11dp5dt) -1027, EDD 1/30/2015, Missed M/C, D&C 6/19/14
IVF/ICSI #3 (Lupron Down Reg) - Oct 2014 - 38R, 28M, 27F, 20 frozen on day 5, 16 normal penguins!!
FET#3 - February 1, 2015, Prep begins 1/13
All Welcome!
princessisadora thank you for taking over the check-in! You didn't update us on you?
@Twinkie0612 that is a nightmare about the billing. I really hope you get covered for some/all of it. And I really hope you get anesthesia coverage for your hysteroscopy. Every time I have a new test/treatment I hold my breath waiting to see what may or may not be covered, since I have no IF coverage, either, but testing is mostly covered. I really hope that you have a great follow up with Dr. KK and come up with a solid plan.
@spring78 I hope AF comes soon for you. Mine came exactly four weeks after my D&C, but I had an earlier loss than you did. I'm super jealous that you are fostering kittens, but I honestly don't know how I would be able to give them up. In my dream life I have a huge house that doubles as a cat sanctuary (DH is not on board with this fantasy).
marianass best of luck with your first IVF!
tweetyknicks I hope everything goes smoothly so you can quickly move forward with IVF #1. Sounds like you had a crazy summer with your SSs. I'm glad that things are less crazy as you head into IVF #1.
tptbabe I really liked "It Starts with the Egg" I hope you find it as helpful. I've tried to adopt as many of the recommendations as possible. Taking time to prepare for IVF #2, sounds like a great idea. I highly recommend PICSI, too, so sounds like a solid plan, I hope the time passes quickly for you!
Jetta83306 That is so exciting! I hope the time passes by super quickly for you. And how great that you'll have a vacation before.
CallaLily30 I'm glad you got the prep figured out (my DH would be so whiny if we went on a big, romantic vacation and he had to use condoms) and I hope a change to your protocol yields great results!
AFM: I vented about DH's appointment with the urologist in a separate post. Waiting to hear the final verdict on that and will be repeating CD3 testing with next AF (which should be next week or so) and then we'll see if there are going to be any changes to my protocol- my RE was looking into adding HGH. I'm planning for prep in Oct and IVF#4 in November, but that could change depending on the urologist's recommendation, my testing, etc.
QOTW: I just came back from Atlanta and did the Animal Encounter at the Georgia Aquarium with beluga whales and it was just a fantastic experience.
***************************Loss Mentioned***************************
Me 37 y/o, DH 45 y/o; DH vasectomy reversal (his 2nd marriage) 11/8/12; TTC since 12/8/12. IVF due to MFI. DOR diagnosis April 2015.
IVF #1 BCPs/Antagonist w/ICSI Jan 2014 = BFN
IVF #2 MDL w/PICSI March 2014 = BFN
IVF #3 EPP/Antagonist w/PICSI May/June 2014 = BFP!; MMC 6w4d
IVF #4 No suppression/Antagonist Nov 2014/Converted to IUI #1 = BFNIVF #4.1 Feb 2015 = cancelled
IVF #4.2 April 2015 - Lupron Stop Protocol with ICSI = PGD testing of embryo indicated it was abnormal
IVF #5 June 2015 EPP with Antagonist
Nothing new to report on my end. I'm still debating if/when we do an IUI before doing the RLP or chromosomal blood analysis. Decisions, decisions.
QOTW: this has been an absolutely wonderful summer. My fave thing we did has to be kayaking down in Key Largo on my birthday and I got to see manatees.
---- Siggy warning ------
Me 34 y/o DH 35 y/o
IVF#1 (ICSI)-- April 2014-- MDL with BCP, 5R, 4 ICSID, 3dt with three embryos, 1 six-day freeze (2BA grade)-- BFN
IVF#2.1 (ICSI)-- August 2014: MDL without BCP-- cancelled
Natural IUI on 11/8 -- BFN
IVF#2.2 (ICSI)--Nov/Dec 2014: MDL without BCP, 5R, 1 ICSID, frozen on day 6 (grade 2BB)
FET #1: transferred two 5 (or 6?)day embryos on January 27. Beta #1 (2/4): 158, Beta #2 (2/6): 391 Beta #3(2/9): 1187 BFP!
First u/s at 5w1d showed one gestational sac and yolk sac. Second u/s at 6w showed heartbeat at 102. Third u/s at 7w heart rate 145. EDD 10/15/2015
No real updates for me... Just waiting as patiently as I can for my Dr. KK follow up & to hear about our hopeful DE match.
QOTW: definitely training for and kicking ass at the marathon!! I am so proud of myself and I got surprisingly emotional at the last quarter mile. I was just thinking how symbolic it was to this crazy journey through IF... In both cases, I have wanted to give up many times along the way... But yesterday's race, I persevered and it was worth it!!
***************************Loss Mentioned***************************
Me 37 y/o, DH 45 y/o; DH vasectomy reversal (his 2nd marriage) 11/8/12; TTC since 12/8/12. IVF due to MFI. DOR diagnosis April 2015.
IVF #1 BCPs/Antagonist w/ICSI Jan 2014 = BFN
IVF #2 MDL w/PICSI March 2014 = BFN
IVF #3 EPP/Antagonist w/PICSI May/June 2014 = BFP!; MMC 6w4d
IVF #4 No suppression/Antagonist Nov 2014/Converted to IUI #1 = BFNIVF #4.1 Feb 2015 = cancelled
IVF #4.2 April 2015 - Lupron Stop Protocol with ICSI = PGD testing of embryo indicated it was abnormal
IVF #5 June 2015 EPP with Antagonist
Hi may I please join? I'm waiting for FET#2 cycling in January.
31R, 28M, 21 fertilized!
Beta 7/10/14 14dp5dt = BFFN
4/27/16 - Mock transfer protocol- Vit C, Vit D, DHEA, Prenatal, Lovenox, Estradiol, PIO
FET #3 - 5/18/16 -