January Precious Penguins Check-in! December 22nd!

SweetieShellieH · December 2014

Welcome to the January 2015 Precious Penguins Check-In!!! Check-ins will be every Monday & Thursday. Your check-in leaders are @SweetieShellieH (Monday) and @emmuffy (Thursday).

This is a check-in for those who are doing IVF/IVM or FET with an ER/ET scheduled for January. If you are interested in joining, please fill us in on your cycle below. Please include what cycle number this is for you, where you are in the process, when you expect to start stims, when you're planning on retrieval and transfer, and when your beta day is! Also, please update us along the way!

For those that don't have it yet, here is the link to our badge https://i57.tinypic.com/8ybc3m.jpg

Below is our list so far. Everyone is welcome, so please let us know if you would like to be added

BFP!!!!

BFN (((HUGS)))

PUPO!!!!

Between ER & ET

Stimming

Prep (BCP/Lupron/EPP)

@.Mrs.Matt. IVF #1
@afsalinas IVF#1 FET#1
@apitts2 IVF#2
@bkam IVF#1
@BlueJell0 IVF#1
@browncoatjr IVF#1
@Buttmonkey34 IVF#2 FET#1
@doves654 IVF#1 FET#1
@GoBucksOH IVF#1
@Jetta83306 IVF#3 1st w/ DE
@jro1602 IVF#1
@K1111K IVF#2
@Kcheese IVF#1
@kristin1k IVF#1
@lemonliz IVF#1
@LilyHarper IVF#1 FET#1
@NariaDreaming IVF #1.2
@Mysh IVF#2
@sewfie IVF#1
@shadidynyc IVF#1 FET#1
@SmootiePie IVF#1
@Spring78 IVF#2
@SundayBrunch IVF#1
@tweetyknicks IVF#1 FET#1
@Twinkie0612 IVF#4 FET#1 w/ OE
@vballbaby IVF#1
@ShortStuff IVF#1

Waiting to Cycle (No prep)

@BootsOrHearts IVF#1 FET#1 (fx you won’t move to Feb!)
@Discouraged31 IVF #1 FET#1
@Dyork IVF#1
@emmuffy IVF#2
@lilycakes78 IVF#1 FET#1
@MamaKakes611 IVF#3
@saysjess IVF#1
@SweetieShellieH IVF#1 FET#1
@tbj1 IVF#2
@tifga IVF#1 FET#2
@wcasar IVF #1 FET#1

Cycle Delayed / Cancelled

@crazycatlady4 IVF#1 FET#1 - FET Early February
@Daashuriaa IVF#2 FET#1 - Moving to February
@fizzashaudhary IVF#3 FET#1 - RI Protocol for 2 months
@RG1979 IVF#3 - ER/ET in February

M.I.A. - Let us know how you’re doing!

@Sha259 IVF#1 FET#3?

QOTD: Being the season of baking, what are your favorite holiday treats to bake? (or buy if baking is not your thing)

SweetieShellieH · December 2014

Hi ladies!!

Sorry this was posted later in the day. I've been making sugar cookies for a good part of the day and I am still not done!

I don't really have much to update on. I don't think I've ovulated yet, so I still have no idea when AF may be coming so I can get this FET cycle started. Hopefully soon so I can still squeeze in my FET into January!

QOTD: Sugar cookies, as you can tell

BlueJell0 · December 2014

Hi Penguins!!

I am finishing up week 2 of BCPs and I hate them. Day 14 of my cycle and I am still spotting every freaking day... WTF. Also nauseated, up 2 1/2 lbs and with acne! I thought BCPs got rid of acne? Not for me they don't! Only a couple more weeks to go...

@SweetieShellieH I hope you O soon. C'mon ovaries!

@NariaDreaming I hope the progesterone goes well. I am getting impatient too!

@K1111K I hope that cyst is gone soon!!

QOTD: I usually make sugar cookies because they are yummy and so much fun to decorate. This year I am avoiding flour/gluten and trying to stay low-sugar (sounds awesome, right?) so I made some macadamia nut 'cookies' with dark chocolate & orange zest on top - they turned out really well!

.Mrs.Matt. · December 2014

@bluejell0 - my neck and chest are covered in zits.. I don't remember this being the case when I went on BC years ago! You are not alone

I spent most of my morning making phone calls regarding IVF. My new insurance starts January 1, and my nurse wants me to order my meds that day to start them on Jan 2. I think I can make it work, but not without tons of stress and phone calls to make it happen. I'm hoping I can take a couple more days of BCP, but we'll see... Other than that, I am planning on sharing what we're up to with a coworker tomorrow, I'm really just hoping I feel some relief once someone in my office knows.

Happy holidays to everyone!

QOTD: making chocolates/candies... so delicious!

bkam · December 2014

Happy Holidays ladies!! On week 3 of my ocp. Will start a new pack in 2
Days to get me through to January.

As for baking- I love any and all cookies!

Kcheese · December 2014

Had an u/s today which showed 1 follicle that RE thinks is left over from ovulation...so now another week of BCPs & another u/s next Monday. Hopefully it will be gone by then, because I'd really like to get this going

QOTD: Mmmmm....I'm not a baker, but sure do like to eat everyone else's goodies! I love it all. I don't usually eat a lot of sweets, so I enjoy every minute of it!

vballbaby · December 2014

I got a tin of cookies from the MIL and I think I ate 7 or 8 today. But they're "small" hehe. Just about to start week 4 of BC (skipping the last row and starting a new pack) to carry me through. I have an appt Jan 2nd for US and BW and if all is well I suppose I'll start stimming that day or close to it. Banging my head against the wall today as I've officially been eaten up and spit out on another thread and regretting that I ever said a word. Lesson learned and I'll just keep reading and learning and keep quiet already because I rather enjoy keeping the peace. For what it's worth I just felt bullied so decided to go to the ends of the earth to try and defend myself, but apparently not actually my point, LOL. Cheers and Merry Christmas to everyone!

BootsOrHearts · December 2014

Hey ladies!

@buttmonkey34 I'm flipping your insurance company the bird. They suck.

My official status is waiting for AF. My current cycle is totally FUBAR at this point, I think AF is on the way. Hello 17 day cycle. WTAF. I don't even want to tell my RE about this one because she'll say I'm perimenopausal and I know that's not true. When I have truly natural cycles not messed up with medications they are perfectly average and predictable. If my next cycle is back to my normal, that would mean ET around 1/12 and they don't start transfers until 1/13 so I am hoping for a teensy bit of a longer cycle. Please mother nature, and thank you.

QOTW: I like to bake more than I like to eat, so I give most of what I bake away. As far as I'm concerned the dough is better than the cookies so I nibble on that and by the time the cookies are finished I'm over it. :-D

zeynsom · December 2014

Hi ladies,

May I please join? I am scheduled to have FET at the end of January. I am currently on the second week of BCP and my transfer is scheduled for the week of January 26.

Good luck all!

LilyHarper · December 2014

@Buttmonkey34‌ I'm convinced that anyone who does insurance with IF is told that they have to work half as fast as they would with other claims. @BlueJell0‌ can you send that recipe over? I'm attempting the same food restrictions and sucking mightily at it. @BootsOrHearts‌ I figure we're all due a few breaks at this point, so I think Mother Nature better get her ass in line.

Hey ladies! I took my last bc tonight. Happy to get this show on the road.
*loss mentioned...billing only*

Also finished dealing with the billing issues from the chromosomal testing from my last mc. Relieved that I don't actually owe the 8k I was originally charged.

QOTD: sugar cookies with mint frosting. Or Mexican wedding cakes. Haven't gotten around to baking this year, but I may need to do that.

Fluffydamn · December 2014

Hope you don't mind if I join you ladies. We will be doing IVF #1. We have been trying for five years. Two years not really trying and three years really trying. I have endo abd DH has MFI. I'm two days before af should show. Then going on bc pills.

Qotd: sugar cookies. They are the best.

emmuffy · December 2014

Hey Penguins. Since Thurs is Christmas, I may have to do our check in a day or so before or after, since I'm not sure I'll be able to get online. I'll do my best.

AFM, WTF where is AF? I have weird irregular cycles, usually 21-32 days, average 25. Today is day 32. Come on! This is not the time to set new records.

QOTD: sugar cookies, but gingerbread men are also cute. I also make the desserts for our family Christmas party (plum pudding with hard sauce).

Smootiepie · December 2014

Just chugging along on BCPs. They decided since our last check-in to give me all the symptoms, including really awesome night sweats every time I sleep. Also sporting some really cute belly bloat, but probably nothing compared to what I'll have once stims start.

QOTD: I suck so hard at baking, it's actually a bit mind blowing. But I'll eat everything my mom bakes for the fam this year!!

saysjess · December 2014

I'm STILL just takin my supplements, waiting for my next RE appointment to start BCP.... Blerg. I'm not naturally a patient person, so this is killing me...

QOTD: I am a terrible baker! But when I attempt it, I'm allllll about the classics-- chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin or shortbread... mmmmmmm

Edited: spelling is hard at 6am

swyatt2014 · December 2014

Hey everyone! I am a December cycle reject due ot high estrogen lol. So here I am in the January board if you will have me. I am currently on BCP and should start stims sometime around Jan 10-11-12? I'm guessing ER/ET will be around Jan 22/Jan 27?

This is my first IVF cycle.

I like baking Jewish apple cake. My mom has a killer family recipe that's been in the family for like 20-30 yrs. BUT I did bake some "ninjabread" cookies this wkend (gingerbread men with action ninja-shaped cut outs).

Mysh · December 2014

@SweetieShellieH Thanks for running the checkin! Hopefully you ovulate ASAP.

Still on BCP, I start injections first full week of Jan. The waiting, like many of you, is driving me crazy!

As for the question, I love making and eating divinity!

lilycakes78 · December 2014

Hi Ladies! Hope everyone is doing ok.

@K1111K FX that cyst is gone at your baseline!

@bluejell0 So sorry about your crappy BCP side effects. Hang in there!

@Kcheese Ugh! I'm so sorry that you have to stay on BCP a little longer. I hope you can get this show on the road soon! Waiting, waiting, waiting....I feel like that is all we do.

@vballbaby
I'm so sorry you had some issues on another thread. I hope you don't let it get to you. You are going through enough right now. I try to stay away from those types of debates on any forum, not because I don't want to stand up for my beliefs, but because I know I will never change someone's mind through the internet and all it does it make me upset and angry for nothing! I'm glad you are a part of this group

@emmuffy Hope AF shows up for you soon. She's so annoying! I'm waiting for that "B" too!

Welcome to the new Penguins!

AFM: I'm really hoping a can stay a Penguin! I'm waiting on AF, which is currently 2 days late. Damn surgery screwed things up! There is something happening, but I wouldn't call it Day 1 yet. Once AF arrives I can order my meds and I will get my FET calendar. For now....I drink!

Hope you all have the best holiday! Enjoy time with your family and friends

GoBucksOH · December 2014

Hello everyone! I am still just taking BCP's. I have my practice session on 12/30 and they are also going to do a saline sonogram that day, and I start lupron that night. I read through my paperwork last night to get more familiarized with all the meds. I must admit, I am a little surprised they want me to take Xanex the night before and the morning of the ER. Seems like that would be too harsh to be in your system?? But I suppose its possibly less detremental to you than being sick with anxiety

QOTW: With everything going on, I have not baked or cooked anything but I have eaten plenty. I went to a Christmas party on Sunday and they had these white chocolate covered Oreo balls that were freakin amazing.

Twinkie0612 · December 2014

I missed this check-in yesterday!

I started lupron yesterday and my last BCP is Friday. I also had my pre-cycle immune blood work yesterday, which took 5 sticks to get 7 vials of blood. I spent most of the morning getting the blood work done because it required a trip to my clinic to do the send out kit (which I then have to overnight via fedex to my RI's lab) since most labs won't draw blood and let you leave with the vials. Then I had to stop by Quest to have the rest of the blood work done and the phlebotomist at Quest was super slow. I think it took her more than 20 minutes just to put the orders in the computer. At least it is all done though.

I also turned in our consents and paid our balance for the cycle, so this FET is officially a go. Baseline is a week from today and I start delestrogen January 1st.

QOTD: I'm not much of a baker, but chocolate chip cookies are my favorite to eat. Last year I helped my mom make candy for Christmas and it all turned out good, except for our peanut butter fudge. We made a few batches and none turned out the right consistency. They either ended up like peanut butter soup or peanut butter rocks.

tweetyknicks · December 2014

@nariadreaming FX progesterone doesn't suck too bad.

@buttmonkey34 Stupid insurance company. They need to get their heads out of their asses and just pay for everything

My sympathies to everyone on BCP. They sucked worse for me this cycle than estrace.

I'm on 3x2mg daily of estrace until my lining check on Jan. 2. Then I'll find out if transfer will be Jan. 8 or Jan. 15. PIO starts either Jan. 2 or Jan. 9. My backside is still a bit tender from the last round of PIO... which was in October. DH has an essential tremor, which may not help with the steady hands for PIO injections :-S

QOTD: I haven't had chance to make anything this season because we've had some house construction that messed up the kitchen. I spent my baking time cleaning. If I had time, spritz cookies are some of my favorites. I just like baking, though. I lack people to feed and time to bake.

Dyork · December 2014

Buttmonkey34 .Mrs.Matt. - Good luck!

I'm finally getting my meds delivered today. One of the IVF nurses finally called the pharmacy to clear up any misunderstandings. So blood work on Friday to make sure everything is okayto start the Lupron. And I had the meeting with one of the nurses yesterday to go over everything again.I am so thankful the nursing staff is so nice.

QOTD: I don't really bake, but my mom does, and my favorite is the peanut butter kiss blossom cookies. I'd eat those all day.

Jetta83306 · December 2014

Hello. I just got my med schedule for this cycle. I am currently on Lupron 20 units through the 27th. On the 28th I decrease Lupron to 5 units and start my antibiotics,Estrace, and Vivelle. This cycle is much different from the other IVFs since I am using donor eggs. Estrace and Vivelle are new for me so I am a bit nervous about that. I always get nervous when I start a med that I've never used before (stupid hypochondria, lol). I am trying to be positive about this cycle, but for some reason I already feel defeated. Ugh. Thankfully DH seems really hopeful so that helps.

QOTD: I'm not much of a baker, but I love Snickerdoodles

Spring78 · December 2014

Hi ladies. I hope everyone is doing well and has a great holiday season! I just got off the phone with the cycle coordinator at our lab to talk about doing PGS. She was a bit taken aback that we were considering new fresh cycle already. She jus kept saying "...but you still have 7 frozen. Maybe you don't have to go through all that again." yeah, maybe after testing some might prove genetically normal.... But we have transferred the 6 "best" quality embryos and have nothing to show for it. What are the chances that the lesser looking 7 will give us our take home baby? We also really want the option of going for a sibling after success, too. What are the odds that those lesser quality embryos will contain not one, but 2 take home babies? I turn 37 soon. My DH wants to bank more embryos before I get any older to give us the best chance at good embryos for now and later. Sure, one may be good (though I am extremely discouraged of that given the circumstances), but then I'd be... What.... 38/39 before I could cycle for #2.... And if I am already having embryo quality issues (particularly trisomies), it certainly isn't going to get better with age. I felt good about our plan, but that lady is now making me second guess everything. So stressful!! I hate always having such conversations over the phone when I am at work and not when DH is with me or part of the conversation. Anyway... QOTD: I guess my favorites are iced sugar cookies. We use my Great-great grandmother's Pennsylvania Dutch recipe. It makes enough to feed a small army, but they are yummy and I like that it is carrying on a long family tradition. :

afsalinas · December 2014

Waiting to start Lupron Christmas day. Still on bcps. Qotd: I love baking cupcakes and then giving them away.

afsalinas · December 2014

Spring78 said:

Hi ladies. I hope everyone is doing well and has a great holiday season! I just got off the phone with the cycle coordinator at our lab to talk about doing PGS. She was a bit taken aback that we were considering new fresh cycle already. She jus kept saying "...but you still have 7 frozen. Maybe you don't have to go through all that again." yeah, maybe after testing some might prove genetically normal.... But we have transferred the 6 "best" quality embryos and have nothing to show for it. What are the chances that the lesser looking 7 will give us our take home baby? We also really want the option of going for a sibling after success, too. What are the odds that those lesser quality embryos will contain not one, but 2 take home babies? I turn 37 soon. My DH wants to bank more embryos before I get any older to give us the best chance at good embryos for now and later. Sure, one may be good (though I am extremely discouraged of that given the circumstances), but then I'd be... What.... 38/39 before I could cycle for #2.... And if I am already having embryo quality issues (particularly trisomies), it certainly isn't going to get better with age. I felt good about our plan, but that lady is now making me second guess everything. So stressful!! I hate always having such conversations over the phone when I am at work and not when DH is with me or part of the conversation. Anyway... QOTD: I guess my favorites are iced sugar cookies. We use my Great-great grandmother's Pennsylvania Dutch recipe. It makes enough to feed a small army, but they are yummy and I like that it is carrying on a long family tradition. :

For what it's worth, I think you and you DH have the right idea. Don't let someone else make you second guess your decision.

doves654 · December 2014

Happy holidays everyone! Welcome to the group, @zeynsom, @cokiebear, @Fluffydamn and @swyatt2014

@tweetyknicks we are on a very similar timeline - I am on the same dose of estradiol and have a lining check Jan 2 as well!

@Spring78 I feel for you and that debate. My husband and I had a fresh/frozen debate as well (though a bit different) and it was super stressful for us! I think you're making a good choice for you guys, fwiw.

FX for everyone waiting for AF to show up/not wanting AF to show up too soon.

AFM, @NariaDreaming I now see what you meant with the sprinkler comment. CM has come for a nice long visit! I continue on Estradiol until baseline on Jan 2, and then either a transfer the next week (likely) or the week after. I am personally hoping for the week after because I have a work trip the week of January 19 and would prefer to be with my husband during the second half of the 2ww. We'll see what happens though.

QOTD: I enjoy making saltine toffee bars. Yum!

tifga · December 2014

So we never got the biopsy results in time and my period has stopped so we have to decide if we are going to start the estrace tonight or not. Blargh I really wanted those results. I am not sure what husband wants to do but it seems to me the whole "well give you a couple extra days of progesterone" doesn't seem very scientific.

Happy last night of Hanukkah!

QOTW: I don't do as much baking since going gluten free but I did make so fairly awesome gingerbread donuts for the first night of Hanukkah. I am also thinking of making a trifle to take to my inlaws for chirstmas.

vballbaby · December 2014

@lilycakes78 thank you for the kind words...I think I've learned my lesson

@lilyharper whew on not owing the $8K! That's just in time for Christmas... @afsalinas will you do the PGD testing? We looked into with our clinic and it's another $5-$6K which sucks. They recommended we just take our chances with the first round, which still makes me kind of nervous because of my age. Hoping for the best for everyone! I'm kind of still dreading starting stimms on Jan 2nd since I won't be able to do much except for walk during the month and getting plumper by the day. I haven't enjoyed already gaining about 11 lbs between my IUI last month and starting the pill! Some of it's my own fault though, as I've been eating a lot of cookies!

ShortStuff · December 2014

@bluejell0 - Ugh... I totally feel your pain on the zits! They keep popping up on my chin! I have also gained a few pounds... though DH doesn't see a difference. I do, and my pants are tight. But it's ok. I'm at a healthier weight now which should help with implantation.

@swyatt2014 - I love the ninjabread cutters!

I'm on my 6th week of BCPs and can't wait till Saturday when I take my last one! Whoo hoo! I start my injections on 1/1.

Other than that, I am just recovering from the flu. Today's the first day I felt human in days!

QOTW: I am a baker by trade, so I bake ALL the time! People even randomly tell me I smell like cake. Today I baked vanilla cake, spiced beer cake, pumpkin cake, everything but the kitchen sink cookies, chocolate chip shortbread cookies, mint chocolate melt cookies and made caramel corn.

LilyHarper · December 2014

@ShortStuff‌ "you smell like cake" sounds like a pickup line.

BlueJell0 · December 2014

Haha, I guess I'm not alone with the BCP side effects.

Good to know, misery loves company, right?

@LilyHarper, I got the recipe here: https://www.marksdailyapple.com/dark-chocolate-and-citrus-macadamia-balls/#axzz3MmXtHrKl Enjoy!

@swyatt2014 I love the idea of ninjabread cookies! That is awesome, I am stealing it

Sewfie · December 2014

I take my last bcp and my meds are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Nothing else is new, just getting more and more anxious about it all.

QOTW: I'm planning to bake some chocolate chip pumpkin bread tomorrow morning, from a mix. And I want to figure out a good dessert to go with the Glühwein I'm going to make on Christmas.

blissk · December 2014

tbj1 · December 2014

Hi Ladies!

Nothing new to report here.

QOTD: I am not much of a baker but love making chocolate chip brownies.

Sha259 · December 2014

Ahh!! Sorry I have been completely MIA!! I was on vaca and completely denetworked until just now.

Not sure if I will be a penguin though, as need to wait for my next cycle, and that wont likely be until Mid Jan at the earliest. But if this FET will be anything like the last, it will be full steam ahead from there. So I'm technically still TBD.

GL to all those who have already started prepping!

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