IF Testing & Treatment w/o 7.20

keikilove · July 2020

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility, and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say. Treat this as an ongoing conversation.

Diagnosis (if you've been):

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):

How are things going?:

Any questions?:

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had?

keikilove · July 2020

@emeraldduchess @shoogapoff @legallykate Thinking of each of you this morning & sending positive energy!💓🤞🏽🌞

kpearse99 · July 2020

@emeraldduchess @legallykate @shoogapoff thinking of you ladies!!! 💕🤞🏼💕🤞🏼💕🤞🏼

bows22 · July 2020

Hi friends! It’s time for us to go back to the RE but we are putting it off due to COVID. I don’t think I’m going to fully join you back here until we do but I hope you don’t mind if I jump in occasionally since so many of you are here and not in the dailies.

Thinking of you today emeraldduchess shoogapoff legallykate ❤️❤️❤️

Edit because apparently if I tag more than one person everyone but the last disappears?

kpearse99 · July 2020

Diagnosis (if you've been): secondary unexplained IF

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):🤷🏻‍♀️ Who knows! Haha

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): NTNP and PNV

How are things going?: just chugging along pretty nicely! Construction on the house for the addition FINALLY started last week! I am so pumped that it’s actually happening. They are pouring the concrete today!

Also, I had 10 inches of my hair chopped off yesterday and a color refresh and it feels so good haha nothing like super healthy hair!

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had? Hmmmm oh wow, this is a really goood question. Can I just say life? Haha all jokes aside I would have to say leaving a career of 15 years to try something new and that lead me to meeting DH! I love creating little adventures with him by my side.

kpearse99 · July 2020

@bows22 you’re welcome here all the time!! 💕💕💕

emeraldduchess · July 2020

Good luck today, @legallykate and @shoogapoff!!

Image: https://media.giphy.com/media/Wtj7NRL94k30Q/giphy.gif

(Not sure how I got grouped in with you lovely ladies...nothing being done today for me! I start hormone patches on the 28th, but until then, sittin' on the bench.)

@kpearse99 your hair looks great! I love your new cut!
@bows22 welcome back. I'm sorry you find yourself here again, though. Hang around in here as often as you like! We're fun.

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained IF, unexplained RPL, AMA, my ovaries are jerks

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW on the bench.

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Technically we're on the bench. 7/28 I start hormone patches and Cetrotide. When AF arrives I go for a baseline and the RE will tell me when to start all the other injections.

How are things going?: I am feeling much better! My LH surge was on Saturday and I had a little EWCM for the first time in a long time. I am going to take those as a good sign that my body is getting back to normal after the medicated cycles and the stress of teaching from home. In the meantime, I am staring at my phone to hear about the latest job interview. They called my references on Friday (eek!) so they should be making a decision today or tomorrow. I am going to distract myself by making zucchini bread from the huge bag of zucchini that my MIL gave us!

Any questions?: Nope. I was reading all the paperwork that came with the IVF meds. I had to stop and put it away for a while when I saw "twisted ovaries" as a possible side effect.

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had? I would say my teaching career. Every day is different, every year is different! I still get butterflies on the first day of school, and I still get excited looking on Pinterest for new ideas. I don't even have a new job yet and I am already designing new posters and projects.

bows22 · July 2020

@emeraldduchess I was thinking we were waiting for a resolution to your ovary shenanigans, but I see now that you did update that your LH surge happened. Always sending good thoughts to you though, friend!

mvt2003 · July 2020

Diagnosis (if you've been): MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): The longest TWW of my life

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Beta is Wednesday, but I'm not anticipating knowing much until Friday. With my history I'm just not going to trust anything without 2 betas.

How are things going?: OK, things have amped up for me over the weekend. I've been cramping basically the entire time (low-grade cramps, not even worthy of Tylenol really) and a few other things have increased. Still holding firm on no testing but the HPT aisle of Walgreens was MIGHTY tempting over the weekend.

Irritatingly, everyone in MH's family now knows the contents of my uterus, which is just awesome.

My ILs have shown up every day the past few days to help take down pieces of our broken shed, which is really nice of them, but the problem is that I was raised by my mom to always be the hardest worker in the room, and if someone comes to help you then you have to work hard alongside them and not sit back and watch. (I come from a long line of DIYers!) So in an attempt to not have people hand me shed pieces, everyone has been told I'm not allowed to haul things and why.

Any questions?: Nope

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had? I guess I would say renovating our old house for sale - it was a TON of work, and we had to learn a lot of stuff by ourselves. We painted cabinets, removed countertops, laid vinyl flooring, cut and installed baseboard, and a million other things. It's one of the things I'm most proud of. (This may also give some perspective as to the amount of work I normally put in and why people had to be told not to let me do things

)

mvt2003 · July 2020

Thinking of @shoogapoff and @legallykate today! Hoping you both get lots of beautiful eggs today, and sending your eggs lovely fertilization vibes!

@bows22 You're always welcome here! You're working so hard at staying safe and keeping to social distancing, I totally understand waiting for things to cool down a bit before pursuing more intense treatment. I've had a couple of nervous moments in the RE monitoring waiting room, so I completely get it.

@emeraldduchess Yayyyyyyyy ovaries! Great job, Jim and Dwight!!!!!

@kpearse99 SO excited your renos are starting! Have they come back today?! Also your hair looks amazing!!!!!!

kpearse99 · July 2020

@emeraldduchess Maybe I just wanted to send some extra love your way

I was honestly sending luck your way for something to show with your LH surge, and it appears that it worked because it finally happened for you!

@mvt2003 Keep holding strong on not testing!!! You got this!! Only 2 more days to go for round 1 of betas.

The workers have not shown up yet today, but apparently they are supposed to... so we shall see!

acleverusername · July 2020

Wishing you so much luck today @legallykate @shoogapoff FX so hard!!!

@kpearse99 love the haircut! It looks so healthy and perfect for summer. What careers did you switch from > to?

@mvt2003 I’m sorry to hear about the cramps. Is that an expected side effect? Had you been open with YH’s family re IF treatments or was this news to them? Either way, I hope the weekend of not helping out and with them knowing why that’s happening wasn’t too uncomfortable.

@emeraldduchess a gold ⭐️ to each of your ovaries! And EWCM is a positive sign! It’s good to know it can go away during medicated cycles (filing this knowledge away).

@bows22 Sorry to see you here 🙁 What step of your IF journey are you at?

kiki047 · July 2020

Sending @legallykate and @shoogapoff all the love and luck today!!

@bows22 you're always welcome here, friend! I used to wonder why some of the IF ladies didn't join the dailies, but now I'm that person and I get it. So as much as we hate to have people join the IF club, the door is always open for you to pop in and out!
@kpearse99 woooo look at you hot stuff! Love the haircut, it's so nice and summery and looks so good on you!
@emeraldduchess glad you were finally able to determine your surge, what a rollercoaster that was. FX that job offer comes through!! They'd be so lucky to have you.
@mvt2003 ohh goodness, I hope your in-laws are respectful and courteous now that they know... a big ask of them, given their history, but one can hope! I have to say though, I am glad you were forced to take it easy, even if it meant you had to be outed to the group.

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS, MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): FET prep cycle, mock cycle and uterine biopsy on Thurs and will also get the results of my SHG and the labs we did a few weeks ago.

How are things going?: Pretty good. Had some weird spotting that started after the SHG and didn't go away for about a week. *TMI warning* Some of the discharge had some abnormally big clots for mid-cycle spotting. It did eventually stop on its own but it made me paranoid that something funky was going on. But mentally we're feeling good, and we're had some really surprising (in a good way) offers of support from various friends and family members who don't normally ask about these things so that has been super validating and has led to some positive discussions on how we're feeling and why it's so hard.

Any questions?: Thoughts on using the hot tub leading up to the FET? I know we're not supposed to afterwards for various reasons (my RE said to reduce risk of infection and not to raise my core body temperature) but we don't keep it very hot, it's only around 90'F, colder than my usual bath water might be. Dr Google said it's dangerous above temperatures of 102'F so I should think a temp that is below body temperature should be inherently safe?

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had? This is a tough one. I recognize that I've lived a privileged life and have had the opportunity to travel and follow my dreams around the world. I don't know that I should consider this a 'great' adventure because it was a catastrophic natural disaster but I was on vacation in Japan in 2011 when the earthquake and tsunami hit. We were in Tokyo, so not in any danger but we felt the quake and the aftershocks and we'd never felt an earthquake before. The Tokyo transit system was shut down so we had to walk 7.5 hours back to our hotel from where we were when it hit. Some of my video footage was used by news media back home and I gave several interviews from Japan and once we returned to Canada just on our experiences as foreigners in a strange country during a national disaster.
On a lighter note, I backpacked through London and the South of France in 2014 when I went by myself to a friend's wedding in Lyon. I had never gone anywhere by myself before so that was a major milestone and I think that led to a lot of personal growth. I learned a lot on that trip.

kpearse99 · July 2020

@acleverusername Thanks!! I worked at a Theme Park from the ages of 15-30 and my last 8 years there I was a culinary manager. I left that job and took a shot at something completely new as a New Business Manager for a life insurance company... complete change of life (mostly because I had normal hours and a M-F schedule instead of working crazy hours any day of the week) and it was the best decision ever!

@kiki047 You're making me blush, friend!! haha It's great you've been getting some surprisingly good support from family and friends. It's so important to have that IRL! I think the spotting and discharge like that after the HSG is totally normal. I would think if the hot tub temp is colder than your normal bath temp, and that you're not in it for a crazy amount of time than you should be fine.

legallykate · July 2020

Thank you ladies all so much for the well wishes, I could really feel the support going in this morning and it meant a lot!

@kpearse99 Your hair looks awesome! And yay for the addition getting started, so exciting!

@emeraldduchess GL today with the job news, will be crossing my fingers for you. Zucchini bread sounds delicious, yum.

@mvt2003 Super impressed with your testing restraint. That is sweet of MH’s family to be looking out for you, but I also get not wanting everyone to be waiting on the beta(s) with you. Hope the next couple of days go by as quickly as possible

@kiki047 I think hot tub before FET would be totally fine and nice for relaxing, especially being not that hot. Wow that is crazy that you were in Japan for that tsunami, that must have been a crazy experience indeed.

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA/DOR

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Kind of TWW but just waiting on embryo updates

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Egg retrieval this morning!

How are things going?: Great! The ER went better than I could have ever expected, they retrieved 16 eggs (I was expecting 7ish but hoping for 10ish and my doctor told me afterward he was only expecting 6 based on my last u/s!), and MH's sample was great, so they actually decided to switch us from ICSI to traditional fertilization based on the better than expected yield. And I feel totally fine, actually better than when I went in this morning all bloated and crampy. So I am taking it somewhat easy today but working some just to keep my mind off all the upcoming phone calls with updates! And I am trying to follow doctor's orders and stay off the Google.

Any questions?: None right now

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had? Law school overall was the biggest one, I originally had no intention of going to law school and was recruited to apply by the school (I was applying to business schools at the time and they evidently saw and liked my GMAT score, so random) and so I basically applied, got in, decided to go based totally on my gut, and moved halfway across the country all within a relatively short period of time. While in law school I also got to go on a couple amazing mini adventures as part of this international travel program they had, I went to the UAE and Istanbul one year and to Iceland and Greenland the next and got course credit for it.

kpearse99 · July 2020

@legallykate What an amazing update this morning from you!!! So much wonderful news! I am glad you are taking it easy, you deserve it and need it! Please keep us updated as the day goes on!

emeraldduchess · July 2020

@mvt2003 that's so nice of your DH's family to look out for you. I agree it's a little weird to have them know what's going on up in your ute, though.

We going to be very guarded in terms of what we tell DH's family because to my knowledge, no one else has dealt with IF on the same level we have. There could also be some strong religion-based opinions on IF treatment, and I prefer to avoid that discussion.

@acleverusername I am SO relieved that my surge happened on Saturday. The RE wasn't sure I would O at all this cycle based on my LH, estrogen and progesterone levels on Friday. Now we just need to hope the stims next cycle produce some top-quality eggs!

@kiki047 I'm so glad you're in a good place, mentally. That's so sweet that you've gotten some support in unexpected places.

@legallykate that is wonderful news! 16 eggs! Well done, ovaries!

Image: https://media.giphy.com/media/ZdUnQS4AXEl1AERdil/giphy.gif

kiki047 · July 2020

@kpearse99 I think what surprised me the most was just who it was that reached out. One of them was MH's (male) cousin, who I've always liked the most out of his family but I guess I just wasn't expecting him to be the first one to ask how we were feeling and actually ask questions about how it works. Was maaybe thinking his only female cousin would be the one to say something but this was a nice affirmation that they're not totally tone deaf and fully know where we're at.
@legallykate that's such great news about your retrieval this morning!! Way to knock it right out of the park. Definitely stay off Google! We did 50/50 regular IVF and ICSI and the IVF embies did better than the ICSI, even with MFI. Also, much less $$. Will be keeping everything crossed for continued good news this week! I'm sorry if I missed it earlier but are you doing PGT, and fresh or frozen transfer?

kpearse99 · July 2020

@kiki074 I think that's a great indication that his cousin feels the same about you as you feel about him! It's nice to get those random surprises of finding out who really cares, ya know? I love that you're finding more and more support!

bows22 · July 2020

@acleverusername last fall I did the whole IF workup - bloodwork, ultrasound, SHG. They found a polyp during my SHG that needed to be removed, but couldn’t see one of my tubes so wanted me to have an HSG too in case there was something that needed to be fixed while I was under anyway. The doctor who read my HSG suspected endometrial hyperplasia and it was a really hard time for me until my surgery (only about a month wait, but it was over Christmas). In the end there was no hyperplasia but my lining is very thick which “could or could not” be the problem. Overall it was not a great experience communication wise, so if we aren’t successful on our own we are going to try a new RE (my brother and SIL also started at this same RE, didn’t like it, and switched so we are planning to go where they did). We considered the first cycle after my surgery like a new cycle 1 since they took out the polyp/thinned my lining and we planned to go back after 6 cycles since I am AMA. But all things considered we are more comfortable waiting a little longer. Sorry this got a little long, thank you for asking though!

@kiki047 I definitely get why the dailies are tough. So I don’t blame anyone at all for not participating. But I definitely miss you guys and appreciate being welcomed back here! I am SO SO excited for you that you were one of the first couples selected for FET! ❤️❤️

shoogapoff · July 2020

Hey ladies. I just got home from my egg retrieval. Things went well. They got 17 eggs. 15 were viable so that's the number we're working with now.

I will follow up on tags etc later. I'm pretty tired so I'm going to rest for a bit. Thank you all so much for your love and support! It means a lot! And yay @legallykate for that amazing news!

acleverusername · July 2020

@legallykate 16 eggs! @shoogapoff 17/15 eggs! Your ovaries really delivered when they had to!

Your ovaries to you:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/vk/teauh36bhfc8.gif

@kiki047 it is so nice to hear about YH family supporting you on this journey. IF can be so isolating when family / close friends aren't aware or, worse, tone-deaf about it. Good luck with your "prep" procedures this week. Your trip to Japan had my jaw dropping. What a scary experience that must have been. I had a similar feeling in during 2018 California wildfire season: the smoke hung so heavy over SF for 2 weeks straight and we all had to wear masks when going out (HA! wasn't that good prep?), in the meanwhile, towns just 200km north of us were burning to the ground and 80+ ppl died. Not on the same scale as the tsunami, but definitely the same feelings.

@bows22 thank you for sharing your IF journey thus far. Who knows, maybe this cycle will be yours. If not, it sounds like your next steps are solid. It's great that you have multiple RE options.

@kpearse99 your career change must have been pretty scary but wow, it sounds like it was 💯worth it. Isn't it a great feeling to look back on the challenges undertaken and be able to say "holy hell I'm so happy I had the courage to do that! I'm a bad a$$!"

@emeraldduchess I hope you have the luck of this group and have a bountiful crop of oocytes!

inthewoods23 · July 2020

@legallykate @shoogapoff YAY!! So happy for you both!

@legallykate when they were monitoring me, they started only measuring the largest ones after the 1st or 2nd US so I was really only expecting maybe 15 but they ended up retrieving 24. Only 17 were mature so it seems it would be pretty common to get eggs from follicles that aren't quite the size they want them to be (like ones under 20mm).

legallykate · July 2020

@shoogapoff Yay so glad yours went well also! FX for more good news for both of us in the coming days.

@kiki047 We are doing freeze all and PGS testing. That's so interesting and helpful to know about your 50/50, thanks!

kpearse99 · July 2020

@shoogapoff Yes!!! !5 is an amazing number too!!! Such wonderful news all around on this Monday

emeraldduchess · July 2020

@shoogapoff that's wonderful news! Way to go, ovaries!!

Image: https://media.giphy.com/media/vxXjyvE2dqs0u018n5/giphy.gif

inthewoods23 · July 2020

@bows22 you're always welcome to post and follow here 🙂

@kpearse99 can't go wrong with a fresh haircut! Looks great!

@emeraldduchess hope you get good news on the job!

@mvt2003 please come to my house and reno my home 😆

@kiki047 I don't think a hot tub would be much of an issue. I mean I definitely looked into the geothermal baths in Iceland if it was safe for pregnancy cuz obviously I'd want a babymoon there 😄 so I would think you just shouldn't stay in for too long. Or for some time just have your feet/legs in.

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained, low morph

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): nothing, back to the basics, plus GF and DF diet

How are things going?: it was a little rough over the weekend with DH, but we are back to smiles. SIL's BF (of all people!) suggested they all come over and help is with various projects around our house. DH got mad that I was super excited about this when I had previously said I basically didn't want to be around SIL and her BF. But I'm also not going to pass on the opportunity for help. We've had the cover plates on our outlets and light switches off since the summer we bought the house 5 years ago when we all painted the bedrooms and living room. On the extreme we're talking about taking out a wall in the kitchen/dining room, moving a wall, and gutting our large bathroom, but on the more simple it's the easy updates/replacements of things like new towel rods, new outlets and switches, maybe floors, finishing moulding around the windows (also started back when we first started), new knobs and handles in areas

Any questions?: None

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had?
Here's a few:
-getting my undergrad in electrical engineering
-our honeymoon was quite the adventure, a road trip around the entire country for a week
-this journey with my therapist to improve my mental health 🙂🙂🙂

acleverusername · July 2020

I've kept abreast with all happenings today, but just now getting the chance to provide my update!

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA, PCOS, Hashimoto's... pick one!

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW of our last "trying it on our own" cycle

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): last week, had a f/u with an OB at my OB clinic who prescribed Thyroid medication, plus progesterone for luteal phase, and told me to call back at the start of my next cycle if I want to start Clomid/Letrazole. She also said she can do IUI in the office, and I'm hoping that would be cheaper than going through an RE.

Last week I also had an appointment with a NaPro OB (NaPros schtick it to try and understand root cause of IF instead; it's a Christian answer to IVF (? best way to describe it ?). I wanted to give it a go because they do A LOT of diagnostic testing, and it's billed as "menstrual dysfunction" to insurance. My insurance doesn't cover any IF treatments 🙁. I've inputted a list of tests this doctor is making me do.

Fasting glucose / insulin test

Metabolic fasting profile:

• Lipid Profile

• Cortisol

• Vitamin D

• OmegaCheck (EPA, DPA, DHA)

• Complete Metabolic Panel

• C-Reactive Protein

7DPO tests, which include:

• Progesterone

• Estradiol

• DHEA-Sulfate

• Androstenedione LCMS

Finally, 9DPO tests, including:

• Progesterone

• Estradiol

• Prolactin

• MTHFR (C677T) & (A1298C)

• B12

One thing I don't like about this is that she's asking me to do charting using Creighton Method which I understand is a pretty basic way of tracking your CM (looking at CM on toilet paper only?) I initially pushed back on that since I'm already tracking my CM, but she's pushed back on my pushing back. So, I'll check with a local instructor what that entails and if there is flexibility there. I'm honestly really skeptical and don't want to waste money.

Finally, tomorrow we have a consult with an RE. This is a virtual meet and greet and I'm eager to see what she would recommend as next steps for us. I did have to tell MH to make sure he knows that this appointment is for both of us, and to block off his work calendar. Initially hew as like "I can't predict if there's going to be an issue that I'll get pulled into" to which I said "this isn't not like an OB appointment; it is of 0 benefit for me to go to this appointment by myself." I'm kinda of pissed that I had to have this convo with him.

How are things going?: Okay for now. Not sure what the future hold for us, so it's hard to really answer that question. I'm a project manager by day, so not having a plan yet is deeply unsettling. Hopefully a plan will start to come together soon. I've also started looking into costs of IVF in different states, and OMG is it unfairly expensive in SF. I honestly would rather drive up to Oregon to do it (could probably save ~5K) or do it at a clinic in NY (though probably not with COVID the way it is.) Either way, it's too soon for cost consideration. If RE suggests IUI first, then it's not worth traveling for it.

Any questions?: What questions should I ask the RE tomorrow during our meet and greet? I honestly don't know!!!

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had? I like to keep my life interesting doing small fun, and sometimes crazy, things, so there are plenty of stories... I can't wait to write my memoir! But, the greatest adventure was probably my "Eat, Pray, Love"-type of trip that happened in summer of 2017. (I was still living in Canada then.) At the end of May 2017, I ended a very long relationship and it was traumatic (ex tried to propose to me 1 week after the breakup). I had a panic attack and was suffering severe anxiety / major insomnia. I had a short trip to SF planned mid-summer to help my bestie (who'd moved to SF the year before) shop for a wedding dress. So, in between The Breakup and The Trip, an old friend/fling (my now husband!) re-entered my life. He had been living in SF, but had to temporarily move back to Canada but still had a lease on an apartment there(here?). Anyways, we met up (as friends) and I told him about my situation, and he said: "why don't you see if you can 'work from home', extend your already planned trip to SF by however long you need to, since it sounds like you really need to GTFO. You can stay at my apartment." I initially turned him down, saying that I couldn't afford to stay in SF that long on my Canada salary. But then, with some urging from my friends, I reconsidered, made arrangements with my boss to WFH, and set off for a trip that ended up being 5 weeks long (I cancelled my return ticket twice!) It was spectacular. I did things by the seat of my pants, ate great food, drank great wine, caught up with lots of friends who live in the area, spent lots of $$$ too. By the time I was done, I knew I had to move here... and, well... less than 1 year later, I did! Oh, and before leaving for the trip, my old friend/fling/now hubby said: "when you get back, we should try dating"... and the rest, as they say, is history. 😉

emeraldduchess · July 2020

@acleverusername whoa...that is a lot of testing! I really hope that after all that, you'll get some answers. I'm so sorry that your insurance doesn't cover any IF treatment and that you have to consider traveling to other states to have treatment.
I love your adventure story! I can definitely see that as a book and maybe even a movie.

kpearse99 · July 2020

@acleverusername holy moly to all of that testing!!! Geez! I think it's great though that you found a place that approaches IF that way and trying to look at it from all angles to see what's going on. I hope your call with the RE brings some peace of mind to you, too. And your adventure story is amazing!!!!

kiki047 · July 2020

@shoogapoff Wahoo, 15 is a great number!!! FX for more good news this week! How are you feeling today?
@acleverusername first of all, your 'adventure' story gave me goosebumps. If you write a memoir someday I would definitely read it.

The rest of my response is long, I apologize, so putting some of it in a spoiler so I don't take up too much room.

Our families have always been supportive in their own ways, but I think culturally (Japanese background, but born and raised in Canada) they don't really talk about serious stuff so historically even though they all know what's going on, nobody says or does anything to really make us feel supported. My parents will wish us luck but beyond that it's pretty much radio silence. So to have a few cousins reach out and show some interest in the process is very validating. And wow, wildfires are so scary, I would have been very nervous being that close. We were so fortunate to be out of any direct danger but it was wild to see skyscrapers literally swaying from the tremors. Thank god for modern architecture that is built to withstand those quakes.

I had to look up what NaPro is but it sounds really interesting. Those tests sound like they're in line with what we've done over the course of 2 years of working with our RE, and good that you're being tested for the MTHFR mutation right off the bat. Weird about the Creighton Method but it's a minimally invasive kind of charting, and something you could easily do in combination with BBT if you're not already doing that so I'll be interested to see how that goes for you. As for your first RE appt, there was a thread about that a few years back that I bookmarked and always refer to, so hopefully this helps!

shoogapoff · July 2020

Hey ladies! The lab called this morning and we had 10 eggs fertilize normally. One partially fertilized, so they kept it and are watching it. I won't get another update on progress until Saturday. The lab guy said that was "really good", but it seems to me like a pretty normal attrition rate, right?

Also, I found out that we won't do transfer next cycle, because the PGT results won't be in yet. So I get next cycle off as a "break" and am supposed to call with the cycle after that. I guess that means a mid-September transfer mostly likely.

Okay, I think I got everyone tagged:

@bows22 I'm sorry you're back, but selfishly happy to have you in this thread. I have missed you!

@kpearse99 Love the new haircut, and how exciting about the house addition getting started! Side-note, do you do curlygirl method on your hair? I have been doing it for a few years now, even though my hair is just a little curly, and I enjoy it. Your hair has some really pretty texture, so I was just curious if you'd gotten into that or not.

@emeraldduchess I will be thinking of you so hard as you prepare to start IVF meds. I know there are a lot of us on here who have gone through them, so please ask us if you're not sure what's normal. (For example, my dr's office neglected to tell me that most people get a rash from Ganirelix. I was panic-googling the first night because it was itchy. I mentioned it to my nurse the next day, and she said that was totally normal for most people. *facepalm*)

@mvt2003 I'm glad you're taking it easy, but sorry it means self-disclosing to so many people.

@kiki047 What does an FET prep cycle consist of? I think it's because I'm in a study, but they don't really tell me what's next until I get to that step in the process. So I assume I'm having FET in September, but I guess they might be doing more stuff before transfer.

@inthewoods23 I would love to take on a huge renovation project on our home. Maybe someday! I'm always dreaming about crazy things we could change.

@acleverusername My best friend also has infertility, and she has seen a NaPro doctor for many years. They recently transitioned to an RE. She says she's really glad they started with the NaPro doctor for the exact reason you stated: lots of in-depth testing that was covered by insurance. When they decided they were ready for IUI or IVF, they moved on to their current RE. FX that dr is helpful and gives you good answers!

kpearse99 · July 2020

@shoogapoff I think 10 fertilized eggs is a great number!! And I also think it's awesome you get to take a break next cycle and just relax! I'm not sure I even know what the Curlygirl method is! I'm going to have to look it up haha. I have naturally wavy/curly hair so I just "scrunch" some curling mousse in it with my fingers and then dry it with a diffuser. It's much easier to curl it now that it's shorter, I basically straightened it every day with longer hair because it was just easier.

ETA that after googling the curly girl method it seems that that is what I've been doing haha I scrunch the mousse in with my fingers and with a towel and then I diffuse.

legallykate · July 2020

@inthewoods23 All the home renos sound super fun but like a lot of work, and I totally get why you want the help! Yay for viewing therapy as a great adventure, I love that

@acleverusername Wow that is a ton of testing! But hopefully that will give you a super comprehensive look at everything and the ability to make very informed decisions moving forward. Let us know how it goes with the RE, I am totally blanking on any questions. Your adventure story is amazing!

@shoogapoff Yay for 10 fertilized and a September transfer! FX for more good news on Saturday!

AFM, 13 of our 16 fertilized so so far so good, we also don’t get another update until Saturday so I am hoping the week goes by quickly. Our PGT testing takes 7-10 days and would get sent out next Tuesday so we’d have the results back in time for an August transfer but probably not in time to decide whether to start the protocol on CD1 so starting would be somewhat of a gamble, but I am leaning towards pushing forward and hoping for the best depending on how many blasts we get and send for testing. My doctor also said something about seeing how my ovaries are looking on CD1/CD2 so I guess there is the chance my body won’t be ready for an August transfer but I am feeling great post retrieval so I am hoping that means everything is doing what it needs to.

inthewoods23 · July 2020

@shoogapoff @legallykate excellent news!

bluetickgal · July 2020

I’ll be back later for my update and full tags (work got crazy today and I haven’t been able to finish), but just wanted to say yay to @shoogapoff and @legallykate ☺️☺️☺️ That is such exciting news...great retrieval and fertilization numbers for both of you!! Hope the good updates continue!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/7e/edgaskkdyelh.gif

emeraldduchess · July 2020

Wonderful news, @legallykate and @shoogapoff!

gingermama29 · July 2020

Oooh this thread is hopping!

@bows22 hi friend! How long are you putting off the RE?

@kpearse99 I LOVE your haircut! It looks amazing! And yay for construction finally starting!

@emeraldduchess FX for you and good news on the job front!!

@mvt2003 sending all the positive thoughts and energy your way for good betas!!!

@kiki047 ahh I can't imagine having been in Japan during the earthquake/tsunami. So scary! Glad you weren't in danger though.

@legallykate yay for a very successful ER!!! Definitely enjoy some relaxation time. And yay for 13 fertilized!! FX for you!!

@shoogapoff so glad your ER went so well too!! Hopefully taking a cycle off will be a nice break before your transfer!

@inthewoods23 glad you took them up on their offer to help and things are back to smiles with you and YH.

@acleverusername woah that's a ton of tests! I hope the consult with the RE went well today!

Whew! I think I got everyone so far.

gingermama29 · July 2020

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): benched until August

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Taking BCP to balance hormones

How are things going?: Final week of BC starts today!! I'm am thrilled to be nearly done with these 3 months benched. Starting to mentally prepare myself for the shift back into actively TTC and hoping that my cycles back off the pill aren't nearly as long as they were before I got put on BC (40-100 days).

Any questions?: Nope

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had?
Probably becoming a teacher. Every day is different and I've learned a lot from my students. Teaching music is very rewarding too - it's so wonderful to find a student that struggles academically or socially find their niche in music.
Homeownership has definitely been an adventure too, though not always a great one, especially after my basement wall collapse earlier this year.

bbrahmbhatt · July 2020

Hi everyone! I’m relatively new to the community, and MH and I are just getting started on our IF workup.

Diagnosis (if you've been): unknown

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): This cycle will be our first trial of Clomid.

How are things going?: Ehh... I’m a little worse for the wear emotionally, but figuring out the watt forward. MH just had his semen analysis done and it was normal, which is great, except now I’m dealing with all the feelings of inadequacy and guilt.

Any questions?: Anyone able to tell me what I can expect with Clomid?

GTKY: What’s the greatest adventure you’ve ever had?

Probably just life. I feel like everyday is an adventure, and MH and I are tackling them together.

emeraldduchess · July 2020

@gingermama29 yay for the FINAL week of BC! I hope that it was a kick your hormones needed to get back on track.
@bbrahmbhatt welcome! I'm sorry that you find yourself on this road. This is a really wonderful group of ladies and we're here to support you along the way.

Thanks for the well-wishes on the job front, ladies. Unfortunately I didn't get good news today. Back on the job hunt merry-go-round, I guess.

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