July 2011 Infertility One Thread

[deborahbgkelly]

A monthly thread to talk about all of our various journeys through the difficult, trying, and often heartbreaking world of infertility. This thread is a place to chat, vent, get support, cheer each other on, and hopefully occasionally laugh!

Please let me know if there are any changes/updates to make.
 

Trying to Conceive #1
 

yoyonana (34) dh (31) TTC#1 since Oct 2009 after one year off OC pill. Going for 1st IUI next month

 RosieL (29) DH (30) TTC #1 for 8 cycles with abnormal sperm morphology (large heads). Day e, Day 21, and HSG tests were normal.

Monkeyscience  (27) and dh (25) TTC#1 w/ PCOS - going natural due to financial constraints...  praying for some ovulation!

LuluRoo (28) TTC#1 since March 2011 after taking a break from TTC for a little while!!! Doing what I can to prepare for our first medicated cycle March 29th, 2011

Tantylynn (23) and DH (25) TTC #1 since May 2009 with PCOS. Started first round of a monitored Clomid cycle in June 2011

Renavoo  (34) TTC#1 for more than a year. Tests all "normal." Argh! Starting IVF this month.

Blueyezz4 TTC #1 (technically #4 - long story) since 2006; Moving on to our first FET after 5 failed IUI's and 1 IVF.  Hoping & praying for a miracle. Mother to our twins boys -lost at 22.5wks on 6-20-09 and another little IVF angel in heaven lost at 8wks!

deborahbgkelly (29) TTC #1 We are definitely moving on to a fertility clinic, Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado where we will see Dr. Tiffany Von Wald. Our appointment is scheduled for July 28 so I think we will end up with one more full natural cycle beforehand. Continuing OPKs and charting. Fertility issues: Me- Endometriosis and Hypothyroid; Hubby- Very low count and low motility

On sixth month trying. Age 29. TTC #1.CD 10 today.

SimplyRochelle TTC #1 since May 2007; one loss at 12 weeks in September 2008; seeking holistic treatment and continuing naturally at this point; 2 failed clomid cycles; crappy insurance and limited financial resources while in nursing school keep us from going further but we'll get there one day

Silverbird TTC #1 with MFI and one ovary

fierrbug Tiara (33) DH (34) TTC #1 since 2001, 3 mc’s. Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) which relates to other hormone/insulin/egg quality issues + some clotting properties. In limbo awaiting a miracle to get GH injections in conjunction with a future IUI

rhiandmoi TTC #1 since November 2008. Just starting to get tested to see what is going on

Trying To Conceive #2

Wendlynnn TTC #2 since Sept. '09. Have a 3yr old DD and 3 losses in the last year (11weeks, 5wks, 6wks). Now I'm doing the dr run around - trying to find someone who will help me, test me, ANYTHING!

Gozal (32) trying for number 2+ since 2009. Finally diagnosed with 5mm prolactinoma after extended breastfeeding and started cabergoline 2/11. PRL levels normal 4/11, trying a cycle with hcg trigger and then clomid + trigger

Lydiah Lidia (29) DH (28)....TTC #2 since October 2009 while handling my symptoms of Crohn's Disease with Remicade since March 2010. Have had 4 early losses, though those were while healthy. Going to a specialist in July 2011!!

Hope4light unofficially TTC#2.  Severe MFI, only option is IVF w/ICSI.  Down to 2 options for a new RE (we moved), and getting ready to have consults with them and decide where to go

Jenger TTC#2 since August 2009, diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism in August 2010

julieven (33) TTC#2 since December 2009. Waiting for CD1 to get a  FET cycle going! Praying for another blessing!

tryingfortwo TTC#2 since Nov 2008. Unexplained secondary infertility, hoping that a naturopath can figure out what's going on and recommend something that will help us get PG!

Wallabi Sara, mama to a fabulous four year old who came home at age two and a half, fighting primary infertility on and off since 2002 with endo and gluten troubles - one year gluten free! - hoping 2011 will see me pregnant!

Gale (29) TTC#2 for 20 months. Have had the complete IF work-up and HSG and DH has had SA - everything checked out just fine. We have done 3 rounds of 50mg Clomid and had first iui on November 29th

CassnBeth TTC#2 for us since August 2010...TTC#1 for me for 2 years. Suffering from PCOS and remembering 4 early losses!

mindfulmomma TTC#2 since April 2009. Unexplained Secondary Infertility. Had HSG, bloodwork and Clomid challenge so far

Trying To Conceive #3

zanelee TTC#3 for almost 5 years now. Secondary IF due to cervical cancer surgery. Had extensive endo removed and cervix manually dialated (so dh's boys could get in!) in late fall of 2010, and now trying on our own for a few months. Can't decided whether or not to start clomid. Praying for a miracle!

Trying To Conceive #4

MoOnFiReGlOw TTC #4 since April '09. Had MFI due to medications. Now off meds for 1 month and hoping to get a bfp here soon

Those TTC who have not posted a Blurb

krunchyk

kkfrance

Silverbird

Lari

MrsR

Ceccy

adorabelle

choosewisdom
 

Taking a Break

Milletpuff

Not Trying, Not Preventing

Brichole1214 Brandy (27) DH (31) taking a break in between our little precious bundle who came to us December 6th, 2010.  Planning on starting out TTC venture again in Septmeber 2011 since it took us 31 months to get pregnant with her and technically took me 5 years of off and on TTC to finally get pregnant.  I don't wanna wait too long!!!!  http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/158654

Graduates
(May everyone who passes through this thread find her way to this section!)

Kaydove, Brichole1214, Sweet.Bee, Lega, NishaG, Kewpie80, Tear78, ValH, Lesliesara63, no5no5, Minkajane, EastbayK, Grapesbunch, thtr4me, alexaskj, trumpcard, poetgirl, ann_of_loxley

Losses
...

Missing In Action
 

First Shot Photo

AutumnLaughing

Stretch358

ladylaura

InGodsHands

Simplymere

Indianagrl

Victorian Patch

lovebug

PLEASE let the thread keeper know if there is anything you would like to add/delete/change in your synopsis above. Bolding requests is appreciated! 


Weekend Wrap-Up
Name:
Age:
TTC #:
CD:
DPO (if applicable):
Testing:
Trying Since:
Plan for this Cycle:
Link to Chart (if applicable):
Thoughts:

Edited by tantylynn - 6/27/11 at 5:03am

T-lynn (23) married DH (25) on 28.07.2007 TTC baby #1 since May 2009 (with PCOS) 1st monitored Clomid cycle June 2011.

Brichole *Weekend Wrap-Up** Name: Brandy Age: 27 TTC #: 3 CD: 3 DPO
(if applicable): n/a Testing: i refuse to pee in another cup to dip a pregnancy test until i can make it 13
dpo!!! Trying Since: April 2011 Plan for this Cycle: OPKs and temping this cycle. Link to Chart (if
applicable): \[www.fertilityfriend.com/home/158654\

]\[1\] Thoughts: I'm excited to know that my cycles are
getting longer and in turn my LP is getting longer so my body is finally getting back into the swing of
things. I'm officially on the 5th month of not taking my BC pills and that means i've been not trying but not
preventing for 5 months!!! I am still holding out on "ACTIVELY" TRYING TRYING until September but i'm still
trying to go ahead and get to know my body again in the mean time and if i HAPPEN to end up pregnant then
that's a bonus....but i don't know that i'm going to be able to do this naturally like i've been wanting
to....and if that's the case i don't know if i'm going to be able to get my DH on board to going thru the
treatments again. It's not like he has to do anything but at least my RE is familiar with my body and we will
know where to at least START this time go round. I hope that every thing works out though...because it's
really depressing to think that i can't do this on my own again after doing it the first time. Me and DH are
also in the process of trying to start eating a little bit better and I know that me stopping Cola (or pop
lol) that it will help me a lot. I'm also walking everyday again and Emma is keeping me busy busy all the
time. I really don't ever have time to stop these days. That's one reason that even though i have a SMART
PHONE now and can get on line and check in on everything i don't really have time to sit down and respond
because Emma just doesn't believe in long naps...if she really believes in naps at all!!! I am sooooooo
feeling like July is going to be a good month for one or more of us ladies and I am really hoping that someone
is able to walk out of here with another BFP soon!!! PS Anyone that i didn't write to up at the top of my
post i am writing this...... HUGS, LOVE, and lots of PEACE be with each of you! I am so blessed to have been
given the chance to get to know you ladies while here in this forum and it's not everyday that you can find
someone who has had to go thru the stuff that you are going thru. I like being able to relate to someone
because even my DH doesn't understand me most day! I honestly love each and everyone of you and I think about
and Pray for you each night that your womb will be filled with the joys of a little one soon!! Thru all of the
pain that we've all been thru with either families not understanding, losses of little beans, and the
struggles with everyday life PLUS Infertility we still have each other to vent to and rely on if we just need
someone to talk to. [1]: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/158654

Weekend Wrap-Up

Name: RosieL

Age: 29

TTC #: 1

CD: 9

DPO (if applicable): n/a

Testing: Using IC OPKs again this month. Since I confirmed O with a progesterone test I'm willing to trust the not-really-positive lines I see in ICs. 

Trying Since: 12/2010

Plan for this Cycle: Lots of BD. 

Link to Chart (if applicable): In sig.

Thoughts: Well, we've done the major tests (Day3, Day 21, HSG, SA). Mine have all come back "normal" and we are waiting the results of DH's second SA to confirm or disconfirm abnormal morphology.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Name: Deborah

Age: 29

TTC #1

CD 12

Positive OPK yesterday, but got sick last night so no BD. Hoping to wake hubby up soon :-). I am still charting BBT.

Plan for this cycle: Not a whole lot, but still going to BD before, during and hopefully after O.

Thoughts: Feeling a bit better about our fertility status now that we have our consultation at the end of this month. The timing for our consult is perfect because if AF shows up this month I will have just finished my cycle right around the consultation time. We will do one more SA for DH when we start at Conceptions.

Edited by deborahbgkelly - 7/3/11 at 8:55am

[brichole1214]

Deborah:  Thank you so much for the July thread!!! And Welcome!! I know that i haven't had a chance to really talk much lately but I do read and just wanna send out HUGS and pray that your stay here is very short!!!

Renavoo:  BOO ON AF!!! At least you get to move on and you have your course of action.  I understand not wanting to lose out on the money but just think your 40-50 % chances each cycle is a higher chance than a woman trying on her own like myself HEHE!!! 

I'm going to go ahead and fill out my weekend wrap-up since the week is almost over anyway and this is a holiday weekend (though i'm at work PRAYING for time to speed up so i can go home, get in bed, and be back up at 145am to be back at work at 3 am in the morning!! I REALLY hate crazy shifts...but comes with the territory of being a 911 dispatcher where we have to be staffed 27/7 365 (and 1/4) days a year lol.  

Weekend Wrap-Up
Name:  Brandy
Age: 27
TTC #:  3
CD: 3
DPO (if applicable):  n/a
Testing: i refuse to pee in another cup to dip a pregnancy test until i can make it 13 dpo!!!
Trying Since: April 2011
Plan for this Cycle: OPKs and temping this cycle.
Link to Chart (if applicable): www.fertilityfriend.com/home/158654
Thoughts: I'm excited to know that my cycles are getting longer and in turn my LP is getting longer so my body is finally getting back into the swing of things.  I'm officially on the 5th month of not taking my BC pills and that means i've been not trying but not preventing for 5 months!!! I am still holding out on "ACTIVELY" TRYING TRYING until September but i'm still trying to go ahead and get to know my body again in the mean time and if i HAPPEN to end up pregnant then that's a bonus....but i don't know that i'm going to be able to do this naturally like i've been wanting to....and if that's the case i don't know if i'm going to be able to get my DH on board to going thru the treatments again.  It's not like he has to do anything but at least my RE is familiar with my body and we will know where to at least START this time go round.  I hope that every thing works out though...because it's really depressing to think that i can't do this on my own again after doing it the first time.

Me and DH are also in the process of trying to start eating a little bit better and I know that me stopping Cola (or pop lol) that it will help me a lot.  I'm also walking everyday again and  Emma is keeping me busy busy all the time.  I really don't ever have time to stop these days.  That's one reason that even though i have a SMART PHONE now and can get on line and check in on everything i don't  really have time to sit down and respond because Emma just doesn't believe in long naps...if she really believes in naps at all!!! I am sooooooo feeling like July is going to be a good month for one or more of us ladies and I am really hoping that someone is able to walk out of here with another BFP soon!!!  

PS  Anyone that i didn't write to up at the top of my post i am writing this......

HUGS, LOVE, and lots of PEACE be with each of you!  I am so blessed to have been given the chance to get to know you ladies while here in this forum and it's not everyday that you can find someone who has had to go thru the stuff that you are going thru.  I like being able to relate to someone because even my DH doesn't understand me most day!  I honestly love each and everyone of you and I think about and Pray for you each night that your womb will be filled with the joys of a little one soon!! Thru all of the pain that we've all been thru with either families not understanding, losses of little beans, and the struggles with everyday life PLUS Infertility we still have each other to vent to and rely on if we just need someone to talk to.
 

[tantylynn]

Thanks for taking over the July thread deborah! It's been a few months since we've actually started it on time LOL. Good work!

Weekend Wrap-Up
Name: t lynn
Age: 23
TTC #: 1
CD: 13
DPO (if applicable): n/a
Testing: OPKs - had one that probably could have been called a + on CD11, though my +s are generally darker so I didn't...now I'm confused cause they're getting lighter and lighter.
Trying Since: May 2009
Plan for this Cycle: 50mg Clomid, OPKs, charting BBT and CM, and chiropractic care
Link to Chart (if applicable): http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/tlynn

Thoughts: Like I said, I'm really confused. This is my first cycle of Clomid and it seems to have thrown all of my typical pre-o temperatures and OPKs out the window. I have also had a headache for like 4 days now. If this means it is working I'm fine with that though! I'm really scared about this cycle...I can already tell that my hopes are higher than normal b/c of the Clomid. I just don't want to be devastated.

Ps. Brichole You are such a kind, caring and generous person. I'm glad that I'm able to share this journey with you and thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers!

[RosieL]

Thanks for the new thread deborah. 

Brichole you are wonderful. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. 

tlynn - Hugs and hop for you this cycle. I know that the first time I try a med or intervention I'll probably be unable to control my excitement. When nothing changes, you feel like there's no reason to suspect *this* cycle will be any different than others. But when you change something major you can't help but feel optimistic. Maybe the mantra "Hope for the best, expect the worst" could be helpful.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Name: RosieL

Age: 29

TTC #: 1

CD: 9

DPO (if applicable): n/a

Testing: Using IC OPKs again this month. Since I confirmed O with a progesterone test I'm willing to trust the not-really-positive lines I see in ICs. 

Trying Since: 12/2010

Plan for this Cycle: Lots of BD. 

Link to Chart (if applicable): In sig.

Thoughts: Well, we've done the major tests (Day3, Day 21, HSG, SA). Mine have all come back "normal" and we are waiting the results of DH's second SA to confirm or disconfirm abnormal morphology. 

deborah can you update my blurb? TTC#1 for 8 cycles with abnormal sperm morphology (large heads). Day 3, Day 21, and HSG tests were normal. 

[renavoo]

Hi all!

Deborah, thank you for moderating this month!

Can you please change my blurb to "Ttc for more than a year. Tests all "normal". Argh! Starting IVF this month.

Well, just got my day 2 antral follicle fount. Had 13, which I guess is intermediately normal, according to some web searches. the nurse at Shady Grove said that they want to see at least a 10 so I guess I'm ok but I really want get another blood test o check my ovarian reserve! (amh test). I guess I'm now happier about getting IVF since I feel like time may be running out and I just don't want to wait any longer! Birth control pills starting tomorrow and then injectibles!

Tantylynn, good luck! I'm hoping you get your BFP! And same to everyone else on this thread!
Happy 4th of July!

[deborahbgkelly]

I'm glad to help out. You all were so very supportive last month, it is the least I can do.

[RosieL]

Ooh, I think this is in the parent forum. Perhaps we can ask a mod to move it to the infertility forum?

[kneticnrgy]

Weekend Wrap-Up
Name: kneticnrgy
Age: 25
TTC #: 1
CD: 18
DPO (if applicable): na
Testing: After spermanalysis DH was diagnosed with male infertility. As for me, all the hormone levels have come back normal. I have an HSG in two weeks or so depending on what the IVF lab tells us!
Trying Since: 2008
Plan for this Cycle: possibly prepping for IVF
Link to Chart (if applicable):
Thoughts: Hello again! I joined MDC when we first started TTC in 2008 but after a while I had to stop just because no matter what we did it wasn't working. DH ended up joining the military and after years of testing and waiting DH was diagnosed with male infertility. We got on the list for info for IVF and recently heard back. We've decided to wait until the next IVF cycle which starts in Jan due to financial stuffs and we would have had to rush through everything if we tried to make it for the next cycle (Aug) I'm back on MDC because there wasn't anywhere else I've ever felt more support and I'd love to be of support to anyone else! I've spent three years TTC but I've turned the page into a chapter totally new to me. I hope if there's anyone else needing anything from me I can be there too!

[deborahbgkelly]

My link says pregnancy and birth, fertility, July 2011 Infertility one thread. How do I know if I'm in the wrong one? Would it be better if I removed this and started over?

[deborahbgkelly]

Thanks Kneticnrgy and welcome.

[gozal]

Hey, there you are! I was having trouble finding you guys. Deborah, thanks for starting the thread! Usually this thread is in Pregnancy and Birth > Fertility > Infertility. Yeah, I know, IF is under fertility, a little...counter-intuitive, huh? I'm not sure how to move it though, being kinda new to the forums myself, but I'm sure someone will know.

Well, I have good news/bad news to report. On Friday things were not looking so good for me, since my levels remained the same and did not go down the minimum 15% they like to see after mtx (bad news). My body was not tolerating the mtx very well, though, so the doctors were hesitant to give me the second dose. Also, the Fri. u/s was more indicative still of IUP (good news!) so they were considering a d&c instead of the second dose of mtx (bad news). They wanted me back in 48 hours, meaning that we had to drastically cut short our weekend plans for a trip we'd been planning and looking forward to (bad news). But, we still went away for those 48 hours and had a blast (good news).I went in for b/w and u/s, u/s showed nothing anywhere and later they called to say that my levels had dropped substantially (good news! very good news!). Medically improbable - and probably indicative of IUP rather than ectopic (good news!). I'm supposed to go back for another level at the end of the week and am hoping that instead of a protracted, 4-6 weeks process of following the numbers to zero, my numbers will come down rapidly, like in a m/c rather than ectopic. Not sure what's next, but I imagine I'll have a conversation with my doctor soon. Bad news is that regardless we have to wait out the three months. I am hoping I only have time to have one cycle after this one (which is bound to be wonky) before we can try again.

Question for you guys: anything you do while you are "waiting" (2ww, for test results, for medical reasons, for insurance reasons, etc.) that helps you feel better? Now that my energy is starting to come back I've tried to focus on getting things in order, sort of. I'm focusing on a few areas of our eating that I'd like to improve and trying to find some form of exercise I can do with my three-year-old around. No way would he ever hang out in the kids' room at a gym, so that's out. I'm a champion declutterer and it's time for another overhaul of the house. We need to really look at our budgeting. Stuff like that. It's been hard for me to look though photos of DS as a baby (yeah, I am actually jealous of my former self - how is that for a strange emotion?) but I think committing to finally finishing his baby album  will actually make me feel good at this point. (I'm a perfectionist about it and it's still not done.) I need to feel like I'm actively planning for a pregnancy, which I can do by tying up all these loose ends. Does that make any sense? What do you guys do?

Hoping you had a good weekend, everyone! Thinking of you.

[deborahbgkelly]

Reading a book, doing some sort of craft or even just watching a favorite show are all ways I pass the time. I also do martial arts which is something I bet you and your 3 year old would love to do together. Many schools start classes about that age.

[deborahbgkelly]

I emailed feedback since I didn't find a better option in order to figure out how to get this thread moved.

[RosieL]

deborah - It's in the right main forum, but it could be placed one more forum below in "Infertility". I don't think it's too big of a deal, but if you'd like you could just go to the questions/suggestions forum and ask a mod to move the thread. Then you wouldn't have to make a new one. Feedback will probably get back to you quickly!

Gozal - Geez what a rollercoaster you're on! I'm hoping your numbers drop quickly…why do you have to wait three months? I've never known… As for what I do during the TWW or otherwise, usually the best is to get out from behind the computer. In the garden, decluttering, cooking, anything that has me on my feet. Unfortunately that means to work for me. Working behind the computer while I'm in a TWW or waiting for a test result SUCKS.

AFM - My OB called when I was in the middle of deboning a duck last night. 7PM and she was calling on her way home, knowing I wanted the SA results. Same results, count and motility fine, abnormal morphology. This time 3%, so slightly higher but still below the 4-5% cutoff for normal versus subfertile. OB offered clomid since I've had longer cycles in the past (one in Jan), clomid +IUI "depending on how aggressive you want to be" or the suggestion of going to a specialist. 

Specialist it is! I see the RE tomorrow. Anyone have suggestions for my list of things to ask?

[LuluRoo]

gozal - ugh, how frustrating!  Getting through the 2ww (much less a 3 month wait!) is tedious...I try to come up with some sort of challenge for myself (not necessarily TTC or fertility-related).  It helps the time go a little faster and gives me a goal to work towards.  Sometimes its a challenge to plan and cook new meals 5 nights a week, maybe it's read a new book that I've been putting off, walking the dogs every day, etc.  Last 2ww I worked my butt off to bill hours at work so that I could take it easy at the end of June.  Right now I'm trying to do some type of physical acitivity (run, hike, eliptical, etc.) 5 days this week.  I missed yesterday to have dinner with my dad so I better get my butt to the gym tonight!  Is there maybe some new activity that you and your LO could do together?  Or something that you and DH have been wanting to do/try that you haven't had the time to do?  Not sure how much free time you have, but volunteering at food shelves or the humane society always makes me feel better, too.

rosieL - I've been wondering the same thing about what to ask the RE.  I haven't made an appointment yet, but it looks like I'm heading that way.  Let us know how your appointment goes!

renavoo - how long does the whole IVF process take from start to end?  Just curious.

AFM, AF came on Sunday (boo).  Not unexpected, but a bummer all the same.  I have a dr. appt on Friday with my OBGYN (who is also my primary care dr.) to do some blood work, then it's one to Clomid round 3, I guess.  I'm thinking I should go ahead and get a recommendation for a RE and make an appointment, as I'm sure it will take some time to get in.  I am dreading this next step, as our insurance covers NOTHING (!#$%&*!).  Oh well, c'est la vie. 

[renavoo]

Gozal, I'm with the other ladies. I think you should just find something that interests you. It doesn't matter what. What are your hobbies? I love photography so i would throw myself into that when I have to wait. This last month flew by because i was working on renovating the apartment so that was fantastic (even though it was a failed cycle. sniff). I also love reading. however, I'm a speed reader so I go through books really quickly. Thank goodness I have an electronic reader...otherwise, my apartment would be full to the brim with books!

Rosie, it's always so difficult to know what to ask!! I would ask about what your chances are with each of the options your doctor will present to you. Additionally, i think it'll be good to find out what the suggestion would be for the long term...ie how many cycles with clomid, what would be next, what else should you be doing to prepare. My friend recently told me about royal jelly (something that bees produce and queen bees eat). Supposedly, it helps increase the number of eggs. Perhaps you want to look into that. Ask your RE if there are any other supplements/alternative medicine he/she suggests you take/do.

LuLu, here's my schedule...Day 2 of cycle, US to look at antral follicle count. Day 3, start oral contraceptives for 15 days. Day 18, pre IVF ultrasound. If all goes well, day 22, start injecting. Injections will go for approximately 10-12 days, depending on how i respond. I will be going to get check ups every other day. Estimated retrieval 8/2 and estimated transfer 8/7. So I would say that the whole procedure, if perfect, will take about 1 month. Kind of like a normal cycle. However, things never go perfectly!!

I'm sorry AF found you though :o( Did you check your lining? I had such horrible issues with lining on clomid that I doubt that implantation would have occurred regardless. My DH and I have had to pay thousands out of pocket already too :o( Luckily, it can be deducted from taxes. That's the only thing getting me going in terms of how much we've spent. Another 20K is going to be spent within the next month too. Sigh. at least this time, there is some guarantee, however!

[deborahbgkelly]

We also have nothing covered through insurance. Not cool. Cigna offered it but DH's employer chose not to have it available. Boo! However, Conceptions is very aware of the costs and offers a 15% discount if you pay with cash or check and they have a $175 gift card which essentially translates to a free consult (the consult is $175).Their rates even without this stuff were considerably cheaper than CCRM and they allow some testing to be done outside of the clinic (e.g. at a doctor's office under the guise of something else so insurance will cover it).

[tantylynn]

Renavoo I'm with you! I'm a speed reader and love my e-novel! Best way for me to distract myself completely is start a new series of books (long ones that force me to read for more than 1 day) or start a new TV series!

[RosieL]

I'm back from the RE!

I saw Lorna Timmreck. She discouraged me from temping, asked for another SA with IUI prep, a bit more bloodwork from me (total test, 17-hydroxyprog., and DHEAS I think), and a few more blood tests unrelated to infertility (HIV, HepB, Syph). They prescribed a round of antibiotics for both me and DH to take to eliminate the possibility of us passing an infection back and forth between each other. The doctor was nice, although a touch less patient with my desire to research than I would like. Her nurse was nice, although a touch less patient with my impatience than I would like. DH noticed the same, but both of us thought the overall visit went well. 

I'm super-pleased that the SA with IUI-prep will tell us whether IUI would be worth trying out. They do a wash just like the IUI prep, and then do a SA. If the washed numbers look good then IUI is a good option, if they don't, then it's not. I like these next steps. :) I'm bummed to find out that contrary to what I thought, IUI isn't covered by my insurance. 

[renavoo]

Hey Rosie! That's so interesting about the IUI prep. I hope it goes well! Why did she discourage you from temping though? I'm just curious. It really is annoying that physicians are not as patient as we need them to be. I mean, especially with something like this...fertility issues are so difficult by themselves that you would hope that the medical professionals who specialize in this field would be a little more patient!!

TantyLynn, I'm so with you! I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy in preparation for the movies. Not a huge fan, especially considering how many accolades the book series got! I'm trying to figure out what my next series should be :o)

Deborah, Conceptions sounds great!! What a wonderful facility to give you that discount. I'm really impressed!

AFM, nothing happening. Just kind of waiting for the drug part of this IVF cycle to begin. Still taking oral contraceptives and just waiting for day 15!