GKU IF Check-in 4/18

[daisy818]

We haven't had one of these in a while - not sure if it's because people have mostly meandered over to 3T/IF or what, but I thought I'd go ahead and post.

This check-in is meant for anyone on GKU who has hit the 1 year mark of TTC (6 months if you’re over 35), has an infertility diagnosis, or is going through IF testing/treatment. It is meant to be a place for people to share and ask any questions who might not participate on 3T/IF and who would like the company of others going through the same experiences.

If you have any questions about participating, please send amberr a PRIVATE MESSAGE, otherwise please share you info and jump on in! This will be posted every Monday. If you have any suggestions or would like something added, please feel free to post.


QOTW: It's finally getting warm outside! Are you more of a sundress or shorts kind of person?

[lilsneezy]

Hi! I haven't been updating because I don't have much of an update. We're still trying naturally but I know the chance of us getting KU after almost four years of TTC are pretty much slim to none. I know it's not impossible so I guess I'm holding onto that. My RE recommended we go straight to IVF but I feel like I want to try a few more IUIs before I make that jump. I've been saying this for over a year now so we'll see when that actually happens.

QOTW: Definitely a shorts kind of person. I think people would be shocked to see me in a dresss outside of a wedding or funeral setting.

[Rama]

Thanks for starting today daisy818!

lilsneezy I feel ya. I would do the same thing. IVF is such a big step!

AFM: Follow up OB appointment on Thursday. Gonna figure out if we're benched at all (kind of doubting it) and whether our genetic results have come back yet.

QOTW: It's finally getting warm outside! Are you more of a sundress or shorts kind of person? Shorts 1000000%. Because pockets. And not skirts.

[daisy818]

lilsneezy, I totally understand not wanting to move straight to IVF (waves from medicated TI cycle #10) - it's just such a big leap, and I keep thinking to myself, "What if I give up on TI the month before it finally would have worked?"

Rama, I'll be thinking of you on Thursday

AFM, just sitting at CD13 and WTO on another Femara TI cycle. This cycle will mark a year since I started using meds (minus two mental health break cycles).

QOTW: I love sundresses - I'd wear dresses everyday if I could!

[ohinvrtedworld]

lilsneezy that totally makes sense, IVF feels like the big guns a lot of the time.
Rama I don't know what results or steps forward would be what you'd want to hear, Rama, but I hope whatever those things are, that that's what it is. Big hugs for even having to have this follow up appointment in the first place.
daisy818 Hugs for hitting a milestone for treatment, it's hard to see the time go by like this.

AFM: nothing new. Kind of researching IVF overseas to see if it's cheaper. We have no insurance coverage, so as much as IVF feels like a gigantic step, I feel kind of hopeless from my blog-reading and research in regard to if it'd make a huge difference spending $ on IUIs first.

It's all theoretical, so my mind may totally change when I've saved money up and have to pull the trigger on something, but I just wonder if I should just skip to what seems the most promising. That'd be WAY into the future though!

QOTW: Gosh, I do both! That's hard. Some of my dresses are SO comfy when it's hot outside, but I like shorts for being less fussy and likely to blow up in the wind. I think I'm 60/40 in favor of shorts lol.

[butlerfan]

Shorts for me!

Not much happening here per se.....finding out more and more about bio parents case plan and things that are now out in the open after last weeks team meeting with bio parents. We have our team meeting on Thursday morning so FX that goes well.

Otherwise, I'm exhausted after the holiday weekend, my house is a mess, and I need to get it clean.

[daisy818]

Apr 18, 2017 14:46:27 GMT -5 ****** said:

daisy818 I quit posting cuz I just drive by GKU these days. I don't belong here with the POAS at 8dpo folks. I'm a bitter IF lately. I'm hoping to make it outta the funk soon!

I totally understand - for some reason I just can't quit WTO/TWW, but I seriously find myself kicking myself for it every week. And I can't even remember the last time I POAS at any DPO - the idea of being antsy at 8 DPO doesn't even register to me anymore. 

[butlerfan]

I haven't gone in the WTO/TWW threads in at least a year....I have also started posting on parenting now. I can't quit GKU or 3T completely though

[Deleted]

I'm just sitting here in a NTNP cycle. I needed a break from temping, so I decided that now was as good a time as any to stop for a bit.

I'm still waiting for a referral to an RE (3 months and counting). I have a Dr appointment tomorrow to follow up on my early loss last month, review DHs SA results, and get the Dr to check on the referral. Unfortunately this appointment is not with my regular GP, so I'm not sure how much of all of that will happen. Fingers crossed for some sort of result.

[♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪]

Hiiiiiiiiiiii. Doin' my usual thing after loss/failed cycles: avoid the boards for a while, get a little healthier mentally, dig back in and keep moving forward.

Don't mind my LTs from weeks ago. I want to catch up and see where you all are and what has been going on.

AFM - Since my latest loss, I had the fuckery of having betas almost go down all the way, only to start rising again. Cue D&C (which was the right call). Everything cleared up, and I had a follow-up SHG that gave me the clear to start prepping for another FET. Scheduled 5/19.

QOTW: Shorts over sundress all day.

[Deleted]

Hi!!
Just more bloodwork. My car breaking down, combined with being on call has messed with all the appointments I had scheduled.

For those that love google the newest thing my neurologist wants to check for is called Myasthenia Gravis.

I also finally decided to go to an RE. Now I have to find time to call them back to schedule an initial consult.


QOTW: I don't like showing my knees. My knee caps are too high up and I think they look weird. So if given they option I will chose Bermuda shorts or skirts that go past my knees.
Never short shorts unless I'm at home.

[Rama]

Apr 18, 2017 15:49:13 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Hi!!
Just more bloodwork. My car breaking down, combined with being on call has messed with all the appointments I had scheduled.

For those that love google the newest thing my neurologist wants to check for is called Myasthenia Gravis.

I also finally decided to go to an RE. Now I have to find time to call them back to schedule an initial consult.


QOTW: I don't like showing my knees. My knee caps are too high up and I think they look weird. So if given they option I will chose Bermuda shorts or skirts that go past my knees.
Never short shorts unless I'm at home.

Good luck at your RE!

[ceejay]

*TW foster kids mentioned*

Hi friends! I haven't been posting much here since we're not trying to GKU anymore. We have 3 foster kids so far, with potentially more down the road... our kids' bio mom is fairly young, and H and I were recently discussing that its a likely possibility that she will have more kids someday, and we would probably be asked to take them if they also enter foster care. H currently seems convinced that we should take in any and all future siblings we are asked to take, but I'm not sure how many kids we can manage (emotionally and financially). 3 already seems like a lot. We'll cross that bridge when/if we come to it... but we are basically in agreement that we are done TTC.

Anyway, not much to update on our foster care cases. Lately we've just been waiting around for court dates to move the cases along towards adoption. The bio parents haven't done anything lately and haven't had visits with any of the boys in over 3 months. The boys are all doing really well. It's exhausting to keep up with all three of them but we are so thankful to have them with us.

QOTW: Shorts over dress for sure. And honestly usually pants over shorts (even in the summer) because 1) I have to wear pants in the lab at work, and 2) I am lazy and don't like shaving my legs.

[bex15]

Good luck at your appointment Rama

I'm so sorry for your loss ♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪, best of luck with your May cycle

[bex15]

Attempting IUI #1 again this month (last cycle was cancelled due to my body not responding enough to the 50mg of Clomid). Currently on CD3, I start 100 mg Clomid on Thursday and follistim shots start Saturday.

QOTW: Dresses all the way, that's what I wear 90% of the time, year round

[Deleted]

Apr 18, 2017 14:53:20 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

Apr 18, 2017 14:46:27 GMT -5 ****** said:

daisy818 I quit posting cuz I just drive by GKU these days. I don't belong here with the POAS at 8dpo folks. I'm a bitter IF lately. I'm hoping to make it outta the funk soon!

I totally understand - for some reason I just can't quit WTO/TWW, but I seriously find myself kicking myself for it every week. And I can't even remember the last time I POAS at any DPO - the idea of being antsy at 8 DPO doesn't even register to me anymore. 

I've POAS like 3 times. Ever.

Now, OPKs I do, so I've gotten good at peeing on things. But HPT? They sit unopened in the drawer.

[Deleted]

I've been updating over on 3T so some of you may have seen this, but I'm currently in the stage of taking all the supplements and trying to get my hormone levels at the right place. I'm apparently over responding to the typical dosage of DHEA that my RE prescribed, since my levels were high at my first 2 week blood draw and even higher at my 2nd. So now I'm taking a half dose, and we'll see next week if it's gone down at all.

We're working on getting mentally ready to start IVF this summer. It's such a huge step to take right away, but with each of our numbers TI and IUI would likely be a waste of time and money. I think H is way more ready than I am. I'm glad I have a few more months to mentally prepare!

[ohinvrtedworld]

Apr 18, 2017 14:44:20 GMT -5 ****** said:

ohinvrtedworld I'm researching medical tourism sites for IVF too. We won't do it until next year when vacation time starts over. IVF is a huge expense but it's much more affordable outside the US. I'm looking at Spain & Barbados! lol it's so hard. Knowing what's the right steps to take and the right time to make changes. Why can't it be easier.

Well if the timing ever worked out... we travel together?! lol. My friend said great things about a clinic in Thailand but I feel like the flight would be $$$. 

[kariann12]

Apr 18, 2017 18:11:54 GMT -5 ohinvrtedworld said:

Apr 18, 2017 14:44:20 GMT -5 ****** said:

ohinvrtedworld I'm researching medical tourism sites for IVF too. We won't do it until next year when vacation time starts over. IVF is a huge expense but it's much more affordable outside the US. I'm looking at Spain & Barbados! lol it's so hard. Knowing what's the right steps to take and the right time to make changes. Why can't it be easier.

Well if the timing ever worked out... we travel together?! lol. My friend said great things about a clinic in Thailand but I feel like the flight would be $$$. 

Not necessarily! Flights now are pretty cheap. Our friends went to Thailand about a month ago and they said tickets were around $500. We also just flew to Iceland and Europe for the same price.

[Deleted]

Apr 18, 2017 15:59:16 GMT -5 Rama said:

Apr 18, 2017 15:49:13 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Hi!!
Just more bloodwork. My car breaking down, combined with being on call has messed with all the appointments I had scheduled.

For those that love google the newest thing my neurologist wants to check for is called Myasthenia Gravis.

I also finally decided to go to an RE. Now I have to find time to call them back to schedule an initial consult.


QOTW: I don't like showing my knees. My knee caps are too high up and I think they look weird. So if given they option I will chose Bermuda shorts or skirts that go past my knees.
Never short shorts unless I'm at home.

Good luck at your RE!

Thanks! I'm hoping to have time to call tomorrow.

[lilsneezy]

Apr 18, 2017 18:11:54 GMT -5 ohinvrtedworld said:

Apr 18, 2017 14:44:20 GMT -5 ****** said:

ohinvrtedworld I'm researching medical tourism sites for IVF too. We won't do it until next year when vacation time starts over. IVF is a huge expense but it's much more affordable outside the US. I'm looking at Spain & Barbados! lol it's so hard. Knowing what's the right steps to take and the right time to make changes. Why can't it be easier.

Well if the timing ever worked out... we travel together?! lol. My friend said great things about a clinic in Thailand but I feel like the flight would be $$$. 

Hey I wanna be travel/IVF buddies too! Maybe we can split an AirBnB and save some cash 😂

[lilsneezy]

Apr 18, 2017 21:54:03 GMT -5 ****** said:

Apr 18, 2017 20:47:24 GMT -5 lilsneezy said:

Hey I wanna be travel/IVF buddies too! Maybe we can split an AirBnB and save some cash 😂

maybe we could get a group discount!

Haha, that would be awesome!

[gabride2010]

Big hugs lilsneezy!

FX you're not benched and can start TTC ASAP Rama!

Thanks for starting daisy818. I hope you O soon. Big hugs for reaching a year of treatments.

Good luck with your research ohinvrtedworld. Hugs for having to do the research in the first place!

I hope your meeting goes well butlerfan!

Hugs ******!!

I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well @sparky85. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs!

I'm so sorry for your loss ♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪! Hugs!

Sorry being on call is messing with your appointments @wallflwr926. I hope you get some answers soon. Good luck with your RE appointment!

I hope the courts move the cases towards adoption soon ceejay!

I hope you respond better to the higher dosage of Clomid bex15!

Sorry your DHEA is all over the place @bonzo2012! I hope the half dose is right. Hugs for moving on to IVF!

AFM...
I'm still in my second attempted cycle of Femara + TI. This one got cancelled too due to not a good enough response to Femara 5mg. My chart is super ugly this cycle (anyone care to CS me??), so I'm not really sure what my body is doing.

We had the follow up phone call with the RE's PA, and she told us that H has abnormal semen viscosity, and it is a bit thicker than it should be.

Next cycle, I will be increasing the Femara to 7.5mg x 5 days, and taking Dexamethasone 0.5mg starting CD3 until the monitoring US.

The PA recommended that we do IUI because it will give us the best chance of pregnancy. We're just not ready for that yet. We want to have at least 1-2 complete attempts at Meds + TI before moving on.

QOTW: I'm a shorts girl all the way. I don't like wearing dresses because my thighs rub together, which hurts.

[Deleted]

Apr 18, 2017 10:34:56 GMT -5 Rama said:

Thanks for starting today daisy818!

lilsneezy I feel ya. I would do the same thing. IVF is such a big step!

AFM: Follow up OB appointment on Thursday. Gonna figure out if we're benched at all (kind of doubting it) and whether our genetic results have come back yet.

QOTW: It's finally getting warm outside! Are you more of a sundress or shorts kind of person? Shorts 1000000%. Because pockets. And not skirts.

I found long skirts with hidden (there is a proper name) pockets at target last summer. It's like the best of both world. Leg coverage and pockets. You can't beat it.

[jense927]

Rama good luck at the OB appointment tomorrow I hope you have your results
daisy818 good luck with this cycle, I hope its the one!
ohinvrtedworld good luck with the decision!
butlerfan I hope the team meeting goes well tomorrow!
@sparky85 i'm sorry that the referral is taking so long. I hope that gets resolved at your appointment today
♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪ Sorry you had to go through the D&C. Good luck with the FET!
@wallflwr926 Good luck with the RE consult!
ceejay Glad to hear the boys are doing so well. 3 kids all at once is intense!
bex15 good luck with the IUI... I hope you respond better this cycle
gabride2010 so sorry to hear about the cancelled cycle. I've had it happen before and it is crushing.

AFM I finally had the surgery to repair the c-section scar. I was really nervous but it went well. Recovery that day after was a little rough. I was so nauseous from the pain meds. It's been 2.5 weeks and I feel back to normal. The good thing is I've had no spotting since the surgery which is a major side effect of the scar (blood pools in there and slowly trickles out throughout your cycle). We are planning on getting a US to see if there is any pocket/any fluid in the pocket on June 12th. Then we will schedule a transfer shortly after that assuming it all looks good. We will probably try on cycle on our own before the transfer.

[Deleted]

I just got back from my Dr appointment, and no news on the referral. I have another appointment in June, but hopefully the referral will be sorted out.

The Dr. wants me to avoid pregnancy for 6 weeks, but with my cycles it is unlikely that I will even have had a period by then. So I guess I'm benched ish for a few more weeks.

[gabride2010]

Thank you jense927! I'm glad your surgery went well and that you haven't had any spotting since!

Sorry you didn't get any news on your RE referral @sparky85. I hope these next 6 weeks pass quickly for you!

[butlerfan]

Apr 18, 2017 15:59:56 GMT -5 ceejay said:

*TW foster kids mentioned*

Hi friends! I haven't been posting much here since we're not trying to GKU anymore. We have 3 foster kids so far, with potentially more down the road... our kids' bio mom is fairly young, and H and I were recently discussing that its a likely possibility that she will have more kids someday, and we would probably be asked to take them if they also enter foster care. H currently seems convinced that we should take in any and all future siblings we are asked to take, but I'm not sure how many kids we can manage (emotionally and financially). 3 already seems like a lot. We'll cross that bridge when/if we come to it... but we are basically in agreement that we are done TTC.

Anyway, not much to update on our foster care cases. Lately we've just been waiting around for court dates to move the cases along towards adoption. The bio parents haven't done anything lately and haven't had visits with any of the boys in over 3 months. The boys are all doing really well. It's exhausting to keep up with all three of them but we are so thankful to have them with us.

QOTW: Shorts over dress for sure. And honestly usually pants over shorts (even in the summer) because 1) I have to wear pants in the lab at work, and 2) I am lazy and don't like shaving my legs.

waves hi....I miss you.  That is a lot to take in and discuss.  Once adoption happens will you still get assistance (some states do, some don't I know)?  But still yes, 3 is a lot no matter what.

[ceejay]

Apr 19, 2017 11:12:04 GMT -5 butlerfan said:

Apr 18, 2017 15:59:56 GMT -5 ceejay said:

*TW foster kids mentioned*

Hi friends! I haven't been posting much here since we're not trying to GKU anymore. We have 3 foster kids so far, with potentially more down the road... our kids' bio mom is fairly young, and H and I were recently discussing that its a likely possibility that she will have more kids someday, and we would probably be asked to take them if they also enter foster care. H currently seems convinced that we should take in any and all future siblings we are asked to take, but I'm not sure how many kids we can manage (emotionally and financially). 3 already seems like a lot. We'll cross that bridge when/if we come to it... but we are basically in agreement that we are done TTC.

Anyway, not much to update on our foster care cases. Lately we've just been waiting around for court dates to move the cases along towards adoption. The bio parents haven't done anything lately and haven't had visits with any of the boys in over 3 months. The boys are all doing really well. It's exhausting to keep up with all three of them but we are so thankful to have them with us.

QOTW: Shorts over dress for sure. And honestly usually pants over shorts (even in the summer) because 1) I have to wear pants in the lab at work, and 2) I am lazy and don't like shaving my legs.

waves hi....I miss you.  That is a lot to take in and discuss.  Once adoption happens will you still get assistance (some states do, some don't I know)?  But still yes, 3 is a lot no matter what.

Hi! I miss you too! We should chat more on the Adoption and Foster Care board.

Yes, we still will get our monthly stipend even after adoption, but will lose daycare reimbursement and WIC. Honestly for me, it's more about stress levels and having enough time to devote to each child. Even now with three it feels like we are very stretched thin with our time, and and it's hard to get everything done while still trying to spend quality time with each kid. I can't even imagine having time for a 4th or 5th, though obviously some people do it. We'll just have to wait and make that decision if/when it comes.

[butlerfan]

ceejay daycare be a huge loss but I get you on the stress levels, etc. And yes, more talking on the adoption/foster board.