Thursday, October 21, 2010

October ICLW!

Happy ICLW to everyone! This is the first time I have participated in this so I am excited. Let me tell you a little about our IF story…


My DH and I have been TTC for four + years now. We are both 34 going on 35 (way too quickly I might add). The first year was spent not really tracking anything – we were just seeing what happens and having fun doing it. Well, nothing happened! We have been tested and my DH has low morphology. I tested fine. We have been through 10 IUI’s. The 7th time was a charm and it worked but I miscarried at 10 weeks in June 09 – we were devastated. My body took a couple months getting back to normal then we started again. We tried a couple more IUI’s and I got a BFP in December 09. At my six week US there was nothing there - another miscarriage. This one was a little easier to handle since it was at six weeks instead of ten. We had to wait for my body and hormones to level out then we started IVF #1 in April 10. I did the standard three weeks of BCP then on to the meds. I responded fairly well and ended up with 14 eggs retrieved, 11 mature, and four perfect day 5 embies. They transferred two AAA embies but I got a BFN. We did an FET in May 10 and transferred our only two frostbabies and got another BFN. Back to the drawing board once again. Over the summer our RE tested us for everything under the sun and everything came back normal. We are on hold right now waiting for the first of the year so my insurance kicks back in to cover part of the next IVF. We are giving it one more shot then we will be on our way to D.I.N.K.s…Dual Income, No Kids. It’s now a scary thought…what if these treatments don’t work. I am not sure how to comprehend that yet. I am going to focus on IVF#2 and not think of what might be if we get another BFN.

During this holding pattern I have been keeping myself busy by planning a trip to Rome in late November! I am so excited and thankful to have something to keep my mind off of treatments for a little bit.

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. If you are also starting IVF soon let me know so I can follow your story!

28 comments:

  1. I'm sorry for your losses and hope this next IVF will be THE ONE! We have also been TTC for 4 years and are starting a donor egg cycle in Jan (hopefully) with my BFF's eggs. So we just might be cycle buddies :). Also, the one time I went to Rome was a Nov trip and it was great--enjoy!!

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  2. Hi Jennifer, I am a visiting from ICLW (it's my first time too). It's almost 2 years since we started trying to have a second child, I just happen to have a full term stillbirth in the middle of that 2 years so I don't qualify for IF status.

    Your trip to Rome sounds fabulous, Italy would definitely be a great way to avoid worrying about ttc. Is it your first trip to Rome?

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  3. Hi, visiting from ICLW and returning your lovely comment on my blog (thank you).

    I am so sorry to hear of your BFN's and I truly truly hope that next year will be the year for you:) In the meantime enjoy that trip to Rome. Jen

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  4. Wow - that's a lot to go through. I'm glad you're so positive. Best wishes on this next go round!

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  5. happy ICLW! i know you've been tested for everything, but i forget - are you guys thinking of pursuing CGH testing? you know we're in such a similar situation. all is normal but can't get (and stay) pregnant. the only other thing that popped up for me was MTHFR but my RE says it's nothing serious to worry about since my homocysteine levels are normal. CGH was really the last resort for answers for us. i'll let you know how it goes!

    enjoy rome and good luck! i hope jan is here before you know it!

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  6. Happy ICLW!!! I find that projects are a perfect time filler and Rome sounds like the perfect project! I can't wait to see pictures!!!!

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  7. first--I love your layout!! very cute blog! second--envy the trip to rome! oha--you have to tell us all about it!

    happy ICLW! hope to see ya round the interwebs!
    :) Elaine

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  8. Hi there, Here for ICLW
    I am impressed with women like you who have the fortitude to pursue difficult infertility treatments. I did three rounds of IUI and my body couldn't take it anymore. (Stage 4 endometriosis and the drugs are like fertilizer...in a bad way). I hope you have a successful IVF next time around! Good luck!

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  9. Hi There!

    I hope Rome is revitalising for you - it is such an amazing city!

    ICLW
    http://daega99-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/

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  10. Happy 1st ICLW! I love the idea of your Rome trip, so excited for you!

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  11. Happy ICLW! Have fun planning that trip to Rome.

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  12. I hope this time off gets your mind, body and soul ready for your next IVF. A trip to Rome ought to do the trick ;o)

    Wishing you all the best

    ICLW #163

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  13. Hi, I am a first time ICLWer as well. Nice to meet you!

    Planning a trip is a really great distraction I find (even if you don't actually do the trip!).

    I really, truly hope you don't have to be a dink - it is so hard to get one's head around.

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  14. I am so sorry about your losses. A trip to Rome sounds amazing!

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  15. Thanks for the comment...we are on the same IF page, it would seem. No miscarriages for me, though. I don't know if that is good or bad. Good that I haven't had to go through that pain, but bad because I just don't know if I have the ability to be pregnant. Argh. Here's to January!! You and me both!

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  16. Thanks for the comment at my blog & happy ICLW to you as well! It's a lot of fun :) And yes, Bourdain is totally a dreamboat. I'm so sorry that you've had what seems to be a rather difficult journey. I hope it does work out for you and that you find some peace in your holding pattern. Have a wonderful time in Rome!

    ~Keiko, Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed (ICLW #142)

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  17. Rome! Wow! That's unbelievable! I'm so jealous! I would love to travel to Europe. Good luck on your next IVF! And sorry about the BFNs...I've been there. I did 6 cycles (3 fresh and 3 frozen). I now have my family (my 3 1/2 year old and my 1 year old twins) and I write to help inspire others & ease the stress. I just added your link! Happy ICLW! (#72 & 106)

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  18. Hi Jennifer,
    Welcome to ICLW! I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties and that this is your final effort at conceiving. I also had multiple miscarriages, as well as infertility issues, and wondered where that would leave us. When all seemed quite hopeless, we got lucky...not once, but twice. While my infertility was unexplained, the doctors also had no explanation for the completely unexplained conception of our two children. Don't lose hope...put as much positive energy into your efforts to conceive this time as you possibly can. I know it's not easy to maintain complete positivity, but even if it requires conscious effort, you will begin to believe it and see rewards ina all parts of your life.

    Lisa (Your Great Life - #63)

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  19. I'm sorry for the losses that you have experienced. I wish you the best for your next IVF!
    ICLW #107

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  20. you know what i find so crazy, is that someone who gets pg on an IUI but can't seem to get pg on IVF. i don't understand it! i've seen this over and over and i just don't get it. i'm sure you have thought about it way too much as well. anyways. i hope that your next steps are successful. i just started my 3rd IVF. my 1st 2 failed w/ beautiful day 5 blasts. this one was an utter mess and i only had 2 4cell embryos on day 3 to transfer. i'm currently 2dp3dt and while i am excited to be in the 2ww, i'm being realistic. our chances are small. anyways, hugs to you and happy ICLW (#31)

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  21. I am so jealous that you get to go to Rome! I hope you have a wonderful time!!!

    ICLW

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  22. I hope so much that this next IVF is the one. Meanwhile, the trip to Rome sounds like an excellent distraction. I've always wanted to go to Italy.

    I am so sorry for your losses and your struggle so far. I truly don't understand why this is so hard!

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  23. Hopeful that this IVF will be the one!

    ICLW #26

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  24. Hello! I found your blog through ICLW (though I have never done it before...hoping to do it next month). I will be doing IVF #2 in December. I start birth control pills tomorrow. My husband is deployed so I will be doing it all alone. I am trying really hard to be a more regular blogger. I may not do super well right now, but once all the IVF stuff starts I will definitely be posting about all the doctor's appointments and stuff if you want to follow along.

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  25. Hi! I am here from ICLW and wanted to say hi. We are hoping to do an FET in January (our IVF #1 gave us our son Henry, who is now one). I just wanted to wish you luck. I am so hoping this IVF will be the one for you!

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  26. Planning a trip to Rome is an excellent distraction! I so hope this IVF works for you!

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  27. Hi!! thanks for stopping by my blog!! :D good for you for outing yourself on FB!! so proud!! i am thinking about outing myself!! haven't gotten the courage yet!

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  28. GOD i love your blog layout! i haven't been here in so long and i have to apologize...i mostly read your blog on my phone and i have been a slack ass commenter lately. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the immense amount of support and care you have shown me, especially lately. it means so much more than you know...
    xoxo
    lis

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