ICSI #2 - 10dp5dt - HPT.. Still ++++!!!

Well, I haven't had any "symptoms" or "signs" for a few days now. Hence my obsessive compulsive POASing! I still have regular leaking from the Crinone (which is normal), and my skin is still a mess - it's not just on my face but on my neck & chest as well - YUCK! The Apple Cider Vinegar seems to be controlling it a little, but it's nowhere near fixing the problem. But hey - I'll live with it if it means I get results like this! ;-)

On another note, I got a letter from Medicare yesterday showing I get NO BENEFIT from the $7540 I forked out for my IVF cycle!!!!! Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh! It's a mistake of course. The explanation is "referring provider is closed". This came up in my last cycle for one of the other costs, but after calls back & forth, then personally going into the Medicare office, they finally just said it was a mistake & approved the rebate.

I called Medicare yesterday and they think my referring GP (who no longer works at the medical centre I went to) put the wrong provider number on my referral. When I called the IVF clinic they couldn't figure out what was wrong, and said they couldn't change the provider number anyway as this would affect other patients who were referred by the same doctor. She said she'd call me back. I'm still waiting. God I hate red tape!! Especially when I'm thousands of dollars down! Mega frustrated. Thank God my tests have been positive, otherwise I'd want to rip someone's head off... literally!

ICSI #2 - 8dp5dt - HPT.. OMG!

So, did another test this morning after stupidly reading Google posts that suggested my faint positive could have been the remnants of my Trigger shot. Well, Google, have I got news for you!!!

A DARKER line! Woo!

Hurry up Beta! Monday can't come soon enough.. When can I start C E L E B R A T I  N G !!!!?

ICSI #2 - 6dp5dt - HPT

Ok, I caved today. Despite reading bad things all morning about POAS! I peed into a container first thing this morn, then didn't test til lunchtime, and....
A very very faintest of faint positives!

Not sure whether to tell DP yet (we're working oppositive shifts so I won't see him for a couple of days). Don't want to get our hopes up in case it's a false positive. It was a First Response & I have another one so I think I'll test again in a few days. Beta blood test isn't until next Monday (6 days away).

Well here it is, let me know what you think:

ICSI #2 - 5dp5dt: Symptoms, Signs or Side Effects??

Why do pregnancy symptoms have to be so similar to AF signs & so close to progesterone side effects??? Ugh. OK.. here's my "complaints" so far, for the record.

* Lower abdominal & back cramping started today
(similar to onset of AF)

* Slight nausea yesterday & today

* Flu symptoms starting 2dp5dt but easing slightly - sore throat, stuffy nose, lethargic, also swollen glands/lymph nodes one side of neck & under chin

* Reflux

* Burping
(not unusual for me, but a little more excessive)

* Gas
(poor DP has to wear a mask before entering the bedroom :-0)

* Wet discharge for a few days now
(apparently this is probably the Crinone leaking out)

* Bloating
(started during stim phase & hasn't gone away)

* BAD acne!
(also started during stim phase, not abating)

Thinking about POAS (testing) tomorrow morning but I may chicken out. I want to live in hope for as long as I can, but also don't want false hope if it's negative, or unnecessary stress if it's positive. Who knows if it will even be correct?

I never thought I'd say this but: thank god I'm back at work tomorrow.. just to take my mind off it all for a while. Although I'd just be swapping one stress for another. Oh the confusion & insanity!! Save me now!

ICSI #2 - 1dp5dt - No Frostie Frustration

Lab called - none of the remaining 6 embryos are developing enough to freeze. So that's that. The lab tech tried to console me by saying the embryo they did transfer was an excellent one.

Now there's so much more pressure for this transfer to work. I had a bit of a meltdown this morning. Gorgeous DP just hugged me & let me cry. But then I finished, wiped my face & carried on with the rest of the day. It really sucks. Once again we're facing the possibility of another full fresh stim cycle if this one doesn't work. I have no idea how I'm going to get time off work again. I had a week & half this time & will undoubtably be facing questions when I return tomorrow. I'm trying to live in the here & now, and only worry one day at a time, but it's hard. I've got some major interstate events at work over the coming months & it's really going to be difficult to dedicate a few weeks at home to the process.

And to top things off, last night I was reading a book when I suddenly realised I hadn't inserted my Crinone yet! About 2hrs late! Is that a problem?? I don't know! Also I woke up this morning in a pool of sweat - I'd accidentally left my electric blanket on all night & I was really hot! I hope I haven't cooked my poor egg!

Today I went & bought some 100% grape juice & strawberries (for implantation apparently). I've read lots about pineapple cores but I'm worried it can also cause miscarriages. This is my vain attempt to claw back some control. I'm also going to try Apple Cider Vinegar for my skin again - it's still very red & angry. By god that stuff tastes highly offensive!!

You'd better still be going strong in there embie - you hear me? STICK!!!! Please.    


And sorry your mum's so forgetful! :-/

ICSI #2 - Embryo Transfer

Today we had one 5AA hatching blastocyst transferred. Feeling very positive & happy today :)

Have spent the day lying around on the couch snoozing, eating & watching rubbish television. Can I just say Sex & The City 2 IS rubbish! Enjoyable, but rubbish all the same. I digress.

DP came in with me for the transfer this time, upon my insistence. If we were going to make a baby together I wanted him to at least be present ;-) Last time I wasn't told he could come in with me so it was a bit sad & lonely. Anyway, our FS said we had one really good blastocyst (woohoo!) and the other 6 (I thought we only had 4 left) were developing slowly so they wanted to watch them overnight. I was a bit sad to hear this. When the lab called me yesterday they never indicated any were in doubt. I guess they slowed down overnight. I'm keeping everything crossed that they pick up & we're able to freeze some for a future FET.

This did bring up a question in my mind: my clinic usually only allows 1 embryo to transfer but if there's another one that's fairly weak & may not make it to freeze, why not transfer it as well? At least give it a chance under normal conditions? I hate the thought of them going to waste because they're not quite up to the freezing & thawing process. I know very occasionally women fall pregnant on average embryos so why not give them a go in a fresh cycle just in case? I might ask the clinic about this tomorrow if I remember....

ICSI #2 - Embie Update (4dpEC)

We're down to 5 compacting morulas today. The other 2 are a bit slow but "showing signs of compaction". We're booked in for the transfer tomorrow morning.

I was struggling a bit yesterday. I've luckily been given time off work for the procedures & to get some rest but I just can't relax! I was also feeling a bit short of breath & slightly wheezy. I'm not sure if it's just stress or a side effect of the Crinone.

I need to get out & do something today. Try to cheer myself up a bit.