Hello, you lovely ladies!! My, it's been awhile since I've posted, so I hope everyone is over all those nasty bugs going around! I haven't had a chance to get caught up on your news yet, but I will!

I went in today for my FET. It went smoothly! Both of my blasts survived the thaw, although one did lose a few cells. My RE said that this was OK since they are only stem cells and can be regenerated. The other blast was excellent and was beginning to hatch. They are now nice and snuggly and hopefully finding their surroundings very inviting! RE wants me to stay off my feet for a few days (yeah...RIGHT!!), so I have to call work to see if someone can fill in for me. Not an easy task!!

Anyway, my betas are Jan 30 and Feb 1. I'll be doing an hpt in the next week or so. This will be the end of our 8 year long journey with IF, and I am OK with whatever happens with this cycle. It's been a tough road, but one look into Zak's big, blue eyes tells me it was all worth it! So, at the end of this month I can pull the plug on this rollercoaster ride, pack it up, and put it away for good. The next chapter of my life has begun, and I am happy!...

__________________
Karen and Little Zak

Karen, I'm glad to hear that your transfer went smoothly. Best of luck to you over the next 2 weeks, I hope that you get a BFP!

I, too, will be doing an hpt, probably Friday, since I don't have to work that day.

I love your optimism about whatever the outcome may be.

Again, good luck. Keep us updated.

JenM

__________________

Karen - best wishes over the next week and a half or so. I can totally relate to the "packing up" thing. I told my DH, before this FET worked, that if we went through all my frozens and still only had Garrett.... I would count myself lucky and blessed to have him. Having a child makes cycling so much easier stress wise, I felt like a completely different person this time around.

Good luck to you and Jen!

Jennifer D

__________________
Garrett Caden - 9/14/03
Braydon Thomas and Devon John - 7/28/05

Good luck Karen. I think your attitude is wonderful, and if I ever take the plunge and thaw my 2 totsicles that too will be my last attempt. You and Jennifer are right, having a child already really takes the pressure off, I'm sure I'd be so much more relaxed.

Karen, I'll be looking out for testing posts from both you and Jen - best wishes to you both.

__________________

Jennette, Jennifer, and Jen,

Thank you SO much for the support! I really appreciate the love and caring that is here!! It feels genuine and it warms my heart!

And now, as for the task at hand...when do you think I should hpt? Silly question, I know, I'm just feeling excited! I'm currently 1dp5dt. Tomorrow, perhaps?? (just kidding, heehee!!)

Jen-how are you feeling? Any symptoms??

Jennifer-how far along are you now? It sounds as though you are doing well.

Jenn-do you think you might try for a sibling someday? When I first started thinking about it, I thought it would be too soon (Zak is 7 1/2 months), but I figured "I ain't a'gittin any younger, ya know..." That's what kinda pushed me forward a bit. Besides, I actually enjoyed being pregnant and I can't wait to see Zak interact with his little brother/sister! I was not very close to my brother or sister, so I'm hoping I can change things with my new little family here. I can see my future, and it puts a smile on my face!!

Goodnight, everyone!!

__________________
Karen and Little Zak

Karen, you are too funny about testing....yes, 2dpt is waaay too early! I am going to test tomorrow, which will be 8dp5dt (so in reality, 13dpo). When I was pg with Mason, I got a ++ at 10dp3dt (day 13 as well). I probably could have tested earlier, FRER tests claim that they can detect hcg 5 days before your missed period. I am kind of scared to test though, because if it's a BFN I will still have to continue sticking myself with PIO 2x/day until next Thursday (beta is 1/27). But, on the other hand, I don't think I can hold out any longer.

I've been having some symptoms (i.e. feeling very hot when I wake up in the am, some cramping, some nausea, emotional, etc), but not trying to read too much into them because it could all be from the PIO.

Good luck over the next few days! Hopefully we will both be able to post our BFP's soon!

Hugs,
JenM

__________________

Firstly IMO leave it as long as possible before doing HPT. I personally hated getting a BFN and still waiting for AF. I liked to keep my hopes going.....and to be quietly planning the new baby....right up until a) beta or b) AF (which ever came first). My postitive Beta for Mason was 16dpt, the day AFTER Mother's Day! I don't know how I waited so long...but I did! Though I totally understand the need to test earlier!

Secondly, Karen I would love to make a sibling for Mason, but it isn't going to happen. I'm sad he won't have a brother or sister to share his life with, specially after his parents are gone, but it just isn't to be. I remember saying (got it on tape!) just after his birth that I'd NEVER go through labor again! NO WAY! But time has dulled the memory of my 32 hour labor, and right at this very minute I wish I was pregnant and planning the arrival of no. 2. I even want the experience of a VB and BF again, even though both weren't easy! I do have 2 embryo's on ice, but for various reasons (see some of them below) we won't be using them :cry

1) My DP's continuing ill health, means she finds it difficult to care for 1 child let alone 2 and I can't stay home as I have to work to support our family.

2) Financial difficulties, both the cost of IVF and ongoing bringing up 2 children. My single secretarial wage doesn't stretch very far.

3) My age - 41 shortly, and my DP 43 soon. Are we physically capable of caring for 2 littlies? And can my body handle another pg, specially after having a split pelvis with Mason.

4) Wanting to be a SAHM and unable to be. This one incorporates all the above - I have to work to support our family, and I wouldn't want to do so if I had another baby, at least for the first 2 years, but then how would we manage financially? I hate being at work and missing time with Mason already, and I've managed so far to only work 4 days a week! We couldn't meet our house payments without my wage.

sooooooooo all that to say, no number 2 for us
Though on a brighter note for Mason, he has a half sister out there somewhere, whom he can contact when/if he wants to one day. As well as the incredible man that helped him "be".

__________________