Monday 16 September 2013

Still in the game

When I started my blog almost a year ago, I put a lot of thought into what I was going to name it.  I very nearly went with "Ute Overload", which is a play on one of my all-time favourite time-waster websites, Cute Overload (you're welcome).  But then I figured that a lot of people might not get the reference, so I opted to go with "It Only Takes One".  It seemed to be the phrase that popped up most often on message boards when I was reading about Diminished Ovarian Reserve, so I thought it would be funny and ironic to use it as my blog name.

Little did I know that the universe has the maturity level of Barney Stinson and would view said title as some kind of throwdown.



As you may have guessed by now, we have one frozen blastocyst.  Again.  One embryo arrested on Day 2, one somewhere between Days 4 and 5, and the final one was a morula on Day 5 but hadn't blasted by Day 6 so end of the line.  And if even one of you fuckers says "It only takes one!" in the comments I am going to crawl through my computer screen and bitch-slap you.  (Just kidding.  Kind of.)

Obviously, I'm happy we have one, and upset that we don't have more.  Same as last time.  There's not much sense repeating myself.  What I can say is the following, based on a conversation I had this afternoon with my RE:

1.  She's also disappointed we didn't get more blasts, based on the supposedly vastly improved egg quality this time around.  That said, she is very happy with this one, which is graded 3AA.  They didn't tell me what I had last time around, so I had no ability to Google it to death, but rest assured I will this time.  Preliminary results are encouraging: according to this study, 3AA blasts or better have a pregnancy rate of over 60%.  About time I was on the positive side of some IVF stats!

2.  This will be our last attempt at IVF with my own eggs.  Having tried three different drug protocols and spent significant amounts of time on the two primary recommended supplements for egg quality (CoQ10 and DHEA), we have ended up with the exact same results twice in a row.  And you know what Einstein had to say about that:


3.  With respect to the outstanding lining issue discovered during my Endometrial Function Test, I'll receive my first Lupron shot shortly after my next period starts.  I get another one a month after that, with my period expected to return in 6 to 8 weeks after the second shot.  I asked whether we should repeat the EFT before attempting a transfer  My RE replied that when conducting his research, Dr. Kliman re-tested his subjects post-Lupron and discovered that the injections appeared to clear up any endometrial synchronization problems 90% of the time.  Meaning that we could re-test, if we wanted to waste another $500 and two months, but it's probably not necessary.

So that's pretty much it.  The end of IVF #3, and the start of a long wait before FET #2.  Before we knew the fate of any of our embryos, I commented to M that having nothing to freeze would be like an athlete going to training camp for months, busting his ass in tryouts, and getting all dressed only to find out that he wasn't even going to get to play.  It would suck on so many levels.  Fortunately, at this point we're still in the game.

41 comments:

  1. YAY! Reallly glad to hear that you and M are still in the game! I'm going to keep cheering you guys on. It sounds like you have a very strong blast! Sorry you have to do more "hurry up and wait" time.

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  2. Yayyyy!!!! I am so excited you have a great quality blast from this cycle, I am seriously sending you a MILLION positive vibes and all kinds of good luck. I know this is going to be your time!

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  3. I'm glad, SO GLAD, that you're still in the game!!

    XOXO

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  4. You're right, you are still in the game and THAT'S awesome! Thanks for the Barney Stinson reference, it gave me a much needed laugh :)

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  5. This is great news! Now to get your cute ute reset and ready for that high-quality blast to snuggle in!

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  6. Ha I totally laughed out loud when I read that you'd crawl through the computer to bitch-slap someone! I can totally relate to being happy to be in the game but being disappointed that there aren't more. 3AA is great though! I have a 2BB and I am praying and hoping that it'll turn into a baby. My chances give by my RE are 30%. I'll take 60% any day! Do I dare say "It only takes one" for both you and me????

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    1. No, no you do not. :) You CAN say "one is better than none!"

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  7. I'm sorry there aren't more for you to work with, but (at the risk of getting bitch-slapped) it's quality over quantity! Wishing you the best and hoping this is the one! (Hoping the last line is not too corny!)

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  8. Ugh, I am sorry you only have the one, but I am also so incredibly grateful for that ONE!! Hopefully that will be THE one. I had to come to the point of making that decision to conti he, or move on to donor eggs. Our financial resources were limited, so we got to that point that it just seemed like we were wasting our money if we kept trying. It may have ended up working, but if it didn't, we'd be left with nothing. So we decided to move into DE because of the increased odds of it working. I really, really hope it does only take this one for you. Now we wait to find out.... Good luck!

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  9. Ugh. I know it sucks that you have just the one, but I AM so happy for you that you're still in it to win it. At 35 I am also dealing with DOR and luckily was just accepted into a trial for my first IVF. We have been saving for months and thought we'd only have one shot, but now we have two. I don't think we'll have more than one blast for transfer ourselves, given my numbers, so I am watching your progress with great anticipation. I have everything crossed for you. It sounds like this one is just the super-blast for the job. GOOD LUCK!!

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  10. Fingers crossed and hoping that this one is "the one!" Keep the faith and stay positive - I won't say it, but you never know!

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  11. I'm sorry there aren't more, my friend. That sucks. It really really does. But. You have one that sounds like a real winner, and you guys are taking care to cover every base you can possibly cover before the transfer. You must be the most patient human I have ever encountered, and I am very impressed. You are most certainly still in the game. Also, WHERE HAVE I BEEN? I blame you when Cute Overload starts competing with my blog reading.

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  12. In the game and ready to win it! I'm sorry you are disappointed in the turnout, but it's not over yet. I will be sending you lots of well wishes for a successful FET!

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  13. 60% is awesome! Exciting that you are still in the game!! Prayers and good thoughts coming your way!

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  14. Glad you're still in the game. Hope the next two months fly by!

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  15. Totally understand your frustration on having only one embryo to freeze, but wow what great quality that little guy is!

    Hoping the transfer time comes around quickly and then a beautiful nine months after that :)

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  16. Fingers are crossed for you and 3AA; here's hoping that this is the one. But agreed that more would be better. And isn't that the truth--I didn't do anything special for this ER cycle--and my results are likely going to be about the same. I like grasping at straws as much as the next girl, but I'm not sure if I'm buying it anymore. If none of my eggs fertilize or grow or whatever next spring, I'm done with my eggs as well.

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  17. Woah! What a high quality blast. Fingers crossed girlie.

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  18. I'm glad ur still in the game with such a great quality egg. Sending good prayers ur way!

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  19. Totally understand your frustration with just having the one to freeze, but that's great news that is it a high quality blast! I hope your waiting period flies by!

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  20. First of all, I want to apologize for the radio silence in your comments line. I HAVE been reading every post, and rooting for you from afar! (I've just been reading them on my iPhone, which doesn't let me comment for some reason...)

    Second, I'd like to point out that Barney Stinson rarely fails at his self-imposed challenges. I'll be sending my prayers that the universe does the same for you! Hugs!

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    1. Hmm...that's actually a really good point. And glad to know you're still around, I was wondering!

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  21. glad you are still in the game!!!

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  22. Sending you some love, sweetheart. xox

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  23. Holy quality, Batman! That's great news. I don't want to get bitch-slapped, so I won't say what I'm thinking. :)

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  24. Omg, I would have loved Ute Overload! Although it makes me think it would better reflect a blog of someone who was pregnant with multiples... like Octomom styles...

    These numbers actually sound pretty damn good. I mean, it sucks that you have to wait so long before FET #2, but I still feel like you're entering this race in a very strong position, and 3AA is fab. I'm feeling very good about this one. (Sorry, no pressure, just wanna spread the positive vibes)

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  25. I totally understand your disappointment with not having more embryos. But like you said, at least you're still in the game. Good luck with your Lupron shots.

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  26. I love that the abbreviation for uterus is ute. Ute is the name of a local Indian tribe here and the mascot of our local college. Go UTES!! Glad you're still in the game!!

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  27. Well, I also wish you had more, but it's great news that the one that made it is such great quality. I can't believe how long you have to wait to do the transfer. I want that embryo to start growing into a cute little baby ASAP. :) Hopefully the wait will be worth it and the lupron will bitch slap your uterus into cooperating.

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