Hello Smudge!

One tiny heart beat seen! We are now seven weeks pregnant and had our first scan. It was amazing to finally see that there is really something there! Still feeling well - hungry, tired and now a bit dizzy but nothing to complain about. All worth it today! Very excited now!

A miracle for Christmas

Well after a horrible two weeks of waiting, we tested on 27/11/11 and it was positive! Can't believe it! Although I'm feeling really tired it still hasn't sunk in. The next two weeks have been even harder. Is everything ok? Am I still pregnant? It is very east to become paranoid. I'm booked in for a scan on 19th of December when we will hopefully be about to see a very tiny baby! Fingers and everything else crossed!

Emryo a go go!

On the Saturday morning (12th November) we then received a phone call to say that of the twelve eggs, six were mature enough for sperm injection but only four had fertilised. I was very disappointed, twelve to four overnight! This made me feel very negative and ready to give up as I knew the chances of getting any through genetic testing was rapidly diminishing. We had to wait until Monday for the next communication. The embryologist rang to say that all four had continued to grow to the required number of cells so could all be tested but that we would not get the results until Tuesday afternoon - another torturous wait! Tuesday was very nerve racking, I was feeling sick by the time that Dan took the call from the Embryologist. Unfortunately, only one of the four was suitable for embryo transfer but that was all we needed; I was happy with that although disappointed that we didn't have any to freeze. We knew from this point on that we truly had one shot and that all our hopes rested on the non-existent shoulders of one tiny embryo. We travelled back down to London again ready for embryo transfer which had now been re-arranged for 2:30pm on Wednesday 16th November. I was asked to come with a full bladder; not difficult when drinking three litres of water a day! When we arrived at Guy's hospital we were told that there was a twenty minute delay and to continue sipping water. After fifty minutes I was ready to burst but we were finally called through to the room where we were both dressed up in strange coats, shoe covers and hair nets (like Gregg's bakers Dan decided). I was then stripped from the waist, laid on a bed with stirrups and scanned by a nurse whilst the consultant put a catheter in place. The embryologist then removed our embryo from the incubater and we were able to watch on the screen as it was put in the correct place. It was all over really quickly! We were then able to go home and relax. Nothing we can do now apart from cross our fingers and wait!

Treatment!

We went for our final scan on Wednesday 9th at Guy's hospital in London. I was surprised to find that they were happy with the size of my follicles and that my lining was thick enough so I met their criteria for egg retrieval. The date was set for Friday 11th. On the day of Egg retrieval I was given a pain killer suppository to use on the morning and was then asked to arrive at the ACU (assisted conception unit) one hour before treatment. All was going to plan until we received a last minute phone call asking us to go in earlier but thanks to the speedy Northern Line we made it in time. We were asked to put blue plastic bags over our shoes and taken through to a room with beds behind curtains and relaxing music. I was given a gown, hair net and slippers to change in to before I spoke to any of the doctors. After a slight bottom revealing crisis, Dan managed to find me a gown with all of the relevant ties and we were good to go. We were lucky to have the corner bay with what would be an incredible view over the roofs of London if it wasn't so foggy! I soon met the consultant and anaesthesiologist who explained the procedure and set me at ease as they were so friendly. Dan was taken away to make his 'contribution' and I was taken into what I suppose was theatre. It was a fairly small room full of gadgets and what appeared to be half a bed. I was asked to perch on the end and they they strapped my legs into what I can only describe as padded boots. I was wrapped up in a blanket and tucked in to make sure I didn't get cold. A cannula was inserted into the back of my hand and then I felt the drugs being administered and I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I woke up as I was being pushed back into my bay and Dan was emerging from the loo (typical!) I had a cuff on my arm to measure my blood pressure, a thingy on my finger to measure my pulse and an oxygen mask on which was removed fairly quickly. The nurse gave me some paracetamol, offered me codeine if I wanted it and left us alone whilst I woke up properly. I felt a bit sore, rather like period pains, so Dan asked for the codeine. The nurse then brought me a cup of tea and some biscuits which were very welcome as I had had to starve for six hours before the procedure. Once I was feeling fully awake (only a few minutes really), the nurse removed my cannula and I was able to get dressed again. We then had to wait for a short time until they were able to tell us about the number of eggs retrieved and the quality of the sperm sample. They collected twelve eggs and decided that the sample was good enough for them to be able to do ICSI(Intracytoplasmic sperm injection). I was sent home to rest and to drink three litres of water a day. I also had to start using Cyclogest pessaries twice a day. I was quite sore for a few days but it was no worse than period pain.

First scan and blood tests

Went to the Centre for Life on Friday morning for my first scan on day seven of stimulation. The consultant seemed happy with the development of my follicles but concerned about the lack of thickening of the lining of my womb so ordered some blood tests. The results showed that my 'levels' are low so they have increased my dose of Gonal F to 225 and I've been instructed to drink at least two litres of water a day! Spending this weekend drinking water and trying to think like a chicken! Next scan Monday morning to see if it has helped. Fingers crossed!

Stimulation

Well I've just done my third injection and that one hurt! Dan did the first one on Saturday night. I didn't look and I hardly felt it. I did it myself yesterday without any problems but tonight I think I took it too slowly and now it is rather sore! Dan will be back on duty tomorrow! The pen is super, very straight forward to use! Think I may have managed to lock the sharps box however!

Gonal F Pen - Lesson

Baseline Scan

What a day of up and downs! Went to the Newcastle Fertility Centre today for a scan to see if the down regulation had worked and thankfully it has. I was a bit worried as I have had very few symptoms so far but I think I have been lucky. Scan went fine other than a shy left ovary but I do seem to have fewer folicles now than I did at the end of July which is a bit concerning but the doctor didn't seem concerned. As I have fewer folicles, I am less likely to suffer from over stimulation so I don't need to go for as many blood tests and scans which will be easier. Unfortunately, our injection lesson didn't go too well as the nurse was unfamiliar with the pre-filled pens we are going to be using. I have found some useful videos on youtube however and the nurse at Guy's has talked me through it over the phone. It all sounds easy enough. I think it is going to be more difficult psychologically than physically! We then had a bit of a panic when the nurse from Guy's asked if we could put starting stimulation back two days, which would mean my first scan would fall on a Sunday. I pointed out that this would not be possible. Finally, we have gone back to plan A after an hour of worrying, so I will be starting injections tomorrow evening. Trying not to think about the injections will see how it goes tomorrow.

Down Regulating

Side effects are not too bad so far. Had some monster headaches and the spray makes me sneezy but I can cope with that. Feeling very tired recently but not sure if that is to do with the medication or just exhaustion from work. Half term starts today though so chance to put my feet up!

Our Schedule

After our scan at Guy's on 9th November it will be either: Egg collection (EC) on Friday 11th, followed by embryo transfer on Wednesday 16th. or EC Monday 14th and ET Friday 18th. I'd prefer the first option, as this would give me a weekend to recover from both EC and ET before going back to work each time. Will have to wait and see. We will find out after the scan on Wednesday 9th. Going to cost a fortune in last minute train fares. Let's hope it is all worth it!

Full Steam Ahead

After lots of calls backwards and forwards between answer-phones, I finally managed to speak to Chantal, the PGD nurse on Thursday and told her about the fault with the phone line. Whilst I was talking to her, the drug company also tried to ring me. I managed to arrange delivery to work for Friday and a HUGE box arrived, including a polystyrene box full of ice packs. After some confusion over the sharps box, all the right bits are now in our fridge. I have started down regulation today. I have to take the nasal spray twice a day. It tastes horrible, makes me sneeze and feel rather dizzy! Hopefully I'll get used to it. I need to go for my first scan, to check down regulation has worked, on 28th October. I've managed to arrange this scan for the Newcastle Fertility Clinic at the Centre for Life. This will save a train journey down to London but will mean paying for it ourselves as our funding is all at Guy's Hospital. Everything is a bit overwhelming at the moment. Making a concious effort to try to relax, which is hard work! Going to have a bath and get an early night.

Still Waiting!

It has been 12 days now and we are still waiting to hear back from the hospital. Our original contact number is now dead. I have sent an email to the address on the last letter we received with no response and Dan has now left messages on another two answerphones with still no response. Next step is to look for an email address for the ACU itself rather than the PGD team and hope they can shed some light. Have we started or not? Going slowly mad here!

Still waiting to hear back from the hospital. It has been almost a week now so I've sent them an email just to check they got my answer-phone message! Blood test was fine, nurse was very gentle and interested in what we are doing. Results should go to Guy's tomorrow. Fingers crossed we hear from them soon!

Going for my first hormone level blood test tomorrow morning. Waiting to hear back from Guy's hospital and then we will have officially started! Seems to have been a very long time coming, but our time is here at last! Think I need a lie down!

All ready to get started!

Excited but terrified! Dr Pundir removed my coil for me when we saw her at Guy's and told me to get in touch when my periods returned to normal. I rang the hospital on Monday morning and Chantal (PGD nurse) called me back yesterday. We are ready to get started as soon as my next period arrives which should be the end of September. I will then start the pill for 21 days and then start the nasal spray and the treatment cycle will be in full swing!
I'm doing my best to prepare myself, taking folic acid, cutting down on alcohol, eating more fruit and veg. I've been reading about relaxation and positive thinking. This is going to be a stressful and exhausting experience so I am going to do the best I can to approach treatment in a calm and relaxed way.
At the moment it looks like the main part of treatment would take place in the middle of November, here's hoping for a wonderful Christmas present!

Appointment went well!

Everyone at the ACU was lovely! The doctor gave us loads of her time and the nurses were friendly and helpful, really put us at ease. We had our blood tests and I had a scan of my ovaries. I have really good ovaries apparently with at least a dozen follicles in each, only concern is that I could become 'over stimulated' so will have to be monitored closely when we start treatment.
The doctor removed my contraceptive coil for me. We now have to wait for my natural cycle to return and then ring the centre for a date to get started, could be as little as two months! I've started taking folic acid as advised by the doctor and decided to cut down on alcohol and caffeine; healthy diet starts here! Very excited now but suddenly feel unprepared! Need to start reading about getting ready for pregnancy rather than how long it takes to get appointments! Going to try really hard to keep up gentle exercise and relaxation over the next couple of months but even thinking about it all sets my heart fluttering! Deep breaths!

First ACU appointment

Can see the tower from the top floor windows. Going to leave soon to get the tube and find the right floor. Nervous but excited. Hoping to get an idea of timescale but not really sure what to expect. Will add an update later.

Getting Started

I feel like we have finally reached the starting blocks after a long, slow journey. So far we have overcome many hills and valleys but I know these are nothing compared to the mountains we have yet to climb. I've never been good at diary keeping but I'm hoping writing a blog will help keep me sane as we go through the PGD process.

So far we have met with a genetic counsellor and had blood tests for genetic analysis. This took about six months from sending off our first samples, much slower than I had hoped, but we got the right result, the thumbs up to proceed. We are going down to London for a week on Saturday and will be going to Guy's on Thursday (28th) for our first appointment with the assisted conception unit.

It seems a little strange that everyone now knows about what we are doing after we featured in Adam Wishart's film 'Should I test my genes?'  It seems a logical next step now to write about what we are doing and to share the emotional side along with the practicalities of travelling the length of the country for treatment with such a low success rate. Oh well, it is worth a try!

Getting started with PGD