An important phonecall today!
Found out our PGD TEST is now completed ! This is a major milestone. Total time from our blood being taken (Tuesday 12th Dec 2011) and this news is 7 1/2 months. Am pleased with that :)
The next step is to have my dummy embryo transfer and 3D SIS. this needs to be between day 6-14 of my next cycle. (Next cycle is due 15th August)
All being well I would then start Primolut again on CD14, and injections on the following cycle. We need to get another three embryos! This would be done as a fresh cycle, not freezing like the last two. Our 7 frosties will be thawed and tested along with any that we get in cycle three.
We still have a long way to go, but I now feel like we are at least at the startline....
Showing posts with label CRGH. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CRGH. Show all posts
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Third set of Blood Samples
Took more blood samples in today. This is the third lot. Hubby went last time. It was nice for me to go to the lab and personally say thank you :)
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Next stage of PGD testing
I have received some tubes for some more blood samples. The hospital is ready to move on to the next stage of the PGD test which is to test on single cells. They need the blood to be fresh to do this and have asked to receive the blood on 24th April. We can get the blood taken locally and post it.
We will hand deliver, rather than rely on the postal service! This is great news as it looks like things are moving forward! I'm not sure how long this stage takes, but I think it is less than what has been done so far.
We will hand deliver, rather than rely on the postal service! This is great news as it looks like things are moving forward! I'm not sure how long this stage takes, but I think it is less than what has been done so far.
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Some good news and some bad news
The good news is that my LH is back within the safe limits. The bad news is one follicle is out of the picture. It is still 10mm which means, I think, that it is empty. Either way it isn't counted, so we are left with five.
The largest is 17.5mm and I think the smallest two are 14.5mm. The doctor, Malini this time (yes, it does sound a bit like Melanie, we didn't hear wrong) told me they measure two ways, and take the average to give the overall size. Hubby took a picture of the screen while she was doing the measurements and you can see the measuring lines across the follicle.
When we then saw the nurse (Kiwi Kate today), we were told I needed to have an extra Menopur 375, Gonal F 75 and Zomacton (growth hormone) right away. Talk about pressure! I am used to being able to take my time, but I now had to do it there and then! Another blood test, and we were on our way. We'll get a call later, and it is likely I will be told to take the Pregnyl, and another dose of Cetrotide. The injections I had just done could not be done at the same time as the Pregnyl, hence doing them immediately.
I think there was some question about whether to continue, due to the low number of follicles. I am disappointed, yes, I know you only need one, but of course the lower the number at this stage, the lower the odds are of you having one at the last stage!
Its seems a lot to go through for just 5, but having done this much, I don't want to stop now.
Egg Retrieval likely to be Monday.
I think today is the first day I am feeling anxious. Not sure whether it is because egg retrieval is near ("Fear of the Unknown"), or if it is concern about the low number of follicles, or if it's excitement. Probably a mixture of all the above.
Physically I still feel fine, although my stomach is starting to get sore where I have had so many injections.
I have just had 'the phonecall' as I type this. Another Cetrotide shot today and tomorrow and I need to do the Pregnyl injection tonight (well, tomorrow morning) 1am. Egg Collection will be Monday between midday and 2pm, so I need to arrive at the hospital 10am. I will be 'put to sleep' (isn't that what you do to a sick animal?!). It is a deep drug induced sleep and I wont be aware or feel anything, but is not as deep as a general anaethetic.
The largest is 17.5mm and I think the smallest two are 14.5mm. The doctor, Malini this time (yes, it does sound a bit like Melanie, we didn't hear wrong) told me they measure two ways, and take the average to give the overall size. Hubby took a picture of the screen while she was doing the measurements and you can see the measuring lines across the follicle.
When we then saw the nurse (Kiwi Kate today), we were told I needed to have an extra Menopur 375, Gonal F 75 and Zomacton (growth hormone) right away. Talk about pressure! I am used to being able to take my time, but I now had to do it there and then! Another blood test, and we were on our way. We'll get a call later, and it is likely I will be told to take the Pregnyl, and another dose of Cetrotide. The injections I had just done could not be done at the same time as the Pregnyl, hence doing them immediately.
I think there was some question about whether to continue, due to the low number of follicles. I am disappointed, yes, I know you only need one, but of course the lower the number at this stage, the lower the odds are of you having one at the last stage!
Its seems a lot to go through for just 5, but having done this much, I don't want to stop now.
Egg Retrieval likely to be Monday.
I think today is the first day I am feeling anxious. Not sure whether it is because egg retrieval is near ("Fear of the Unknown"), or if it is concern about the low number of follicles, or if it's excitement. Probably a mixture of all the above.
Physically I still feel fine, although my stomach is starting to get sore where I have had so many injections.
I have just had 'the phonecall' as I type this. Another Cetrotide shot today and tomorrow and I need to do the Pregnyl injection tonight (well, tomorrow morning) 1am. Egg Collection will be Monday between midday and 2pm, so I need to arrive at the hospital 10am. I will be 'put to sleep' (isn't that what you do to a sick animal?!). It is a deep drug induced sleep and I wont be aware or feel anything, but is not as deep as a general anaethetic.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Human pin cushion
Today's appointment was at 12:45. I took an appointment as late as possible as I was on a course this morning. As it was I had to leave 15 minutes before the end to get there on time. Just made it! Then sat for 50 minutes waiting !! I wonder if I turn up late for appointments will I wait less ? :)
Scan and tests all done. Lynn said I have 6 follicles now (I lost one ?!) and there were two smaller ones, but they were about 10mm. The larger ones were 14mm which is much more what they need to be. Seems the growth hormone is working.
There is a chance egg collection (EC) might be Monday rather than Sunday. I asked whether they try to aim for ER at a certain time of day, and tell you when to take that final Pregnyl shot to aim for that. This is not the case, the timing is based on your cycle and follicles.
Another blood test, I'm getting the hang of this! And a scan booked for 12:15 tomorrow.
Got a phonecall at 5pm. Start Cetrotide this evening and Gonal F and Menopur to stay the same. Second dose of Zomacton to do tonight also. FOUR injections!! That's 5 needles all in one day, who'd have thought I would be choosing to do this ?! :)
I have also been told to do a Cetrotide injection in the morning, and another tomorrow night.
I think this means I am at the stage now where they want to prevent the natural ovulation. I think this is good and things are progressing OK. I am disappointed with the low follicle count, and just hoping they continue to grow.
After finishing the four injections I asked Hubby for a reward, a cup of tea. He replied "I don't think you should drink tea, it might just leak out of all of the holes!!" :)
Scan and tests all done. Lynn said I have 6 follicles now (I lost one ?!) and there were two smaller ones, but they were about 10mm. The larger ones were 14mm which is much more what they need to be. Seems the growth hormone is working.
There is a chance egg collection (EC) might be Monday rather than Sunday. I asked whether they try to aim for ER at a certain time of day, and tell you when to take that final Pregnyl shot to aim for that. This is not the case, the timing is based on your cycle and follicles.
Another blood test, I'm getting the hang of this! And a scan booked for 12:15 tomorrow.
Got a phonecall at 5pm. Start Cetrotide this evening and Gonal F and Menopur to stay the same. Second dose of Zomacton to do tonight also. FOUR injections!! That's 5 needles all in one day, who'd have thought I would be choosing to do this ?! :)
I have also been told to do a Cetrotide injection in the morning, and another tomorrow night.
I think this means I am at the stage now where they want to prevent the natural ovulation. I think this is good and things are progressing OK. I am disappointed with the low follicle count, and just hoping they continue to grow.
After finishing the four injections I asked Hubby for a reward, a cup of tea. He replied "I don't think you should drink tea, it might just leak out of all of the holes!!" :)
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
IVF Consultation Day
We had our appointment with Dr Paul Serhal today at 12. I deliberately made our blood test for the PGD workup earlier so we could get it out of the way. We arrived at 11am and had our blood taken at the same time by two nurses - 3 vials each by Nathalie and a name I didn't quite catch (Tahlia)? I was sitting up for the blood test and was fine.
We went over to the Alexandra Wing and sat in the waiting room filling out lots of forms and signing every page. I was so pleased that Karen Fordham popped in for a chat while we were there. I asked her the question that has been bugging me for a couple of days... Will I have 3 IVF cycles whilst waiting for the PGD workup to be completed (which can take 1 year) and have 3 lots of embryos (if we get any!) frozen. Usually I guess you would only go for another cycle if the first has failed. Karen understood where I was coming from completely and she had also be considering this. She suggested I mention to to Dr Serhal, but advised us to see how the first cycle goes. We'll have a better idea of chances and progress once the egg collection and fertilization is done.
Dr Serhal was friendly and reassuring, and I loved the fact that he had a montage of baby pictures 'successes' on his wall. I said it must be so rewarding when he can help couples fulfil their desire to become parents, he agreed strongly and added that it was equally frustrating when things didn't succeed.
He asked me a few medical history questions and when my next cycle was due to start. He then talked us through the medication I needed to take:
Next cycle:
Day 14: (should be about 4th Jan) - start taking Primolut tables twice a day morning and night up to and including day 25 (prevents ovarian cysts and regulates hormone levels)
New cycle:
Day 1-7: Cetrotide injections (Block ovaries, prevents egg release)
Day 1-3 Visit CRGH for a scan, to confirm ok to start stimulation drugs
Day 3: Injection to produce eggs (didn't say the name of these) for about 10-11 days
During this time I need to go in for regular scans and blood tests to check hormone levels and follicle development.
Day 14: (ish) Once scan determines all is ready I need to take 1 final (different) injection
40 hours precisely after the final injection, Eggs collection occurs. This piece therefore has to be carefully timed and coordinated.
We agreed the dummy embryo transfer which would normally occur before treatment would wait until we are just before the real transfer stage. No point in doing it now to determine everything is ok, because things may change in a years time.
We then saw Marion who talked us through the drugs in a little more detail, but she was not sure what stimulating drug I would be on. It could be a combination of two (this would mean 3 injections in total on some days!) We can go in for a lesson on the injections nearer the time. One of them would be a 'pen' style, the others would be syringes. (I wonder why the difference?!)
Our drugs would be delivered to our home address, we will get a phonecall soon.
They then took more blood!! This was for a health screen which must be done before any of the treatment.
I left feeling more excited than scared. Everyone was very nice and helpful, so I feel like we will be in safe hands :)
We now have lots of information to read and many more forms to fill in!
We went over to the Alexandra Wing and sat in the waiting room filling out lots of forms and signing every page. I was so pleased that Karen Fordham popped in for a chat while we were there. I asked her the question that has been bugging me for a couple of days... Will I have 3 IVF cycles whilst waiting for the PGD workup to be completed (which can take 1 year) and have 3 lots of embryos (if we get any!) frozen. Usually I guess you would only go for another cycle if the first has failed. Karen understood where I was coming from completely and she had also be considering this. She suggested I mention to to Dr Serhal, but advised us to see how the first cycle goes. We'll have a better idea of chances and progress once the egg collection and fertilization is done.
Dr Serhal was friendly and reassuring, and I loved the fact that he had a montage of baby pictures 'successes' on his wall. I said it must be so rewarding when he can help couples fulfil their desire to become parents, he agreed strongly and added that it was equally frustrating when things didn't succeed.
He asked me a few medical history questions and when my next cycle was due to start. He then talked us through the medication I needed to take:
Next cycle:
Day 14: (should be about 4th Jan) - start taking Primolut tables twice a day morning and night up to and including day 25 (prevents ovarian cysts and regulates hormone levels)
New cycle:
Day 1-7: Cetrotide injections (Block ovaries, prevents egg release)
Day 1-3 Visit CRGH for a scan, to confirm ok to start stimulation drugs
Day 3: Injection to produce eggs (didn't say the name of these) for about 10-11 days
During this time I need to go in for regular scans and blood tests to check hormone levels and follicle development.
Day 14: (ish) Once scan determines all is ready I need to take 1 final (different) injection
40 hours precisely after the final injection, Eggs collection occurs. This piece therefore has to be carefully timed and coordinated.
We agreed the dummy embryo transfer which would normally occur before treatment would wait until we are just before the real transfer stage. No point in doing it now to determine everything is ok, because things may change in a years time.
We then saw Marion who talked us through the drugs in a little more detail, but she was not sure what stimulating drug I would be on. It could be a combination of two (this would mean 3 injections in total on some days!) We can go in for a lesson on the injections nearer the time. One of them would be a 'pen' style, the others would be syringes. (I wonder why the difference?!)
Our drugs would be delivered to our home address, we will get a phonecall soon.
They then took more blood!! This was for a health screen which must be done before any of the treatment.
I left feeling more excited than scared. Everyone was very nice and helpful, so I feel like we will be in safe hands :)
We now have lots of information to read and many more forms to fill in!
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
IVF consultation booked
Just a quick post today. I phoned the hospital to make an appointment for IVF consultation. We're booked in for midday next Tuesday (13th December). We'll have the blood tests beforehand. At least next Tuesday we will then have more of an idea what's coming. Am I now going to be an emotional wreck over Christmas and New Year!?
Monday, 28 November 2011
I have follicles and he has working bollickles!!
Hubby laughed when I said that. I guess a sense of humour is going to be vital through this :)
Today I was seen by Lynn (doctor) and Nathalie (nurse) and I had an ORT (Ovarian Reserve Test). The description on the CRGH website is:
"The ORT (Ovarian Reserve Test) is performed between days 2-5 of the period. It involves a transvaginal scan and baseline blood hormone profile (E2, FSH and AMH)."
So they tell you what it is, but not what they are looking for or why they do the test. The scan (see blog dated 4th November 2011) was to count the follicles. I had five one side and four the other. This is a good number, a relief given my age. The number of follicles is a good indicator of how many eggs a woman has left (remember we're born with all our eggs, once they're gone, they're gone!)
While I was having my scan, the nurse said "I'm just going to take some blood while you are having that done". Hang on a minute! One thing at a time, I'm busy! Oh, I don't think I have a choice in this. I guess might as well get it all over at the same time! I'm a woman, I can multitask. There was of course the advantage that I was laying down, no chance of passing out :)
I was reading a CRGH brochure that I'd kept from a visit about 3 years ago. It describes how they used to just test the FSH hormone levels, but that it was possible that a woman can still have normal FSH levels even though their egg reserve is low. Hence they now do the scan and use the number of follicles as an additional indicator.
Blood test over and done with very quickly, and I was told to phone Karen next Tuesday as the results will take about 1 week.
I found a useful diagram:
I also found a few videos, I'll evaluate them and post a link to the ones I think are best.
More detailed information for those who want to know ......
First day of period flow is counted as day one.
A follicle is an anatomical structure in which the primary oocyte (mature egg) develops. Typically around 20 follicles mature each month and only a single follicle is ovulated (an oocyte is released). The rest undergo atresia. That single dominant follicle becomes a corpus luteum following ovulation.
The blood test checks for three hormone levels:
AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) is a hormone that is produced by the ovaries and is strongly correlated with the egg follicle pool. This hormone does not fluctuate month to month like other hormones, and is a strong predictor of ovarian reserve.
E2 - Estradiol (also known as Oestradiol). From Wikipedia: estradiol acts as a growth hormone for tissue of the reproductive organs, supporting the lining of the vagina, the cervical glands, the endometrium, and the lining of the fallopian tubes. It enhances growth of the myometrium. Estradiol appears necessary to maintain oocytes in the ovary. During the menstrual cycle, estradiol produced by the growing follicle triggers, via a positive feedback system, the hypothalamic-pituitary events that lead to the luteinizing hormone surge, inducing ovulation. In the luteal phase, estradiol, in conjunction with progesterone, prepares the endometrium for implantation
FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone, produced by the pituitary gland and directly stimulates the ovaries to recruit and support ovarian follicles, each containing one egg. The hypothalamus adjusts the production of FSH depending upon the levels of other hormones such as estrogen.
Healthy day 3 FSH levels are generally less than 10. Values of 10 to 18 are generally intermediate and are sometimes associated with lower fertility and higher miscarriage rates. Pregnancies are rare and miscarriages increase with high FSH values more than 18. This hormone level needs to be considered along with the E2 level, to check that the FSH level was tested whilst the E2 level was low (which it will be on days 3/4). A high FSH level can be an indicator of low ovarian reserve in older women, less so in younger woman, hence the additional Antral follicle count.
Today I was seen by Lynn (doctor) and Nathalie (nurse) and I had an ORT (Ovarian Reserve Test). The description on the CRGH website is:
"The ORT (Ovarian Reserve Test) is performed between days 2-5 of the period. It involves a transvaginal scan and baseline blood hormone profile (E2, FSH and AMH)."
So they tell you what it is, but not what they are looking for or why they do the test. The scan (see blog dated 4th November 2011) was to count the follicles. I had five one side and four the other. This is a good number, a relief given my age. The number of follicles is a good indicator of how many eggs a woman has left (remember we're born with all our eggs, once they're gone, they're gone!)
While I was having my scan, the nurse said "I'm just going to take some blood while you are having that done". Hang on a minute! One thing at a time, I'm busy! Oh, I don't think I have a choice in this. I guess might as well get it all over at the same time! I'm a woman, I can multitask. There was of course the advantage that I was laying down, no chance of passing out :)
I was reading a CRGH brochure that I'd kept from a visit about 3 years ago. It describes how they used to just test the FSH hormone levels, but that it was possible that a woman can still have normal FSH levels even though their egg reserve is low. Hence they now do the scan and use the number of follicles as an additional indicator.
Blood test over and done with very quickly, and I was told to phone Karen next Tuesday as the results will take about 1 week.
I found a useful diagram:
I also found a few videos, I'll evaluate them and post a link to the ones I think are best.
More detailed information for those who want to know ......
First day of period flow is counted as day one.
A follicle is an anatomical structure in which the primary oocyte (mature egg) develops. Typically around 20 follicles mature each month and only a single follicle is ovulated (an oocyte is released). The rest undergo atresia. That single dominant follicle becomes a corpus luteum following ovulation.
The blood test checks for three hormone levels:
AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) is a hormone that is produced by the ovaries and is strongly correlated with the egg follicle pool. This hormone does not fluctuate month to month like other hormones, and is a strong predictor of ovarian reserve.
E2 - Estradiol (also known as Oestradiol). From Wikipedia: estradiol acts as a growth hormone for tissue of the reproductive organs, supporting the lining of the vagina, the cervical glands, the endometrium, and the lining of the fallopian tubes. It enhances growth of the myometrium. Estradiol appears necessary to maintain oocytes in the ovary. During the menstrual cycle, estradiol produced by the growing follicle triggers, via a positive feedback system, the hypothalamic-pituitary events that lead to the luteinizing hormone surge, inducing ovulation. In the luteal phase, estradiol, in conjunction with progesterone, prepares the endometrium for implantation
FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone, produced by the pituitary gland and directly stimulates the ovaries to recruit and support ovarian follicles, each containing one egg. The hypothalamus adjusts the production of FSH depending upon the levels of other hormones such as estrogen.
Healthy day 3 FSH levels are generally less than 10. Values of 10 to 18 are generally intermediate and are sometimes associated with lower fertility and higher miscarriage rates. Pregnancies are rare and miscarriages increase with high FSH values more than 18. This hormone level needs to be considered along with the E2 level, to check that the FSH level was tested whilst the E2 level was low (which it will be on days 3/4). A high FSH level can be an indicator of low ovarian reserve in older women, less so in younger woman, hence the additional Antral follicle count.
Friday, 4 November 2011
A day out
Off to see a play tonight. Hubby took the day off so we could spend the day in London. I guess quite convenient really. We hadn't planned a hospital visit, we had in mind coffees, museums, galleries, lunch and dinner! Am now on the train on the way into town. Our appointment at CRGH is at 4pm.
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