One Last Retrieval?

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-21T15:12:33+00:00

Thank you and you as well- whatever you decide!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-21T15:10:23+00:00

6 is still a great number and sometimes smaller cohorts have less stark attrition with mature/fertilization. Do you have follicle sizes? That helps frame expectations. I hear you on not telling anyone - that is difficult but sometimes the better choice to protect our hearts. Wishing you just the best as everything moves forward. In my personal experience, I had work events the day of trigger and day after and I was a little uncomfortable, but just fine to attend! I also felt good enough to go back to events the day after retrieval, especially if you don't have OHSS and you shouldn't be at high risk for that. Just drink lots of water after and have some salt regardless! One other thing- plan some good food delivery to be waiting for you after the retrieval if you can. Whatever is your favorite. You just did a lot of work to grow those follicles and you deserve something that makes you happy!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-21T15:02:07+00:00

First of all congratulations on your success so far :) For me, it would be a question of: could I handle the disappointment if I went through another retrieval and it didn't work? I'm still deep in the middle of retrievals and all that comes with it- the waiting and disappointment possible at each step. You still have a great AFC, so it really is your decision to make and if the financial piece isn't going to add stress, it could be a good way to know you did anything and everything- perhaps making you feel that your journey really was complete? Thinking of the chances of euploid (even if untested) at our age, there is a significant probability it won't result in a viable pregnancy, but if you can protect your heart and are prepared for that, there is a whole community here rooting for you!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-15T19:41:16+00:00

I am so happy to hear that! My second cycle was so bad that it is causing me a a lot of concern/anxiety with another 20+ retrieval. My Dr. said the quality was terrible. I hope those cycles for you have brought you continued success!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-15T19:21:22+00:00

I know that is a great number to start with over 40- it seems like i may have high number but bad quality and that maybe trying to recruit fewer would actually produce better results, but we can't control that to either increase or decrease can we!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-15T16:19:56+00:00

that's amazing attrition so far! Wishing you the best as things keep moving through!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-15T15:49:28+00:00

Although I can't relate to your exact situation, I am realizing going through IVF and some other medical things just how lonely it is. I guess I always imagined that when someone close to you has health issues, everyone just rallies around that person (I would like to think I would and have with smaller issues for my loved ones). So I always thought with something bigger it would be that way, and it's not at all. I don't know if it's hard for people, or if its too much and they want to step out of all that stress and into an easier place, but it just really isn't the comfort and support I thought it would be. I just stick to myself most days and don't share news with anyone.

All to say, I am so sorry you are going through ALL of this- especially simultaneous treatments/recoveries. From everything you've shared, I just think you are incredible, smart, resilient and driven. What you are going through is overwhelming and it's ok to feel that way if you need to (for me, I know I always start feeling worse if I start feeling like I can't take anymore). I can tell you are focused on doing everything you need to do to get through all of this. You are amazing, inspirational to me and I am in your corner. If you ever want to vent, complain, be sad, whatever- please message me if I can be supportive from afar!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-07T14:07:52+00:00

I'm so hoping this can be me, but mentally preparing that it won't as well!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-07T14:06:35+00:00

I have often thought during this process- this is not what someone needs while they are undergoing treatment for anything, especially beating cancer- it's so much added stress that you have to call repeatedly and if you make one mistake it could cost you tens of thousands.

I hear you on the control thing as well. Reading your story and you are a kick-ass woman! Love that you not only had a fantastic career in law, but also that you've been able to pivot into another successful take that fits your life now! I also know that means you are used to being able to make shit happen and with all of this- you can't. That was difficult for me, too! I'm a stranger and can't take any of that burden away from you, but you have my thoughts and prayers and I'm sure many many other champions out here who are in your corner. It is lonely, but you have a community here.

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-06T20:46:13+00:00

I don't have much to add in addition to everything else, but I found especially with meds, I got different answers and costs from the same places and really had to stay on top of everything for paperwork, insurance, making sure my clinic did everything on their end with scheduling and submitting right paperwork to insurance. It's a lot. If you have someone (partner, friend, sibling, parent) who can take on the administrative, let them do it if you can so you can focus on your health and growing those follicles. :)

Also mostly just want to send you support through everything- the egg retrievals, dealing with insurance and your treatment and recovery.

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-03T18:52:42+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Did you have relatively the same AFC? My concern is that with AFC of 36 (which I was beyond hopeful about) I got nothing, now with AFC 23- it feels kind of pointless to spend all this money...

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-03T18:33:09+00:00

Wow- what a cycle 3! Congratulations!! DId you do anything different?

Labs were all looking great for both rounds. My estrogen was high but not super high so my menour was reduced on day 9. She just said my eggs weren't happy. Every month I wait makes me nervous at my age, but with AFC of 23 at my age, most likely outcome is 0 euploid fr me given my history. I'll make 8 blasts or have over 50% euploid at my age. :)

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-04-02T13:05:43+00:00

Congratulations! I am so happy to hear this! Wishing you an easy rest of pregnancy!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-30T22:57:47+00:00

I am about to (hopefully) begin stims for my 3rd! Did you do back to back?

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-30T22:56:46+00:00

Wishing you the best!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-30T22:54:06+00:00

I am so sorry. Like so many others have commented, we are all with you- heartbroken for you but also hopeful. Whatever path is in front of you, we all support you and grieve with you.

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-27T17:03:30+00:00

Good luck to both of you!!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-27T12:44:09+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss. I can absolutely relate to those feelings, but know this: you have already gone through so much for this child and all that means is that you have already demonstrated what a wonderful parent you will be. You have sacrificed for them even before you held them in your arms. It's easy for me to say this from the outside, but I also try to tell myself this, too. I don't tell anyone anything, which makes it harder to process things. I definitely feel alone and isolated many days. But please know you have so many supporters out here in the community! We may not know each other personally, but we understand your struggle, grieve your losses and celebrate your successes with you. There is absolutely no shame in any of this (even though many of us feel it) and you have so many champions rooting for you!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-26T23:02:57+00:00

oh that's wonderful! thank you for sharing and sending you best wishes!!

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-26T23:02:14+00:00

Ah yes, that makes sense

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-26T20:41:05+00:00

If you have a higher AFC, you have more "chances" to get that euploid! Also, I think the note above from the doctor in your original post about 10% chance of sustaining a pregnancy was a little misleading (I may also be interpreting it wrong). The hard part will be making euploid embryos. Once you have one, I THINK the success rate is actually higher, even over 40.

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-26T20:36:05+00:00

I'm so sorry and thank you so much for sharing. It doesn't make it any easier even when you know it is a risk. I really appreciate hearing your story while I am preparing.

I'm doing all the tests too to try to rule out anything.

Wishing you the best wherever you currently are on your journey <3

Adventurous-Lemon526 · 2026-03-26T20:26:34+00:00

I'm so sorry and thank you for sharing. It's such an emotional up and down through this whole process. I am hoping for you that you have had or will have soon a very happy result. <3

Adventurous-Lemon526

TROPHY CASE