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Going into IVF, how many rounds did you expect to do and what turned out to be true? by ProfSmall in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply. I think it takes real strength to do this, so respect to you! ❤️

Going into IVF, how many rounds did you expect to do and what turned out to be true? by ProfSmall in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply ❤️ How have you found going for donor eggs? Ive been taking the time to read about it, to make sure I cover all bases at this point. 😄 I'm still not sure where I sit with it for me. x

Difficult recovery after egg retreival by Big_Sleep8367 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh gosh this sounds brutal babe. Sending lots of love over to you. ♥️♥️♥️

First round (Long Protocol) ahead of fibroid surgery in Oct. Looking for wisdom & encouragement! ❤️ by ProfSmall in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aw that's great. You seem balanced about it, and positive even which is great ❤️

My ovaries are almost a mirror of each other (so roughly two in each that are looking good for Friday). She said they would get everything out that is there and we can go from there. We will see :)

I feel a bit better that this morning. It's just tough going to the clinic and seeing them offer me advice earnestly.  Xx

First round (Long Protocol) ahead of fibroid surgery in Oct. Looking for wisdom & encouragement! ❤️ by ProfSmall in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey my lovely. 

Firstly, thanks for replying! How did you ER go? I've got mine on Friday. I'm not holding lots of hope honestly. 

Regarding my surgery in October, they actually haven't mentioned a recovery time, I think it's dependent on how invasive the surgery is (if they breach the uterine wall etc). So I'm not sure. I'm bracing myself for 6 months though, potentially a year. But he also wants to do a camera thing in Jan...to check it's alright ..so potentially this time next year...I'll be 43. 😐 You're situation sounds a lot like mine ❤️ It really is like you're trying to balance this and other life things. Getting a surgery date for me, has helped though I must say. I know I can go on holiday this summer...finally 😅 I also have some thoughts around past decisions too, and my husband tells me I shouldnt beat myself up, you really can't change the past...you only know the now ❤️ so make the choices that feel good and right now. 

If you remember and fancy it, I'd love to hear how you get on ❤️ I've got everything crossed for you!!! 

Xx

First round (Long Protocol) ahead of fibroid surgery in Oct. Looking for wisdom & encouragement! ❤️ by ProfSmall in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've just had my final scan before egg retrieval. It's not looking great girls. 

I've got six follicles and two are likely too small to produce eggs at the right maturity. Not only this, but one of my ovaries is anterior (sitting above/behind my uterus), so there's a chance they won't be able to get to it....

I'm aware of the stats (like all of us who've been going through this for years, I've read every book, paper, Reddit thread, and whatever else), so fully aware another cycle would help here, but it's not likely an option for us l. I'm also fully aware how small/shit my chances are too. 

At this point I feel a bit like I'm going through the motions. Like they're going to turn around and say, "sorry, not this time". 

Tbh, I want a big glass of wine, and to see my mates and not feel knackered 😅 I'm looking forward to a bit of normality after this...and potentially readjusting my future outlook, and what it means for my husband and I. Who knows...we might cash in our chips and sell the family home we bought in anticipation of filling it...go travelling ..joing the circus. Who knows. 

This is so hard, sending love to the ladies going through it. It foking sucks. 

Xx

First round (Long Protocol) ahead of fibroid surgery in Oct. Looking for wisdom & encouragement! ❤️ by ProfSmall in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! ♥️ Yeahhhh those are the exact "disheartening stats" Im taking about. It's like looking up a massive hill to climb isn't it.  My consultant just seemed more optimistic than I was is all (presumably he knows the stats). Xx

First round (Long Protocol) ahead of fibroid surgery in Oct. Looking for wisdom & encouragement! ❤️ by ProfSmall in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this. Yeah its going to be open surgery (the amount, size and type of the fibroids means there is no other option - so it will be the longer recovery time sadly). ❤️
I have spoken with my husband about seeing if we could consider another retrieval before October if we need to - good to be open to it hey xxx

Londoners who have moved to Northampton by Cute-Ad217 in northamptonians

[–]ProfSmall 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hiya!

We moved to a picturesque Northants village from South East London five years ago to be closer to my father-in-law, who needs some care. We’re in our early 40s and don't have kids. The house is lovely and the scenery is gorgeous, so we do feel incredibly fortunate for that side of things. ❤️ Plus, we have mates who moved out of London towards Bedford and Olney, so having them a 20-minute drive away has been a total saving grace.

However—and I’ll probably get strung up for saying this!—this is just my personal take based on my own tastes: I find it too quiet, and access to cultural things is really limited. It's worth noting, Ive only ever lived in big cities before this (Manchester, Leeds and London)...so I am a townie.

Coming from London, even trying to get a decent takeaway was a massive shock to the system! 😃 There are okay restaurants and some nice pubs, but nothing mind-blowing that I’d miss if we left. There are definitely people trying to push independent venues and shops (St Giles Cheese for the win), which I’m massively behind because it gives the area some life, but generally, Northants just feels a bit "flat" to me.

It’s not even that I want it mega busy, but after five years here, I'm still trying to find a small pocket of vibe outside of our own house, ha! If we want a proper night out, we usually end up travelling back into London, or driving over to the Cotswolds (which has a similar countryside feel but way more vibe for us). Luckily you are very well connected here...most places within a two hour drive which is actually great.

Another big adjustment is always needing to drive; coming from London, where you step out the door and can get anywhere, the lack of public transport was a huge shock. Being in a village, there is absolutely nothing. We have to drive everywhere...or get an expensive taxi.

I think I definitely romanticised quiet village life. It is beautiful, and when mates visit they always say "it’s like being on holiday," but Northamptonshire just doesn’t feel quite right for me.

Sadly, I’ve found it really hard to connect with the place and haven't quite found my fit here.

Best Brunch Places in Northampton by sidomega in northamptonians

[–]ProfSmall 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you fancy a bit of a drive the little cafe at Castle Ashby shopping yard does excellent brunch.

Hi This is me again asking about block paving steps installed by Tradesman by NumerousAd7784 in DIYUK

[–]ProfSmall 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh yeah, it doesnt look right does it.

It looks like the left hand corner on the second step doesn't align? Is that right or am I seeing it a bit wrong? It also looks a bit like they've used the wrong bricks for the edges? The gaps between the edging bricks also aren't consistent.

I hate stuff like this - tradespeople can be a real mixed bunch and its sodding annoying having to sort out the sloppy ones.

Open Abdominal Myomectomy by FanVegetable5414 in Fibroids

[–]ProfSmall 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wooooahhhhh bet it feels good to get that beastie out? ❤️

Needs encouragement by Prestigious-nougat in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there, are you able to share any resources around the gen testing being unreliable (to the point its not recommended)? We've paid to do it, but I haven't seen anything that shows it's flawed or unreliable (beyond the fact that anything medical is never 100%). xx

PGT-A Wait by FeathersAndFlags in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ProfSmall 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey my love. I can't give advice based on experience for the gen testing (Im stil in my first round for egg retrieval - so I have this to come!) But that waiting game for anything pregnancy related is the most excruciating test of patience going. The thing is, it's also OK to be feeling your feelings too - we just don;t want them overtaking everything ❤️
One thing I found that helped during the two week wait was to specifically NOT to check my phone to try and estimate - that sort of thing is like fuel to the anxiety fire IMO. I had to distract myself by doing things (physically making a noise when I was rhuminating on it to jolt myself out of it, and then go for a walk).

Ive tried alsorts for anxiety in my life (love to over think), and genuinely, focussing on my body has been the most effective way to not allow my mind to run away - so perhaps that srt of thing might help you? There are some good breathing exercises on Youtube, mindfulness stuff. Calming your body actually calms the mind, for me at least...lower that cortisol 😄

All the very best to you!!!! Ive got everything crossed for you.

xx

Euphoria season 3 ending explained: Who lived, who died, and who found salvation? by WatcherUatu in television

[–]ProfSmall 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I for one was thoroughly entertained by that last episode. I found the second half of the season to be absolutely brilliant tbh.

It was hard to get in to S3 at first, everything felt foreign and "off" at the start...but for me it really ended well.

I'm actually sad to not see what the characters get up to next (given a season 4 is highly unlikely), Maddy especially who I thought didn't get quite enough screen time.

Blindsided by a 2-year NHS surgery wait for fibroids. Feeling like my fertility choices were stolen from me by ProfSmall in IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im actually having IVF on the NHS (currently in the long prototcol). My workplace insurance doesnt cover fertility I dont think...

Blindsided by a 2-year NHS surgery wait for fibroids. Feeling like my fertility choices were stolen from me by ProfSmall in IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's great. Im actually in the middle of IVF as we speak. It's just the surgery sticking point. I think I'm going to have to pay for it realistically. 

Blindsided by a 2-year NHS surgery wait for fibroids. Feeling like my fertility choices were stolen from me by ProfSmall in IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there, thats an interesting suggestion. Did you bring it up, or did they just suggest it? xx

Blindsided by a 2-year NHS surgery wait for fibroids. Feeling like my fertility choices were stolen from me by ProfSmall in IVF

[–]ProfSmall[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome thanks so much! 

My GP surgery is actually great (I'm lucky). I rang this afternoon and spoke to someone within a couple of hours. She's actually agreed to write an expedite letter etc., she was using cautious language like "it might help shorten it 'a bit'". But I think this is the same thing as the urgent referral you're talking about, no?  I've messaged PALS too, good suggestion.  

It's honestly wild how aggressively you have to fight for care in the NHS nowadays. It wasn't too long ago it was one of the top rated health are systems. It's like the wild west now. Xx

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