Posted by Lauren C. on June 23, 19100 at 22:03:46:
In Reply to: Jen A., et al - my favorite IVF story (babies ment.) posted by debi on June 20, 19100 at 14:30:59:
: I've got a story too! In 1993 one of the girls in my Resolve support group was told by Cornell that at 35 she was going through early menopause and that she would have to do donor egg, which was relatively new at that time. She was devastated. The waiting list was 2 years long (1 year for regular IVF). Her doctor kept testing her FSH each month to see if there was a "good" month with a low FSH to try regular IVF since she had been on that waiting list for so long. One month she had a good FSH, no lupron, stim meds, 3 eggs, 2 embryos transferred, twins born 6 years ago. A few years ago I bumped into her walking in the street with her toddler twins and she had a big belly. She told me she got pregnant by accident. She was as shocked as I was. Great story and it couldn't have happened to a nicer person. But, as you already know, these stories are rare. GOOD LUCK!
Jen,
: So thrilled to know you're still in the game. I thought you'd enjoy reading this story ... moral of the story is ... it's not over til the fat lady sings ..
: A friend of mine, who I actually met on this board a couple years ago, at age 30 was told by one of the "Top 3" NY programs she had no option but donor eggs or adoption - she had been going through treatment for a couple of years there, had one high FSH prior to her first IVF and was told she should give up having a biological child. It was her post with regards to this news that I answered on this board - needless to say she was devastated.
: It took me some time but I finally persuaded her to seek a second opinion from the clinic I was going to. I just couldn't believe these were her only choices. She got a second opinion and began her first IVF cycle. She was a very poor responder her first time out, ended up with something like four follicles, poor fertilazation, etc. - didn't work. For her second cycle her protocol was changed to Gonal F/Pergonal combo. Things were looking rather grim for quite a while as it took an eternity to stim her and it looked like this cycle was closely resembling her first. Her last u/s showed (maybe) 5 follicles. She went in for retrieval, there were 5 more 'hiding', she ended up with eight for fertilazation ... here's the fun part ... ALL eight fertilized, ALL eight were Grade 1, eight cell embryos ... six perfect blasts were put into the freezer (this was one of the most amazing cycles the lab had ever seen) - two embryos were transfered ... her twin sons will be celebrating their first birthday next month.
: FYI Jen - your cycle is sounding a heck of alot better than hers did. AND can you imagine - a little over two years ago she was encouraged to throw the towel in ... mid point in her second cycle she was thinking maybe this was the advice she should have followed - thank GOD she didn't.
: SO ... my fingers will remain crossed and don't you dare give up hope :)
: xo Debi