Thursday 12 March 2009

Drum roll

A whopper. That was yesterday.

There was the Irish Times article, which has had a really positive reaction. Via email, text messages, through the paper, and of course here. Thanks to everyone, we're delighted, the supportive messages from family, friends, and complete strangers has been very uplifting.

Infinitely more uplifting though, we were back at the specialist yesterday, so read the following words carefully.

It went well. Very well.

The doctor agrees that enough is enough, and it's time for them to start getting involved.

When the next cycle starts, in about 10 days or so, we are beginning an intrauterine insemination(IUI) cycle.

We finally get our IUI, and medicated for good measure!

I could have kissed that crumb covered Dutch woman, but I had just been biting my nails and thought leaving semi-chewed body matter on medical professionals who hold the key to your very happiness was not the wisest of moves.

So I smiled politely.

They are very strict about the management of possible multiples, so we are aiming at mild hyper-stimulation.

ET will take the unpronounceable Dutch version of clomid for 5 days to stimulate the development of an extra follicle or two.

After 10 days or so, she will have an ultrasound and they decide when we should administer a trigger shot to spark off ovulation within the following 36 hours.

What is a bit scary is that if more than 3 follicles mature, they cancel the cycle.

When ovulation is expected following the trigger shot, Spencer flies solo, they shake the living daylights out of him, and the swimmers left standing get injected into her uterus.

Right on the egg's doorstep.

Then, we wait. I think I'm familiar with that bit.

There is an undercurrent of excitement, but the chances are still small, 10% a shot, so we are not getting carried away. ET said for the first time in a long while, she really feels that this might happen, and I have been convinced for a year or more that IUI is the most logical solution to our problem.

Of course, there is one other good reason why the IUI could still be canceled, it's CD17 now, so maybe.

Just maybe...


73 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your article was outstanding! Be sure to point it out to your medical people. They'll feel obligated to help you even more! Good luck on this! It's gonna happen.

Elf in Amsterdam said...

Well thats just great!

Time to get the eggs rolling! :)


Unless of course.... *touches wood*
Which would also be awesome!! :)

Elf

Ian Newbold said...

Top stuff in the Irish Times. And great news about intervention starting.

Godspeed.

Cindy said...

Awesome! Sooo exciting! And yes, watch for those multiples...YIKES! We went conservative and even scaled back and still wound up with triplets. Holy crap. Don't want to scare you - nevermind.
But, woo hoo for moving forward FINALLY!

Anonymous said...

I am so pleased for you that you are getting the intervention.

fingers crossed! :)

Anonymous said...

Have everything crossed for you!

Momo Fali said...

You tease! I saw, "Finally" on Twitter, so guess what I thought? Oh well, at least we ("we" because I'm deeply involved here now) are moving in the right direction now. I'm glad to know things went well with the specialist.

Jenni said...

Yes! Yes yes yes! Wonderful news; I almosst don't believe it. I wish the odds were a bit more in your favor, but at least they are FINALLLY doing something to help you out.

And fingers still crossed for this time around...

Foster Mama said...

That is great news!!!! I really hope this works for you guys!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Dude,

I am ear to ear here in Indiana, all for you and yours . . . and I'm not talking about corn!

Rob Monroe said...

That's a great start, man. Glad you got to where you can sort of "reset" and get things going.

Best of luck, friend.

Veronica Foale said...

I am bouncing off the walls with happiness. Finally!

Jane G said...

That is brilliant news! I think it's good that they are bringing in the big guns with the clomid first go too. I found taking it last thing at night was better in terms of side effects. Be prepared for general contrary-ness though. I was a demon on it for the first few months.

I'm so delighted for the pair of you. Keeping everything crossed (apart from my knees of course!)

Mo said...

All right!!!! Congrats! I'm glad you can finally get some intervention rolling here!

And I commented on it before but will again. Loved the irish times article. Sent it to Will and he loved it too.

mo

Ms. Moon said...

Yippie ki-yay, motherfucker! (And I say that in the most loving, literally hopeful way.)

Anonymous said...

I'd like to second Ms Moon. i can't say how I'm feeling for you with any more clarity than that.

AnnD said...

Your article was fabulous!! I know it will do a lot of good in people's lives to hear of a person (a man especially) speak openly and honestly about the heartache of infertility. You are forever my blogging hero! All that you've written about this should be published! And I'm going to buy one and send it to you to sign!

I also enjoyed the photo, your little photo when you comment just isn't enough to get a full sense of you.

I hope this is it man! God! I'm so hopeful! I'm so happy that they are willing to jump right in and do something instead of twiddling their thumbs more!

Now...a question...if more than three follicles develop, they cancel the IUI right?? But you guys could still have sex and take advantage of that yourselves, right??

Anonymous said...

As if us bloggers weren't enough to cheer you on....

...but we'll still be cheering, although not offering to babysit when the sextuplets arrive ...:)

everything is crossed - again!

DiaperPin Up Girl said...

About fucking time eh?

HURRAY! I'm so excited for you two!

..al said...

I did ready your Irish Times article online. It was superb, capturing your story.

Unexplained Infertility is fun. Ask me, the tweezer, about it. It is like throwing darts in a super dark room really.

Loved your perspective (the male angle)...and All the best for the upcoming IUI. I hope you cross all the cancel-IUI-now hurdles.

Liz said...

Well, should you need, it here's hoping the drugs work but not too well. (I o wonder in these circumstances though, if the IUI is cancelled can you still use the old fashioned DIY option?)

Good luck.

ryanandjoesmom said...

Let's keep the good days rolling - or shall we say swimming? :-)
Glad you guys FINALLY got the green light! So great to have a plan and some medical intervention.

Putz said...

wow. science.....wow, science....wow science

WhatAboutNovember said...

YYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

*ahem*

F-ing FINALLY. And the docs come through. Hope is delicious, no? And addictive...

Crysbena said...

Yay!! I hope this is it for you two.

darcie said...

I bet those docs were scared you were gonna be published again and next time...name names of people that wouldn't give you the teeny tiny bit of help you and ET need to get this circus act going! HURRAY for good news! I'm so positive...and hopeful!

MSC said...

That article was absolutely beautiful!

I hope this is it for you guys.

Lea said...

Hurray! Progress! Hoping you won't need it, but so glad you get to move FORWARD. :)

Loved your article BTW. Exactly the type of thing that the general population needs to read. Thanks so much for that.

Kori said...

It has all been said before my comment, but I am over here cheering for hte both of oyu. though I am wondering why my cycle and ET's aren't right on anymore. I could used to tell when I was going to start because it was within a day or so of HERs, but now, not so much. Clearly I am too connected to the story.

Sarah said...

FINALLY!! Woo Hoo!

nh said...

Fab news... that's really great. Although I'm still hoping that you get your miracle.

Am I allowed to say Good Luck with the Clomid? M still groans at the thought!

Karen MEG said...

Finally, finally, FINALLY!!!

That's interesting about the cancelling part though...let's hope that ET's follicles don't go overboard...but then I suppose you could always just continue on your own. As I recall, I never had more than 3 follicles at a time. Good luck, my friend.

And your Irish Times article...fantastic. I still think you've got a best seller here...

Anonymous said...

I am squeeeeeeeing! This is wonderful news. Finally a plan and a good one too.
Just wishing and hoping and praying and everything else that this is the big one! :o)

Lorna said...

Everything is crossed for this month or the next!

Anonymous said...

Thhis is it! I can feel it!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant Article X....absolutely brilliant!

A Decade of BFNs said...

I am so glad this is finally going down!!! I have followed your story and even went back to the beginning and am in such amazement at how long they make you wait over there (I'm from the US). I just know this is going to be your time!!

V said...

Was great to read your story in the Irish Times....how cool!!

All the best for you & ET! I'm hoping this works for you guys!!!!

Susanica said...

Great news. So happy to hear that they didn't tell you to wait longer. This is gonna work. -Monica

B said...

IUI eh?
looking good so, well I don't know what it is but it definitely looks good, symmetrical

kev said...

Thanks for your Irish Times Article
Myself and my wife have been trying for 3 years and the prob lies with me, like you I have a loving wife. But I have never heard or read another man talking about infertility.It was really refreshing and also like you I think I could probably sit the gynacology exams at this point.
Good Luck with the IUI. Keep the faith !!!!

Martin said...

@Angel - Thanks, I'm very happy with it.

@Elf in Amsterdam - Hee hee, you touched wood...

@Single Parent Dad - Thanks, thanks, and thanks!

@Cindy (and Brian) - Only 1 single instance of triplets at this hospital in 11 years! we should be safe

@Mistress B - Us too, thanks!

@Ali - Thank you

@Momo Fali - Trust me, it's 'Finally' enough for now!

@Jenni - Yeah, pissing them off by getting up the duff here and now would be great!

@mrsmiller2007 - It is, thanks!

@tysdaddy - THATS, a great line.

@RobMonroe - Perfect description, a reset. Thats what it is.

@Veronica - Thank god for those padded walls eh?

@Jane G - Thats an interesting tip actually, she did warn about the possibilty of 'emotional instability'
We simultaneously replied 'No change there then'

@Mo and Will - Good to know Will liked it. Thanks.

@Ms. Moon - Thats the sweetest war cry I've heard all day!

@bsouth - I hear ya.

@AnnD - The big picture with the fat face gives you that full sense then?
Thats a good question, well, she can't stop us can she!

@Tismee2 - SOOOO not going to happen.

@DiaperPin Up Girl - EXACTLY. Thanks a million.

@WiseGuy - Thanks, its a funny game alright, not a clue whats wrong but you try to fix it anyway!

@womb for improvement - Surely we can, I cant imagine her even suggesting we dont. What are the chances 24 strike-outs turn into 1 or 2 or 3 in one shot!

@Chris - It IS great.

@Putz - Absolutely Putz, thats the game

@WhatAboutNovember - I'll have seconds!

@Crysbena - It's the start at least.

@darcie - Kind of like Heidi Fleiss of the fertility world

@The Anovulatory Avenger - Thank you very much.

@Lea - I've had a bit of feedback from non TTC people, and it's been positive, so that's good.

@Kori - ET's are shorter...

@Sarah - My words exactly.

@nh - Wow, is it THAT bad?

@Karen MEG - Thats good to hear you never went over the three. I think it should be ok.

@Penelope - It is great news alright. Next step.

@Lorna - Yes, thank you!

@hotmamamia - Aw thanks, glad you like it.

@A Decade of BFNs - Yep, 24 months of waiting, very different to place with private facilities.

@Kathryn - Very cool! thanks.

@Susanica - No, enough is enough. Thanks.

@B - I hadn't considered the symmetry of it all, I'm going to take that as an omen.

@kev - Its weird to hear you say thanks. I was saying thanks for being let do it!
It really sucks you in doesn't it, and before you know it you know your female innards like the back of your hand.
Best of luck yourself, I hope you are still confident, it only takes one in the right method.

Thanks a million.

anymommy said...

Fingers and toes crossed for this cycle and the next exciting one (if it's necessary). So glad there's a next step for you two!

Sarah said...

oh lord i am so happy to see that they are finally stepping in to help you guys! I will keep my fingers crossed for the IUI!!

G said...

Yay! I'm so happy that your appointment went well, it really is about time. You must feel like some of the pressure is off you guys now, I know that's a great feeling!!

Mama Smurf said...

Fingers, toes, and fallopian tubes are all crossed for you!!!

Rygantron said...

Congrats on the article, sir - she's a beaut!

That's not sexist, by the by: if boats can be female, so too can articles, by gum.

Still, that's a nice piece; you got more in the works?

dusty gal said...

Your article reached us over here in Australia. My husband and I thank you for being so open about your experiences. We are over 4 years down the road now and your article really struck a chord with us. Sharing with people the impacts or experience of infertity is not an easy ask. Well done for using your skills to make it a little easier for the rest of us.
Dusty

Sadia said...

Woo hoo! I'm so glad that doctors are finally willing to help.

And if you do end up that path ... multiples are magical. I wouldn't trade being a mom to twins for the world.

Tara R. said...

Oooohhh.. I'm all tingly with excitement. Good luck!

Dto3 said...

What, you don't want to be known as the Octo-Dad?

Anonymous said...

The tides are turning, my boy!! So happy that this step is FINALLY happening!!!

Anonymous said...

Fucking Finally!

River said...

You smiled politely? But only on the outside, right? On the inside you were jumping up and down, punching the air, going Yes! Yes! Yes!
Right?
I really hope it happens for you this time, if it hasn't happened already.

frog ponds rock... said...

Yay...

BABY STEPS said...

Nothing like a new idea to give you both fresh hope and to give your special olympic swimmers a lightening bolt of energy.

Good luck and heres hoping medicated cycle no 1 is yr last.

Anonymous said...

Great stuff!

I Am Emily... said...

YAY

Either way there is good news...and a reason to cross your fingers.

I hope that I can read about the even better news soon...then we can start discussing baby stuff, I have heard enough of it to last a lifetime so its your and ET's turn :-)

I'm just being positive!

Good Luck for now
Good Luck for the IUI

Anonymous said...

Finally.

English Mum said...

I nearly died when I saw you on the IT website! Congrats. Great article. Ooh and congrats on the other stuff too. Keeping everything crossed (including my buns) x

Darragh said...

*FINGERS CROSSED*

Really hope things go well for you both. Will be thinking of you.

Not of course thinking of you having sex. Because that would just be weird. For all of us.

Deb said...

I hope the IUI gets canceled due to natural causes, but if not, good luck!! (Don't panic about the multiples -- the chances are really, really small of that happening.)

Claire said...

Great news Xbox, hope the IUI goes well. Irish Times article was great, and well deserved; I am exceedingly jealous of your talent. Now stop showing off and go make a baby!

Martin said...

@anymommy - Thanks!

@sarah - Us too!

@G - It really is, like someone is adding an extra pair of shoulders to us.

@Mama Smurf - Cheers!

@Ryan Lawson - Thank you sir, and I agree, it's female.I write articles every other day!
No one reads them mind.

@dusty gal - Welcome! Thanks. I'm glad you got something from it, 4 years is a long long time.
I wish you the best of luck.

@Sadia - We'll take what we can get!

@Tara R. - Thats your blackberry Tara...

@Dto3 - that IS a cool name...

@nola - A long time to get this far eh?

@Captain Steve - You can say that again.

@River - Soon enough we'll know! thanks.

@frog ponds rock... - Yay indeed!

@Paint it Black - That would be incredibly lucky, but we shall see. Thanks.

@Dan - Hope you're practicing...

@Tanya - Yes, for the first time in 2 years this month can't end all badly.

@tiff - Exactly!

@English Mum - The fat face wasn't THAT bad? Thanks

@Darragh - Thank you sir. Appreciated.

@Deb - Yeah the chances of that are really small, they are very strict here.Thanks.

@Claire - Thanks, that's lovely.

Amber said...

That is awesome!! COngratulations!

Our Crooked Tree said...

Great News and a Great Article! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Fanfreakintastic. Some weirdo in a lab coat is going to aid in the creation of another leprechaun. Science has a lot to answer for. ;)

Martin said...

@Amber - It is! thanks.

@Our Crooked Tree - Thank you!

@Anja - worked for frankenstein!

Bluestreak said...

It´s good to see you hopeful again. I´m glad they are finally doing something and not just leaving you there waiting.

IrishNYC said...

I'm loving the sound of "enough is enough!"

Be extra good to ET while she's on clomid. I, apparently, was a beast.

Martin said...

@Bluestreak - It's great, it really is.

@IrishNYC - YOu guys are starting to freak me out about the clomid beast.

Malky B. said...

Great article. I particularly love the ending. Best of luck on this first medicated cycle.

Martin said...

@Malky B - Thanks!