Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Definition of insanity or just total optimism?? I would have to say both in our situation.
We have decided to keep trying IVF only this time not do egg banking and testing. In the end it was just so much money, time and build up. One cycle at a time is our motto. Any blasts we are lucky enough to get we will transfer.
I don’t like to blog updates through a cycle because I go into auto pilot mode and like to distract myself from each status update throughout the stims. I actually turn my head when they count follicles and sizes along the way. Rather than obsess about size or number or follicles, I just go through the steps and hope for the best outcome in the end. I think it has helped me stay sane through these many, many, many cycles.
So, I will enjoy the wine and coffee while I can and then gear up for another go. Hoping you all survived the holiday ok. These times can be so hard in the middle of this battle. Xo
Fighting Infertility 
I think it’s completely optimistic. It only becomes insane when you feel like you’ve had enough, and you guys definitely aren’t there. It worked for you before, so it will work again!
I had a good talk with Dr. braverman about genetic testing when we were last there. Tim asked him about one of his studies and he went off on a tangent. He says so many embryos self correct after the blastocyst stage, and that genetic testing is completely not worth it if you’re only making one or two blasts. He said he transferred many genetically abnormal embryos that have turned into normal healthy babies. He even transferred one with trisomy 13 that turned into a healthy baby! Crazy. He also said that he cut some donated embryos into fours and sent them to four different labs to be tested. And they came back with four different results! Some normal and some abnormal. Apparently he is going to put out a big study soon with all of these results. Anyway, I find this stuff fascinating. It made me feel better about my decision not to genetic test this round, and I hope makes you feel good about your situation well!
I am excited for your next cycle. Fingers crossed it’s the one that brings you your miracle.
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Oh my gosh thank you for all this information. I can’t wait to share this with my husband. We need to get on this so you, Emily and I can meet up for our run 🙂 xoxo
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Yes, this run is happening!
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That’s really eye opening! If we end up with 2 embryos again I wonder if they’ll let us just transfer everything.
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The thing about cycling is that each cycle is so different. Sometimes everything seems to align for one cycle but it doesn’t work, while things don’t seem like they are going well for another cycle and somehow it works. It’s so hard to tell. The more I am at this, the more I feel that I should know less. I now think that I shouldn’t even know about the day 3 results this time round. I should just let whatever be, be. So I think it’s a great idea not to know the follicle size and other things so that you won’t obsess over things. It’s been interesting for me to skip the coffee…. Drink up girl before your next cycle!
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Such wise words. I will have a cup for you and am hoping you don’t have one for about 9 months!
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The more I cycled the more I wanted to pull away from the minutiae of it so I totally get what you mean. As far as PGD is concerned you just need to do what is right for you 🙂 Will you mix up your protocol? As when you do that I believe it isn’t doing “the same thing” over and over again; the mixing creates variation. Like someone else said, it worked once it will work again. I do believe it! Xxx
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While you have the desire and energy (and resources) to keep going then it is the right thing to do. Your coping mechanisms for getting through the treatment sound sensible to me and quite frankly if that’s what’s going to help keep you sane as you navigate the ivf process then how can anyone argue?! I hope that you will have that much desired positive soon. I’m rooting for you! xx
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I’ve asked myself the same question – not that I’ve cycled through IVF but I’ve been pregnant three times and the end result of each was the same – lethal fetal abnormalities. So I totally feel like it would be insane of me to even try again so I understand where that thought process comes from. If it worked in the past then I don’t think it’s insanity to try again and I’ll be rooting for you.
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Thank you so much. What a tough journey you have had. I really appreciate your support. Xo
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I think you’ll know when you reach your end (as we did) and until then I say you have to keep going because otherwise you might always wonder if the next one would have worked. So, as you keep going, I’ll keep cheering you on through each and every step!
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Optimistic, otherwise I should be committed!!! I’m with you on the giving it a go and not worrying about testing, though I never got anything freezer worthy from 3 cycles (I’m sure the beauty that became dd#2 would have been my only frostie out of… 43 retrieved eggs). But, this was my experience and everyone is different. Heck, every cycle is different. My first two used basically the same protocol, so I was happy to be trying a different mix of meds for lucky try #3. I wish you all the best for you next cycle! Xx
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Thank you! Optimistic we are!
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That’s a great way of looking at it. I just got my antral follicle count and i did spend too much time googling unnecessary things. I’m going to try your way because I feel like more than anything I need to be calm now.
I’m so glad you’re not giving up. You’re a champion! This will happen for you. Lots of love!! Have extra wine for meeee.
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Yay!! I am so glad! I will do just that tonight 🙂
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Whoop! You’re a real pal! 🙂 🙂
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Ah, I’m really similar in that I didn’t want to do too much research or wonder about what “should” be happening. I think it’s hard not to take anything in… I still read all the blogs and thought we didn’t retrieve enough eggs compared to everyone else, etc. But I like your way of dealing with it. We have our appointment next week (eek) so hopefully we will be pregnancy buddies! 🙂
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Oh wow- good luck! Pregnancy buddies would be pretty darn ideal!
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