That's so exciting that your FET is schedule for later this month! I totally relate to feeling both excited and nervous. I've felt like that at each step of this process so far. I've currently on my second IVF stim cycle. I'm on the stim meds again and my egg retrieval is planned for this Friday. Everything is looking much better this time around. I have 20 follicles and they seem to be growing much more consistently than the ones I had last cycle. I'm hopeful that this round is going to be successful and we'll get enough good quality embryos for it to be my last.

I hope your meds are going ok. I'm hoping to move forward with a FET sometime in July/August, so it's nice to know what to expect in the next steps.

One day at a time! I can't wait to be a mom too. It will happen-- it's all just a matter of time.

LovelyLavender - Glad to hear everything seems to be going better this time around, and wishing you luck and comfort in your retrieval on Friday, as well as with the news that follows. I like to remind myself that we are doing the best we can with what's in our control - but we know those next five days can be such a roller coaster physically and emotionally. Sending good vibes your way!

The meds are seemingly more "harsh" on me than those for stim-retreival. Yesterday, for example, I knew a good workout would be a positive thing, but right after work I laid down for a "power nap" only to wake-up two hours later feeling like I needed more sleep... And still tired today! Gonna do my best to hit a gym class tomorrow ;)

...And the 21st turned into the 26th, which turned into the first week of July... Perhaps needless to say, my excitement is waning as the big day continues to draw out.

I had an ultrasound that showed my lining was just under the desired 8mm, so started taking additional estrogen (orally). Had another US today, and given no change, we're now adding another medication that helps with blood circulation - giving it another week, and so on. I also remain on Lupron. The doc also also tested my progesterone, which is below one, which is apparently good. He also noticed a cyst remaining in my right ovary, but didn't seem overly concerned, but felt the additional medications and delay would be beneficial.

I can't argue with the man, but today's results have me down and out. I came home and took a nap, but still having a hard time. This is a true test of patience, and today is a hard day. If one day at a time, hopefully tomorrow is better.

I’m sorry to hear about all of the continued delays- I know how frustrating it is to feel like you are finally getting somewhere, but then hit another wall. Just keep reminding yourself that it is all in preparation to make your body the most comfortable spot for a nice little embryo. You will get there, and it will be beautiful:)

blbhjf - I appreciate your support! It is frustrating, and it's helpful to know I'm not alone, and that you and many others sympathize with these emotions.

One day at a time. And today is better, and hopefully tomorrow even better to digest the news, accept the wait, and internalize its goodness.

Thanks for sharing. Although you're ahead of me in the process, I can still relate to the frustration of unexpected delays. With each step, something unexpected always seems to comes up. I've learned to expect the unexpected now, but it's still difficult to not get upset each time it happens. It's definitely a test of patience. But, it will all be worth the wait! :)

My cycle was effectively cancelled last week when results showed that my uterine line was thinning. The doctor isn't exactly sure why the lupron and estrogen didn't work, but wasn't alarmed. We agreed a reset with a menstral cycle would be best, and protocol will start again thereafter (July/August).

It was hard to stop "cold turkey" and to think about how much more time will go by, so I gave myself and hour (or two) to cry and vent before pulling-up my boot straps and accepting the situation. Perhaps my body just really needs more time to recover after egg retrieval - I was pretty sick for ~9 days after - and I may also need more hormonal boost to get my uterus ready. While not easy to accept at first, there's really no other choice, and internalizing the patience required for this journey continues to feel (way) better than the alternative.

So sorry to read this news. I think you made the right decision to accept that this is out of your control and to give your body (and mind) some time to recover and start fresh. Just that small amount of time could make a big difference. I know it's difficult when the next step is pushed back, especially when you're already feeling pressured about time. But, as we've realized already, this process requires patience. If you just focus on what's in your control and try to remain as calm/relaxed as possible, I'm confident that things will work out for the best. You're doing great so far! Hang in there!

Hopeful, the same thing happened to me! TWICE! I am so glad we cancelled them because when the lining thins out, thats a bad sign, it means your body is probably preparing for Aunt Flo. How are you at now? Have you started your next cycle yet? I was taking estrogen but I did a few things differently that may have helped my lining slowly improve: more exercise, pomegranate juice and 2gm of l-arginine every day. I was already on baby aspirin/vit E/fish oil to thin out my blood. My lining went from 5.5mm 1st time, to 6.8 2nd time, and this time hit about 8mm, so we did a FET.

Thanks, Hopeful! I'll be sure to read your new post - but in response here: I am still eagerly awaiting my period so that we can start my next protocol. The doc's all say that I'll do at least three weeks of estrogen patches and orally, and keep on the blood-flow meds (and vit E), and obvi the Lupron. A lot to remember!

In May/June cycle, my lining hit 7.8 at my first US, and with more estrogen, managed to decrease to 6.8 after a few days, and then to 4.6 another week later (doc is saying should be 8). While I believe more estrogen for more time should do the trick, it's hard to believe it since I feel like that's exactly what we just tried... As you know, we have to listen to our bodies and mine clearly wasn't ready, and only more cycles will tell.

I, too, started more exercise and watching my diet (I have to admit, I am normally active and eat healthy, BUT, paying even closer attention), tho the doc and nurse suggested that "only the meds" would make the difference. Besides diet/exercise, do you think more estrogen will do it (what did your docs/your experience tell you?)? What about higher doses of Lupron, since it sounds like I was ovulating? Honestly, I would rather keep things more natural than pumping even more meds, but I also reallllllly want this to work!

Hopeful, doing light exercise and eating healthy are good things always. However, my doc specifically said no dieting and don't lose weight but try not to gain too much either. My doc plays the estrogen upon how my body is...he likes the estrogen to be above 200 but below 1000. In the earlier stage, like CD1-8 (before my 1st U/S) he tells me to take 2 pills orally (4mg) and 1/2 pill as suppository at night. At one point, my estrogen was only 107, so he bumped it to 4 mg twice a day, plus 1/2 pill suppository and my number jumped to above 200.
As far as lupron, I took mine in the prior luteal phase, for 2 weeks straight but got an U/S and bloodwork on CD 23 or 24 just to make sure all was quiet down there, and it was (they test LH and FSH to make sure its low also). Stopped lupron, then got a period 2-3 days later. Was directed to immediately start the estrogen. On CD 9 or 10, I got more bloodwork and U/S and my ovaries were super quiet. Just a 2-3mm follie on each side. My thickness was somewhere between 6.5-7, so we kept going. Next U/S my thickness was about 8mm. I then started progesterone (400mg suppositories 2x a day), prednisone 5mg, low dose aspirin. Suppositories suck! But its better than a daily shot on my butt. Also, this is a very long process. If my FET doesn't take, I think I will chill out more. I've been nervous anxious, but now I know what to expect. Let me know if you have any other questions! And make sure they test your blood because sometimes the estrogen patches don't penetrate enough. You need that estrogen nice and high :-)

Thank you! I appreciate the advice about doing more blood work, as it seems obvious, but hardly did any last protocol. When the doc noticed my lining had thinned on my second U/S after prescribing more estrogen, he tested my progesterone, which was fine. Then the next U/S resulted in even thinner lining/cancellation (so no progesterone that round). I was/will be on the estrogen patches and orally, no suppositories just yet. I will connect with my nurse about doing blood work - there's a lab nearby so it's easy and could help!

For now, still twiddling my thumbs waiting for my period so that protocol can begin...

Yeah, so estradiol monitoring will be key because, if you're being medicated, how do you know if your dosage is correct, right? If you're not getting enough estradiol, then you may not be growing your lining to your potential. Just don't give us! It took me about 3 months, like I said.
I am also twiddling my thumbs. Been off meds since 7/21 and I am expecting a period soon because my cramps are awful! I wish I could "relax" and have a glass of wine, but ever since I started IVF, it makes me sick to my stomach, even one sip! But hey, let me know when your period comes. I am excited for you! I will be a bit behind you because I still need to down regulate with lupron, then after that period, I'd start FET protocol, likely a FET by first week of September if period arrives this week.