Feeling better

Yes, I am definitely feeling better. In fact yesterday, a few hours after taking the progynova, I felt positively euphoric and my headache (that had become a permanent fixture) completely lifted.

Today I feel fine too. Still a bit tired, but otherwise ok. The dreaded bruising is gone - both of my last two injections have left no bruises whatsoever.

Intersono have been in touch to say the donor has begun her stims and they will let me know how her follies are developing in a week. They have also asked me to send them copies of our passports.

I am still waiting the absolute go ahead before we pay over £900 for two return tickets.

And finally here is a picture of a rose I did in pastels.

Starting the Progynova

As my period started a day early, Intersono have asked me to start the Progynova today (which is 2 days earlier than the protocol). I'm quite happy to have some sort of hormone as I hope that will stop the headaches. Also, no bruises from last night's jab, just a little spot from where it bled. I tried not to pinch so hard and also didn't use any form of cooling. I also upped my Vit C. No idea what worked, but just glad it did!



Here is one of my latest portraits to make the page interesting - this one is of Johnny Borrell of Razorlight - I had to paint him - he has such a pretty face!

Bit bruised and battered

As ever, to keep the blog interesting - here are some pics of one of our cats, Misty, who is a polydactyl - has an extra toe on each foot. They're also called Mittens Kittens - if you look at the pic below you can see it looks like he has thumbs!

So! One week on suprefact and I'm feeling pretty bruised. I can't seem to find a way to stop it. I've always bruised really easily and am usually covered in them - I think I have thin veins - I know nurses taking blood or putting in drips etc can take forever and leave me looking like I've done 20 rounds with Tyson!

Ice works fairly well at numbing the site, but doesn't stop the deep blue and yellow marks the following day. Oddly, I've managed to do it twice with only tiny bruises, so it's definitely down to my technique. Last night (which has only left a small mark) I didn't squeeze the flesh so hard against the syringe gun, which probably cushioned the blow a lot more. But I have bruises over 3cm each, so I am really running out of space on the belly (not to mention looking really shocking!).

I've finally got in touch with Intersono - I needed to confirm that all is well with donor before I book any flights (which are going to cost around £900). They say the donor starts her treatment on the 30th and to wait until then.

And my period started, which although a day early is still good. When we were with Altra Vita my period started too late and the treatment was delayed for yet another month. So a day early I can live with. Will be interesting to see if they move dates forward a day, I doubt it somehow. The period combined with the suprefact has turned me into a headachey slug.

If all goes well with the donor, I start the progynova and aspirin on Sat.

Here's hoping.

Beginning to feel the effect..

So it's been 4 days and the suprefact is definitely taking effect.
Day 1 - nothing.
Day 2 - snapped at everyone - all noticed change in me. Desperate for sex (!) (and got it - yay!)
Day 3 - much better mood, but headache all day - took migreleve to get rid of it in the end + pint of guinness.
Day 4 - mood good - headache still there - still want sex. Rather confused by this, as thought the suprefact put you into an instant menopause (not far off where I should rightly be) and low libido is usually assumed to be part of that. Still, increased sex drive it is - which means I now want it more than partner (usually we're pretty well matched) so he takes it in turns to look both horrified and delighted.

NB I don't think anyone wants pics of suprefact, needles and syringes (let me know if you do - I'll happily oblige) so I stuck a pic of one our cats (Mordred) to make this page seem more interesting!

Second Journey Begins - Lviv here we come!

Have finally started our journey again. It's taken a lot of emails to and fro and even more tests. But after 2 false starts (donor dropped out and then later, the new donor wasn't ready) we are now on track.

We have paid for half the tx, which came to £1,515. It would have been cheaper in dollars, but we didn't get the option. 3k is still loads cheaper than nearly anywhere else and I have only heard good things about Intersono.

Intersono sent me the protocol, which is nicely laid out in calendar form, explaining all the drugs I will need and when to use them. The donor will have her aspiration on 12/13th August and the ET will be 18th.

We have booked an apartment in Lviv (or Lvov) from the 11th to the 20th. The apartment was only £38 a day and is really lovely - not to mention right in the centre of Lviv! I am holding off the flight booking as I'm worried that it may all get cancelled - but once I know the donor is well on her way with her tx then I will book it.

I took my first injection of suprefact yesterday. I did it during the day as I wanted to make sure I got it right. I am lucky in that I have one very lovely friend who has been through Intersono (with great success) and another who is also going through ivf in this country. Both had syringes etc to spare and it meant I did not have to buy any!! I managed to get the suprefact from my surly GP, but he made me pay for it. I also got all the other drugs I needed at the same time - it all came to £70. One of my friends gave me an injection gun and it's so easy to use (once you've figured it out!!) that I would recommend it to anyone - particularly those nervous about giving themselves injections. I have a small bruise from the site, although I didn't feel anything at the time. I do bruise easily, so maybe I should go for the buttock. Intersono have not advised on any of this - so it's asking friends and looking up on the internet for most of my info. I'll give the belly one more go - God knows, there's enough flesh there!!

Will keep updating from now on, as it may well help others.

Any questions, please email me!