IVF ICSI with PGD update - still in the game!

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

So our Valentine’s Day treat was a phone call from the embryologist to tell us that, of our four frozen embies, we have a “normal” one (it may have normal chromosomes or it may have a balanced translocation like my hubbie- both count as normal). Huge sigh of relief that we *should* have something to transfer in an FET in the near future. As long as it defrosts...

Of the other three embryos, two had the unbalanced chromosome arrangement that is the specific risk we are trying to avoid, and one had some other spontaneous chromosome abnormality. That’s the one I feel bad about... maybe it would have been viable (though probably with disabilities) but we are now not allowed to transfer it (NHS rules, and we are NHS funded). The choice has been taken away from us. But I knew that when we accepted the funding so I can’t dwell on it.

Now we have another two week wait for our next appointment with the consultant. I expect the next step after that will be preparation for a frozen transfer but I would quite like to ask about whether there’s any chance of doing another egg collection (back up / siblings) first. I don’t think there will be though, due to having funding (and funding is very important as IVF with PGD apparently costs a minimum of 11 grand).

[Kari55]

Really good news! Good luck x

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Kari55]

Thank you x

[Elizabeth86]

This is such amazing news! So happy for you. Sounds like it’s definitely worth atleast asking the question about another egg collection. 11 Grand is some serious cash money! Hope you both have a lovely happy v day following this news xxx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Elizabeth86]

Thank you- hubbie actually working away but we had a nice phone call!

[Caroliono4]

Thanks for your update Lizzie I have been wondering how you have been getting on after your collection so it is great to hear that one of your embryos is normal. I'm sorry I cant offer any help regarding the NHS funding as we are self funding due to age although I think the PGS would have added another £2K onto our cycle. If I was younger and had one normal embryo banked I think I would definitely want to try and get another one. X

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Caroliono4]

Thanks for your reply Caroliono4. 😊

PGS is slightly different to PGD, although they didn’t have to develop a special test for us as they have to for some genetic disorders, so maybe it wouldn’t have been quite as much as it is for some people, but still probably more than a “standard” PGS I think.

[Hidden]

I can’t advise over funding side but I wanted to wish you the very best and hope the one embryo left is all you will need 😍🌈 xoxo

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[TTCs]

Ah so glad to hear u have 1 that looks like it will be good to go for transfer! What a rollercoaster u have been on! Its worth asking about another egg collection, the worst they can say is no! Xxx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to TTCs]

I think they probably have to say no, but I want to work out if we have the time to step outside nhs funding and then step back in again! We are on a time limit as funding ends on my 40th birthday in July... we do have some funds but we have already self-funded a full cycle and the £3grand of testing so we need to be sensible about what we do next! Realistically it’s probably going to be an FET asap with the hope that, if it fails, we might just have time to do one more EC before D-day! And if it succeeds then I guess we have to accept we are lucky to have one, and maybe let go of the hope of siblings.

[Cinderella5]

In so pleased that you have a magic little embies there!!👏 From my own experience the NHS cycles are fresh then frozen or that's how it was for me in Scotland. Wishing you all the luck in the world!!xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Cinderella5]

This is specific funding for the PGD process and is from a separate national pot to the usual funding, but yes I think it will still need to be the FET before another EC could be funded, I’m just wanting to investigate whether we could pay for another EC in the meantime (because of age related worries really) but I think we will probably decide to go for it with the FET instead, as that counts as part of the same cycle (there are no fresh transfers with PGD).

[Cinderella5 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Definitely worth an ask and I'm a great believer in "if you dont ask, you don't get"!! Yes sorry, I understand about the no fresh with PGD....just meant that they may make you use your embryo before another cycle....i do think that if you were paying it might be another story so defo look into it!!xxx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Cinderella5]

Just want to know all my options. Talking it through on here helps... I think I’ve almost made my mind up just to try and have the FET ASAP and worry about any further egg collections after that. That was our original plan but we had allowed ourselves to hope that with four frozen we might get two normal ones (even though we knew the stats are only 1 in 6 normal for us) so I think we feel a bit less happy with one normal one than we should!

Thanks for listening, as it were xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Ahhh that's what we're all here for. I think having a sounding board helps massively....even if we know deep down what we're already thinking. Just nice to know we have someone to talk things through with!! I know that I just want to get on too. Heaps of luck with what you decide lovely!!xxx

[Hidden]

Glad there is some good news. I hope the one embryo will be the one that brings you so much joy.all the very best with fet.xx

[E_05]

That’s brilliant news! Hope all continues positively x

[Dunla]

So glad you received some good news. Best of luck now for your appointment with the consultant to decide on your next steps xx

[7AVA]

Great news Lizzie, everything crossed for your little embie xxx

[Hidden]

Lizzie I just read this, I am really pleased to see that you have one embie that keeps you in the game. I'm sorry about the one you are not allowed to use.

I see this was a week ago, so any more thoughts on another round or head for FET?

Also having the same thoughts here. Go for FET with the one embie or do a fresh round and use the one frostie as a kind of insurance policy, if i dont get any embies out of the fresh round.

On a side note - I was with a friend today and her little one who was her one and only embie - who was a supposed average grade embie - and her last try. It takes one good egg/embie. xxx

[WeeMrsH]

This is good news! I missed this with being on hols. Hope you don’t wait too long for the transfer 🤞🏼 xx