Friday, August 15, 2008

Friday's Connections Abound

Welcome to today's edition of Connections Abound. The Face-to-Face Lost and Found page is permanently located beneath this current post. Old Connections Abound can be accessed via the date or subject archives listed on the sidebar. Check the submissions page, FAQ, and ways to get involved for additional information. Email me at thetowncriers@gmail.com with any questions/concerns.

Lost and Found is open to anyone in the infertility, pregnancy loss, adoption, pregnancy-and-parenting after infertility, assisted conception, living child-free after infertility or loss community (as well as anyone I inadvertently missed on that list). Please support the list as well as anyone posting announcements below.

Connections Abound

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
New
  • Bridges continues to post daily. Click over to participate in the True View Friday Open Thread.
  • If you haven't read yet about the 100 Words project (the first of many), please click over to read and participate. I've been reading the entries all morning and they're chilling. And emotional. And incredible.
  • Cool Opportunity: From Mrs. Spock: "I've been in contact with one of the editors of Our Bodies, Ourselves. I reviewed their new Pregnancy and Birth book and noted in my impression of it that they were missing material regarding how the emotions of infertility treatments affect a subsequent pregnancy and birth choices. I am now writing an article on the subject for the book's companion website and could use a few quotes. I was wondering if any of the ladies in the ALI blogosphere would be willing to email me regarding how their experience of infertility affected their experience of pregnancy, negatively or positively, and if it affected their choices regarding the birth and birth providers. Any quote that I would use would be anonymous, just like all quotes found in the OBOS books." Isn't that so cool? Doesn't Mrs. Spock rock? Beyond being a Clicker and all. I love OBOS and I am so excited that she is doing this.
  • Mary Update and a Request: As you know, Mary does not have a blog, though she is a monthly drinker at the Virtual Lushary. She received bad news with the pregnancy. At the last ultrasound, the baby's heartrate hadn't increased and the baby was barely in the normal range for growth. They go back this Monday for more news. Right now they place viability at 15%. This weekend is going to be terrible. Please leave Mary a message in the comment box below that she can collect throughout the weekend.
  • Question: One Day Two Day is looking for advice on non-pharmaceutical ways of getting her TSH under control. Got any advice?
  • Question: Egged On has questions about continuing with donor eggs. Please go over to her blog and weigh in.
  • Question: MerrieB has questions about Fertell. If you've ever used the test, go over and give your thoughts.
  • Question: A Uterus Divided's cervix is shortening. She is only 23.5 weeks. She is looking for treatment advice from those who have encountered similar situations.
Old
  • The IComLeavWe list for August is up. Join in the conversation--it's a week of increased comments and commenting (and hopefully picking up a few new permanent readers along the way). If you still have up the old icon for July, please take it down (the red one).
  • If you notice another loading slow down or receive error messages for Stirrup Queens or Lost and Found, please let me know. Now I'm nervous every time I add anything to the side bar!
NEW BLOGS (started in July or August 2008)
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES (celebrate your birthday or blogoversary with the community. Send me date at any point and I'll post them on the correct day)
  • It was No Swimmers blogoversary this week. It's not too late to go wish her congratulations.
  • Fertility Challenged in Florida is celebrating her 5 year anniversary tomorrow. Go wish her congratulations.
  • When All Else Fails celebrated her wedding anniversary this week. It's not too late to celebrate with her!
  • Kim and Scott from I Am A Butterfly celebrate their 9th wedding anniversary this week. It's not too late to tell them congratulations.
  • Happy birthday--today--to Fancy Nancy. Go over and sing her a song.
LOSS REMEMBRANCES (send in the dates of loss anniversaries and I will post them on the correct day)
  • Jen is remembering her first loss today. Please go give her a hug.
LOSS ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • None Today.
MISCELLANEOUS SUPPORT AND CELEBRATIONS (scary scans, anxious waits, OHSS, and a host of other reasons why these bloggers could use some additional support right now. Also, celebratory retrievals, transfers, and other good news)
  • Thalia received a negative beta this week on her IVF cycle. Please go over and give her a hug.
  • Life as a Sandwich's cat and MIL (Mama) have both been diagnosed with cancer. Go support her in this tough time.
  • The Way I See It's husband came home early for his midtour leave to ensure he didn't miss Colin's birth! Celebrate with them!
  • Fertile yet Infertile has had some spotting. She doesn't have an ultrasound scheduled until Monday. Please sit with her through the weekend.
  • Searching For Hope just gave her two weeks notice. She's moving to a great job but could use some hugs as leaving her patients will be tough.
  • In Due Time is going through a really tough time at the moment and could really use some support. It looks like her Mum could lose her house and she's doing her best to help her.
  • Bee Cee had her retrieval today-please go wish her well!
  • Busted's FET was today. Go wish her luck with the wait.
  • Single Tracy at Baby Steps started meds for her donor FET cycle.
  • Lightning in a Bottle's young nephew is in the hospital with breathing difficulties. Send their family your support.
  • The Infertile Journey's egg retrieval is today with less than optimal number of follicles and low estrogen level. She needs prayers for comfort and that by some miracle there are enough eggs to fertilize to turn into enough embryos to make it to transfer.
  • From Here to Maternity could use some extra love.
  • Rho had a negative from this cycle. Please go give her a hug.
  • Living a New Life needs some extra love right now.
  • Andria and Co. was attacked by a bobcat. Please go over and give her support.
  • Baby Blues received a negative for her medicated IUI. Please go give her a hug.
BEDREST BABES: on bedrest following infertility or loss and needing support. Drop in on them and keep them company.
PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
  • Down That Dirt Road goes in for her ultrasound on Monday. Go wish her good luck.
  • The Modernity Ward (formerly Leery Polyp) is having a girl.
  • Butterfly on my Shoulder had a great ultrasound. Baby is measuring right where it should. She has an appointment with her OB on Monday.
  • Miss E is having two girls!
  • It's a boy--or, she is doing the reverse gender thing :-) -- for Niobe.
  • Surprise BFP for Ms. Heathen at Reproductively Challenged! She's being cautiously optimistic until their first scan on the 27th.
BIRTH AND ADOPTION ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • Two boys and a girl for Schatzi. Go over and wish her congratulations.
  • Mommy Someday? gave birth to Sweet Pea on July 28th. Go over and wish her congratulations.
Read and Support

11 comments:

HereWeGoAJen said...

Mary, I want you to know that I am thinking about all of you this weekend.

Kristin said...

Mary...you are in my thoughts and prayers. One of my real life ALI friends went through a very similar incident and it turned out well for her. I hope and pray your little one is just a slow starter and surprises all the doctors.

Anonymous said...

Mary I am thinking of you now and will continue to hold you in the light all weekend.

Niki said...

Mary, many warm hugs, thoughts and tons and tons of strength are coming your way this weekend! ((HUGS))

Mel said...

Mary, please know that there are many out here in the blogosphere that want so badly for this all to work out for you. We are keeping you in our thoughts and in our prayers. *hugs*

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

You are not alone, thinking of you and your family.

Tash said...

Mary, so incredibly sorry. You're in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Mary,
I don't know you at all, but you have been on my mind since I first read that you were transferring donor embryos (we did this in April and are about to go through it all again). Warm thought and positive energy will be sent your way this weekend. It is the hardest thing, this wait. I hope you can feel the support that there is for you here.

JuliaS said...

Mary - all my best hopes, prayers and wishes. Sending you thoughts of peace and comfort.

Bea said...

Thinking of Mary, and hoping.

Bea

Anonymous said...

Mary--I'll be thinking about you. HUGE HUGS coming your way.