I thought it would be great to have a place to record my donor egg IVF cycle!
There are threads here for TTC, IUI and IVF but none so far specifically for donor egg cycles.
According to the donor nurse at FAA, there were 67 donor egg cycles at that clinic last year. This year, (hopefully) my DH and I will do one with help from our friend Fiona.

A quick intro and rave from me.
I was diagnosed with Endo when I was 32, after having a lap to remove an ovarian cyst. My gyno told me that I had severe (grade 4) endo which had damaged my left ovary and tube and was 'everywhere' Since I had never had any symptoms (except painful periods which I thought was normal) I was quite surprised to hear this. Unfortunately now I know quite a bit about gynaecological problems, but in those days I was very trusting and went ahead and had much more surgery including removal of left ovary, tube and a section of bowel which were all affected by endo. At that time I realised I might have trouble having children in the future (I was single) but was sure that it would happen :-)
Anyway, met my DH at the late age of 36 and after a while I went off the pill and hoped for the best. A year later we saw a Dr and were referred to FA for IVF. We had to wait around 12 months for our first cycle but it was incredible exciting as we had absolutely no doubt that it would happen for us straightaway. We're both healthy (apart from the #@#@%!! endo) so saw no problems conceiving with the help of our spec RF.
Well shock, horror it didn't work, but luckily we still had 7 frozen embryos so got stuck into some FETS, which didn't work either! We couldn't bear to wait another 12 months (public funding for IVF#2) so we paid for another cycle in Oct that year. That one resulted in a chemical pregnancy and unfortunately no frozens. After that RF suggested tying my remaining tube as he suspected a hydrosalphinx (fluid in the tube leaking into the uterus) So we did that and 2 months later I was back in surgery with a ruptured ectopic. Still don't know how that happened.
Recovered from that and did IVF#3, which strangely resulted in no eggs (the 'follicles' on the scan turned out to be blood filled cysts) as did IVF#4.
I'm now 40 and our new spec SK thinks that the endo has damaged my remaining ovary in a way that makes IVF ineffective. His recommendation is to use donor eggs.

I'm so sorry this was sooo long but I now feel I can start properly.

My DH and I were so shocked after that. I couldn't stop crying for about 3 weeks and DH was also really down. That is so not like him, as hes always been the encouraging one while I'm always bawling my eyes out. It was horrible realising that I will never have a child who looks like me or has any of the attributes I think are good (like good maori skin that doesn't burn!)
When DH and I were first starting TTC he made this really cool photo on the pc which was a picture of our future child using/merging photos of us both. Well I suppose it did look rather transvestite-ish :-) but it did look like quite a striking individual. To be honest I still can not accept that that person will never exist.
But during those horrible sad days I did grieve for that person and I think he did too

It was really really horrible telling people that the 4th IVF didn't work EITHER - I think people are too scared to ask after the first couple of failures, and our parents have basically given up. Some friends and family didn't even know we did another IVF as I just couldn't face telling them it didn't work AGAIN.
God I am just in awe of some of the ladies I read about on here and other sites who have done 6,7,8 or up to 16 IVF cycles. I honestly don't know how they have coped.
I told my friend Fiona (this is not her real name) and she really shocked me by saying that she wanted to donate her eggs to us. 2 other girlfriends had previously offered but at the time I wanted to continue trying with my own. These are 2 friends I grew up with who have their own families, and are my age. While DH and I felt so grateful that they offered, I don't really feel that comfortable with accepting their offers.
Well I was really excited about F's offer. Immediately it felt doable and she was serious.
Since then we have got together (me, DH, F and F's DH) and agreed to take it further.
F has had the initial blood tests and we have started on the 3 month stand down period. This is so ludicrous - apparently this outdated rule is based on the donor being a sperm donor (not egg) The donor must have blood tests for hepatitis, HIV etc and those tests must be repeated 3 months later. Until they are clear the actual donation process (IVF cycle) can't start.
But I suppose it gives everyone time to think. DH and I have our first counselling session scheduled in April. While we are pretty excited that its all happening, theres still the possibility that F might decide not to proceed. We have told her that we feel OK with whatever decision she makes. I absolutely adore her and even more now as I'm so grateful and blown away by her generosity. I feel very honoured actually and so proud, I wish I could tell everyone about her.

Beachgirl, good luck with your egg donor cycle - I hope it's the solution you need after all that carry on. We're about to advertise for a donor, so I'll follow your journey with interest.

Hi Catlady
Its a fascinating subject isn't it?
You're with FAA as well I think. I will be really interested to hear how you get on with the advertising and everything else.

yes we're with FAA. I think we're going to have another go with my old lady eggs while the donor advertising process is under way, so as not to waste any time, but I'll keep you updated.

Hi Beachgirl, I look forward to following your story. I was just lamenting to my DH about our situation but I can be very excited for others in their journeys and can't wait to hear your next step. All the best. X

Hi Lou, I find it so amazing that after the IVF failures I think I can never do it again, and when the possibility of another comes along - I am totally excited and optimistic again!
Denial is so good hee hee

Catlady, if I had any eggs I would keep trying too. It must be so hard to give up on your own when you have had some success (even if sadly it results in a loss) Theres lots of stories out there about ladies who have been told they're too old to produce decent eggs - who have then gone on to get pregnant.

My friend (intended donor) has just told me that she finds the waiting quite tough. Umm what waiting??!!! :-) Guess I am just used to it as the 3 months is flying by

Beachgirl - Didn't I tell you that when you get into a donor cycle, it seems really normal!!!! You sound like you have really come around to the idea and I'm pleased you have found a donor so quickly. Believe me, the three months will go quickly but I guess you know that.

My donor started GonalF today and I started Progynova - we both have down regulated!!! I look forward to seeing how you go - good luck my sweet - will be watching to see how you go..xx

NGladys, this is your time, I can feel it in my water! I've got everything crossed for you and can't wait to hear how it all goes.

NGladys - you were so right :-)
Oh gosh, so exciting for you. How is your donor feeling? and do you feel OK with it all? I already feel a wee bit guilty about my poor friend and dread her feeling discomfort. Mind you, she tells me after childbirth everything is bearable and she has no concerns about blood, needles, dildo scans etc. She is such a champion, I would be so proud to have a child with her genes ( intelligent, lovely personality and really pretty with slim legs and small bum)
I will be so interested to see how you go too x

Beachgirl, I haven't called my donor for a week but thought I would tomorrow after her first GF injection. She's been getting her partner to do the injections so he feels part of it. I too feel really bad about what I'm going to put my donor through - being a nurse she's not scared or worried about the pain. I just think, it's short and painful and if it was that bad, would I have gone back 6 times!!! After child birth I'm sure being a donor is a breeze really. I'm just wrapped you have found someone so quickly - that's the hardest thing.

I think about my donor's genes as well. Not only is she beautiful, intelligent, etc, she doesn't have the dodgy genes my family has!@!@! Got to be a good thing!!

Thanks Catlady - here's hoping it's finally my time. As much as it's lovely to be going through it again, I can't get excited - after 7 cycles I'm a bit battered really.

My donor/intended donor (don't know what to call her) is having her day 2 blood tests tomorrow. I feel so excited! I wonder what her FSH is... prob alot lower than mine 19.4 :-O It does feel quite intrusive though - we are friends, but she didn't tell me when she had her period before. And I'm dying to know what her FSH is, but don't want to ask because it is her personal business after all. I mean as long as its acceptable to the clinic, thats all I need to know IYKWIM
This is such uncharted territory for me
NGladys I wonder how your donor went with her first Gonal F injection. Its good she is a nurse so she won't be so scared of the needles. I hope it went OK

Oh goodness, I'd not thought about about all the BT levels and stuff _ I'd want to know everything, I'm such a nosy old sod! I'll have to get used to the idea that the donor won't wnt me knowing everything - cripes!

Beachgirl, I was the same. Wanted to know what my donor's FSH was etc, I ended up calling the nurses and asking them the results. Bit naughty but I didn't want my donor to feel as though I was pushing her. it was a perfect 3. I'm like you, my FSH was 19.0

I called my donor tonight and she is doing her first GF injection later tonight. Asked her how she was going on the BI - has been okay, flushed neck and a bit teary last night for no reason. We had a lovely long chat as she had more questions about the process after egg collection - when do they go back into me - how do we know how many have fertilised and when do we find out, could we keep them informed. Said that DH and I would call them as soon as we know anything along the way and that she and her DP would be god parents to any children if we are so lucky. We talked about each of my previous 6 cycles in detail and now that she's going through it, I think she understands more about what we have been though.

They have really bought into this whole process and she can't believe how much she has learnt or how much this has changed her life or how much she wants this to work. I have butterflies in my stomach after talking to her - she so wants it to work - she was really excited but I'm still finding it really hard to get excited. She's such a beautiful person. She's away at a wedding this weekend but has her first BT next Tuesday with scan either Wednesday or Thursday. She's so not worried about the injections or the process.

Catlady, the nurses tell you that when anything happens with your donor, they call you and let you know. So far, they have been really good at letting me know where she is at which helps. I've been wanting to know everything as well but it's been easier this time. Last time my sister was staying with us for the whole donor cycle and I actually found that much harder as I was concentrating on her, not me - even forgot to start my progynova last time as I was so wrapped up in her cycle and forgot mine!! I think it's easier with a donor cycle - you only talk to Juanita or Lisa in Auckland if doing your cycle through Auckland, through Wellington you could get a phone call from anyone of the nurses and the left hand never quite knew what the right hand was doing. I don't think I felt as comfortable. Anyway time will tell.

Was gutted to find out that the donor cycle with Megamac didn't work - that made me a bit down today.

NGladys I reckon BI side effects are the worst so I hope she starts feeling better once on GF. I will feel so bad for my donor when/if she starts suffering :-( and I can see that the physical distance thing could be good in some ways.
Did you know that the average age of the egg recipients at FAA is 42? Thats what Juanita told me, she said I was young (as are you)
Oh and more stats from Juanita - in the last couple of months they have had 12 BFPs and 2 BFNs from the donor egg cycles.... So, get excited!!

OMG - that's fantastic stats!!!!! I so don't know how many more cycles I can take!!! Cricky, I didn't realise they're getting such good results!! Certainly their site doesn't have stats like that published - been spending a fair bit of time googling donor success rates and getting mixed messages.

I know Juanita told me I was young (cricky - don't feel it at 41) and that she knew someone going through her 18th cycle!!!

I don't really suffer side effects from the BI - a bit hot all the time but that's about it. I'm pleased my donor hasn't had too many as well. Let's hope your donor doesn't as well.

I've been keeping busy today Diamond shopping!!! Would you believe my diamond in my engagement ring cracked last week!!

NGladys is the ring insured as that might cover the repair? And depending how long you've had it the jeweler might mend it for free on the warranty (I got mine ring repaired at Michael Hill twice after it broke two times within the first few months of having it - both repairs were free). Just a thought. Failing that, if you just wait a few months my husband's new online diamond ring business will be up and running and I might be able to get you mates' rates - hehe

Gosh, what have you been doing with it? (the diamond) Maybe you need a bigger one :-)
Those stats are fantastic eh!!
I'm really interested in the parenting/telling aspects. Quite looking forward to (and dreading) the counselling sessions as theres lots of issues like this.
It would be so good to actually talk to someone who has a child conceived through donor egg, in NZ, and from a known donor.