Kristina's Story Posted May 7, 2008 After a year of trying the natural way, we moved onto clomid and then clomid w/ IUI's. Nothing happened. I went to a big specialist and went to injectibles with IUI. As a result I contracted Strep A Toxic Shock Syndrome and nearly died. After 2 surgeries, 8 days of ICU, 7 days in the hospital and 3 months of rehab, I beat the odds, which were that about two-thirds of people who contract this awful disease die within hours. After a year of dealing with this near death experience I went to a different specialist and with a careful hand, we had a successful and unremarkable fresh IVF. My beautiful twin girls are now 3 yrs old. Mother's Day is every day for me. I'm now considering a FET cycle, but it is too early to decide yet. While Streptococcal Toxic Shock is a rare and deadly disease, it was the result of dangerous bacteria passing through the body's natural defense barriers and into a fertile, prepared uterus. The ER Dr's initially thought is was Ovarian Hyperstim (OHSS), but I'm grateful that the Trauma Chief rerouted my gurney away from the ob/gyn sono room and straight into the OR. I would have died while getting the sono. Clearly, I don't recomend the "big specialist" as it was at least a half dozen unanswered calls to him that landed me in the ER. I often do recommend the doctor and practice that ultimately helped me with my pregnancy. They are my angels on earth.