Ben and I arrived in Toronto yesterday afternoon and my IP's picked us up and took us back to the hotel. We're at a nice place downtown Toronto just a couple miles away from Lake Ontario. We walked down to the lake and took a fairy out to an island where we spent the evening putzing around, taking in the view of the lake, and enjoying the city lights from the island. Of course we ended with ice cream. It was a great start to our adventure here.
The egg retrieval was done yesterday morning and they were able to get 20 eggs! Around the same time the genetic information deposit was given and the eggs were fertilized. We'd have to wait until today to hear how many eggs were actually fertilized...(drum roll please)...16 embryos are growing in the lab! It was fun to be with my IP's when they got the news about their little ones :) The doctor will pick the best two embryos on Tuesday morning and use IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) to get them into my womb. Of course my IP's hope that they have twins, as the carrier, I'm sending my positive thoughts to having just one stick (this is the only thing that we haven't agreed on)!
The morning after the egg retrieval is when the progesterone vaginal suppositories start. That means today was the day. How does that work you wonder?! I thought the same. There is a little one inch pill shaped waxy material that is placed in a handy little applicator, similar to a tampon applicator, and it's inserted the same way as a tampon. I was warned that I'd have to wear a liner because there would be some leakage, and they were totally right. I'm really excited that I'll have to do this twice a day for what might seem like eternity. The progesterone fools my body into thinking that it's pregnant and more likely to accept the embryos. Yippee!
We thought that it would be fun to head to Niagara Falls to celebrate Ben's 31st Birthday, so we took off this morning for our excursion. We took a 54 second elevator ride to the top of a giant tower to look at the falls from way up high. It was a breathtaking view! We headed down for a close up look and even took a behind the falls tour. We were given yellow ponchos to wear and looked like a bunch of little ducks. We had lots of photo ops and definitely stopped for each one. I especially like the photo we got after supper, of our Somerset native, next to the "Duke of Somerset" restaurant sign. We ended the day on the 27th floor overlooking the lake with a chocolate Gluten Free cake and relaxation in the hot tub. I guess everyone was in the hot tub except for me, but my feet enjoyed it!
We'll learn all the information and instrucions about the transfer tomorrow via email. We're really close!
*photos to follow*
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
So what's next?
What a whirlwind of a week it has been. I did my last Luporn shot on Saturday night while at a girls weekend gathering. My sister-in-law watched and that one actually hurt and bled. I'm still bruised...I guess I have stage fright!
The egg donor left on Sunday for Canada. She began a week of monitoring and drug alterations to get her eggs ready for the retrieval. We heard all week that things were looking good!
My IP's landed in Toronto on Tuesday to begin their adventure, do some sight seeing, and find all the cool places to show us when we arrive tomorrow. I can't remember if I wrote previously that the transfer happens in Canada? I've been told that it's a lot less expensive to have the transfer done up there, so that's why we are all traveling for the procedure.
I had a telephone call on Wednesday during lunch with Kim, from IARC, to discuss all the travel information that I needed to know. We were going to get an update that evening on exact dates for the egg retrieval and transfer. Between lunch and 4:00 there was a lot of information exchanged from our doctor to Kim. I'm guessing that it was a very stressful time for Kim. She was told that it was going to be a couple days until the "Trigger Shot" (to release the eggs in 36 hours) which was originally planned for that night. This would throw off all of our travel dates, but by the end of the day they said it looked like she would be ready to be triggered the next day. So, as of Wednesday we were thinking that the transfer would be July 11th instead of the 10th. That might extend my trip an extra day.
Yesterday we got news that the donor would be triggered that night and that the transfer date was scheduled for the 9th. I'm not exactly sure why we are doing a 3 day transfer instead of a 5 day transfer, but my IP's sent me a message that they are "over the moon!" I think everyone is just ready for this to really start.
I had an early morning appointment today to have my uterine lining measured. There is nothing worse a 6' 3" gigantic creepy man to call your name when you are heading in for a trans vaginal ultrasound! Seriously, he would be the last person that I want looking up my pikachu. I'm really surprised that they even allow creepy men to work in those delicate areas! Anyway, I had to make small talk with the guy to make it less uncomfortable. It all turned out fine, other than the fact that he was really creepy. I was told I needed to measure at a 7 or above, and the lining inside my uterus is at an 11, baby! My body is really ready for this ;)
I spoke with Anne Marie from the clinic in Toronto this afternoon. She told me that I'll begin my progesterone vaginal suppositories on Sunday morning. I'll have to insert one in the morning and one in the evening until confirmation of pregnancy (except not the morning of the transfer), and then I'll be told what to do at that point for meds. She'll be sending me all the information on Monday with regards to the transfer instructions, times, etc. The transfer is TUESDAY!
My IP's had an appointment with our doctor today. They learned that everything looks optimal- semen, egg development, and uterine thickness. Looks like we are going to be having a sticky situation very soon!
Tomorrow is a HUGE day. The egg retrieval is scheduled, fertilization will happen, and babies will start to grow! Also, Ben and I fly out early in the morning. We decided that we'd get up to Canada to do some sight seeing and hang out with our IP's for a couple of days before the transfer. We're even going to have an excursion to Niagara Falls for a day!
It's crazy the emotions that we're all going through right now. Yesterday I was feeling very nauseous and nervous. I think that reality was sinking in as we dropped off our kids. Today I'm a little giddy and excited. I'm thinking that these are all good emotions. My Dad told Ben and I, as we said good-bye, how proud of us he was. I'm so thankful to be surrounded by awesome support! This is more than helping a couple have a child. This is about creating a family! One day my IP's will be telling their kids how proud of them they are, and that's what this is about! Pay it forward...
The egg donor left on Sunday for Canada. She began a week of monitoring and drug alterations to get her eggs ready for the retrieval. We heard all week that things were looking good!
My IP's landed in Toronto on Tuesday to begin their adventure, do some sight seeing, and find all the cool places to show us when we arrive tomorrow. I can't remember if I wrote previously that the transfer happens in Canada? I've been told that it's a lot less expensive to have the transfer done up there, so that's why we are all traveling for the procedure.
I had a telephone call on Wednesday during lunch with Kim, from IARC, to discuss all the travel information that I needed to know. We were going to get an update that evening on exact dates for the egg retrieval and transfer. Between lunch and 4:00 there was a lot of information exchanged from our doctor to Kim. I'm guessing that it was a very stressful time for Kim. She was told that it was going to be a couple days until the "Trigger Shot" (to release the eggs in 36 hours) which was originally planned for that night. This would throw off all of our travel dates, but by the end of the day they said it looked like she would be ready to be triggered the next day. So, as of Wednesday we were thinking that the transfer would be July 11th instead of the 10th. That might extend my trip an extra day.
Yesterday we got news that the donor would be triggered that night and that the transfer date was scheduled for the 9th. I'm not exactly sure why we are doing a 3 day transfer instead of a 5 day transfer, but my IP's sent me a message that they are "over the moon!" I think everyone is just ready for this to really start.
 |
| I walked through a rainbow on the way out of my appointment and it made me really happy, so I had to take a picture of my happy uterus! |
I had an early morning appointment today to have my uterine lining measured. There is nothing worse a 6' 3" gigantic creepy man to call your name when you are heading in for a trans vaginal ultrasound! Seriously, he would be the last person that I want looking up my pikachu. I'm really surprised that they even allow creepy men to work in those delicate areas! Anyway, I had to make small talk with the guy to make it less uncomfortable. It all turned out fine, other than the fact that he was really creepy. I was told I needed to measure at a 7 or above, and the lining inside my uterus is at an 11, baby! My body is really ready for this ;)
I spoke with Anne Marie from the clinic in Toronto this afternoon. She told me that I'll begin my progesterone vaginal suppositories on Sunday morning. I'll have to insert one in the morning and one in the evening until confirmation of pregnancy (except not the morning of the transfer), and then I'll be told what to do at that point for meds. She'll be sending me all the information on Monday with regards to the transfer instructions, times, etc. The transfer is TUESDAY!
This is the room where the transfer will happen
My IP's just sent this photo to me!
My IP's had an appointment with our doctor today. They learned that everything looks optimal- semen, egg development, and uterine thickness. Looks like we are going to be having a sticky situation very soon!
Tomorrow is a HUGE day. The egg retrieval is scheduled, fertilization will happen, and babies will start to grow! Also, Ben and I fly out early in the morning. We decided that we'd get up to Canada to do some sight seeing and hang out with our IP's for a couple of days before the transfer. We're even going to have an excursion to Niagara Falls for a day!
It's crazy the emotions that we're all going through right now. Yesterday I was feeling very nauseous and nervous. I think that reality was sinking in as we dropped off our kids. Today I'm a little giddy and excited. I'm thinking that these are all good emotions. My Dad told Ben and I, as we said good-bye, how proud of us he was. I'm so thankful to be surrounded by awesome support! This is more than helping a couple have a child. This is about creating a family! One day my IP's will be telling their kids how proud of them they are, and that's what this is about! Pay it forward...
Monday, June 24, 2013
Moving Right Along
I got word today from IP-A that their egg donor got the stamp of approval from her monitoring appointment. She'll be visiting our doctor (we'll all use the same one) in Toronto next week for another monitoring appointment and the final retrieval and transfer date will be set. We're tentatively looking at July 5th for the egg retrieval/fertilization and the 10th for the transfer, but that can fluctuate a day or two in either direction. I also have a monitoring appointment for July 5th to make sure my lining is thick enough and ready for the transfer. This is such an interesting process!
I've been doing just fine with my Lupron injections. It really doesn't hurt at all! Five of the ten days are complete and I have yet to feel any loopy side effects. The hardest part is actually staying up until 9:00 some nights.
Saturday I started my Estrace tabs twice per day until confirmation of pregnancy. Again, I haven't felt any side effects from the hormones. I've heard some surrogates say they loved being on hormones but I don't feel any different yet, so I can't really give my opinion.
We were able to hang out with our IP's this weekend while we were in the cities. They are such wonderful people! I feel fortunate that they want to be so involved in the pregnancy and the whole process! It was a strange feeling giving them a hug good-bye knowing that the next time I see them will be in Toronto where their little embryos will be growing and waiting for a home in my womb, at least two of them anyway.
I've been doing just fine with my Lupron injections. It really doesn't hurt at all! Five of the ten days are complete and I have yet to feel any loopy side effects. The hardest part is actually staying up until 9:00 some nights.
Saturday I started my Estrace tabs twice per day until confirmation of pregnancy. Again, I haven't felt any side effects from the hormones. I've heard some surrogates say they loved being on hormones but I don't feel any different yet, so I can't really give my opinion.
We were able to hang out with our IP's this weekend while we were in the cities. They are such wonderful people! I feel fortunate that they want to be so involved in the pregnancy and the whole process! It was a strange feeling giving them a hug good-bye knowing that the next time I see them will be in Toronto where their little embryos will be growing and waiting for a home in my womb, at least two of them anyway.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Hello Josie, My Name is Lupron...
*Less Than 3 weeks until the Transfer*
I was due for my cycle to begin Monday, Tuesday at the latest. When I went to sleep Tuesday night I was very scared that something was wrong with me because it hadn't started yet. In terms of my menstrual cycle, I'm one of those women who is so regular that I can almost time it to the hour. I honestly don't think I have ever gone longer than 28 days between my periods except when I was pregnant. (Now you know more about me than you ever thought you needed, but this is a huge day because meds start when my cycle starts.)
My REM sleep got the best of me that night when I woke up in panic mode because I had the WORST nightmare ever! You guessed it, in my dream I was pregnant...with Ben and my baby! AHHHH!!! First of all, Dr. snippy snippy would be in big trouble if this happened. Second, this was probably the scariest dream ever because we truly don't want any more kids, and I'm pretty sure I'd be bawling the same way I was in my nightmare! After waking up at 3:30 am I couldn't fall back asleep and stressed the rest of the night about not starting my cycle yet.
During lunch the next day, I still didn't have my period, I decided that I should put my mind a ease and take a pregnancy test. Of course it came back negative and it made me feel so much better just knowing that all was well. I guess the anticipation made my body react in such a strange way. I text Ben right away and all he could do was laugh. I called my IP's on my way home from work and they laughed so hard at the whole story. Thank God I'm not pregnant with our child. Lets hope next month our IP's little Pea sticks in my Pod!
My cycle started today, so that means Lupron starts today!
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| EEEK! |
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| It might be BLOODY (It didn't bleed at all) |
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| I figured it would be best to sit down just in case I passed out |
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| Close up |
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| DONE! IT REALLY WASN'T BAD AT ALL Thanks to my AMAZING Husband for the wonderful photos!!! |
I thought it was important to text my IP's, Sister, and Mom a countdown about 11 minutes before the poke, so they could feel a little bit of what I was as the anticipation grew. I watched Jamie, from the YouTube video, as I prepared for the injection. I'm thinking that will be the only time I will need her to walk me through this process. It was so easy! I felt a tiny stick but not even a little burn as it went in. My heart was racing the whole time and it only took a moment to calm down when I was done. I'm not going to sweat this again!
I asked my friend, Charity, how she felt from the Lupron and she warned me that one can get a little moody from it. Another Surrogate friend, Nicole, said that the worst side effect was the headaches. I have just nine more days of injections. My Estrace tabs start on Saturday.
Travel plans begin tomorrow!
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Feeling a Little Lightheaded
Step-by-Step Training...Yeah Right!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsCsnvY6jY8
(she is injecting her leg...I'm injecting my belly)
How on earth can a dental hygienist who administers local anesthetic to people every working day feel lightheaded about injecting a tiny little insulin needle into her own stomach? Monday is my anticipated Day 1 (The first day of ones next menstrual cycle) and when I'll begin 10 days of Lupron injections. They go into my lower abdomen near my belly button.
I sat down to watch the video provided by Walgreens about how to administer Lupron injections. The video basically told me that the injection would be placed in the fatty area at a 90 or 45 degree angle and that's about it. The only good thing about having a Mama pouch is that this shouldn't hurt as much as someone with rock hard abs! The next best thing after watching a crappy video was to check out Youtube. I watched several videos and decided that Jamie was the most likable and someone that I could stand spending five minutes a day with for ten days. I plan on her walking me through the steps as I give myself (deep breath) this injection.
I know that most of you think that I could just have Ben give me the shot, right?!?! Those of you that have had a back rub by my amazing husband know that he doesn't have a gentle touch, so I'm a little affraid of giving him a needle and allowing him to JAB it in my belly. I have to do this one myself, or perhaps find a willing nurse :)
Next update=first injection day
Wish me luck!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
The Meds Arrived!
The meds are finally here...
...I'm a little nervous...
...I wonder what's inside...
...of course the sharps container has to be on top!
Here is the inventory of my medications
I start my injections of Lupron, which basically quiets my eggs so I don't ovulate, on Day 1 of my next cycle (aprox 1.5 weeks away). I'm directed to start the Estrace oral tablet on the 22nd of June. I have Progesterone vaginal suppositories that I'll take when IARC informs me. I've taken off of work July 9-11th for a July 10th TRANSFER! The egg retrieval is planned (for now anyway) on July 5th.
I'm not sure if many of you are aware that the transfer is actually going to happen in Toronto, Canada. It's about 2.5 times cheaper for my IP's and our agency uses this clinic quite frequently. In fact, this will be the egg donors fourth donation with the same doctor that we'll be using. We've heard from the doctor that he had good success with this donor!
My IP's met with their lawyer today to get everything set for their Wills and Power of Attorney. We need to know what to do with the little peanut if, God forbid, anything tragic happens. I heard from them today and they said that it's information overload and it made their heads swim. They'll have that all wrapped up before the transfer happens (and that is really soon)!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Behind the Scenes
I am watching Rules of Engagement with Ben as I write this and the episode is about surrogacy. It's interesting the way the media portrays surrogacy and how the facts are so skewed. I'm pretty sure that I've said, "That's not right!" about ten times. I really like that surrogacy is becoming more common and accepted by people worldwide. I'm so happy that our kids are allowed have an open mind on how a family can be created in many ways. I truly believe it's a gift for our IP's and our family!
Surrogacy can take interesting twists and turns along the way. Late Friday I received a message from Keely that I needed to get a clearance letter from my doctor that I'm healed from the Mono and healthy to proceed. The fertility doctor needed this letter before we could start our medication protocol. I called my ENT pronto. He was the one who diagnosed the Mono and did my Tonsillectomy. His nurse called back just minutes later and sated that he wasn't comfortable writing a letter because he doesn't deal with pregnancy. He asked that I call my primary care physician to obtain the letter from her. I haven't been to my primary care physician in a little while and she didn't diagnose the Mono, so I thought this would take a bit to get this letter.
I called my primary care physician on Friday and it sounded like they would get back to me the same day. I didn't hear back from them, of course I called them first thing on Tuesday morning! They said they had called me on Friday several times and got a busy signal each time. Thank goodness I'm impatient and called them back. They asked several medical questions to make sure that Mono was gone and said they'd write the letter, "But your doctor is out until Thursday". UGH, Seriously!?! Then I asked them if the last doctor I saw would be able to sign it? YES! They said she'd have it ready the same day...
I knew the clinic had a glitch in the phone system and they couldn't reach me, so I figured it was kosher for me to call five times in one afternoon, but still no letter. I was able to run to the clinic and check with them in person to see if the letter was ready. NOPE, not ready yet. My brilliant idea was to sign the release and have them fax the letter to Keely as soon as it was signed. Hopefully the next day it'd be ready to rock n' roll!
I called my IP's last night to share the news of all the behind the scene work that I had been doing to get things rolling. They told me that they have a couple things they have to get done before we do the transfer and have a meeting all scheduled to go over more paperwork. Paperwork is the story of our lives lately! They're so supportive and understanding. We're so lucky to be matched with them :)
I felt a bit more relaxed today about obtaining this letter. I didn't check my phone until lunchtime and I had a message from the clinic and Keely that she'd already received the letter and we're moving on! Actually, we are moving on to our next contact person. Welcome into my world, Kim! I should be hearing from her before the end of the week and she'll be it from here on out. Yay for getting one step closer.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm done taking my Children's liquid Ibuprofen for my throat! I've been able to eat real food since Monday and I'm feeling GREAT! Yay for quick healing.
Surrogacy can take interesting twists and turns along the way. Late Friday I received a message from Keely that I needed to get a clearance letter from my doctor that I'm healed from the Mono and healthy to proceed. The fertility doctor needed this letter before we could start our medication protocol. I called my ENT pronto. He was the one who diagnosed the Mono and did my Tonsillectomy. His nurse called back just minutes later and sated that he wasn't comfortable writing a letter because he doesn't deal with pregnancy. He asked that I call my primary care physician to obtain the letter from her. I haven't been to my primary care physician in a little while and she didn't diagnose the Mono, so I thought this would take a bit to get this letter.
I called my primary care physician on Friday and it sounded like they would get back to me the same day. I didn't hear back from them, of course I called them first thing on Tuesday morning! They said they had called me on Friday several times and got a busy signal each time. Thank goodness I'm impatient and called them back. They asked several medical questions to make sure that Mono was gone and said they'd write the letter, "But your doctor is out until Thursday". UGH, Seriously!?! Then I asked them if the last doctor I saw would be able to sign it? YES! They said she'd have it ready the same day...
I knew the clinic had a glitch in the phone system and they couldn't reach me, so I figured it was kosher for me to call five times in one afternoon, but still no letter. I was able to run to the clinic and check with them in person to see if the letter was ready. NOPE, not ready yet. My brilliant idea was to sign the release and have them fax the letter to Keely as soon as it was signed. Hopefully the next day it'd be ready to rock n' roll!
I called my IP's last night to share the news of all the behind the scene work that I had been doing to get things rolling. They told me that they have a couple things they have to get done before we do the transfer and have a meeting all scheduled to go over more paperwork. Paperwork is the story of our lives lately! They're so supportive and understanding. We're so lucky to be matched with them :)
I felt a bit more relaxed today about obtaining this letter. I didn't check my phone until lunchtime and I had a message from the clinic and Keely that she'd already received the letter and we're moving on! Actually, we are moving on to our next contact person. Welcome into my world, Kim! I should be hearing from her before the end of the week and she'll be it from here on out. Yay for getting one step closer.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm done taking my Children's liquid Ibuprofen for my throat! I've been able to eat real food since Monday and I'm feeling GREAT! Yay for quick healing.
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