Hormones Finally Wreaking Havoc

The shots didn't effect me too much. I took them once daily and though the bottle warned of headache and dizziness, I did not feel that. However, now that I have been taking the twice daily Estrace (estrogen), I cannot stop my tears. I cry and feel overwhelmed about everything. My poor hubsy is at odds. He tries his best to keep me calm, but really, how can you calm an irrational drama queen hyped up on estrogen?! He's a trooper though. He is going to stick by me through this all, and is really really proud that I am able to do this for someone else.

Moving Forward

Well, we are moving swiftly ahead with the surrogacy. I have been taking daily Lupron shots for the past two weeks, and had an ultrasound on Tuesday to make sure the lining was measuring correctly. Then I was supposed to have blood drawn, and because my IM wasn't with me, and the Quest office refused to take payment over the phone, the blood they drew was THROWN OUT!! I mean, seriously, who throws out BLOOD!Come on! Anyway, I have to get the blood redrawn on Friday, and then have more blood and another ultrasound again on Monday!

I have been moved down to 5 units of Lupron and twice daily Estrace pills. The ultrasound on Monday will show whether my lining is thickening correctly. We are on track so far for an egg retrieval between January 7 - 11, with a fresh transfer between the 12 - and the 16. I am excited. I know my IP's are very very excited as well. Everything is going well and I am gratefull and excited to be able to do this.

My Reason for Being A Surro

This is the exact reason I want to be a surrogate and am so passionate about it.

My husband and I had our daughter so easily with no problems to conceive. We tried once, and there she was. But for some it just isn't that easy, or even possible.

New Year, Baby Transfer!!

Just talked to the clinic in Chicago today, and looks like by the time the donor and I start meds, and sync up we will be transferring about the second week of January! Finally a date to look forward to!

April is thrilled because we haven't book any wedding in September or August just by chance, and now it looks like for good reason!

Forecast: Conditions Favorable

Yesterday was day seven of my cycle, and I had my saline ultrasound. Hubby kept the princess at his work while I met IM at the clinic. While waiting for the doctor we talked about our excitement for how quickly things were moving, the possiblity of a December transfer, 3D ultrasounds, and how already she isn's sleeping through the night. I was glad to have this time alone with her so we could get closer and more confortable. I want us to be as close as we can so she feels like the pregnancy is hers, as much as she can anyway. Hey, maybe we will get so close she will feel the morning sickness for me. Ha ha, a surrogate can dream can't she!?

The doctor called us in, I got under the thin paper robe, and sat there waiting for just a few seconds. Dr. A explained how we were going to fill my uterus with saline, then look around at my ovaries and then we would be done. Ok, sounds painless.

Have you ever notcied that doctors try to "cozy-up" those stirrups. As if the purple fleece socks will really make us excited to be spread eagle with out feet way up in the air. Anyway, with my feet in position I was nervous, and began to try to calm my breathing. Then I started saying my ABC's just like momma taught me. I didn't feel a THING! "Hallelujah," I exclaimed out loud in relief, as Dr A turned on the ultrasound mchine and there was my uterus, tiny as can be. It's amazing how the last time I saw that image, the black mass was so big that it didn't even fit on the screen!

After assessing that my uterus was in perfect condition, "Favorable for implantation" were his words, we moved on to look at my right ovary. "Looks like you won't be running out of eggs any time soon," Dr A said, "just in case you were wondering." Funnily enough, I had been, and was thrilled to here I had plenty.

Within minutes we were finished, had 5 pictures printed out, and I was getting dressed again from the waist down. IM and I hurried out in the rain, exchanged excited chatter, and were back in our cars and on the way to work. The whole thing took less than an hour, we should have results in about 3 days, and then on to injections!! I am so excited, it looks like we may be able to transfer before Christmas! What a great holiday adventure!!

Trip to Chicago!

So Hubby and I just got back from our trip for health screening, and I must say, I was worried for nothing.

I had myself all worked up thinking there would be DNA tests, and blood tests, a few catscans at the least, all to make sure tha my body was capable to carry T & S's baby. I was freaked on the notion that any needle bigger than the regular sized one that takes my blood 3 times a year was going to be sucking out fluids of various colors to test in abnormal ways, petrified that maybe a hunk of my skin would be cut away to run for genetic diseases or history thereof. But no, I am happy to say that my visit went nothing like that out of a psycho movie.

We stayed over last night, in the town where the clinic was, had a great steak dinner and saw Saw V as a date night since princess was at grammies house. We even hung out with T & S after in their room and exchanged family photos from Halloween. (They are more like friends to us now, not just IP's) This morning, after fasting for over 12 hours I reluctantly walked through the doors of the IVF1 clinic, clutching hubby's hand for reassurace. With an accidental patronizing voice he assure me that "Everything will be fine"

He was right. We met with the doctor and he simply explained EXACTLY how the process would work, that once they have found that there are no diseases or uterus problems I would begin injections to prepare my womb for transfer of the fertilized eggs. Sounds simple, thought the shots I am sure will be slightly unpleasant. Then he showed me into a room where a nice little nurse took two viles of blood and I was on my way out!

We had lunch with T & S, as well as our liasons with the agency, and we were home by 9 pm tonight (gotta love daylight savings)

I am thrilled to be moving on to the medication stage and now am just waiting for my period so I can have my sonogram!! Bring on the blood. (ha ha ha)

Contracts & Questions

We got the contract yesterday.

All 34 pages of it.

Yikes.

I started skimming it right away, eager to sign it and get this party started. My breath caught when I got to a part where it said "all parties agree that if GS is incapacitated, life support will be used to sustain the child until it is viable to live outside the womb".

Whoa.

I mean, yes that makes sense, and yes, it could happen with all pregnancies, even with my own DD. The difference is, I didn't have to read it, didn't have to think about it, and didn't have to imagine it. So I reread it quickly to make sure I agreed, and moved on.

The rest of the contract seems pretty normal. Anxiousness is growing inside of me now, excitement, and a little bit of nerves. We will talk with our lawyer, and finalize the signatures this week. Moving on quickly, one more checkmark on our journey to giving someone a family!!

New Journal

Just checking this posting.