Surrogacy-What an Adventure!

Ok, so I think I have finally stopped being paranoid about the twins.   Both are doing fabulous and we have made it through the big trouble zone of the first trimester, yipee!!   I had my last appointment with Dr. Heard on the 12th at 11 weeks.   After that appointment, we went to the Center of Medical Genetics in Houston.   Before we went, Dr. Heard called down to the clinic and let them know we were coming and that he wanted them to give us the  Jack or Jill blood screan.   It is a DNA blood test, that can determine the gender of the baby as early as 11 weeks.  Turns out a small amount of the babies genetics are in the women’s blood stream.   Here is the tricky part, D&K are expecting twins and the test just determines if you have XX or XY floating around.   It can not seperate the two babies genes.   After they took my blood we headed to the check out to pay and wow….they did not charge us  for the test.   That was totally unexpected and shocking, maybe it is because Dr. Heard knows them.  It was so nice.   About 6 days later the result came back, it said XY, so D&K are having at least one boy….how exciting!   But it still leave the question…two boys or one of each…I so hope it is one of each but we will have to wait and see.  Poor, K…she was so excited to determine the gender and yet it is still unknown for sure.   It was really cool to have the test done, I have never heard of it before and it is crazy that they can do that.   And ha…what is with me and surro boys!!

Here is a 12 week belly picture, the babies are certainly growing…

On June 19th, at 12 weeks we had our first visit with my OB, Dr. Lloyd.   We were able to schedule it at at time that both D&K could come and meet the doc     Dr. Lloyd spent some time during the ultrasound chatting with D&K and even after the exam, I thought it was good.   He is usually rushed and having to attend to lots of patients, so I liked that he had some time to talk with us.   However, I asked him about delivery of twins.   He did not give me the answer I was expecting.   I thought he would be willing to do what we could to have c-section as a last resort, but no he said if both babies are not head down, then we will have a c-section.  I asked him if we could do a vaginal delivery if the first twin was head down and he still said no.   I guess I was a tad bit upset inside but I handled it well.   I trust my doc and I understand his thinking about the situation.   These twinkies need to behave and cooperate when delivery comes…swim down babies!!  

This week we had the nuchal translucency scan.  This is a first trimester screen, that is a non-invasive way to calculate the percentage that the baby has a genetic abnormality.    The test includes an ultrasound that will measure the skin fold at the back of the growing baby’s neck and bloodwork.  Dr. Lloyd refered me to Dr. Reiter a perinatalogist for the test.   I asked Dr. Reiter what is a bad measurement for the skin fold and he said anything above 2.5.    He began by observing and measuring baby A.   Baby A’s NT measurement was 1.68 and Baby B’s NT was 1.34…..so based on the skin fold test the babies are safe and healthy.   Dr. Reiter did mention that the blood work is still important and must be factored in before all is cleared as normal, he also added that the result for multiples is not as acurate as a singleton.   I was very happy with the scan and feel so confident that D&k have 2 very strong healthy babies growing.   Baby B was funny and not very cooperative, B just kept wiggling around making it difficult to get the right position for measurement, it was cute and well maybe a sign that D&K might have one trouble maker…hehehe.    The doctor was also able to get a really good and accurate measurement of the twins.   The day of the scan I was 13.1 weeks along, Baby A measured 13.4 weeks with a heartbeat of 154 and Baby B measured 12.6 weeks with a heartbeat of 167.   I am so happy for D&K.    Dr. Reiter is really serious while taking his NT measurements and does not like to talk much while he concentrates, so that makes me feel as if I need to be quiet also, it is kinda funny.   It is also difficult, because when  the ultrasound comes on and you see the babies you just want laugh and sigh at how sweet it is and I wanted to talk with K but felt odd.   And she was so cute because she kept watching his facial expressions and he raised his eyebrows alot and she got nervous wondering what that meant..LOL..she even asked one time and he smiled.  

Surrogacy is great and I love it and yet sometimes it can be a bit odd.  Sometimes, I am not always sure what I should or should not say.   I am usually very open and honest and considerate, but you know sometimes you question yourself and would hate to hurt anyone.   I have never been in the place that an intended mother has been in.  I do not know the pain they have been through and stuggle with.     I just hope that I have made my past IM’s and my current IM, K…feel involved and welcomed and almost like it is their actual pregnancy experience even though I am physically going through it for them.    I know that Ty and K have made me feel so cared about.   They even sympathize and say they wish I did not have the discomfort or pain that comes along with it.  

I am feeling much better this week.   The queezies have just about completely faded, now I just deal with gastrointestinal issues and weird but I am not getting really sleepy.   Normally that is strong during the first trimester, but it has been hitting me hard this week.    In fact, I am very drowsy right now…so this may no be my best journal entry…sorry.

I am still running and exercising, in fact on Sunday I ran 8 miles…I can not believe it!    I did pay for it the next day…LOL…my legs were ver sore.   I felt great though.    Oh and the week before that I ran 7 miles and while also being chased by about 4 horse flys!   They would not leave me alone and I am sure if anyone was watching me they had to be cracking up because I was like really jumpy and waving my arms around and squeeling a little.   Just a mess, and those bugs are just vicious!      I am still seeking a job closer to home but not having much luck.   I guess I am at a cross roads about it because I feel I need to work closer to home for my family,  yet all the doors keep closing.   Then I wonder if God has a different plan for me, maybe I am suppose to stay where I am or maybe I need a completely new path and I am just not aware of it yet.   I love coaching and I feel that God took me in that direction, however sometimes I wonder if it the best thing for my family.  My kids are gettting older and are involved in several activities and I do not want to be the reason they can not participate.    We shall she what happens.

Wow, it is hard to believe it, but in two weeks we will be entering the 2nd trimester!    So, I need to update on what has been going on.   I am still having the nausia, upset stomach thing going on, but good news…it is fading    I mentioned this to K and she said she felt bad that I feel sick.    Then I told her, that I was not trying to complain, I just want to tell her everything.  She said she does not think I am complaining, but she just wished I did not have to feel bad and it was her fault.   Silly women, it is not her fault….it is her twinkies fault…hehehe…little rascles already.   Anyway, I did tell her, that I would be sick anytime just to help her and D.    I  have developed the wonderful pregnancy constipation thing, but it is not troubling me too bad, but part of the journey…LOL, sorry about the TMI… just keeping it real.    I am feeling great otherwise, no cramping or aches and pains.   And my belly is growing, I do have a little bump….

8 weeks

10 weeks

We had the 9 week appointment with Dr. Heard and the babies looked great!  At 9.1 weeks, Baby A measured 8.6 weeks and Baby B measured 9.2 weeks, so they are right on target and healthy.  They both had a strong heartbeat of around 184!   Our next appointment will be June 12th at 11.4 weeks.    Dr. Heard will do a nuchal translucency scan (NTS), it is a diagnostic test with two parts and will help detect the % chance that the baby has a genetic abnormality such as Down Syndrom.   The first part of the test is an advanced ultrasound, they use a high tech machine and measure the skin fold at the back of the neck.  The second part of the test is a simple blood test.     After that test, K and I will go to the genetic testing place and get the blood test that is 90% accurate at determining the babies sex!!   Oh what an exciting day that is going to be!!  The ultrasound will give just wonderful pictures of the babies and then the sex determiniation… I am not sure if you get the results that day or not, for that genetic screen.    The 12th will be my last appointment with Dr. Heard, he is releasing me to my OB, Dr. Lloyd.   We have our first appointment with him on June 19th at 9am.    Lots of fun, still to come!!   Oh and I am finished with all meds!!!   So exciting!

Some other cool things going on for me and family….

Anthony had is last baseball game last week.   I had to miss it because I was out of town at my regional track meet in Waco.   Which was fun!   Our boys mile relay got first place and are headed to state!   Our girls, well they did not do well.  Andrew did get some footage of Anthony’s game for me.   AS soon as I figure out my new recorder, I will share the footage.    Madison had her Developmental Gymnastics Competition on Wednesday.    She did fabulous…again I have video but need to figure it all out.   

I got a new car!    My 2002 dodge durango had seen its better days, a long time ago.  It is a great time to buy a car so we got a new SUV.   I now drive a Mazda CX9…zoom, zoom!    I love it !  

Saturday my family ran in the Astros fun run again.   Andrew and I ran the 5K (3.1 miles), they suprised us and changed the course from the last few years….they forgot to  mention the new course was practically all up hill!!  Yes, it was a mile and half journey up a bridge and then you turn around and do it again.   It was challenging but fun.   Plus, our times were great, and I totally did not expect to do that well.   I just wanted to have some fun.   Andrew ran in 23.51 min and I rean 23.54 min, so about 7.40 min per mile!     Hey, I even got 5th in my age group.   My kids ran in a half mile race and Anthony got 4th!!    It was a blast!    I was talking with K about the run earlier today and I told her it was fun and even though I know running is good for me and normal activity for me…..I am still nervous at times.   So while I am running, my mind plays games with me..worried…not worried…LOL.  She is just amazing, she laughed and said I am silly and that there is nothing wrong with me running and not to worry.   It is so nice to hear how supportive she is of me and that she trusts me.   Plus, she is so right…it is not going to harm the baby if I have already been active, but if I just started to be, that would be an issue.   Not to mention, I feel great and no pain while running or anything.

Ok, I have chores to finish and some school work, yuck!    But good news…..school is out on Friday!!    This is the last week!

Boy am I a slacker, I have not updated my journal in several weeks.   One reason,  is my crazy busy world and the other is that I wanted to wait until we had our 6 week ultrasound.   Ok, on with the update!

After getting huge beta (Hcg) numbers, all my surro buddies have been joking around with me that I am carrying triplets or even quads!   They are a hoot, but then again…so not funny.    I will say that I was somewhat nervous because if you compared my beta numbers with other numbers it would appear that more then two were growing.   I went in for my 5 week ultrasound on April 29th.   Luckily K got to come too.    Dr. Heard turned on the u/s  here is what we saw….

Beautiful, we found 2 sacs and 2 small fetal poles!!     It was exciting, I was so happy for my IPs.   But then in the back of my mind I was nervous.   I do not really like to have u/s before 6 weeks because you can not see a heartbeat yet.   Even though you see development, it is the heartbeat that is definite proof.   I think part of my fear comes from my previous experiences and the stories I know from other  surrogates.   To want to help someone with all your heart and capabilies, but it truely is out of your control.   Oh it is hard, to describe or explain.   However, here is a picture that comes close…

Now that is beautiful!!   A new mom to be, that wonder, that joy!   This is huge, it is amazing, it is dreams and I want to help the come true.   As the days went by, I will say that I became more and more confident and more and more nausiated     Not fun but what a good sign..LOL   Luckily I am not yaking, I just have an annoying upset stomach thing going on.  

On Thursday May 7th, D&K joined me for the 6 week ultrasound.   I held my breath and up came this on the monitor…

Beautiful twinkies…with Heartbeats!   We were 6.3 weeks along and Baby A measured 6.4 weeks with a heartbeat of 126 and Baby B measured 6.1 weeks with a heartbeat of 114.    PROOF, yipee!!    It was so cute to see D&K, as their eyes got so big with amazement and later as it all sunk in for K,  those eyes filled with beautiful tears of joy.    Wow, is all I can say…the feelings deep down are just wow    and then of course….yikes the pressure is on!  Just kidding….

As we were checking out, Dr. Heard starts to tell D&K that they can take a blood sample from me at 11 weeks and determine the sex of the babies with about 90% accuracy!   I have never heard this before or maybe no one ever suggested it.   K was thrilled and I think she was ever so anxious for us to fast forward to week 11…LOL. 

  As if my week was not already filled with overwhelming excitement, Saturday just added more.    D&K invited my family over to their house.   I got to meet K’s brother, wife and kids.  They are just wonderful and it was very nice to meet them.   They are very close to D&K, so our journey means so much to them as well.   

My kids had a blast, they have already asked me when we are going back over there!    Andrew and D got in the pool with my kids and played around, while K and I relaxed….that was soooo nice     I have get so wound up day after day and I am always doing or going, I need to stop and chill more often…LOL

Here is a few pictures..

Today is Mother’s Day and what a wonderful day.   My kids made me some cute things.    Anthony wrote a poem “My mother is awesome, Oh you smell like morning dew, There is good in you I know it…How are you that great? Everytime I see  you,  you make me happy!  Roses I think you are.”    He also made another picture thing, that said ” I am glad you are my mom when I am mad, sick or sad.”     Madison wrote a card that said ” I make her feel special and that she will help me by cleaning the house when I say so and be thankful and that I rock!    How beautiful is that?!    Sometime I wonder if I am doing a good job, I might feel like I am failing,  I might feel guilty because I get so busy sometimes, I might question myself as a mom….but then they go and do this.   I must not be so bad after all, in fact I am getting the hang of this motherhood thing…ha!   And it is a beautiful thing!

I have been a nervous disaster this week.   Seems silly, when I stop and think about it, but I just can not help it.   I just really want to find out if the transfer was a success and that all is going well.    I would really struggle, if I had bad news for D & K.   However, it is out of my control and things will be as they are meant to be.   

Monday, I had labs ran to test my progesterone and estrogen levels.   The hormones need to be at a certain level to be sure and hold a pregancy and not risk loosing it.   I waited all day to get results, but I did not hear anything for hours.   I just wanted to make sure I did not need to adjust meds.   Finally, I got word that my levels were great.    But Dr. Heard probably thinks I am psycho!  I called him, I sent him text messeges…

I talked with K, and then we determined that her and I were trading places.  Now that we have made it through transfer, she is calm and positive, but now I am nevous and uneasy.   Ha, guess it is a good thing we level each other out during this great adventure! 

Tuesday, I started peeing on sticks     I got negative in the morning but in the afternoon and evening I got positives.   However, the lines are way too faint to be seen in photo, so I can not post them on here.   Let me just say, I was in complete shock.   It was only 4 days after transfer, I did not expect to get a positive.   I thought to myself they might be false tests.    Or look out we could have a litter in there!!   Such and early positive, could indicate a multiple pregnancy.   I was happy but did not want to share until I had more legitamate proof.

Wednesday, I tested again… but this time I get negatives.   I was really discouraged, it was a very difficult day for me, I was paranoid and sad.   Andrew and my surrogate pals, encouraged me and reminded me it was still early.    To make me more confused….I started feeling a little queezy, as if I needed to have snackes every few hours to keep my stomach from feeling upset, plus I was having pregnancy related cramping and pulling.  So, while I was frustrated with the test sticks, I was excited with my symptoms.   I do not remember feeling those symptoms so early with other pregancies, so that made me feel think…hmm, there must be two growing!

Oh and to add to my bad day….we had the district track meet this week.  The field events were on Wednesday.    I was really pumped up and excited.  I have a really good long and triple jumper.  She went to regionals last year in triple.  So I was expecting her to go again this year.  Turns out she had a bad day.   She ended up 4th and only the top 3 go on to regionals, although she is the alternate if anyone gets injured. 

So on to Thursday….I woke and took a test, of course, I have now become an addict     To my surprise there was the faintest of faint lines.   Seriously!   I am not sure everyone would be able to see the line but it is there.  Oh this raised my spirits!   And I decided I need to lay off the testing and relax.   I had to got to the running part of the district track meet and I would just wait til I got home to test again.  Plus, today I had labs again to test progesterone and estrogen…but in addition, K ordered an extremely early hcg or pregnancy test!    I was fired up, I just had to know what that level was.  

As I got to the track meet, K called me.   Turns out my Hcg was 11.   That is a positive number, but a tad bit lower then I expected.   I was thinking it would be about 20-50.  So althought it was a positive, I was still unsure and uneasy.   But K was so excited and jumping up and down and said she could not stop smiling.  That made me feel so good, that is all I want!!   I was reserved on the phone and I felt bad because I did not want K to think I was not happy.   And I did not want to worry her, although I was worried.  I think the fact that I got positive tests one day then negatives the next, completely threw me.   I also remember my very first transfer.  I did get a positive Hcg report but then the next test was bad and the numbers dropped and the pregnancy was ending.   That is called a chemical pregnancy.   The embryo and cells just stop develping.   This happens all the time but women never know about it because they just go and have a regular period.    Once again my sweetheart reminded me it was early and the number is suppose to be low and to enjoy the fact that it is positive.  

So, I did take tests when I got home from the track meet, check it out…

Oh yeah!!!  That is two positive tests and you can see the lines!! 

In addition, we have several girls going to regionals on our track team.   We are going to compete in shot put, 100 meter hurdles, 4X100 meter relay, 4X200 meter relay, and 200 meter run. 

Friday:   We  had storms roll in just as I was leaving work.   I got soaked as I took the very long walk to my car after school.   I was on my way to a doc appointment.   I have had this rash on my scalp that is driving me crazy.    So after my 45 min drive to the doc office, I had to sit in a really cold waiting room for another hour.   I was just freezing, with the soaked clothes and shoes.   When I left the appointment I had to get some crickets to feed our water dragon.   Again I got soaked walking in and out of store and in addition, when I got my care I noticed that my left back tire was flat!!    There was not way I could drive with it like that, so I had to get to a tire store.   And once again I sat there for an hour frozen and exhausted.  I was just so ready to get home.   I was so mentally drained from the week of highs and lows.   The kids in class were so obnoxious this week and I had just had enough and being wet and cold was making me miserable.   Luckily, there was only a screw in my tire and it was repaired for free! 

Finally, I arrived home and ran straight to the restroom and yes…..I tested again…ha!!   Here is what I got, the first test is the first very faint line I got on Thursday and it does not show up in pic, the second test is a little darker adn you might be able to see it, that is from Thursday night and then the third is the Friday night test and you can certainly see the line!!!

Saturday: I wake up and rush to the lab for a second Hcg test.   If a pregnancy is good then the hcg numbers should double every 48-72 hours, so I am thinking we will see a 25-40, since on Thursday we had an 11.   I leave the lab to go meet my family at Madison’s gymnastics class.  Well, on the way there I get stopped by a police officer.    Yes, I have the worst luck ever!   I stopped at a red light and needed to make a right hand turn.   I waited and looked, the right hand lane was very clear.  So I turned right and staying in the right hand lane.   The next thing I know a cop has his lights on and has switched lanes to get behind me.   I was very puzzled and I cold not think of what I did wrong.   I was in no hurry, so I am sure I came to a complete stop.   Turns out the officer felt that I did not wait for an appropriate clearance to make that right hand turn.    I guess I am suppose to make sure all lanes are clear not just the right hand lane.   That is new to me and my husband did not know it either and you know I bet half of America makes those turns all the time!!  So I was extremely frustrated and upset.  

The lord is amazing!  Here I am upset about the ticket and then I get a text from K.     Hcg is 74 !!!   Everything stopped and life was put in prospective and so wonderful….we are certainly preggo and with a might strong number a 74 is huge    Now I can breath and relax…ok I will do my best to relax, but we do have 9 months to go and the first 12 weeks will be the most important.   I am thinking there are twinkies in there, but we will have to wait until the first scan.    Yes….more waiting!!!   Another 2 weeks!!

Congrat D & K, you are growing a baby or babies!!   Our journey is moving along and oh so wonderful!

Ok you know when it rains and begins to clear, you look up and rainbows fill the sky.  Well they have come across our surrogacy journey.   This has been a week of uncertainty to say the least.  The last up day was a transfer on Sunday the 12th, and we were all set and prepared.  And it does take preperation.   D has to get his schedule worked out with his patients and he has had to scramble several times already.  I have to request time off from work and K has to keep it all organized    Oh and I have to coordinate a sitter for my kids.  

Dr. Heard likes for his patients to get a stitch put in on their cervix the day before transfer.  This was new to me, I had not done that with my other transfers.  He feels that it moves the uterus in a great position allowing for easy transfer.   So, I was suppose to make an appointment for Saturday morning for it to be put in.  I completely forgot.  I got a call from the nurse on Wednesday.  She asked me “what time I could come in on Thursday for the stitch” and I was so confused.   I told her “I was suppose to go in on Sat”.  Then she said “no I am sorry you need to come on Friday” and I said “are you sure I think it is Saturday”, so we made the appointment then.   Soon the nurse calls back and tells me that we need to change the appointment for Thurs.   I did not want to take off from work, so I asked her if I can just come in on Friday, she said yes.   Then I get a call from K, and she fills me in on what info I am missing.   She let me know that 8 eggs have been fertilized and that Dr. Heard prefers to do 3 day transfers, so he would like to go ahead and transfer on Friday.   K was puzzled and asked him why?  She thought he wanted to do a 5 day and that was the plan this whole time, he has never even talked about a 3 day.  And I think D & K liked the idea of 5 day because you could see which embryos were strong and they have a sticky coat on them for implantation.   But Dr. Heard likes to get the embryos in their natural environment sooner on day 3.  There is much debate in the IVF world about what day is better, so really, who knows…LOL.   It is either going to work or not in then end.  As K tells me this, I am confussed too.  She asked me my thoughts and I myself do think 5 day is a good thing, but I have also never done a 3 day, and I am no expert.   It was just funny that he had never mentioned that before.    Since there were 8 embryos which is a great number, D & K were also concerned about them surviving to day 5.  They really want to freeze embryos and if we lost some going to day 5 they would not have as many or possibly none to freeze.   After much debate we all agreed to do day 3 transfer.   However, I was still debating the stitch because I did not want to miss work and because I have never had it done before so I did not see it as a nessecity.   That was really not my call and I did feel bad about asking if we could by pass it.  He said I needed it.  I do want him to feel comfortable and he must have good reason for his protocal.    So I decided I would just miss the first half of school on Thursday.  There was one more hurdle in the Friday transfer….making sure that we could arrange a time that would fit D’s schedule.   I made a joke with K, that I was willing to go at 5 am if needed    Luckily it worked out and Dr. Heard was able to arrange a 7am transfer!!   Andrew and I are off for Good Friday, so it was not issue for us.    After assessing my schedule, I realized that I could just go get the stitch Thursday after school instead of taking time from work.  That would just mean that  I would miss a Varsity practice track meet and really I felt that would be fine.   So in the end, all works out and is bright!

Oh and to also add to the chaos of Wednesday and working it all out.   My Junior Varsity had their district track meet that night and got 2nd place overall!!  It was awesome.     Varsity has distict this coming Wednesday and Friday.  I am so excited!!!

Ok on to today…Finally really THE TRANSFER!!   Andrew and I arrived at 6:30 and the office was not unlocked yet, shortly after D & K arrive.  We just sat outside and chatted.   K came carrying a huge box with a cute bow and flower in it.  Then I looked closer, a camera was dangling there.    Oh my goodness, she is crazy, the  gift was for me and I was just shocked.   How thoughtful and also I was thinking it was too much and she did not need to do that.   She remembered that I did not have my camera one day when we met up.  So she secretly e-mailed Andrew and asked him if I needed one….clever little devil    Not to mention Andrew had to keep that secret for weeks..LOL.   She also handed me a bag full of pregnancy sticks!  I then felt bad because I had planned to make a really cool basket full of neat stuff for D & K , but with the new transfer being on Friday with one  day notice I was not able to go shopping.   However, Thursday night I was freting about it and did come up with an idea.   I was in charge of deserts for a get together we had planned for Saturday and K told me she likes oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, so I baked them for her early and packed them along with a candle.  

Finally, it was time get rolling and implant the embryos.   Dr. Heard came in to give the embryo report and all 8 look amazing.   On day three they would like to see 8 celled embryos but 7 is very good also.   Then they rate those embryos with a 1, 2 or 3 or even A,B or C.    Turns out they had (2) 8 celled graded 1, and one or (2) 8 celled graded 2 and then some 7 celled graded 1 or 2…so all were just right     It was decided to ransfer the top 2 and freeze the rest.   The transfer went smooth, except I forgot to take my valume.   So doc taking the stitch out before the transfer, did not feel that great, not too painful but uncomfortable.  

When the transfer was complete, I took my valume.   That way I would stay relaxed and rest up when I got home.   It is funny because I do not remember having any effects form valume with my last transfers but wow, this time I was a little wabbly when I got up to get dressed and I actually came home and had a brief nap.   I think I am still a tad bit light headed…hehehe

So, as I lay there I hear the door bell ring, very odd it never rings.   Andrew walks into the room with an enormous floral basket.   I was stunned.   I sayed who is that from….D & K !!    Oh my goodness, they are just crazy…and the floral arrangement is beautiful. 

 Hmmm, they better stop with these gifts I am not sure I can handle it….or maybe I will just be spoiled…LOL   Oh how I hope I can out do their sweet gifts and bring them the gift of a lifetime!    Yes, the worry has set in.  It is not a bad worry but it is there..the mind will not stop, just wondering and hoping these embryos will stick.   I know it is out of my hands but I am not sure a surro could ever not feel pressure and responsibility.    It can be difficult mentally but also such a special feeling inside.   

So now the wait!!!   I am not sure when I will breakout one of the pee sticks that K got me…hmmm…surprises to  come!

It has been too long since I had the chance to update.  But I do have a few things to announce.  

First, we did not transfer on the 6th.  After monitoring the donor, Dr. Heard decided that the donor would not be ready so the plan was for the 9th.   So I was gearing up and preparing for this new change.   I went in for an appointment this past Friday.  Luckily K came to and we spoke with Dr. Heard.  He did not have good news, the donor was still not ready for an egg retrival he needed her to wait until today, Tues the 7th.   That meant that again the date of tranfer would change and is now definitely going to be on Sunday!   Even though I have been a little frustrated and impatient I am so glad we finally have a set date.   Also, and Easter transfer sound just beautiful    

So today was egg retrieval day.   I got a text from K this morning to inform me that they were able to retrieve 21 eggs!!! That is so awesome, I am excited and I just can not wait to hear the fertilization report tomorrow and even more excited about the transfer on Sunday…yipee!!   I started  my progesterone shots today, yes the booty shots.    So my right but cheek is sore, but nothing I can’t handle and all for D&K…LOL

I have a busy weekend.  Friday we are going to Easter service at church along with an egg hunt for the kids.   Then on Saturday D&K are having a little get together at their place.  It is going to be fun and I get to meet some of their family.     And I will finish my weekend on Sunday with a very special huge event…the embryo transfer!!!  

Grow embryos, Grow!!!

It has not rained much here in Houston this year, but recently the rain has come.  And with that rain came a few minor changes to our journey.   On Wednesday, March 18th, I had a check up with Dr. Heard and all was just wonderful.   No problems, no worries we were right on target.   Well the next day I get a call from K and she had news from Dr. Heard.   The egg donor was leaving for a work convention in Dallas.  She was scheduled to begin her stim for the cycle on Friday, but she did not think she could make a doc appointment over the weekend.  So that would push us back two days.   This is not a big disaster but it was disappointing.  We did our best to work out the transfer for a Saturday and it was looking perfect, but now it would push it to a Monday.   It is only two days, but the Saturday transfer was nice because none of us would have to miss work.   With it being on Monday, I will have to miss two days of work because you need to be on bedrest for 24 hours.    In addition, now my sweetheart is not sure that he can take off and come with me.   He is so important to me and a huge part of this, I will be ok, but sad if he can not come to the transfer.  

I went to see Dr. Heard again yesterday and I had a sweet surprise when I finished the examination.   D & K were there!!   I already knew that K was going to come but I had no idea I would to see both of them.   They are just so cool     I am not sure what is with Thursday calls after my Wednesday appointments but today came another big rain drop….K called and said that the donor did not show up at her doc appointment and she could not be reached.   This was upsetting news and I was shocked so I was not even sure what to say.  I felt terrible because I just wanted to help K, as I know she must have been going crazy inside and very upset or worried.   I could not get it off of my mind at work, but luckily K called shortly after informing me that all would be fine and they talked to the donor.   The donor will just have to go in tomorrow morning.   This was a relief but I guess I am still on edge just a little bit.   Plus, I am upset that someone could take such an important situation so lightly.   This is the biggest thing that will ever happen for D&K and I do now want them to be upset or hurt.   I guess it might be hard for the donor to understand every aspect of the situation.   It might not be easy for her to see, but it effects me the surro who has been on med treatment and taking time to get things done and also it effects D&K, who have hopes and finances poored into this journey.   I really do not mean to judge or be rude, I just like to share all the ups and downs of the journey, it is reality.   Things do not magically run smooth with those rain drops.   I also do not mean to sound rude or judgemental, after all we all have bad days.  Maybe the donor had one herself.    Ok enough about that because as I said in my heading there is always “Sunshine through the Rain” .    I am still every excited, and the transfer is less then 2 weeks away!!  Yipee.   I am still very positive and trust that God has a great plan   So look out April 6th!! 

This week has just been rough for me in the classroom.  I am certainly glad that tomorrow is Friday!    It has also been a rainy week, but I hope the rain is over because I do not want my son’s baseball game to get cancelled.  

Oh for fun, here is a link to my recent photo show…

 http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=844897e616887d13db4052&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Yes, it is March 14th and the tentative transfer is April 4th….so as you can see there is just not much more waiting to go!!   However, I am not quite sure it has really sunk in yet.    Although, on Friday I went to see a surrogate and her intended parents at the hospital.   They had twin girls on Thursday.   Going to see them got me so excited.

I went to see Dr. Heard on Wednesday.    I had to wait 50 minutes, so I was getting irritated, but that happens alot when you must visit the doctor.   I was really worried I would be very late for work.   I took half a day off and needed to get back by 11am.   After the nurse practitioner , did my exam she then told me I had to get some lab work done.   Oh my goodness, that really got under my skin because I was already running behind and I already waited 50 min to see doc then I had had to wait to get labs done.   Luckily, I took a deep breath and realized that it is just life and I must enjoy it     And by the way….I was 10 min late…LOL     I guess everything was just great, but they did call me later that day and asked me to come back in a week.  So I scheduled for 3:30, that way I would not have to take time off from work, but I would have to miss track practice.  I do not like to miss practice, but certainly easier.    I was driving home and realized that I would be on Spring Break, and I can just go whenever I want to go, so I did call back and change the time to 9am.  I like getting things done early and out of the way.   

So on to today and what a great day!  Andrew and I signed up to run a 10K (6.2 miles), I e-mailed D to ask if he would like to run.   Turns out he already signed up…silly me, I should have know because like I told him, he has become a fun run junkie!   But I do love it.   We got to the run this moring and it was 42 degrees out there….just bitter.   We wanted to find D and start the race with him, but it was very crouded and there was just no way we could find each other.   They shot the gun and we were off.     I finished the race and waited for Andrew, then we both waited for D.   Andrew and I almost missed him, which is so silly because we kept saying that it would be ridiculous if we did that.  So as we stood there, all of a sudden he walked up and said “hey”, so yep we are dorks and missed him crossing the finish line.    Everyone survived the cold and the distance and we all did great!!   I amazed myself….I ran at a 7:08 min/mile pace…that is just insane!   I did not even feel like I was going fast.    I do not remember the boys exact times but I believe Andrew’s was around 7:50min  and D’s was 11 min.    When we finished we met K, at a little Mexian restraunt for bruncher!  Ok bruncher is breakfast, lunch and dinner combined.  We made up that term while eating.   The boys got these monster burritos and D said last time he had one he did not eat for the rest of the day because he was so full.      It was just so relaxing and enjoyable to eat and chat with D & K.    While there I mentioned that I might be getting arthritis in my hands.    They ache alot even when I am driving and running.   D said that I might have carpal tunnel in my hands.   So he did some diagnostic tests while we were at lunch.  Turns out I do have carpal tunnel.   It is not too bad right now, but I guess if my hands gets worse I will have a proceedure done.   For now D, got me some wrist braces to wear when I drive to help with the discomfort.    I even got to see their office because we had to go there and grab the wrist braces.    It is is cool office.   And we got a picture of each other finally!!  So here were the first picture of our Memorable Journey!

I am only just a tiny bit anxious for April and the tranfer day…..ok, fine…I am TREMENDOUSLY anxious for the transfer!!!    I have started my Lupron shots and those are a breeze and no real side effects, but the birth control pills have not been my friend!   I have been on those since the end of January and they are taking a toll on me.   I am not use to taking them, thank goodness my husband is broken..LOL, he got a vasectomy when we decided we were finished having children.   Anyway the pill is causing me to be moody, extremely bloated, and even nausiated with an upset stomach.   I should have called and had them switch me to a different type of pill because some work better for people then other ones, however I was too busy and I also knew that it would only be for a little over a month then done with them.   So yes, I am looking forward to Friday, it will be my last day of the dreaded pill!  

It was so cute the other day my daughter saw me take my Lupron shot and she said “so you taking medicine to have a baby for D&K?”    Crazy my kids are going to know way too much about fertility and IVF, before they are 10 years old then I knew before I became a surrogate!!  

My husband and I are going to be in another race on the 14th and I emailed D to ask him if he wanted to run…turns out he already signed up!   It is going to be fun.   I told him he is turning into a fun run junkie…and I love it!    Of course it might be one of my last ones for lets say 9 months

Well, I had another visit with Dr. Heard on Feb. 17th.   K came to the visit too, it was nice cuz I got to visit with her for a bit.   Oh and she came in with a pressent for me….Chocolates and a sweet card!   Man did I feel like a dweeb, cuz here she is thinking of me and bearing gifts and all I had for her was a signed contract.    Turns out that was one awesome gift to her      So we got the contract out of the way, and just waiting for it to get filed with the courts. 

My visit with Dr. Heard went smooth, not problems and we even got a schedule…YIPEE!    I am actually going to be starting Lupron this week on the 27th!   Our tentative transfer date is on April 4th…just around the corner.  I am so excited and anxious and nervous….it is not far away but yet it is also not tomorrow and it is hard to be patient.   I can only imagine how difficult the wait is for D&K.   But then when we do transfer it only leads to yet another wait…the pregnancy test…and then the wait till delivery….so fun just to think about it! 

Just incase you were wondering why in the world I titled this Run Wild….it is because Andrew and I ran yesterday in the Run Wild 1/2 Marathon Relay.   That means that each of us ran 6.6 miles.   Andrew went first, then when he got to me I started….turns out we got 1st in the relay division with a time of 1 hour 40 min, which averages 7min 42 min a mile.   I think Andrew’s actual split was 7min 45 sec/ mile and mine was 7min 35 sec/mile or something.  We had so much fun.  

Also, I need to give D some praise…he has been in 2 runs since the Houston Half Marathon and he has done outstanding and even improving his time each time!  Way to go!  He is so cool…I thought Andrew was going to leave me hanging and go to a golf tourney instead, and D offered to fill in, even though he actually had a run on Sat.  So he would have ran a 5 mile race on Sat. then 6.6 miles on Sun…but my sweetheart ran with me     However, I would have loved D as a partner!