Surrogacy-What an Adventure!

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!