Egg Donation

Impact

2010-03-11T23:18:00.000-06:00

Recently an old friend of mine approached me about using my blog in teaching a unit on ethics to high school students. Flattered, I drafted a short statement to address what sorts of ethical decisions I weighted in as I was deciding whether or not to become a donor.

In what way(s) did your personal ethics factor into the decision you ultimately made to become a donor?

My response:
Choosing to donate my eggs was an easy decision for me. I find nothing morally wrong with egg donation. Morally, I do not read into egg donation as being unnatural. In the past, I have personally been troubled by genetic screening, where parents choose the genetic dispositions of their offspring through invitro fertilization. This was a factor when I began researching egg donation. However, these parents had tried for years, they were not looking for a perfect child, but their child. Invitro fertilization was their last option to have a child naturally. Although they technically "chose" me out of a set of photos and questionnaires, I felt their choice was based on personal decisions made in good faith, to have a child they deserve and one that looks like them.

My family voiced their uneasiness regarding my decision. They felt it was God's role and that by creating life in a petri dish between my eggs and the husband's sperm was unethical and against God's plan. I do not feel this way. Just as we hope couples who are able to conceive naturally, these couples have, or I hope have, passion and love in their relationship.
My eggs are important, they are integral. Spiritually it came down to love, not genetics. Just as one may argue, “we are what we are because of our genes”, or someone else will argue it was how we were raised, I have no doubt their child will grow up with the same love and affection I received from my parents, whether or not they are genetically related to me.
Ultimately, it was my upmost faith in people and the personal journey each of these couples had suffered. I am grateful for my health and my supportive family. In being physically able to donate, it was the least I could do for a couple who wanted a family.

Today I was informed on how the class went: "The lesson/discussion went AMAZING and the students were all utterly transfixed by your blog and the beautiful statement you sent me." Most importantly, she added, "Thank you again for being so open and willing to share your experiences."

As I enter the professional arena, I am happy that I maintain this blog and am able to share my experiences.

surgery and recovery

2009-07-20T17:05:00.000-05:00

surgery
surgery went smoothly. i arrived at the clinic a few minutes late around 7:20am. shortly after checking in (they give you buzzers like at restaurants to let you know when your table is ready) i received a call from the reproductive center wondering if i was running late. they hadn't received the information that i had checked in. i was immediately taken back, asked to go to the bathroom, changed into the hospital garb and laid down. sean came back then per my request and they preceded to get me ready for the IV. apparently i was to have been at the clinic at 7AM but i was instructed 7:15am. either way i ended up having local anesthesia administered to my hand for them to put the IV in! for the first time i met the doctor who would be removing my eggs and later placing the fertilized ovum into the female's uterus on the other side. i had spoken with the doctor a few days prior to discuss the medication she had prescribed me to help with the bloating. she was very nice and brought her assistant who would be watching the surgery.

i remember being wheeled into the OR and having 'Bob' the anesthesiologist put drug into my IV. after waking up i was given water and crackers. this time through took far less time.

recovery
the day of surgery, friday, and saturday were spent sleeping. 95% of the time i was too drowzy or nauseated to move. i took both the nausea pills and pain pills in an attempt to stage off the negative side effects but finally realized it was actually the pills that were making me feel worse. sunday i quit all medication besides the bloating medication. i was able, for the first time, to leave my apartment and grab a small lunch with sean at our favorite breakfast place, the mirth.

today i made my way to the bank to deposit my check and downtown to grab a quick lunch. by the time i made it home i was in pain and laid down. unable to sleep i spent most of the afternoon working on the logistics of moving.

i believe by mid-week i'll be back to normal activities but i don't want to rush anything. i'm happy that with this cycle i am able to rest. no school or work to force me out of bed!

this is definitely my last time. my body hates this.

Memory in Fetus, Dutch Doctors Say - ABC News

2009-07-15T18:02:00.001-05:00

Memory in Fetus, Dutch Doctors Say - ABC News

Shared via AddThis

fascinating!

got the go ahead a few hours ago to take the FINAL BIG shot (Ovidrel). i have to inject it exactly at 9pm. i was also prescribed a medication to help prevent the hyperstimulation i felt last time. i am extremely happy that the center thought of my trouble with my previous cycle and attempted to ease my pain. they are truly thoughtful doctors!

my surgery is scheduled for 8:30pm friday morning.

extraction either on thursday or friday

2009-07-13T12:44:00.005-05:00

(watching tv with her mom)

today i had my second ultrasound. the technician measured my eggs for the second time and showed they had each grown since this past thursday. i have 20 eggs, many of them too small yet. at the beginning of the cycle they mentioned wednesday, july 15th as the extraction date but now it is looking like friday since my eggs still need a few days to grow.

negatives for me:
- one more day of bloodwork
- one more uncomfortable ultrasound
- two more days of injections (4 more than i expected)

positives for me:
- sean can be with me at surgery
- my friends won't have to bust their butts to take me up to the hospital and back
- a couple days off work

i spoke with my mother last night and asked her to be at the surgery with me. although she is against this second cycle she was more than happy to come down to lawrence. i have such a wonderful mom!

changes in my body.
i do find myself more emotional, easily susceptible to dips in my mood. i've gained some weight and i feel unbalanced in my diet, exercise, and schedule. i'm sure this will all smooth out once i have surgery.

i have continued to ride my bike to and from work but have given up riding to the gym or downtown. it feels weird to take full strides when i walk as if i am pulling something inside so i take smaller steps.

start of the fertility drugs!

2009-07-06T10:50:00.000-05:00

last night i began taking the gonal-f fertility drugs along with the lo-dose HCG. luckily it only amounts to two injections: (1) 10 units of lupron + 10 units of HCG and (2) 300 UI of the gonal-f. each injection contains much more medication than before so it takes much longer. i hate quickly injecting such large amounts so therefore i inject each one slowly.

this time around getting the bloodwork done is much more nerve-racking. i'm normally pretty good about getting blood drawn but i dread each time i've had to go in. luckily i only have to get blood drawn three more times before retrieval.

this past wednesday i went up and had the suppression ultrasound which is done to ensure my ovaries are 'quiet' - they were! i weighed in 3 lbs heavier than i was before i started the cycle which could be accounted for by a number of explanations.

i've had a number of uncomfortable sensations the past few days. besides being bloated i've also had splitting headaches that i never have. i've been sore and definitely feel a weight in my abdominals. overall just slightly uncomfortable.

First Lupron Injection

2009-06-25T09:17:00.000-05:00

i was hesitant about giving myself the injection last night but to my surprise it was nearly painless other than a quick sting. i had forgotten how easy it was. so early in the cycle i have no side effects to report.

for this cycle i am doing a number of things different, lifestyle wise:

i am going to try my hardest to continue exercising - - even if very light.
continue my balanced diet instead of just eating whatever

this cycle doesn't feel as life altering or catastrophic to me as the first one which will help greatly with maintaining my healthy lifestyle and getting things done. for the first cycle i found myself lacking motivation to do homework. i spent much more time on "me-time" and not on those activities that are also important to me, i.e. school and friends.

i've had several people inquire about egg donation. on that note, i am a strong advocate for ovum donation but believe it shouldn't be done repeatedly. not sure how many i would suggest but this cycle will be my last. i do believe it takes a lot out of one's body and although i jumped back in a week it obviously isn't a natural process.

my experiences with the previous cycle were strongly positive because of several factors:

the reproductive center staff and doctors were extremely personal
i felt taken care of and safe
the process was anonymous between both parties
i had the support of friends and family

Cycle Starts Today

2009-06-24T16:28:00.000-05:00

today i begin the lupron injections along with the dexamethasone (steroid). this day came so fast considering it was nearly two months ago when i decided to do another cycle. in comparison to my first cycle, i am not nervous about starting and it is not nearly as exciting. however, the beginning of this cycle signals that i only have a little over a month before i move up to chicago.

in my subsequent entries i plan on relaying:

side effects
mood changes
weight changes
budget for earnings

common questions answered

2009-05-31T16:47:00.000-05:00

recently i've received some private messages from readers who had specific question about the egg donation process. here are the answers:

Q: how much bloodwork is involved in the egg donation process?

A: i'll be honest i was surprised at how much bloodwork was required when i started. up until this process i was horrifically scared by needles but when i went in for std testing, genetic testing, etc. i literally told myself "its time to grow up". about four viles were taken the first time i came in. after i was selected blood was taken each time, about two viles each time. when you start the fertility drugs bloodwork is taken every two-four days to determine future dosaging.

Q: how was recovery following egg retrieval?

A: recovery lasted longer than i was expecting. i experienced moderate ovarian hyperstimulation. the actual day of retrieval i just slept all day. i felt fine though and could've done some around the house but rested instead. the next 5-7 days following it was hard to walk, carry things, and urinate because of the hyperstimulation. three days following retrieval i went up to the center for a last minute exam because i was worried. the center was so great and didn't mind my calls wondering if what i felt was normal.

Q: could you not have sex during the cycle?

A: no i could not as i risked getting pregnant but not just with one baby but with MANY! i didn't sign a legal statement saying i would obstain but i've heard many women do.

Egg Donation Cycle 2

2009-05-28T20:47:00.000-05:00

last month when i was called by the reproductive center and asked whether i wanted to pursue another cycle i thought long and hard. i weighed in my mother's feelings against and my own feelings doing another cycle. finally i decided to open my profile again to prospective couples. i may not be chosen again and i thought i'd wait until then to decide for sure. when the couple chose my profile again this past week i became excited to again help out another couple while also lessening the financial stress before entering law school.

i spoke to the gynocologist while back home about the egg donation process. she said although i went through alot that i looked good and had nothing to worry about. deep down the only discomfort i have with doing another cycle is my mother's discontent with it. i know she will support me either way but it hurts to go against her wishes. this is just best for me and the couple at this time.

this time i will have the medication sent to me and i won't drive up (30 min) to the center until July 1st for the suppression ultrasound. much easier for me! and a lot LESS blood loss.

my undergraduate career in words

2009-05-05T11:13:00.008-05:00

http://www.wordle.net/

The Egg Donation Conclusion: GREAT NEWS!

2009-04-29T13:05:00.000-05:00

Yesterday it was confirmed: THE COUPLE GOT PREGNANT!

I had to bother the center a few times to get the final results but how wonderful!
It does speak to my own fertility, which is comforting. Plus, the minor discomfort I felt after surgery was worth it knowing the couple has a real chance at starting a family.

Yesterday I received a call asking if I wanted to be a donor again. After a few hours of thought, plus days of considering it in the past month, I called the center and confirmed I would be willing to go through another cycle. My profile will be sent to couples this week. I wouldn't start this cycle until mid-June. Of course I could not be chosen... that is a possibility.

I'm curious as to whether or not anyone found the blog helpful. I do enjoy documenting my life but I'm not sure a second cycle would be interesting to anyone after reading about the first? Comments, thoughts would be nice.

moving on...

2009-04-02T15:48:00.000-05:00

i would say today, a week after surgery, i am finally feeling myself again with little to no pain or discomfort. i've definitely not shed all of the added weight (five pounds) so it is time to resume my exercise schedule!

all in all i found the experience worthwhile. i only regretted doing the ovum donation process once, two days ago when i was extremely uncomfortable from the ovarian hyperstimulation.

post-surgery check-up

2009-03-28T20:57:00.003-05:00

(lil berkley b.nine 1/2 weeks)

UPDATE:

thought i'd let everyone know that i am still in some deal of pain. i can't contort my body much as the abdominal pain is pretty severe. i find it difficult to walk normally. the pain killers have been helping and i believe resting today has helped.

i'm looking forward to regaining my menstrual cycle and going back on birth control. i was silly to think that i'd be able to restart training again for my april 19th 10K on Monday. this week may actually be pretty difficult if i continue to feel so poorly.

yesterday the clinic called to check in on me and let me know i can call them anytime, day or night.
the best news for me is that the clinic will be able to tell me how many of my eggs fertilized and if the couple was able to successfully become pregnant. i will be so heartbroken if all of my work and their money didn't pan out. getting paid isn't satisfying yet and i hope knowing it was a success will ease that!

i'm done!

2009-03-26T17:25:00.004-05:00

surgery went well. after coming into the hospital it took them THREE tries to get my IV in. shortly after that ordeal i was given relaxers and i do not remember anything after that. i met the doctor prior to the IV and he informed me that there was a couple that was very appreciative on the other side. this calmed my nerves a bit. funny, i've had copious amounts of blood taken in these past 20 days and given numerous injections but the idea of an IV rattled me!

i woke up at 10:30am and the nurse gave me my check for $4000 along with pain killers. i haven't had to take any yet. i am tired but not definitely not feeling up to being social. they suggested i may feel cramping, but i would call my discomfort just slight pain.

overall i would do the process over again but most likely will decline a second cycle. it may appear harmless but i don't feel repeating it again would be the best. i'm looking forward to returning to my exercise/training for the 10K. perhaps in a few months i will feel differently.

now to spend the night with berkley watching elizabeth.

day 21: last injection today

2009-03-24T19:53:00.002-05:00

tonight at EXACTLY 9:45pm i will administer my final shot. it is the 'big' one meaning that this one will mature my eggs and make them ready for retrieval. my surgery will be at 8:45am on thursday morning.

one more dose of dexamethasone tonight but nothing else. the surgery requires me to drink and eat NOTHING after midnight tomorrow night. otherwise no jewelry or make-up on the day of surgery.

i'll update on how the surgery went and any post-surgery thoughts/feelings. i'm feeling really good right now. i definitely have gained weight but i know i'll loose it all or most of it once i'm off the drugs completely.

cheers.

surgery date set!

2009-03-23T12:29:00.004-05:00

today was my final ultrasound and bloodwork appointment before egg removal.
they were happy to tell me the eggs had continued to grow making it possible for them to say egg retrieval would be scheduled this thursday.
this means:

my last injections of lupron/hcg & fertility drug will be tonight
tomorrow i will give myself one final injection of ovidrel (helps follicles mature and to trigger the release of mature eggs from the ovaries) - this must be taken at the instructed time because exactly 34-36 hours later i will have surgery
my mom and sisters are coming down to drive me to surgery & take care of me!

it's nearly here. still today i feel positive about going through this process. i've read and heard some donors regret it or don't feel like it was worth it, but i don't feel that way. on the drive home from overland park today it dawned on me that i will soon, hopefully, make someone else pregnant. how wonderful.

side effects: i feel a lot of pressure when i urinate. i still feel bad walking fast or running a little because of the extra weight down there. i'm in good spirits and feel great otherwise. i have brusing around the sites they took blood from both of my arms. gross. otherwise no large bruising on my legs from the injection sites.

other news:
surprise, surprise! i have finally chosen depaul in chicago. no more seattle. it is closer to home and they have a better program. i'm sending in my $400 deposit within the next couple days!

berkley is doing well. last night was the first night she didn't make any noise all night in her kennel. it was great being able to sleep through the night.

day 19: nearly finished!

2009-03-22T12:39:00.002-05:00

giving the injections has become increasingly harder. the lupron/hcg injection is still painless but the fertility drug is sharp and leaves a dull pain afterward. luckily i'm nearly done with the process.

tomorrow morning i have another ultrasound and bloodwork appointment.

here is the video sean shot of me two days ago. it may LOOK like i am not wearing pants but i am wearing jersey shorts...

fyi: medicine information

2009-03-20T17:57:00.002-05:00

birth control
i'm typically on birth control but with the egg donation cycle i did not start taking the pill again after i had my period for a week. i won't start back on birth control until after surgery.

z-pak (zithromax)
an antibiotic taken used to prevent and treat infections in the reproductive tract as a precautionary measure.

dexamethasone
a low-dose steroid tablet taken at bedtime to suppress androgen production, which may improve egg quality. side effects: insomnia, nervousness, indigestion
i've been taking this every night since the beginning of injections.

lupron
a daily subcutaneous injection to aid in ovarian supression and to prevent ovulation. side effects: insomnia, hot flashes, weight gain, mood changes, headache, hive-type area at injection site.
more info:
GnRH is a hormone released from the hypothalamus. it controls the release of LH and FSH from the pituitary gland and these hormones in turn are responsible for stimulating the production of hormones and development of eggs in the ovary.

in normal cycles, GnRH is necessary for the system to function properly. however, when gonal-f (fertility drug) is used to induce ovulation, GnRH may actually interfere with the timing we are trying to achieve. it may do so by causing premature ovulation or "overaging" of the egg. premature ovulation is the most common reason IVF/GIFT cycles are canceled prior to retrieval of eggs, and "overaging" of eggs is believed to be one of the factors that results in a failure to conceive.

lupron is a synthetic hormone known as a GnRH agonist. when given over a prolonged period (more than one week) they effectively prevent GnRH, and subsequently LH and FSH, from affecting the function of the ovary.

gonadotropins (gonal-f)
a medication (fertility drug) given as daily subcutaneous injection(s) to stimulate the growth of follicles in the ovary. side effects: fluid retention, breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, mood swings, ovarian enlargement.

the final injection (big big one): chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
a subcutaneous injection given prior to egg retrieval to mature the eggs. this injection is extremely important and must be taken at the exact time you are instructed. side effects: nausea.

day 17: ultrasound & bloodwork

2009-03-20T15:45:00.006-05:00

today was a big day. i went up to overland park for an ultrasound and bloodwork like i did last friday but this time i could SEE the egg follicles on the screen! my ovaries are massive...

completely shocking: i had 17 eggs, 8 on one side and 9 on the other!
they said i am doing really well. a few hours later i received a call explaining my next three dosages which have been decreased. on monday i'll go back up for another ultrasound and more bloodwork. i'm hoping on monday they will tell me what day my surgery will be on, either wednesday or thursday.

observations: i can literally feel my ovaries. it's just uncomfortable. i find that i try to carry myself in such a way as to not disturb them, i.e. no jumping or running just soft, careful steps.

tonight i hope to have sean record the two injections.

day 15

2009-03-18T14:25:00.005-05:00

today is day 15 out of 22. yesterday i drove up to overland park to give blood and received a call around 1pm telling me the dosage amounts for the next three days. it surprises me how fast this process has been. the time has flown by considering next week i'll be in surgery!

friday i have another appointment for blood work and ultrasound.

i'm not noticing any overt side effects. i have some bloating and general abdominal discomfort. i plan on taking it easy tonight and not overexerting myself. i found a great site explaining possible side effects of gonal-f fertility drugs based on medical studies.

check it out if you wish: gonal-f

for those interested in how i've budgeted my egg money check out my budget.

i'm suffering from terrible separation anxiety from berkley today. i'm ready to go home!

day 13

2009-03-16T21:32:00.005-05:00

the fertility drugs do not seem to be causing any side effects... yet.
im prepared for anything. my friend, tyler, joked at how irritable i am already and i haven't been taking the big drugs yet.
giving two injections doesn't bother me at all. i'm actually very surprised. i just do one in each leg and go on. if sean was around tonight i would've videotaped it but alas, he is drinking on his porch. it's beautiful here.

at the clinic i asked about the dizziness and they thought it was caused by not having any estrogen caused by the lupron. i haven't felt dizzy lately at all.

i have a general lack of appetite. nothing seems to sound good which isn't like me at all.

other news:
i've purchased a new laptop for law school. it is exactly what i wanted and i would've waited until i actually received my egg money but lenovo was having a 15% sale. i saved $630 from what it was originally at a month ago.

today i spoke with a lawyer out of kansas city's shook hardy bacon. he thought depaul university would be my best bet. to put it in little words depaul/chicago would offer me better employment opportunities. for days i've been leaning towards seattle, well i 'chose' seattle. i've researched apartments/houses for hours, figured out how i would fit it into my budget, looked into firms but depaul was still an option in my mind. this just puts depaul back in the running. ugh. the most irritating part is that i've been set on seattle for awhile now and it is hard to explain to people the change in thoughts.

oh and berkley is wonderful. we went to the vet today and all was well except for a film on her corneas. the vet wasn't too worried. we are going to monitor things. this dog is going to cost me $1000+ within the next four months. here we go!

day 10/11: next steps

2009-03-14T00:30:00.002-05:00

today i had my first suppression ultrasound and estradiol blood test. i was relieved to find out that my ovaries had taken well to the medication and were quiet. i was given the next set of medications: the fertility drugs along with another hormone to be taken with the lupron called HCG. the fertility drugs are complicated because i have to first inject the vile with a water solution that dissolves the powder that is in it right now. each vile only has about two doses. there are special needles just for the fertility drugs.
both the fertility drugs and new hormone must be refridgerated = no more carrying around needles and meds!

i go back up for a quick blood test this tuesday and another ultrasound/blood test on friday. right now i only have the dose amount for the first two days. on tuesday they will call after my bloodwork comes back telling me of my second and third doses.

giving myself two injections now with more than twice the amount of medication each time is bothersome but i try to think of two things: 1) the couple i am helping 2) for each injection ($4,000/34 injections) i am getting paid a little more than $117. i think about the nice laptop i want, the puppy i am about to get, the nice suits i'll need to purchase.

today i confirmed the amount i am being compensated, $4,000. at first they told me $3,500 so this is a nice incentive.

tomorrow is the day. we are leaving for springfield, mo at 7am.

day 9

2009-03-12T22:23:00.006-05:00

another day, another injection.
nothing new to report.
i'll admit the irritability isn't fun. feeling fat is one thing but being irritated at those who i love, at noises and smells that i normally don't mind is extremely annoying. it's also taxing on day to day relations with people. these past few days i've been pretty negative and i need to reevaluate.

tomorrow morning i go in for blood work and a check-up.
i'll have much to discuss then. sunday i will start the fertility drugs. this means i'll be giving myself two shots daily along with the daily steroid pill. i finished the antibiotics today.

other news:

looking into national movers just to see prices of getting my belongings to washington and not having to start completely over: looking at $2,300 from the first company.
bought puppy food today along with hygiene products, i.e. little toothbrush, enzymatic cleaner along with other toys and treats
she is coming in 36 hours! i just hope she looks like a berkley because it would be awfully hard to change the id tag now!

day 8: hopefully not like yesterday

2009-03-11T09:59:00.007-05:00

yesterday was a terrible day in terms of mood, irritability, and general side effects, i.e. nausea, joint pain (my bones ached), breast soreness, and dizziness. i also started menstruating but that seems to over today. looking back i probably should have skipped my last class and string of meetings after school to rest. i didn't feel ill just extremely uncomfortable.

injections are still relatively painless and i don't have much bruising from these past few compared to the first round or two.

i haven't ran since saturday. the guilt that comes from stopping my training is huge. normally i'm under a no excuses mentality but right now i'm using the currently valid excuse that i don't feel well enough.

school work is slightly harder to get done. i'm normally way ahead of due dates but now i'm finishing the night before. i could probably blame this on all the time i spend planning for lil miss berkley though.

law school news:

no word from ASU or university of arizona; my mom seems to think i'll end up going to ASU.
i've chosen seattleu. this has been a tough decision and even right now i jump back to depaul because i do love that school. it came down to this: seattle has a strong IP program too, perhaps not AS strong but it will set me up fine. i want to live in seattle. it's a large city but it doesn't feel like it. i don't feel like i'd be happy in chicago. that's it: happiness. i can see sean and i in seattle and not so much in chicago.
parents reactions:
dad: you'll hate the weather. i thought depaul had a better program?
mom: what about UNL?
it is going to be an absolute pain to move, expensive and far away. this is it. come august i'll be more independent than i have ever been.

6th Day of Egg Donation

2009-03-10T00:53:00.001-05:00

6th Day of Egg Donation
Originally uploaded by and sierra

i've definitely put on some weight. nothing too noticeable but it's sore to lie down on my boobs or touch them for that matter. i've upgraded to my old bras from before my weight loss to compensate.

i started taking zithromax, an antibiotic, yesterday. two pills yesterday and one pill for the next four days.

so far the worst side effect in my opinion isn't the gain in water weight but the mood swings/irritability. nothing seems to calm my nerves and i can't seem to find anything that will allow me to just relax. it's frustrating and tonight i wrote in my planner and then read up on how to potty train puppies (the puppy always puts me in a good mood).

sean has been so supportive this entire time, even in the midst of my irritable rages!

i've resorted to not running as of today. my body feels odd and weak. i'm not sure when i'll become nauseated again. perhaps i'll try and continue some strength training?

anyhow, ill start my period here soon and then i have an appointment at the clinic on friday for bloodwork. i start the fertility drugs on saturday.

p.s. sorry the video is sideways. i've spent two hours downloading add-ons and plug-ins to flip it but couldn't figure it out. obviously i've given up.

day four: carrying a needle in my purse

2009-03-08T01:05:00.004-06:00

didn't want to have to stow a needle and meds in my purse but it happened today. the spencer student advisory board is hosting a juried art show and we had the selection meeting tonight to decide on which works would appear in the show. it lasted from 7-10pm so i packed up the needle, alcohol swabs, and meds in my purse. went better than i thought.

went running today: 3 miles. seemed to go fine. probably won't be running as much as i normally do. my typical 20-30 miles/week isn't going to work when i'm sore and nauseated.

notable side effects:
i've gained a bit of weight and my breasts are bigger. fun, huh?
there are bruises on two of the injection sites. i choose different places each day and i can tell where the last one was for the most part.

puppy news:
can't stop thinking about her.
i cleaned my ENTIRE apartment today. as in i was actually on my hands & knees scrubbing for the lil girl.
saturday could not come soon enough.
t-minus six days.

i miss my momma bear:

day three

2009-03-06T22:22:00.008-06:00

sean watched as i gave myself the third injection of lupron tonight. my mother called frazzled that her side of the family is calling worried about me. i suppose i forget how this isn't an everyday thing. i've been looking into this and applying, etc. since the end of december. i was so anxious to get started!

felt a little nauseated at times today, mainly this morning. the injection site bled a bit again today but otherwise all went normal.

i will take my third pill of dexamethasone, a steriod, tonight before i go to bed. they suggest taking it with food giving me an excuse to have a midnight snack.

i'll be honest i haven't ran since i started injections. training for a 10K may be harder with these injections but i really do need to keep at it. i was doing so well!

NEWS:

i ~~picked~~ PURCHASED a puppy today. well, actually we picked out a puppy today. she is a mal-shi (her dad is a maltese and her mommy is a shih-tzu!). her name is 'buttercup' but sean and i are re-naming her berkley. she is in arkansas but the breeder is meeting us halfway in springfield, mo for just $30. the breeder, mary ann, is so cute. her dad only weighs 6lbs and her mom weights 12 lbs so lil berkley will only reach 10 lbs or so. we are picking her up next saturday, march 14! sean and i went to petco and then to wal-mart to get a few things for the lil one. each spent $40. now we just need food. pictures?

day two

2009-03-05T21:00:00.003-06:00

just gave myself my second shot. this one hurt a tiny bit and i forgot to squeeze the fat up beforehand, which may be the problem.

overall it went well.

i've been drinking tonight. i asked the clinic if it was okay for me to drink and they had no qualms but it still feels funny with so much riding on my health, etc. i will obviously try and take it easy for this next month.

i'm thinking about videotaping the injection next time in case anyone is interested.

day one of lupron injections!

2009-03-04T19:20:00.004-06:00

minutes ago i gave myself my first injection of lupron, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analogues. yes, i know, this means nothing to me too. basically these injections, just 0.1ml a day, will suppress the release of a hormone by the pituitary gland that normally triggers eggs to mature within the body. this way we can control the timing of egg maturation and ovulation through other meds.

good news: it didn't hurt. at all. that is such a relief.
i feel a little light headed right now for a brief second or two and then it goes away.

background information (how i ended up here tonight injecting myself):
back in december i read an article in the new yorker about a surrogate mother whose one daughter donated eggs to pay her way through college. well i began researching after that. in ninth grade i actually did a research paper on in vitro fertilization (IVF).
i applied in january and heard back within a day or two with a large stack of papers to fill-out outlining my family medical history, my physical characteristics, and all sorts of other information i never thought i'd need to ask my grandmother, i.e. what height and weight my grandpa was when he died.

after i was accepted based off my family history and childhood, adolescent photos i drove up to the clinic for blood work and a psychological test. they drew out 7 viles of blood!

a week or two later i was clear. no genetic disorders, stds, for me! that was a relief.
within days i had a donor family who wanted me.
everything at this clinic is completely confidential, so the couple doesn't know my name, they know what i look like, and i don't know them. it would be nearly impossible for the baby to find me too.

until tomorrow...

it has begun!

2009-02-14T19:38:00.003-06:00

i picked up the first round of medications for egg donation yesterday.

i'll start injections on march 4th.
so far i'm feeling really good about the whole process. the needles are so small.

happy valentine's day.