I am on day eight of stimulation for the egg donor process. They have a new protocol so things are going a bit faster than before- which just fine by me. It truly is very exciting for me to be a part of this and hopefully by this time next week, a very deserving couple will be on their way to parenthood.
I have also started a Biggest Loser contest with some parents and friends at my youngest son's school. Granted I lost 2.4 lbs last week, the fact I am on hormone stimulating drugs, prenatal vitamins and am growing around the middle slightly makes the first two weeks of the contest a bit of a pre-training session, rather than real competition. And if you know me for five minutes, you realize that I am as far from competitive as it gets. I am using this contest as a motivator! Alice Anne! A motivator!
The last, oh, six months, have been a bit of a stress physically and emotionally, so I am hoping for a relaxing spring- so I can get in primo shape for the beach season.
At last count there were 14 follicles growing. For those who don't know, that is potentially 14 eggs. They actually won't know how many eggs they will get until I go in for retrieval. Even with the best technology, some things remain a mystery. I am at the point where I am feeling mildly uncomfortable, but am still able to move around and be productive.
The doc comes in this morning during my exam, takes one look at the screen and noted the plethoria of images and makes the uber obvious comment that I am very fertile. I smile, nod, and say (inside my head), "No shit. That's why I have two kids and you've picked me twice to do this." He says, "You may want to consider doing this again."
Otherwise, I am adjusting well to my new digs and role at work. My goals are focusing more on the planned giving for the Foundation. There is still a bit of transition going on at work, all positive of course.
I'll post again after I go for retrieval. Or if something needs to be shared.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A Donor Discussion and A Lesson on Giving
For the growing number of folks I have told that I have become an egg donor, it's almost comical to hear their reactions to it. Most people don't think it's a good thing to do- their decision made mostly out of ignorance on the subject.
I'm not calling you ignorant. Read on.
Why did I really start to do this? Okay kids, story time.
Once upon a time in a far away land one of my dearest friends married her sweetheart. She wanted to start the family within a few years. Once settled in their first home, they decided to start trying for a baby. And they tried. And tried. And tried. No baby.
I never wanted children. Not any time soon anyway. I had a career which needed grooming, life settling that needed to be done- and children were not a part of that plan. But life had a different itinerary. In a few quick moves found myself married and a mother of one. All before my best friend had her first. What agony.
That's when it came to me. Why is that there are people out there that desperately want children, who deserve children, but cannot have them? Cancer patients in remission have barely a chance of getting pregnant. Folks with other medical concerns are also in the same bucket. I told my friend that came hell or highwater we were going to get her a few kids, even if it took my uterus to do it!
On the day my friend was to seek more advanced medical advice to conceive, she found out she was pregnant. But the seed had already been planted (no pun intended) in my head. I wanted to help others.
So, after an application modeling that for your top secret clearance entry, genetic testing, every other testing possible, I was approved.
Even though my best friend never needed help (she now has two darling children) it has made me thrilled knowing that others can now be happy.
Painful? Not really.
Surgery? No.
Do I think there are 50% "Me's" out there? No. It takes two to tango.
Will I be able to have more children if I so choose? Absolutely.
And a message from your local fundraising professional and friend:
If you do nothing else, give. Give to something you believe in. You don't have to give body parts (really, don't go crazy), but give of your time, your knowledge, your wallet to something that you are passionate about. And if you don't know what that is, take a moment to reflect on something you couldn't do without. Then think of someone that may not have it. Education. Health. Basic services. Job assistance. Clothing. Food. It's always a great base to start your philanthropic efforts.
I'm not calling you ignorant. Read on.
Why did I really start to do this? Okay kids, story time.
Once upon a time in a far away land one of my dearest friends married her sweetheart. She wanted to start the family within a few years. Once settled in their first home, they decided to start trying for a baby. And they tried. And tried. And tried. No baby.
I never wanted children. Not any time soon anyway. I had a career which needed grooming, life settling that needed to be done- and children were not a part of that plan. But life had a different itinerary. In a few quick moves found myself married and a mother of one. All before my best friend had her first. What agony.
That's when it came to me. Why is that there are people out there that desperately want children, who deserve children, but cannot have them? Cancer patients in remission have barely a chance of getting pregnant. Folks with other medical concerns are also in the same bucket. I told my friend that came hell or highwater we were going to get her a few kids, even if it took my uterus to do it!
On the day my friend was to seek more advanced medical advice to conceive, she found out she was pregnant. But the seed had already been planted (no pun intended) in my head. I wanted to help others.
So, after an application modeling that for your top secret clearance entry, genetic testing, every other testing possible, I was approved.
Even though my best friend never needed help (she now has two darling children) it has made me thrilled knowing that others can now be happy.
Painful? Not really.
Surgery? No.
Do I think there are 50% "Me's" out there? No. It takes two to tango.
Will I be able to have more children if I so choose? Absolutely.
And a message from your local fundraising professional and friend:
If you do nothing else, give. Give to something you believe in. You don't have to give body parts (really, don't go crazy), but give of your time, your knowledge, your wallet to something that you are passionate about. And if you don't know what that is, take a moment to reflect on something you couldn't do without. Then think of someone that may not have it. Education. Health. Basic services. Job assistance. Clothing. Food. It's always a great base to start your philanthropic efforts.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Here's to 2011
So, another year has come and gone. Super. But what a dynamic year it was. My dreams of being the smallest I've ever have been did NOT come to fruition. I did not read more. I didn't follow through with drinking a gallon of water a day... but then again- don't I sound like the majority of the population when discussing past New Year's resolutions?
I say it was a bit dynamic because I did do a few things I normally don't do on a regular basis.
I started a new job- a great job at that. Tomorrow will be my one year anniversary at the College and I couldn't be happier. I do resolve to sign up for at least ONE class though (be it I work for a community college- it just makes sense, right?)
I became an egg donor for a local fertility center. And how exciting that was! To know that I helped three couples potentially to have children just rocks my inner world like there is no tomorrow. If you want to have a babe, you should be able to have one is my strong belief- just as I believe in the 180 of that sentence. If I can do something simple and temporary to help someone else accomplish that, why not? As we start 2011, I am on step to helping out another couple in January.
Are there any downsides to this? A few. My body becomes a little out of whack for a couple months in total- some weight gain, tiredness, okay- maybe moody (but that's only out of my husband's mouth). But the end result- I'm back to normal, someone else is pregnant.
In other news. I buried two grandparents in 2010. Something I would not like to repeat in 2011; which would be a bit tough since I'm running out of grandparents. Moral of the story- less death this year would be appreciated.
I turned 30. That, will never be repeated. Thank God.
I started golfing. This I have learned from this new sporting hobby: 1) I desperately need lessons and 2) I have no patience for 18 holes worth of golf.
So, maybe the class I sign up for is golf- or a workout class to achieve what I just couldn't pull off in 2010- a great game of golf and a smaller waistline.
My other loosely gathered 2011 resolution: Push my friends to get out and hang out more- whatever that means- in person, on the phone whatever to get a closer bond with that group of people you need in your life. Life is too short to spend it with just yourself.
Perhaps get on here and bitch more or let you in on how my wheels are turning.
Find the calm amongst the chaos.
Here's to my ramble of 2010. I welcome you, 2011, and all that it will become.
I say it was a bit dynamic because I did do a few things I normally don't do on a regular basis.
I started a new job- a great job at that. Tomorrow will be my one year anniversary at the College and I couldn't be happier. I do resolve to sign up for at least ONE class though (be it I work for a community college- it just makes sense, right?)
I became an egg donor for a local fertility center. And how exciting that was! To know that I helped three couples potentially to have children just rocks my inner world like there is no tomorrow. If you want to have a babe, you should be able to have one is my strong belief- just as I believe in the 180 of that sentence. If I can do something simple and temporary to help someone else accomplish that, why not? As we start 2011, I am on step to helping out another couple in January.
Are there any downsides to this? A few. My body becomes a little out of whack for a couple months in total- some weight gain, tiredness, okay- maybe moody (but that's only out of my husband's mouth). But the end result- I'm back to normal, someone else is pregnant.
In other news. I buried two grandparents in 2010. Something I would not like to repeat in 2011; which would be a bit tough since I'm running out of grandparents. Moral of the story- less death this year would be appreciated.
I turned 30. That, will never be repeated. Thank God.
I started golfing. This I have learned from this new sporting hobby: 1) I desperately need lessons and 2) I have no patience for 18 holes worth of golf.
So, maybe the class I sign up for is golf- or a workout class to achieve what I just couldn't pull off in 2010- a great game of golf and a smaller waistline.
My other loosely gathered 2011 resolution: Push my friends to get out and hang out more- whatever that means- in person, on the phone whatever to get a closer bond with that group of people you need in your life. Life is too short to spend it with just yourself.
Perhaps get on here and bitch more or let you in on how my wheels are turning.
Find the calm amongst the chaos.
Here's to my ramble of 2010. I welcome you, 2011, and all that it will become.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)