We're in the Home Stretch

WOW.  That was the first thing I thought to myself this morning as I lay in the doctor's office, feet up in stirrups, and staring at an ultrasound monitor full of large eggs.  Our doctor immediately exclaimed, "You got off to an explosive start!  Look at all of these eggs - they're all big!  You're doing great; I bet you'll have your retrieval sometime this weekend.  This was really fast."  Holy cow!  For one of the few instances of my life, I was speechless.  The little body that couldn't just proved to the medical community that she could, and, she did.  Thank you Jesus!

Of course, I immediately texted Ashley as soon as I learned my retrieval would likely be this Friday.  She was just as surprised and thrilled as I was.  I wish I could have spoken to her over the phone about it - I had to send a text message because my phone was broken and my replacement didn't arrive until later this evening!  Grr...

So, in order to get my body ready for my retrieval, the doctor bumped up my medication dosages today.  Yey.  I say that sarcastically, but, all of the pleasant side effects of my fertility drugs are definitely worth the amazing gift they are giving me.  I'll be honest though...they don't make me feel so good!

Yesterday I felt great - better than I have since I administered my first injection two and a half weeks ago.  I thought I was finally getting used the the medication and the icky days were over.  WRONG!!!  It seems as though I felt amazing yesterday because the dosage of one injection was cut in half, and, I got to skip the one that has the higher incidence of migraines and nausea.  Today I took them both again at regular doses.  Cue the migraine and upset tummy.

Anyway, there is so much about surrogacy that I didn't know before; like you, I learn something new every day.  Today I learned there is a condition that develops when too many eggs grow - there's a fine line between growing too many and too few eggs.  I currently have the perfect amount of large eggs, however, my medication dosages have been adjusted to prevent me from growing too many of them.  It turned out I had "a ton" of little follicles, and, they would have developed into more eggs without medical intervention.  Too many eggs can cause all kinds of serious medical problems, so, clearly I agreed with the doctor when he decided to put a halt to that!

Tomorrow I'll go back to the doctor for another ultrasound and blood work, and, I will continue to do this until our egg retrieval.  George also has to have more blood work done, and, he has to deliver his "urgent" medical forms from his recent physical. I say "urgent" because our IVF nurse told George he needed a physical right away, so, he actually left work mid-day to have his physical performed, and then...crickets.  Today we were told to bring his paperwork in for tomorrow's visit; This is the first time his physical has been mentioned in weeks!

What's next?  Ashley and her son arrive on Wednesday - I can't wait to see them!  Ashley has such a positive, "This will work" attitude, and, I'm really looking forward to spending a few days with her.  Beginning Wednesday, Ashley will be cared for at RMA Philadelphia instead of RMA of Texas so we will both be monitored by the same medical team.  I will then have my egg retrieval on what the doctor believes will be Friday, and then, George's swimmers will be injected into my eggs to create embryos.  After an embryologist monitors the development of the embryos, he/she will decide which are the strongest to transfer into Ashley.  After the transfer, we head into the dreaded two week wait (also known as 2WW - that's how long it will take before we know if Ashley is pregnant).

Oh!  I forgot to update you all on our little pregnancy announcement survey!  Through private messages from the majority, we have decided to wait until we have a heartbeat.  So, if you don't see me posting anything after our transfer, you know why.  ;)

And finally, I am asking everybody I know to pray to God or whatever higher power they believe in as baby making is officially out of my control now.  In fact, I just got home from church...at 11:00 p.m.!  Yep, I drove to my church's 24 hour chapel to pray for our miracle.

Until next time!