Be the Match... {a new meaning}

When Kellie (IM) and Chris (IF) and I all discussed the possibility of me being their gestational carrier, I knew that this would be the perfect family to carry for.  They have tender hearts and are genuine people that everyone falls in love with as soon as they meet them.  That's how I felt when I first met them a year ago.  In the type of industry that Kellie and I are in, you would think we would be competitors.  That we would be jealous of eachothers successes and strive to one-up the other.  But, truly, with ItWorks Global, that could not be further than the truth.  This is the only company I've seen that genuinely cares for each person & wants them to do well.  This is the only company that I've seen women come together in every aspect of the business and root eachother on.  It's such a rare company.  In the best of ways.  And Kellie and I have really seen that come full circle, especially with this journey we are on.
In July of this year Kellie and I happened to have a layover at the same airport when we were flying with our husbands to a conference in Florida.  We were walking to our gate and we shared our pregnancy stories with eachother.  I remember her telling me that she so badly wants another baby, but unless they were to find a surrogate, that wouldn't be possible.  Of course, I had to mention my desire to be a surrogate 2 years ago and explained how it fell thru and how devastated I was.  In the middle of this conversation we were interrupted and we never finished.  But, a month later Kellie and I were at a leadership retreat at the Biltmore Estates in North Carolina with 12 other women.  It was a very intimate experience and each of us got to know eachother very well.  One evening we all did an activity where we would share pieces of our lives that have shaped us into who we are and then also share a few dreams that we see in our future.  This is when again, Kellie brought up how badly she wanted a baby.  I remember seeing the tears stream down her face and my heart ached.  Seeing her emotions is the exact reason why I feel so passionately about being a surrogate for someone.  I can't imagine having the desire to have another baby & not being able to.  I can't fathom how hurtful it must be to feel that your family isn't quite complete but not sure how to make that feeling go away.
While Kellie was talking, I couldn't help but wonder... 'could I carry a child for her and Chris? Would it work this time?  Could I be a surrogate like I've always wanted?  Could I be their match?'
The Biltmore trip was over the next morning and Kellie and I never spoke again about that night until the following month we were at an all expense paid leadership trip in Florida with our company for the top 100 of the company.  Kellie and I are so blessed to both be apart of that!  But, during that trip, Kellie and I would be silly and joke about me carrying her baby.  I didn't think it was anything more than just silliness, kidding around.  But, just a few days after that trip is where this whole story begins.  September 11, if you remember my first blog post.  Kellie called me and I will never forget her shaky voice asking if I was 'serious' about possibly being their surrogate so they can complete their family. Here is a few photos of those trips.  These photos now have such a more powerful meaning than they did when we first took them!

Fast forward a few months... if you've been following along on the blog then you are familiar with what all happened in September, October and November.  However, I've left out a very big detail.  Since we were keeping Kellie & Chris' identities a secret until we were cleared to go forward, I couldn't let you know something that Kellie is doing because it would have given away her identity to all who know us.  In May of this year Kellie was at a vendor event for ItWorks and she was next to the Be The Match Bone Marrow donation booth.  They asked if she would want to be a registered bone marrow donor and all they would need to do is swab her mouth.  The chances of being called would be like 3% (this is what I remember, that could be the wrong number.. but it's very low).  Well, just 2 months later Kellie got a phone call.  She was a potential match for a man who is fighting cancer.  They asked to do some more testing and they would call her back if she was THE match, but the chances were slim that that would happen.  Well, she got the call.  Just after her and I started discussing our plans for the surrogacy, she was called.  She wasn't among a list of donors, but she was the only match for this man.
Originally Kellie's egg retrieval for the surrogacy was set for the first week in December.  However, when the bone marrow donation called, this man needed this donation in December also.  Wow.  Talk about crazy timing.  Kellie is such a giving person, I know it was a no brainer for her.  She decided that her dream of having a baby would be put on hold for a few more months while she donates bone marrow to potentially save this strangers life.  How amazing.
Tomorrow is the big day.  Kellie will go in and give bone marrow.  I know this past week hasn't been easy or comfortable for her.  She's had a lot of side effects from the injections shes had to do, but she's a trooper and dealing with it all with such grace and optimism.  Here she is.  Send her some prayers to continue to {BE BRAVE}.  Go Kel!  :)

So, I just have to end this post saying how ironic all of this really is.  Kellie is giving life all the while she is waiting for a new life to complete her family in 2015.  And, while Christmas is all about giving, I think this all holds true to that tradition.
Our timeline right now is:
January 18: I will start on all meds to prepare for the transfer
End of January : Kellie will begin meds for her egg retrieval
Beginning of Feb: Kellie will do her egg retrieval
February 25: TRANSFER DAY (if all goes as planned)!!!!

So, there ya have it!  Lots of info. Lots of giving.  And.  BE THE MATCH. 

Our big reveal!

Well, up until this point you've been following MY journey without a face or a name to the IPs (intended parents).  As a surprise to most people, this wonderful couple I am going to carry a baby for, is a GREAT friend of mine and my husbands and we have MANY mutual friends.  After our wonderful doctor appointment yesterday we went back to their house & made this fun video.  We are no experts but we had seen an idea similar to this and so we made it our own!
I have SO much I want to say but for now I just wanted to get this video out to you who wanted to see it.  After the holiday is over I will sit down with a post about all my thoughts, emotions & comments about whats to come!
I hope you enjoy this video AND have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Sitting ABOVE the clouds!!!

Today I had the BEST news possible!  

I went into the appointment and the Dr started with an ultrasound to measure the uterine lining.  We were shooting for more than 7mm (last time 2 years ago, I never got over 6mm)... And he says "well the lining looks great, it's measuring 8.1mm which is ideal!"  Ahhhh!!!!! 

He continued to look at the rest of my uterus and noticed a small polyp.  He said it would require a minor surgery and I would need to heal for about a month before we could do a transfer.  But... Wait!  The doctor said "well, hold-on.  It's possible I can knock the polyp off with this catheter if I move it just right."  I thought for sure he was crazy and that wouldn't be possible.  Then he says "Yep!  Looks like I got it!  No surgery needed.  Wow, that never happens!"  

Ahhhh!!! All the stars aligned today!  The IPs and I are above the clouds today!  The prayers and positive thoughts worked!!!! Thank you all! 

Later today we are going to be making THE announcement on who the IPs are!! So, stay tuned for that exciting announcement! 

Today is the day!

The day is here for the big ultrasound!  I arrived in Oregon last night and I'm ready for today!  

My appointment is at 1pm pacific time so if you have any spare moments today to send some positive energy, thoughts and prayers my way, that would be so greatly appreciated!  If you've missed posts or aren't sure what today's appointment is about- in the past my uterine lining wouldn't grow thick enough for me to contine on with surrogacy.  I'm now using a different treatment plan and different doctor and today's ultrasound will measure the lining of my uterus and hopefully clear us to contine on this process so I can be a gestational carrier (surrogate) for this beautiful couple who want to complete their family! 

Had to snap a photo on the plane to document my big travels!  I had some delays due to ice in Iowa, but eventually I made it out and got here safely & on-time.  I'm pretty nervous for what news today could bring and I know the IPs are feeling the same way.  So... C'mon 1pm bring me some great news to share!   I will update later today, so stay tuned!!!! 

Things are looking... UP!

I would start this off by saying I don't have too much to say today, but we all know that I always write much more than I intend to.  So, I'll go ahead and leave that out :)

My injections have been going well!  On Saturday night, my mom was busy with some plans and so the time approached for me to do my injection.  I looked at Steven and said "Think you can give me my shot tonight?"  And he said "Yah, I can."  I was pretty surprised by that answer because he is petrified of needles and I cannot imagine him doing something to me that he knows will hurt.  He just doesn't have it in him!  Which honestly just makes me more nervous thinking about him trying! haha. 
I got out all of the meds and laid them on the counter and drew up my injection (this time it was double the dose, so it was .2ml) into the syringe.  I changed out the needle and I thought to myself... "I can do this".  So, I quickly pulled up the YouTube video of how to inject the meds and I watched it like 3xs over.  Then, I said to Steven, "I can do this!  I am going to give it to myself."  Then, I freaked myself out trying to do it... I gave myself the small Lupron injections last time in my thigh and they were SO easy but I think that these being in your butt/hip area is a harder area to reach so I was panicking that I might do the wrong spot and mess something up.  So.... I finally just went for it!  In went the needle into my butt!  And, I got done and said "Oh.  Well, that was easy!" No pain at all and I just plan to do them all myself! Here I am after the big moment :)

Yesterday I went into the lab and I had my blood drawn to check my levels of Estradiol in my body.  I had to do the test first thing in the morning and then the levels were run stat and sent to the clinic in Oregon for them to advise me of what my next injection dose would be. 
So, I got a message from the clinic to do .25ml that night and then on Saturday I am to do .3ml.  I was just dying to know what that meant!  Of course I emailed our coordinator and said "Soooo... were my levels good?  Or is that something you can't really answer one way or the other?"  And her response was that it is hard to say but that the level was a 'good' level and so its a great start, but of course the real determining factor is my lining check on Tuesday.  But, IM and I were still pretty stoked with a 'good' level!  :)  We will take all the positive news we can get right now! 
Monday night I will fly to Oregon and I have my lining check ultrasound on Tuesday.  We can use all the positive thoughts, energy, and prayers you can send our way!  This is a pretty big day for us and we both KNOW it's going to give us good news :) 

Day 1, Done!

 First injection was pretty easy!  I had my Mom, L.P.N. come over and administer my first one just so I could see how it was done and the dose was such a small amount, I barely felt anything!  A small pinch and no burning sensation or anything.  The next dose isn't until Saturday but it is double the amount.  So, we'll see how that goes!  Then, I have my bloodwork on Wednesday and the next 2 doses will be determined after my hormone levels are sent to the clinic. 

Here are a few fun photos of us that we had to send over to the IPs!  It's exciting starting the process!















Also, over the past few weeks I've gotten countless Facebook messages from ladies who are interested in the process.  Most of them have been women who are thinking of being a surrogate and after reading this blog, it has inspired them to start reading & considering if this is where they are led to go.  I've also gotten a handful of intended parents who are looking into the surrogate process to hopefully help them complete their family.  I've really enjoyed talking to all of these people about their unique journeys and helping them get a grasp on where to begin.  Last night I spoke on the phone for about an hour with a local gal who is turning to surrogacy to one day make her and her husband, parents.  We had such a great conversation and I just loved talking to her.  So much so, it made me want to run out and start hand choosing some potential surrogates for her! haha.  She has just an incredible story and I know that someone is going to love her and her husband as intended parents.  But, after I got off the phone with her I actually got really emotional.  I just sat on the bed for a bit and thought about how powerful this whole thing has become.  The many women I've talked to who are now thinking of pursuing this path is so overwhelming to me, in a good way.  Those of you who know me, you know that I love to share my life.  I love to love out loud and I believe that it's a powerful thing if we can inspire others while we go along our own path.  Last night after speaking with this woman it really hit me how special this journey is and will be.  Because, I know there are so many amazing people out there that are aching to become mommies and daddies and maybe adoption isn't in their cards for whatever reason that may be ... and so if me sharing my thoughts, photos, & overall story will help others get started than this has been so very well worth the ride. 
When I was matched with an intended father over 2.5 years ago, we actually denied the match (you can read back thru this blog to find out more) but the reason was because he didn't agree with this blog and quote on quote said "She shares way too much of her life."  Those words are exactly what made me feel uneasy because when I started having feelings of wanting to be a surrogate about 4 years ago, I was petrified to think of how to start.  No one I knew had been a surrogate, there were few blogs to read about, & I was scared to tell my family/friends for fear of what reaction I would get.  So, I turned to google searches and just read as much as I possibly could.  But, it was from that point on that I decided if I ever did go thru with my thoughts and become a surrogate, I would want to document my entire journey so that someone else who comes along and is in the same place I was, would have somewhere to turn to and learn about where to start.  So, THAT is why this blog was born.  And last night it really came to fruition.  I realized that this blog is doing exactly what my hope was.  It is sharing my story all the while, it is helping others write their own story.  So, I just have to say, thank you for reading, thank you to those of you who have reached out to me, and thank you for everyone's kind thoughts, prayers and comments.  You all rock my world :) 

Let the meds begin!

So, the time has come!  Tomorrow is when I will start my Estradiol injections for my mock cycle!  My first injection is tomorrow night, so stay tuned for how that goes.  Luckily my mom is a nurse and so she is going to come over and give me the first one & I will decide from there if I will have her continue to administer them or if I can do them myself.

Also, since this is a mock cycle and the results are VERY crucial to the entire surrogacy, the clinic has decided it is best if I fly to them for them to perform the ultrasound versus seeing a clinic here in Iowa and having them send the report.  So, on Monday, November 24 I will be headed to Oregon!  This is my first time there so I am very excited!  It will be a very short trip, just there and back for the big ultrasound and I am praying I come back to Iowa with wonderful news about a 'fluffy uterus'.  Haha.  Some of you might be laughing but I am SO serious!  That is all we can hope for... a fluffy uterus!

The meds I start tomorrow are estrogen that will help my uterine lining grow.  This is what I had issues with the last go-round two years ago when I was set to be a gestational carrier.  So, we can just hope, pray, and say all the positive thoughts in the world that the protocol this doctor uses will work better on my body then the last time!  So.. grow uterine lining...grow!

So far this clinic and doctor have been amazing to work with!  I cannot say one bad thing about them.  The clinic is called Oregon Reproductive Medicine & they are just outstanding!  You can tell they work with a lot of gestational carriers because everything has been completely smooth.  Our coordinator is so quick to respond and always on top of everything we have to complete on our 'to-do lists'.  They are even who recommended our attorney to write up the parentage agreements (contracts).  Which reminds me... we signed those last week!  So, thats another step that is completed!  Feels good to have that part done and I just adore my attorney!!  She has been doing traditional & gestational carrier agreements for 15 years so she really knew her stuff and she was just thrilled about the whole process & so excited to follow along.  She gave us some of the information about how the 'adoption' process will work when the babe is actually born.  Adoption?  I know.  It's a crazy word to use but it's technically what it is.  This baby will NOT be related to me at all.  But, in the state of Iowa, the intended parents & us will technically have to go thru an adoption hearing just for formality and legality.  The nice part is, the attorney knows how to stay ahead of the game & will be sure to get everything squared away during the later part of the pregnancy so that as soon as the baby is born, everything will be very smooth and easy for all involved.  It should just be a brief hearing and since the IP's live in another state, she said it might even be possible for them to be telephoned into the hearing so they don't have to be present.  The baby will not need to stay in the state of Iowa, so the IPs can leave Iowa after the birth, whenever they are ready!  That's a relief because I wasn't sure if they were going to need to stay in Iowa until the hearing happened.  The attorney assured me that this whole process is very simple, especially if we get ahead of it when I am still pregnant.  So, that was really helpful and eased my mind.  And again, this is just formality.  It's not like the IPs would be denied ...it's just so that the IM can be on the birth certificate and my name will be removed.  Our hope is to get the IF's name immediately on the birth certificate and never have my husbands name on it.

Next week I will go to a local lab for some initial blood draws that will show how much estradiol (hormone) is in my bloodstream.  It's my understanding this tells the doctor if I am getting the correct dose of estradiol for my body or if they need to adjust.


Well, that's about all for right now!  I will update once I start the meds tomorrow and let you know how thats going. Thanks again for all the support.  Now... send myself and the IPs LOTS of positive thoughts and prayers over the next 2 weeks.  We are praying for good news at this ultrasound.