Postponed

I received a call from the recipient's physician tonight, that we will be postponing the retrieval until the first week of December. I actually am relieved. I will have more time to melt off the weight. This is my 5th day on the Atkin's Diet, and I have successfully lost 5-6 pounds. There are a couple of phases in the Atkin's Diet, however, I just want to complete phase one, in order to return to my original weight pre-retrieval. I have been exercising daily, and I hope my body forgives me for the extra weight I put on by continually melting off the weight. I think I have already mentioned this, but I was chosen for a third time next year (January) to donate my eggs. Ironically, both recipients are in the same area/location.

Anyways, my orders are to continue birth control. Until further exciting news!

Phoning the Doc - 2nd Cycle

Over the weekend, my husband and I completed signing the contract for my second donation cycle with my agency/IPs. I also had my phone appointment with my IP's clinic's doctor to get a update on my health background. I noticed right off the back that this doctor/staff did not sound as warm as the staff in my previous donation. They were a bit more rigid, however, there are some things that the physician talked to me about, that made me trust her/him infinitely. Some things I learned from our appointed conversation:

Firstly, I take vitamins/herbs on a daily basis. One specific vitamin that I had been taking actually increases the metabolism of drugs. Therefore, one of reasons that I during my first cycle, I produced few eggs- the medications I was taking, was getting metabolized too quickly. I was asked about any vitamins/herbs that I took daily from my previous clinic, however, they did not advise to discontinue my supplements. Starting tomorrow, I will be discontinuing that specific vitamin. (If you'd like to know which vitamin I was advised to steer clear of during this donation, please email me. For anonymity purposes, I like to use as little details as possible in this blog). At the end of our conversation, I asked the physician a question about the couple I will be working with. I like to know a little about the couple, so I asked why this couple wanted me. My first couple chose me mainly for my intellect and achievements. My second couple are choosing me because I look like the intended mother.

Secondly, without me even having to ask... the doctor asked about my recent weight gain (approx. 10lbs) since my last retrieval. I told him/her that I was a difficult time shedding these few extra pounds, despite that I haven't been exercising as religiously like I did before I went into my first cycle. She/He told me that this was common, and to try the Atkins Diet or South Beach Diet. The physician informed these types of medications hold on to our calories, and by cutting our carbs for a time, the weight should come right off. I've decided to begin the Atkins diet tomorrow.

Thirdly, the doctor informed that another reason I may have had a small amount of eggs, is because the cysts I developed mid-cycle did not completely go away. Despite the small number from my first donation, the clinics do know that I am proven, and have good-quality eggs.

Exciting News: My agency called, and informed about another couple wanting to sign with me for an egg retrieval in January! I feel thrilled that another couple wants to use me.

I am still very excited that my IPs are pregnant, and asked my agency if sending a "Congratulations" card would be OK. After my retrieval, I gave the all the nurses that I worked with a "Thank You" card, as well as to my intended parents. I don't want my IPs to think I am trying to invade their privacy, by sending a second card (to congratulate this time around). My agency thought this was a great idea. On that note, does anyone have any ideas on what to write to an intended parent's card of congratulations? I am a google queen and even tried searching for common messages for such an event... but everything sounded like I was trying to be in the child's life- which is NOT what I want. For example: "Can't wait to meet your new addition!"

Any ideas?

New Family TTC!

I received a call from my agency today that my next anticipated retrieval date will be mid-November. At first, I was a little nervous about the time of this donation, because my last retrieval was less than a month ago. I do NOT want to "stress" my ovaries 'too much, too soon.' My anxious feelings were quickly replaced with a peaceful feeling after talking with my couple's clinic, and expressing my fears of another donation this soon. I am also relieved that this time around I will be put under with anesthesia. My first donation, I was able to feel everything, however, after retrieval, I was injected with a drug that erased my memory of any pain I had endured. Though I do not remember the pain I felt, it makes me feel uneasy.

I looked up my profile on the agency's site, and saw that they had increased my pay by $1,500 dollars. This is all very exciting, and I feel very blessed to have been given such a special opportunity.

Preggers

I could not feel happier today... I found out my intended parents are pregnant from my eggs! She has been struggling for YEARS with infertility, so I am sure she is just as happy as I feel about this news. The very day I find out she was pregnant, my agency called and told me several couples were wanting to use my eggs. I was ecstatic to hear this news, because I wasn't sure anyone would want me with the low egg numbers I produced last time. Apparently, I was wrong... very wrong. I have a line of clients waiting! Wow!

So, it doesn't look like this will be the end of the blog... Stay tuned!