Donation for Dummies

I am glad that I went to New York*. I learned a lot of about the aspiration (retrieval of eggs), and the possible dangers of donation. For instance, take a look at this picture above. I was told by my agency and by many egg donor communities, that I would be "off in la-la land" under anesthesia during the aspiration. The fert-nurse (fert=fertility nurse) informed me that their office does not like using anesthesia. Instead, they use valium, and another drug that makes me feel in-between sleep and awake. The fert-nurse told me that I would be able to feel the two pokes on either side of my vagina (see picture)... OW! I didn't want to whine or complain, so I gulped the monstrous sized ball in my throat, and nodded my head as normally and un-shakily as I could. Another scare that I was unaware of, is that after the egg retrieval, I will be given 14 days worth of antibiotics to defend my body (vagina) against infection. They did warn me that it is possible that the antibiotic will not defend against infection properly, and if that occurs, I will lose my ovary(ies)! The nurse assured me that, that particular incident occurred once in her 23 years of working there... but STILL... Scary. I don't mean to scare any potential donors out there, but know the precautions before getting picked. Here is a list of things that can go wrong for the donor:

1. Like I stated previously: your ovaries can be removed due to infection if the antibiotics don't work properly.

2. During aspiration, the doctor can pierce through an ovarian vein, or iliac artery. The ovarian vein is much easier to break due to it's thin layer. If that happens, 9-1-1 will have to be reached... and it's not pretty. (The nurse assured me that in her 23 years, that has never happened and that the doctor will avoid arteries/veins like the plague).

3. Ovarian cancer

4. Though it is not proven, some suspect that egg donation may decrease your chances of fertility.

5. Ovarian Hyper-stimulation - which I guess every donor undergoes at varying degrees of pain.

There are a lot of things in the list I have considered carefully... and though I am scared of the possible dangers, I can't help but feel that everything will go fine. The reproductive office in NY* are so kind, and knowledgeable, that I feel close to 95% safe (excluding the lack of anesthetic usage!)

I learned how to give myself the shots. There are three total that I must take at the same time every night: Menopur, Lupron, and FSH. The shots all go in a specific spot on my tummy. It's not that bad. I injected a practice shot full of water, and I couldn't even feel it (promise!). I will begin these shots when I get my next period (so, around the end of July).

Until the next exciting occurrence happens...

Ciao!

Shots in New York*

As an egg donor, I have to undergo genetic testing. This test is important for all potential egg donors, as to not pass on bad genes like cystic fibrosis and/or fragile X syndrome. Plus, I am curious to know if I have any "wrong" genes. My maternal family has some cases of cancer, but all kids on both sides are pretty darn healthy.

More to tell later after my trip to New York* where the intentional parent's reproductive doctor will teach me how to do these things called Lupron shots (Lupron shots = a subcutaneous injection of a medication called Lupron. Taken once daily), and other types of hormonal level stuff. Lupron shots in my tummy are not my favorite thing to think about, but it's for a good cause.

On a side note, some people who have found out about my donation decision have been giving me a bad time about me being selfish by decreasing my chances for fertility... I would be lying to say that it hasn't affected me, but my heart is set on my decision. I have over 200,000 eggs that are going down the toilet once a month!! I can spare some for this family who is unable to bear children. Yes, I decrease my chances of fertility, because after donating I will only have 199,950 eggs or more left (insert sarcasm here). Some advice to those thinking about donating: I have chosen to not really tell anyone about my decision to donate... I advise you to do the same. It's personal anyways.

Donor in New York*

I couldn't help but feel just a bit overwhelmed after receiving a call from my agency today. I will be traveling alone to New York* in just a couple weeks, for one day to get a physical, blood work, "shot" training, and other tests done at intended parents (IP) fertility clinic. I'm not really sure why I can't do that all in my home state, but my agency said it was more for the clinic to see who they will be working with. That's fine with me, except- I wasn't aware that there were required traveling without a companion (i.e. my husband). My agency told me that since it was not an overnight trip, that they would not pay his flight fare. I've been on airplanes many times by myself, but when I land, there has always been someone to greet me and help me familiarize myself with the city. New York* is a huge city and I'm afraid I'll be swallowed whole by myself. My husband is extremely jealous that I get to visit such an awesome city without him- but I assured him that he will be able to come with me in August for an entire week (not just a measly day) for the actual retrieval.

I went to see my primary physician for a regular check-up last week, and I asked him about the birth control I was taking: Desogen. I am taking Desogen daily as the specified pill for the donation process. I told him I was having trouble sleeping, having headaches constantly, and gaining weight like crazy! He told me that Desogen was a horrible birth control to be on, because my symptoms were common side effects. As soon as I got home, I phoned my agency and they switched my birth control for next month to Lo-Estrogen. It has a lower dose of Estrogen, so they think that will improve my symptoms. I'll cross my fingers and see what this new birth control can do for me.

(*) = I reserve the right to lie about my whereabouts and where my agency is sending me... duh, this is all about anonymity, right?

Test Confirms I'm "Normal;" Now Onto the Donation Process

Being a first time donor, I had to take the MMPI test, containing 500 questions. MMPI stands for "Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory" and is often used by trained professionals to identify the test-taker's personality structure in mental health and psycho-pathology. Along with this exam, I received a call from a LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). The LMFT called me and asked me really basic questions like, "What do you like most about yourself? Is your family supportive?" blah, blah, blah. The LMFT sent me an email later that night saying that I was perfectly normal and told me that my results were on its way to my agency for their records. Yay! I am "normal!"

I have 6 days left of my birth control Desogen (excluding my white, sugar pills). My agency asked me to contact them once I was close to my sugar pills, to make another appointment... I think? I'm not really sure what happens after my first round of birth control, actually? We'll see when the time comes.

Speaking of birth control, I emailed my agency about my weight gain. They told me that was not normal, and if it continues, to contact them. My "normal" victory with the MMPI was short-lived I guess... because I'm abnormal with the weight gain I had with Desogen. I gained another three pounds in one day. I am really annoyed with this weight gain, but I kind of expected these weight nuisances sometime or another with egg donation process. One of the questions the LMFT asked was my plans for the compensation. I told her it was all going into savings... I change my mind today, I need to take a couple hundred out to buy a whole new wardrobe for my bigger waistline :(

Still on Birth Control and blood test results

Nothing really egg-citing going on around here... I am still on their specified birth control. The new birth control, Desogen, is making me have the craziest mood swings, and I swear has affected my eating habits. I am ALWAYS hungry now. I am always so hungry, that I am afraid my Zumba video won't be able to eliminate my excess calories. I have noticed weight gain... but, for $5,000 compensation, I am alright with it. Normally, I am a 5'8 female that weighed about 140'ishlbs. I am now a whopping 155lbs.

Despite my obvious weight gain, I do have good news! My blood test results came back successful! The next step for a first-time donor is a psychological evaluation (to make sure I'm not some crazy girl). I found out the evaluation itself is over $400 for the intended parents to pay! The test itself is a 500 questionnaire (um, wow). I am a college graduate, so I am fairly familiar with ridiculously long exams, so I'm sure I won't develop carpal tunnel or anything after taking the long evaluation. I know I am a mentally sound person, and I wish the couple did not have to shell out anymore than they need to.

My agency has told me that the couple has chosen August as an egg retrieval month. I am a little disappointed, because I wanted an earlier retrieval (to get off the birth control faster). Oh well. I am happy for the intended parents future, (whatever, the month), unborn children that will hopefully come out of the procedure :)

1st Appointment

Today was day 3 of my menstrual cycle. I got my blood work and vaginal ultrasound completed...

I took my husband to the appointment with me because I was a little nervous for my first appointment. It was completely pointless that I took him though... He was way too fascinated at the screen visible to us, from the doctor's jelly'd probe inside his wife's va-jay-jay. I was a little uncomfortable with the feet--in-the-stirrup setup (on my period, no less) in front of a complete stranger. They counted 16 follicles total (8 follicles each) on each ovary. To be a potential donor, I am told you must have at least 12 follicles. I was hoping for more follicles, but as I take the required meds, follicle numbers increase. A fellow donor friend (the same friend who recruited me as a donor), actually has 30 or more follicles! Who knew I would be someday jealous of someone else's follicles?

*****************************************************************************

Tonight, I started taking the specified birth control: Desogen. I saw online that it has horrible side effects (nausea, bloating, weight gain, mood swings...).... I hope I am an exception to one or more of these effects.

I'm not really sure what happens next... I think I need to take my 500 question psychological exam. next... so I will wait to hear from my agency to see who I call to make an appointment.

(Side note: Did you know that intended parents pay over $400 for this exam? This could be the most expensive exam you ever take!)

Other than that... I am waiting for further instructions from my donor agency.

PMS

My egg donation agency informed me last month to call them when I began menstruating so we can begin the process. On day three of my period, I am supposed to go in for blood work, and a vaginal ultrasound. They retrieve blood work from me, to check if I have normal/good hormone levels to be a donor.

For the first time in my life, I was eggcited to start my period today! I am SO ready to get this egg rollin'!

Egg Donation

Less than a year ago, I signed up to be an egg donor. With a bachelors in Biology, I thought the whole process was pretty fascinating... though, my family did not think so. When I tried to bring up the idea of donating my eggs to another family, my mother about had a stroke. She strongly discouraged my "idea" of donating, saying it would effect my fertility in the future, and how much I would regret it. To quiet her concerns, I told her I would not go through with the donation process.... yet...

My profile became available for intended parents soon after documents were signed, and I was disappointed when I wasn't picked the next day. I found out later, it usually takes 1-3 years to get picked out of an agency! I got even more discouraged when my agency coordinator would call me excitedly when a couple had asked to look at my profile and pictures. Disappointedly, intended parents were always too nervous to take a risk with a first time donor... I wasn't proven, and I didn't have children. It was for these reasons, I was eggstatic to hear that a couple was in the midst of choosing between myself and another proven donor. After what felt like centuries (only a week), I found out they had chosen me! I felt so lucky that these intended parents thought I was worth taking the risk. I promised myself when I found out the news, that I would do my absolute best to take care of myself, for these wonderful people. So, after signing 30 pages in contract with my agency, I am ready to roll!

I am told, the next step is a 500 question psychology exam (to make sure I am mentally well, I guess?), birth control pills, blood work, and a vaginal ultrasound (yay...). All this will begin on day three of my next period. I just had my menstrual cycle, so we'll have to wait another month.... I will update the blog then!