Let's get this show on the road!

I have my plane tickets booked and appointment scheduled at Oregon Reproductive Medicine next Friday! I am so excited! It is the last huge obstacle before the actual transfer.

I learned today that I didn't have quite enough blood drawn a few weeks ago so tomorrow I go back again the have one more vial taken. 

Dave had all his blood work done this week and passed everything. Yay for no STD's hahaha.

As far as legal goes we have signed our initial documents. We won't finalize our contracts until after I clear my medical screening. This has been confusing to me because the fertility clinic won't clear me to start my hormone injections until after legal is done. I guess I see it from both points but I'm just ready to get this show on the road! 

Shannon (the momma) and I were talking today about how amazingly smooth this entire process has been. It is just so reassuring to me how perfect everything has happened and how perfect our God is. Everyday with this process is a reminder that this is his plan for both my family and theirs. It's so comforting to know we are in his hands on this journey.

The stork

Blood work is completed and my first official surrogate selfie has been taken! The phlebotomist did an awesome job. By the end of it though I could barely feel my fingers. 

Dave called the VA yesterday to make an appointment for his blood work. I was over listening his conversation with the gentlemen on the other line. Dave was trying to explain what he needed this blood work for and the guy didn't understand what a surrogate was. Dave says " no, my wife IS having baby but it's not mine. It's not hers either. She is the stork, the person carrying the child for another couple. I was laughing so hard listening to his explanation. I'm so proud of him for being so supportive of all this. 

I should hear from the attorney we have chosen to finalize my end of the contracts in the next few days. Other then that I'm just waiting to go to ORM. The next few weeks shouldn't be to eventful.  

One step closer!

Yesterday I had my consultation with Kylee from ORM (Oregon Reproductive Medicine). Normally this consult would be the first appointment at the fertility clinic, but with me in Colorado they were nice enough to let me do it over the phone. 

The kids and I had a sleepover at my moms the night before so she could keep them occupied during my 45 minute appointment the following morning. They were entertained by swimming in the hot tub, nail painting, and of course being chased around by Nana B. It's sounded like there was a party going on downstairs. 

During my conversation with Kylee I learned in much more detail as to what expect in the upcoming weeks. She was so informative! Next on my to do list is lab work. Yuck! They will be testing for hepatitis B surface Ag, Hepatitis C ab, HIV 1 & 2, RDR, CBC, CMP (including liver enzymes), chlamydia screen, gonorrhea screen, drug screening, TSH level and Free T4, Vitamin D levels, Rubella lgGb tiger, Varicella lgG titter, blood type and Rh, and an antibody screen. Phewwwww I feel like passing out just typing all of that! Dave will also need blood work done but only 4 tests. 

Other then that it's just a waiting game for good ol' aunt flow to show up. I will send Kylee an email the day my monthly visitor arrives. She will schedule me for my medical evaluation between 8-13 days following. This appointment will be at ORM in Portland.  At my medical evaluation I will have a Doppler ultrasound, trial transfer, uterine evaluation, and sonohystogram (SIS) done. This will be the day I meet the fertility specialist. If all goes well I should be in Portland the first week of March!

After my medical evaluation and as soon as Steve, Shannon, and myself have all our contracts completed I will be able to start all my lovely injections to prepare my uterus for the transfer. I was shocked to find out I will be taking 3 different medications via injections for grand total of 12 weeks. Yup you read that right, shoving needles in my belly for 3 months!! I'm sure I eventually will get used to it but for now on still slightly freaking out about it. 

With everything on track we are hopeful for an April embryo transfer. The coolest part about mine and Kylees entire conversation was finding out that after transfer we will know 6 days following if their is indeed a baby growing in my belly! As someone who is very very impatient this was awesome news!

Again, as procedures happen I will go into much more detail about each step. As of now I am just as clueless as the rest of you.