Friday, August 31, 2012

Thanks to My BFF

We've been friends for ten years, but I don't always express how grateful I am that he is part of my life.  To my BFF:  Thank you for telling me the truth.  Thank you for your corny jokes.  Thank you for being smarter than me (sometimes).  Thank you for creating the Huckleberry dance.  Thank you for supporting me from 3,000 miles away.  Thank you believing in me when I didn't believe in myself.  And thank you for the design for Chill!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Follow-Up

     For the last two weeks, I've been congratulating myself on producing the eleven eggs retrieved.  Today was my final medical appointment for the egg freezing process.  Before signing the papers confirming how many eggs are going to the freezer,  I'm given a new total.   Unfortunately, two eggs didn't mature enough to be frozen.  Bummer.  This makes my total nine. Considering I've been high-fiving myself about the number eleven, I feel a little disappointed.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Taiwan's Future Moms Defy Time by Freezing Eggs

An article discussing how future moms defy time by freezing their eggs.   Here are few quotes I found interesting:

"Women who wish to preserve their eggs are recommended to use the service as young as possible or at least before the age of 38 so that the eggs frozen are at the best and most fertile." 
  • "A fertility clinic in Hsinchu in northern Taiwan said the number of clients coming in for egg freezing has increased 150% to 150 in the first six months of this year."
  • "The cost of the service is around NT$110,000 (US $3,367)."
  • "Most of its clients are financially stable and in their late thirties.  Some clients, however, have been as young as 23."
To read the full article, click here.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

San Diego's First Babies Born Using Egg Freezing

I read an exciting article about San Diego's first patients giving birth to babies using the new egg preservation technique called vitrification or "flash freezing".  Here are my favorite excerpts from the piece:    
  • New mom Shannon Taylor, who's daughter was born in April, "She's such a gift.  My husband and I are ecstatic.  Yesterday we were running out of options, and today we're a real family.  We are grateful beyond belief."
  • The center's medical director Dr. Gabriel Garzo, "Our recent successes with ongoing pregnancies conceived through egg freezing marks another milestone in fertility preservation.  It's and option for today's women who may be busy pursuing a career or who don't yet have a partner.  They can freeze their unfertilized eggs until they are ready for motherhood.  The center's advanced technique gives these women choices they've never had before."
To read the full article, click here.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Women Like Me

During my own egg freezing journey, I've been searching for other women sharing their stories.   A couple weeks ago I came across a series of articles by Lara Naaman.  They are awesome! I've laughed out loud numerous times, felt her frustration and asked myself some of the same questions. Lara is authentic, comical and freaked out as much as I was, which makes me feel a paculiar sense of camaraderie.  Plus, she loves cake (and ice cream) as much as I do.

My favorite quote from her last article is "I shouldn’t make any decisions while my ovaries are the size of parade floats and my hormones are horribly imbalanced." 

Click here to check out the series.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Egg Retrieval - Part Two

The darkness lifts as they wheel me out of the OR.  I hear voices, but I can’t tell if they’re talking to me or about me.  I attempt to speak and lift my head, but quickly resign.  I really don’t have anything to say.  Plus, my head feels like it weighs a thousand pounds.  Hilari lightly touches my left forearm and says, “They got 13 eggs.”  I smile and drift into slumber.  

Monday, August 6, 2012

Egg Retrieval - Part One

The nurse asks that we arrive an hour before my 10:00 am procedure.  My friend and today’s designated driver, Mandi, agrees to pick me up at 8:30 am.  On our way to the clinic, I envy the purple plastic travel cup resting next to her seat.  My medical instructions from the day before: no eating or drinking after midnight.   I’m beginning to feel the effects.  Of course because it’s forbidden, I now fully appreciate my freedom of consuming beverages.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Tomorrow!

My egg retrieval is tomorrow morning at 10:00 am.   I expected to be nervous, but I feel more excited than anything.  Maybe the anxiety will surface once I’m wearing my ever so fashionable blue, paper cap and gown.  Since I’ll be under anesthesia, the clinic suggests I have a friend drive me home after the procedure.  The plan is for Mandi pick me up, meet Hilari at the clinic and finally get these eggs frozen!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Day Ten

My eggs are ready for retrieval on Monday!

I took one injection of Novarel this evening at 11:00 pm. In very general terms, the purpose of this drug is to allow the eggs to become loose so when the doctor goes in to remove them, they detach easily from their resting place. 

Tomorrow’s last visit will include a physical exam and specifics on what to expect the day of the procedure.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Day Niner

About an hour after the evening injections, my stomach feels unsettled.  The discomfort is bearable, but definitely a nuisance.  You know that feeling when your most comfortable stretchy pants seem too tight?  Yeah, well that's what it's like.  I’ve started wearing shirts and dresses that are more flow-y (a very technical fashion term).  It's more comfortable when fabric isn’t clinging or pressing against my abdomen.

I have a routine appointment tomorrow morning.  Hopefully, Dr. Bendikson will be able to tell me which day the aspiration will take place.  Its day nine and I’m happy to report that I’m creeping closer to the finish line.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Day Eight

My eggs may be ready for retrieval Monday.  Once Dr. Bendikson receives the results of my blood test on Saturday, she'll have a better idea.  The guestimation is that ten eggs will be retrieved during the aspiration.  Although that's a good number, it’s not as many as I hoped.  I wanted closer to 15.  Honestly, I know I should just be grateful everything is progressing smoothly this time around.   Plus, ten eggs is better than no eggs.  Right?


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Follicles & Eggs

I can definitely feel the physical difference between my regular stomach and my hormone injected, swollen ovary belly.  My ovaries irritatingly ached the entire day.