Medical Screening

Hello everyone!
Last week, I finally got the word that I could set up a meeting with the fertility clinic. I called and they initially wanted Dan and I to come up for a new patient consult as soon as possible. I scheduled in for Monday, December 12th at 9:30. (yesterday)
Then I thought, hmm just a consult? You mean we need to drive all the way there to just meet with them? So I called back and explained that we lived two hours away and although that is not all that far, it does require us to both be off work the entire day for a 30 minute meeting. Was there anyway we could start the medical screening process? The receptionist told me that wasn't how they did it. :( I explained that this couple had been waiting SO LONG for me to come along and with the holidays, I didn't want to prolong it. Still nothing. The clinic wanted us to get "all of the information" and then make a decision before testing. Understandable, but we have researched A TON and we know what to expect!
About an hour later, the receptionist called me back and said, "Okay, I emailed the Nurse Practitioner and she agreed to start the blood work. But you will have to come back another time to do a Hysterosonogram." Whew! This meant that Dan could get his screening done as well and I would be the only one to need to go up later! NO PROBLEM!

So, yesterday, we headed up North to meet the doctors and see the clinic. The best part was getting to actually meet the intended parents in person.

We got to town a little early, so we met E and P at their house. We then road with them to the clinic to let the fun begin!
E and I have been talking a lot through text lately so it was not weird at all! She is so outgoing and easy to talk to, it is really like we have already known each other for years!

Once at the appointment, Dan and I met with the Nurse Practitioner who went over my medical history and the upcoming process. She also told me about the Hysterosonogram I needed. This is where they expand my uterus with saline to get a good look inside. They want to just make sure that there are no adhesion, or anything that may interfere with the embryo transfer and attachment. She then said, "We can actually take you today if you have time." SIGN ME UP! I will make time to get this phase done!
She answered any questions we had, talked about the medications I will be taking, and gave me pre-natals to start on.

Next, I went to have blood work done. After, we had about 45 minutes before the HSN so we walked over to Starbucks to grab a drink. We were able to sit and chat with the Intended Parents (IP's) for a while.

Upon heading back to the clinic, I was taken back to do the HSN. This was like no other OBGYN I have ever been to! In the procedure room, there was calming music, a heated table, blankets, pillows, and a nurse whos sole job was to rub my shoulder and ask if I was doing okay. Talk about a calming experience for having saline injected into your uterus!

After all was said and done, we grabbed a bite to eat with the IP's and then headed back home. Blood results should be back for clearance within two weeks and then we move on to the legal (blah) phase!

Once the contracts are signed, I will begin the hormones for transfer! Stay tuned!

Still waiting

It has been a week since meeting the Intended Parents (IPs). We met via Skype on Tuesday and by Thursday we had received the "go ahead." This meant that they liked us and felt comfortable with us to move forward!This also meant that I was able to receive their email and phone number so that we could communicate directly and not through the agency.
I immediately texted the mom and let her know to text at anytime. We have since texted a few times over the week and it has been nice getting to know her. We have very similar personalities and we both have a love of Disney :)

The next step will be my medical screening. The coordinating nurse at the fertility clinic was out all last week and was suppose to return to work yesterday. I have been anxiously awaiting a phone call from them to set up my appointment. I am really hoping they can get me in before Christmas to start this process. The results of all the blood work and such will take a week or two to get back before we can move on the the next phase which is the least fun, Legal.
Luckily for us, we both live in Illinois and Illinois has great laws about surrogacy. (some other states make surrogacy more difficult) So this process should be pretty quick. There is a lot of legal stuff to think about when someone is carrying someone else's child for them. Anyway, we have been referred to a lawyer who is very familiar with surrogacy cases so it should be painless.
After legal is over, we will move on to the transfer phase. I should know more about this after my medical appointment!

Please pray that they can get me in before Christmas so that we can get this process started!

I'll update soon!