Pills, Medicines and Needles.. Oh My!

On March 18th I got THE email we've been waiting for!  The email from the nurse, Holly.  The email that said it's time to start! 

I've gone over the medication information over and over and over but nothing prepared me for what I'd see on March 22nd when I opened the FedEx box - over 100 needles! (or so it seemed, I didn't actually count). Some were tiny diabetic needles but the others, the others were HUGE!  I've never been a needle scaredy-cat, but WHOA! 

Medssss Are Herreeeee!
(in Pauly D's "cabsss are hereeee" voice)

Luckily the "whoa" feeling was short lived and I felt great a few moments after - I can do this!  I can really help a wonderful/beautiful couple have a baby!  Such a surreal feeling.

The following morning I started the first medicine, Lupron.  It basically suppresses my system so I do not ovulate.  I used the diabetic insulin needle as directed and injected 10 units to the side of my belly button.  It wasn't so bad, we had practiced with the nurse on the medical screening day.  It did get a little red but nothing horrible and Angelina gave it a kiss all better.  Since that morning, I realized the shots are very unpredictable, maybe it's the way I do it that particular day, or the spot I stick it in, I have no clue but sometimes it doesn't hurt at all, and other times it does, sometimes I bleed or I am left with bruises and sometimes you'd never know a needle was just inserted there.  It's actually funny to look at my belly, you can always count atleast 5 dots where I have injected.  The worst was the day Dominic bumped into me, once while the needle was all the way in and again when I was taking the needle out -  I have a scratch from the needle still - it hurt a little, but I definitely know Dominic was hurt (emotionally) more than I was - poor lil guy.

My Lupron Setup

On 4/1/11 I was scheduled for a blood test to make sure everything was going as well.  I went to a satillite office in Foxboro at Patriots' Place, right next to the stadium - RIGHT next to it, it was amazing - Yes, I am sheltered and had not seen the stadium before this day - and YES I love the Patriots - my bank debit card is even Patriots themed... anyhow back to my surrogacy story... several hours later I got the call from the nurse and everything was on target and it was time to start my Estrace pills (3mg in the am, 3mgs in the pm) and lower my Lupron dose to 5 units every morning.  Estrace is an estrogen pill and will help raise my estradiol levels - pretty much does the reverse of Lupron - yes, my body is confused and telling me to please make up my mind!

Brigham & Women's at Patriots' Place - Foxboro

I went back for another blood test on 4/4/11, (and again was mesmerized by the stadium!) to check my estradiol levels and make sure the estrace was doing it's job.  When the nurse called that afternoon, she said my levels were "fabulous!" at 302 (not really sure how that number compares, but I trust her) and I am exactly where I should be - now I just have to wait for Kate to be ready - the nurse put it as... my "oven" was preheating and is ready but just needs to wait for the thing we're going to be making to be ready to go in.  She said Kate has blood work and an ultrasound scheduled for 4/11/11 and if all goes well, we can be transferring as soon as two weeks after that!! Sooo exciting!

So that is where I am at as of now -  I wish I started this blog earlier but I can't change the past (nor can I fake the dates I made the entry) - so now that I am here, I will update as much as possible - you may even get sick of me :)

PS I bet you're wondering about those HUGE needles, those are for after the transfer.. YIKES!