Weirdness

So, I've had some weird issues lately, that I thought I might as well blog about here. Since it might be related to my donation, it might be helpful to anyone else thinking about donating or reading this.

First weirdness - I had my annual PAP at my regular doctor last month. Well, I finally got the results, and it came back abnormal. They automatically test for certain strains of HPV when an abnormal PAP comes back, and those tests were negative, so they told me it was probably nothing to worry about, and to just make sure I get checked again next year. Now, I thought this was kind of weird, since the last time (10 years ago) I had an abnormal PAP, they re-tested me in 3 months. But either way, I know I'll get checked again when I start my next donation cycle in March, so that puts my mind at ease a little.

Second weirdness - I hope the hormones I took during the last cycle didn't make me extra fertile or something... My period was late this month, and when it started, it didn't even feel like a regular period. It was really light the first few days, almost just spotting. Then, on the 3rd or 4th day, I had extremely painful cramps, and later that day, I passed some really big clots, including one that was kind of white & gray. Now I'm wondering if I accidentally got pregnant, and didn't realize it, then spent the holidays drinking tons of alcohol & not taking care of myself, and then had a miscarriage... Yes, I was on birth control, but I was off of it for 2 months, then went back on it, then switched from the patch to the pill in the middle of the month, then kept taking my pills & skipped my menstrual cycle for a month, because I was on vacation. Even as I'm typing all of this out, it makes me realize that I probably did not have an effective method of birth control going for about a month. Any thoughts on this? Well, if that's what happened, I guess it's probably good that I had a miscarriage, if that's what happened, because I'd probably have a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome otherwise. Lesson learned, don't mess around with my birth control so much after a donation cycle, and make sure I use a backup method.

Anyway, that's all for now. My next donation cycle doesn't start until March, due to scheduling conflicts, so I won't have much news to post for awhile.

I Met My New Couple!

So the agency asked me the other week if I would be willing to meet the couple I had been matched with for my next cycle, and I agreed, so we finally had our supervised meeting this past week. I was super nervous - it's like the most hectic job interview ever - but it actually went pretty well. I know they felt more comfortable with their decision, so that put me at ease, and it's always nice to put a face with a name. They understand my crazy schedule over the next 2 months, and were super nice about it, so we'll be all set to go in March. :)

Donating Again!

Well, it happened waaaay faster than I was expecting, but I've been matched with a couple to donate again! The agency asked me last week if I would want to donate again, and I said yes, but with some exceptions.... Yesterday, I received the call saying that I had been matched, and another couple wants me to be their donor! Since my schedule is pretty hectic over the next few months, we'll be waiting to do the cycle until March. I'm pretty excited that someone chose me again, and it looks like I won't have to do much driving this time, so hopefully it's an easy cycle!

Exciting News!!!!!!!

The recipient is pregnant!! I am sooo happy for them, and so relieved that my eggs were good! :) After the amount of hormones I had to use to get mature eggs, I was a bit worried, but it looks like everything worked out just fine!

Gifts

So this past week I received my compensation check. That will definitely be a nice help while I'm finishing up school this semester. I also got a package from the agency with several gifts inside. The agency gave me a really pretty silver Tiffany-style chain necklace with a heart pendant, and a gift certificate to Burke-Williams spa. The recipient couple gave me a very elegant gold necklace with black beads from a local jewelry designer, and a very thoughtful, heartfelt letter. I really appreciated the gifts, they were such a nice surprise! Jewelry is always nice, especially with the kind of work I'll be going into, and a massage will be awesome! The letter meant a lot to me, and it's nice to know that they don't just see me as some kind of egg-producing machine! I really hope they get pregnant, and I should hear something soon!

Feeling Normal Again!

So I went in for my follow-up yesterday, and my ultrasound & blood work looked good, and I feel a lot better now! My stomach feels normal again, it seems like my digestive system is back on track, and I am back to my normal weight! :)

I don't know if I would want to donate again, or whether another couple would even want me after the amount of hormones I had to use to stimulate properly. I would consider it, but only if I am allowed to still drink coffee, and keep taking my normal fiber supplements. I also will absolutely refuse to drive over 1200 miles for doctor visits again! So, we'll see...

For now, I'm just happy that I did it, and that they were able to retrieve 10 good eggs that all fertilized!

Retrieval Day

We got to the doc's at 6am this morning, filled out paperwork, then I got into the lovely gown and got my IV put in. I absolutely hate the sight of blood, and had to close my eyes when blood started pouring down my arm when the IV went in! At 7am, they finally started giving me some pain meds or something, and wheeled me into the operating room. They told me I would be under general anesthesia, so I was happy about that. Then they had me move over to the operating table, and then asked me some questions. The anesthesiologist asked me some questions and told me I'd feel the meds going in & would probably feel cold. The doc gave me an extra blanket to keep me warm, and I was just looking around and listening to everyone for a couple of minutes. I was sitting there thinking, "gosh, is this stuff going to kick in soon & knock me out, or what?!" I didn't have to get in the stirrups like other donors I've read about, they must have done that after I was out, which I am happy about, because I wouldn't want to remember that feeling of embarrassment! I was looking at the ceiling when I finally went out.

I woke up in the recovery room in pain! I remember the left side hurting really bad, and my throat was super dry and sore. I pulled my knees up to help alleviate the pain in my abdomen, and started to cry. The nurse gave me pain meds in the IV and went and got my DH. He came in, and I was still hurting, and I think I was still about to cry. The meds finally kicked in, and I started to relax. The bed was up at an angle, so I motioned to him that I wanted to lay flat, and he told the nurse. I also did not like the feeling of the pillow under my head, so he moved it, and let me hold it on my chest (like I normally sleep at night!) I came to pretty slowly, and finally I felt okay enough to have the bed put up again so I could drink some water. I think I went through 2 bags of fluids in my IV! I asked the nurse how many eggs they got, and she first told me 8, but then told me 10 later on. Apparently, 8 of them were from the left side, that's why it hurt so bad, and only 2 from the right.

The icing on the cake was that I found out I have a lovely bladder infection! I had to pee in a cup before the retrieval, so I guess that's how they found it. The nurse said you can get a bladder infection as a side effect of all the hormone injections, so the doc gave me a prescription for that. Awesome! (sarcasm)

After we got home, I slept for a few hours, then watched tv and relaxed on the couch for the rest of the day. I took a few of the painkillers the doc gave me throughout the day, but my abdomen still hurts. I think part of the pain is from the retrieval, but the other part is from my lovely "irregularity." The hormones took a toll on my digestive system, and no amount of fiber was helping. So I'm pretty sure my intestines are pushing against my sore ovaries, and making the pain worse than it would normally be. I hope it gets better really soon, because I have to go back to work tomorrow, and school on Wednesday!!

That's all for now!