The end of the journey

So, apologies to anyone who has been waiting for months for me to tell the end of my egg donation journey.  As soon as the process was over I had to focus on my essay and my portfolio - both of which seemed to take forever and have taken far, far longer to recover from than the egg donation!!

In my last post I was hoping that the next scan was to be my final one but it wasn't.  My eggs took a little longer to grow than usual which just meant that I was injecting for something like 14 days instead of 10.  I think this part was the most frustrating - this is far more down to me liking a plan rather than anything else (also I was using this time to procrastinate on my essay!). 

So the day came for me to go to Guys and give them my eggs (it seemed quite apropriate that this was happening around Easter time too).  My dad was amazing and came with me despite having quite a poorly leg only a few days before.  He was incredibly calming and it was lovely to spend that time with him.  When we arrived at Guys we only had a short wait before we could go through to the ward.   When I got on to the ward I got the most beautiful flowers and the sweetest card from the couple.  From the window of the ward we could see loads of London so dad distracted me by pointing out all the highlights.  Then came time to go for the process!

I was so nervous but the medical staff were fab!  It was strange as I walked in to the theatre which just looked like a doctors room - I think I was expecting lots of stainless steel but it was quite laid back.  Then they tried to put the canular in the back of my hand.  For most people this is a simple process but for some reason my hands don't like it and I forget that each time.  A lovely Australian nurse held my hand and teased me when I made girly squeaks!  The canular had to go inside my elbow and that bit was fine.  I thought that after jabbing myself a couple of times a day that the canular bit would be fine but I'm such a big girls blouse!  When they put the sedation in I thought it's going to take me ages to fall asleep - I'm not sleepy at all.  Literally the next thing I remember is waking up. 

The whole thing lasted less than an hour and seemed really simple. I felt a bit woozy when I came round but that only lasted about half an hour and by the time I had a couple of cups of tea and biscuits I felt fine.  My sister came to pick us up and take us back to my parents house.  That day I chilled and ate and went to bed really early (same time as the girls).  The next day I had some cramping and was careful not to pick up the girls so it was really useful being with mum and dad to look after them.  A couple of weeks later I had a really heavy period and my next period was a week or two later than it should have been but that makes sense if my body still had all those hormones running about it.

They managed to collect 10 eggs of which 2 were used within a week or two and I think 3 or 4 were frozen.

It has been really nice writing this post and remembering what a positive experience it was.  It is something I am so pleased I did as I met some really lovely people and have found the whole thing fascinating and rewarding.

So there is the end of the journey.  Sorry it took me so long to tell you.  I will hopefully e blogging a bit more again now (at least until I need to write my next essay)

Still scanning

So last time I posted I think I'd had two scans.  Since then I've had another two and a third one tomorrow (hopefully the final one).  My folicles are growing a little slower than is usual (but I seem to have quite a few of them).  This means the whole process has taken a few days longer than I expected but luckily I'm on holiday and my family are quite flexible and so supportive.  Hopefully egg collection day will be at the end of the week.  Also at my last scan they showed me my folicles on the screen - so fascinating!  They look rather similar to this:-











Since the begining of the weekend my tumy has felt quite bloated and a little tend at times.  A couple of days later it started to be quite painful when I gave myself the injections.  As I am a bear of very little brain I assumed these were connected!  The lovely nurse put me right though - The bloating does not affect how the injections feel.  However, as I was a bit hormonal and quite frankly a little 'over' jabbing myself in the tummy and therefore they were hurting!!  Weirdly since then they haven't hurt again (apart from when the cat made me jump mid jab!).  I think for a couple of days I lost track of what I was doing and since reminding myself of this it has become easier again. 

Anyway - I'm very aware that this isn't the most fluently written post as I am sleepy tired!  Just wanted to get it down in writing.  Will let you know how it progressses.

Sweet dreams

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Scanning

So I had the baseline scan Monday before last and a week later after starting the injections I had a second scan a week later.  My folicles are not growing as quickly as normal so they have doubled my dose of Gonal F.  I then had a third scan today which again showed that I have a good amount of folicles but they are still not big enough at the moment.  This means that I will probably go in for the final procedure after the Easter weekend.  Fingers crossed they grow a little more quickly. 

I have to say that the hormones have taken me a little by surprise and I have been a bit grumpy the last couple of days - nothing acup of tea and piece of cake won't solve I'm sure!!

Sweet dreams

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

It's all happening so quickly!

I have not blogged (or socialised, or read a good book, etc) for ages!  It has been a manic few months with essays and portfolios coming out of my ears.  So I hibernated a little!  I feel the worst is over and I can start doing fun stuff again and I have news.

I will be donating my eggs any day now!!

After a long wait and a couple of postponed attempts I am now giving myself daily injections (for a girl who has never been able to have injections done or blood taken at the doctors without taking a husband/parent/sister along this is MASSIVE and I am so proud of myself for not passing out!
SO ... here is the process so far - it may get a bit squeamish and you may learn far too much about my hormones but here goes:-
I came off the pill on the Wednesday (a day earlier than would probably be normal as my bleed takes a few days to start) and then I booked my first scan for the Monday.
Monday morning arrived ... but my bleed didn't ... cue panicked text to  my lovely Altrui lady! (What do I do - I know it's coming cos of the pain but it's not here - aaarrrgghh!) to which I got a lovely reply telling me not to panic and just to move the scan on a couple of days (There is a time limit - the first scan needs to be between days 1 - 3 of your bleed to get a baseline assessment)
So two days later I went for my scan.  This is an internal scan (think smear test with ultra sound - while on your period - very strange but everyone is so nice and matter of fact that it is far less squeamish than it sounds).

So that night I started the first of the injections to make my ovaries grow more eggs (Gonal F).  I tried to be brave and do it on my own - I really did.  I sat down on my desk chair (next to the bed so I would have a soft landing if I passed out!) and got everything ready.  Then I looked at the needle, put it to my tummy and tried to inject myself, chickened out, looked at the needle and tried again.  This went on for quite a while!  Finally I called my lovely husand who came and sat next to me and then I finally did it!  Of course it was fine - it didn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would (- but I still won't do one without him next to me).

This I started the second injection which stops the eggs from releasing (or something similar).  That one is a bit more complicated as I have to inject liquid in to a tiny bottle with powder and then dissolve it and fill the needle with it again before injecting it.  I did wait til the kids had gone out with their grandparents to ensure quiet though.  This injection made my tummy a bit itchy around the injection site - a bit like a nettle sting but this died down fairly quickly.  To be honest the scariest thing is that I might forget or do something wrong - but i'm sure it will be fine.

The other advice I was given was to keep well hydrated - sensible advice on any day but ultra important now.

My next scan is on Monday and I should be going in for the actual procedure in a week or so!

Happy Days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Lent

Although I have never really fasted at Lent, I am a fan of it.  I think it is a great opportunity to take stock and think about the world.  Although I have converted to Buddhism I still have a great respect for Christianity (especially as it is the religion I was brought up in). 

So often Lent is thought of in a negative way, of giving up something or fasting.  In more recent years I have much preferred the idea of doing something more positive to help others or the world around us.  So here are some ideas of things to do this Lent:-
- Giving up chocolate/wine/chips
- Look at where you spend your money - clothes you don't need/ computer games/ magazines - could you resist this for Lent?
- Could you give this money to charity?
- Take up volunteering or charity work (www.do-it.org.uk)
- Be nice to EVERYONE (especially if they are rude!)
- Try to do a good turn for someone everyday - it doesn't have to be big - it could just be taking some time to listen or giving your colleague who is having a rough time a bunch of wild flowers.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle - how low can you get your household waste?
- Aim not to waste any food in your house (www.lovefoodhatewaste.com)

I am going to do three things this Lent:
1. Reduce the amount of rubbish I eat.
2. Increase my activity levels during the day (e.g. taking a walk at lunch time).
3. Try really hard to be nice to everyone and about everyone.

Happy Lent

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King, Jr

Music Monday

This week I (and many others) have mostly been singing Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used to Know'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

(Very loudly - but in the car so no one else has to put up with the noise!!)

Happy singing!

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

"Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts."
Charles Dickens

Snow day

This morning I woke up to hear little feet jumping out of bed, padding across the floor, a little voice say 'Yippee!' then little feet running through to our room.
'Mummy look outside! Look what happened!'  Our eldest Fairy Princess LOVES snow!
... Well actually she loves the idea of snow and looking at it out of the window but when it comes to being outside in it she doesn't love it quite so much. 

For me snow is a bit magical as it makes everything look pretty.  Apparently the sea front looks amazing (but you know how lazy I am - and I have 'man flu'  - , so apologies for not walking down there to get some photos for you to see.)  And luckily it is Sunday so I can snuggle up and watch films with the Fairy Princesses and drink hot chocolate.

Check out the pictures from around britain on the BBC News website.
Snowy Sunday

I did manage to get the princesses in to the garden to make snow angels and deep footprints.

Happy snow day!

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Running out of steam

I have decided to start running!!
I love the idea and I have never managed to keep it up succesfully on my own so after a glass of wine I rashly signed up to a local running group ... and have been hugely unsuccesful at joining them ever since!!
Session 1 - got held up at work and missed them so they asked me to a session on a different night - Which I made - yippeee! and really enjoyed. 
Session 2 - I got myself really organised and had a map but didn't check the postcode I'd been given andended up at the Pet Cemetary!  It was dark and scary and like the begining of a cliched horror film so I decided it was safer to go home. (Moral of the story - always check the postcode someone gives you)
Session 3 - Again had my map ready but got lost.  Had had a really pants week so probably wasn't concentrating properly.
So as you can see I am being very succesful at not running.  So I thought I would re-remember the reasons I wanted to run to keep me motivated in trying to find this elusive and mysterious group!

Running will
- help me lose weight.
- help me sleep better.
- improve my overall health.
- aid my concentration meaning I will be able to study more effectively.
- help keep my moods stable and decrease my stress levels.

Al pretty good reasons to get my trainers on - in fact I might go now... or maybe I'll have a cup of tea and a nap first. 

But if you are less lazy than me you could check some of these sites that have really good training plans:
Womens Running UK
Zest
NHS Live well - this one even has a great podcast

Healthy, happy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Quote of the day

“Have nothing in your house that you don’t know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” 
William Morris

... now to find the time to make this happen!!

5 reasons this was a good week

1.  I got a distinction in a group asignment!  Yippppeee! (and thank goodness for clever colleagues)
2.  I got my first written assignment finished - and with enough time to get a full nights sleep before having to hand it in!
3.  The eldest Fairy Princess can skip!!  and has moved up a ballet class - Which means we get an extra half an hour in bed on saturday mornings pretending we are asleep and don't have two cheeky monkeys bouncing on the bed!
4.  I finally went to a meditation class and sooo enjoyed it - so calming and relaxing.
5.  I rashly signed up to ten weeks of running!!  - First session on Thursday (it seemed like SUCH a good idea at 10pm after a couple of glasses of wine!)

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Favourite new year quotes

“A new year is unfolding – like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.”  Anon

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”  Einstein

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Happy New Year

I’m a bit superstitious about New Year.  I like to have everything tidy and organised, but it doesn’t often happen.  This year I managed to get quite a bit tidied and organised but didn’t manage to get my essay finished or store away the outgrown kid’s clothes or get the girls room organised or get my hair cut or my eye brows shaped.  But I’m not worried – I’m being very calm about it all.

 … except for the essay … and felling like a hairy monkey … and the girls room … …

DAMN!! – I tried so hard!  If I keep telling myself I am calm will that make me calm eventually?  And at least I can turn some of these tasks in to New Year’s resolutions!

Taking stock of 2011

 I took a few minutes today to think about all the stuff that’s happened this year which makes me proud or grateful.

-          The baby Fairy Princess is over a year old now and doing all the cute, beautiful and funny things a toddler her age should be (I hope!).  She’s walking really confidently and often nods knowingly at us.  She loves ‘posting’ things, passing us her toys or socks and sitting in buckets/ boxes/ laundry baskets/ very small corners.  She chatters a lot and hums and best of all gives the cutest smiles and snuggles.  

-          The eldest Fairy Princess has started school and is sooo grown up.  She is doing really well with her numbers and reading.  She is very good at riding her bike and can finally skip properly.  She is a great big sister and she is just so funny!

-          My husband and I celebrated our 6^th wedding anniversary this year.  Not a hugely long time I know but I really appreciate how fab he is (although I don’t often tell him- I don’t want him to get big headed).  He has been so supportive this year especially of my studying now and also earlier in the year when I had PND and was acting like the wife from hell.  So a massive thank you to him for being so great!

-          The rest of my family are pretty amazing and supportive too.  Always there when I need them and good fun too!

-          I converted to Buddhism

-          I got a great grade on my first assignment of my masters

-          I still enjoy my job

-          Finally I have started on the egg donation journey that I had no idea about this time last year!

So all in all I have had a lot to get excited about over the last year and feel very privileged and proud of my life at the moment.

New Year’s Resolutions

-          To get the girls room tidied, organised and pretty

-          To get good grades on the rest of my uni work

-          To blog at least once a week

-          To do a journal/scrapbook with my Fairy Princesses

-          To meditate once a week

-          To exercise for 15 minutes every day and an hour 3 times a week (and lose two stone in the process)

That all seems manageable – let’s see how many I break before next week!!   

Hope you all have a fabulous and successful 2012!

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx