My mom and I got up and out by 6:20am this morning. I was not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. We arrived at OHSU early. We sat and talked and enjoyed the view. When it came time to call me into the procedure room they asked if I'd like my mom to join. Her and I both agreed for her to come with me and be in the room. I've been in this room before for ultrasounds, so it wasn't some scary operation room. The anesthesiologist and a nurse got me all set up. They put an oxygen tube under my nose that hooked around my ears. They put an IV into my left wrist. I was sitting in a reclining chair with knee rests under my knees.
While waiting for the doctor to arrive I noticed the probe that is used for the ultrasounds had an attachment on it. It was clamped to the base of the probe and was the size of a writing pen, slightly smaller, and ran up the side of the probe. It had a hole in the bottom and top part, so it was hollow. I figured it was used by locating the egg and placing a needle through the hollow metal pen thing and then extracting the eggs through it. I explained that to my mom and we both thought that was cool because we were not sure of the process.
My favorite doctor arrived about 7:45am and had a student with him. They always ask if its ok for the student to watch, I say the more the merrier, learning is good! It was kind of a small room, with me in the middle, my mom, doctor, student, nurse and anesthesiologist. My doctor explained the procedure, which my mom and I had just figured out and asked if I was comfortable or needed anything. I'm going to add this part in for comedy, but my be offensive to few. I had pains all morning in my lower abdomen and figured they were gas pains. I farted a few times in the waiting room. So I warned my doctor about my possible gas situation because I knew I would not have control of my body during the procedure. They all laughed and he told me he always wears a splash guard and that it wouldn't be the first time. I really like him and was happy he was my retrieval doctor.
So we begin. The anesthesiologist administered the drugs and the room started to room. They asked if I felt the drugs and I gave a definite yes. The room was moving up and down, so for example, if I were looking at a picture the picture would move up to the ceiling and repeat and repeat. Here's an add in from my mom, she said I looked up and said "sweeeet" and the doctor asked if I was talking to him, my mom said no and repeated what I said, he patted my leg and said well enjoy it because you only get it while in the hospital. I closed my eyes and relaxed. I could hear everyone talking, but I wasn't really paying attention. The doctor told me when he got the first egg and then when he was finished with the first ovary and moved to the next. Time flew by, literally, it was 15-20 minute procedure. They took me off the drugs and I was done. I was wheel chaired to the car an home by 9:00am.
I felt fine on the car ride and at home. Just pains and tenderness where my ovaries are. I decided to take some of the pain meds because my mom said it would be better to take now than to wait until I'm in pain. My mom and I sat and talked until 30 minutes after the pill I couldn't keep my eyes open. I fell asleep on the couch. Woke up abut 11:15am my mom was getting ready to head to the airport. She made me potato soup =) I was hungry when I woke up and I eat jello and potato soup. I stayed up for 2 hours and it was time for another pill, which made me pass out again. I woke up at 5:00pm to my sister calling to check on me and hear the details and then my mom beeped in she was at an airport due to a layover. It was time for my pill again and I took it at 5:45pm. I started to write this blog at that time and fell asleep while typing at 6:45pm. Just woke back up at 10pm. So I have been all day. I did eat again in between naps and am eating more jello right now. I feel pains, but really not as what I had expected.
After we got home this morning whiling talking with my mom, I shared with her that this was really a fairly easy process. I mean it had pains and weird effects, but all in all, it was far less painful and intrusive on my life than I thought it would be.
They took out 20 or 21 eggs from me today, I don't remember because of the drugs. I asked if they were going to call the woman who will have my eggs today and tell her, they said they would probably call her tomorrow. I wonder what she will feel. Relief? Joy? I imagine all kinds of feelings. It's hope, that's for sure. I hope so much that she becomes pregnant. I have been thinking about her a lot through this whole process. I don't know this woman or her life or her situation, but I do have a connection with her. All I hope is that they got enough mature eggs to give her a good chance of getting pregnant. I will find out in about 2 weeks if she does get pregnant on the first try.
This journey began with the hope of helping someone or couple to get pregnant because they so deeply want a child and also because I knew that $5,000 would help me get closer to my goal of financial freedom. It was never about the money, it can't be. Money isn't worth everything a donor goes through physically, emotionally and mentally. As the process progressed the small part that had a $ sign on it went away. The money had nothing to do with it anymore. Over this last week I felt slightly weird about the point when I was to accept the compensation. I discussed this with my mom this morning. It's a weird feeling. It became so much about me being able to produce good eggs for this woman than anything else. I was given my compensation check this morning. It's nothing that I will 'see' really. I don't spend a lot of money, I take pride in clipping coupons and saving money and I always tell everyone about the great deals I get. The money will pay off my car and the payment I would have put towards my car each month will now go to a credit card that I put my tuition on. So no fancy clothes or vacations for me. Now to clarify for the people who know me personally, I purchased a new motorcycle (2006) over the weekend, which I traded in my other motorcycle for and then used my savings to buy.
I hope women will read this that have considered egg donation. And I hope that you donate! It was a special experience that I am very proud of. It's not over yet and honestly probably never will be. I know I will think about the woman who has my eggs and when I find out that she IS pregnant and has a child, I will think about them often. This is one of the most important things I've done in my life.
Thanks for letting me share =)
