Freezing Eggs Is Serious Business
Posted by Melissa Carter at 3/18/2010 7:38 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Mom Bert Show Q100 IVF eggs embryo Melissa
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Mom Bert Show Q100 IVF eggs embryo Melissa
It was a couple years ago when Katie Jo and I decided to freeze my eggs, which I talked about in an older post called "Millie Pete's Frozen Grandbabies." The reason for that decision? I was in my late 30's and a transplant recipient so Katie wanted to make sure we had the option of using my family tree even if I never carried the baby. She felt we'd regret not making that decision in case I got sick again. That seemingly simple decision morphed into the long process of choosing donor sperm (since we learned an embryo is better at surviving the freezing process than an unfertilized egg) and saving the funds for this surprisingly expensive procedure - that is not covered by insurance.
And here we are, two years later, with needles in my stomach.
It is IVF, but stunted, since I am stopping the process before the attempt to become pregnant. For almost 5 weeks I have been taking hormones to manipulate my body into producing more than one egg in a cycle. These eggs will then be fertilized and placed in the freezer for safety until we decide to use them.
How many will I produce? We won't know until the procedure to extract these microscopic eggs takes place. And there is a chance not all will "split" once fertilized, so the final count of embryos is still up in the air. Then there is the decision of what to do with the ones we don't use in the pregnancy stage. We have juggled our options, and have a good idea what we will do. I can tell you none will be destroyed.
I began the process on Bert's Big Adventure. Jenn, as my roommate on the trip, taught me about the birth control pills I secretly revealed to her since I had never been on them. (Look up the definition for Gold Star Lesbian) I took those for about 3 weeks and didn't notice any changes except for renewed smoothness in my skin.
Then began my first shots. I've seen and even helped my Mom, Millie Pete, with her diabetes meds so I was familiar with shots in the stomach. This 2nd phase of hormones came in a tiny bottle with a tiny needle and I couldn't even tell when the shots went in my belly. However, I became more emotional and cried at the most random moments.
Here is a list of ridiculous things I broke down about while jacked up on that hormone:
Telling stories from Bert's Big Adventure
Stressing over picking up a trombone to play on air
Fussed at Katie for asking me a question during a story I was telling
Couldn't find my car keys
Reading a freakin' mass e-mail someone sent about a Newborn Talking to God
Then about a week later came the hormones I have to mix myself, which is what I am still on. I feel like a kid with a chemistry set, since the mixture has to be exact and given at the same time every day. EIGHT tiny bottles sit before me every night that I must mix before shoving that slightly larger needle into my already fatigued belly. Purple bruises have emerged as my midsection protests.
I will say that my current cocktail of female magic has not effected me like the hormone I was on a week or so ago. Much to Katie Jo's relief, I am somewhat back to normal despite the bruises on my belly. But I have another new set of shots to take right before the procedure, so the emotional roller coaster ride may not be complete.
But there will be a day next week when I am not on air, and that is the day the eggs will be extracted and my journey to motherhood will begin. Which day? Not sure, since amid all the hormones are blood tests and ultrasounds at the clinic to determine when my ovarian follicles are ready to give up the matured eggs. But I stay cautious until the process is complete and the freezer is full, since so many who have taken the IVF path understand that it doesn't always work. And the medical bill that still comes, even without a child, can add insult to injury. Fingers crossed, but only after I put down this syringe.
To read my blog "Millie Pete's Frozen Grandbabies," click here.
wow. thanks for sharing - this is an interesting process.
i'm a gold star lesbian also, but i take birth control for my endometriosis. it keeps me from cramping every single day of the month. : / they can be useful for us lesbians, after all.
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Melissa,
I am currently 10 weeks pregnant and hormonal, but this blog made me cry like a baby. I hope and pray that you and Katie Jo are able to have babies in the future. I will be praying that everything goes well next week, and you have a smooth ride here on out. Best of luck!
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Good luck and positive thoughts sent your way for this process to go smoothly and easily...from extraction to "omelette" making to the time when you all decide to have the wee ones...
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Good luck with this process!!
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I was wondering if you were having genetic testing done. I am currently 41 and have been going through infertility for 3 years. We finished another cycle about 2 week ago and all 4 embryos were abnormal.
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I'm so happy for you!!!! It's so awesome. I wish you both all the luck
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Oh Lord, the yellow Concord Pharmacy bag and red sharps disposal container - I remember them well - best of luck to you both!!
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