My Egg Donation Experience

I'm looking to become an egg donor because I'm not using them and someone needs them.

[missydonateseggs]

Retrieval was fine...

I slept pretty much all day yesterday and was pretty sore. They got 12 eggs this time. 

I was annoyed, though... First of all, I don’t really like my doctor much to begin with. She’s very condescending. So as she’s hooking up my IV, she asks if I’d be interested in a December donation. Uh, hi, can we get through this one first??? I told her December probably wouldn’t work, mostly because I’m worried about doing another one so quickly after this one. On the way to the clinic that morning, my husband and I had been talking about how this would probably be the last one, at least at this clinic. 

After the procedure as I’m still waking up, she comes back over and says she talked with the IPs and they apparently really want me, so she says how about a spring donation? Look, lady... I’m gonna need you to back up. I asked when I’d have to let her know by and she said maybe like next month. I’m honestly hoping that by spring, I have a job in my field and I might not even live here. But whatever. I just didn’t like that she’s pushing me to do more donations as I’m actively doing this one. I don’t like having to feel pressured, especially about something like this.

I’m up fairly early... it’s probably about time for some more meds, but I want to wait and see if I can take ibuprofen instead. I hate taking narcotics... I hate laying around all day and feeling off. 

[missydonateseggs]

I decided to do that third donation after all...

My retrieval is this morning (friday). 

It’s been pretty smooth, although I’ve been pretty uncomfortable for most of the week. 

I started on 300 folistim last Wednesday. By the time I went in for my Monday ultrasound, I already had several follicles at 17mm-20mm. My retrieval was supposed to be the following Monday, but she told me it would likely be Friday. She dropped my dose in half and had me start taking the ganirelix that day as well. Wednesday was about the same thing... 20-25mm now and she said that she thinks they’ll get more eggs than last time (which was only 9 anyway). She had me run home and take my ganirelix before I went to work. I had been doing my shots at night since I usually work until close. 

I’m a little nervous for today (and very uncomfortable), but I’m mostly ready to be done. And drink water. I woke up at like 2:30 dying of thirst, but of course there’s nothing I can do. Still a little nervous about OHSS this time around, but we’ll see...

[missydonateseggs]

I don’t think I’m going to do this 3rd donation.

I talked with my husband about it this weekend... He doesn’t think it’s worth it and I kind of agree. I just struggle with feeling guilty. I feel like I’m letting the IPs down, but like he pointed out, they likely had more than one donor picked out for this exact reason. I still think it’s shitty that the clinic made me feel like I had to decide during that brief and unexpected phone call Friday. This is kind of a big decision. It would have been better if they would have said something like ‘hey, we have a couple interested in doing a donation with you some time in September, think about it this weekend and we’ll call and follow up on Monday.’ 

I know that in the end, it is ultimately my choice and my body, but I still feel bad. But I just have too many things going on, I didn’t have a completely positive experience last time around with this clinic, and I’m worried about the toll this could be taking on my body. My first and second donations were a year and a half apart, this wouldn’t even be a year. I still have a little weight I haven’t been able to lose from last donation and I’m trying really hard to get back into eating low carb and working out. I just feel like I sound selfish, but to be honest, $2,500 doesn’t really make any of those things better. Sure, it’s a decent chunk of change, but not enough to really make a difference in our finances. We’ll blow it on stupid shit anyway. Last time around it seemed like a much better deal because it would pay for us to get home for Christmas. I still just can’t get over how much of a difference in compensation there is from clinic to clinic. I got $5,000 for my first one in North Carolina. I come here, I’m the same person doing the same procedure, but with a successful donation under my belt and I get half that. I know it’s not about the money. I know that. But I just can’t understand how there can be that much variation. I’ve heard of other states/clinics that pay even more than that. 

Ugh. 

[missydonateseggs]

Donation Number 3?

The clinic I donated with this past December called me late this afternoon. They have a couple interested in a September donation. The woman from the clinic didn’t have much else to say about it other than it would be mid to late September and they’d call on Monday to go over details and set up an initial appointment. I said yes. But the more I think about it, the more I wonder why I so quickly agreed. 

I remember being miserable during the last part of the December donation. Rereading my post on here about my retrieval doesn’t help ease those feelings. I never heard from them whether or not it was a success, after they told me they’d let me know. Obviously, it was or they likely wouldn’t be calling me now. I also am going to a conference in Norfolk and presenting a poster the week of September 12th. My husband has army things in San Antonio during the last week of the month. I don’t want to be alone again. I hated doing the injections on my own and this time I don’t have school or anything else going on. 

Now, I’m sure I can bring up the dates thing come Monday or whatever, but I just feel weird right now. I feel like I was rushed into making a decision, which is a pretty important one, during the span of this minute and thirty second phone call. I want to help these people out. And lord knows I could use the money...

I also worry about my weight... I feel like I gained a couple pounds from the last one that I haven’t been able to shake. Granted, I had a pretty shitty spring semester that has carried over into this summer and has led to me not working out because I sometimes can’t seem to get myself out of bed and I’m only eating well 40-50% of the time because I am so lazy. But I feel like I’ve seen quite a few stories about women having issues getting weight off the more donations they do. 

I’m going to talk to my husband about it this weekend... I told him they called and he said this is totally up to me and all that, but since I don’t tell my family about this he’s the only one I can share my feelings on this issue with. Him and the internet, of course...

[missydonateseggs]

I am swollen and puffy and nothing fits

😭😭😭😭 I don't remember being this swollen last time. Ugh. Hoping it goes away quickly!

[missydonateseggs]

Retrieval

I had my retrieval this morning. I was told to be at the clinic at 8:15. We got there at 8:10 and there was no one around. I was starting to worry I wasn't in the right place. 8:15 came and went and still nobody. I was really stressing out. My husband went to go see if he could find anyone to make sure I was in the right place. I hung out outside the office in case anyone came by. Finally at 8:25, the nurse came in. It was the friendly one, so I was happy about that. The doctor came in behind her about two minutes later. None of this made me feel any better and I felt it was a little unprofessional. I get that everyone is human and things happen, but for no one to be there on time? Hmm. They had me change and hooked me up made sure I was comfortable and all that. They moved me into the room and gave me propofol and I was out. I remember looking at the clock and it was just after 9:10. I woke up about 40 minutes later with my husband sitting next to me. I was in quite a lot of pain. I was told they were able to get 10 eggs. I'm disappointed it wasn't more, to be honest. The way the doctor had been talking, she made it sound like they were expecting more. They let me wake up for an hour and gave me pain meds. I go back for my follow up in two weeks. They told me to call if I needed anything and gave me a sheet of instructions. I was also surprised that my doctor didn't ever really say anything else to me. We left and got breakfast at the brunch place down the street. We came home and I slept for most of the afternoon. I'm a little uncomfortable, but nothing too awful. I'm hoping this is still the case tomorrow. Last time I was more sore the next day. Anyway, I'm glad it's over with. I don't know that I would want to donate at this clinic again. When I compare my two experiences, this one I didn't feel as cared for. They were very vague and short with me and I felt left out of the loop, unlike the first clinic. And honestly, the pay here just wasn't worth it. I know that sounds shallow, but I'm not sure I understand how the pay can vary for much from place to place. Not to mention, I told them that I had done a successful donation before. I remember when I first started researching all this way back when, some places really seemed to value that. Oh well.

[missydonateseggs]

Retrieval is set for 9am Friday

I trigger tonight at 10, but she never told me what was in the syringe she handed me. I’m assuming lupron... Anyone know what else it could be? I just remember last time I was happy it was lupron because things I’d read said that there was a lower risk of OHSS which I am all about.  

Today’s appointment was good, but I felt a little guilty because I know that I was supposed to have my retrieval this morning, but I messed up my pills as I mentioned in my previous post. She told me they had three other retrievals that morning and got 16-22 eggs from each. She said my follicles are around 17-21mm, so she says I’m going along right on schedule. I’m happy she’s not letting them get as big as my previous donation- I had a couple that were 25mm+! I’m sore, but nothing too terrible last time. My right side has more (10) but my left side’s are bigger (only 5, but half of them are 19-21mm). 

Hoping Friday comes and goes quickly.

[missydonateseggs]

Appointment Number 3

Went in today for the first time since they upped my folistim dose to 350. I have 8 follicles on my right, the biggest of which is around 15-16mm, and 4 on the left that are a bit smaller. She still thinks Friday will be the big day. I can definitely tell I’m more swollen and I’m fairly uncomfortable if I jump around too much. 

I forgot to mention a couple posts ago that I had messed up this whole thing. I missed the date I was supposed to take my last active pill, so everything had to be shifted three days or so. I also got a bill in the mail for that appointment, so I’m not really sure what the deal with that is because I was due to have an ultrasound that day anyway. I had gotten a bill from them back when I went in for one of my first appointments and she noticed I had a cyst. I was able to call and they said it was a mistake and it went away. I’m just worried this one wasn’t a mistake and they’re going to want $300 from me. Anyway, I’m glad things got shifted around because this is my last week of class before finals and I actually have an early final this Thursday, and my original retrieval date was Wednesday. I may miss the military ball on Saturday, but at least it won’t mess with my school stuff now. 

I’m really sick of the injections. Since I’m on my own this week, I can’t even have my nurse husband do them for me anymore. 

[missydonateseggs]

I had my first appointment since starting stimulation on Friday. The few follicles I had weren't as far along as the doctor wanted. They were around 11-12mm. She upped my folistim from 250 to 350, which seemed like quite the jump to me. I also started the ganerelix today. I go back tomorrow and I'm hoping I'll have a retrieval date. I've noticed some slight discomfort, but so far nothing like the first time I did this.

[missydonateseggs]

Second donation

I'm back! Since my last donation just over a year ago, we've moved and bought a house and I'm finally back in school. I forget how it happened, but back in February just after moving here alone, I found a clinic and applied to donate. I was selected back in late September and did my first folistim injection this morning. My retrieval is set for December 4th. I'm a little nervous doing it this close to finals, but I think I'll be alright. Anyway, I'll be blogging about my second donation and am hoping this one goes as smooth as the first!

[missydonateseggs]

My retrieval went very well yesterday! I was nervous because I've never had any kind of anesthesia before, but it was super easy. The nurses were very nice. The last thing I remember was my doctor coming in at about 7:45 and saying we were ready and the nurse giving me the medication in my IV that made my hand and arm feel tingly and then waking up about 45 minutes later in a chair with my husband sitting next to me. I asked how many eggs they got and they said they would find out for me. I asked again about five minutes later, but first asked if I had already asked. They told me 13. Husband thought it would be funny to mess with me and as a result I told him to fuck off in front of the nurses. I was not happy about that. I was feeling pretty good afterwards and we went to waffle house. I took a few pain pills on the way home and then got home and slept for 5-6 hours.

I felt totally fine when I woke up and we went to the store. I was a little sore, but I hate being cooped up in the house all day. We came back and had a nice dinner and went to bed fairly early. I woke up this morning and I was in a lot more pain, but it's more like a pressure/fullness feeling on my entire torso. I've been taking my pain meds and drinking water and taking it easy, but it's still pretty uncomfortable. I'm supposed to work tomorrow from 1-9, but we'll see how I'm doing. That's a long shift to be up and walking around... It hasn't been busy so hopefully I can step out if I need to.

But, for as well as everything has gone, I would definitely consider donating again! It was a week of shots of minimum discomfort and a small easy surgery (and not getting to have sex with my husband for a few weeks, which is annoying but not the end of the world) to give a couple a chance to have a baby. And let's be honest, the compensation doesn't suck either. Honestly, the money part has almost been more stressful. We paid off all of our credit cards and a few other bills and put a little in savings and we're trying to decide what to do with the other half. We want to go on a cruise for our 2 year anniversary this fall, but we also may be moving soon so we'd want new things for a potential house. Not the worst problem to have (and I feel like a bitch for whining about it), but it's definitely put some stress on us. Being an adult is hard.

[missydonateseggs]

Retrieval tomorrow!

I went in for a second appointment Friday and the nurse told me I would definitely be trigger either that night or Saturday for a Sunday or Monday retrieval. She did the ultrasound and said 'no wonder you're uncomfortable... you're quite the little chicken!' The follicles on my left were ready and the ones on my right were pretty much there as well. They took more blood and told me they'd let me know the results which would determine when I triggered. 

We started on our hour and a half drive back home because we both had to work that afternoon when we realized that if I was going to have to trigger that night, I'd have to make another trip back up. I called the clinic and emailed my donor coordinator, but got no response. We decided to turn around and go back the half hour we'd already come just in case. We got lunch and I finally got an email back. She said it was a good point but figured we were already home. I told her that wasn't the case and then we didn't hear anything. So we just popped back into the clinic and the other nurse I had worked with that morning saw me and went to go find out. Saturday. I'd get my lupron Saturday morning when I came up for my 7:45 appointment and trigger that night.

I got two hours of sleep Friday night. It was mostly my own fault, but also partly because I was thinking about this whole donation thing. I was thinking about articles I'd read and questions other donors had asked the internet. I've read horror stories of donations gone wrong, donor kids trying to find their biological mothers, and issues with OHSS. I'd also seen plenty of girls who had successful donations with no complications. For as smooth as mine has been thus far, I hope to fall into that category. I only did 6 nights of stimulation and my biggest complaint has just been some slight pain/discomfort with my ovaries. And some of the needle pokes hurting. I only have one tiny bruise on my left side from my Friday injection. I'm a little bloated, but that's also because I haven't been doing my low carb thing or been able to work out. And I'm not beating myself up over it. 

My Saturday appointment was much of the same. Yet another nurse I had never met came in to do my ultrasound. She told me that I had a lot going on in there before she even started. She said that I was definitely ready and that she was surprised I wasn't triggered Friday night. The follicles on the right range from 17.5 to 21.9mm and the left is 16.3 to 28.1mm. This is far above where she told me they like to see them (16-18mm) but it likely meant I have a higher number of mature eggs. She also said that even though I was taking the ganirelix to stop ovulation, I would likely ovulate on my own because they are so big. I was given my lupron trigger and went home to get some sleep before work. I had to trigger at 8pm and I worked until 9. I had husband bring it to me and give me it in the bathroom. It surprisingly didn't hurt at all or even burn. I remember back when I had one of my first meetings with my donor coordinator, she told me that that one would be the one to burn. 

I work today 11-6. I'm less than thrilled, but oh well. I switched my off days of Wednesday and Thursday for Monday and Tuesday and I'm hoping I'll be back at work Wednesday. I just have one more week of working 35+ hours until I can drop back down to a more comfortable 25ish. I'm glad I didn't end up taking that calculus class because there's no way I could have made all this work. People have been taking vacations at work so my little part time self had to cover for that and work waaaaaaay more than I ever wanted to. The whole idea of me working is just to get out of the house and make a little extra money to cover the fun things we like to do, so I really don't want many hours. I also saw that the liquor store is hiring part time at 11.65/hour. That's damn good. I may apply...

Anyway. I'm nervous for tomorrow. I've never had surgery of any kind and I don't do very well with narcotics. This is another time I'm glad that my husband is a nurse and not only that, but a nurse who takes care of people after they have surgeries. He was able to get tonight off and doesn't work again until Tuesday at 11pm. Hopefully I'll have positive news to report back with tomorrow!

[missydonateseggs]

First appointment since injections!

Today was good, I had an ultrasound and blood work done. The nurse I had been working with was busy today, so someone else did that all. Apparently, I'm progressing very quickly. I have 4 follicles on my right and 6 on my left and they range in size between 13-17mm. They're a little surprised because I've only done 4 days of injections and they usually want it to take 7-8 to get where I'm at. She also told me that 16-18mm is generally what they're going for. 

I was given my ganirelix to start tonight and tomorrow and then I go back on Friday. Actually, her words were "we'll definitely see you back Friday." They dropped my dose of follistim from 300 IU to 225 as well. My usual nurse emailed me shortly after we left with the subject as 'WOWZER" and told me things are moving along nicely that my estrogen level is 492. Apparently that's pretty up there. 

I can definitely feel some discomfort down there. It hurts a bit when I laugh or sneeze. 

I'm guessing my retrieval will be early next week with the way things are shaping up. I am just getting nervous about the possibility of OHSS... 

[mr-cappadocia]

I am an Egg Donor.

Does this statement apply to you? Reblog it and be counted. More information here.

[missydonateseggs]

I started my injections Saturday and it went okay. I've been making nurse husband do them though because I don't think I can. I've gotten better about it though. The one he did two nights ago hurt a ton because he poked me really hard, but other than that, it just burns a little afterward. 

I've started to feel a bit uncomfortable in my lower abdomen. I go up to Raleigh tomorrow for my first check up since starting the shots. I've been doing 300 IU of follistim, and I'm hoping things are moving along nicely or better than expected so I don't have to keep this part up for much longer. After doing a bit of reading of what other ladies are taking, my dose is pretty high... 

Boss has been asking nearly every day if I have any updates on my 'big adventure'. I guess I finally will tomorrow... Husband is working until 7 and then we have to leave pretty much right when he gets home so I should be in bed right now probably. Blah. 

[missydonateseggs]

I started my injections last night!

Ahh! I made my husband do it... It didn't hurt, but I was very nervous. He's working tonight and I still don't think I can do it myself, so I'm going to go visit him so he can do it. Another reason I'm so glad I married a nurse. 

I want to run tonight because I did nothing but drink and eat crap all weekend. That and idk how much longer I'll be able to comfortably do so. I'm also nervous about finding things to wear at work. 

That's another thing. Work. I'm only part time, but lately, lots of people have been on vacation so I've been working practically full time these last two weeks. Another girl just left for a two week vacation so I know that won't be changing anytime soon. I figured I should tell my boss what was up. I debated going into detail or not, but I ended up doing it, and immediately regretting it. I just said that I had chosen to be an egg donor and a family had picked me and I would have a bunch of morning appointments and a small surgery sometime in the coming weeks. That's legit, right?! Things bossman should know for scheduling. And I didn't want to sound all sketchy and just start asking for odd amounts of time and fewer hours because I realize that with everyone on vacations, there's not a whole lot of wiggle room. He just nodded and told me to keep him updated and then goes "In the future, you don't need to give me reasons." I was really embarrassed and wanted to die. Yeah, obviously I didn't want to have a discussion about my ladybits with my boss, but I also feel that it's important he know what's going on to some degree. 

Ugh. 

I also still can't find the right way to tell my best friend. I was at lunch with her today and I just couldn't think of a way to be like soooo guess what I'm doing next week?! She's all aboard the no babies train with me, so I guess idk what she'd think of that. 

[missydonateseggs]

Today was a busy day. I had my big appointment this morning and I got all of my meds. I'm so glad my husband is a nurse, because watching her explain how to do everything and sending me on my way with my 'goodie bag' full of needles and different medications was overwhelming. I also had a ton of papers to sign... my favorite was when she was talking about how I would have no legal ownership of any potential children, she goes "if the kid goes on to win the nobel prize, you can't go wanting it back, likewise if it's throwing a fit on the floor of Harris Teeter, they can't come find you and tell you to take it back". I really like her.

I start the injections next Saturday. I go back for a follow up the next Wednesday and to get more goodies. I was happy to hear that my trigger shot is Lupron because most of the things I've seen/read have said that it doesn't seem to have as high of a risk of OHSS than others. My physical and everything else went fine; they said that now, there are 6 follicles on my right ovary and 5 on my left. She also said that while my ovaries are the size of walnuts now, they could be the size of lemons when it comes time for the retrieval. I'm not looking forward to that. I feel like I'm probably going to feel like shit and my work clothes won't fit.

Speaking of work, I have another important decision to make. When we got home, there was an envelope waiting for me in the mailbox from Fayetteville State. I applied to take a month long summer calculus 2 course that starts July 7th. It's everyday from 3-5pm until August 1st. A little background on this: I have like 3/4 of my degree in atmospheric science. I've tried 3 previous times to get though calc 2, but I've fallen behind and ended up dropping it every time. Because of this, I was unable to move on with other classes. I went and visited a university that would hopefully be close to an army post we're hoping to get when it comes time to PCS, which had better be soon, and they said everything would transfer (which is NOT what NC State told me... greedy bastards), but it would significantly cut down on my remaining time if I took calc 2 before getting there. I've been out of school for over two years now. I'm nervous that if I do take this class, I'll fail/drop it and have wasted 600 bucks. But on the other hand, having it everyday and knocking it out in a month sounds perfect. But it's right smack dab in the middle of this donation. Not to mention, I work part time. I need to talk to my boss and figure out how flexible he can be with the schedule. I just don't want to stretch myself too thin here. And I only have about a week to decide all of this. Oh yeah, and my husband is on night shift and we hardly see each other as it is. So. Much. Stress.

I'm also kind of regretting not telling my parents about this. I generally tell my mom everything and we're very close, but I just didn't know how to tell her about this I guess. Because I know she'd tell my gramma, and I don't think my gramma would care for this whole thing. I just feel like I'm kind of alone here I guess. And I really don't want it to slip out or anything. I'd also like to put this on my personal tumblr page, because I have a lot of friends that would encourage me. But I also haven't told one of my best friends, who follows me. I know that this all seems silly to worry about. I know that. But I still do. 

This turned into a ramble. Ugh.

Oh. One more thing. The nurse was showing me the calendar for all of this stuff and she goes "You'll notice this says 'Faith' instead of donor now. They have decided to name you Faith to make it a little more personal." I could have cried.