Excited

The clinic finally communicated some dates for the egg retrieval and embryo transfer!

"C" started her meds on Friday, October 27 and "D" will start her meds on Friday, November 17. If all goes according to plan, egg retrieval will be on Tuesday, December 5 (which is also my brother's birthday) with embryo transfer on Friday, December 8. I will most likely arrive the day before egg retrieval and leave on Sunday, December 10 to keep "C" company before she flies back home. The clinic recommends not flying the day after transfer.

I hope Christmas will be extra-special this year. "C" should be able to get a blood test completed prior to Christmas. Friday, December 22 will be two weeks from transfer.

I also had a great psychological session - the clinic requires this of myself as well as "C" and "D". It's more like a counselling session than an evaluation, to ensure all parties are prepared for the journey. Since "C" has been a surrogate before, "D" has been a surrogate twice before and a previous egg donor, and I'm very aware of what this journey entails, it's more for the clinic from a legal perspective.

The psychologist was wonderful and less expensive than the one the clinic uses. I also took something away from the session. She said to be hopeful and excited - to enjoy the journey. She said there's nothing I can do to protect myself if things don't go according to plan. I always kept one foot on the ground but she is right - no matter if I keep one, both, or none, I will be disappointed and sad if a pregnancy does not result in December. So given that, I've decided to let myself hope for, get excited about, and celebrate what can be!

Thank you for letting me share part of my world with you.

Calm

I can't believe I fly out next Tuesday. I actually just got back from Edmonton a couple of days ago - I had work meetings that ended up being less productive than I would have liked. However, I did realize that, as much as I enjoy flying, I need to keep occupied during the flight. I ordered a couple of books earlier this week so hopefully they will arrive before I have to head to the airport. I'm sure I will also sleep a little on the plane. I will be meeting "C" at the airport - we arrive a few minutes apart.

I also booked our hotel rooms at the Stay Inn Hotel. I will most likely rent a car as well so it will be easier for us to travel around as well as keep our luggage in during our consultation and dinner. Speaking of dinner, we'll be meeting "D" for dinner in the evening - I have a few options for restaurants so we'll see.

Before leaving though, I'd like to gather a few photos and complete my gift-buying. I still have to finalize what I will get for "C" - I bought something for her son and daughter already. I also got "D" something but hopefully it will arrive in the mail before I leave otherwise I will just send it out when I return. I also got gifts for her two daughters. I'll have this weekend to finalize everything.

Thank you for letting me share part of my world with you.

Peaceful

Just 11 more sleeps until I fly out to Toronto to meet "C" and one more sleep after that before we finally meet the doctor to "get the party started" as they say. I hope any tests that "C" needs to complete can be done on the same day. We've completed all the testing we could on our end - it's all good with the results. After our consultation, we plan on having dinner with "D" so that will be exciting as well. "C" and I will fly back to our respective homes later that night.

All of this potentially could have been put on hold because "C" was having some work-related problems. However, she gave me the green light to go ahead and book the flights soon after. I have to admit I was a bit nervous and even "D" had resigned herself to a delay; however, it was actually a good hiccup for me personally. I came to the conclusion (not just logically but emotionally) that I will reach my destination when it's my time. Experiencing and truly believing this conclusion gave me a sense of inner peace. Given my personality, I will always think, anticipate, and plan but I have come to terms with how little control I have over my journey's destination. I need to live and enjoy the journey, appreciating each milestone, and allowing the destination to arrive when it's time. I know this will be easier said than done but I am well on my way.

On a side note, "D" thinks cycling may even start in October given how close her cycle is close to that of "C". This could mean a transfer in early November. How exciting is that? Things will become more clear after we have our consultation - again, it's all about appreciating each milestone rather than just focusing only on the destination. There isn't much to do now but wait. Time is truly flying by as I look back at my earlier posts.

Thank you for letting me share part of my world with you.