My Surrogate Life: my perception of a miracle part 6

 I know....it's been a while since my last post.....so let's get on with!!!

Ok, I was in Dr. Harris' office waiting for his reply. At first he just kinda looked at me with this really puzzled look on his face. I think he was trying to decide if this was for real (I think he was even scanning the room for cameras to see if he was being "Punked"). After all, he knew me being pregnant was not the easiest, most joyful experience for those around me (including himself). I told him this WAS for real and I needed him. So, he said slowly nodded and said ok and the testing began. The next few weeks were filled with needles, scans, paper work, faxes and phone calls.

All of my test were good, so we sent everything to CCRM in February. They said we were now ready to set up the appointment in Denver to do a mock transfer. What this meant was that I would take the meds for a month and see how my body reacted. This would give them an better indication to see if there was any hope of success. I would also have to take a "little" personality test and meet with a shrink to make sure I wouldn't want to keep the potential babies for myself (more on THAT BIT OF FUNNESS later!!!)

Once I got the green light from the docs at CCRM that we could take the next step, I knew I needed to enlarge my circle of trust and include others in this potential undertaking. My close friends already knew what was going, so I knew that it was time to let my bosses in on the plan. As I said, I was teaching Kindergarten at that time, so I told my principal and superintendent of my intentions of becoming a human incubator. I told them that I was prepared to take a leave of absence if they wanted me to, but I really wanted to work. I wasn't really sure how this was going to go over, but I must say I wasn't expecting how they reacted. They were  COMPLETELY supportive......wait...that's not quite right......there were more than supportive......they were excited! I was amazed!!!  For this, I would like to again say a huge thank you to Auburn City Schools, especially Dr. Jenkins!

Let me also point out that I spoke with my insurance provider at this point and told them what I was about to do. Mis and Dave were prepared to get special insurance and I wanted everyone to know exactly what was going on. What I found out was somewhat surprising to me. Because the state of Alabama did not recognize surrogacy, I HAD to use my primary insurance...that was not a choice. I also learned that if I was successful and did indeed have a baby (or 2) then said child(ren) were going to be considered mine and would have the last name of Armstrong. Then, Missy and Dave would actually have to adopt the child(ren) from me and Chris. It just keeps getting better and better.... Rememberer the whole "you don't know what you don't know!!!!"........see WHO KNEW?!?!?!?

We were able to get an appointment for March 31st. This would give me the month of March to begin the meds for the mock transfer. So when the beginning of March rolled around I began get meds. Part of this regime included shots (not the Mac daddy shots yet....just little ones), progesterone pills, oral estrogen and estrogen patches. I know the patches don't sound bad but I wore 4 at a time and had to put fresh ones on every other day. The major side effect for me was that I was starving (not just hungry) 24/7!!!!! I ate ALL the time...everything......anything!!! It was bad.....but I just ate my way though it.

Meanwhile, before my appointment in Denver, we had already planned our kids first trip to Disney during spring break. So as we were getting ready for our trip, the Iraq war broke out just days before. They had said there were 5 places that government suggested that people should avoid. One of the places was Disney World but we went anyway......we figured that we go as a family if  something went down. I ate my way through Disney for an entire week and we had a GREAT time with no crowds what so ever. We got home on Saturday and I turned around and headed to another of the 5 places to avoid, the Atlanta airport, and off to Denver I flew.

Something that Mis and I didn't anticipate was that when one travels to Colorado during spring break-ish season people...all people.....want to know what part you going to ski. I would tell them that I wasn't going to ski, but just came to meet up with a friend. Then they would want to know why I would fly all the way from Alabama and she all the way from Michigan to meet in Colorado and NOT ski. This really bothered EVERYONE and I do mean everyone. So, finally we would break down and tell them because they just would not let it go. Stranger after stranger heard our surrogate tale and were intrigued....especially since we lived so far apart......and they asked question after question.

Missy and I were really excited but also extremely nervous. Missy was more like her old self than I had seen in long, long, time. But I knew that if we walked in the CCRM and Dr. Surrey concluded that I wasn't a candidate to be her gestational carrier Missy would be destroyed.......and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to handle her devastation!!! But deep down, I knew it was going to be good....I knew God had his hand on this, because He won't give us more than we can handle.....and I truly believe at that point Missy could not handle one more disappointment!!