Thursday, March 4, 2010

Blip on the Radar

I almost feel like we owe our readership some drama to keep everyone engaged. Drama like what you'd find in one of Shannon's favorite television shows, Brothers and Sisters, where not a single day in the tv family's lives goes by without either some life ending catastrophe or the intrusion of a sexy love interest with an accent. Unfortunately, we have neither of those. (Well, not sure this counts, but I have a slight New York accent and my mom says I'm a looker.) All we can offer is good news. Today's new beta level is 774, almost a 300% jump. In fact, grab a seat - the first ultrasound shows a happy, little sac developing in R's belly. Too early to see cardiac movement or even any hint of a fetus but the screen doesn't lie - there's something inching its way to life in there.

After all of this heavy engagement on our part, watching the phone every day and sweating every passing minute, now, all of a sudden, we're transitioning into a no-news-is-good-news phase. Think about it. Up 'til now Shannon and I were very, very worried about things going right. Now we're worried about things going wrong! All we want are predetermined test dates with very positive news and an absolutely vanilla, no surprises pregnancy. Our eyes are now firmly set on the first trimester prize, ending approximately the third of May.

One confession I'm compelled to share is that Shannon and I have both felt a slight bit of disappointment at the implication of the ultrasound - that this would be a singleton birth, not twins. How dare we spend an ounce of emotional energy to bemoan the absence of two when we've been blessed with one? Absolutely agreed. I can only explain it by saying that the emotional and physical toll of the first effort hasn't exactly cast a come-hither glance enticing us to go through it all again. However, that said, we do have two frozen embryos and thus the option to avoid the first hectic round of IVF drugs and hospital stays. And believe me, the disappointment is fleeting at best, quickly beat down by the thrill of knowing that this whole damn process is actually working and that we've a baby slowly making its way to us from across the ocean.

We've held off talking about some other takeaways and advice we'd gleaned from our time in India because we thought it would be pretty cavalier to talk about overseas travel when our minds were a little preoccupied. Shannon and I will of course keep everyone up to date on the progress of our little one but from here on out we'll also sprinkle in some other surrogacy-relevant info we think other couples would be interested to learn. Hopefully, this will be of help to you and will keep us suitably distracted.

Finally, I just wanted to remark on the marvelous avalanche of best wishes we received for our last blog entry. That was stupendous and uplifting and a wondrous reminder that this world is filled with beautiful people. May all the good will return to you and multiply a thousand times. We send our love to our extended family!

7 comments:

  1. This post-2ww rollercoaster is awful. I've been there a couple of times and I know how difficult it can be. I wish you lots of baby dust durng this time.

    It sounds like you're going to be one of the lucky ones!

    :)

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  2. I agree with jojo. Your beta results are excellent and it sounds like your little one is settling into 9 months of bliss with R, waiting for his/her parents to return to India!

    Wonderful news and keep it coming.

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  3. You are wrong to think anyone would judge you for being disappointed with only one baby. Your emotions are running in so many different directions and feelings are feelings, you can't control them. My past experience tells me things will be what they will and focusing on the good, which you both do, will get you through. On the flip side, I always wanted 2 or 3 but am more than satisfied with my 1. You may find out 1 is the perfect number, or not...time will tell! Love you both!

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  4. These emotions are so raw---I feel what youa re feeling and that pain that desire to have another child is so raw and real and hard to explain to anyone unless you cannot have another child


    OK I spent some time blog stalking yesterday on your blog and some other great surrogacy blogs. I am SUPPOSED to be taking a MUCH needed break from the internet but I found your blog and others yesterday and now am filled with hope!

    I a now following your blog. I would love to read more and email/talk with you guys. I am going to be leaving similiar comments on some of the blogs in your little circle so do not think I am spamming you guys lol I am just trying to get as much info as I can. I have an almost 22 month old son, and cannot get pregnant again due to health issues. We cannot afford surrogacy costs, but then my mom told me about a documentary on TV about surrogacy in India. My husband and I are hoping to start the process very soon-I am reaching out to all you guys in hopes of finding out as much information as possible! Here is my latest blog about my situation...http://blondeinablog.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-have-gone-off-deep-end.html

    I am SO thankful to have found your blogs and others like it and am now following--pop on by and follow back if you would like or feel free to email me anytime survivorjewels@gmail.com

    You all have really given me hope...

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  5. Thank you for keeping us up to date on everything. I love this and we are soooooo excited for the both you. Don't judge yourselves for feeling your want, you are both the most appreciated people on this planet. Life just takes it's course the way it wants to. We just don't understand it sometimes. You are both such great parents already!
    Congratulations to you both! Much love being sent your way!
    Kristine and Marty

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  6. Fabulous beta increase, and even better, an ultrasound which shows it is all FOR REAL! I understand the tinge of disappointment with it not being more than one... but one is so much better than none. You have future options "on ice" and take heart that SI's IVF partner does get great results with FET!

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  7. Geoff, This is such fabulous news. Sorry not to post till now. I have been checking in periodically and we are delighted.

    One thing is for sure: this will be one seriously fortunate baby to have parents like you two.

    Mazel tov.

    Jeff

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