this just got real.

This week has been incredibly eventful in our little world of Ali and Brian's surrogacy. Things are finally falling into place. It is all becoming very real.

A week ago today, Ali & Brian made their way to Arizona for Brian to provide his super swimmers and for Ali to be checked to see how well her medications were working. The appointment was eventful and terrifying at the same time. While on one hand everything was perfect and ready for the egg retrieval this week, on the other, they found out about some unexpected expenses. Mainly, the need for $9,000 in order for the egg retrieval to be done. This meant they/we had about 3 days to scrounge up 9 grand!

My heart was broken. I was so scared it wouldn't happen. That Ali's medications would have been wasted. That our timeline would have been completely shot. Thanks to an amazing friend, we thought up a great drive to raise some money. The Psalm 113-9 drive was started that very night. We asked that everyone donate $11.39 toward the surrogacy as Psalm 113-9 says: He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD!

via

Well, the Lord is definitely deserving of some praise right now. The drive raised over $1000 and some of Ali and Brian's family members graciously loaned them the money needed. Now, we just have to help them raise the funds to pay it back. Another miracle (well actually lots of them) happened in this past week as Ali and Brian were finally approved for a loan to cover the rest of the costs of the surrogacy! That's right, no more worrying about whether or not it was going to happen...game on baby!

Ali spent all this week in Arizona having her follicles measured each day to ensure that they retrieved her eggs at their peak. On Thursday, they were able to retrieve 8 eggs. Today, we got notification that 6 of the eggs were fully developed and successfully fertilized! We will get another update on the status of the embryos on day three (Sunday) and then again on day five (Tuesday). At this point, they will sample each of the viable embryos and send the samples off for genetic testing. This will allow them to know which embryos are most likely to survive, and therefor will be the best to implant...in me!!

I will start my medications sometime in the middle of October, and that will also be the first time I make a trip out to the clinic. I can't wait to meet the girls in the office with whom I've exchanged many emails and phone calls. Up until now, there has always been a little something going on in the back of my mind, telling me that this wasn't going to happen. Financially, it has often seemed as though it wouldn't be possible. I am so excited to know that it REALLY is happening...holy cow, in just a few short months, I will God-willingly, be pregnant with Ali and Brian's baby/ies! I can't wait!!

Reality.

As many of you know, things have been moving along rather quickly lately. Well, next week, we are at risk of all things coming to a huge halt. Read all about it here on Ali's blog. Basically, she needs $9,000 by next Tuesday!!! Holy cow, that's a lot. But, it is also absolutely something that can happen. It takes a village to raise a child, and sometimes it takes a village to make the child. If you have ever wanted to help out, now is the time!

Psalm 113:9
He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD!


We are asking that anyone who can, and is willing, donate $11.39 this weekend to help Ali and Brian make their family!! It isn't much, but if everyone does it, we can reach that $9,000 goal. It's easy, just
click on the "Donate here" button on the right, here on the blog. Or, you can head on over to  www.pathtoourmiracle.mydagsite.com/ and make a donation there. Either way you do it, all the money will go directly to the Stone Family Surrogacy Fund to help make this all happen! Don't have $11.39 that you can donate? That's ok, but please, if you can find it in your heart, share our story with anyone and everyone you know!

Thank you all SO much for all of your support up until now and as the days, weeks and months go on!!

From here

schedule.

Wow...it has been a while! But, I'm back and hoping to keep things up-to-date a bit more. In all honesty, nothing much has happened since my last post. The fundraiser/auction was a huge success and brought in right around $1,000. Ali is planning another fundraiser, featuring gift baskets, for late October...just in time for holiday shopping! If you are interested in donating items, gift certificates, or just plain old money, please contact me or Ali! Every penny counts right now and all donations, no matter how big or small, are greatly appreciated!

Click Here To Help Us Out!

Since all the financing hasn't come through as well as expected, the timeline got pushed back a little bit. Initially, the plan was for November/December time frame. Then, things changed a bit and we hoped to do it in September. Now, because of funding, we are looking at November/December again. Ali starts her medications this week! She had her first real appointment at the clinic last Friday. She has an official calendar stating when everything will happen. If all goes well, they should retrieve her eggs the last week of this month! That is so exciting. After they retrieve her eggs, they will fertilize them with Brian's little swimmers, let them grow a few days, and then send them off to the lab to for chromosome testing. The chromosome testing insures that they implant the strongest, most likely to survive, embryos. Then, the eggs are frozen and wait to be implanted, in me!

From Here

As for me, I will start medications next month. Lupron will be the first medication I have to start. It is a subcutaneous injection in my belly. I will start that between day 1 and 4 of my next cycle. The point of Lupron is to basically put me in to menopause. It will stop my body from producing eggs. Along with that, I will experience the lovely side effects of menopause, hot flashes, bloating, etc. After about a week on the medication, I will make a trip out to Arizona for an ultrasound and all sorts of other things. Three weeks later, I will go back to Arizona for another ultrasound to check my ovaries and my uterine lining to insure that the dose I'm on is appropriate.

From Here

If everything looks okay at that point, I will start Estrace, COQ10 and Baby Aspirin. Sixteen days later, I will have another ultrasound to make sure my uterine lining is nice and thick. At that point, if everything is progressing as it should, and my uterus is in prime condition, we will set a date for transfer and to start the scary progesterone injections! Coworkers who are reading this, I just may hit you up to inject my but...I'm just not sure I can do it to myself!

Uterine Lining

It is all so real now. I will be getting my medications in the next few weeks and will find out when I need to go to Arizona for testing soon as well. I can't wait!