P.S. I passed!

My official clearance letters came through yesterday so I am good to go!   

At this point I *should* be getting to know who my case manager is (Heidi) and getting ready to get profiles of potential families to work with...... since I am kind of an 'out of the box' situation and I already know who I might be matched with, this part might fly by!   ....then again it could be a hurry up and wait time too.  :)   I'll let ya know when I know!


One step closer.

Just a little rebellious -

 I had my official psych interview yesterday -

I don't fully understand *why* we are asked the same questions that we answered on the application unless it is to make sure that we are consistent in our answers......... but I did.   We went through what I was expecting to get out of this journey, how many people in my life know about my desire to be a surrogate, do we own our own home, what do my children think, what kind of couple and I looking to work with, what type of relationship am I looking for, is there anything specific I would like to see the family do/not do when they are raising their child, is my husband supportive, am I working, how is my relationship with my last family etc, etc, etc.

My psychologist, Kim has known me for 10 years so we did the standard questions and chatted about life.  When the conversation was coming to an end I said "So the test I took...."   And she said something like - Oh yeah..........

I think I passed the 567 question test (MMPI-2), but apparently there were some 'markers' that they were a little concerned about.   She had to look them up on her computer, but basically she gave me the following words/phrases that showed up on my tests:  lots of energy, rebellious, drives excessively, impulsivity & anxious. 

She kind of chuckled and said that if they didn't already know me they would be a little worried about the rebellious/impulsivity.... but they know that is just part of who I am.    ....and she remembers me being 'grounded' with a 6 month delay during my first surrogacy.    ;-)

I have never been one to (use or) abuse my body with alcohol, drugs or smoking - just never did.  I was always the good little girl.   :)   However if given the opportunity for a little thrill - bungee jumping, getting a tattoo, a new piercing or going on an adventure I would *love* that!   I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a mom.  I also knew that the eggs that would be my future children were the only eggs I would be given and I needed to take care of them.  If I had decided to try marijuana or something like that - my eggs would have been effected too.  I wanted to keep my body as healthy as possible.   Ok, besides the slight addiction I have to McD's...... 

I don't think being rebellious is a bad thing - I just think I want to be different.  Go against the grain.  I have always prided myself in not being a follower.   Heck, took me YEARS just to watch Forrest Gump just because everyone kept telling me I *had* to watch it.....  

Why should I be like everyone else?   I am happy being ME. 

MMPI Test Questions

The MMPI-2 Test consists of 567 questions that requires a TRUE/FALSE answer.

TRUE: True for you or mostly true.
FALSE: False for you or mostly not true


***** I received the following message:   Blogger has been notified, according to the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), that certain content in your blog is alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others. *****

Apparently my rankings went too high with google and I pissed some people off - not quite sure who.   No really, I get TONS of hits off my MMPI title.  *shrug*   Guess my 75 questions that looked deep into your soul will have to wait.   Sorry!
....and I apologize to those I offended by STEALING.  The 75 questions I took were easy to find off a quick google search.


Let me know which question is your favorite - - remember this is just the beginning.   Some of them are very funny.   They are also very repetitive.

Perfect & Perfectly Sane

For those that have never been a surrogate it is hard to comprehend the amount of screening that a potential surrogate goes though before being accepted to work with an agency (and should go through to work independently!).  My physical health is just as important as my mental health.   As  an IP  you want to know that your surrogate is health in mind, body & spirit.

I will share a sampling of the MMPI questions on another post.   The tests consists of 567 True/False Questions -

Our psyche testing was done at the GG offices and I was able to meet a couple of the girls I have been working with via email/telephone.  Always nice to put a face with a name.  Our appointment was at 9am but we arrived just after 8am so we were able to relax in their living room which, on a clear day would have given us a clear view of the famous Hollywood sign.   My psychologist, Kim was able to do a quick phone call with us and we'll be doing the 'official' questions this coming week.   Since she worked with me on my last to journeys she said - I know you and I'm not too worried about things.   :)

After our meeting at GG we got a quick breakfast and then called a cab to take us to the RE's office.

I originally was scheduled to see an RE in Beverly Hills but the German couple is looking like they will be using an ED so we changed doctors.  I gave my preference to the agency to use Ringler since I have used with twice before...... and they were able to fit me into their schedule with less than 24 hour notice.

I got a lot more paperwork to go through and sign - so far 31 pages to initial & sign before we go back for our transfer.   Four vials of blood and a urine sample were collected and will be tested for the following:

1. Hepatitis B antigen (HepBAg)
2. Hepatitis C antibody (HepCAb)
3. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV 1&2)
4. Human T-Lymphocyte Virus (HTLV 1&2)
5. Cytomegalovirus (CMV lgG & lgM)
6. Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR)
7. Rubella titer
8. Rubeola (lgG &lgM) ; Varicella (lgG & lgM)
9. Blood type & Rh
         a.   TSH
         b.   Indirect Coombs Test
10. Cervical cultures for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
11. Pap smear
12. Uterine evaluation  - Sonohysterogram
13. Urine blood screening

My husband is also required to complete the first 6 tests (and I think #13 also - 'cuz they made him give a urine sample). 

The pap smear and sonohysterogram was completed after a few pages of previous pregnancy history.   *It is nice because I can refer to my surro kids by name and he knows who I am talking about.  :)   They are personal friends of my first family.*  The sonohysterogram is a saline solution injected into my uterus and then using a "wienie wand" ultrasound they check my uterus for an abnormalities such as polyps or cysts that would make it difficult for my uterus to be nice, fluffy & comfy for the future embryos to stick and settle in for 9 months.   Although turning my uterus into a water balloon does produce some slight cramping it isn't much worse than period pains.   It is also strongly recommended that wear a panty liner - what goes up must come down!   I was declared:  "Perfect Heather, you are just perfect" by Dr. Ringler!

It was a long day, but we had a nice mini vacation/Valentines Day escape.  DH and I enjoyed a *wonderful* dinner at a restaurant called 'Paparazzi' in our hotel and then lounged by the pool in a cabana just to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.  Since schedules don't always work out we were unable to get together with my first family so we had 7 hours to kill before our scheduled flight home.  We tried to fly standby on the ONE earlier flight, but with 21 people on standby, we didn't make it.

I appreciate all the positive thoughts and prayers for safe travels for us and our children we left to play with their grandma's - they all did wonderful!   Your support & love is greatly appreciated!!

Next stop is our match meeting - we will either be doing an over the phone meeting or they have asked if we would be willing to travel to New York.    Either way works for us!

Until then I'll be starting my prenatal vitamins - I was given 4 samples to try.  Depending on how close we are to contracts by the time my next cycles starts (with myself and the ED) I will be starting BCP - birth control pills to help with the synchronization of my cycle with the ED's.   Let the fun begin!!!!!

Only thing contant is change.

I am leaving for LA in 24 hours.   I got my 'final' itinerary this morning at 8am when I got up and checked my email.   I took Z to school and came home to find a message that things were changing.  :)   Flights are all the same, but I am changing RE's now because the family I will (hopefully) be working with has decided to use an egg donor.

I told the surrogate coordinator that if I had *my* choice I would use the same doctor I have used in the past..... and it looks like that is what we are going to do.  Yipee!!  Nice to know the guy has gotten me knocked up twice before and still recognized my face this summer when I saw him at an event.  

It is just a slight change in plans, but it goes along with the saying "If you want to see God laugh, tell him your plans."  So very, very true.

 So while I wait for my final, final itinerary I thought I would update my blog.  Oh yeah - and I am in a mad dash to get my house ready for my mom to come stay with the kids while we are gone.   At least one shower is scrubbed clean for her with NO toys. 

I'm going back to Cali, to Cali, to Cali......

Heading to LA!

Mark and I get to take off and enjoy a mini-vacation this week.   It has been 6 years since we have spent the night alone.  I don't know what we are going to do when we are able to start a conversation and finish all in one sitting.  Or what about eating our dinner at the same time without having to reheat it?  ....wow.....

Oh yeah - we are also going down so we can have our medical screening done.  This will probably consist of blood draws for both Mark and I.  In addition to that probably urine samples and a very thorough pap smear type test.   Most likely I will also be having a sono-hystegram done - the doctors are going to make a water balloon out of my uterus.  :) 

Yeah - fun stuff.  This will enable them to make sure that I have a healthy uterus without any cysts, scar tissue or anything else that might cause pregnancy complications down the line.

After that we have the privilege of finding out just how crazy we really are.   We will be meeting with a psychologist to talk about everything from 'do you really know what you are getting into' to 'tell me about growing up'.   If I remember correctly we get to meet with the psychologist together and then while Mark talks about himself a little more in detail I will get to take the MMPI test.

Somewhere around 500 questions that tells them just how crazy I am.  Obviously they aren't looking for perfection - they know I am crazy enough to get pregnant for someone else .....AGAIN. 


While we are off enjoying our 28 hours from boarding to boarding (did I mention we get 1st class on our flight down to LA?   Yep!)  our children will be running my mother ragged.   Sheridan has *never* been without me - and especially not with out mom & dad.  She just weaned 6 weeks ago and while I know she isn't a little baby, she is still OUR baby.  We are hoping that Nana will keep her busy enough that when nap time and bed time come she will be tired and crash out.  So far Sheridan (along with the boys too!) is really looking forward to Nana being here.    After this trip though - we might not see Nana for awhile.  

So if you think about it - say a little prayer for safe travels for us and sanity for my children and my mother this week.   Thanks!

Lovely Aunt Flow came for a visit

We all have one.  The wonderful aunt that makes you wanna squirm.  The same woman that you pray will sometimes just take a hike or go visit another relative.  I wasn't expecting her quite yet, but a welcome site for me nonetheless! There are times in my life that I really dislike visits from her, and others where I am so glad to see her I could dance!! 

Getting to visit with her this month means that hopefully she will only be stopping by a couple more times before she takes her 9 month vacation down south.  Personally I really wish she would go away forever and just send Christmas cards, but we all know that isn't likely to happen anytime soon.  Oh well, I'll try to enjoy the short time I have with her.

This means Mark and I will be heading to LA soon!!