News from today's conference call

Earlier today I had a very detailed and informative conference call with my doctor in Panama City. We discussed contracts, processes, procedures, time lines and next steps. I won't bore you with all the details, but the good news is that it is quite possible that we will be ready to proceed with IVF as early as the middle of June. I'm very pleased with the progress.

Both my Surrogate and Egg Donor will commence fertility and hormonal treatment ASAP, although treatment won't be nearly as long as originally anticipated. The goal is to synchronize the menstrual cycles of both women, overstimulate the Egg Donor and prepare the Surrogate's body to accept the embryos. The science of these procedures is complex, but I have to admit, very interesting.

I also learned a great deal more about my Surrogate today, which left me feeling even more confident about the surrogacy selection process, my decision to enter into such an agreement, and my ultimate journey to parenthood.

My Surrogate is a 23 year old, single mother of 2 boys. She is a stay at home mom with no formal higher education. But thanks to the assistance of the John Hopkins Hospital and their Surrogacy Program, she will soon commence studies towards an advanced diploma. She entered the Surrogacy program with a goal to enhance her education and improve her financial status in an effort to provide a better quality of life for her children. The fact that her gift to me, will result in a better life for her children, gives me a great sense of inner peace and the confidence of knowing that Surrogacy, regardless of its controversy, was the right decision for me.

In addition to being a great Mom, my doctor described my Surrogate as a very sweet and gentle person with a calm demeanor. And like all participants in the Surrogacy program (including me), she has passed a series of medical, criminal and psychological tests. We will meet in person once there is a confirmed pregnancy. And at such a time, I am welcome to attend any one or all of her medical appointments and ultra sounds, but that's jumping ahead just a little bit.

The next step in the process will be IVF and the creation of multiple healthy embryos. The success of the IVF procedure will dictate next steps in my journey to parenthood, but today moved me one baby step closer. More news on the IVF procedure and results in the coming weeks...

Results from Boston

After five long and very stressful weeks, I received my final semen analysis results from Boston today. The results could not have been better, and I now have three perfectly preserved specimens cryopreserved and awaiting IVF in Panama City. I've never been so nervous opening an envelope in all my life, and right now I feel on top of the world!

Before we can proceed with IVF, both my egg donor and surrogate will undergo several weeks of fertility treatment to prepare their bodies for the various procedures. Exact dates and details are still under review, but with any luck, we'll make a first attempt at IVF and embryo transfer within the next 6-8 weeks. I have a conference call scheduled with my doctor in Panama next week, and following that call I will have more information on next steps and anticipated timelines.

Thanks for all the calls, emails, texts and messages of encouragement and support. I think I will celebrate tonight and enjoy some much needed sleep this weekend. Today's results, while just another baby step in a long process, are monumental in setting the stage for the next phase of My Journey to Parenthood.