We have been asked, "Why is that you adopted your babies as embryos through the Snowflakes Program with Nightlight Christian Adoptions, but are traveling to the NEDC (National Embryo Donation Center) for the Frozen Embryo Transfer?" This is an excellent question and we know that our situation is definitely out of the norm here. Let me explain how we came to this special arrangement.
When a family goes through the Snowflakes program to adopt babies as embryos, Snowflakes allows the adopting family to choose the clinic and doctor of their choice to perform the Frozen Embryo Transfer. When we adopted Sarah and her siblings we had trouble finding a clinic here in Houston and a doctor who would do the transfer for several reasons. One was that because Sarah and her siblings had been frozen close to 12 years at the time of our adoption, the genetic parents had not undergone STD testing since it was not required back then. Now, because of regulations, STD testing is mandatory for all genetic parents before they undergo IVF. The second reason we couldn't find anyone to accept our precious embryos was because after viewing the paperwork on our little ones, no clinic wanted to perform the FET. It came down to where the doctors saw that there was such a minute chance that any of the embryos would survive the thawing procedure, why bother with harming their competitive and positive statistics? They also continued to try and talk us out of "using" as they put it, "these embryos" when we could use donated eggs with Rhea's sperm and do IVF? We would explain why we did not believe in IVF and we continued to look for another doctor. Finally, Nightlight assisted us in finding a clinic and a doctor who would accept our tiny ones and perform the FET. We traveled to Dallas which was only three hours away. You guys all know the rest and Sarah is here with us.
So jump forward to our current adoption through Snowflakes. We were chosen by a couple to adopt their remaining 8 embryos from 2008. The necessary testing had indeed been completed, but because the genetic mother tested positive for being exposed to the Hep B virus at some point in her life, these little 8 lives were quickly labeled "high risk" by the original clinic. Because of this label, it was very difficult to find a clinic locally who accept our newest family members. Nightlight came to the rescue again. They made a call to Dr. K at the NEDC and Carol the embryologist at the NEDC. After consulting with both Dr. K and Carol, Nightlight called us to tell us that the NEDC would accept our embryos and would accept me for a transfer.
The NEDC has their own EA program where they match families and then do transfers for the adopting parents. Having us come in is an exception and we are grateful to the NEDC and to Dr. K for taking our family. I had a phone consult months ago with Dr. K about the Hep B test results on the genetic mother. He went over all the paperwork and said he saw nothing to concern him that the babies would have any risk of having Hep B.
So, there you have it. The story of how we adopted embryos for our second adoption through Nightlight again, but are having the babies transferred at the NEDC in Knoxville, TN.
Next post: Why do we have to go to the NEDC in February and then turn right around and go in March? What is a "Mock Transfer"? What kinds of medications do I have to take?
Showing posts with label Genetic Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Genetic Family. Show all posts
January 22, 2013
December 15, 2010
Tomorrow is Departure Day!
Not only do we leave for Dallas tomorrow, but something else will happen tomorrow that came as quite a surprise when we heard about it. I will back up a bit and explain some details before I get to tomorrow.
Most of you know that we have 6 little ones who we have adopted. 5 (4 morulas & 1 blast) are from one family. The genetic mother chose a family through the Snowflake program and then that first adoptive family chose us as the genetic mother entrusted them with the difficult task in finding another adoptive family for the remaining little ones.
We had always been told that the 4 morula stage little ones had a very small chance in surviving the thawing process, but our one blast had a 50/50 chance of surviving the thawing process. Very recently, our embryologist consulted with some colleagues across our country and she came back to us to share, based on her research, that there was a 1% chance that the 4 little ones would survive the thaw. That, in fact, the wrong freezing protocol was used and if our babies are not alive when she thaws them, they more than likely died during the original freezing procedure. On top of that, our one blast from that group was given a 20% chance of surviving the thaw.
Again this only happened four weeks ago. We were humbled when it was brought to our attention about a family who had one lone little blast that was available for adoption. (God's plan continuing to unfold, brings us to our knees at times a lot more frequently lately). WIth the assistance of our amazing adoption coordinator, all contracts, paperwork, clinic coordination, and DNA testing agreements from all families was completed and our 6th precious little blast will be arriving in Dallas this morning who has a 50%+ chance of surviving thawing.
So...here we are back to Wednesday...I spoke to our embryologist on the phone on Monday and she let us know that she is going to thaw ALL 6 tiny ones tomorrow late afternoon instead of the original plan of thawing 4 on Thursday and the 2 blasts on Friday morning. She will incubate the survivors overnight for a transfer on Friday morning. So, here is how the schedule now goes:
Thursday Morning: We leave for Dallas
Thursday Afternoon: my acupuncture appt. in Dallas, check into the hotel and get everyone settled.
Thursday Late Afternoon: a phone call from our embryologist telling us how many surviving little babies we have.
Friday Morning: If we have surviving little ones from Thursday, and IF we have no phone call from our embryologist on Friday morning that means we have babies to transfer. I will then go to another acupuncture appt and then on to the clinic to drink lots of water, take a valium, and prep for the 12:30 p.m. transfer.
I continue to repeat to everyone we speak to about our adoption that we know that God is not a God of chances. We know that we trust in His sovereignty on our lives and these little ones' lives. We will completely rest in that no matter the God-ordained outcome of the coming few days. I will not give up praying that we will be in Dallas through Tuesday. Because if we are there through Tuesday, that means there was a transfer and I would be pregnant, and I would be on bed rest until Tuesday.
After experiencing 6 miscarriages in recent years, I can tell you that those emotions and feelings can creep back and I have to fight that fear only through the strength my Father can give. He has brought me here. He is with me, He has given me all strength needed to step forward. Rhea and I both thank you for your prayers and we thank those friends who have continued to show us love and support through e-mails, texts, calls, & e-mails. We have been blessed for you to join us and travel this journey with us. You are all very special to us.
Okay, off to pack the kitchen things for the trip, but first a couple more injections! May God richly bless you this very day!
Most of you know that we have 6 little ones who we have adopted. 5 (4 morulas & 1 blast) are from one family. The genetic mother chose a family through the Snowflake program and then that first adoptive family chose us as the genetic mother entrusted them with the difficult task in finding another adoptive family for the remaining little ones.
We had always been told that the 4 morula stage little ones had a very small chance in surviving the thawing process, but our one blast had a 50/50 chance of surviving the thawing process. Very recently, our embryologist consulted with some colleagues across our country and she came back to us to share, based on her research, that there was a 1% chance that the 4 little ones would survive the thaw. That, in fact, the wrong freezing protocol was used and if our babies are not alive when she thaws them, they more than likely died during the original freezing procedure. On top of that, our one blast from that group was given a 20% chance of surviving the thaw.
Again this only happened four weeks ago. We were humbled when it was brought to our attention about a family who had one lone little blast that was available for adoption. (God's plan continuing to unfold, brings us to our knees at times a lot more frequently lately). WIth the assistance of our amazing adoption coordinator, all contracts, paperwork, clinic coordination, and DNA testing agreements from all families was completed and our 6th precious little blast will be arriving in Dallas this morning who has a 50%+ chance of surviving thawing.
So...here we are back to Wednesday...I spoke to our embryologist on the phone on Monday and she let us know that she is going to thaw ALL 6 tiny ones tomorrow late afternoon instead of the original plan of thawing 4 on Thursday and the 2 blasts on Friday morning. She will incubate the survivors overnight for a transfer on Friday morning. So, here is how the schedule now goes:
Thursday Morning: We leave for Dallas
Thursday Afternoon: my acupuncture appt. in Dallas, check into the hotel and get everyone settled.
Thursday Late Afternoon: a phone call from our embryologist telling us how many surviving little babies we have.
Friday Morning: If we have surviving little ones from Thursday, and IF we have no phone call from our embryologist on Friday morning that means we have babies to transfer. I will then go to another acupuncture appt and then on to the clinic to drink lots of water, take a valium, and prep for the 12:30 p.m. transfer.
I continue to repeat to everyone we speak to about our adoption that we know that God is not a God of chances. We know that we trust in His sovereignty on our lives and these little ones' lives. We will completely rest in that no matter the God-ordained outcome of the coming few days. I will not give up praying that we will be in Dallas through Tuesday. Because if we are there through Tuesday, that means there was a transfer and I would be pregnant, and I would be on bed rest until Tuesday.
After experiencing 6 miscarriages in recent years, I can tell you that those emotions and feelings can creep back and I have to fight that fear only through the strength my Father can give. He has brought me here. He is with me, He has given me all strength needed to step forward. Rhea and I both thank you for your prayers and we thank those friends who have continued to show us love and support through e-mails, texts, calls, & e-mails. We have been blessed for you to join us and travel this journey with us. You are all very special to us.
Okay, off to pack the kitchen things for the trip, but first a couple more injections! May God richly bless you this very day!
November 24, 2010
Dearest sweet little ones,
(a picture of our clinic where our precious ones are residing for the moment)
Dearest sweet little ones,
Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that you will be at home with us next Thanksgiving in the arms of family members here in our home. Some of you will more than likely be with your heavenly Father, but know that that is the most perfect place to be and we will be together so very soon praising God day and night. You 5 are so very precious to us! We have a surprise for you too. Ready? In the next couple of weeks, you will have one more brother or sister joining you! This precious one was given to us by a very special family and will now be your brother or sister. Your new sibling is a very healthy 5 day blast and Ms. Lily will place you all together. God has blessed us tremendously with each of you. We look forward to the day we will be in the same room with all 6 of you in Dallas together in 3 weeks & 2 days! Happy Thanksgiving & We love you!
October 11, 2010
Have You Seen the NEW Embryo Adoption Video?
I found this video. It was uploaded just 3 weeks ago. It is put out by the NEDC. It is narrated by Chelsea Noble Camer*n, includes interviews with Dr. Keenan & staff, and also includes our EA coordinator from Nightlight Christian Adoptions, Megan Fabian!
August 1, 2010
Houston, We Have a Match!
Sorry, I couldn't help it, since I am a Houston gal!
We heard from our Snowflakes coordinator today after we got back from church. We have been matched! We are blessed beyond words that God would entrust 5 precious embryos into our care! These embryos already have such an amazing story. We will post more details as soon as we can!
We're praising God and rejoicing in His goodness and grace!!
July 27, 2010
A Few More Days??
We have been so very busy these last 2 weeks, but we did hear from our coordinator today, so I wanted to quickly update you all.
As you know, the first family to receive our profile decided not to choose us after having our file the full 2 weeks.
Our profile was sent to another family 2 weeks ago today. Our coordinator said that the family asked for more time as they are praying through the decision. If by Saturday the family still has not come up with their answer, our coordinator said that we could choose to have our profile sent to another family if we desired to do that.
Obviously, we pray for only God's plan in this. Our prayer is that the current genetic family would have a complete peace with their decision (yes or no) BEFORE we would need to make a decision to move on or not.
breathe...pray...breathe....pray : )
As you know, the first family to receive our profile decided not to choose us after having our file the full 2 weeks.
Our profile was sent to another family 2 weeks ago today. Our coordinator said that the family asked for more time as they are praying through the decision. If by Saturday the family still has not come up with their answer, our coordinator said that we could choose to have our profile sent to another family if we desired to do that.
Obviously, we pray for only God's plan in this. Our prayer is that the current genetic family would have a complete peace with their decision (yes or no) BEFORE we would need to make a decision to move on or not.
breathe...pray...breathe....pray : )
July 7, 2010
We Heard from the Agency Today
We received an e-mail from our coordinator today. The genetic family who has had our profile has decided not to choose our family for their embryos. The family originally thought they wanted to choose a family with children currently, but through prayer, decided that although they enjoyed meeting our family through pictures and our written profile, we were not the family they were looking for after all.
Obviously, it was not the e-mail we were wanting to see, but we know that God has already chosen the family for us and this will all be revealed in His timing : ) We just want to keep you updated as you continue to follow our journey!
"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mt. Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever." Psalm 125: 1,2
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