Reality Check, Cycle Update, and John Paul the Great

Wow. So I spoke to the social worker at one of the adoption agencies we checked out last summer and I got a huge reality check. Mostly I was calling to clarify their policy that if you're receiving fertility treatment you cannot begin the adoption process with them. (This is what we learned at the information session after speaking with the social worker.) I even followed up with a phone call back then because it just didn't sound right to me, but this is indeed their policy. When I spoke with her today she clarified that they will not work with couples who are going through IVF or IUI or things along those lines. After explaining the kind of treatment I'm getting she said that we would be fine to work with them. Whew!

She proceeded to tell me that couples are experiencing extremely long wait times with their domestic program and that they currently have 60 families on the waiting list. Can you believe that??? This is a local agency that works with just the DC area! She said couples should expect a wait time of 2-5 years (even if you're open to all ethnicity's.) For various reasons they have a lot of couples wanting to adopt and not as many birth mothers. One reason is that international adoption has become more difficult over the past couple of years. Many countries are now "closed" to adoptions, so couples who would have pursued this avenue are now turning to domestic programs. Also, of course, we can't forget the sad reality that many women who might consider adoption choose abortion instead. The social worker also mentioned that many birth mothers are choosing private adoptions - seeking out adoptive parents on their own without an agency. It was all very disheartening, to say the least. I know other bloggers have mentioned this in their posts recently. As if adoption isn't difficult enough, why does it seem to be getting harder right now?

The social worker suggested that we do our home study, classes/counseling, and follow-up with them, but look at other agencies throughout the country for the actual placement. She is going to email me a list of agencies that they are recommending couples try to work with.

In terms of cycle news I'm on day 11 and looking for my peak day. :) I did hear back from my doctor's office and she agreed that getting my blood work done on peak + 7, 9 and 11 was a good idea. Hopefully this will shed some light!

Today is the 4th anniversary of the death of John Paul the Great. I remember that day so clearly. It's hard to believe he's been gone so long. No words are adequate to describe what an amazing man he was. He is truly my hero. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him.
-Redemptor Hominis

John Paul the Great, pray for us!