Tracy, American Intended Parent in Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Explain your reasons for wanting a surrogate/donor:

A few years ago I was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases. I have only been in remission once, and my doctor says I am not healthy enough to carry a child on my own until I reach remission for one year. I have spoken to four different specialists about the drugs I am on, and 2 of them say they are harmful to a baby if I get pregnant, so for right now we just don't want to chance me or the baby's health. I also have a 50% chance of getting sicker if I get pregnant, and losing my colon, or worse, so my husband and I thought we would look into the surrogacy route for now and see what happens with my health over the next few years and re-approach having our own baby later. But honestly, I'm turning 36 this year and running out of time.

How would you best describe yourself(s):

My husband and I have been married over a year and are ready to start our family. We are active people who run, hike, cycle, etc. We are pretty much outdoors everyday after work, can't stand to be inside. We have two dogs that love to go on the trails with us. My husband says he can't wait until the day he can run in a 5K race with a baby stroller. We have a lot of free time on our hands because we are not parents, however we are hoping that will all change one day. We love to travel, and I try to make sure we do almost monthly, even if it's a quick trip to Jacksonville. We both work full time and have great jobs, however I will be ready to leave my job for a bit to raise a newborn.

Use this space to communicate a letter to potential Surrogates/Donors:

Every single profile I have read on here from a surrogate mother starts with "I love my child so much and I can't imagine what it feels like to not be able to have your own." The best way I can describe that pain, is feeling the most powerless you've ever felt in your entire life - in the most excruciating way possible. Imagine someone standing on your chest some days, it's hard to breathe, feeling your tummy from time to time, knowing nothing will ever go inside there, even though you always were told your whole life it would. The only thing I've realized over the past few months is that if I face this and embrace my truths, it hurts more but goes away faster. I ALWAYS thought I would experience the joy of being pregnant, and carrying my own baby, but as of right now, that's not God's plan for me. Having to ask another woman to carry my child is the most humbling, and hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. We tossed around the idea of adoption, but I really really really want to look at my child and see my husband in her/his eyes. My husband is everything to me, the sweetest man I've ever met, and I want to give him a baby the best way I can. My eggs are fine, so we would choose to do gestational surrogacy. We want our own baby so badly, and we would be so grateful to find a surrogate close by so that we could be part of your pregnancy. You ladies are doing something extraordinary and my mind is blown away at your selflessness. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for what you do for women like me. Godspeed. <3