Maintenance and gametes

[metawidget]

I've been on a routine maintenance kick lately — I started with a physical for my pension buyback, got my allergies assessed, blood checked out, shots updated. I probably have one more bunch of paper to pick up, then I'm done outside of flu shots for three years. Aside from that: eat well and be active as usual, but take some B12 to help my red blood cells keep up with the rigours of life — no need to be more exhausted than strictly necessary!

I considered signing up for a vasectomy after our third baby is born — three is a good number for us, I think. The week of not lifting kids or walking unnecessarily during recovery sounds like something better scheduled for when everyone is in school, though. I have my referral; maybe I can call it in in 2020. Meanwhile: maybe someone needs some proven-fertile (and, judging from our kids, smart, energetic and funny) genetic material? I am out of the blood system but maybe qualifying to give sperm is within reach — although an initial web search indicates that Canada doesn't have much of a sperm bank system outside of one operation in Toronto… possibly due to strict laws against the sale of sperm. It seems that all abject terror of markets for sperm has done is atrophy the collection system. I've read about egg donation, and it is kind of terrifying, risky and probably did need measures in place to discourage exploitation of broke people with ovaries. I'm also a bit mystified that there aren't enough potential donors to support a centre in a major-ish urban area. Surely there are many people who are fertile and who wouldn't mind sharing the wealth with people having difficulties or lacking an easier source of sperm. As it is, apparently it is completely legal to buy gametes from the States and abroad: there's something a little off about that.

I don't know that I have any good conclusions, but it is a little odd and frustrating.

Comments

[blogcutter]

I think the pension buyback is definitely a smart move even if it's a bit of a financial hit right now.
As for "sharing the wealth", I'm thinking maybe a lot of the hesitancy about sperm donation is concerns over privacy and anonymity? How would you (and your family) feel if 18-year-olds started appearing on your doorstep a couple of decades from now, saying they;d done some research and concluded (whether rightly or wrongly) that you were their dad?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I had my vasectomy done by Dr Weiss - http://www.vasectomy.ca/ - and I think I was rock climbing three days later (might have been two). Almost no pain - the spray of the topical anesthetic hitting the skin was the most extreme sensation involved, since it was cold.

[metawidget]

I'd been referred to him; his brochure indicated lifting nothing heavier than a beer for a week… I guess the indication was very careful, or you are a serious strong sensation and rock climbing junkie. Those theories might both be true, come to think of it.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I think the indication was very careful. I don't tend to like to combine my strong sensation and rock climbing junkieness in the same activity.

[sugarmommaless.livejournal.com]

There are frequently folks looking for known donors. You could consider that.

[metawidget]

I've thought of that, and I think it would be something that could be awesome if thought out well… maybe sometime I can talk with you about your knowledge of the subject of you're up for that.