u/Only-Requirement-312

I (35F) am looking to start the journey for getting a donor. I have been researching for a few years, talking to doctors, etc. but feel like there is just not a very clear process of what things you should do, “must do”, etc. I had a meeting with my PCP and a fertility doctor who said I needed to do genetic screening because my family has a history of cancers - when I went to do the genetic screening, they told me it really wasn’t necessary and that it was good info, but wouldn’t ultimately inform a donor selection. It feels hard to sort out what things are actually legitimately important or crucial steps in the process.

I am just looking for some help here from people who have actually walked the path - what steps did you take? What are nice-to-do’s vs. need-to-do’s? I want to get started but feel like I’m spinning my wheels!

TIA!

I will be taking my first backpacking trip at the end of September with my brother and SIL (who both have backpacked several times), and am so excited!

I like to hike casually and also I’ve done the Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain in Peru and LOVED it, so I’m not completely unfamiliar to strenuous hikes and managing discomfort over long/multiple days. But this will be my first time managing a pack, setting up our own camp, cooking/eating meals on the trail, etc. since so much of that was done for us when I was in Peru by the porters!

I am starting (mostly) from scratch gear-wise and just want to be sure I am prepared to get the most enjoyment out of my trip with my family.

I would love any advice on:

1. Gear suggestions or reliable sources online for gear recs - I feel like I keep ending up on ad-heavy sites that are trying to sell me on everything under the sun!

2. On-the-trail advice - if you could go back to your first backpacking experience, what do you wish you knew or what would you have done differently?

TIA!