Brandon and I had a wonderful opportunity to help out with a fundraiser for Generations of Hope. We had a crew come in and film our story. We have attached the video for you to see, but thought we should share our story first so you would understand the video. The link to the video is at the bottom of this email so just click on it to watch it. So here goes
Brandon and I always wanted to have a family. It was something we discussed before we were married and once married we immediately started trying to have a baby. Just like most couples you assume when you want to have a baby it just happens. However, we were not having any luck. After almost two years of trying with no luck, we made an appointment to go see the doctor where they suggested we use an ovulation kit. So, we tried that and not only did we not have any luck, but it became a chore. We went back to the doctor after months of trying where they decided to run some tests and blood work on me. All the tests came back normal so the doctor suggested Brandon do a sperm analysis. When we got the results back it became clear why we were not having any luck. As the doctor explained Brandon had odd shaped sperm that swim the wrong way. His exact words were your sperm are drunk. We will never forgot the day as the doctor proceeded to tell us it was impossible for us to have children and there was always fertility treatments but he was very doubtful they would work. We left the office that day in tears. Something we had always wanted seemed impossible. After a few days we decided to not accept the answer and to get a second opinion. This time we went to Seattle and made an appointment. Once again they ran all the same tests and the results came back the same. However, this time the doctor gave us some hope when he told us he believed fertility treatments would work. So we started with IUI’s and did 2 of those before deciding to move on as we were just throwing away money. The doctor agreed and the next option was IVF. As we were looking into dates of when to start Brandon got a new job and we moved to Canada. Our dream of having a baby was put on hold.
Once in Canada we met with the fertility clinic. Our plan was to still do the treatment in Seattle as they offered financing and Canada did not. We went to the clinic in Calgary to meet the doctors and make arrangements to get meds, etc. from them until we flew back to Seattle for the actual treatment. Once at the Calgary clinic we started thinking how expensive flights would be and what if the first treatment did not work. That day a nurse told us about a program called Generations of Hope. Generations of Hope is a non-profit organization devoted to helping couples struggling with infertility issues attain their dream of having a family. The nurse gave us an application and told us to consider it. We decided to fill out the application and mailed it in knowing we would never be given a grant.
Some time went by before I got a phone call stating we did in fact receive a grant and we were being offered treatment. I remember sitting on the phone in tears and being filled with joy. So we started the journey and did IVF.
There is a ton of details about our treatment, but to prevent writing a novel I will sum it up. Once we started the treatment we quickly learned my body was not responding to treatment and not producing the amount of follicles I should. In fact at one point the treatment was almost cancelled because my body was not responding. We barely squeezed by and we got to the egg retrieval. They retrieved 5 eggs which is very low (someone at my age should have a ton of eggs). They called us the next day to let us know that 3 had fertilized and followed up again the following day to let us know 2 had made it. Normally they do a transfer on day 3 or 5, but they said we would do a day 2 transfer as they were not going to get any better. So with only 2 embryos’we decided this was our chance. We put both back hoping one would take and as it turns out both took. We are now the proud parents of Faith and Kaylee.
Once in Canada we met with the fertility clinic. Our plan was to still do the treatment in Seattle as they offered financing and Canada did not. We went to the clinic in Calgary to meet the doctors and make arrangements to get meds, etc. from them until we flew back to Seattle for the actual treatment. Once at the Calgary clinic we started thinking how expensive flights would be and what if the first treatment did not work. That day a nurse told us about a program called Generations of Hope. Generations of Hope is a non-profit organization devoted to helping couples struggling with infertility issues attain their dream of having a family. The nurse gave us an application and told us to consider it. We decided to fill out the application and mailed it in knowing we would never be given a grant.
Some time went by before I got a phone call stating we did in fact receive a grant and we were being offered treatment. I remember sitting on the phone in tears and being filled with joy. So we started the journey and did IVF.
There is a ton of details about our treatment, but to prevent writing a novel I will sum it up. Once we started the treatment we quickly learned my body was not responding to treatment and not producing the amount of follicles I should. In fact at one point the treatment was almost cancelled because my body was not responding. We barely squeezed by and we got to the egg retrieval. They retrieved 5 eggs which is very low (someone at my age should have a ton of eggs). They called us the next day to let us know that 3 had fertilized and followed up again the following day to let us know 2 had made it. Normally they do a transfer on day 3 or 5, but they said we would do a day 2 transfer as they were not going to get any better. So with only 2 embryos’we decided this was our chance. We put both back hoping one would take and as it turns out both took. We are now the proud parents of Faith and Kaylee.
I know this is coming as a surprise to everyone and you might wonder why we have not told anyone before this. This was an incredibly difficult time for Brandon and I and it was emotional. We did not want sympathy or pity from anyone. Once we got pregnant we were so over joyed with the news we just wanted to celebrate that moment and our bundles of joy. We didn’t want to take away from our joy to explain what we had gone through. Right, wrong, or indifferent we had been through so much and it didn’t matter to us how we got pregnant but rather it worked. Now we have had some time to step back and were given this opportunity. We decided there is nothing to hide and we owe it to give back. We hope you can understand our decision. We are happy to answer any questions about our journey and this process. We hope you enjoy the video. It was a beautiful moment for us to relive our story while looking at our two miracles. I am sure I have left people out of this email so please pass along.
Hugs
Brandon and Rachel
Brandon and Rachel
Congrats on being comfortable enough to tell your story! Sometimes I feel like I'll tell mine and then there are days when I think it doesn't matter. I hope that you get the all the support and love you deserve for telling your story.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest pet peeve is when people ask us the old "Do twins run in your family..?" or "Are they natural?" Argh! So hopefully you telling your story will alleviate some of that for you!
Can't wait to have another play date!