Stevy's Hope to Preserve Fertility

Hello Friends, Family, and All Who Are Reading This!



I want to first thank you for taking the time to read my story. After much self-debate and swallowing of my pride, I have decided to share my very personal story of struggle which has recently come back to surface and is heavy on my heart and mind. I've always dreamed of being a mom one day; a wonderful, creative and imaginative mom, just like the mother I have. But one thing I never realized was how many battles I would have to continuously fight for my dream to have a chance at becoming reality.



In 2000 at the age of 13, doctors discovered a small ovarian cyst on my right ovary after I was experiencing severe abdominal pain. Most girls get ovarian cysts at some point in their lives, so there was not much concern. The pain did not subside and 3 days later when I returned to the doctor, the cyst had grown to the size of a grapefruit. I was sent into surgery the next day, but the cyst had twisted stopping the blood flow into my ovary forcing the doctors to remove it.



At the end of 2000, I had an additional surgery to remove my right fallopian tube due to endometriosis that had grown inside of it. At this point, my doctor decided to place me on a continuous quarterly cycle of birth control to completely stop ovulation in an effort to save my left ovary and my fertility. Despite being on the continuous birth control, I continued to have many issues. Between the years 2001 and 2009, I had 5 additional surgeries due to cysts, scar tissues from surgeries, and endometriosis. I fought a constant battle with my body, however with the completion of my surgery in 2009, everything seemed to finally be looking up. I did not have any pain or form any cyst on my left ovary for 3 amazing years.



In September of 2012, I became extremely discouraged when I felt pains in my lower abdomen and lower back, which quickly took a turn for the worse. Considering my history, I decided that I needed to visit the emergency room. I was sent to have an ultrasound which revealed a devastating discovery. I had a complex mass covering my entire left ovary. After 45 minutes of searching for blood flow, they couldn't find enough, if any, to prove that my ovary was still alive. I was in complete shock. I could not have made it through that moment if it wasn't for the optimistic support from my loving boyfriend, Alex. The ER doctor refused to operate as she did not see it as an emergency surgery; however Alex refused to let me give up hope. My angel of a nurse overheard the conversation with the ER doctor and understood how upsetting this news was to me. The nurse referred me to a highly recommended gynecologist, who I called immediately and he agreed to see us the next morning. After hearing my history and reviewing the ultrasound from the ER, the recommended doctor did not want to take a chance with the surgery and my fertility. He sent me to a very experienced gynecological oncologist who agreed to do the surgery that day. Before going into surgery, I had to sign papers stating that I was aware of the risk of complications. I signed consent to remove my left ovary, my only ovary, if needed. I signed consent to start hormone therapy for menopause if I were to lose my ovary. At that moment, my entire future felt like it was in the hands of this 68 year old surgeon. At that moment I was numb. I couldn't imagine the possibility of never having kids of my own.



I went into surgery at 10:00pm and when I woke up in the recovery room I stuttered until I could finally get the question out of my mouth. When the nurse told me they saved my ovary, I have never felt so much joy in my life. I experienced the world's greatest low and the greatest high all in a day's time.



Since the removal of the large hemorrhagic cyst in September, I have established the recommended doctor as my primary doctor. I continue to get cysts on my left ovary, and am in 7-14 days of pain each month. I have been on 4 different types of birth control in the past 6 months to try to prevent this. At the beginning of February, I was hospitalized again from complications with a cyst on my left ovary. After this last hospitalization, my doctor informed me that I have an overactive ovary and despite the continuous birth control, I will continue to ovulate and form cysts that will grow and endanger my ovary.



After a discussion with my doctor, he believes the best way for me to ensure future fertility is to have oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing). Being that I am still young and generally healthy other than fertility issues, we are very optimistic about a high success rate.



After support from my family and Alex, I have made the initial consultation appointment for April 1^st, which I am very excited about! It gives me hope for something that normally causes me constant worry.



Despite the hope I have now, finances are a huge issue and the cost is far out of my financial ability. The more than $12,000 required for the fertility drugs and the procedure are not covered by my insurance. I will need to undergo several weeks of daily hormone injections that cost $600 each, before having viable eggs removed from my ovary which will cost $7,500 plus an additional $350 to freeze and store them.



Writing this is difficult for me as I am not a person to share personal information or ask for help. In fact, asking for help is almost embarrassing for me as I pride myself as being independent. After serious consideration, I decided to forget my pride for once because the opportunity to have a child of my own one day means more to me. I want to experience the joy of being pregnant when the time is right, to love something that I created with someone that I love, and to be called "mom" "“ even if it won't happen naturally for me.



I am extremely grateful for all the emotional support I have received throughout the years. I truly appreciate any contribution you can make "“ even the smallest means the world to me and helps me achieve my goal! If you can, please share this page with anyone you know struggling with infertility, or friends or family who may wish to donate. Thank you to everyone who is willing and able to make a contribution. I would not be able to do this alone!



Thank you all for your love and support.



Stevy