Praying for a Baby!

Hi! We are the Arnold Family.

I would like to start off by saying thank you for taking the time to read our story. It truly means the world to us!

Here is a little bit about myself before I met my husband. I have always dreamed of being a mother and in 2013 that almost became a reality, until it ended in tragedy. I had an ectopic pregnancy that almost took my life. My pregnancy developed in my right fallopian tube which then ruptured and led to severe internal bleeding. I was told by the doctor before emergency surgery that she would do her best to save my fallopian tube but there was no guarantee. After waking up from my surgery I was told the damage was too extensive and she had to remove the tube. I was absolutely devastated and feared I would never have children of my own and to this day I still struggle with those feelings and emotions.

Four years later I met my husband Jeremy, and his son Jace. I fell head over heels for both of them very fast! Having Jace in my life has been such a blessing and joy. He is such a kind, smart and active kid. He always has us laughing with his cheeky personality. He was 4 years old when he came into my life and I have enjoyed every minute with him.

After my husband and I got married we talked about trying for a baby. We tried for some time and after no luck we decided to call the doctor and have my other tube checked out. We received news that didn't shed much light on our situation. He told us that my tube was damaged but he did what he could to try and "keep it open" in hopes of a pregnancy. The doctor told us that the procedure he performed would only last a year maybe less.

We continued to try in hopes that the procedure would work. I prayed so hard. I took SO MANY ovulation tests, was tracking my cycles like it was a religion. Nothing worked. it all just led to more heartbreak and sadness.

I stuggled with depression. Very bad depression.

I finally found the courage to pick up the phone and call a infertility specialist at the beginning of 2019. We were able to set up a consultation but wouldn't be seen until fall. After we had our pre-consult appointment, tests were ordered. One of which was a hysterosalpingography (an X-ray test that uses dye to outline the uterus and fallopian tubes, and to show if the fallopian tubes are blocked) for my left fallopian tube.

My husband drove me down to Kaiser. I went into the cold x-ray room and they performed the procedure. I did not know that the tec was going to give me my results right then and there. It wasn't good news. My tube is completely blocked.

I then broke all over again. Feeling completely lost and hopeless. I sank into a depression again and just continued on autopilot as we waited for the consultation with the specialist.

In May of 2021 my husband was in an accident while we were on vacation with family. It was supposed to be a fun weekend but it took a turn for the worst after only being at camp for not even 6 hours. My husband crashed on a dirt bike and was airlifted to the hospital in Reno. He had broken his sacral vertebra and fractured a few of his lumbar vertebra as well. My mind drifted from baby mode and went straight to taking care of my husband while he recovered. He was home, in a wheelchair and needed help with most of his daily activities for months.

Once my husband was healed we both went back to work. We finally had our consultation and were told IVF (During in vitro fertilization, mature eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then a procedure is done to place one or more of the fertilized eggs, called embryos, in a uterus.) was our only option. We were quoted $30,000! I felt sick. I then started losing hope that this dream would never be a reality.

After taking some time for myself and doing some healing and soul searching I am ready to try and tackle this again. I know its a BIG GOAL and I will forever be grateful to anyone who is willing to help us achieve this dream of having a baby!

All our love,

Jeremy, Daniele and Jace