The Henry Family

Many of you might be aware of Karen and Dave’s journey to grow their family, but some of you might not know all the details and the lengths with which they have gone to do so. We want to share with you their journey, with their permission.

Karen and Dave started pursuing to grow their family in the middle of 2017. After trying a few months, Karen began to have problematic symptoms associated with her heart condition and it was decided she would need to have open heart surgery and trying for a family would need to be put on pause immediately. After Karen’s surgery and recovery, she was finally cleared as of summer of 2018 to begin trying again to start a family. After trying for almost a year, Karen and Dave were so excited to finally get a positive pregnancy test in spring of 2019 that quickly led to a miscarriage within a week’s time of the positive test. 

After trying for another year without success, in fall of 2020, Karen and Dave sought help at a fertility clinic. After much testing, it was determined that the best way for Karen and Dave to have a family was to begin the IVF process. Because of Karen’s heart condition, there were additional injections needed along with the standard IVF injections for her to undergo an egg retrieval procedure that was done in January of 2021. This procedure resulted in five viable embryos able to be transplanted. From March of 2021 to June of 2022, these five embryos were implanted one by one, and unfortunately none of the embryos survived. After these heartbreaking losses, Karen and Dave decided to change fertility clinics to get a new perspective and a second opinion. 

In fall of 2022, after much testing, again it was determined that the IVF process would be the best chance to have a successful pregnancy. Karen underwent another egg retrieval in January of 2023, which included several more injections and medications. Unfortunately, this retrieval led to complications that landed Karen a visit to the ER where the doctors discovered internal bleeding and Karen would need to be medevacked to a hospital in Philadelphia for possible immediate surgery. Fortunately, the doctors and nurses were able to reverse the internal bleeding without surgery and Karen recovered with only a few days in the hospital. 

Amidst this complication, after the January 2023 egg retrieval, the fertility clinic was able to create one viable embryo to continue the IVF process and transfer in hopes of a positive pregnancy. Karen and Dave were very excited and more optimistic as they had exhausted every testing possible this time with this embryo. Every genetic test possible was performed, and even with a positive Alport Syndrome discovery of this one male embryo, they were still able to proceed with the transfer and were very hopeful that this would result in a positive pregnancy. This one viable male embryo was transferred in August of 2023, which led to a positive test but quickly turned negative after a few days. 

After this last heartbreaking and devastating loss, it has been medically advised that Karen no longer should pursue egg retrieval procedures and other options have been suggested to Karen and Dave to grow their family. 

As you can imagine, the IVF process has been a financial strain already on them and now looking forward, the options are still financially straining and overwhelming. With now seven heartbreaking losses behind them, a purchase of egg donations, embryo adoption, and regular adoption are all avenues being considered with approximate costs anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. As you can imagine, this has been an extremely daunting and overwhelming process - mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. 

Karen and Dave are extremely grateful and thankful for the family and friends who have already been supporting prayerfully and financially throughout this journey the past few years. Many have been asking if there is a “go fund me” to come alongside them as a community and help them in this process. So we (her sisters) have created this page so you can hear their story, follow along in their journey, and support them as you are able.

First, would you pray that God would grant them the desire of their hearts to have a family. Second, would you consider donating on this “Giving Tuesday” and in the days ahead to financially support them as they pursue each of the possibilities being considered. No gift is too small...$5, $10, $50 will all go toward their growing family.

Ephesians 3:20

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.