Baby Doane IVF Fund
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I am not the kind of person who would typically disclose such personal information, but I would like to bring awareness to infertility, and share some of the raw emotions that go along with it. Most of you know someone struggling through infertility, but may not even know, because it's not a popular topic of conversation at work or social events. It's something many couples struggle through on their own, as they try to put on a happy face when friends and family bombard them with the infamous question... "When are you guys going to have a little one?". I don't share this to make anyone feel bad, or to discourage you from asking your loved ones, but to make you aware, that they may be trying and may have been trying for years, only to find out their dreams of having children carry a large "price tag". I am not asking for anyone to feel sorry for my husband and I, only to be sensitive to the difficult journey some face, in the hope of having children.
My husband and I have not been preventing and actively trying for over 5 years. My husband suffered a terrible work related injury in September of 2006, resulting in a vascular occlusion causing impotence, that has been successfully treated with medication. They discovered the occlusion in 2009, and in February of 2010 we requested a semen analysis to make sure there was no damage that might cause infertility. At that time, the urologist told us everything was normal.
We continued trying with no further testing until December 2012, when I was taken to the hospital by ambulance, after fearing we may have miscarried. It turns out, the tests did not show I had been pregnant, and they couldn't tell us why I had missed 2 periods before having excruciating pain and heavy bleeding that led to the trip to the ER. I followed up with my OBGYN the next day, she ordered more blood work for me and a semen analysis for my husband. My blood work came back normal, but my husband's analysis was not normal, his overall number was great, but the morphology and motility were well below normal. We forwarded my OBGYN his analysis results from 2010 and she informed us that the morphology and motility were low at that time as well, and was confused as to why we were told it had been normal.
My husband had another semen analysis in November 2013, that had not improved. At that time, my OBGYN referred us to Colorado Center For Reproductive Medicine, to see Dr.Gustafson. We went in hoping to hear that IUI would be a good option for us, as it is much more affordable than IVF, and a lot easier on both of us physically and mentally. Dr. Gustafson consulted with us, and determined we needed to do one more semen analysis to determine if my husband has antisperm antibodies, caused by an injury to the testicles, causing our infertility. Sure enough, he has 100% antibodies, which means even if his morphology and motility numbers were in the normal range we still would not be able to get pregnant naturally or through IUI.
This was all such devastating news to us, as we had begun to assume there was a fertility issue with me, since the urologist had first told us the semen analysis was normal, only to find out he had apparently been mistaken. Not to mention the fact that we don't have $20,000.00 for IVF treatments. Our initial hope had been to start IUI treatments immediately and hopefully get to meet a sweet baby by the end of 2014. Unfortunately, due to the cost of the IVF treatments, it doesn't look like that will happen. At the same time, we believe very strongly that this is all part of God's plan for us, and know that one way or another he will provide, and we will have our own children in His perfect time. We are praying and believing He will provide a way. I'd like to share a couple bible verses with you all.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14,15
"You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor will any of your livestock be without young." Deuteronomy 7:14
At this point, I have decided to reach out to our friends and family in hopes of reaching our goal, and make baby Doane a reality! We appreciate all of your prayers, love and support, and can't thank you enough! We are making many sacrifices and putting away every penny we can, and can't wait for the day we can begin treatments! Many blessings to you all! Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and share it with your friends and family if you feel so inclined!
My husband and I have not been preventing and actively trying for over 5 years. My husband suffered a terrible work related injury in September of 2006, resulting in a vascular occlusion causing impotence, that has been successfully treated with medication. They discovered the occlusion in 2009, and in February of 2010 we requested a semen analysis to make sure there was no damage that might cause infertility. At that time, the urologist told us everything was normal.
We continued trying with no further testing until December 2012, when I was taken to the hospital by ambulance, after fearing we may have miscarried. It turns out, the tests did not show I had been pregnant, and they couldn't tell us why I had missed 2 periods before having excruciating pain and heavy bleeding that led to the trip to the ER. I followed up with my OBGYN the next day, she ordered more blood work for me and a semen analysis for my husband. My blood work came back normal, but my husband's analysis was not normal, his overall number was great, but the morphology and motility were well below normal. We forwarded my OBGYN his analysis results from 2010 and she informed us that the morphology and motility were low at that time as well, and was confused as to why we were told it had been normal.
My husband had another semen analysis in November 2013, that had not improved. At that time, my OBGYN referred us to Colorado Center For Reproductive Medicine, to see Dr.Gustafson. We went in hoping to hear that IUI would be a good option for us, as it is much more affordable than IVF, and a lot easier on both of us physically and mentally. Dr. Gustafson consulted with us, and determined we needed to do one more semen analysis to determine if my husband has antisperm antibodies, caused by an injury to the testicles, causing our infertility. Sure enough, he has 100% antibodies, which means even if his morphology and motility numbers were in the normal range we still would not be able to get pregnant naturally or through IUI.
This was all such devastating news to us, as we had begun to assume there was a fertility issue with me, since the urologist had first told us the semen analysis was normal, only to find out he had apparently been mistaken. Not to mention the fact that we don't have $20,000.00 for IVF treatments. Our initial hope had been to start IUI treatments immediately and hopefully get to meet a sweet baby by the end of 2014. Unfortunately, due to the cost of the IVF treatments, it doesn't look like that will happen. At the same time, we believe very strongly that this is all part of God's plan for us, and know that one way or another he will provide, and we will have our own children in His perfect time. We are praying and believing He will provide a way. I'd like to share a couple bible verses with you all.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14,15
"You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor will any of your livestock be without young." Deuteronomy 7:14
At this point, I have decided to reach out to our friends and family in hopes of reaching our goal, and make baby Doane a reality! We appreciate all of your prayers, love and support, and can't thank you enough! We are making many sacrifices and putting away every penny we can, and can't wait for the day we can begin treatments! Many blessings to you all! Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and share it with your friends and family if you feel so inclined!
Organizer
Nicole & Cody Doane
Organizer
Thornton, CO
